Action has been scarce. Almost all hands have been limped in and checked down to the river. Occasionally a preflop raise, or a bet on the flop or turn will win a pot, but most hands are being won at showdown with a marginal holding for small pots. It's become quite clear that Michael Martin is waiting for his spot to try and double up while Ben Hock is trying his best to make sure the next time Martin is all in, the tournament is over and he is victorious.
With chips roughly even, and both players clearly eyeing first place, neither has really seemed intent to play a big pot yet. Both seem content to fold to a raise, or check down to the river with a marginal hand.
With the elimination of Nicholos Manganaro, play is now heads-up. The tournament has paused briefly while the money and ring presentation is being arranged.
Michael Martin raised to 30,000 from the button. Ben Hock folded and Nicholas Manganaro moved all in for 93,000 from the big blind. Martin took his time, but eventually called. The players showed:
Martin:
Manganaro:
Despite the crying pleas from Manganaro's crowd of supporters, he missed his live cards and Martin's king high was best. A clearly dissapointed Manganaro casually made his way off the stage, eliminated in third place. He'll pick up $52,039 to ease the pain.
On the very next hand, Nicholas Manganaro and Ben Hock were all in pre-flop again. This time it was for Manganaro and for Hock. Hock would need serious help if he was to stay alive in the tournament. By the turn, the board read . The crowd was so loud that it was difficult to hear the tournament director over their steady cheers. Those cheers ceased immediately however, when the dealer peeled off the on the river. Manganaro's room full of supporters lost their breath and all that was heard was the loyal cheers of one or two Ben Hock supporters. Ben Hock doubled through Nicholoas Manganaro and is back up to around 500,000, while Manganaro is down to a modest 70,000.
Michael Martin min-raised from the button to 24,000. Ben Hock called the raise from the small blind and Nicholas Manganaro moved all in from the big blind. Martin thought for a while before finally tossing in his hand and Ben Hock called immediately. Hock turned up the which was behind the of Manganaro. The crowd roared yet again when the hands were tabled. Manganaro's kings held up and he doubled through Ben Hock.