Ray Pulford Eliminated in 4th Place($20,663)

Kevin Taylor

In case you forgot how brutal a game poker can be, this will remind you. Patricia Baker and Ray Pulford just dueled in back to back hands that led to the stunning elimination of Pulford, who was the chip leader for much of this final table.

On the first hand, Pulford limped on the button, Baker called in the small blind, and James Routos checked his option. Baker checked in the dark before the flop came down {10-Spades} {8-Spades} {6-Spades} . Routos checked as well, and Pulford bet out 40,000. Baker was the only caller, and the turn came the {2-Spades} . Baker moved all in for 144,000, and a clearly upset Pulford threw his hand into the muck, saying "I flopped the nut straight!"

Now here's the brutal one. Baker limped in from under the gun, and it folded around to Pulford, who decided to check. The dealer fanned out a flop of {10-Diamonds} {8-Clubs} {5-Clubs} , and Pulford checked to Baker, who fired out an over bet of 80,000. Pulford made the call, and the turn came the {q-Diamonds} . In the blink of an eye, Pulford checked, Baker moved all in, and Pulford snap called. The cards were flipped, and Pulford had trapped Baker to perfection.

Pulford: {5-Hearts} {5-Diamonds}
Baker: {q-Spades} {8-Spades}

Baker had turned two pair, but Pulford had flopped bottom set. Baker would need a queen or an eight to take down the pot and pull out an incredible suck out. Well I'm sure you can guess what happened.

River: {q-Hearts}

An understandably frustrated Pulford said, in not so kind words "are you kidding me?!?!" When the stacks were counted, it was determined that Baker had more, and Pulford hit the rail in truly stunning fashion.

We are now three handed, with Chaib Saechao holding half the chips in play.