"You can't win it if you're not in it." Those were the words of wisdom from ESPN poker commentator Norman Chad just 15 minutes before the end of the World Series of Poker Main Event run of Hungarian Andras Koroknai (pictured), who fell by the wayside in sixth place from the $10,000 tournament.Greg Merson opened the action to one million and Jesse Sylvia 3bet to 2.6 million before the flop. Koroknai sat back in his chair and, as observed by ESPN poker commentator Antonio Esfandiari, "tensed up a bit" which meant, "He had a decision." Koroknai's decision wasn't whether to call or fold, however, as he stacked together a pile of red chips and 4bet to 5.3 million.
The action moved back around to Merson, who sat stoic as usual and counted out 5betting chips, re-raising to 9.2 million. Koroknai thought for about 10 seconds before moving all-in and Merson called fairly quickly. The crowd came to their feet and, when the cards were shown, Merson held A-K of spades and Koroknai had K-Q offsuit. The pot was an amazing 84 million after Koroknai had 80 big blinds when the hand started.
Esfandiari commented, "This is the entire tournament right here." The flop was 2-3-8, missing both players entirely and keeping Merson out in front. Everyone at the Penn and Teller Theater anxiously watched as the turn was a seven, which left Koroknai drawing to just two outs on the river, the queen of hearts and the queen of clubs.
The river was a red seven and Koroknai was knocked out in sixth place for $1.6 million. The hand left Merson as an overwhelming chip leader five-handed. In fact, he held nearly half of the chips in play and had double the second place stack of Sylvia. Here were the chip stacks on a break shortly thereafter:
1. Greg Merson - 92,300,000
2. Jesse Sylvia - 46,775,000
3. Russell Thomas - 23,500,00
4. Jeremy Ausmus - 18,175,000
5. Jake Balsiger - 17,225,000
Chad called Koroknai's move a "misstep" and a "meltdown." Weigh in by visiting our Rail Thread!
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