Main Event 2014: Show Us the Money!

After several days of play in the WSOP 2014 Main Event, the money bubble has finally burst. Starting field just shy of 6,700 players dwindled down to just 693 shortly after the start of Day 4 tonight, guaranteeing that all with chips still in front of them will take home at least $18,400.

Although the number of participants was the biggest one since 2010, the action was fast and furious as players were sent to the rail in bunches. In fact, there is no doubt that players would move past the bubble last night had the tournament not been stopped with just under one hour of play remaining for the last level and some sixty eliminations from the money.

Tournament officials, naturally, wanted to have ESPN cameras present for the big moment, so players returned today, knowing that they would only have to hold on for a little while longer and they’d be guaranteed a payday.

And indeed, about an hour and a half into the play, hand-for-hand play was declared. It wasn’t a long sweat, as the first hand of hand-for hand period saw five all in pots on different tables and with only two players having to bust before the rest of the field would make the money, there was a strong chance it would all be over after the first hand.

By the time all cards were out, three players were on their way to the rail - Zhen Cai, Kori Hunter and John Dwyer, which meant that all three of them would get to share $18,400 for 693rd place finish, but there was still a small matter of who gets the Main Event seat. In case you’ve missed it, it has been a long-time tradition that the bubble boy of the Main Event receives the free entry into the next year’s tournament.

It was the time to let the cards do the talking. Three bubbles went to a vacated table where they drew cards, and the highest card would receive the seat. Zhen Cai found a King, while the other two both drew Sixes, and he received the next year’s buy-in together with his share of the prize money in the amount of $6,135.

An interesting fact about this year’s Main Event is that none of the former winners were able to make the money. Some of them have fallen yesterday, including defending champion Ryan Riess, and the only one who made it to Day 4 was Huck Seed. However, it wasn’t meant to be for him either, as he busted early at the start of play, leaving tournament devoid of champions. Joining them on the rail was Daniel Negreanu whose good run for the summer has come to an end.

Dan Smith, Ben Yu, Brian Hastings have all made it past the bubble and of these mentioned, Phil Ivey is looking particularly good, as he had a somewhat slower day coming in as the chip leader yesterday, but seems to be continuing his upward trend today. However, right now it is Dan Smith leading the pack as he managed to more than double his already huge starting stack today.

Team Ivey pro Ronnie Bardah has also made the money and after surviving today’s bubble, he booked his fifth Main Event cash in a row. With this, Bardah has set a new record and is now the only player who was able to master such a streak.

As players are returning from their second break of the night, the field is already well under 600 and there is plenty of play left, so we are certain to see some more exits before the night comes to an end.