Theo Jorgensen looks to finish strong at the final table.

Throughout most of the day Theo Jorgenson and J.C. Tran were the chip leaders for the World Series of Poker $2,500 Pot Limit Omaha (Event 30), but with a couple of hiccups during the last hour of play the field was able to catch up to them. Eliminations came quick throughout the day, but once the final table drew near a series of double-ups gave Ross Boatman the chip lead heading into the final table.

For Day 2 61 players returned to play down to a final table. In relative terms, this tournament had a small buy-in and small field - only 436 entrants. The field that made the money on Day 2 were some of the most recognizable names in poker: Phil Ivey, Tran, John Juanda, Eli Elezra, David Chiu and Isaac “westmenloAA” Baron.

Also in the field were players having an incredible 2009 WSOP; Vitaly Lunkin, Steve Sung and John-Paul Kelly. Needing only 16 eliminations until the money bubble - at 45, chip leaders played aggressively taking advantage of players just looking to make the money. 

Right before the money bubble Ivey lost a big pot leaving him only 6,100 chips. He was able to survive to make the money in 44th place. After six players all saw a flop of T T 6 Ivey moved in and Baron called. He was ahead of Ivey holding 7 T 9 J and Ivey had a wrap draw with 8 7 9 5. Ivey didn’t hit when the turn and river with A 3, adding another cash to his impressive 2009 WSOP.

Recent bracelet winners Kelly and Sung also made the money but fell short of the final table. Kelly ran into Chad Layne’s A A Q 4 when Kelly held K K 8 4. He couldn’t find a King on the  board and was eliminated. Sung was all-in preflop, found a flush draw on the flop of 4 3 6 but missed when the board ran 4 8.

Baron had the unfortunate luck to move in before the flop with Jorgensen and Tran calling in the blinds. Tran flopped a full house holding J 7 5 5 on a board of 6 6 5 7 A.

When the field was cut to ten players, the last elimination came slowly as they all sat at one table. Tran tried to the table a favor and give everyone an early night by calling a series of large bets and all-ins. He doubled up Boatman and Dallas Flowers, the later twice. He fell from over 700,000 to under 400,000.

After two hours of players sitting a little too close for comfort, Leif Force couldn’t nurse his short stack any longer and was the final table bubble boy. He moved all-in from UTG and Jorgensen called, but Jeff Kimber re-potted and Jorgensen folded. Force held Q 7 6 5 and Kimber held A A K J the board ran K 8 2 8 3. Force couldn’t catch a flush or straight draw he thought his hand could and was out.

Players will return at 2 p.m. tomorrow to play the final table and award a gold bracelet.

Final Table Chip Counts for $2,000 No Limit Hold’em (Event 30)

1. Ross Boatman - 718,000
2. Jeff Kimber - 525,000
3. Theo Jorgensen - 419,000
4. J.C. Tran - 387,000
5. Rami Boukai - 325,000
6. Jean-Phillipe Leandri - 324,000
7. Dallas Flowers - 239,000
8. Chad Layne - 206,000
9. John Juanda - 130,000

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