Rafe Kibrit raised from the button to 100,000 only to have Elie Payan reraised to 300,000 form the big blind. Kibrit made the call and the dealer slid the out in the middle of the felt. Payan bet all in for 580,000 and Kibrit called, standing and tabling the for top and bottom pair plus a flush draw. Payan showed the for a better flush draw, a straight draw and bottom pair.
The turn was the and that gave Payan a better two pair and the lead. The river completed the board with the and Payan was safe from elimination. He doubled up, but it still down in chips to Kibrit as the battle goes on.
From the button, Elie Payan limped in and then called a raise to 150,000 from Rafe Kibrit out of the big blind. The flop came down and Kibrit didn't waste any time. He fired right out for the full amount, 300,000. Payan gave it up and Kibrit won the hand.
Rafe Kibrit limped in on his button and Elie Payan checked, bringing a flop of to the felt. Both players knocked the table and the turn came .
Payan fired a bet of 100,000 and after Kibrit called, the dealer turned over the on the river.
Payan slowed down and checked it to Kibrit, who seized the moment of weakness by betting 150,000. This forced a fold by Payan and Kibrit is pulling away after having been on life support just an hour ago.
To borrow a phrase coined by out tournament announcer here this evening, the players are back at the table and the dealer is ready to "blend 'em and send 'em."
Riding that incredible rush which all poker players have known at some point in their lives, Rafe Kibrit raised to 80,000 from the button and Elie Payan came along for the ride.
Flop:
Both players checked the flop and the fell on the turn. Payan checked it once more, his aggression a thing of the past at this point, and Kibrit fired 120,000 into the middle. Payan decided to peel off one more card and made the call.
River:
Kibrit slid eight green chips forward for a bet of 200,000 and Payan agonized briefly before deciding to look his red-hot opponent up. Kibrit calmly turned over his for trip eights on the turn and Payan had paid him off once again.
Kibrit now holds all of the green 25,000 denomination chips on the table in a stunning reversal of fortune. In an entertaining coincidence, at least for Kibrit, his rush began immediately after a fan wearing all green entered the audience area to cheer him on. This fan tells us his nickname is "The Royal Sweat" and he seems to have the uncanny ability of rooting for eventual bracelet winners. Rafe Kibrit will certainly be thankful to "The Royal Sweat" for arriving just in the nick of time if he goes on to complete the comeback and capture the gold bracelet here tonight.
donpeters
Rafe Kibrit pumps his fist as he takes the chip lead
Rafe Kibrit fired 180,000 on the flop and Elie Payan made the call to see the turn, which was the . Kibrit stayed on the gas and fired 400,000 this time, one of the largest bets this tournament has seen. Payan again made the call and wasn't about to back down.
The completed the board on the river and Kibrit checked. Payan fired the pot and had Kibrit's 1.11 million covered. Kibrit tanked for a minute or two and then finally announced a call.
When Kibrit called, Payan nodded as if to say, "Nice call, you're good." Kibrit then showed the for a Broadway straight. His cheering section erupted as Payan's hand spun into the muck.
After Elie Payan had seemingly taken control of the match with his aggressive play, Rafe Kibrit made his stand and raised to 80,000 from the button. Payan made the call and the flop fell .
Payan checked and Kibrit continued with a bet of 135,000, which the Frenchman called. The turn card came and Payan knocked the table once more, prompting Kibrit to bet the pot of 435,000. Payan made the call and this bet put most of Kibrit's stack into the middle. The American-heavy rail began to stand in anticipation, as they knew it was do or die time for their man.
River:
Payan checked for a third time and Kibrit pushed his remaining chips into the pot. Payan appeared discouraged but with the pot odds he was being laid he had to make the call.
Kibrit tabled the for two pair on the flop and Payan instantly mucked, eliciting a roar of approval from Kibrit's friends and fans. Kibrit doubled up to approximately 1,600,000 with the win and the final table arena is now rocking with shouts of "Ship It!" and "Let's go Rafe!"
out in the middle of the felt. Payan bet all in for 580,000 and Kibrit called, standing and tabling the 
for top and bottom pair plus a flush draw. Payan showed the 
for a better flush draw, a straight draw and bottom pair.
and that gave Payan a better two pair and the lead. The river completed the board with the 
and Payan was safe from elimination. He doubled up, but it still down in chips to Kibrit as the battle goes on.
and Kibrit didn't waste any time. He fired right out for the full amount, 300,000. Payan gave it up and Kibrit won the hand.
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fell on the turn. Payan checked it once more, his aggression a thing of the past at this point, and Kibrit fired 120,000 into the middle. Payan decided to peel off one more card and made the call.
for trip eights on the turn and Payan had paid him off once again.
. Kibrit stayed on the gas and fired 400,000 this time, one of the largest bets this tournament has seen. Payan again made the call and wasn't about to back down.
completed the board on the river and Kibrit checked. Payan fired the pot and had Kibrit's 1.11 million covered. Kibrit tanked for a minute or two and then finally announced a call.
for a Broadway straight. His cheering section erupted as Payan's hand spun into the muck.
and Payan knocked the table once more, prompting Kibrit to bet the pot of 435,000. Payan made the call and this bet put most of Kibrit's stack into the middle. The American-heavy rail began to stand in anticipation, as they knew it was do or die time for their man.
for two pair on the flop and Payan instantly mucked, eliciting a roar of approval from Kibrit's friends and fans. Kibrit doubled up to approximately 1,600,000 with the win and the final table arena is now rocking with shouts of "Ship It!" and "Let's go Rafe!"