Robert Mizrachi Takes Over Lead at Mirage

Robert Mizrachi used a little bit of luck late in Day 2 to jump into first position at the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em event at the Mirage Poker Showdown in Las Vegas. Mizrachi holds 348,000 chips going into Day 3, with Gavin Smith in second place, slightly less than 30,000 chips behind. Despite some wild dips, the leader going into the day, John Phan, is still holding strong in 13th place with a chip stack of 176,900.

The hand that catapulted Mizrachi to the top of the field was one of the worst beats of the day. Jeffery Abramovitz started the hand by raising to 15,000 with A-J. Mizrachi called with Q-4, both hearts, and the two saw the flop come A-6-7 with two hearts. Abramovitz checked, Mizrachi bet a healthy 30,000, only to see his opponent come over the top and push all-in. Mizrachi called, behind in the hand. Then the dealer broke Abramovitz’s heart by dealing a 5 and then an 8 to give Mizrachi the runner-runner straight, the huge pot, and the chip lead, while Abramovitz had to go home.

The “Good Sport of the Day” award goes to Jean Gaspard for the following two instances:

• With a flop of Q-Q-4, Jonathan Shecter checked, Gaspard bet 9,000 with pocket 9’s, and Shecter called. The turn was another 4, which made Shecter move all-in for his last 35,000 with A-5 spades and a flush draw. The river eliminated Shecter and Gaspard graciously sent him off with, “You're not playing with kids here.”
• Gaspard raised to 6,000 with A-K. Sammy Morcos and John Phan call. After a flop of K-Q-7, Phan quickly bet 10,000, Gaspard folded, and Morcos called. The turn is a 5 and after some deliberation, Phan pushed all of his chips to the middle of the table. Morcos folded and Phan scooped the pot, but that was not the end of the action. Gaspard then kept demanding that Phan show his hand, saying, “I laid down Ace King for you,” as if he was owed something because he started with a strong hand. Phan mucked his hand at first, but after more whiners at the table started in on him, he fished his cards out of the muck to show Q-5 and thus, two pair.

50 players will begin Day 3 with the top 27 getting paid.

Related stories: John Phan Leads Mirage Poker Showdown Main Event After Day 1

Originally published May 25, 2005