Mark Checkwicz limped in from the button with A♠6♣. Arie Kliper, in the big blind, checked his option with 5♦3♣.
The 4♦5♥6♥ gave both players top pair, Checkwicz with the superior kicker but Kliper with an open-ended straight draw. Kliper took the lead for 225,000 and Checkwicz raised to 500,000. Kliper called.
The K♦ turn saw Kliper play in flow. Checkwicz bet out 500,000 and Kliper called.
The K♠ river prompted a check from Kliper. Checkwicz went for value with a bet of 1,550,000 and Kliper folded.
Arie Kliper limped in from the button with J♥10♠. Mark Checkwicz checked his option in the big blind with 4♥4♦.
The 3♠10♥2♥ flop saw Checkwicz bet out 600,000. Kliper called with top pair.
The Q♠ turn checked through to the K♦ on the river. Checkwicz bet out again this time for 600,000. Kliper thought for some time before putting in a raise to 1,675,000. Checkwicz made a curious call. Kliper's ten took this pot down.
Mark Checkwicz looked down at K♣J♣ on the button and opened the action with a raise to 435,000. Michael Vela made the call from the small blind with Q♥J♠
Checkwicz moved all in for Vela's last 2,960,000 on 10♥8♥K♠ and Vela quickly called.
Vela had outs but could not find any on the 5♦ turn or 3♠ river as he was sent to the payout desk in third place.
Arie Kliper raised to 425,000 from under the gun, Kevin Nathan three-bet to 1,200,000 from the big blind and Kliper clicked it back to 3,200,000. Nathan five-bet jammed for 7,410,000 and Kliper called.
Kevin Nathan: K♦K♣
Arie Kliper: Q♠Q♣
This cooler looked to be in Nathan's favour until the dealer spread the Q♥3♦6♥ flop, giving Kliper a set. The 2♣ turn and 6♦ river couldn't save Nathan and he was sent to the rail.
Learn who Negreanu joined in an exclusive club of players who've won bracelets at Binion's Horseshoe, the Rio, and Horseshoe Las Vegas, and just what the atmosphere was like when Negreanu battled Bryce Yockey heads up. See some of the hands that made a big difference, who was on Negreanu's rail, and hear just how emotional "Kid Poker" got after the win.
You'll also want to see how Argentina’s Franco Spitale defied the odds in the final hand to win the Milly Maker for $1.25M, as well as the ensuing wild celebration with his friends and fellow countrymen.
Finally, hear about other recent gold bracelet winners such as Christopher Moen, Paolo Boi, David Funkhouser, and Sean Jazayeri, while also learning how you can win a signed winner's photo of Daniel Negreanu in our latest PokerNews Podcast giveaway.
A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice weekly during the 2024 WSOP every Tuesday and Friday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
Action folded around to Michael Vela on the button who moved all in for his remaining 2,060,000. Kevin Nathan made the call from the small blind, covering Vela.
Michael Vela: J♠10♦
Kevin Nathan: 7♠7♣
A fair fight heading to a full board, the dealer put out A♥3♥2♦2♠J♥ and Vela caught his Jack on the river to extend his final table run.