Event #20: $10,000 Razz Championship

Jason Mercier:     /      /  
Ray Dehkharghani:     /      /  

Jason Mercier brings it in with a  . Ray Dehkharghani completes, Mercier raises, and Dehkharghani calls.

Mercier bets his lead on fourth street, and Dehkharghani calls. The lead changes hands on fifth street after Mercier pairs up, so Dehkhargani bets and Mercier calls. Dehkharghani checks sixth street, then calls a bet from Mercier. That action repeats on seventh street with Dehkharghani check-calling one last bet.

"Eight," Mercier announces, and Dehkharghani raises his palms to the ceiling. Mercier shows    , winning the pot with a rough eight. He's now traded places with his opponent since this match began, working with a 3:2 chip advantage.

"This may not last that long after all," Dehkharghani laments.

Jason Mercier - 3,075,000 (31 BB)
Ray Dehkharghani - 1,925,000 (19 BB)

Jason Mercier and Ray Dehkharghani are heads-up for the title of Razz Champion, and they've stepped away from the table for a short break. Here's how they stack up as they enter the final duel:

Ray Dehkharghani - 2,955,000 (30 BB)
Jason Mercier - 2,045,000 (20 BB)

Mercier is a four-time bracelet winner who reportedly has side action worth more than first-place money riding on his performance today. Dehkharghani is an accomplished player in his own right, though he's still seeking his first bracelet. His best WSOP performance to date is a runner-up finish to Doyle Brunson in a $1,500 Razz event in 1998. The two men are good friends on and off the felt, and there's plenty of play left in their stacks.

This evening's runner-up will collect nearly $170,000, while the winner will be awarded that bracelet and the top prize of almost $275,000.

Action will resume shortly.

Jason Mercier:     /    (fold)
Yueqi Zhu:     /      /  
Ray Dehkharghani:     /      /  

Jason Mercier brings it in with a  . Yueqi Zhu completes with an  , Ray Dehkharghani raises, Mercier calls both bets, and Zhu calls the extra one to proceed.

Zhu has the action fourth street, and he checks. Dehkharghani bets, Mercier folds, and Zhu calls. Zhu checks again on fifth street, then calls another bet from Dehkharghani. On sixth, Zhu finally bets his lead, and Dehkharghani calls. Zhu leads out again on seventh street, Dehkharghani raises, and Zhu calls.

Dehkharghani shows     /     , winning the pot with a rough seven. He extends his chip lead, while Zhu is left with barely a full big bets in front of him.

Ray Dehkharghani - 3,000,000 (30 BB)
Yueqi Zhu - 115,000 (1 BB)

Jason Mercier

Ray Dehkharghani:     /      /  
Jason Mercier:     /      /  

Ray Dehkharghani completes on third street, Jason Mercier raises, and Dehkharghani calls. Dehkharghani bets on fourth street and Mercier calls.

Dehkharghani checks fifth street, Mercier bets, Dehkharghani check-raises, and Mercier calls. Sixth street pairs up Dehkharghani and Mercier bets. Dehkharghani calls and both players check seventh street.

Mercier tables     for an 8-7-6-4-2 low, while Dehkharghani shows     for a jack low. Mercier wins the pot.

Jaosn Mercier - 2,965,000 (37 BB)
Ray Dehkharghani - 1,275,000 (16 BB)

Yueqi Zhu:     /    
Ray Dehkharghani:     /     (fold)

Yueqi Zhu (pictured) completes the bet on third street, Ray Dehkharghani raises, and Zhu calls.

Zhu has the lead on fourth street and bets. Dehkharghani calls, Zhu bets on fifth street, and Dehkharghani folds.

Yuequ Zhu - 1,400,000 (17 BB)
Ray Dehkharghani - 1,200,000 (15 BB)

Ray Dehkharghani:     /      /  
Jason Mercier:     /      /  

Ray Dehkharghani completes on third street, Jason Mercier raises, and Dehkharghani calls. On fourth street Dehkharghani leads with the king and checks. Mercier bets his pair, and Dehkharghani calls.

Dehkharghani bets on fifth street, Mercier raises, and Dehkharghani calls.

Dehkharghani check-calls a bet from Mercier on sixth street and does the same on seventh street.

Mercier shows     for a 7-6-5-3-2 low, Dehkharghani mucks, and Mercier collects the pot.

Jason Mercier - 2,840,000 (35 BB)
Ray Dehkharghani - 1,150,000 (14 BB)

Ray Dehkharghani:     /     (fold)
Jason Mercier:     /    

Ray Dehkharghani completes on third street, Jason Mercier raises, and Dehkharghani calls. Mercier takes the lead on fourth and bets. Dehkharghani calls, and Mercier bets again on fifth street. Dehkharghani folds.

Jason Mercier - 2,800,000 (35 BB)
Ray Dehkharghani - 1,310,000 (16 BB)

The final three players are on a 15-minute break. Here's how they'll stack up when the new level begins with 40,000/80,000 limits:

Jason Mercier - 2,490,000 (50 BB)
Ray Dehkharghani - 1,375,000 (17 BB)
Yueqi Zhu - 1,135,000 (14 BB)

Jason Mercier:     /      /  
Brian Hastings:     /      /  

Yueqi Zhu brings it in, Ray Dehkharghani completes with a  , Jason Mercier raises with a   of his own, and Brian Hastings makes it three bets with a  . Zhu and Dehkharghani fold, but Mercier calls the extra bet to proceed.

Mercier has the lead the whole way, and he bets every street. Hastings calls rather quickly through sixth street, but the last bet gives him pause. He only has 68,000 chips left in front of him as he considers on seventh street, so an incorrect call would cost him nearly everything. After several minutes of studying, he does call.

"Seven perfect," Mercier says, tabling     to prove it. Hastings mucks, and he's left with barely an ante.

Jason Mercier - 2,675,000 (45 BB)
Brian Hastings - 8,000 (< 1 BB)