Peter Backen’s stack of 14,500 (before this hand) put him at under half average for this – still early – stage of the tournament. With the blinds at 400/800, Backen called a raise from Benjamin Kett (2,000 total). Big blind Roni Tal then made it 7,700 to go; Kett folded but Backen committed the full 14,500. Tal made the call:
Tal: Ah 4h
Backen: Kd Td
The board paired Backen’s king (9s 7h 6s Ks Qs) to give him a little more breathing room (32,000), while Tal dropped to 65,000.