Steven Merrifield Eliminated in 3rd Place ($239,100)

Jason Mercier raised to 100,000 on the button and was called by Hans Winzeler in the small blind. Steven Merrifield then raised pot from the big blind. Mercier immediately folded while Winzeler opted to make the call. It was heads up to the {10-Diamonds} {7-Diamonds} {K-Diamonds} flop, which Winzeler checked. Merrifield put the pressure on with a 400,000 bet and Winzeler hit the tank.

After about a minute, Winzeler came out with two stacks of green T25,000 chips, totaling 1,000,000. Merrifield, who only had 550,000 behind, shook his head as he slowly folded his cards.

Two hands later, Merrifield raised to 175,000 on the button and again received a call from Winzeler, who checked the {K-Hearts} {10-Diamonds} {J-Spades} flop. Merrifield grabbed his remaining 350,000 chips and committed them to the pot. Winzeler snap-called and flipped {A-Hearts} {Q-Hearts} {10-Hearts} {5-Clubs} for the nut flush.

Merrifield was behind, but he had outs with his {K-Clubs} {J-Hearts} {A-Clubs} {4-Spades} . Any king or jacks would give him the win, while a queen would grant him a chop. Merrifield's supporters leaned in as the {3-Diamonds} blanked on the turn, leaving just one card to come. The atmosphere was tense as the dealer burned and put out the {3-Clubs} .