In a blind-on-blind battle, there was already a sizable pot brewing when James Romero bet 2,900,000 on a board after Mario Mosböck had checked. The latter decided to lay it down and became the shortest stack in the process.
Emrah Cakmak had defended his big blind against an under-the-gun raise from Stefano Schiano. The flop was and Cakmak checked. Schiano bet 675,000, Cakmak check-raised to 1,700,000, Schiano moved all in and Cakmak called it off for about 5,400,000.
Emrah Cakmak:
Stefano Schiano:
It was a massive setup to either player and money was bound to go in. Cakmak needed to hit with his straight flush draw against Schiano's middle set and caught the on the turn to improve. He needed to avoid the board pair but the dealer slapped the on the felt instead.
The Italian celebrated briefly, as did his rail, before sending his regards to Cakmak. The other players shook the Frenchman's hand as well as he walked off the stage.
With just five players left, Romero was down to just three big blinds. How did he spin it up? How did he get so short? What's his strategy going forward?
Sam Higgs raised to 650,000 first to act, Mario Mosböck three-bet shoved 3,900,000 from the small blind, and Higgs called it off after a little over a minute.
Mario Mosböck:
Sam Higgs:
Easy hold for Mosböck on and he doubled up yet again.
James Romero was the first to win some pots after the dinner break. First, he reshoved all in after a raise from Stefano Schiano, then raised it up to win the blinds and antes.
Stefano Schiano limped the button and Mario Mosböck completed the small blind. James Romero shoved all in from the big blind, Schiano tank-folded and Mosböck snap-folded.
Directly after, the players went on a 75-minute dinner break.
Stefano Schiano raised to 450,000 on the button, Mario Mosböck three-bet shoved from the small blind, James Romero folded the big blind and Schiano snapped it off for 7,030,000 total.
Mario Mosböck:
Stefano Schiano:
The dealer quickly dealt and Schiano moved into the lead for the first time.