Hand #143: Jared Griener Eliminated in 3rd Place ($431,340)

Daniel Strelitz raises from the button to 225,000, Simeon Naydenov calls from the small blind, and Jared Griener (pictured) moves all in from the big blind for 1,755,000. Strelitz quickly folds.

Naydenov calls with , and Griener turns over . Griener needs to improve to stay alive.

The crowd reacts loudly as there is an ace in the window as the board comes , and Naydenov flops a set of eights to take a huge lead.

The turn card is the , giving Griener outs to a straight draw. He needs a ten to stay alive.

The river card is the , and Naydenov wins the pot with a set of eights to eliminate Griener in third place.

Seat 3.  Jared Griener  –  Eliminated in 3rd Place ($431,340)
Seat 4.  Daniel Strelitz  –  7,150,000  (72 bb)
Seat 5.  Simeon Naydenov  –  8,475,000  (85 bb)

There will be a short break before heads-up play begins.

Exit Interview with Jared Griener

On his tournament run: “I feel pretty good, I feel like I played really well throughout the tournament. I feel like the past hour I didn’t play my best, but I’m happy with the hand I got it in with. I got into this tournament in a satellite. I bought in last year, but this I year decided to play the satellite and I was very lucky to even win the satellite. I can’t complain at all.”

On his support as a local player: “It’s unbelievable, I’ve lived here in Souther California for seven or eight years, so I’ve made a lot of good friends. A couple of my best friends and business partners are here, so it’s really great to have them here, and have their support. I’m supper happy.”

On his competitive nature: “I’m really competitive, I love winning and I hate losing more than anything in the world. Winning $400,000 is pretty ridiculous, but it’s still a bittersweet moment.”