Minh, Maxim and Mermelstein All Moved Off
The action has been slow and steady throughout this Day 1b of the Main Event, but the post-dinner lull has been especially pronounced, with just two or three bustouts occurring so far in the Amazon Room's Purple section.
We passed by the tables of three pros recently, and the passive play demonstrated by each was indicative of the mood on the tournament floor here today.
First, Minh Ly checked his option from the big blind after three players limped in to begin the action. When the flop fell , Ly tapped the table along with his three opponents, and he quickly folded when one of them bet the turn.
Shortly thereafter, Aaron Mermelstein made it 750 to play from middle position, and received a lone call from a player defending his big blind. On the action flop, both players checked cautiously, and Mermelstein reluctantly mucked when his opponent led out for 1,000 on the turn.
Finally, Maxim Lykov checked a three-way pot on the turn, with the board showing . He mucked along with one other player when a woman bet 2,100 from the big blind, after the river brought the .
We hope to hear the familiar refrain of "all in... and a call!" begin to echo through the tournament floor once again, but with players who have seen their starting stacks halved to 15,000 still in possession of 50 big blinds, there is no need for a rush at this point in the evening.