Big Stax 300 (Day 1A): Saunders Making A Big Call

Level 11 (Blinds 800/1,600/200)
Total Day 1A Entries: 439

Malik Saunders (Upper Darby, PA)

Walking up to Table 55, Malik Saunders (Upper Darby, PA) was deep in the tank, contemplating the all-in river bet (45,000) of his opponent.  The board would read 8♠ 5♣ 4♥ 5♠ 5♦, with a pot in the middle well over 70,000.  Malik was weary of the hand he was up against in this raised pot, but he would eventually verbalize the call.  The dealer would let his opponent know it was time to table his hand, and he would throw down K♦ 8♣.  Saunders would immediately turn over 9♣ 9♠ and exhale, as his hand was good for the pot, and a stack over 180,000.

Players in this Day 1A field are looking up at the moment at Sean Wallace (Horsham, PA) though, who sits with a stack of 260,000.