There are three important things that happen on most Day 2s in tournaments:
1. Entry closes and the sphere size is confirmed2. The payouts are announced3. The bubble bursts
So let's with No.1. A COMPLETE of 156 players brought chips through from Day 1 of the EPT Grand Final €10K High Roller - a remarkable field in its own right. However it swelled even bigger today through new entries and more bullets being fired, leaving us with a major 214 entries in total (50 of that have been re-entries).
Paul Newey came into Day 2 with the chip lead but he could only last an hour and 1 / 4 here today; a chain of hands wiping out his stack entirely. New entries included Kevin MacPhee and Niall Farrell, but neither of them could last the day either.
Onto No.2. The massive field means we've got a large prize pool on our hands - €2,140,000 to express. The winner gets €439,000, and the person closest to that prize at this time is Russia's Dmitry Yurasov with 903,000. The opposite biggest stacks within the room belong to Imad Derwiche (760,000), Ike Haxton (744,000), Tom Hall (731,000), and Jean-Noel Thorel (718,000).
Yurasov out in front
And now No.3. Just 31 players were going to receives a commission on this one, with the min-cash earning them €18,270. Greater than 100 players couldn't secure a cash, however the man who came closest - our bubble boy - is David Peters. His Ace-Jack couldn't hit against Philipp Gruissem's pocket queens, because of this the EPT11 Malta €10K champ must look forward to another event to win his second EPT High Roller.
Some of the nine players who made the money but not Day 3 include Daniel Dvoress, Ole Schemion, Sam Chartier, Bryn Kenney, and Sergey Lebedev. You'll take a look at all of the prize pool and payout info here.
23 players can be taking their seats tomorrow, and here's how they'll be seated:
| Imad Derwiche | France | 760000 | 1 | 1 |
| Jean-Noel Thorel | France | 718000 | 1 | 2 |
| Isaac Haxton | USA | 744000 | 1 | 3 |
| Steffen Sontheimer | Germany | 295000 | 1 | 4 |
| Murad Akhundov | Azerbaijan | 500000 | 1 | 5 |
| Philipp Gruissem | Germany | 668000 | 1 | 6 |
| Samuel Panzica | USA | 411000 | 1 | 8 |
| Diego Ventura | Peru | 109000 | 2 | 1 |
| Ozgur Arda | Turkey | 185000 | 2 | 2 |
| Anthony Zinno | USA | 399000 | 2 | 3 |
| Alexandru Papazian | Denmark | 201000 | 2 | 4 |
| Fedor Holz | Germany | 553000 | 2 | 5 |
| Dan Shak | USA | 405000 | 2 | 6 |
| Sergey Lebedev | Russia | 567000 | 2 | 7 |
| Chance Kornuth | USA | 601000 | 2 | 8 |
| Christian Christner | Germany | 259000 | 3 | 1 |
| Pavel Plesuv | Moldova | 416000 | 3 | 2 |
| Felipe Ramos | Brazil | 284000 | 3 | 3 |
| Tom Hall | UK | 731000 | 3 | 4 |
| Ognyan Dimov | Bulgaria | 192000 | 3 | 5 |
| Dmitry Yurasov | Russia | 903000 | 3 | 6 |
| Adrian Mateos | Spain | 551000 | 3 | 7 |
| Alexandre Rivero | Brazil | 239000 | 3 | 8 |
We'll be back for the third and final day of this event tomorrow at 12:30pm, and from there we'll play down to a winner. Tomorrow could also be Day 1B of the France Poker Series (FPS) Main Event, AND Day 1 of the €100K Super High Roller, so there is no way it would be best to miss any of that sweet action.
Scroll all the way down to meet up with all of today's action. Otherwise join us tomorrow! Au revoir! --JS
*****
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It looked as though four tables of players were going to return tomorrow after the clock was paused and a five was drawn at random to indicate the remainder hands of the evening, then three players went in quick succession meaning 23 players will return, on three tables.
Isaac Haxton was a person on a late mission as he took out Imed Mahmoud and Bryn Kenney. To start with his kings stayed prior to Mahmoud's eights, after which a few hands later his ace-king was never at risk versus Kenney's ace-nine.
The jovial Sergey Sergeev was the last player to bust. He'd been hanging on some time before he three-bet all in for 117,000 from the massive blind with A♣7♦. Anthony Zinno had opened with Q♥Q♣, made the decision and survived a 6♠2♥K♥9♠T♠ board.
A wrap, chip counts and Day 3 seat draw could be posted at the blog shortly. -- MC
12.30am: Thorel's lucky sevensLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)
Facing an open to 30,000, Ike Haxton 3-bet to 67,000 just for Jean-Noel Thorel to cold 4-bet jam for 342,000. The unique raiser folded but Haxton called.
Ike Haxton - A♠K♦Jean-Noel Thorel - 7♣7♠
Thorel was ahead but only until the T♦J♥K♥ flop fell. The 4♦ turn changed nothing, and Thorel needed a miracle seven at the river to survive.
He got it. The 7♦ landed at the river and Thorel couldn't contain his excitement. "Yargghh!!" he yelled emphatically because the dealer gathered newly-earned chips. --JS
12:15am:'In the money' chaos ensuesLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)
What usually happens after the bubble bursts? PLENTY OF players exit in very quick succession, that is what. And this High Roller is not any different.
First to head was Daniel Dvoress. He opened to 16,000, was then 3-bet to 40,000 by Sam Panzica, so shoved for around 140,000. Panzica snap-called together with his A♠A♣ and Dvoress needed help with the A♥Q♣. The 3♥Q♦7♠ flop gave him some hope, however the 5♦ turn and 7♥ river sealed his fate. Panzica moved as much as 635,000 and is calling good to do back-to-back EPT High Roller wins, having won this event in Dublin in February.
Next up was Ole Schemion. Fedor Holz raised from the small unaware of 19,000 and Schemion jammed for 190,000. Holz quickly called and Schemion was in trouble together with his 6♠5♠ against the A♣Q♠ - but hey, his cards were suited and live a minimum of. The 5♣Q♦J♥ flop gave both a pair, which essentially cancelled one another out. However, the Q♣ turn locked up the hand for Holz. An inconsequential 4♣ hit the river and Schemion was gone, while Holz climbed to 560,000.The blinds then moved as much as Level 18, the last of the night. Frenchman Hassan Fares busted almost immediately, followed closely by Sam Chartier. He got his ace-king all-in pre-flop against Tom Hall's pocket queens, and the women were still within the lead when all was said and done.
Just 26 players remain, and if we reach 24 before the extent ends we are going to end play for the night and feature a table redraw. --JS
| 18 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 1,000 |
11:50pm: David Peters bubbles high rollerLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)
It took five hands of hand for hand play to settle who could be leaving with nothing.
Imad Derwiche looking down at Daniel Dvoress
The first all-in and get in touch with happened between Imad Derwiche and Daniel Dvoress but led to a chop. That they had to attend for other hands to complete before opening their holdings, so that they passed the time by one another and whispering their hands. Then Dvoress was one car clear of suffering a very bad beat.
