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Bozeman, Montana's Mikiyo Aoki came into the WSOP Ladies Championship final table with the chip lead. And although things haven't exactly gone her way in the early going, this digital marketing professional and poker amateur is still near the top of the chip counts.
There's a sizable crowd and a rather electric atmosphere around the table today, and PokerNews decided to chat with Aoki to get a sense of what her experience has been like so far in this latest Final Table Interview.
PokerNews: It's really an exciting atmosphere here at the final table. How has your experience been so far?
It's so much fun. Last year I played in the [Casino Employees] event, but this is really my first World Series of Poker event. I didn't really have any expectations coming in, so making it here is really exciting. It's awesome�� whatever happens, I'm pretty thrilled.
PokerNews: You came in with the chip lead, but doubled up a few short stacks so far. How are things going?
It's been pretty rough. I called with queens versus [Patricia Cahill's] low ace early on and hit trip queens, but it came runner-runner to give her a straight. Then here I hit the flush but [Elizabeth Montizanti] hit a full house. It has been a little frustrating, but I'm trying to be patient and pick good spots and hopefully build it back up.
PokerNews: There's one small cash on your record to this point. What's your history with the game of poker?
I started pretty young. I have a brother who is a year older than me and I would always play in little five-dollar home games when we were kids growing up. Since then I've played a bit of cash games, a few tournaments, but nothing this big for sure.
PokerNews: There's often a lot of camaraderie in the WSOP Ladies Championship. Has that been your experience so far?
I noticed that too. I don't think I've played against a single player that didn't have a great attitude. Everyone has been so sweet. I definitely agree there's been a lot of camaraderie. When someone gets knocked out everyone is always giving her hugs because we've all kind of bonded coming to this final stage.
PokerNews: Here at this final stage you are on the live stream, under the lights, and a big crowd is watching. Is it nerve-wracking?
Now that I'm here it's easy to focus, but I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, that's for sure. It's definitely exciting.
PokerNews: So what's your plan going forward?
To try to be patient, pick good spots, and hopefully regain the chip lead at some point.
Hand #33: Meikat Siu opened to 30,000 from under the gun, Haixia Zhang three bet to 60,000, and Siu made the call. The two ladies went heads up to a flop of 
. Siu check-folded after Zhang continued with a bet of 50,000.
Hand #34: Mikiyo Aoki raised to 30,000 on the button and Siu called from the big blind. The dealer fanned a 
flop and Siu check-called a bet of 40,000 from Aoki. The two ladies seen the 
fall on the turn, Siu led out with a bet and Aoki instantly folded. Siu showed an ace.
Hand #35: Aoki opened to 30,000 and both ladies in the blinds moved out of the way.
Hand #36: Zhang opened to 35,000 under the gun and won the pot uncontested, showing .
Hand #37: Pat Landis didn��t like her small blind hand and gave Zhang a walk.
Level: 21
Blinds: 6,000/12,000
Ante: 2,000
The ladies are now on a 20-minute break. Here are their updated chip counts:
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
755,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
|
||
|
585,000
-250,000
|
-250,000 |
|
470,000
90,000
|
90,000 |
|
232,000
7,000
|
7,000 |
|
195,000
85,000
|
85,000 |
|
167,000
82,000
|
82,000 |
Hand #28: Haixia Zhang raised to 25,000 and Mikiyo Aoki called from the button. The two players went to a flop of 
and Zhang checked. Aoki bet out 45,000 and Zhang raised to 120,000, winning the pot when Aoki quickly folded.
Hand #29: Zhang raised to 25,000 again and picked up the blinds and antes.
Hand #30: Zhang raised to 25,000 once again and scooped up the pot preflop.
Hand #31: Aoki raised to 30,000 and Meikat Siu made it 78,000 to win the chips.
Hand #32: Elizabeth Montizanti opened the action by pushing all in. Aoki asked for a count of Montizanti's stack and called when she was told it was 92,000.
Aoki: 
Montizanti: 
The flop came down 
and Montizanti made top pair but was at risk to the flush draw. The turn card was the 
, and the river card was the only diamond Aoki didn't want �� the 
�� giving her a flush but completing Montizanti's hand to a full house. Montizanti made the double up and her rail went wild.
Hand #23: Elizabeth Montizanti got a walk.
Hand #24: Persia Bonella opened to 26,000 from the cutoff and picked up the blinds and antes.
Hand #25: Montizanti opened on the button with a raise of 25,000, Haixia Zhang three bet to 60,000 in the big blind, and Monstizanti mucked her hand.
Hand #26: Pat Landis open-shoved on the button, Zhang raised to 300,000 from the small blind, and Aoki folded her big blind.
Landis: 
Zhang: 
A classic race was underway for Landis�� tournament life and the dealer swept out a flop of 
. Zhang had flopped a flush and Landis needed a runner-runner combo to survive. The 
fell on the turn, giving Landis hope as the 
hit down on the river and a huge roar echoed through the rail.
Hand #27: Aoki raised her small blind to 35,000, Bonella moved all in from the big blind, and Aoki folded.
Hand #20: Persia Bonella raised to 23,000 and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #21: Mikiyo Aoki raised to 25,000 and scooped up the pot.
Hand #22: Haixia Zhang raised to 25,000 and Aoki made the call. Kendra Wray then pushed all in and action folded back to Zhang. The count came to 99,000 to call and Zhang had a decision to make. She elected to raise it up to 200,000 and Aoki let go of her hand.
Wray:
Zhang: 
Wray was in the lead and looking to double up. The flop was safe with . The turn put Zhang in the lead when it came down 
, and Wray couldn't retake the lead when the river was revealed as the 
. Wray was eliminated from this tournament in seventh place and has earned $19,120.
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Hand #15: Mikiyo Aoki opened from the cutoff and seat and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #16: Aoki opened to 30,000 from the hijack and her opponents folded.
Hand #17: Aoki opened to 30,000 and won the pot.
Hand #18: Meikat Siu opened to 26,000 and picked up the blinds and antes.
Hand #19: Kendra Wray opened and Zhang called from the small blind, and aoki three bet to 70,000 from the big blind. Wray moved out of the way, and Zhang folded as well.
