Ivey A Lock Against Keys; Becomes Chip Leader

[user76023]

In the space of two consecutive hands, Phil Ivey jumped from an almost chip-leadery 160,000 to a very definitely 'much bigger than everyone else by a mile' 317,000. Of course, to make this big jump, someone had to be sacrificed at the altar of Ivey and in this case, it was former WSOPE finalist James Keys who had amassed a sizeable stack himself, sitting with over 140,000.

Ivey had 3-bet in the big blind against Keys button open before firing 8,000 on the {5-Clubs} {2-Hearts} {3-Diamonds} flop. Keys called and then Ivey checked to him on the {8-Hearts} turn with Keys now firing 13,500. Ivey called and then checked the {8-Diamonds} river across again, Keys checked behind and Ivey flipped {10-Clubs} {5-Diamonds} - it was good.

The very next hand went four-way to the {K-Spades} {10-Clubs} {6-Hearts} flop and it was checked to cut-off Keys who bet 7,500. Ivey made it 18,500 from the small blind and the other two players folded. Keys now raised to 41,000 and Ivey clicked it back to 80,000. Keys pushed and Ivey snap-called with {10-Hearts} {10-Diamonds} against, hugely ahead of his opponent's {K-Hearts} {Q-Hearts} .

Keys picked up a draw on the {J-Spades} turn, but the {2-Clubs} was the ulimate blank to put the young Englishman out of the tournament. Herein lies the power of Ivey, when he does have a hand, he invariably gets paid. With more than 100,000 chips more than anyone else, this tournament just got a whole lot more difficult for every other player.