Derwiche: A♣K♥Dvoress: A♦K♦
The board ran Q♥3♥J♥8♥Q♣ to just about make Derwiche a flush.
David Peters (centre) bubbling
David Peters has fond memories of this tournament. A career that was already blossoming really took off after he won the similar event at EPT11 Malta for €597,000. He won't be having similar feelings about this tournament though after bubbling. He moved all-in for 105,000 and Philip Gruissem shoved behind to successfully isolate.
Peters: A♠J♠Gruissem: Q♠Q♣
The board ran T♠2♣J♦Q♥3♥ to make the German a collection. All remaining players are guaranteed €18,270 and Gruissem was well acutely aware of that and jokingly shouted out, "You're welcome guys, I take payment later! -- MC
11:30pm: Luca soft bubbles high rollerLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)
What's the reward you get for creating a great call a couple of off the cash? Soft bubbling after running queens into kings is what. That was the fate set out for Ivan Luca today.
Chance Kornuth opened to 20,000 from under the gun before Luca moved all in for 127,000 and Dmitry Yurasov called from the small blind. Cornuth left them to it.
Luca: Q♠Q♣Yurasov: K♦K♠
The board ran 7♥5♣2♦T♠5♠ to send the Argentinian on his way. Hand for hand play will no be brought it. -- MC
11:24pm: Merrilees is gone, one bust 'til the bubbleLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)
Daniel Merrilees has just been eliminated in 34th, so with 33 left we're only one elimination clear of the stone bubble.
Merrilees got it all-in with the A♣Q♣ against Sergey Lebedev's 7♣7♥, but was crushed at the 9♦7♦Q♥ flop. The Q♥ and K♥ turn and river were no help to him and he was gone. Don't go anywhere because the bubble is ready to burst! --JS
11:13pm: Ramos doubles - but only justLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)
"Poker sucks," said Friend of PokerStars Felipe Ramos, although he'd just doubled up!
Here's why. He got his last 117,000 all-in pre-flop with the A♥A♣ against Steffen Sontheimer's Q♠Q♦, and the flop fell Q♣8♦7♦.
"Arrrggh," said Ramos.
But then boom! An ace from space - the A♦ - landed at the turn. The 5♥ completed the board and Ramos doubles as much as 230,000. Poker doesn't suck too bad, eh? --JS
Ramos lets the Snapchatters know the great news
Like what you're reading? Well why not give poker a opt for yourself? You'll be able to play poker at no cost on PokerStars. Simply click here to open an account.11:05pm: Troyanovskiy gone in 35thLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)
Vladimir Troyanovskiy came back our short stack, and here's why. Right before the break he doubled up Ike Haxton. The players got it in at the river of a 4♣3♣9♣7♣9♠ board, but Ike's A♣A♥ nut flush beat Vlad's A♦Q♣ queen-high flush. The dropped him to 35,000, while Haxton moved as much as 250,000 at that point.
In one of the vital first hands back after the break, Haxton would finish the job and eliminate the Russian. Haxton min-opened the button and Troyanovskiy called from the large blind. The flop came K♠7♣Q♥ and Troyanovskiy jammed for 19,000 with what we'd soon see was the 7♠4♦ (a couple of sevens), and Haxton called together with his A♦3♣ for ace-high.
The turn was the J♥, giving Troyanovskiy a larger sweat, and the T♠ river gave Haxton a straight. When all of the dust was settled, Haxton had 350,000 and Troyanovskiy was outta here. --JS
10:55pm: Bubble level?Level 17 - Blinds 4,000-8,000 (1,000 ante)
The bubble will possibly burst this level so stay tuned as we bring you the action. Vladimir Troyanovskiy is most in peril with just 34,000 to play with, way behind Imad Derwiche, who continues to steer with 75,000. For full counts, click here. -- MC
| 17 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 1,000 |
10:32pm: Break timeThe players are on a 15-minute break. Full chip counts bobbing up shortly.
10:30pm: Luca shows his classLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (1,000 ante)
Ivan Luca was put to the test for his tournament life by Adrian Mateos and are available out top of the category with an ace high call.
The two stars were within the blinds and made it to the river of a 2♠J♣K♣4♠K♥ board where Mateos set Luca all in for his last 75,000. Luca took a fair while to think after which made the decision with A♦6♦. It was good as Mateos could only muster T♣6♣. -- MC
Luca (right) bossing it
10:22pm: Troyanovskiy doubles Mahmoud, hardly seems to careLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (1,000 ante)
Vladimir Troyanovskiy has dropped back to 205,000 after doubling Imed Mahmoud. He opened to 13,000 from second to behave and called the 100,500 shove from the following seat.
Mahmoud quickly opened A♠A♥ but Troyanovskiy took his time opening his K♣Q♣ as he was busy cutting the calling chips off his stack. When he saw his opponent's hand he gave the slightest expression of caring and that did not change after a K♠T♠5♠7♠6♦ board ran out. Too cool this man. -- MC
10.13pm: New chip leaderLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)
France's Imad Derwiche is our current chip leader with a big stack of 745,000 - good at this time for 124 big blinds. --JS
Derwiche (left) leads the pack
10pm: Gruissem getting strongerLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)
With the board reading 6♠J♣T♣7♠Q♥, Imed Mahmoud checked and Phil Gruissem put out a large bet of around 80,000. There has been already somewhere within the region of 300,000 within the middle, so this was serious business.
Mahmoud thought for an extended time, clearly distressed. He had 100,000 behind and finally opted to make use of it to fight another day. Meanwhile, Gruissem stacked 575,000 to position him a few of the leaders.
"Five of spades! Let's have a look at that five of spades!" Ike begged Phil, but Gruissem kept his cards face down. --JS
9.55pm: Three-way all in costs QuLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)
It's rare to look three-way all-ins this on the subject of the money (37 left, 31 receives a commission) unless some big hands are involved. Boyuan Qu, Diego Ventura, Ognyan Dimov all got involved and all hand big hands.
Qu opened to 12,000 from under the gun before Ventura three-bet to 26,000 from the following seat. The action got around to Dimov within the small blind and he paused - you'll forgive one's self for thinking, with 71,500, that the Bulgarian may well be stalling on this spot - but no, he moved all-in. Qu did the similar for 21,000 more and Ventura called as well.
Dimov: A♠K♥Qu: J♠J♣Ventura: Q♣Q♠
The board ran a Dimov-friendly A♥5♥T♠9♦8♦. Qu walked off in frustration and Ventura won a small side pot to look his stack settle at 305,000, rather less than 100k greater than Dimov has to work with now --MC
| 16 | 3,000 | 6,000 | 1,000 |
9:35pm: Schemion and Haxton, both scooping potsLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Sometimes when you are blogging the most productive poker players on this planet there's such a lot action happening you do not need to overlook it. Here's my tip: stand right in between the 2 tables you're watching, draw a line down the paper, and blog two hands simultaneously. You find yourself looking like you're watching a tennis match, moving your head from side to side.
