Nachman Berlin Heads-Up Andre Akkari in WSOP $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em

Brooklyn’s Nachman Berlin goes into the fourth day’s play at the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) as the chip leader in his heads-up fight against Brazilian Andre Akkari in Las Vegas.

The American holds 9,465,000 chips, while Sao Paulo’s Akkari has 3,400,000 as they chase the gold bracelet and $675,117, although the runner-up will still collect a rather handy $419,173.

Having started out with 2,857 players on Saturday in the Amazon Room at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, these two fought out a very competitive match-up for 75 minutes before time was called on last night’s third day of play.

Day three started with 34 players still in contention with American Byron Kaverman the chip leader on 1,345,000, although he crashed out in 10th place for a $38,839 pay day, while Honolulu’s Douglas Yamashiro – who began the day in second – finished in 19th for $19,323 and third-placed Simon Watt, of New Zealand, was eliminated in 22nd, also for $19,323.

Hollywood’s Matthew Carmody is the third-placed finisher, having lost out to Berlin to give us our final two players.

On the button, Berlin raised to 200,000, only to see small blind Carmody three-bet all-in. Akkari folded, but Berlin called to show 9d-9c.

Carmody held Ac-Qh and was initially delighted to see a Qd-Jc-9h flop to shout “Yes!” as his queen paired – although he quickly realised that his opponent had made three nines and followed his yelp of joy with an equally depressed scream of “No!”

However, the drama of poker knows no bounds and the 10d arrived on the turn to give Carmody an open-ended straight draw. This left him requiring a king or eight on the river to take the pot.

The As came on the river to hand Carmody two pair but also the losing hand, although he left the tournament with $295,625.

With the blinds reaching 50,000 and 100,000 during the Berlin-Akkari heads-up, play became more frantic, with Berlin taking the final hand of the night.

On the button, Berlin pushed in 250,000 with Akkari calling as the flop showed 5s-10c-Qd. Berlin then bet out 275,000 and Akkari folded.

Berlin and Akkari will once again square off tonight in the chase for the gold bracelet and a $675,117 first prize.

Final two for heads-up play in the WSOP 2011 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event:

1. Nachman Berlin (USA) – 9,465,000

2. Andre Akkari (Brazil) – 3,400,000

Final placings and payouts from 3-10 at the WSOP 2011 $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event:

3. Matthew Carmody (USA) – $295,635

4. Jacob Naquin (USA) – $213,520

5. Scott Sitron (USA) – $156,090

6. Nicolas Chouity (Lebanon) – $115,477

7. Zachary Hall (USA) – $86,434

8. Philip Meulyzer (Belgium) – $65,452

9. Ray Foley (USA) – $50,140

10. Byron Kaverman (USA) – $38,839