Championship: 4th Place – Hans Winzeler ($70,000)

$2,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event
Blinds: 20K/40K/5K ante

Hans Winzeler was able to get a much needed double, but so did Bruce Snell putting him back as the shortest. Action folded to chip leader John Dolan in the small blind and he put out enough chips to cover Winzeler’s entire stack.

He called off for his final 280,000 with Qd5c, two live cards against Dolan’s Kd8c. The 6s4c3c flop gave Winzeler an open-ended straight draw, Dolan hit the 8h turn, and dodged the straight outs on the Ks river to send Winzeler out in 4th place for $70,000.

The last three players are all guaranteed a six-digit payout.

Hans Winzeler - 4th Place ($70,000)
Hans Winzeler – 4th Place ($70,000)

Championship: Snell Doubles

$2,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event
Blinds: 20K/40K/5K ante

Bruce Snell opened for a minimum raise under the gun and was called by Skip McDonough out of the big blind. The flop came 9h8d4c and both players checked.

McDonough led out for 85,000 on the 5h turn and was quickly called by Snell. On the 7h river McDonough moved all in for an effective 250,000 and was snap-called by Snell who turned over 6h3h for the rivered flush. McDonough turned over 8s4s for a flopped two pair that was no good.

Championship: Winzeler Doubles

$2,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event
Blinds: 15K/30K/5K ante

Former chip lead Hans Winzeler has not had it easy today but found his way back into the game after open shoving for 335,000 with KsQc and getting a caller in Bruce Snell with Kh8h.

The dealer spread a completely drama free board of Ad9s3d2c2h to move Winzeler near 700,000 and leaving Snell as the short stack.

Championship: Dolan Takes Down Three Way Pot

$2,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event
Blinds: 20K/40K/5K ante

Hans Winzeler opened pre-flop and found two callers in Skip McDonough and John Dolan. The flop came JcTcTs and Dolan checked out of the big blind. Winzeler made it 105,000 to go and McDonough raised it up to 250,000. Dolan quickly called and Winzeler thought for a moment before also calling.

The turn was the 6d and all three checked. The river was the 7h and again all three checked. McDonough turned over KcJs for jacks and tens. Winzeler turned over KhKs for kings and tens. Both trailed Dolan who had flopped trip tens with his Td9d.

Championship: 5th Place – Iraj Fariab ($50,500)

$2,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event
Blinds: 15K/30K/5K ante

A potentially massive pot turned into just another huge pot for Skip McDonough. He opened for a min-raise from the button with Iraj Fariab and Bruce Snell coming along in the blinds to the QcTc4h flop.

Fariab immediately reached for chips and bet out 125,000 before Snell asked how much he was playing. When he saw the stack, Snell min-raised to 250,000 to put the action on McDonough. He opted to call the bet and Fariab moved all-in for his final 410,000.

Snell thought about it before folding and McDonough quickly called with 4s4c.

“You got me again!” Fariab exclaimed as he rolled over top-top AdQs. The 8d turn left Fariab drawing dead and out of the tournament in 5th place for $50,500 while McDonough moved over 4 million.

Iraj Fariab - 5th Place ($50,500)
Iraj Fariab – 5th Place ($50,500)

Championship: McDonough Takes A Big One off Snell

$2,500 No Limit Hold’em Championship Event
Blinds: 15K/30K/5K ante

Skip McDonough opened from late position to 65,000 and was called out of the big blind by Bruce Snell. The flop came Qs6s3c and both players checked. The turn was the 7s and Snell checked to McDonough who put out a large bet of 150,000. Snell called.

The river was the 9c and Snell sprang into action, leading out for 300,000. McDonough thought for a moment before putting in a raise to 650,000. After getting a count Snell made the call and could only shake his head and mutter “good hand” after McDonough turned over the nuts with his AsJs.

The two were about even in chips after the hand with approximately 2.3 million apiece.