The hand on my left started with an 11,000 open from Ozgur Arda, followed by a 27,000 3-bet by Ole Schemion. It folded back to Arda who made the decision. The flop fell the 4♥5♣A♣ and Arda checked to the raiser, so Schemion continued for 25,500. Arda called.
The turn was the 5♥, Arda checked, and again Schemion showed aggression - this time for 49,000. Arda gave it up and Schemion is as much as 322,000.
Meanwhile, on the very same time on my right, Ike Haxton opened to 12,000 and located two callers in Jean-Noel Thorel and Vladimir Troyanovskiy. The flop fanned 9♠7♠4♦ and Haxton opted to check, so Thorel made it 15,000 to head. Troyanovskiy let his hand go, but Haxton called. The turn was the 8♥ which both checked, so the 2♣ hit the river.
Haxton put out of venture but Thorel folded too quickly for me to even see how much it was. Anyway, Ike raked within the pot and moved as much as 170,000, while I walked away to my laptop thinking maybe I still need some practice on this two-table blogging if I WILL catch every detail. --JS
Ready to join PokerStars? Click here to get an account.9:22pm: Nice hand for a large blind specialLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Fedor Holz should have lost a bit of the 440,000 he brought back from the dinner break (making him chip leader), as he has just won a pleasing pot but continues to be only on 430,000.
It started with a limp from Alexandru Papazian, and folded to Holz within the small blind. He completed, after which Ole Schemion checked his big blind option.
The flop was a dream one for those who had a seven-deuce big blind special, because it came K♣2♠7♥. Both Holz and Schemion checked, so Papazian put out a big gamble of 8,000. Both players called.
It was the 2♥ that arrived at the turn - again, a dream in the event you happened to have the worst starting hand in poker. Now Holz took the betting lead with 19,000, Schemion got out the best way (presumably because he did not have the large blind special), and Papazian called.
Can you guess what comes at the river? That's right - the 7♠. Holz put out a large bet of 61,500, and Papazian had a large decision on his hands. He ended up folding, and we were left wondering whether Holz had the seven-deuce all along. --JS
9:20pm: Post dinner bust outsLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)
Whatever that they had for dinner, I DO NOT want it. Yang Wang, Marius Tobergsen, Onur Unsal, Orpen Kisacikoglu and Darie Vlad have all just missed out at the money. -- MC
9:18pm: O'Dwyer lets another person have a chanceLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)
It was nice of Steve O'Dwyer to bust and make allowance someone lese to win a high roller. He won't see it that way though.
He was right down to 72,000 when he moved all in from early position. Diego Ventura was within the small blind and gave him business.
Ventura: A♦K♠O'Dwyer: A♠J♦
The board ran 5♠6♣4♣8♥6♠ to look the Peruvian's hand hold. -- MC
O'Dwyer says goodbye-er
9:03pm: No miracle for SchillhabelLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)
Stefan Schillhabel was all in within the small blind and waited (until he was forced) to take a look at his cards. He was up against fellow Germans Koray Aldemir and Paul Hoefer. The previous bet 9,000 on a 7♣K♥3♥ flop but folded when the latter check-raised all in.
Hoefer opened K♦T♥ which was way prior to Schillhabel's 9♦2♦. The board ran out 4♥A♠. -- MC
8:55pm: Just six tables remainLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
We're right down to six tables with just 48 players remaining. Geoffrey Mooney was the person who exited in 49th, forcing the last table to wreck. --JS
8:45pm: Three fours gives double to PetersLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
David Peters can sit a bit of more comfortably now that he is secured a pleasing double-up through Steffan Sontheimer. The 2 got it all-in pre-flop and it was the 4♦4♠ for Peters against Sontheimer's A♦J♥. The flop ran out kindly for Peters, not just keeping his fours in front but additionally improving them to a suite. After all the board showed the T♦2♥4♣5♥6♠ and Peters is now as much as around 275,000, while Sontheimer sits with a large stack of 395,000. --JS
8:35pm: Kids within the HallLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)
Tom Hall's stack has grown to 385,000 after playing two pots within the blinds. He only won one in all them, but luckily for him, it was the massive pot.
Phil Gruissem raised to 12,500 from early position and Hall defended his big blind. Both players checked the 3♠J♣9♠9♣9♥ board down and Hall opened A♠4♠. He had kicker porobles though as Gruissem opened A♥K♦.
The next hand saw Boyuan Qu raise and make contact with after Hall three-bet. The flop fanned 6♦T♠4♥ and Hall continued foe 41,500. Call. The turn was the K♦ and Hall paused a very long time before setting Qu all in for his 105,00 stack. Qu folded a d shook his head. -- MC
8:25pm: Back in businessLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)
Players have returned from dinner break and the cards are within the air. --JS
| 15 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 500 |
7:15pm: Dinner time
Players have gone on a 75-minute dinner break. They'll be back in action at 8.25pm.--JS
7:14pm: O'Dwyer doubles through KornuthLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Chance Kornuth opened to 10,000 and located one caller - Steve O'Dwyer. The flop came the K♣6♣8♣, bringing three to a flush, and O'Dwyer checked. Kornuth continued for 6,000 and O'Dwyer made the call.
The turn was the 9♣, a fourth club, and it was an identical pattern - a check from O'Dwyer and a big gamble of 15,000 from Kornuth, followed by a choice. The river was the 6♦, O'Dwyer checked and Kornuth put him all-in for 57,000. O'Dwyer went into the tank, picked up all his chips, almost moved them in, after which sigh-called.
He was right though; his Q♣T♣ for the second one nuts was prior to the A♠5♦ bluff from Kornuth, who slips to 248,000. Meanwhile, O'Dwyer is as much as 145,000. --JS
7:11pm: Papazian realises it's harder against ArdaLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
An interesting hand just played out between Alexandru Papazian and Ozgur Arda, person who the previous can be kicking himself about. Papazian opened to 10,000 and Arda bumped it up with a three-bet to 27,000. It folded back around and Papazian made the call.
The flop came the 5♦4♣7♠ and Papazian checked, so Arda continued with a raffle of 23,000 - and again it was called. The K♣ hit the turn, Papazian checked again, and now Arda installed 50,000 - a captivating bet as he only had 30,000 behind. Papazian thought for a minute and made the decision once more.
Both players checked the 7♥ river and Arda showed 8♠8♦, which turned out to be best against Papazian's A♣3♣ for a busted flush draw. Papazian was visibly frustated, both with himself and seemingly for Arda's play. The 2 had just a little chat after and worked it out though. Papazian is right down to 90,000, while Arda is as much as 220,000. --JS
Ready to join PokerStars? Click here to get an account.7:10pm: Ace-queen working well for ChartierLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Apparently Ace-queen was very kind to Sam Chartier today. In step with Kevin MacPhee he flopped an entire house with it, and used it to knock out two players in a single hand. Alexandros Kolonias was the third player to be at the wrong end of it today.
