What is a deep run in the WSOP Main Event? For most people, things really start to heat up on Day 5; the money bubble has long since burst, the short stack frenzy has dissipated, and the average stack climbs up over a million in chips.
Eight Australian’s remain in the hunt to start Day 5 in the record-smashing 2023 WSOP Main Event; from 10,043 entries only 441 remain, with a min-cash now worth US$37,500.
Sydney’s David Sebesfi leads the way with 1,745,000 in chips, looking to better his 7th place finish in the $600 No Limit Hold’em Deepstack Championship last week. Brisbane’s Daniel Dzian bagged up 1,490,000 overnight, also over the average chip stack of 1,366,395.
Our very own 2005 WSOP Main Event Champion Joe Hachem ran up a stack of 1,485,000 on Day 4. A final table appearance in this Main Event would see Hachem reclaim 2nd in the Australian All Time Money List, while a win would see him back in the top spot. Several other past Main Event Champions fell to the rail on Day 4, including Jamie Gold, Joe Cada, and Scott Blumstein, whilst 2003 Champion Chris Moneymaker carries a modest stack of 435,000 through to Day 5.
Starting the day just 11 players off the money, the actual money bubble took nearly two hours to burst; despite Joshua Thibodaux (USA) busting two players on the first hand, when his K♥K♣ hit a four-card-flush to best the pocket Aces and pocket Jacks of two short stacked opponents. The bubble always creates some interesting dynamics, but for Harish Ananthapadmanabha, looking at his cards was probably a mistake – he tanked “in agony” for several minutes before doing the unthinkable and folding Aces preflop.
Once the bubble did burst, eliminations flew in thick and fast. Allen “Chainsaw” Kessler and Farah Galfond both quickly fell, having snuck into the money with a handful of chips. Other notable eliminations throughout the day included chess superstar Alexandra Botez, Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, Stephen Chidwick, Doug Polk, and Jason Mercier.
As for the strong Australian contingent heading into Day 4, Gary Benson, Elisa Onay and Nurlan Boobekov have all hit the rail with a cash in this years Main Event. Honorary Australian Anthony Cierco (FRA) fell in 678th, one ahead of Sydney’s Daniel Neilson in 679th, both earning US$27,500 for their efforts. Shem Goltz, who effectively freerolled the tournament, was eliminated in 768th place for a US$25,000 pay day.
The chipleader at the start of Day 5 is Ryan Tosoc (USA) with 5,120,000, who will start the day on the same table as Australia’s Andrew Batey (445,000).
Mitchell Halverson (USA) bagged up very close behind with 5,100,000. Halverson, who finished 15th in the 2021 Main Event, will undoubtedly be looking for another deep run. John Racener (USA), who was runner-up in the 2010 Main Event, bagged 3,710,000, good for a top ten stack overnight.
Day 4 Results
| Rank (441 remain) | Player | Chips | Table | Seat |
| 115 | David Sebesfi | 1,745,000 | Horseshoe 653 | 2 |
| 160 | Daniel Dzian | 1,490,000 | Horseshoe 666 | 5 |
| 162 | Joe Hachem | 1,485,000 | Horseshoe 615 | 8 |
| 251 | James Obst | 950,000 | Horseshoe 659 | 7 |
| 377 | Minh Nguyen | 490,000 | Horseshoe 610 | 4 |
| 390 | Andrew Batey | 445,000 | Horseshoe 620 | 8 |
| 418 | Yita Choong | 345,000 | Horseshoe 652 | 4 |
| 429 | Grant Thomas | 235,000 | Horseshoe 659 | 4 |
| 678th (US$27,500) | Anthony Cierco (FRA) | BUSTED! | ||
| 679th (US$27,500) | Daniel Neilson | BUSTED! | ||
| 768th (US$25,000) | Shem Goltz | BUSTED! | ||
| 742nd (US$27,500) | Nurlan Boobekov | BUSTED! | ||
| 792nd (US$25,000) | Joel Cohen | BUSTED! | ||
| 876th (US$22,500) | Lucas Cullen | BUSTED! | ||
| 978th (US$20,000) | Elisa Onay | BUSTED! | ||
| 988th (US$20,000) | Gary Benson | BUSTED! | ||
| 992nd (US$20,000) | Phachara Wongwichit | BUSTED! | ||
| 1,206th (US$17,500 | Thanh Phat Nguyen | BUSTED! | ||
| 1,259th (US$15,000) | William Jia | BUSTED! | ||
| 1,330th (US$15,000) | Adrian Salter | BUSTED! |
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