Hand #11: Alberto Melendez Eliminated on the Money Bubble in 26th Place

Photo:  Donald Lem

In Hand #11 of hand-for-hand play on the Money Bubble, Alberto Melendez moves all in under the gun for 22,500, Ian Monahoyios calls from the hijack, and Donald Lem calls from the small blind. Any further betting will create a side pot between Lem and Monahoyios.

Lem checks in the dark before the flop comes , and Monahoyios checks behind.

The turn card is the , and Lem min-bets 6,000. Monahoyios laughs, and Lem says, “It’s a pressure bet.” Monahoyios folds face up.

Melendez turns over a surprisingly strong starting hand — . But Lem shows for a pair of aces, and Melendez needs to improve to stay alive.

The turn card is the , the river card is the , and Lem wins the pot with two pair, aces and queens, to eliminate Melendez in 26th place on the Money Bubble.

Donald Lem  –  450,000  (75 bb)
Alberto Melendez  –  Eliminated on the Money Bubble

The remaining 25 players have officially made it to Day 2, where they will be guaranteed at least CAD 1,000 (~US $765), and they are now bagging and tagging their chips.