With the recent eliminations that occurred, Event 11 is now down to 2 final tables. Alexander Matveev maintains the chip lead with his 775,000 stack, while Placide Junior Sanon (665,000) and Han Qin (640,000) round the top 3 in chips.

As the tournament staff races the T500 chips from play, the 23 remaining players are enjoying a short break before getting back down to business. The money-bubble has just recently burst, and players are now secured a min-cash – although truth be told most of them are only looking at that top $16,000 prize.

Alexander Matveev (pictured right) leads the way deep in Event 11, although he was recently on the brink of elimination as his was all-in and trailing the of Senthuran Vijayaratnam. Senthuran flopped a set of kings, but Alexander made a runner-runner straight to win a massive pot, which in turn lead to his current 685K stack. Senthuran survived the hand with an over-average stack, although he would have become the overwhelming chip-leader had his premium hand held for the win.

Here are the top stacks as we enter level 18, with 3 tables remaining:

A few quick eliminations brought Event 11 into the money without even having the need to go through hand-for-hand. A short break is just around the corner – you can expect some chip counts in a few minutes time.

Congratulations to the players who have secured a cash prize tonight!

In-the-money players:

Event 11 only has 32 runners left, and as this is an 8-max tournament this means that only 4 tables remain. With 26 players scheduled to be paid, the money bubble is now fast approaching. A few stacks are getting quite short and are in dire need of some run good, while others are building massive stacks and using them to lean on shorter adversaries.

Level 17 has just begun, and once the clock runs out there will be a short break, during which we will publish an update on chip counts.

Photographs from levels 13-14-15:

The 8-Max is on another short break, this time to race off the T100 chips which are no longer needed. A lot of movement has happened in the last levels, and some players are forming castle-like structures with the massive amounts of chips they have accumulated.

Here are the top stacks as play prepares to enter level 14:

Event 11 has just entered level 13, and the field in this 8-Max is shrinking fast. The shorthanded aspect does give players more wiggle room, and usually creates a more aggressive atmosphere (in terms of playing style). Only 11 tables remain as 88 players have their eyes set on the $16,000 top prize.

Following this level there will be a short break, and we will bring an update on the leaders at this point.

Photographs from levels 11 and 12:

The second break is in progress in Event 11, and the 138 players that remain are taking a few minutes to stretch their legs while the tournament staff races off the T25 chips.

Wai Kit Ngai has taken over the chip lead in these mid-stages of the tournament, and has grown his 25K starting stack up above 175K. Below are the top counts as play enters level 10:

Photographs from levels 5 to 8: