Day 2 of Event #43 $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout saw 120 players across 12 tables return to battle it out in the winner-take-all shootout format once again. Each of the players had conquered their tables yesterday to lock up $4,837, but only victory over a fresh set of opponents would see them advance to the final day with a new guaranteed minimum cash of $16,844.
Some of the big names who came in today with high hopes but ended disappointed included Vojtech Ruzicka, Martin Staszko, Tom Middleton, Kevin MacPhee and 888Poker’s latest bracelet winner Chris Moorman.
The first table to reach heads-up was Table 726 where Paul Michaelis from Germany battled against Erle Mankin from the United States. Michaelis had dominated his table and began the last leg with a 5 to 1 chip lead. Mankin though battled back valiantly with great reads and a lot of humor while attempting to get in Michaelis’ head. Some huge lay downs by Mankin, including folding trips on the river against what Michaelis later confirmed was a straight, saw Mankin hang in there but ultimately Michaleis emerged victorious.
The first player to actually make it through to the final day was Panchara Wongwichit from Australia who had a big chip lead and a bigger kicker to eliminate Kyle Cartwright when they both hit a top pair king on the flop. A short day for Wongwichit will allow him to return fully rested on Saturday.
Matthew Haugen led his table for much of the early levels but it was Ben Maya who would be the last man standing on Table 723 when he finally defeated Chris Bell heads up at the end of Level 12.
At the start of the next level, Russell Thomas, who had played a tactically astute and aggressive late game, was defeated by Ross Ward when the pocket kings of Thomas fell to Ward’s suited ace-six that turned a straight.
The final three players to advance were Steve Foutty, who beat Josh Kay; Jonathan Little, who beat Alan Spotts; and Matas Dilpsas, who finally got the better of James Gilbert.
The remaining 12 players return Saturday at noon to battle down to a winner. Play begins with two tables of six and progresses like a normal tournament, going to an unofficial final table of 10 and then playing down to a winner.
The PokerNews Live reporting team will bring you all the action on the road to crowning a new shootout champion who will win a gold WSOP bracelet and $257,764.
According to the dealer, the players got it all-in on the flop. The flop was .
Jonathan Little:
Alan Spotts:
Spotts needed a four or a diamond to stay alive as Little had him covered. The turn was the and the on the river completed the board. No help for Spotts and Little advances through to tomorrow.
We got to the table to see Josh Kay grabbing his bag even though the board wasn't even fully turned yet. Kay was in danger as Steve Foutty had him covered.
Steve Foutty:
Josh Kay:
The board ran out to give Foutty the higher two pair and he advances through to tomorrow.
We got to the table to see around 140,000 in the pot already. The flop was , Russell Thomas opened to 50,000 from the button, and Carlos Mortensen shoved all in from the small blind. Thomas snap-called.
Thomas:
Mortensen:
They both had kings but Thomas had the ace-kicker. The turn gave them the and the river completed the board with the .
Xavier Rios raised to 10,000 from the button, Robert Kuhn three-bet to 40,000 in the small blind, and Chris Brand folded. Rios shoved all in and Kuhn called.
Kuhn:
Rios:
The board ran out and Kuhn rivered a set to knock Rios out of the shootout.
The two remaining players, Erle Mankin and Paul Michaelis are acting fast while also chatting. Here are some of the hands we've just followed:
Hand #1: The flop was , Mankin check-called the 7,000 bet of Michaelis. The turn was the and Mankin check-called the 17,000 bet of Michaelis. The on the river completed the board and they both checked. Mankin showed for two pairs with the queen kicker. Michaelis showed for the same two pairs but mucked the rest as it was a lower kicker.
Hand #2: Mankin raised to 8,000 and Michaelis called. The flop gave them and Michaelis check-called the 7,000 bet of Mankin. The turn was the , Michaelis opened to 10,000, and Mankin called. The on the river completed the board, Michaelis bet 36,000, and Mankin folded.
Hand #3: Michaelis raised to 6,500 and Mankin called. The flop was the and Mankin check-called the 6,000 bet of Michaelis. The came on the turn and Mankin check-called the 12,000 bet of Michaelis. The on the river meant Mankin check-called the 25,000 bet of Michaelis. Michaelis showed for two pairs, sixes and fours. Mankin mucked.
Hand #4: Mankin raised to 6,000 and Michaelis called. The flop came , Michaelis checked, Mankin opened to 6,000, Michaelis raised to 16,000, and Mankin went all in. Michaelis stood up, asked for a count, had a think, and then decided to call. Mankin still had 136,500 behind.
Mankin:
Michaelis:
The turn was the and the river was the so Mankin doubled up.
.
and the 
on the river completed the board. No help for Spotts and Little advances through to tomorrow.
![[user153906]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
to give Foutty the higher two pair and he advances through to tomorrow.
and Kevin Eyster had 
. The board ran out 
- no help for Eyster and he was eliminated. Rocha is through to tomorrow with 622,000 chips.
to give Ward a flush on the river and knock Mortensen out.
, Russell Thomas opened to 50,000 from the button, and Carlos Mortensen shoved all in from the small blind. Thomas snap-called.
. 
for two pairs with the queen kicker. Michaelis showed 
for the same two pairs but mucked the rest as it was a lower kicker.
and Michaelis check-called the 7,000 bet of Mankin. The turn was the 
and Mankin check-called the 6,000 bet of Michaelis. The 
and the river was the 
