Anthony Maio Eliminated in 3rd Place ($307,565)
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Hand 76: Maio opened for 325,000 from the button and Merulla shot him a look from the next seat over, beofre comitting the calling chips. Paredes folded and the flop came down 
. Maio led out for 225,000 and once again Merulla looked over at him with a bemused look on his face. He came along with the call though and the turn came 
. On fourth street Maio bet 425,000, and Merulla tanked for a minute or so before quietly announcing himself all in to force Maio to a decision for his tournament life.
Maio snap-called and the two showed down the cards that created this collision.
Showdown:
Maio: 
Merulla: 
Maio had fought valiantly to mount a comeback with his short stack, but the last of his chips were committed while drawing dead. Merulla had flopped the nut flush and he could not be beat, leaving a futile 
to fall on the river to make things official. Merulla was already celebrating on the rail while Maio made the long walk away from one of the pinnacles in a poker player's career: the WPT final table stage.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
16,300,000
2,265,000
|
2,265,000 |
|
Busted |