He moved all in for 33,500 from early position and Chartier shoved from the small unaware of get it heads up. Kolonias opened 7♥7♦ but couldn't hold on a board than ran 2♠Q♠4♦2♣K♣. Chartier's stack grew to 335,000. -- MC
7:05pm: AN EXTENDED dinner for someLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
They are edging towards the dinner break now, and it looks as if only about 50 players will still be involved. The newest clutch of casualties include: Andrey Zaichenko, Ali Fatehi, Thomas Muehloecker, Mustapha Kanit, Sergio Aido, Niall Farrell, Byron Kaverman, Vitalijs Tarhanovs, Ben Heath, Abdel Omais, Oliver Weis, Charlie Carrel, Mike Watson, Dario Sammartino and Rainer Kempe.
On the plus side, Friend of PokerStars Felipe Ramos's tournament continues. He had about 160,000 eventually count and is the last remaining man with a Red Spade on his shoulder.
Felipe Ramos: Last Red Spade
We have a couple of hands to report before the break, so stick around. --HS
6:55pm: Fedor Holz keeps lead heading towards the dinner breakLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Fedor "CrownUpGuy" Holz remains in front, although he has not quite the stack of earlier this afternoon. A few of the remainder of the sphere Tom Hall is making moves, as much as 300,000, that's just a little greater than what Chance Kornuth has. Click here for updated chip counts.
6:50pm: Right on QuLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Us bloggers love a reputation that we will be able to pun. I HAVE NEVER had one for some time but then, right on cue, here's Boyuan Qu.
Qu opened to 10,000 at the button and it folded to Daniel Dvoress within the big blind. He stared intently at his opponent, like a snooker player eyeing up a shot down the length of his cue, before bumping it up 29,000. Qu went nowhere and made the call.
9♠6♠K♦ came the river, but Dvoress chose to not c-bet, instead checking to Qu. The person from China put out 30,500 and Dvoress quickly gave it up. It searched for a second like Qu was going to turn his hand, and Dvoress would has been first within the queue to take a peek. But finally Qu mucked, too busy raking in chips. --JS
6:45pm: O'Dwyer the worst as Cornuth greater than doublesLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Chance Kornuth's stack has passed 300,000 after a raising war broke out between him, Steve O'Dwyer and Dmitry Yurasov.
Kornuth opened the pot from second position before O'Dwyer three-bet to 25,000 from the cutoff. Yurasov was sat within the small blind and decided to shove all of his 450,000 stack in. Kornuth moved all-in too, for 139,600, and that sent O'Dywer into the tank. He had 106,000 back and decided to fold and preserve them.
Kornuth: A♥K♠Yurasov: T♥T♠
"I'm the worst!" O'Dwyer said when he saw the hands.
The board was swiftly dealt and the 9♥5♣Q♠K♦3♠ made Kornuth top pair. "Jacks no good, Steve!" Fedor Holz said to O'Dwyer who was still shaking his head. It didn't appear to matter that he would was out; he seemed annoyed that he will need to have called despite the outcome. -- MC
Ready to enroll in PokerStars? Click here to get an account.6:35pm: EPT Dublin High Roller champ gets strongerLevel 13 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Sam Panzica won the €10K High Roller in Dublin, taking €375,770 with him back to Florida. Now he's here in Monaco, and with a large stack looks set for one more deep run and an exceptional title defence.
In one recent hand, the flop came J♣5♠T♥ and Panzica, Daniel Merrilees and Onur Unsal all checked. The turn was the K♥ and it went check, check again to Unsal, who led for 22,000. Panzica called and Merrilees let it go.
The river was the 7♠ and Panzica checked another time. Unsal put out 45,000 and Panzica made the call, causing Unsal to insta-muck his hand. That meant we never saw Panzica's hand either, as he then handed his cards to the dealer in return for a large pile of chips. He's as much as 315,000 now. --JS
6:25pm: Jacobson gets unlucky to bustLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Martin Jacobson got it in with the most productive of it, but Hassan Fares rivered him to peer his stack grow to 335,000.
The end of the street for Martin Jacobson
Fares raised pre-flop after which called when three-bet by the previous WSOP Main Event champion. The flop came 5♣6♣9♠ and Fares raised Jacobson's c-bet all-in. The latter called with A♣A♥ but couldn't stay sooner than the Frenchman's T♣9♣ because the board ran out with the 8♦ after which the 9♦. -- MC
6:15pm: Fedor Holz extends his leadFedor "CrownUpGuy" Holz remains in front as Dimitry Yurasov, Bryn Kenney and Sam Chartier each add to their stacks prior to now half an hour. Click here for updated chip counts.
6:10pm: Gruissem felts WeisLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
I was on my way out the room after I noticed an all-in triangle, and here on the PokerStars Blog we all know how much you favor to examine bust-outs, without reference to how exciting they're. Right?
Well, this one isn't that exciting. Oliver Weis moved all-in for his last 26,600 after action folded to him, and Phil Gruissem called from the small blind. It was J♣Q♦ for Weis - way behind Gruissem's Q♥Q♠, and the board ran out 3♠T♦K♣8♠4♣. Gruissem stacked while Weis hit the rail. --JS
Philipp Gruissem: Flexing his muscles
6pm: AN EXQUISITE beat and a triple up for MacPheeLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Kevin MacPhee, who was one of the vital players to go into (twice) today, said after tripling up, "I USED TO BE hoping for one shove behind me but if there has been two, throughout the music was playing."
MacPhee had moved all-in for 42,700 and was followed in by Andrey Zaichenko within the next seat. Julian Stuer had both players covered and called from the small ignorant of arrange a three-way showdown.
Stuer: A♦K♠MacPhee: A♥A♣Zaichenko: 7♥7♠
The board ran 3♣T♦6♦4♥6♣ to overlook all three players, which was good for MacPhee. (He had his aces cracked earlier within the day.) Stuer dropped to 62,500 and Zaichenko took the side pot to outlive with 63,000. -- MC
Julian Stuer: Third best on this one
5:55pm: Kanit and Derwiche tangle againLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Imad Derwiche didn't learn his lesson from earlier (see our 4.25pm post). He was in a pot with Mustapha Kanit another time (he'd opened to 10,000 and Kanit raised to 108,000 - essentially putting Derwiche all-in) and again the Frenchman faced a tricky decision. Naturally they were chatting.
"I'VE a pocket pair," Derwiche told the table.
"OK. I have worse than pocket pair," Kanit said, as Kevin MacPhee and Sam Panzica both stood up from their tables to observe and feature a chuckle. "A pocket pair is lots on this game."
Derwiche eventually gave it up and Kanit, true to his word, showed the A♥Q♥. After clarification from tournament officials, I WILL confirm that may be indeed not a pocket pair. --JS
5:50pm: Heath and Thorel chop it upLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
When you're right, you're right. And Ben Heath and Jean-Noel Thorel were both right on this hand - impressively so.
With the flop showing 8♣7♣7♦, it was Heath and Thorel heads-up. Heath led for 17,000 and Thorel called from the button. The Q♠ then fell at the turn, and now it was Thorel who took control, betting an excellent 30,000. Heath called quickly and checked just as quickly when the 4♣ landed at the river.
