Condon Survives

Near the end of the last level, Alexander Condon lost another pot to slip down under 40,000, then after the blinds passed him one time he was down to just 24,000.

The big blind reached him again, and David Chiu — sitting to Condon's right — joked with him as he put out his blind.

"Want to play smaller?" asked Chiu. "I'd like that," said Condon with a grin. "Can we play 500/1,000 for a while?"

Alas for Condon, he had to put in the full 6,000 for the big blind. It folded to Eli Elezra on the button who raised, Chiu called, and Condon called as well. Chiu took two, Condon one, and Elezra one. Chiu then checked, Condon bet, and both of his opponents called.

On the second draw Chiu was taking two again and Elezra one, but Condon stood pat. Chiu checked, Condon bet his last 6,000, and both Elezra and Chiu stuck around.

Chiu took two and Elezra one again on the last draw, while Condon continued to stick with his five cards. Chiu and Elezra both checked, and Elezra showed he picked up a on the end. Chiu had , and Condon had to survive.