$68.8M prize pool within sight at World Series of Poker as players inch toward the money

$68.8M pool within sight at World Series of Poker

LAS VEGAS — Players still competing in the World Series of Poker main event inched toward a potential payday, with each elimination on Tuesday bringing them closer and closer to the $68.8 million prize pool.

Officials expected the no-limit Texas Hold ‘em tournament to reach the money Tuesday night as players were well into their fourth session of cards.

The day started with 1,204 players from the original field of 7,319, and 358 were eliminated within four hours. That left the tournament 99 busts away from determining its prize-winners.

“Sorry, man,” Jesper Petersen of Arhus, Denmark, told Benjamin Pollak of Paris after Peterson’s low-card flush beat Pollak’s pocket aces.

Players short on chips gambled them before community cards were dealt, hoping to get other players to fold or isolate opponents before hands went further.

Decisions became more difficult, with players knowing a misstep could cost them a chance at profiting.

The top 747 players were guaranteed at least $19,263. Top prize in the tournament is $8.94 million, with the final table to be determined this weekend and played in November. Entry into the tournament cost $10,000.

Marlon Shirley, the 32-year-old two-time Paralympic 100-meter champion, agonized over an all-in bet from Jeremy Cate of Dallas, with the board showing a four, six, seven and eight.

“Are you bluffing?” Shirley muttered as ESPN cameras shuffled over to film the action, with a sizable pot and 113,000-chip bet from Cate.

Shirley eventually folded pocket aces face-up, after Cate promised to show his cards no matter what.

Cate tabled a queen-king for a king high.

“You sick?” Shirley said.

“I am sick. I have a disease,” Cate said. “I am insane.”

“I’m going to have to join you in therapy after that one,” Shirley said.

Tournament director Jack Effel said he expected bustouts to slow as players tracked how many opponents were left.

Once the bubble bursts, short-stacked players often shove in their chips, happy to have earned something in the tournament.