Jean-Noel Thorel
Both players checked and the hands were turned over - A♦6♣ for Heath and A♠6♦ for Thorel. Both had just Ace-high and made good calls to secure a chop. Heath has 115,000 and Thorel has 170,000. --JS
5:45pm: More casualtiesLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
More and more players are hitting the A&E (all-in and exit). The most recent to head are Alexey Romanov, Martin Finger, Ramin Hajiyev, Francisco Benitez, Alin Grasu, Raymond Wu, Timothy Adams, Ariel Celeestino, Benjamin Pollak, Geirgios Zisimopoulos, Dzmitry Urbanovich, Senh Ung, Pablo Melogna, Vlado Banicevic, Oleksii Liashenko, Thiago Nishikima and Hicham Zebidi. --JS
5:40pm: Fedor Holz extends his leadLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Fedor "CrownUpGuy" Holz has extended his result in greater than 560,000, a way prior to Dmitry Yurasov, with 400,000 two seats along. Click here for selected chip counts.
Fedor Holz: Top of the charts, as usual
5:35pm: Fedor's vault fills up even moreLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Fedor Holz has stretched his lead on the top of the counts (568k) after he took out Ramin Hajiyev.
The latter open-raised to 6,300 from the cutoff after which four-bet all-in for 95,000 after Holz had three-bet to 17,000 from the small blind. Call.
Holz: A♦K♣Hajiyev: A♠4♠
The board ran 2♥Q♠K♥K♦8♥ to send the pot to Holz.
Chance Kornuth was sat to the proper of Hajiyev's empty seat and went to assist pass the chips right down to the opposite side of the table. However both he and the dealer paused in shock when Holz barked, "ARE YOU ABLE TO not let him touch it!"
The pause perceived to last an age before a large smile broke out across Holz's face. "I ASSUMED you were serious for a second," Kornuth said, and the dealer's body decided that she should probably start breathing again. -- MC
| 13 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 400 |
5:10pm: Chartier calls Alin's all-inLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Sam Chartier opened to 7,000 at the button after it folded around to him, just for Romania's Alin Grasu to transport all-in from the small blind. The large blind folded and Chartier didn't hesitate in matching the 41,500 bet.
Grasu had shoved with A♣J♦, but he was behind Chartier's A♦Q♥. The board ran out 9♣4♣3♦K♦6♠ and Grasu hit the rail, while Chartier increased to 251,000. --JS
5:05pm: Mahmoud hits set in three-way potLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
Imed Mahmoud made a suite and got two streets of value in a hand versus Ben Heath and Martin Finger to peer his stack rise to 285,000.
Heath had raised to 5,000 from the button and was called by Mahmoud and Finger within the blinds. The flop spread 6♥4♣A♥ and Heath's 6,300 c-bet was check-called by both opponents. All three checked the K♥ turn before Mahmoud led for 15,500 at the 2♦ river. Only Finger called but he upon mucked seeing Mahmoud's 4♥4♠ for set and dropped to 43,000. Heath also dropped to 134,000. -- MC
5pm: Fedor Holz holds narrow leadFedor "CrownUpGuy" Holz has nudged sooner than Dmitry Yurasov, with 400,000 to the Russian's 390,000. Bryn Kenney has recovered after earlier set-backs and Steffen Sontheimer remains a few of the top five. Click here for selected chip counts.
4:55pm: Four minutes before break; one handLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
There was four minutes left at the level before our remaining field within the high roller went on a 15-minute break, so I BELIEVED I had time to snatch a few hands to type up.
I was wrong.
The first table I FINISHED by had the action on Chance Kornuth, and he'd opened to 6,000. "I'll stick around and notice what happens," I thought, as Steve O'Dwyer and Fedor Holz were also at the table. They both folded pretty quickly and before I knew it the action was on a player within the small blind wearing a gray hoodie, facing clear of me.
The action was on him for over a minute before I moved my head around to peer who it was: Byron Kaverman. "Ahhh, that explains it," I ASSUMED. For anyone unaware, Kaverman is notorious for his slow pace of play.
About two minutes later he three-bet to 16,500, and Kornuth gave his hand up quickly. The chips went to Kaverman, and 4 minutes had passed.
Break time. --JS
4:50pm: Muehloecker gets needed doubleLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
We reported that Thomas Muehloecker was in trouble and he's managed to get one foot out of the mud by doubling up. He moved all-in for 12,500 from the cutoff after the action folded to him, and was called by Yang Wang within the next seat.
Muehloecker: A♦7♥Wang: K♥Q♠
Wang was more fascinated with his cell phone screen than a board that ran K♣A♥2♥5♠J♠ at hand the pot to the Austrian, who still has some work to do. -- MC
4:45pm: Nearly half a millionLevel 12 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
The final numbers are in for this event and we now know the way much they're playing for. There have been 214 entries (comprising 164 players and 50 re-entries) and the winner is about for a €439,000 payday. They'll pay all the way down to 31st, with a min-cash earning €18,270.
Here's how the highest eight pays:
1 €439,0002 €295,6003 €208,4204 €169,0005 €133,6806 €101,5007 €74,1008 €54,180
4:40pm: Finger points at MelognoLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
Martin Finger opened to 6,000 from early position just for Pablo Melogno to transport all-in excessive. It wasn't for a lot more mind; only 6,700 total, in fact, so Ben Heath called from the massive blind and Finger chucked an additional 700 in too.
The flop fanned 2♦7♠4♦ and Heath checked, allowing Finger to grab the initiative with a big gamble of 9,000. Heath folded and the cards were on their backs: 7♦8♦ for Finger, sooner than the A♠3♥ of Melogno. The turn and river were blanks for Melogno and he hit the rail, while Finger moved as much as 127,000. --JS
4:30pm: Luca unlocks MuehloeckerLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
Thomas Muehloecker found himself in a precarious position with just 25,700 chips (and near to to head in the course of the blinds) after he needed to fold at the river to an Ivan Luca shove.
Muehloecker opened to 5,000 from under the gun and Luca peeled from the large ignorant of see a Q♥Q♣T♠ flop. Muehloecker continued for 4,300 and Luca couldn't have looked more uninterested. He check-called, in fact. The turn was the 8♠ and both players checked to the 5♣ river where the Argentinian pro moved his 54,500 forward. Muehloecker wasted little time in folding. -- MC
4:25pm: Today's lesson? Don't play against KanitLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
I saw a raffle of 67,000 in front of Mustapha Kanit, and whenever the Italian is engaged in conversation you realize it'll be good. The person chatting with him was Imad Derwiche; he had somewhere within the 100,000 ballpark, so it'd be a sizeable chunk of his stack to name at the 7♥A♦8♦9♠2♦ board. Then again, there has been around 100,000 already within the middle, too.
Kanit: "YOU MAY HAVE aces."Derwiche: "AFTER ALL I'VE aces. OR EVEN you have got the aces."Kanit: "I HAVEN'T GOT aces. You do!"Derwiche: "If I fold and show one, will you too?"
