The Bubble Bursts

With blinds at 1500 and 2500 on the final table bubble of the Omaha8/Stud8 event, we saw a blind on blind confrontation. Fumihiro Yasishima was extremely short, holding only 1500 behind after posting his big blind. Joseph Santagata, in the small blind with a healthier stack, chose to limp. Yasishima checked his option, and the two saw the flop heads up.

The dealer spread 4♥ 2♠ J♣, and Santagata led out. Yasishima called all in for his remaining 1500, putting his tournament life at risk. The cards were revealed: Yasishima showed 2♥ 4♣ 8♠ 9♦ for bottom two pair and some backdoor low potential, while Santagata tabled K♠ Q♠ J♥ 6♥, pairing his jack on the flop.

The turn brought the 3♦, failing to improve Santagata while giving Yasishima a draw at the low. There were a lot of cards that could fall to allow him to remain in the tournament, but the river came the J♠, pairing the board and giving Santagata trips. With no qualifying low and only two low pair for the high, Yasishima was eliminated and the remaining players advanced to the final table.