Less than one-quarter of the 149 players who started day 1A of the PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event will return for day 2 on Saturday after a dramatic day of play at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino.

Just 38 players had chips to bag at day’s end as the blinds took their toll in the hour either side of the dinner break.

Korea’s Chang Yong Suk and US PokerStars qualifier Michael Shell both finished the day on 124,300. Singapore’s Josh Pang Ang (88,800), Swede Daniel Nordstrom (75,200) and Donny Morris (71,700) filled out the top five.

The day ended in sensational circumstances on either side of the room. Suk ascended the chip count after taking a huge pot against Eric Sia. The chips were in pre-flop, with Sia holding Ac-Qs while Suk showed pocket kings. The board stayed low (2h-8c-10d-6s-5h) and Suk had snared the chip lead in the final minutes of the day.

Across on table 18, the battle between Rudy Lim and Rumil Tandoc escalated to all-out war after a series of raises and a flop of 10d-2d-4h. Lim picked up chips to bet but before he could release them, Tandoc announced all-in. Lim pulled back the chips.

APPT tournament director Danny McDonagh ruled that Lim appeared to have no intention of deceiving Tandoc but had acted out of turn.

Lim considered his options but instead showed his hand (Ah-Qh), then folded his hand. Unfortunately, Lim’s decision to expose his hand meant a one-round (eight-hand) penalty, half of which will need to be served on day 2. It was a stunning end to another memorable day for the APPT.

Twelve hours ago, organisers held their breath that the recent economic downturn wouldn’t put a serious dent in the number of players entering the APPT Manila main event.

But fuelled by the massive growth in the popularity of poker in the Philippines since last year’s historic first APPT event here in Manila, entries soared to almost 150. It seems last year’s tally of 255 will almost certainly be surpassed on day 1B.

While many of the big names will be in action tomorrow, today’s field wasn’t bereft of talent. The line-up included several PokerStars Sponsored players highlighted by the strong local contingent of Sunshine Samson, Wally “The Dream” Sombrero, Derick Hernandez and Ronald Singson. Samson and Sombrero survived – Sombrero is seventh in chips (60,100) while Samson is down to just 8700.

PokerStars Sponsored player Bryan Huang was also in action, but his hopes of securing a fourth APPT cash in a row ended midway through the day. Other notables in the day 1A field were 1991 WSOP main event winner Brad Daugherty, Singapore’s Josh Ang Pang, in-form Australians David Saab, Michael Chrisanthopoulos, James Broom, Dave Lee and APPT Macau High Roller runner-up Andrew Scott. Saab, Chrisanthopoulos and Broom will be back on Saturday.

There’ll be no shortage of big names in action tomorrow, including Team PokerStars Pro Lee “Final Table” Nelson. Play starts at 12.30pm local time, and will continue for eight-and-a-half levels.

Watch APPT Manila 08: Michael Mariakis on PokerStars.tv

Arthur Kocher has just lost a chunk of chips in a recent encounter with Kim Jong Sung of Korea. With blinds of 400/800, and a stack of just over 60,000 chips, Cocher raised in early position to 4000. It folded around to the big blind of Kim Jong Sung, who re-raised to 15,000 chips.

Cocher now had a tough decision to make, with all three options - fold, raise or call - distinct possibilities. He called, and seemed pleased with a flop of Jh-8d-2d.

Now, Sung had just 17,300 chips remaining, and, with a pot of over 30,000 on the table, he made the only move practically available to him - he went all-in. Without much hesitation, Cocher called with pocket kings, only to be sickened to see Sung's pocket jacks. Sung's set was a huge favourite, with only two kings remaining in the deck to save him.

3h and 5c completed the board, meaning that Sung doubled up to around 65,000, and is now one of our leaders. Meanwhile, Kocher's stack fell to around 33,000, back with the pack and, although healthy, he was no longer one of our chip leaders.

Meanwhile, on lucky table 13, Tsutomu Nagashima doubled up with A-Q all-in against 7-7, and, with a Queen falling on the turn, a cheer rang through the room from the Japanese supporters. As one of the players said, "It's a Japanese invasion," with Nagashima's courageous play and fortunate outcome.

The stampede on the magnificent dinner buffet at Manila’s Hyatt Hotel and Casino doesn’t appear to have claimed any victims, ensuring 55 players have returned to the ballroom for the final two levels on day 1A of the PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event.

