Arrivederchi

Contrary to common belief, Ali Mallu isn't required to see chips fly, and this last level has perhaps been indicative of a field thirsty for first.

One player who will have had his eyes firmly fixed on the title was Pratik Ghatge, but upon running K-Q into aces, the etching of his name will have to wait for another year. But whilst Ghatge's departure was proof of an action-packed day, it was little more than a precursor to what would be a wholeheartedly spicier affair...


With Giovanni Pennetta raising to 85,000 with 2h-2c from middle position, fellow chip leader Paul Pham made the call on the button with Jc-Jh. Fireworks then ensued on a 5s-9c-4s flop as Pennetta led for 120,000, Pham raised to 290,000, Pennetta pushed, and Pham called. A harmless Kh turn and 8h river later, and that was that, the two biggest stacks on the table had clashed in an epic hand with Pham achieving a number of things: (1) adding to his already monstrous stack, (2) bursting the final table bubble and eliminating Pennetta, and (3) stunning the crowd.


"I put him on the flush draw," commented Pennetta in the aftermath. "Even with jacks he thought for a good two minutes before making the call, but I was sure he had a draw."