Most of the pots so far in this heads-up match have been small, check-filled affairs. The last pot, however, provided more intrigue. Chris Bell limped his button, then called a pot-sized raise to 150,000 made by Dan Shak. With 300,000 in the pot, Shak bet 200,000 on a flop of . Bell, never quick to act on his hand, gave the matter some thought and then called.
With 700,000 in the pot, the fell on the turn. Shak bet pot and eventually induced a fold from Bell.
"It's a Shak attack!" yelloed Shak's half dozen supporters from the rail.
The last two players were on a short break, but they've just resumed play. Dan Shak has the slimmest of leads, with 2,165,000 chips to Chris Bell's 2,095,000.
Chris Bell made it 150,000 in the small blind and Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott called in the big blind. They saw a flop.
Flop:
Bell checked and Devilfish bet pot - 300,000 with 330,000 left behind. Bell thought about it for a while and then flat-called. The atmosphere in the room, such as it is, suddenly became rather serious as they went to the turn.
Turn:
Bell announced all in. Devilfish announced call.
Devilfish: for a pair of threes, a flush draw, two gutshot draws and a low draw
Bell: for a pair of queens, also a gutshot and a better low draw
River:
The river was a complete brick for Devilfish and he is therefore bust in third place.
Joe Ritzie kept shoving as many chips in pre-flop as he could. Eventually, he'd stop chopping the pot and either double up or go home. Go home, as it turns ot. Ritzie moved all in for 250,000 after Dan Shak opened to 175,000. Shak called with and was up against Ritzie's . There was something for everyone on a flop of . Shak made top pair for the high and the nut low draw; Ritzie made a gutshot straight draw and a heart flush draw. Ritzie was the one who needed to improve but couldn't do it on the turn or river. He's out in 4th place.
First hand back, Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott raised to 175,000 under the gun and then called the shove for 210,000 total from Joe Ritzie in the big blind.
Devilfish:
Ritzie:
Board:
The river brought Ritzie a straight and Devilfish a winning low. They chopped it up.
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Next hand, Ritzie raised pot and Devilfish called. Ritzie's remaining 75,000 went in on the flop and Devilfish called that too.
Ritzie:
Devilfish:
Board:
Again, they chopped it, Ritzie again taking the high with deuces and sevens and Devilfish getting the low.
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So next hand, Ritzie potted again and this time Dan Shak made the call. Ritzie's last 50,000 went in, once again, on the flop.
Ritzie:
Shak:
Board:
This time Ritzie got the low and Shak the high, but the outcome was the same - a chop.
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Ritzie picked up the blinds the hand after that. He's now on 300,000, or six big blinds to me and you.