It must have been mighty tasty as several players were spotted scampering back to their seats well after the order had been given to shuffle up and deal.

One player who returned to the table looking satisfied was Arthur Kocher. The Swiss propelled his stack to almost 50,000 when he committed his last 15,500 in chips on a board of 2d-4h-5h-2s. His opponent called and showed pocket nines, but Kocher held Ah-7h for a stack of outs. He hit one of them (3c) and celebrated one of the bigger pots of the tournament so far.

Singapore’s Josh Pang Ang has been steady climber since the elimination of his compatriot Bryan Huang to lie within less than 10,000 of chip leader Michael Shell.

His latest victim came after Wally Sombrero folded A-K to Pang Ang’s all-in raise over a short-stacked player. Pang Ang showed pocket 10s, his opponent held Kh-Qc, which missed the board of 4d-3d-4c-5h-5s. Nice fold Wally.

APPT tournament director Danny McDonagh has just announced that play will cease 30 minutes early with the rapid-fire eliminations continuing. There’s less than 20 minutes remaining in level 8, with blinds to soon increase to an imposing 500/1000 (100 ante).

The runner-up of last year's APPT Manila event, Ira Blumenthal from the USA, took a big hit moments ago when he lost a 'coinflip' against Tsutomu Nagashima, of Japan

With blinds at 300/600 (and antes of 75), Nagashima was under-the-gun and went all-in for 14,000 chips. Blumenthal, in late position, went into the tank to mull the situation over, before eventually deciding to go all-in for 16,500 with pocket tens. The other players folded, and Nagashima flipped over A-K.

As a large crowd gathered, the board was Ks-2d-3h-5h-Jd, giving the pot to Nagashima's pair of kings, and with it, a pot of just under 30,000. Meanwhile, Blumenthal will struggle to rebuild his chip stack considering how short his stack is now.

Chip counts now available

As the playing field narrows, your PokerStars blog team will be working hard to keep an eye on chip counts of the various PokerStars sponsored players, qualifiers, and other notable players. You'll be able to view the chip counts by clicking here

Bryan Huang’s hopes of a record breaking fourth successive APPT cash have ended early in the seventh level of play on day 1A of the PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event.

The mild-mannered but fiercely competitive Singaporean fell to a one-two combination when his pocket jacks were overtaken by A-J when an ace landed on the flop, then Huang’s own A-J was overtaken by 9s-10s when a river spade filled his opponent’s flush.

While Huang’s stack has been wiped out, David Saab has reversed his recent downward trend with two big collects. He made an unlikely flush (Qc Qs) on a board of Ac-2s-6c-4c-Jc against Tommy Henstein’s As-Ks, then made what he described as a “sexy call” to take down another nice pot.

Both players checked the flop of 5c-Ah-Ad, then Saab called a bet of 5000 on the turn (Jh). Both players then checked the river (Qd), with Saab’s pocket fours a surprise winner after his opponent showed 10h-9d. Sexy indeed.

Meanwhile across at table nine, Michael ‘Ctrl V’ Chrisanthopoulos just took a stand with his short stack. There were no callers, despite a long deliberation from a suspicious Wally Sombrero. Chrisanthopoulos cheekily showed Kc-6s, which would have trailed both The Dream’s As-3s and the small blind’s A-K.

The dinner bell is about to ring after seven hours of play, and when we return, there will be two more one-hour levels to complete an enthralling day 1A in the PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event.

Franco Mabanta left his position with the Filipino Poker Tour to turn his attention to playing poker full-time. With that decision comes the ups and downs experienced by every poker pro. Indeed, Mabanta has been through the emotional wringer in the past few minutes.

First, the good. With a short-stacked player all-in and a call from the small blind, Mabanta raised 5000, with just a call coming from the small blind. The flop came 7c-4c-4s, Mabanta bet enough to put the small blind all-in, and he duly committed his remaining chips.

In a curious hand, Mabanta showed As-6s, the small blind held Kd-6d while the all-in player was in front with pocket threes. But the Ah on the turn ensured Mabanta would send both players to the rail.

Now, the bad. With the board showing 10h-10s-8s-4c-Js and all the chips in the middle, Mabanta thought his flush (6s-5s) was good until Hyoungjin Nam revealed Jd-10d for a rivered full house. It took a few seconds for the reality sunk in – Franco, it’s all part of the fun and frivolity that comes with being a poker pro.

