At the World Series of Poker’s Main Event, Thursday morning brought a case of going big and going home, as three players went all-in for a chance to play at the final table. Near-certainty evaporated to desperation and loss in just a matter of moments. Here’s how it all went down.
The flop came 7-Jack-4, and that was enough to bounce Zhu, who couldn’t get the cards he needed for a flush or a straight. Labat had an outside chance at a flush, but that vanished with the turn card, a three of spades. (Labat couldn’t get a third King to beat Manion’s pair, of course, because the other two Kings were in Zhu’s hand.)
So Zhu gets the unwanted notoriety of being the last player eliminated before cashing at the final table. Labat, meanwhile, goes into the final table with by far the lowest chip total, and Manion is the chip leader. The final table starts Thursday evening, and the effects of this incredible, gut-wrenching table will loom large.
