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A Season on the Brinkenhoff
Michael Brinkenhoff's bubble saga is a fascinating one.
The California resident got into a hand heads-up against Franco Spitale, in which he lost and was left with just four 1,000-value chips.
With only 76 players left in the tournament, and the bubble bursting at 70, Brinkenhoff moved all in under the gun. Martin Zamani, eyeing the bounty chip, raised to a 400,000 to clear out any other challengers.
Michael Brinkenhoff: 4♥4♠
Martin Zamani: J♠7♦
Zamani was in jeopardy, but he did have two overs. In the runout, the board paired twice A♣8♥8♣2♣A♣, counterfeitting Zamani's fours and giving Brinkenhoff the win thanks to his jack.
He had to put his backpack back and sit down with his 31,000 chips.
In the next hand, as the big blind, Brinkenhoff had to pay 30,000 with the ante. When the action folded back to him, he tossed his lone chip in.
Again, he was heads up against Zamani, who made the call.
Michael Brinkenhoff: Q♦3♠
Martin Zamani: Q♣2♠
With almost identical hand and very small kickers, odds were there would be a chop. And there was on a runout of 6♣K♠A♥K♣4♦.
Alive, as the small blind with a few chips with which to play, Brinkenhoff wasn't satisfied.
With just 73 players left in the event and the tables now going hand-for-hand, Spitale raised to 35,000 under the gun. Brinkenhoff called with less all in. Zamani called from the big blind.
The flop hit 7♠10♣K♠. Zamani checked, Spitale bet 25,000, Zamani called.
The 5♣ came on the turn and Spitale and Zamani checked.
The 3♦ on the river brought a lead from Zamani for 60,000. Spitale called.
Spitale showed A♥J♣ to top Zamani 8♠6♣ for the side pot.
Brinkenhoff got off the brink of the bubble with 9♦9♠ to claim the main pot.
"That was really dumb on the bubble," Brinkenhoff said.
Not everyone agreed.
"Are you kidding me?," tablemate Raplh Perry said. "You're the greatest shortstack player on the planet."