Event #3: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em

As expected, the opening $1,000 event was a marathon. It may not have exceeded the numbers of last year, but when players glanced across the seemingly endless sea of tables adorning the newly introduced Pavillion Room, the sight must have been overwhelming. But, out of those 4,345 hopefuls, someone had to win, and today that man was Aadam Daya.

A 31-year old business analyst from Mississauga, Daya entered today's final first in chips with 2,855,000, and although history books suggest that he should have gone from strength to strength, that wasn't the case as the chip lead continued to chop and change as the final progressed. The final table was undoubtedly a turbulent and unpredictable affair.

However, despite the occasional setback, Daya remained focused throughout, and after doubling through off third placed Gabe Costner in what was surely the 'bracelet winning hand', he never looked back. Runner-up Deepak Bhatti put up a superb fight heads-up, especially having entered the final last in chips, but it was ultimately Daya who emerged triumphant, showing the patience of a saint before sealing the deal with queens.

Before coming to Vegas, Daya's one goal was to win a bracelet, and just one week into the Series, he's done just that, taking down Event #3's $1,000 No Limit Hold'em Freezeout for a whopping $652,872. Well done, that man!

With just several thousand in front of him and blinds of 120,000 and 240,000, it was looking bleak for Deepak Bhatti, and when Aadam Daya confidently announced all-in from the button, Bhatti's head sunk towards the felt.

After a minute or two in the tank, Daya shrugged his shoulders and called, turning over    in the process. Much to Bhatti's chagrin, Daya revealed   .

The     flop looked clinical, giving Bhatti a Broadway straight and flush draw to go with his already dominating queen high. Both men had their arms folded, standing over the table in what looked like a mirror image, but beyond the poker faces, it was Daya who was doing cartwheels.

However, just as the janitor was eying up the surrounding area, and I was thinking about what to include in my final post, the dealer did something rather cheeky and popped a   onto the felt. The loyal followings "oohed" and "aahed" as Bhatti's body language suddenly became more upbeat.

But, it wasn't over yet, as Daya still had the redraw, and as both players looked on intently, the river came a blank   to deliver Bhatti an unlikely, but much needed of double throughs.

They think it's all over... not yet.

Here's hoping it's the last one of the night - two more levels and we'll be off the structure sheet.

Back in 20.

The blinds are now so big that Deepak Bhatti has reached the stage where an all-in is more appropriate than a standard raise, meaning we may be just moments away from a finish, or, at least, an all-in showdown. However, Bhatti's timing appears to be impeccable thus far, with each all-in picking up the pot uncontested.

On a limped flop of     flop, both players checked leading to a turn of   where Aadam Daya bet 300,000. Deepak Bhatti flat called. The river came the  , triggering another bet from Daya, this time to the tune of 600,000. Again, Bhatti made the call, but was chagrined to see his foe turn over    for turned trips.

Of the two, Aadam Daya has been by far the more aggressive player - Deepak Bhatti seems to be a big fan of limping in on the button and seeing how things go after that - and Daya has managed to extend his chip lead to almost 10 million.

On the rare occasion of a Bhatti raise from the button, Daya called the 500,000 total bet and they saw a dangerous-looking     flop. Both players checked.

Daya checked the   turn as well and then called the 600,000 bet from Bhatti; they moved on to a   river, on which they reverted to checking.

So, all action over, Daya flipped    for two pair. Whatever Bhatti had, he couldn't beat it. His hand went into the muck, and the pot went to Daya.

Deepak Bhatti limped in on the button and Aadam Daya checked his option to see an     flop which both players checked. Daya checked the   turn as well, and then called the 200,000 bet from Bhatti, so they got to see a river as well.

The river came down the   and Daya checked once again, and this time called a 400,000 bet from Bhatti. When the cards were turned over, both players had two pair.

Bhatti:   

Daya:   

It was a chop, and play continues.

Aadam Daya limped the button and Deepak Bhatti checked.

The       board was checked down, Daya taking it with    versus   .

Our heads-upsers have returned to the table. 35 minutes remain of this level.

Five whole hands went by where the player on the button raised and both blinds folded.

But on the sixth hand, everything changed.

Once again there was a raise from the button - this time it was Aadam Daya's turn to do the raising, to the tune of 400,000. But this time he didn't just get to pick up the blinds and antes - Gabe Costner shoved from the big blind, and Daya called in a flash.

On their backs.

Daya:   

Costner: in some hot water with   

Board:      

"Ace, nine or queen," Costner softly requested on the turn, but it didn't come. From chip leader to short stack to busto in just a few hands - what a cruel game this can be.

We are now heads up, or will be in a few minutes. "I need a cigarette," said Aadam Daya and he and Deepak Bhatti wandered off. Play will most likely resume shortly. Although announcer Nikki is now threatening, "Deepak and Aadam to the final table table, please. We will start without you."