Chris Bratene Eliminated in 7th Place($16,617) Ty Spires Eliminated in 6th Place($21,414)

Kevin Taylor

Wow. That was a big hand. Action folded around to Ty Spires, who made it 125,000 to go. It folded to Chris Bratene in the small blind, who went all in for 300,000. Chris Cronin was next to act, and after taking a peak at his cards, announced all in himself! It came back to Spires, and he wasted little time in calling! Cronin had both Spires and Bratene covered, and when the cards were tabled, Cronin was out in front.

Cronin: {q-Hearts} {q-Clubs}
Spires: {a-Diamonds} {k-Spades}
Bartene: {10-Spades} {8-Spades}

There was an ace in the window for Spires, as the flop came out {a-Clubs} {3-Diamonds} {8-Diamonds} . Bratene also caught a piece of the flop, getting middle pair, but would need more to survive the hand. The {2-Clubs} on the turn changed nothing, but the {q-Diamonds} on the river changed everything. Cronin caught his two outer, eliminated both Spires and Bratene. IN addition to the double knockout, Cronin took the chip lead in the process!