Nam is up to 48,000, but his stack is shadowed by that of Michael Shell, a PokerStars qualifier from the USA. He holds 65,000, to lead from China’s Danny Yu (55,000), Nam, Daniel Nordstrom (45,000) and Victor Torres (41,000).

The majority of the PokerStars Sponsored players in the day 1A field remain in contention, with Wally Sombrero (21,000) leading the way from Sunshine Samson (14,000) and Bryan Huang (12,000). Derick Hernandez, the highest placed Filipino in last year’s APPT Manila main event, recently joined fellow local PokerStars Sponsored player Ronald Singson on the rail.

Jimmy Cha has also been eliminated after pushing all-in with As-Jh on a flop of Ad-8s-Js. Claus Valloe showed 7s-5s for the draw. Cha stayed ahead on the turn (10d) but was headed for the door when the Qs landed on the river. Always the gentleman, Cha shook hands with everyone at the table before collecting his jacket and leaving the tournament area.

With six of the nine levels consigned to history, players are on a 10-minute break. After level seven (300/600 with a 75 ante), there will be a one-hour dinner break. Only 70 of the 149 players who started the day remain in contention. Play should wrap-up about 11pm local time.

Watch APPT Manila 08: Peter Sarzynski on PokerStars.tv

PokerStars Qualifier Arthur Cocher has travelled to Manila from Switzerland, and landed next to experienced local player Vinny Quiason. Despite travelling different roads to get here, they both have their eyes on the same prize.

When I spoke with the two players, their moods were a clear reflection of their chip stacks - Arthur's stack was depleted, largely thanks to running his pocket queens into a flopped set earlier. Despite this, he still had several thousand chips to play. He's played many hands of poker in his life, and he looked across the table wearily.

On his immediate right in seat 2, Vinny Quiason had a large stack and a positive attitude. A youthful veteran of the local poker scene, he was confident and chirpy. He had invested his own money into this event, and was hopeful for a good result.

Next hand, Quiason was under the gun, and first to act. With blinds of 100/200, and a 25 chip ante, he made his usual raise to 600. Next to act was Cocher, who, after some consideration, threw out six white chips to call. This was a significant portion of his remaining chips. The other players, seeing this action, all elected to fold.

The flop came Ac Ah 7s and both players checked. The turn card was the 5h, putting two hearts on the board, but ensuring there was no feasible straight draw. Quiason checked, leaving the action to Cocher, who made a bet of 1500 into the 1700 chip pot. After some consideration, Quiason decided to call. The river came Kd, Quiason again checked and Cocher bet 3000 into the pot of 4700.

With great reluctance, Quiason called the final bet on the river. Cocher, the PokerStars qualifier, flipped over his hand of A-K, the stone cold nuts on the river - the other players let out an audible sigh of envy. Quiason had a very different view as he flipped over his pocket queens - a hand that was great at catching bluffs on that river, but no good at beating the full house that Cocher held.

In the moments after the hand, Cocher attitude had changed dramatically. He was now willing to be positive about the future, as his stack size started heading in the right direction.

David Saab is hungry, tired, a bit grumpy and nursing a hangover, but the booming laugh of the Aussie livewire can still be heard over the rattling of chips in the ballroom here at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino.

Having established a solid reputation on home turf in both cash games and tournaments, last year’s PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event marked Saab’s arrival on the international stage.

His endless chatter drew the ire of opponents (and a warning from APPT tournament director Danny McDonagh) but Saab led the field after day one in an impressive display.

Manila left an indelible mark on Saab, who relocated here after a miserable time at the 2008 Aussie Millions. He initially kept a low profile, but announced his arrival with victory in the APT Manila main event, then ran deep (46th) in the 2008 WSOP main event.

An ultra-aggressive display at the APPT Seoul main event ended when Saab was eliminated on the bubble (after leading for much of the tournament), and after a brief exile in the corner of the tournament room here today, he’s back holding court in the heart of the action after five levels of play today.

In contrast, players at table eight have barely heard a peep from Deng ‘Danny’ Yu, but that hasn’t stopped him amassing the biggest stack in the room. We’re yet to have a Chinese champion on the APPT, but Yu (35,000) has started promisingly on the path to righting that statistic.

