After early fireworks, it’s become a slugfest between Germany’s Pius Heinzand the Czech Republic’s Martin Staszkoin the 2011 WSOP Main Event. The duo is heads-up for $8.7 million and the coveted Main Event bracelet in front of a boisterous crowd at the Rio. According to ESPN’s Andrew Feldman, there have been six lead changes heads-up through the end of Level 41.

On a flop of A-9-3 with two diamonds, Staszko checked and Heinz, shuffling his chips with his right hand, looked down at his chip stack and bet 3.8 million. Staszko, wearing a rectangular button with the Czech Republic’s flag on it, counted out the needed chips and made the call.

The turn was a black ace, pairing the board, and Staszko once again checked to Heinz. The German, always deliberate in his actions, studied Staszko’s face, and commentary from Antonio Esfandiari added, “The only thing he could get Staszko to fold is a flush draw, maybe.” Heinz bet 8.4 million, more than half of the pot, and Esfandiari said he’d be shocked to see Staszko fold a nine.

Staszko methodically counted out his chips in three different stacks and check-raised to 18.5 million. Esfandiari put him on an ace and Heinz, who had already put 15 million in chips into the pot, surveyed Staszko’s demeanor and called.

The final card was the six of diamonds, completing a possible flush, and Staszko bet 20.25 million. Heinz folded and Staszko scooped the biggest pot of heads-up play at nearly 52 million, pushing his chip lead to 2:1. When the hand aired on ESPN 15 minutes later, Staszko had A-9 for a turned boat, while Heinz had just 7-6 for squadoosh until the river.

Esfandiari, providing commentary for ESPN, commented on Staszko’s mentality: “He has Heinz, who is a really aggressive player, short-stacked. Staszko has definitely taken a commanding lead heads-up at this table.”

Heinz’ would quickly put the hand on the backburner, however. He regained some momentum, increasing his chip stack by 18 million after showing 10-9 on a board of 9-4-2-3-5 for top pair. Staszko held Q-4 of hearts for a pair and a missed flush draw.

Here are the chip stacks as they stand as of Midnight ET:

1. Martin Staszko – 103,400,000
2. Pius Heinz – 102,500,000