Kenny Hallaert makes third straight WSOP main event Day 5, 297 left

The battle to reach the final table of the World Series of Poker main event is a seven-day journey requiring a dynamic set of skills that can adapt to any situation.

By and large (though not exclusively), the first three days are a matter of survive and advance, positioning oneself for an opportunity for something truly special. The 2017 WSOP main event was no exception, and with Thursday's Day 3 action getting things down to the exact money bubble at 1,084, Friday's early stages set the stage well for moving day -- one of the more crucial points for players trying to position themselves for a run at the final table.

When all was said and done, a clean 297 players -- the exact capacity of the…