Allen Kessler Eliminated in 9th Place ($33,352)
In late position, Phil Laak opened to 70,000, and Allen Kessler three-bet shoved for 126,000 from the small blind. Laak waited for the count, and he clearly did not like the spot. He chuckled, then told Kessler, "You might be getting a courtesy double-up here." With that, he made the call, but neither player immediately tabled their hands.
"I'm 100% ahead," Kessler said.
Laak knew it too. "Can I bet $10,000 on your hand?"
Kessler shook his head with a bit of a frustrated air. He was, as expected, well in front as the cards were finally shown down.
Showdown
Laak: 
Kessler: 
Laak had some connecting low cards with two suits, and off they went to the board. The flop came out 
, pairing Laak to open up a few knockout possibilities. On the turn, the was a bad card for Kessler, improving Laak to two pair and leaving the Chainsaw in a big hole with one to come. He needed to find an ace, ten, or six to scoop, or at least make a low to chop the pot.
The river was a fateful 
, though, and Kessler could only throw his arms up in disbelief. Laak makes the Michael Jackson full house, and Kessler is left pacing toward the cashier with a ticket that shows ninth place. It's good for $33,352, but it's not much consolation right now as Kessler tries to shake off a cooler of a summer.