Chris Bjorn Eliminated in 2nd Place ($63,112)

With a more than 10:1 chiplead over Chris Bjorn at this point, Matt Perrins open-shoved the button and Bjorn called from the big blind.

Perrins was ahead with an eight-high to Bjorn’s ten-high.

Perrins: 8 – 6 – 5 – 3
Bjorn: 10 – 7 – 6 – 3

Both players drew one card each. Bjorn drew a king for a king-low while Perrins drew a deuce for an eight-low. Chris Bjorn was eliminated in 2nd place ($63,112) while Matt Perrins went on to win his first gold bracelet in Event #9 ($102,105).

With the elimination of Robin Rightmire in 3rd place ($41,643), heads-up play began shortly thereafter. Matt Perrins lead going into the finals with 950,000 to Chris Bjorn’s 270,000.

Robin Rightmire Eliminated in 3rd Place ($41,643)

Robin Rightmire open-shoved the short stack from the small blind and Matt Perrins called from the big blind.

Rightmire was behind with nine-high against Perrins’ seven-high.

Perrins: 7 – 6 – 4 – 2
Rightmire: 9 – 7 – 6 – 3

Both players drew one card each. Perrins drew a 10 to a ten-high while Rightmare paired his three. Robin Rightmire was eliminated in 3rd place ($41,643).

NOTE: Players took a twenty-minute break at the conclusion of Level 18 and returned at approximately 4:45pm to begin Level 19.

Blinds: 4,000-8,000 with a 2,000 ante

Players Remaining: 4 out of 275

Average Chip Count: 309,375

Chip Counts:

1. Matt Perrins – 620,000
2. Chris Bjorn – 375,000
3. Bernard Lee – 168,000
4. Robin Rightmire – 66,000

Eliminations:

5th. Thomas Fuller – $19,906
6th. Josh Brikis – $14,296

Josh Brikis Eliminated in 6th Place ($14,296)

Matt Perrins opened the pot for 16,000, Josh Brikis reraised to 48,000 from the big blind, Perrins four-bet shoved and Brikis called all in.

Both players had a seven-high, but Brikis was ahead with a smooth 7-4 against Perrins’ 7-6.

Brikis: 7 – 4 – 3 – 2
Perrins: 7 – 6 – 5 – 3

Each player drew one card. Perrins drew a jack-high and Brikis bricked with a pair of threes. Josh Brikis was eliminated in 6th place ($14,296) this hand while Matt Perrins took the chip lead with about a half-million.

Thomas Fuller Eliminated in 5th Place ($19,906)

Thomas Fuller open-shoved the cutoff for about 90,000 and Matt Perrins called from the small blind.

Perrins had 8 – 5 – 4 – 2 and drew one card while Fuller stood pat with J – 9 – 7 – 5 – 3.

Perrins drew a jack, and out kicked Fuller with a final hand of J-8 to Fuller’s J-9.

Matt Perrins was eliminated in 5th place ($19,906).

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.

NOTE: Play ended last night with the elimination of Aaron Schaff in 8th place ($7,937). The remaining seven players returned at approximately 3:00pm to begin the final table. Play will continue today until a winner is crowned.

Blinds: 2,000-4,000 with a 1,000 ante

Players Remaining: 7 out of 275

Average Chip Count: 176,785

Chip Counts:

1. Matthew Perrins – 293,000
2. Bernard Lee – 265,000
3. Chris Bjorn – 197,500
4. Thomas Fuller – 168,000
5. Josh Brikis – 119,000
6. Robin Rightmire – 107,000
7. Jason Mercier – 89,500

Payouts:

1st. $102,105
2nd. $63,112
3rd. $41,643
4th. $28,422
5th. $19,906
6th. $14,296
7th. $10,524

Be sure to check back hourly for level-by-level updates of this final table.