Vince Musso protecting his chips heading into Day 3.

The World Series of Poker $10,000 World Championship 2-7 Draw Lowball (Event 23) attracted the usual top pros that play in high buy-in championship events. When the players finally reached the money bubble, set at 14, a clear generation gap set the players apart. Old school player, Vince Musso, ended Day 2 of the event in control with 540,000 in chips.

The young guns of poker will stack the field entering Day 3 to play down to a final table. Villie Wahlbeck, Steve Sung, Nick Shulman, Michael Binger, John Juanda, Justin “BoostedJ” Smith, and Roland De Wolfe look to stake a new claim in what’s considered an old school game.

Defending champ in the event, Mike Matusow, will not repeat and came up short of the money bubble - in 25th place. Joining Matusow on the rail just short of the money were Tim Phan, Greg Raymer, and Mickey Appleman. The bubble burst on Jean-Robert Bellande in a rather harsh fashion. Bellande opened with a raise of 20,000 and  Musso shoved from the big blind. Bellande called and said, “I would say good luck, but $17,000 means a lot to me. And I know you know that.” Bellande held 9-7-5-2 and Musso showed 7-6-3-2. Musso drew a 9 making his hand 9-7-6-3-2 and Bellande needed a 3, 4, or a 6 to stay in the tournament. He drew an 8 and collected his things leaving the Amazon room dejected.

One of poker’s most popular cliches is “from the outhouse to the penthouse.” Max Pescatori lived it when he was short stacked and drawing very thin, only a 3 or 4 could win and a 5 would chop the pot, on one crucial hand. He doubled up to around 60,000 in chips when the average was just north of 200,000. He all but eliminated Dan Harmentz when Pescatori opened for 17,500 and Harmentz moved in from the small blind and Pescatori called with Harmentz having him covered. Pescatori stood pat with 10-9-8-3-2 and Harmentz drew one card holding 8-7-6-2. He drew a king and was left with 20,000 while Pescatori moved to the middle of the pack.

Pescatori’s new found chips did not last long. He moved all-in UTG and Hertzel Zalewski called from the big blind. Pescatori drew one card and Zalewski stood pat with 8-6-5-3-2 and Pescatori missed his draw and was out of the tournament.

Play stalled at 11 players with no eliminations for the last hour and a half of the day. They will resume tomorrow at 2 p.m.

Remaining Chip Counts $10,000 World Championship 2-7 Draw Lowball

1. Vince Musso - 540,000
2. Villie Wahlbeck - 400,000
3. Steve Sung - 316,000
4. Nick Schulman - 300,000
5. Michael Binger - 209,000
6. John Juanda - 200,000
7. Archie Karas - 190,000
8. Justin “BoostedJ” Smith - 150,000
9. Roland de Wolfe - 145,000
10. Hertzel Zalewski - 120,000
11. David Benaymine - 108,000

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