Steve Graboski Eliminated in 5th Place ($32,178)

Steve Graboski was the next player to meet elimination head on in fifth place. He took home $32,178 in prize money.

The Devastation of Greg Raymer

Greg Raymer was still the chip leader with $550,000. He was about to experience an unfortunate sequence of events. He started this journey by losing two pots to the tune of $100,000.

Next he lost the chip lead to Ryan Hughes. Raymer mucked on fifth street and Hughes now held $481,000 to Raymer’s $455,000. He then lost a pot to Min Lee. Lee turned up 8 3 (2 2 K 5) 2 and Raymer mucked. This was another large blow that knocked the Fossilman down to $280,000.

The most fatal blow to Raymer was delivered by his nemesis, Hughes. The two pumped the pot to epic proportions of chips and Raymer held only $8,000 when Hughes flipped up K 9 (10 K 6 8) 9. Raymer mucked and he was now mortally wounded.

Raymer was now in all-in mode. “I figured the first time I got all in I was going to lose. So my plan was never to get all in,” said Raymer after he doubled up on the next hand. He won the next hand as well and said, “Sweet, I might not have to play this hand.”

While all this was going on Hughes had built his stack to $700,000. It was then Hughes who busted Raymer a few hands later. Raymer turned up 6 2 (A Q 8 J) J and Hughes showed down K 3 (10 3 3 2) 8. Raymer was eliminated in fourth place and he took home $61,880 in prize money. Hughes now had $820,000 to work with for ammo.

Douglas Carli Eliminated in 3^rd Place ($61,880)

Douglas Carli was eliminated shortly after Raymer in third place and he took home $61,880 in cash.

Heads-Up!

The heads-up match was now set and the chip counts were as follows:

Ryan Hughes: $973,000
Min Lee: $388,000

Adam Spiegelberg Eliminated in 8th Place ($13,923)

Adam Spiegelberg was the first to be eliminated from the table, he was sent home in eighth place and took home $13,923. He was eliminated shortly after the table began.

Short Stacks

Steve Graboski had a hefty chip lead and he was trailed closely by Ryan Hughes. Greg Raymer rounded out the top three. The rest of the stacks on the table were a little slime in comparison to say the least. There should be a number of quick bust outs unless some people are able to double up and get some chips.

Min Lee Survives With the Low

Things looked dire indeed for Min Lee when he was all in against Ryan Hughes. Hughes showed down a straight, as well as a seven low. Lee turned over a six low and survived by the skin of his teeth.

When Big Stacks Collide

Greg Raymer then grabbed a pot off of Ryan Hughes. Both players checked on the final street and Raymer began to turn over his cards. Hughes instantly threw his cards into the muck and the 2004 world champion gained some ground.