An Orbit with Jesse Sylvia

Chad Holloway

Level 5 : 150/300, 25 ante

Since July, Jesse Sylvia has been carrying the World Series of Poker Main Event chip lead as a part of this year's October Nine. Traditionally, many of the WSOP finalist have traveled to play the European circuit in the off months, and this year's chip leader is no exception.

Sylvia is in today's field and looking to keep his skills sharp until October. At the same time, he's looking to capture an EPT title and make his name known on both sides of the Atlantic.

We recently watched Sylvia for an entire orbit prior to the last break.

Hand #1: Sylvia was under the gun plus one and simply folded.

Hand #2: Sylvia was under the gun and repeated the action from Hand #1.

Hand #3: Sylvia was in the big blind, but opted to fold after the hijack had raised to 500 and the cutoff three-bet to 1,225.

Hand #4: After Elisar Serbu raised to 500, Sylvia called from the small blind and it was heads-up action to the {6-Diamonds} {5-Diamonds} {8-Hearts} flop. Sylvia took the initiative and led out for 750, Serbu called, and then both players checked the {10-Spades} turn and {6-Clubs} river. Sylvia tabled {A-Diamonds} {J-Spades} , but it was no good against Serbu's {8-Spades} {7-Diamonds} .

Hand #5: Action folded to Sylvia on the button and he folded his hand.

Hand #6: A player in middle position raised to 450 and Sylvia folded from the cutoff.

Hand #7: Action folded to Sylvia in the hijack and he raised to 500, which Riccardo Marchini called from the small blind. Both players proceeded to check the {4-Diamonds} {A-Hearts} {Q-Spades} flop and {J-Clubs} turn. When the {K-Spades} peeled off on the river, Marchini led out for 1,000, Sylvia raised to 3,600, Marchini made it 10,000 to go, and Sylvia moved all in. Marchini called with {10-Spades} {9-Spades} for the nut straight, and Sylvia showed {Q-Clubs} {10-Diamonds} for the same hand. Chop it up.