While perusing the tournament area, we came upon 2003 WSOP Main Event champion Chris Moneymaker sporting a massive stack of about 31,000 in chips. This is Moneymaker's first tournament of this year's WSOP and he's off to a good start halfway through Day 1.
Jonathan Duhamel was heads up with an opponent on fourth street. Action checked to the 2010 WSOP Main Event champion and he fired out a bet. His opponent announced a check-raise and Duhamel made it three bets to go. His opponent flat called.
Fifth street gave Duhmael a jack and his opponent led into him. He called only to have his opponent bet again on sixth. Duhmael called for his tournament life of 250 and the hands were turned up.
Duhamel:
Opponent:
The players received their down cards, Duhamel's opponent showing a second , keeping his hand as a seventy six low. Duhmael held an eighty-six and looked to improve with his final card. It was not meant to be, though, as he pulled a second and was eliminated from play.
We picked up with the action after the draw to see Jon Turner heads up with an opponent. Turner's opponent checked and with about 4,000 already in the middle, Turner led for 1,900. His opponent thought for about a minute before flinging out a call.
"Nine," said Turner.
His opponent fanned better, though, placing on the felt. Turner mucked and his opponent was pushed the pot. He's now left with about 3,100 in chips.
The board read when we found Michael Mizrachi and Andrey Zaichenko engaged in a hand. Zaichenko checked the turn and Mizrachi fired out a bet. Zaichenko called and the completed the board on the river.
Zaichenko bet the river and Mizrachi took a moment, looking at his opponent for a beat before tossing out a call.
"Yours," said Zaichenko, showing for merely ace-high. Mizrachi tabled for a pair of fours and was awarded the pot. He now has about 15,000 while Zaichenko has dropped to 10,800.