WSOP 2014: Moneymaker and Huang out late but De Meulder set for Day 4

As we wrote at the PokerStars Blog earlier today, this era after three days of play and before the bubble is essentially the most painful time to leave. In spite of everything the effort, the emotion, there's nothing to do but leave empty handed, without even a word of solace.

They were everywhere today, those beaten by a game that three days ago they felt prepared to master. Instead it had thrown them aside, and the faces of those people, as they walked back to the hotel, encapsulates exactly what's at stake primarily Event, and the way now it's going to rest out of reach for an additional year.

Phil Ivey's chip leading chips initially of play

At the beginning of Day 2 things have been different. I heard a person talking at the phone to his wife. He had busted, but was in good spirits. His wife was obviously consoling him and being as understanding as she could. Then, with amusing he told her how much he'd enjoyed it all, that he loved her, and that he'd be home within the morning.

Now you do not hear conversations like that, for a way could anyone possible understand?

Take Emmanuel Pariset as an example. On his way into the tournament room this morning the jovial Frenchman, who reached the general table of EPT Sanremo earlier this year, was bright with optimism and confidence. A COUPLE OF hours later I watched him walking within the other direction, a glance of abject defeat on his face, his body seemingly resisting every effort to stroll clear of the Amazon Room that have been the centre of his world all week.

Different players though react in several ways. There are those who do not want to leave, who linger across the table they once were entitled to take a seat at, gathering their things slowly and just a little surprised that no-one now talks to them - busting isn't contagious of course, but nobody want's to take an opportunity.

Then there are the others, who stumble away as if drunk, heading for the closest door whether it's open or not.

Team PokerStars Pros were somewhere in between, Fatima Moreira de Melo, Barry Greenstein, Leo Fernandez, Humberto Brenes, Randy Lew, Theo Jorgensen and Gabe Nassif all finding that their summer was now suddenly over in what should have felt like a blink.

Fatima Moreira De Melo no less than two hours before she felt better

It was an analogous story for the ever affable Daniel Negreanu, and Jake Cody, who can no less than return home to his family after another hard day.

Daniel Negreanu

For the remaining it's another evening of wondering, before essentially the most dramatic day to this point. Tomorrow we reach the bubble, or a minimum of 693 players will. The 746 players remaining tonight know this and feature to deal with this cruel juxtaposition - the enjoyment at making it through three days of the most important game in town, however the prospect that one slip could still mean leaving with nothing, except the memory of these around you roaring in celebration.

PokerStars will throw only one player into this cauldron after late exits.

Chris Moneymaker knows greater than anyone what it's love to experience this roller coaster ride through to the top.

Chris Moneymaker

The 2003 champion, who was some of the leaders entering the day, looked set to complete well. However the penultimate level of the day conspired to disclaim him further advancement. He was moved to the similar table as NBA star Paul Pierce, and in front of the cameras crashed out late.

Bouncing into Day 4: Paul Pierce

It left two PokerStars players to move on without him. But even supposing he seemed best placed to thrive, Bryan Huang would crash out next, running into aces twice. It leaves Matthias de Meulder because the sole remaining PokerStars player, with a stack of 127,500. It's a way off the average, but De Meulder might be happy to take his chances.

OUT: Bryan HuangIN: Matthias de Meulder

The all-important fourth day begins tomorrow at 12 noon Las Vegas time. Within a degree or two play will break during the bubble, sending a shockwave of enjoyment back up the hallways towards the casino floor, where the remnants of these now busted will search for the earth to swallow them up.

All can be decided tomorrow. Join us then.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter. Photos by Jayne Furman/Poker Photo Archive.

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