Mark Bonsack Eliminated in 4th Place ($40,627)
There's no denying Mark Bonsack's poker prowess here at the Horseshoe Council Bluffs. Last year he final tabled this very event and ultimately finished in fifth place for $25,127. Not only did he follow that up by making the final table for a second consecutive year, he managed to win a ring in between. Unfortunately, he won't be making it two.
On the first hand of Level 30 (25,000/50,000/5,000), Blair Hinkle opened for 110,000 under the gun and Bonsack shoved for 580,000. The blinds folded and Hinkle made a quick call.
Hinkle: 
Bonsack: 
Bonsack was in big trouble and needed some help. According to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, Hinkle was a 70.61% favorite, and Bonsack had just a 28.97% chance of surviving the hand. The 
flop dropped Bonsack's chances to 16.46%, but the 
turn gave him some hope by delivering him a flush draw and bumping it up to 25%. The dealer burned one last time and put out the 
.
Bonsack missed his flush and was sent to the rail in fourth place for $40,627, but he also left with the consolation prize of being the Casino Champion, which locked him up a seat in the National Championship for the second year in a row.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,130,000
580,000
|
580,000 |
|
||
|
Busted | |