Andy Talbot, a long-time poker fan battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), entered Day 1d of the 2021 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event on Sunday. He wasn't alone as his home game friends surprised him by showing up to watch him compete. They wound up watching him make it to Day 2 and onward to today's Day 3.
Talbot, 57, is a former general aviation pilot who would fly from his home in Northern Nevada to compete in a home game in San Jose, California, hosted by his friend Mark Atherton, who is also in attendance at the WSOP.
In March 2020, his fiance Melanie Enman told PokerNews, Andy began slurring his speech, which was concerning to his friends and family. It wasn't until June 2021, however, before he was officially diagnosed with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. There is currently no cure for ALS, but that didn't stop Talbot from living out a dream of playing in poker's most prestigious annual tournament.
Over on the main feature table, Chulhan Choi raised to 75,000 from under the gun and left 1,000 chip behind. He was looked up by Vito DiStefano, who then also called the all-in after the flop.
Chulhan Choi:
Vito DiStefano:
The turn and river let the rail from South Korea celebrate as Choi doubled his short stack.
Robert Mather was spotted on his way out of the tournament area and he was in no rush, indicating that his short stack most likely vanished. A quick glance at his table confirmed that and Justin Liberto was the one who claimed the chips of his table neighbour.
According to Liberto it was a flip with pocket jacks versus ace-king and the jacks held up to eliminate Mather.
JJ Liu opened to 11,000 in middle position, the button called, and Ben Lamb shoved in his stack of 111,500 chips. Liu thought about it before putting in chips of her own, and the button folded.
Ben Lamb:
JJ Liu:
The two were flipping and the flop vaulted Lamb into the lead. The turn left him one card away from doubling.
"Heart," Lamb called out.
Indeed, the completed the board to keep Lamb alive and put a small dent in Liu's large stack.