WPT – Five Diamond Classic, Day Three

The World Poker Tour in Las Vegas is now down to the final six tables as the poker elite battle it out for the title and a slice of the $4,248,600 prize pool in the Five Diamond World Poker Classic tournament. 

The day went well and it wasn’t long before the bubble burst when the 101st player went out. Ali Eslami took the Bubble Boy title and from here on in everyone knew they were facing payday. 

A number of ace faces hit the rails early on, Eric Mizrachi came close to missing the money and eventually his short stack saw him leave in 71st position. Other well-known players who took to the slot machines early were Matt Affleck 100th, Justin Young 98th, Jason Mercier 83rd, Phil Ivey 80th and Johnny Chan 64th. 

With all these poker pros going home early you would imagine that the remaining field would have been a list of who is who, but no. This tournament has attracted many of the top players and a good number are still in the running. 

Included in those still around the tables are chip leader Antonio Esfandiari with 1,082,500 chips, Doug Lee on 702,500 and Vanessa Rouso in third place with 694,000 chips. Others still in play include the poker daddy, Doyle Brunson in 13th holding 446,000 chips and Mizzi Sorel just behind Brunson in 14th on 436,000. 

Further down the list you will find Johnathan Little, David Baker, David Sklansky and Jeff Shulman. While there is plenty of quality competition still at the felt, which one has the skill to take on Esfandiari, who has been leading the pack all weekend?