Event #8: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em (ReBuy)

When Norm Chad asked Michael Chu about his strategy, he said he wanted to be patient early, and let the big stacks knock each other around a bit. He then added that it didn't hurt that he caught some big cards, and got lucky when he needed to. When asked about plans for a professional poker career, Chu said that while he might enter a few more tournaments, he has no plans of quitting his day job.

Hand #138 - Tommy Vu has the button, he moves all in, and Chu quickly calls with   . Vu shows   , and he'll need to improve to stay alive. The flop comes    , and while Chu pairs his three, Vu picks up more outs with a flush draw. He's got 15 outs twice. The turn card pairs the board with the  , and the crowd reacts, briefly thinking it was a spade. The river card is the  , and Tommy Vu is eliminated in second place, earning $364,761. Michael Chu wins Event #8 ($1,000 No-Limit Hold'em w/Rebuys), earning $585,744, a Corum watch, and a coveted WSOP bracelet.

Hand #136 - Tommy Vu has the button, he moves all in, and Chu folds.

Hand #134 - Tommy Vu has the button, he moves all in for about a million, and Chu folds.

Michael Chu - 4.215 million Tommy Vu - 1.105 million

Hand #131 - Michael Chu has the button, he raises to 200,000, Vu reraises to 700,000, and Chu calls. The flop comes    , and both players check. The turn card is the  , and they check again. The river card is the  , Vu bets 800,000, and Chu folds. Vu shows 8-2 (eight high) as he collects the pot.

Hand #130 - Tommy Vu has the button, he raises to 300,000, and Chu calls. The flop comes    , and both players check. The turn card is the  , and they check again. The river card pairs the board with the  , Chu bets 300,000, and Vu folds. Chu takes the pot.

There are 42 minutes left in the current level, with blinds at 40,000-80,000, with a 10,000 ante. Reminder: In heads-up play, the button has the small blind and acts first before the flop.

Hand #128 - Tommy Vu has the button in seat 3, Cales limps from the small blind for 80,000, Chu raises from the big blind to 330,000, and Vu folds. Cales moves all in for 790,000, and Chu beats him into the pot with   . Cales shows   , and he'll need to improve to stay alive. The flop comes    , and Cales needs something runner-runner to stay alive. The turn card is the  , and a four on the river would give both players a five-high straight, chopping the pot. The river card is the  , and Chu wins the pot with his pocket queens. Barry Cales is eliminated in third place, earning $235,575. The runner-up will earn $364,761, while the winner will take home $585,744.

Hand #126 - Barry Cales has the button in seat 8, Chu raises from the small blind to 250,000, and Vu calls from the big blind. The flop comes    , Chu bets 300,000, and Vu folds. Chu takes the pot.