Kanit agreed, and Derwiche gave his hand up while showing the A♣.
Derwiche then chose a card and Kanit flipped it over - the J♦.
"Ayyy!!" Derwiche yelped in happy relief, assuming Kanit had a diamond flush. Here's where Bryn Kenney, Kanit's next-door neighbour on the table, piped up: "Show the bluff, one time!"
Kanit roughly did. He gently lifted up his other card, but only to turn it was a spade. None folks saw the real card.
When it was all over, Kanit had one final message for Derwiche.
"It's one-one now [presumably these two have some history]. Don't play against me - play against the others! You usually double up against the others!"
Kanit now has 220,000, while Derwiche is left with 90,000. --JS
4.20pm: Yurasev out in frontLevel 12 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
It doesn't seem like there are many, if any, stacks bigger than Dmitry Yurasev's within the room nowadays. He has the most efficient a part of 380,000 and has just taken the last of Vlado Banicevic's chips.
Dmitry Yurasov
Yurasev opened to 5,500 from under the gun and Ramin Hajiyev called in late position. Banicevic was within the big blind and he shoved for approximately 20,000. Yurasev re-shoved, getting Hajiyev out of the way, and Yurasev had Banicevic dominated.
Yurasev: A♣8♥Banicevic: K♥8♦
The board changed nothing. --HS
4.15pm: O'Dwyer battling into contentionLevel 12 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
One of poker's great immortals, Steve O'Dwyer, is again showing his great survival skills. Right down to about 20,000 not goodbye ago, O'Dwyer now has about 120,000.
He was recently moved from his previous seating assignment and didn't seem too happy about it, no less than in step with some snatches of conversation overheard between him and Chance Kornuth at his new table. But he probably likes it now, having just doubled up through Ramin Hajiyev.
Hajiyev opened to 5,600 from the small blind and O'Dwyer shoved for 56,800 total from the large. "I DO NOT know what to do," Hajijev said, but eventually found a decision along with his K♦Q♦ and a stack of about 140,000.
O'Dwyer turned over A♥T♠ and it stayed healthy through a board of 9♠8♣5♣3♦J♦. O'Dwyer said something along the lines of "And to think I USED TO BE complaining about leaving that last table," tailing off while muttering about being in the course of the blinds already, or some such.
Kornuth kept him in talk to some faux sympathy that was nothing of the sort.
O'Dwyer is up and running now, however the same cannot be said of Dzmitry Urbanovich, his only serious challenger for poker's most durable recent talent. Urbanovich has only about 20,000 and is asking glum about it. -- HS
4pm: Stuer gets himself priced inLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)
Julian Stuer three-bet himself right into a cul-de-sac and by the point he had done a three-point turn, his stack had dropped to 147,000.
He was at the button and three-bet to 11,000 after an open, then was priced in when Abdel Omais jammed for 32,600 from the large blind.
Omais: Q♥Q♣Stuer: K♠J♦
The board ran 2♥3♣8♦Q♦2♦ to make Omais an entire house. -- MC
| 12 | 1,200 | 2,400 | 300 |
3:50pm: The most recent to perishLevel 11 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Aviv Meir, Mohsin Charania, Mike McDonald, Pedro Oliveira, Dan Smith, Jason Wheeler, Jan-Eric Schwippert, Stephen Chidwick and Gilbert Diaz are the newest names to be etched directly to the EPT12 Grand Final single re-entry cenotaph, having become the newest players to be lost in action. --HS
3:45pm: QUITE A LOT OF nothing, and never much of somethingLevel 11 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Sometimes a poker hand can take ages to play out and are available to little or no. Other times, a large pot plays out in a flash. Take these two hands, for example.
In the primary instance, Ivan Luca, Sergio Aido and Paul Hoefer played a hand that couldn't have had more checks if it had taken place in Brno. Luca opened to 4,500 from under the gun and Aido called at the button. Hoefer was within the big blind and called too.
The saw a flop of 8♣4♣3♦ and it went check, check, check. They saw a turn of K♣ and it went check, check, check. And so they saw a T♣ river and it went check, check, check as well, probably a little longer than it is going to have.
Hoefer turned over 9♣9♥ and the opposite two mucked.
On an adjacent table, Martin Jacobson and Charlie Carrel played out a larger pot in a fragment of the time. Jacobson opened to 5,200 and Carrel, with only the dealer between them, raised to 11,000. Everyone else folded after which Jacobson tossed his remaining stack into the middle.
Carrel didn't want a count. He called and showed A♣K♥. Jacobson had T♠T♦. The board ran 8♣5♥5♠6♦Q♦ and only then did we learn that Jacobson had 43,200 and now has double that. --HS
3:30pm: Fast a few of the flurryLevel 11 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
There are three former EPT Grand Final champions still eager about this one: Adrian Mateos, Steve O'Dwyer and Mohsin Charania. Or, to be more accurate, there have been until very recently.
While Mateos is sitting comfortably with greater than 150,000 in chips, both O'Dwyer and Charania found themselves within the danger zone, with stacks of around 30,000. O'Dwyer open shoved twice in a single orbit and got no callers, but if Charania tried it, he was not just called, but additionally eliminated by Sergey Sergeev.
Charania had precisely 30,000 when he shoved with A♦J♥. Sergeev had A♣K♥. A king at the turn sealed the deal, and he offered the massage therapist engaged on his body a cheery peck at the cheek in celebration.
She was, as you'll be able to imagine, delighted. --HS
Steve O'Dwyer: Considered one of two former Grand Final champs still involved
3:15pm: Zinno loses big pot to PetersLevel 11 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Anthony Zinno was some of the leaders until a little while ago he clashed with David Peters in a pot.
Zinno bet from the bring to an end (we didn't see the amount), which Peters raised to 13,700. With the action back on him Zinno raised, to 22,000 this time. Peters thought for a couple of moments, then called for the flop.8♥3♥4♥
Zinno got to the point, lumping 100,000 into the center. Peters announced he was all in, which Zinno called, turning over A♥K♦. Peters though had flopped a flush, turning over K♥Q♥.
The turn and river changed nothing except the stack sizes. Zinno all the way down to 100,000 while Peters moves towards front of the pack with 285,000. - SB
3:20pm: Greater than 200Level 11 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
We're still awaiting word of the official choice of players for this tournament, however it seems as if we hit 208 entries, comprising 160 uniques and 48 re-entries. Prize pool information will accompany the confirmation of the numbers. -- HS
3:10pm: Fast a number of the flurryLevel 11 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Now that registration is finally closed, being knocked out of this tournament is definitely terminal. There is not any coming back.
A flurry of departures has already started, with Dietrich Fast, David Yan, Dominik Nitsche, Vicente Delgado and Jason Mercier among those to hit the rail.
The picture tells the tale: the back of Jason Mercier
I caught Fast's elimination. He bluffed himself out of this one, with Chance Kornuth picking him off. The pair of them went to a flop for 13,000 apiece, which already means there has been significant pre-flop action. Kornuth was within the hijack and Fast was at the button, so I'm guessing open, three-bet, call was the way it went.
