Mike Sexton Eliminated in 16th Place ($14,693)

Just as Level 19 was coming to a close, Poker Hall of Famer Mike Sexton became the fourth elimination of the first hour today after losing the last of his stack to chip leader Jeff Madsen.

Sexton's final hand began with the "Ambassador of Poker" raising to 18,000 from under the gun and getting three callers in Madsen (middle position), Isaac Hagerling (button), and Scott Clements (big blind). The flop came and after Clements checked, Sexton bet 60,000.

Madsen sat for about a half-minute in his characteristic pose, riffling his chips with his right hand while his left hand rested on his opposite shoulder, then raised to 175,000. The bet forced both Hagerling and Clements to release their hands, then forced Sexton into a couple of minutes' worth of contemplation over whether or not to commit his final 85,000 or so.

Finally Sexton called, asking "You got a set?" "Yes," said Madsen as he turned over for three kings. Sexton showed his and began calculating what sort of runner-runner combination might save him. The on the turn provided the first step toward one of those possibilities, but the river was the and Sexton is out.