A Big Chop

In the Omaha/8 portion of the tournament, playing 400/800, Hani Awad raised from early position. Dereje Assefa called on the button, Joseph Hallock came along from the small blind, and Daniel Sprung defended his big blind to send four players to the flop.

The dealer spread 8♠ 7♥ 2♣, a great action board for O/8. The blinds checked and Awad continued with a bet. All three opponents called, keeping the pot multiway and full of possibilities as they moved to the turn.

The turn brought the 3♦. This time the entire table checked, taking the river for free. The river paired the board with the 8♥, and Hallock seized the moment from the small blind with a lead. All three of his opponents called.

At showdown, Hallock revealed A♠ 4♠ 7♦ 9♣, for the nut low. Sprung and Awad threw their hands away, leaving only Assefa to show his cards. He tabled A♥ A♣ T♥ X, his two pair good for the high side.

Hallock and Assefa chopped the pot, each taking their share after a lively four way contest to the river.