Action folded around to Ben Yu in the small blind, and he raised to 2,400. Alex Keating called from the big blind, and the two players saw a flop of . Yu checked, Keating bet 1,200, and Yu called.
The turn brought the , and Yu checked. Keating bet 2,400, Yu folded, and Keating took the pot.
Action folded around to a player in middle position, and he raised to 2,400. Valentin Vornicu called from the hijack, and the two players saw a flop of . The player in middle position bet 1,200, and Vornicu called.
The turn brought the , and Vornicu's opponent bet again — 2,400 this time. Vornicu called.
The river was the , and the action went bet-call once more.
Vornicu tabled for two pair, nines and threes, for high and a seventy-six low. His opponent showed for a pair of sevens and a seventy-four low, so the two players chopped the pot.
With about 3,500 chips already in the middle and the board reading , action checked to Anthony Zinno in middle position, and he bet 1,200. The big blind called.
The turn brought the , and the big blind checked. Zinno bet 2,400, and his opponent called.
The fell on the river, and the big blind checked again. Zinno bet 2,400, and his opponent called. Zinno tabled for the nut low, his opponent showed for a set of kings for high, and they split the pot.
Erik Seidel was under the gun and limped in, along with the player in the cutoff. Todd Brunson was on the button and raised to 2,400. The big blind called, as did Seidel and the cutoff.
The flop was , and everyone check-called after Brunson bet 1,200.
The turn was the , and the big blind checked. Seidel bet 2,400, and the cutoff folded. Brunson called, and the big blind folded.
The river was the , and Seidel bet 2,400. Brunson called.
Brunson tabled for the low, and Seidel tabled for a straight and the high portion of the hand.
Five-time bracelet winner Jason Mercier has jumped into the field of play. He has joined the table of Erik Seidel, Todd Brunson, and Matt Glantz, making it even tougher than it already was. Mercier has over $4.5 million in WSOP cashes and numerous other championships from around the globe, giving him a total career live recorded earnings of over $18 million dollars.
Two-time bracelet winner and online super-pro Phil Galfond has taken a seat next to Shaun Deeb. Galfond has over $2.2 million in WSOP earnings and has transitioned from the online world that he dominated into the live setting rather well. Galfond is recognized as one of the most in-depth thinkers of the game and is the head of a popular online coaching and instructional site.
Justin Bonomo has joined this already tough field. Bonomo has nearly $4 million in WSOP earnings and numerous final tables in all sorts of variations of the game. He is an exceptionally well-rounded player and comes from a gaming background. He sports his pink hair in support of women and equality, especially focused on women in the game of poker. Bonomo is a fearless player and one to watch for throughout this event.
Nick Schulman is a two-time WSOP champion and has cashed in 31 different events, amassing earnings of over $2.4 million. Nick has been around the scene for many years now and is recognized as one of the most naturally talented players in the game. His most recent big result at the WSOP was in the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. event last year, where he finished in third place for over $183,000.