I have run and played in a few tourney's.

Here is my opinion.

I talked to one of the final 12 players. The one I thought could have taken them.

He denied it. I have known him 30 years and never known him to lie. I believe him. He is smarter than to hurt his chaces at 1st place with a short stack.

Average chip count at 12 players was $25,000. Removing $10,000 would almost guarantee a lower if any win. Even 5 players average $50,000 would be dangerous to your chance of winning.

I think it was done later.
More than likely they were capped off a stack while pictures were being taken.
How many around the table at that time? My guess a number of people were milling around.

Only one person knows for sure. I wish he would have decided to steal somewhere else.

I think we need to get them back. It just makes the club look bad.