Nobuaki Sasaki

As players returned from the break, most were focused on cruising into the money. Nobuaki Sasaki, however, had other plans, surging toward a seven-figure stack after a massive clash with Raju Jaruplavath.

Jaruplavath opened from middle position to 16,000, and Sasaki responded with a three-bet to 45,000 from the hijack. When the action folded back to Jaruplavath, he wasted no time four-betting to 150,000. Sasaki tanked, burning through two time banks before announcing he was all in for 461,000. Jaruplavath gave a shrug and said, "I call."

Nobuaki Sasaki: A A

Raju Jaruplavath: K K

A dream scenario for Sasaki — and a nightmare for Jaruplavath — just nine eliminations away from the money. Jaruplavath still had chips behind, but if he couldn’t find a Cowboy to lasso his way out of the situation, his stack would be in ruins.

There was an audible gasp from Jaruplavath when the 4 Q 5 flop brought some paint, but it wasn’t the picture he wanted to see. The A on the turn sealed the deal, locking up the pot for Sasaki and leaving Jaruplavath visibly deflated. A meaningless 3 fell on the river, and Sasaki raked in a mountain of chips.

Jaruplavath, now left with just 140,000, immediately shoved the very next hand. He found no callers but was still clearly rattled by the costly cooler.

Raju Jaruplavath