Mertzanis and Steicke Go Big
From middle position, Eric Assadourian raised to 1,500. Dimitrios Mertzanis called on the button before David Steicke three-bet from the small blind to 8,500. After the big blind folded, Assadourian also got out of the way. Mertzanis made the call though.
The flop came down 
and Steicke fired 10,500. Mertzanis made the call and the two went to the turn. Fourth street produced the 
and Steicke didn;t slow down. He fired 16,500 this time and Mertzanis called once again.
The river card completed the board with the 
. Steicke checked and Mertzanis quickly checked behind. Mertzanis tabled the 
, but Steicke rolled over the 
, pointing to his king as he hit a pair of kings on the river.
Losing that pot put Mertzanis down to 43,000 chips while Steicke stormed to 115,000 and further increased his lead on the rest of today's field.