The flop came 8♣J♥2♥ and Kornuth checked. Fast bet 11,500 and Kornuth called.
The turn was the 5♦ and Kornuth checked again. Fast now decided to shove. "AM I ABLE TO get a count please," Kornuth said. The dealer broke down Fast's stack, establishing he had 47,000. Kornuth, with no less than twice that, made the call.
Fast was forced to turn his 9♣6♣, and he was drawing only to a seven when Kornuth turned over his K♦J♠. The 6♦ river wasn't enough and Fast is out.
Dietrich Fast knocked out
The German player has had a sensational recent run at the WPT, after winning his first WSOP bracelet in Berlin last year. He'll be back for lots more this week. -- HS
| 11 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 300 |
2:30pm: Kenney takes hit on the breakLevel 10 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
As the break approached it gave the look of Bryn Kenney would lead. He had 265,000 when Stephen Chidwick moved all in for 16,700. Imad Derwiche was in seat one and already had chips within the pot so called, but if the action reached Kenney he raised to 23,000.
Derwiche did numerous shrugging, however it was unclear whether this was "I'm annoyed but I CAN fold," shrugging, or "what the hell!" shrugging. Turned out it was the latter, and he put his last 65,000 into the center. Kenney snap called.
Kenney: J♥J♣Derwiche: A♣K♦Chidwick: 5♠5♥
The board ran 6♠7♠K♣4♥8♣
The king at the flop helped Derwiche, but Chidwick would make a straight, moving as much as 48,000. Derwiche would accept 61,000 while Kenney dropped all the way down to 180,000. - SB
2:15pm: McDonald doubles SchemionLevel 10 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
You'll do well to get a tell off Mike McDonald. Arguably, it's impossible. His face is impassive and over recent years he's even introduced probably the most rigid placing of bets sort of anyone within the game: picking up the specified selection of chips and putting them over the road in a single tight pile. No splashing, no scattering.
The only solution to get any hint what McDonald is holding is to take him to showdown. And thankfully for us, both Andrey Zaichenko and Ole Schemion did just that during consecutive hands. Here's how McDonald played those two pots.
Mike McDonald: The person within the frame
On the first, McDonald was under the gun and he opened to what gave the impression of 3,400. (The tight pile of chips made it difficult to look exactly what number of were in the market). Zaichenko, within the cutoff seat, raised to 10,000 and McDonald called.
They saw the 5♠6♥3♠ fall at the flop and McDonald checked. Zaichenko bet 7,000 and McDonald called.
Both players checked the 7♦ turn. And so they checked the Q♥ river. McDonald turned over a carefully-played T♣T♦ and Zaichenko mucked.
So there we had a medium pocket pair for McDonald, but there has been nothing of the kind in this next hand.
The one started with Schemion opened to 3,500 from the cutoff and McDonald three-betting to 9,000 from the large blind. Schemion called, taking just the 2 of them to a flop of A♠4♣K♦.
McDonald led. He bet 6,000, which Schemion called. The 8♥ came at the turn and McDonald moved all in, a stack of about 50,000. Schemion sighed, but called all in.
Schemion had about 30,000 in his stack, so was the person under threat. But after he tabled A♣7♣ he was in much better shape than maybe even he can have thought. McDonald had a gutshot, but otherwise his 2♠3♠ wasn't great.
The 2♥ at the river wasn't enough, and Schemion doubled. McDonald is mighty short now. -- HS
2pm: As luck would have itLevel 10 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Sergey Sergeev has more trinkets in front of him than a taxi driver we once encountered at EPT Warsaw. This man, driving at with regards to 100mph along a comparatively suburban street, had 18 pictures of the Madonna pinned to varied parts of his car - the dashboard, the rearview mirror - but no seat belt on. For him, taxi driving was a luck game, and while Sergeev may not depend quite as much at the almighty, he seems like a person who figures there is no point taking chances.
So he has an assortment of charms with him, built around a small Buddha figuring that is surrounds with small piles of chips. There is a gold chain wrapped across the Buddha, with a medallion at the end, and two shiny gold coins, one large, one small, protecting his cards.
He also has two pairs of glasses, one pair for reading, and the opposite pair sunglasses, either one of which can be perched on his forehead, and he's in the course of a massage that started yesterday. I AM NOT sure of this, but after this kind of very long time one imagines a massage therapist eventually exhausts all in their moves and easily begins making stuff up, like using Sergeev's back as a step ladder. She smiled. I understood.
So a luck player? Niall Farrell might need thought so, no less than for one hand.
Sergeev and Farrell played a hand together. The previous was helped by a couple of fives and all those charms. Farrell meanwhile was held back by a hand that might not make quads by the river, and Bananaman, or a minimum of the waiter, unfamiliar with poker etiquette, who politely insisted on payment for the banana while Farrell contemplated the turn.
With the board reading 6♠2♥9♣ 5♥ he was reaching into the pocket for €3 and seeking to determine what Sergeev had. He decided to check, perhaps out of necessity. Sergeev did the similar for a 5♣ river card.
Apologetically handing the waiter a €50 note for the €3 banana, Farrell announced check. Who knows if he'd have done anything if less distracted, but Sergeev showed his pocket fives. Farrell laughed. "No good, no good," he said, folding his hand.
Farrell made up for it moments later, sending Abdel Omais to the rail with 9[s]8♠ which had made two pairs by the turn.
"Lucky banana," he joked.
"I'll pay six euros for it," replied Farid Jattin. --SB
1:45pm: No sign of NeweyLevel 10 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Paul Newey's collapse is complete. The chair, to the precise of Stephen Chidwick, that housed the overnight chip leader is now vacant.--HS
1:40pm: The laughing stops as MacPhee departsLevel 10 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Imad Derwiche knocked out Sam Greenwood in a hand happening out around the other side of the tournament area from my vantage point--i.e., too far to look any of the main points. However, it was definitely within earshot, particularly when Greenwood's erstwhile table-mates, including Bryn Kenney, Mustapha Kanit and Kevin MacPhee, began berating Greenwood as he wandered away.
"Go home!" bellowed Derwiche, to general amusement. (Greenwood, it need to be noted, was in at the joke. He offered a wave as he headed towards the door.)
It wasn't quite this sort of laughing matter for MacPhee at the very next hand, however. He was quickly condemned to the similar fate as Greenwood, despite finding pocket aces.
Contrasting fortunes for Sam Greenwood, left, and Bryn Kenney
Bryn Kenney opened the pot, making it 3,500 to play. MacPhee, a few seats down, moved all in for something like 30,000 and when action came back to Kenney, he called immediately. Kenney had A♥Q♠ while MacPhee had A♣A♦.
But it was another case of the scary four-flush when the board ran 5♠9♠8♣K♠T♠. The laughing stopped as MacPhee gathered his belongings. (It started again once he was gone.)
