In the first hand of the heads-up, JC Alvarado raised to 110,000 and Igor Kurganov defended. The flop was and Kurganov check-called 75,000 from Alvarado. On the turn, Kurganov check-called 275,000 from his opponent.
The river brought a double-paired board with the . Kurganov checked a third time and Alvarado seized out of a bet of 300,000. The Team PokerStars Pro gave it some thought, then paid it off.
Alvarado tabled for aces full and Kurganov mucked. With that, both players now have nearly equal stacks. They called over the floor to pause the clock and look at possible deal options.
JC Alvarado moved all in from the small blind and Christopher Kruk called out of the big blind for his last 645,000.
Christopher Kruk:
JC Alvarado:
The flop gave Alvarado the lead with a pair of jacks and the turn and river failed to improve Kruk, who was eliminated in third place for �185,000. Kurganov has a comfortable lead, heading into the heads-up for the trophy as almost 2-1 favorite.
Igor Kurganov won a pot with showdown against JC Alvarado and then three-bet all in against a 100,000 open raise by Christopher Kruk to force a fold. Kruk was down to only 13 big blinds as a result.
Igor Kurganov raised to 90,000 on the button and Stephen Chidwick moved all in from the small blind for around 350,000. Kurganov wasted no time in asking for a count, but snap-called and that was a very bad sign for Chidwick.
Stephen Chidwick:
Igor Kurganov:
Chidwick picked up no hope on the flop and was drawing dead on the turn, making the river a formality. Kurganov further added to his chip lead and now holds almost three times as many chips as JC Alvarado and Christopher Kruk.
In the previous hand, Stephen Chidwick was all in with against Igor Kurganov's and the two chopped it up. This time, Chidwick was in the small blind and he limped in. JC Alvarado checked his option.
The flop brought and Chidwick bet 40,000. Alvarado shoved, Chidwick double-checked, then called off his stack of around 350,000.
Stephen Chidwick:
JC Alvarado:
Chidwick was miles ahead of Alvarado, who was nearly drawing dead. After the turn and river, though, a straight hit the board to chop the pot up.
Christopher Kruk made it 90,000 to go first to act and Igor Kurganov flat-called from one seat over on the button. On the flop, Kruk continued for 85,000 and Kurganov called before the on the turn brought a second barrel for 300,000 and a call by Kurganov.
The river completed the board and Kruk moved all in, Kurganov snap-called for 725,000. Kruk was caught with the fingers in the cookie jar and briefly flashed for a bluff gone wrong, while Kurganov had the for kings and jacks. Suddenly the PokerStars Team Pro now holds the lead with four players remaining after being the shortest stack not long ago.
It's been slow in the first ten minutes after the break. The most interesting hand was a limp from Igor Kurganov for 40,000 and a raise from JC Alvarado to 300,000 from the small blind. Kurganov briefly considered it before flinging his hand in the muck.
and Kurganov check-called 75,000 from Alvarado. On the 
turn, Kurganov check-called 275,000 from his opponent.
. Kurganov checked a third time and Alvarado seized out of a bet of 300,000. The Team PokerStars Pro gave it some thought, then paid it off.
for aces full and Kurganov mucked. With that, both players now have nearly equal stacks. They called over the floor to pause the clock and look at possible deal options.
flop gave Alvarado the lead with a pair of jacks and the 
turn and 
river failed to improve Kruk, who was eliminated in third place for �185,000. Kurganov has a comfortable lead, heading into the heads-up for the trophy as almost 2-1 favorite.
turn, making the 
against Igor Kurganov's 
and Chidwick bet 40,000. Alvarado shoved, Chidwick double-checked, then called off his stack of around 350,000.
flop, Kruk continued for 85,000 and Kurganov called before the 
river completed the board and Kruk moved all in, Kurganov snap-called for 725,000. Kruk was caught with the fingers in the cookie jar and briefly flashed 
for a bluff gone wrong, while Kurganov had the 
for kings and jacks. Suddenly the PokerStars Team Pro now holds the lead with four players remaining after being the shortest stack not long ago.