After 3 full levels of 3-handed play, Nicky Evans managed to take a good lead over his opponents, while Arthur W. stayed afloat, taking good care of his few chips. Baron Ha’s stack however was spiraling down, and soon enough him and Arthur were tied for second, while Nicky had total control over the action.

Then Nicky and Baron found themselves in a 5-card PLO pre-flop all-in hand together.

Nicky Evans:
Baron Ha:

Board:

It took a few seconds for them to realize that the river completed a straight for Nicky. Baron was eliminated in 3rd place, ans cashed $2,750 for his deep run.

The next hand was a NL Hold’em hand, and saw Arthur go all-in against the colossal stack. Nicky made the call, and his king high held through 5 cards, dodging Arthur’s 6 pair outs (full hand below). Arthur’s 2nd place must have felt like a win, considering his position in the late final. He cashed $4,050, while Nicky, the Event’s Champion, got $5,997 and the Champion’s Trophy.

Congratulations!

Champion of the $500 + $50 Roll the Dice Event: Nicky Evans – $5,997.00 and the Champion’s Trophy

Runner-up: Arthur W. – $4,050.00

3rd place: Baron Ha – $2,750.00

Last hand of play

Nick Nickoletopoulos was taken out shortly after the 3-way all-in hand that burst the bubble, in a hand that we missed. Nick takes $1,870 for his 4th place.

Since then, play has been tight, both big stacks not wanting to double the short stack. Baron Ha (284K) just made a reading mistake, and lost some chips after calling a river bet with what he thought was a straight. As a result, Nicky Evans (407.5K) now has a substantial lead. Arthur W. (64K) hangs around, trying to make the best of what he is dealt.

After Preston Cloutier and Jean-Philippe Piquette busted, players were on the bubble. Paul Scott was under the gun with 27,500 and fired them in, all-in for that amount. Action was folded to Dustin Melanson, who flat-called the bet. Nicky Evans, in the big blind, went all-in himself, covering everyone. Dustin tanked for a while, cursing himself for calling Paul’s bet in the first place. He made the call.

Nicky Evans:
Dustin Melanson:
Paul Scott:

Board:

Paul flopped a flush draw, but Nicky’s ace high held strong, and Paul Scott was out on the bubble. Dustin Melanson min-cashed for $1,270.

Nicky Evans and Baron Ha now share the lead, with about 320k each, while Arthur W. has about 120K.