NEW YORK STATE OF MIND (EVENT #2)

Ryan Express Runs Through Florida

Pulling into the Borgata parking garage you see a lot of New York license plates, and as always Brooklyn is well represented. Steve Ryan's a 26 year old pro who's been playing in the NYC games the last three years and has had success in the Poker Open.

Last year he finished third in Event #3 and has developed some friendly rivalries along the way.

"Talk to him, he's the pro," says Maurice Hawkins (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). "He's taking all my chips."

Hawkins and Ryan get involved with a hand where Ryan calls Hawkins' three bet preflop with (A 4 suited). Ryan hits a gut shot straight on the turn and by the end of the hand takes 25k from Hawkins.

"Every time I'm about to break the threshold, I give him more chips," says Hawkins.

"Come on man, you won a pot off me," replies Ryan, but Hawkins is quick to counter,"yeah, but you got me three times."

Hawkins is above the chip average of 23k, while Ryan is healthy at 60K+

167 players remain as play continues on Level 8 (400/800/75 ante)

This is the last level before the dinner break.