Vladimir Schmelev is the big wildcard at this final table with only a sprinkling of previous tournament results to his credit, including two previous WSOP cashes. This will most definitely be a new experience for the former Chess protege, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure against experienced pros such as Mizrachi, Juanda, Alaei and Oppenheim.
We believe Schmelev's skills have been developed in the big cash games in Russia, so we're certain he holds no fears as he strives to become the first European to win the coveted Chip Reese Memorial Trophy.
At the moment he's doing a fine job of things as a clear chip leader with around 3.5 million chips.
The button is with David Baker in Seat 1. Michael Mizrachi raises to 125,000 from early position and John Juanda makes the call in the big blind.
They see a flop of . Juanda checks and Mizrachi follows up with a bet of 150,000. Juanda thinks for a moment before putting in a check-raise to 400,000. It was Mizrachi's turn to think as he deliberated for a good minute or so before giving it up.
Michael Mizrachi has the button in Seat 6. John Juanda opens for 150,000 from the hijack seat and Robert Mizrachi calls from the big blind.
The flop is . Mizrachi checks to Juanda, who bets 250,000. Mizrachi calls. The turn is the and Mizrachi leads out for 375,000. Juanda folds and Mizrachi wins the pot.
John Juanda has the button in Seat 4. David Baker opens for 140,000, Mikael Thuritz tosses in his last 55,000, and Michael Mizrachi calls from the big blind.
The flop is . Mizrachi checks to Baker, who bets 180,000. Mizrachi raises to 400,000 and Baker folds.
Mizrachi
Thuritz
Mizrachi couldn't have asked for a better flop, making sixes full. The turn is the , the river is the and Thuritz is the first player eliminated from this final table. For his eighth place finish, he'll take home $182,463.
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. Juanda checks and Mizrachi follows up with a bet of 150,000. Juanda thinks for a moment before putting in a check-raise to 400,000. It was Mizrachi's turn to think as he deliberated for a good minute or so before giving it up.
. Schmelev checks to Alaei, who bets 185,000. Schmelev raises to 725,000 and Alaei gives up his hand.
. Mizrachi checks to Juanda, who bets 250,000. Mizrachi calls. The turn is the 
and Mizrachi leads out for 375,000. Juanda folds and Mizrachi wins the pot.
. Oppenheim checks and Schmelev takes it down with a bet of 200,000.
. Mizrachi checks to Baker, who bets 180,000. Mizrachi raises to 400,000 and Baker folds.
, the river is the 
and Thuritz is the first player eliminated from this final table. For his eighth place finish, he'll take home $182,463.