Kenney has about 260,000 chips now, that's bigger even that Sam Chartier's 255,000 stack. I'd say they're the chip leaders.--HS
| 10 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
1:25pm: Buddiga from the cut offLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
After moving all in a short time ago (no takers) Pratyush Buddiga opened for 2,700 within the bring to an end. Thiago Nishijima called from the large blind for a flop of 6♣A♦T♣.
There was of venture and a choice sooner than the T♥ turn card. Nishijima made it 6,500 to play, which Buddiga called for a 4♥ river. Nishijima then plonked a stack of blue chips in front of him and waited for Buddiga's reaction. It was quick. A fold.
He's right down to 20,000 while Nishijima now has around 135,000. - SB
1:20pm: Neuville double upLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Pierre Neuville secured a double up through Chance Kornuth. Neuville shoved for 24,000 with 7♥7♠, which Kornuth called with Q♣K♦.The board ran 6♠8♠9♥5♠3♠.
That put Neuville on slightly greater than 50,000 while Kornuth has 95,000. - SB
1:15pm: Yeung send packingLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Edmund Yeung is out. Or, at least, he has lost his first stack. (Registration and re-entry remains to be open.) Sergey Lebedev opened in what could be Yeung's last hand, making it 2,600 to play from under the gun.
Stefan Schillhabel called from the cutoff after which Yeung squeeze-shoved for 20,700 from the button.
The move removed Lebedev, but Schillhabel went nowhere. He called with A♣Q♠ which stayed sooner than Yeung's K♥T♥ on a board of 2♠3♠J♦9♥7♠.
Action remains frenetic as they move into Level 10, that is the last where re-entries can be found. --HS
1:10pm: Newey slumpsLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
It was a disastrous begin to the day for Paul Newey, who was the overnight chip leader on this tournament. His starting stack of about 190,000 is now just a fraction of the size--around 28,000, to be more precise.
Paul Newey. The blue tower of chips is now almost gone
I should not have specific details of the way it shrank so significantly, but there are a few clues around his table. Firstly, Ben Heath, who only re-entered initially of play, now has 120,000 chips. That's a 70,000 increase at the 50,000 starting stack.
More significant even than that's the presence to Newey's right of Imed Mahmoud. Mahmoud began the day within the top 30, with a stack of 112,000. However he now has a minimum of 230,000, and is probably going now within the top 1. --HS
1pm: Not so Grand this timeLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Ivan Freitez and Jack Salter, two men with fond memories of action at an EPT Grand Final, are both out of this event. Freitez was spotted strolling out of the tournament room, chomping menacingly on a lolly stick. News of Salter's demise reached us in much more ignominious fashion. I DISCOVERED his player ID ticket discarded at the floor. "Oh yeah, he's gone," the tournament floorman said. --HS
Jack Salter: "Oh yeah, he's gone"
12:55pm: Farrell off to a flyerLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Two more players just lost huge pots, both getting it in with the most efficient hand and being flushed out by an inferior holding.
The first was Justin Bonomo, who flopped a collection along with his 6♥6♠ on a board of 6♦3♦5♥. But he lost to Alexandru Papazian's A♦J♦ when the turn showed the K♦ and the river the 9♦. I AM NOT sure when the money went in here--Bonomo started the day with 48,200; Papazian with 57,400--but the result was Bonomo within the queue for a re-entry.
Sergey Lebedev also took a major hit when he and Niall Farrell got all of it in pre-flop. Lebedev had A♦K♦ and Farrell A♣Q♥. But by the point this one was done, Farrell was convincingly ahead. The board ran Q♣K♣J♣7♣T♠.
Farrell, who only bought in in the beginning of play today, had 80,200 in his stack, so now has double that. That'll put him just about the chip lead. --HS
12:45pm: Quoss outLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Fabian Quoss's high roller came to an end lower than three minutes from the beginning. He found A♦K♥ and shoved, which Dan Smith within the seat next to him called with pocket jacks.
The board came K♣J♦2♠9♠3♦. Quoss was out of his chair at the turn, and wished everyone good luck. Smith as much as 100,000. - SB
12:40pm: Panzica clings onLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Both of yesterday's leaders, Jean-Noel Thorel and Paul Newey, has been drawn at the same table today. Neither loves to back off in pots either, so there might be some fireworks on that table.
That said, Newey's stack just took a small hit as he doubled up Samuel Panzica on what can have been the primary or second hand played today. It was lucky for Panzica and unfortunate for Newey, although his stack can handle it.
Ben Heath started the action, raising to 2,700. Panzica moved all in for 23,200 from the cutoff and will need to have been a little bit concerned when Newey, at the button, took an extended while deciding his action. Newey decided to call, putting the verdict back with Heath.
Heath actually had already made up his mind. He folded. It left Newey to show over his A♠A♥ and Panzica began packing his things as he turned over K♠Q♦.
Samuel Panic, left, gets an early double
The dealer had other ideas. The board fell 5♣9♦7♦4♦K♦ and Panzica four-flushed to stick alive. --HS
12:35pm: Another huge fieldLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Play has now started on Day 2 and this tournament is getting ever bigger. There have been seven re-entries before play started, plus three new entries, and within the time it took to type that, another two players showed up. Registration remains open for an additional couple of levels, so that is going to get out of control.
The new players who registered before play are Mikita Badziakouski, Niall Farrell and Timofey Kuznetsov. The re-entries are Senh Ung, Boyuan Qu, Rainer Kempe, Yunhsiang Fan, Ben Heath, Rocco Palumbo and Mustapha Kanit, bro.
As I say, that's only the start of it. It will be a while still until we all know the whole numbers. --HS
12:25pm: Into the principle roomLevel 9 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
After getting started yesterday within the auxiliary tournament room, the €10,000 single-entry high roller tournament is now primarily Salle des Etoiles. That is the most efficient tournament room in world poker, what with its retractable roof and all.
Obviously the curtains are closed and the roof is shut as we attempt our greatest to recreate the ambience of a downstairs, dingy poker club. But it's nice to grasp the surface is there.
Play is now getting under way, so persist with us for the ups and downs of what's sure to be a turbulent day. -- HS
11:30am: Day 2 imminent
Over the approaching hour, players can be gradually arriving to the tournament venue for the beginning of Day 2 of the €10,000 single-entry high roller on the PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino EPT Grand Final. The restart is at 12:30pm.
There's a rather unconventional structure today. Registration and re-entry continues to be open for the primary couple of hours, until they have got played Levels 9 and 10 (which can be 45 minutes long) they usually have taken a 20-minute tournament break.
At the instant Level 11 begins, however, registration is closed. The tournament then reverts to 60-minute levels, of which they'll play another eight, or until a last table of eight players is reached. There's next to no chance that the latter will happen, so we're essentially playing 10 levels.
There's a dinner break after Level 16 and the close of play might be around midnight.
Tournament room in Monaco
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PokerStars Blog reporting team at the €10,000 single re-entry high roller on the EPT12 Grand Final: Stephen Bartley, Marc Convey, Jack Stanton and Howard Swains. Photography by René Velli. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
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