Frank Kassela Eliminated in 3rd Place ($556,053)

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Shawn Buchanan completed the small blind and Frank Kassela checked his option in the big blind.

The flop came down {Q-Diamonds} {4-Clubs} {3-Hearts} . Buchanan checked to Kassela, who bet 80,000. Buchanan raised to 260,000 and Kassela came back over the top for 710,000. Buchanan called. The turn came the {10-Diamonds} and Buchanan checked again. Kassela bet 1,000,000, Buchanan moved all-in and Kassela made the call!

With 7,280,000 in the pot, the cards went on their backs.

Kassela {Q-Clubs} {3-Diamonds}
Buchanan {5-Hearts} {6-Clubs}

Kassela sprung back like he'd been electrocuted when he laid his eyes on Buchanan's hand- an open-ended straight draw against his two pair. The entire audience rose to their feet as the dealer burned and turned the river.

It was the {2-Spades} . Kassela threw his hands up in the air as Buchanan made his straight. So much for being an 82% favorite with one to come.

Buchanan's fans erupted in cheers, although their man hardly moved a muscle as the massive pot was shipped his way, and Kassela exited the stage in third place. With his finish today, Kassela has 285 points in the WSOP Player of the Year race, 60 points ahead of second-place John Juanda, and is a near-lock to win POY honors.

We're on a brief pause while the stacks are counted up and the table is prepared for heads-up play.