The alarm has just sounded, indicating the blinds are up to level 6 (200/400 with an ante of 50). One player who won’t be bothered by that is Korea’s Sid Kim, who bowed out when his pocket aces were cracked by the K-K of Japanese professional Mahjong player Takashi Ogura when a king landed on the flop.

The only WSOP main event winner in the field today, Brad Daugherty, has also left the same table after his A-J was cracked by J-9 when a tie-breaking nine landed on the turn.

That’s a tough beat, but not as bad as the one suffered by Clarence Poh. On a board of 9s-2d-2s-5s-5c, Poh showed pocket nines for a full house but Victor Torres revealed pocket fives for runner-runner-quads. Ouch. Clarence, we think there’s a slot machine downstairs with your name written all over it.

“Yes, poker sure has come a long way.” So said Brad Daugherty as he surveyed the tournament area midway through day 1A in the PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino.

When Daugherty called Don Holt’s bluff to become the first player to win a USD $1 million tournament poker prize after taking out the 1991 WSOP main event, he had to conquer a field of 215 players.

Seventeen years later, and a world away from Binions in Las Vegas, Daugherty will have to conquer a field significantly bigger than that to be crowned APPT Manila champion.

It’s safe to assume that when Daugherty was crowned 1991 WSOP world champion, he didn’t have any former models seated at his table at any stage. But, much to his delight, he currently finds the glamourous Lesley Jean “Sunshine” Samson seated to his right.

One of the highest-profile female poker players in the Philippines, Samson is also a successful model. She has been gathering plenty of poker experience on the local scene, and broke through for her first title in a 5K Saturday event at the Metro Card Club earlier this year.

Watch APPT Manila 08: Sunshine Samson on PokerStars.tv

As Daugherty and Samson steadily pick their way through day 1A, carnage has broken out around them, Casualties during level 4 have included PokerStars Sponsored player and highly rated Filipino player Ronald Singson and Aussie Dave Lee, who walked 6-3 into K-J on a board that brought no joy for either player.

Players are taking their second break for the day, and when they return, the blinds will be at level 5 (150/300 with a 25 ante).

With the recent US elections, politics is a hot topic of conversation at the tables today. Political views are as common as bad beat stories - everyone has them, and everyone wants to share theirs with the table.

Like a misplayed poker hand, many players are sagely offering their wise counsel on why Obama won, and the implications of this.

One player bucking the trend is Derick Hernandez, the highest-placed Filipino at last year's APPT Manila. He's sporting a "John McCain for President" cap.

A friend was visiting the USA recently, and Hernandez asked him to bring back some Obama merchandise. Unfortunately, on the friend's return, he had given the Obama gear to other friends, and only had a McCain hat remaining.

So, Hernandez decided that if he couldn't have Obama-wear, he'd proudly display his McCain hat instead.

Like McCain in the recent campaign, Hernandez has been a marked man at the tables, with other players eager to knock out one of the Philippines' best-known players.

In successive hands recently, Hernandez raised in middle position, only to have another player come over the top with a large re-raise, forcing Hernandez to fold. His chip stack is dwindling, but he still has enough chips to turn his fortune around and head back to the final table of APPT Manila for successive years.

Similarly, it is understood that many folks here for the APPT Manila event went out on the town last night. Most had a heavy head this morning, but fortunately, were not playing today. David Saab, on the other hand, had the misfortune of backing up from a late night of entertainment to start under the strong glare of the lights at the feature table.

Continuing the political theme, we hear that a group of late night party animals discovered the nearby 'Hobbit House' which reportedly features the world's most politically incorrect Barack Obama-merchandise store.

This venue featured a number of very short men and women selling Obama T-Shirts, who have taken matters into their own hands as part of an inventive employee-ownership arrangement.

It took Andrew Scott more than 12 months before he achieved the breakthrough result of his tournament poker career when he finished runner-up to Nam Le in the PokerStars.net APPT Macau High Roller event back in September.

However, it looks unlikely that the Hong Kong-based Australian will improve his standing on the APPT money list in this event after his stack was decimated early in level 3.

Scott found himself in a betting war with Melbourne’s James 'Jabba' Broom. On a board of 5s 7d 9s, Scott committed his stack with Broom making the insta-call. Scott showed 10 9 for top pair but Broom showed pocket sevens for a set. The turn and river (2d 6h) didn’t help Scott, and he was down to less than 1500 in chips.

