With the announcement that there are only 55 players remaining, hand for hand play has begun with 23 minutes left in level 12. Still in the field are Stuey Paterson, Marcel Luske, John Juanda, Kathy Liebert, Blair Rodman and Todd Brunson. Play is still scheduled to play down to the winner.
Robert Williamson III enjoyed a very rocky, and very short second day. Williamson was able to maintain his chip stack throughout the day, often splitting pots with opponents. With the limits set at $1,500-$3,000, Williamson threw out $3,000 preflop. Tony Cousineau and the player in seat one made the call and the flop came Q
8
5
. Cousineau and the player in seat one checked and Williamson bet out $1,500. Both Cousineau and the player in seat one called and the turn was the 4
. Action checked to Williamson again and he bet out $3,000. Both players again called and the river was the 8
. Action checked to Williamson again and he bet out $3,000. Both players called and all three turned over their cards. The player in seat one showed A
K
8
7
to take the high and Williamson turned over A
Q
2
2
for the low. The players split the pot and Cousineau just mucked his hand. Williamson's good fortune didn't last long into the next level however, and he was eliminated. The limits rose to $2,000-$4,000 and Williamson was all in preflop for his last $4,500. Two callers saw the flop with Williamson and it was J
8
6
. A $2,000 bet on the flop was called and the turn was the 4
. The two remaining players bet and called for $4,000 more and the river was the 7
. A bet of $2,000 was called and the player showed their hands. Williamson showed A
K
5
3
and his opponent in seat six turned up A
K
7
4
and scooped the pot. The other player in the hand mucked and Williamson was eliminated.
John Juanda was able to ward off elimination in this last level and has built his stack up to $28,000. With the board showing J
4
2
Juanda bet out $3,000 and his opponent in the ten seat called. The turn was the 2
and again Juanda led out with $3,000. The ten seat called and the river was the 8
. Juanda put his last $2,000 into the middle and the player in seat ten called. Juanda exposed A
K
8
2
for the full house and took down the pot, staying alive.
Minh Nguyen was eliminated this level as well, courtesy of chip leader Blair Rodman. At a table including Kathy Liebert, Todd Brunson and Blair Rodman, Minh Nguyen found himself amongst some tough competition. Liebert bet out $4,000 to start the hand and both Rodman and Nguyen called. The flop was A
9
8
and Rodman checked. Nguyen pushed in his last $1,500 and both Liebert and Rodman called. The turn was the A
and Rodman and Liebert both checked. The river card brought the A
and again both players checked. Rodman showed K
K
6
4
and both Nguyen and Liebert mucked their cards.
Marcel Luske made his voice heard early in the day. Seems Luske had a problem with the dealer not leaving bets in front of the players and pulling them into the middle. The dealer and Luske got into it for a few moments until a tournament offcial came by to resolve the situation. Luske was adamant and not giving an inch. "I'm not gonna back down on this! I wanna play the way the game should be played! Put the money where it belongs, in front!" The floor person finally compromised with Luske and the dealer handled the chips the way Luske demanded.
The players are now on a 15 minute break and the money bubble has yet to burst. With several short stacks hanging on for dear life, expect the field to be in the money shortly into level 13.
