Niyati Loses Chip Lead in Kickoff Event

Five players to the flop? Sounds like Texas.

The blinds were at 8,000/16,000/16,000 and Pejman Niyati opened the action to 35,000 from UTG. Most of the table called. Larry Vo called from UTG+1, Bobby Sambangi called in the hijack, Havey Kiser called on the button, and Scott Dulaney called in the small blind.

The flop came paired with 9♠8♠8♥. Dulaney checked. Niyati, the tournament chip leader, continued for 95,000. Vo and Sambangi quickly called. Kiser gave it serious thought on the button but eventually folded and Dulaney got out of the way behind him.

Niyati grabbed a 20-stack of 25,000 chips and moved all-in before the turn was dealt. The turn brought the T♠ and the whole table was shocked to see Vo and Sambangi put themselves at risk with calls.

Niyati tabled T♣8♣ for eights full of tens. Vo rolled over red aces and Sambangi turned over red nines for a flopped full house. The 6♥ completed the board; Vo was eliminated and Sambangi more than tripled up.

Niyati: T♣8♣
Sambangi: 9♥9♦
Vo: A♥A♦
Board: 9♠8♠8♥T♠6♥

23 players remain and the blinds are now up to 10,000/20,000/20,000.

Sambangi: 1,065,000

Event #1 Payouts
1st: $14,400
2nd: $10,120
3rd: $6,510
4th: $4,190
5th: $3,230
6th: $2,670
7th: $2,240
8th: $1,840
9th: $1,440
10th-12th: $1,220
13th-15th: $1,040
16th-18th: $860
19th-21st: $710
22nd-24th: $580
25th-27th: $500
28th-36th: $420
37th-43rd: $350