The killer blow came just minutes later when Scott pushed all-in with pocket fours. Again, Broom made the call and showed Ac 9c. Not only did Broom find an ace on the flop, he made the nut flush to sweep Scott from the tournament area.

Broom enters this event as one of the form players on the regional scene. A well known player at Melbourne’s Crown Casino, Broom scored his breakthrough win in the AUD $1100 main event at the Melbourne Poker Championships in May.

He took home more than AUD $130,000, and showed that result was no fluke by reaching the final table of the recent PokerNews Cup main event, finishing ninth. Just the sort of form that could see him go a long way in this tournament.

Another player who reached the final table of the PokerNews Cup, Dave Lee, is also in today’s field. Like Broom, Lee has enjoyed a breakout year in 2008.

He won the $1100 NLHE Turbo event at the 2008 Aussie Millions (for more than AUD $70,000), and then was third in the PokerNews Cup main event. Lee, whose reputation as a cash-game player is arguably stronger than his standing as a tournament player, suffered an early setback today but is back above his starting stack of 10,000.

As the clock ticks down in level 3, 14 of the 149 players have been eliminated. Norwegian PokerStars qualifier Tommy Henstein is an early chip leader on 25,000 after KOing Aussie pub poker legend Rodney Davidson.

Watch APPT Manila 08: Rodney Davidson on PokerStars.tv

Players here at the APPT Manila come from more than 40 different countries, with all shapes and sizes represented. We have experienced veterans, and newcomers to the world of high stakes live poker.
One experienced veteran playing here at APPT Manila is Brad Daugherty, the 1991 World Series of Poker Main Event Champion, and the first player to win $1 million in a tournament.

Daugherty is excited to be here, and is enjoying Manila. He lives on an island in the Philippines nearby, and tells the story of how he plays online poker while "sitting on a balcony overlooking the beach, waves lapping nearby." He loves to play online poker from his tropical hideaway paradise, and the APPT gives him a new opportunity to socialise and enjoy the game that he loves in a live setting.

A new player to the APPT is Jürgen Kröder. He is here from Germany at his first big live event, thanks to a fortunate streak in the Steps tournaments at PokerStars.com. He bought in to a $27 step two tournament on October 8, and won that. He then won the Step 3 tournament immediately afterwards, which put him into a Step 4 tournament. His initial attempt at the Step 4 tournament knocked him out in third place, but thanks to the generous nature of the PokerStars Steps structure, he was awarded a "retry" ticket to play in Step 4 again. He won the subsequent Step 4 tournament, cruised through the Step 5, and steadily built up his chip stack to be the chip leader in his Step 6 Tournament.

The final hand of his Step 6 tournament - which qualified him for APPT Manila and the chance to win a life-changing prize, saw his pocket eights hold up against A-Q. Weeks later, Kröder was on a plane to the other side of the world to join other players from across the world for the chance to win APPT Manila.

Kröder has now been assigned to Table 4, Seat 7, a lucky omen for a man born on the fourth day of the seventh month. Hopefully his good fortune will carry him deep into this tournament - a long way from a $27 PokerStars Step tournament.

Asia is considered an emerging poker market, but a small band of pioneers have been spreading the gospel long before the APPT was founded. Two of those ‘founding fathers’ are in the room today.

PokerStars Sponsored player Wally “The Dream” Sombrero is the spiritual head of Filipino poker and a highly respected community figure. This larger-than-life character has been a key driver in establishing poker culture here both as a player and organiser of events. The unsuspecting Aussies at table 2, including James Broom, Andrew Scott and Rodney Davidson are in for an interesting day once “The Dream” warms up.

Meanwhile at table 13, the patron of Korean poker, Jimmy Cha is seated directly opposite one of the young guns on the local scene, Franco Mabanta. Cha made his name in Las Vegas during the late 1980s and early 1990s as one of the world’s premier cash players (in a period dominated by Doyle Brunson and Chip Reese). He even provided the inspiration for the lead character in the Korean TV series All-in.

It’s the new kid on the block who’s been an early mover after claiming an early victim with a set of eights against a pair of queens, but the wily veteran is sure to make his presence felt in this intriguing battle.

