Robert Bourkney and Todd Taylor got involved in a hand that saw the board read with Bourkney leading out on the turn for what looked to be around 14,000. Taylor was to his left and raised all-in for 60,000. Bourkney took his time but eventually made the call. Taylor showed for a straight and Bourkney showed for two pair. The river was the improving Taylor's hand to a flush. The chip stacks were close but once the dealer counted them, it was Bourkney with the shorter stack and was eliminated on the bubble.
The remaining 1,165 players will be guaranteed a cash prize of $2,249 and tournament officials have announced that this is the second largest payout in WSOP history.
With about 30,000 in the pot and the board reading , Frank Kassela led out for 26,000 from the small blind.
Jordan Knackstedt was in early position and had 37,000 behind, with a decision for most of his chips. The tournament was nearing the bubble, and Knackstedt was in the tank for a fair amount of time. The tournament director then asked all dealers to stand when they were finished dealing a hand, so it was a clear indication that the bubble was looming.
Several players at the table were short, so they had no problem waiting at this point. "You're a crazy man. I wish I hadn't played with you yesterday," said Knackstedt to Kassela.
Eventually, Kassela called the clock. Knackstedt said, "Okay, I fold" and tossed his cards into the muck.
"I'd tell ya what I had, but you wouldn't believe me," laughed Kassela as he raked in the pot.
After two Day 1 flights, players will be arriving this morning for Day 2 of Event #20: $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'Em at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino. The cards are scheduled to be in the air at 11:00 a.m local time.
The tournament drew a total of 7,761 entries in the Day 1 flights, with 1,187 of them finding a bag and advancing to Day 2. Boris Kolev comes into the day as the chip leader with 290,700 chips, but there are many notables left in the field to keep your eye on. There will be 1,165 players who make the money, all guaranteed at least $2,249. However, they will all be in search of that first-place prize of $1,221,407.
When the action gets underway, play will begin at Level 11 with the blinds at 600/1,200 with a 200 ante. There will be 10 levels played on Day 2 with a 15-minute break after every two levels and a 60-minute dinner break after today's sixth level.
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