Maksim Bukreev has been the short stack for a while, with around 20 big blinds in play. He's been very quiet whilst the other three players have tussled and in the last couple of hands, it's Pete Chen who's come out on top.
First, he was in a hand with Elvin Sarkarov and bet 300,000 on the river, (more than the pot value) with down. It was enough to convince Sarkarov to pass.
Then Sarkarov opened the button to 44,000 and Chen called in the small and Rushad Iskandarov called in the big blind. The dealer laid on the flop and everyone checked.
On the turn, Chen lead for 57,000 and both Iskandrov and Sarkarov came along. The river was the and Chen barreled 160,000. Iskandarov folded but Sarkarov made the call. Chen tabled for the low full house and Sarkarov mucked.
Pete Chen opened the button and was three-bet by Rushad Iskandarov to 122,000 in the small blind. Back on Chen and he wasn't done yet, four-betting all in. Iskandarov couldn't find a call and Chen took it down.
It's all over for Valery Yantsevich. He moved all in under the gun for 260,000 (13 big blinds) and Rushad Iskandarov called from the big blind. They opened their cards and Yantsevichh was ahead but not by much.
Rushad Iskandarov:
Valery Yantsevich:
The flop was safe for the all in player. So too was the on the turn. A on the river sent the chips Iskandarov's way and Yantsevich made his way to the payouts desk.
Maksim Bukreev limped the button and Pete Chen checked his option.
The flop was the and when Chen checked, Bukreev bet 18,000. Chen then raised to 65,000, before Bukreev pumped it up to 115,000. Chen didn't waste any time folding.
Table shortie Valery Yantsevich, has just three-bet all in over a 32,000 open against Elvin Sarkarov, who has folded. Yantsevich is still under 20 big blinds but it is a step in the right direction.