Johnson Revived with Hearts
Stud
No one was happier than Marco Johnson to see the game change to stud. He was under 400,000 at the start of what would be his last stand if he didn't take it down.
Johnson: (X-X) / / (X)
Ashby: (X-X) / / (X)
Johnson completed, and Richard Ashby called. Ashby started off the action on fourth with a check, then called a bet from Marco. He check-called again on fifth but started to bet out on sixth. Matt Glantz stopped him, pointing out that Johnson had paired his five, giving him first action. Johnson bet, leaving himself 35,000. Then Ashby appeared confused. "What are my options?" he asked, literally scratching his head.
"You can call, fold, or raise like any other poker hand," Glantz responded dryly. He elected to just call, and Johnson put in his last 35,000 dark. "Here's another 35 for you," he said, miserably looking at Ashby's board. They each got one last card, and Marco turned over for a king-high flush. Ashby showed the and the and didn't have anything close to an ace-high flush.
Johnson doubled up to 870,000 without cracking a smile. His section of the rail (exactly two people - David "Bakes" Baker and "Dainty" Jon Aguiar) mustered the energy for a golf clap.