Level 30
Blinds: 60,000-120,000 w/20,000 ante
Players Remaining: 2

Rick Alvarado put forward a strong effort but is now out in third place in Event 23. 

The start of the new level put some additional pressure on short stack Rick Alvarado, who was under 20 big blinds. Alvarado got his chips in with the best of it but could not fade against Brian Altman.

Altman opened on the button and Alvarado called in the big blind. Alvarado checked the K♠7♥2♠ flop and Altman bet 125,000. Alvarado responded with a check-raise to 375,000, leaving himself with about 1,400,000 behind. Altman moved all-in and Alvardo pushed his chips in the middle with K♥2♦. Altman flipped over 9♠7♠ and had outs to trips and a flush.

The J♥ turn changed nothing but the 8♠ river gave Altman his flush to eliminate Alvarado. Alvarado earns $47,153 for his podium finish in Event 23.

Heads up play is set to begin with Altman holding 7,525,000 to the 2,650,000 of Keith Morrow.