Flops have become exceedingly rare. Even when the players do take flops the hands almost never make it to the turn.
Coming back from the break, all four players have been involved in pots. First Thomas Bichon opened to 170,000 and was called by big blind Uri Keidar. Keidar check-folded to a bet on a flop of .
The next hand it was Fung raising to 150,000 preflop and Porter calling from the big blind. The flop action was the same; Porter checked and then folded to a bet on a flop of .
With the blinds now up to 30,000 / 60,000 / 5,000, action was only a matter of time. We found some when Steven Fung opened for 150,000 from the button. Janar Kiivramees was in the big blind and moved in for 890,000. Fung asked for a count just to be certain of the amount and then quickly called. His were the best hand against Kiivramees' . There wasn't much of a sweat for Fung on a board that rolled out . Kiivramees quickly shook each remaining player's hand and then exited the tournament area. He will earn $90,835 for finishing in fourth place.
Oh to run good one time. If poker players get nine lives Steven Fung definitely just used one up at this final table. He moved all in for 675,000 after Thomas Bichon opened to 100,000. Action folded around to Rep Porter, who moved all in himself, drawing groans from Fung's supporters in the gallery. Bichon quickly folded, leaving Fung and Porter heads-up with Fung at risk of elimination.
Cards, gentlemen!
Fung:
Porter:
Fung remained in his seat, staring glumly at the center of the table. His expression did not change on a flop of . The turn , however, was the perfect sweat card. Porter could only smile and shake his head when he saw it, as if he knew exactly what was coming next.
He was right. The hit the river to give Fung a nine-high straight and the pot. He doubled up to 1.5 million.
Uri Keidar now has over 2.5 million in chips after winning a recent pot against Thomas Bichon.
Bichon opened the pot with a raise to 100,000 from the button which was called by Keidar in the big blind. The flop came and Keidar check-called a 160,000 bet from Bichon, sending the action to the turn:
Keidar then took the lead in the hand, opening with a bet of 215,000 that sent Bichon into the tank.
"Such a bad card for me," said Bichon, taking one last look at his cards before sending them into the muck pile.
Keidar flashed the with a smile before raking in the pot.
We hate going so long in between updates, but the pace of play at this final table has been very deliberate. Not only has it been deliberate but there also hasn't been much in the way of raises, re-raises or flops. We're not saying it's boring, because it's not. What we are saying is that it may take a while before we have a winner because each of the remaining five players is acting with an abundance of caution.