Level 12 (1500/2500/2500)
Total Day 1C Entrants: 125
Total Main Event Entries: 378
Day 1C Players Remaining: 26
As the last flight of the day began, Starr Valdez (pictured), had an average stack of around 60,000 chips. In fact, she's been at or below average for most of the flight, but all that has changed in the last fifteen minutes.
Valdez, in consecutive hands, has managed to knock out or cripple two opponents, more than doubling her stack.
In the first, Neil Ali limps in from early position for 2,500 and Charleston Williams raises from Ali's left to 11,100. Valdez, next-to-act, smooth calls. The action folds back to Ali and he also calls the raise.
The flop comes 7♥6♠2♣ and Ali checks. Williams immediately moves all in for around 50,000. Valdez announces a call, and Ali gets out of the way.
Charleston Williams - 8♥8♦
Starr Valdez - A♠A♦
The aces hold through the 7♠ turn and 9♠ river to secure a huge late-day pot for Valdez.
Starr Valdez - 135,600
Charleston Williams - 900
On the next hand, Williams moves all in for 900 and Valdez raises to 8,000. Bob Roberts three-bets all-in for 35,000. The action folds back to Valdez, who calls.
Charleston Williams - 6♣7♣
Starr Valdez - A♣K♥
Bob Roberts - Q♠Q♣
Roberts is flipping for his tournament life with 15 minutes left to play. Flop is a queen-killer, though, when it comes A♥9♦2♣. Roberts will need a queen to stay alive. Instead, the board runs out in Williams favor, with running straight cards, the 8♦ and 5♠.
Williams wins the 7,000 main pot while Valdez takes down the 70,000-chip side pot.
Starr Valdez - 164,000
Charleston Williams - 7,000
Bob Roberts - Eliminated