Break Time; Level 16 Ends, Smith Soars and We're In the Money!
Level 16 of the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event is in the books! Players are currently taking their second 20-minute break of the day.
The level began just ten eliminations away from the money and as always, the bubble of the largest tournament of the year was quite the dramatic procedure. Players like five-time bracelet winner Allen Cunningham and Barry Hutter were eliminated from play just shy of making the money. After the field went hand-for-hand, five tables around the Amazon room had hands that involved an all in and a call. Three of the fives hands eliminated players from the field, officially putting everyone remaining in their seats in the money and guaranteeing a payday of at least $18,406.
On the first bubble hand, John Dwyer ran a full house into November Niner Mark Newhouse's quad fives. Zhen Cai followed Dwyer out the door, unable to improve with pocket queens against Darren Keyes' pocket aces. Finally, Kori Hunter's pocket aces were cracked by Harry Kaczka's nine-eight which made two pair. All three of these players made $6,135 and Chai won a high card for a free seat in next year's Main Event.
Meanwhile, Dan Smith won a massive pot against Stephen Graner to take the chip lead just before hand-for-hand play began. Smith continued his domination and increased his lead as the level progressed.
Ronnie Bardah set a record this level by making the money in five straight WSOP Main Events. You can read more about Bardah's incredible accomplishment here.
During the break, be sure to check out this video where our very own Sarah Grant caught up with last year's bubble boy, Farzad Bonyadi. Bonyadi made it through the bubble this year and is guaranteed a cash moving forward.
It has also been announced that dinner will take place at the end of Level 17 or approximately 6:10 p.m.