Not only is there a big contingent of Asian players in action today, a large number of ex-pats living in Asia have continued their strong support of the APPT.

Thai-based duo Ira Blumenthal (runner-up in last year’s APPT Manila main event) and Isaac Galazan took their seats on day 1A. Unfortunately, Galazan was the first player to be eliminated when he ran A-Q into the pocket aces of Filipino Renato Del Rosa Castaneda (great name, nice play).

Play has ticked into level 2 (50/100) and already the APPT Manila dream is over for five players, as 144 of the 149 who started the day preparing to take their first break.

Unless you’ve recently returned from a trip to Mars, you’ll be aware that the world is going through a bit of a financial “correction” at the moment. But the global cash crunch doesn’t appear to have had much of an impact on the size of the field for the PokerStars.net APPT Manila main event.

Watch APPT Manila 08: Day 1a Intro on PokerStars.tv

Predictions of a starting field of around 100 on day 1A have been laughed off, with the ballroom here at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino filled to a near capacity of 149. It’s an early call, but there seems a strong likelihood that last year’s figure of 255 will be smashed.

Players have just been welcomed by APPT president Jeffrey Haas and co-founder of the Filipino Poker Tour Franco Mabanta, while a dramatic performance from Ati-Atihan has ensured all evil spirits (and bad beat stories) have been cleared from the tournament room.

Not surprisingly, today’s starting list is dominated by Filipino players, including PokerStars Sponsored locals Sunshine Samson, Wally “The Dream” Sombrero, Derick Hernandez and Ronald Singson.

We’ve also spotted PokerStars Sponsored player Bryan Huang, who is seeking an unprecedented fourth successive APPT cash. Bryan is also excitedly awaiting tomorrow’s APPT debut of his father Jack, who qualified for this event on PokerStars. Interestingly, Bryan is seated next to his good friend Josh Ang Pang Leng, who tops the list of Singaporean tournament poker money winners. Korean poker legend and PokerStars Sponsored player Jimmy Cha is seated nearby.

Other notables in action today include the always-entertaining David Saab, fellow Aussies Michael Chrisanthopoulos (third in the 2008 Aussie Millions), James Broom (the reigning Melbourne champion), Dave Lee (fresh from his PokerNews Cup final table) and APPT Macau High Roller runner-up Andrew Scott.

We’re also thrilled to see 1991 WSOP main event Brad Daugherty in the room, along with the ever-popular Isaac Galazan, the winner of the 2005 WSOP $2500 NLHE short-handed bracelet. Reigning APPT Seoul champion Yoshihiro Tasaka of Japan and Bali-based American Carter Gill (with two cashes on both the APPT and LAPT to his name in the past 12 months) are also playing today.

Play will continue for nine one-hour levels today, with a dinner break scheduled after level seven.

Level 1: 25/50
Level 2: 50/100
Level 3: 100/200
Level 4: 100/200 (25 ante)
Level 5: 150/300 (25 ante)
Level 6: 200/400 (50 ante)
Level 7: 300/600 (75 ante)
Level 8: 400/800 (100 ante)
Level 9: 500/1000 (100 ante)

As part of PokerStars' effort to spread the enjoyment of poker, the local Filipino television station is covering the PokerStars.net APPT Manila event in great detail.

The featured table has almost 30 cameras, allowing more people than ever before to enjoy watching the stars of poker, and watch them as they battle it out for the big prizes on offer here.

The combatants on the featured table are like sparring partners, wanting to conserve chips early while slowly establishing themselves at the table.

The tempo on the feature table was slow, with none of the players wanting to risk being knocked out early. Very few of the early pots saw flops, with most of the pots being picked up with uncontested raises and the occasional re-raise.

David Saab from Australia lost a large pot early on in a three-way raised pot pre-flop, with three eights coming on the flop. The flop action saw a bet and two more calls, before the chips started flying on the turn.

Kai Paulsen from Norway led out for 400 chips again, Saab raised to 1700 chips, and the third player folded. Paulsen put in a re-raise to 3,000 chips, and after some consideration, Saab folded.

To the crowd's delight (and the relief of Saab) Paulsen revealed that he had the fourth eight for flopped quads. With the generous chip stack and deep structure, Saab still has a good chance to recover from this flesh wound as he continues to battle for the ultimate prize.