Christopher DeMaci has the lead when the 8-handed final table at the PokerStars NAPT Los Angeles kicks off today. Jason Mercier and Michael Binger are also there to make sure that the chip leader won't have an easy time.

Day 4 at the event was over in a flash as it took just under four hours to bust 11 players and reach the final 8. DeMaci, who was chip leader all the way, had an excellent start to his day when he busted second placed Micah Raskin in a giant pot in one of the very first hands of the day. Raskin ran a huge bluff with pocket sixes on a board of JTT A and almost made DeMaci lay down AT, but finally he called and said that Raskin's remark of "You will still have plenty of chips if you fold" made him decide on calling.

Also, spare a thought for Matt Affleck who made another big effort but again busted just short of the final table of a major event. Affleck's horror hand with Jonathan Duhamel at the WSOP Main Event when he busted in 15th place is not easily forgotten.

The first place prize is a handsome $725,000 and the game kicks off 2pm local time on Wednesday (5pm ET / 11pm CET). PokerStars Blog provides the updates.

Seating for the final table:

1) Jake Toole -- 1,975,000
2) Joe Tehan -- 1,907,000
3) Mike Binger -- 1,670,000
4) Van Nguyen -- 1,058,000
5) Jason Mercier -- 3,800,000
6) Al Grimes -- 982,000
7) Ray Henseon -- 3,268,000
8) Christopher DeMaci -- 6,283,000 (pictured)