In a three-way pot with the board reading and about 17,000 in the middle, John Hennigan checked the small blind. Eric Wasserson did the same from the big blind before Sergey Rybchenko fired 11K from the button.
Hennigan made the call, but Wasserson tanked for a good minute or two before letting it go.
An older lady on the rail held up a handwritten sign that said, "Daniel, would you please sign my hat?" and waved it slowly as she carefully watched his every move.
As soon as Daniel Negreanu noticed the sign he said, "Well, of course I will. Let me just play this hand."
After the hand, Negreanu got up from his seat, signed autographs for at least five eager fans awaiting a few seconds with their favorite poker player.
"You're the best, man, I really like your play," a bystander said, who had nothing to be signed but felt happy to just get a handshake from the six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner.
After having his picture taken with a few people on the rail, Negreanu hopped back into his seat just in time for the next hand. The $50,000 Players Championship is not only one of the biggest events of the year for players, but also for fans looking to catch a glimpse of their favorite players.
Action folded around to a short-stacked Phil Hellmuth on the button and he raised to 4,000. Melissa Burr folded from the small blind, and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi defended from the big. When the flop came down , Mizrachi tossed out some chips and Hellmuth snap-called off for his last 6,800.
Mizrachi:
Hellmuth:
Hellmuth was on his feet after he discovered Mizrachi was in the lead with queens, but he sat back down once the dealer burned and turned the to give him two pair. The river was of no consequence, and Hellmuth was shipped the double.
"Alright, maybe I'll get a little momentum going," Hellmuth said optimistically.