We all knew this tournament was going to be huge - it usually is. So it wasn't an enormous surprise to peer a brand new Grand Final record set for the most important ever €25K.
That was certainly true today as 173 players ponied up the €25,000 buy-in for this three-day high roller event - ten greater than last year! We had 47 re-entries (making 220 entries total) so second bullets were being fired at will (although a 3rd was out of the question), and that is the reason going to ensure we now have one heck of a juicy prize pool after registration closes tomorrow, when 95 players will return.
This is the most important buy-in event left at the schedule here on the PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino EPT12 Grand Final, and it's therefore the last chance for these guys to either dig themselves out of a financial hole (Monte Carlo is expensive!), or in case you are Ole Schemion - who won the 100K and came runner-up within the single-day 50K - it is your last chance not to win a minimum of six figures here in Monaco. I DO NOT BELIEVE he will have the ability to pull that off, though.
Schemion's still in but short with 20,400 after busting and re-entering on the last level of the night, however the player leading the best way overnight is none rather than Niall Farrell. It was an excellent day for the EPT12 Malta champ and France Poker Series main event runner-up; he got off to a flying start and not came back to earth, remaining on the top of the counts for a lot of the day.
Niall Farrell's hot streak in Monaco continues
When asked if he believed within the curse of the chip leader, Farrell said: "No man, I'll take being the chip leader the entire time."
"[Today was] pretty great all round. My value bets got called and my bluffs got through."
He'll start tomorrow with 311,200 going into Level 11 (1,000/2,000, 300 ante), and can be seeking to extend his lead at the other biggest stacks within the room, including Enrico Coppola (302,100), Saar Wilf (288,000), Dong Zhao (278,900), David Dayan (272,900), Dan Smith (272,500), and Ivan Luca (271,300).
We had several Team Pros within the running, including Andre Akkari, Jason Mercier, Liv Boeree, and Friend of PokerStars Felipe Ramos. All of them survived and can be back tomorrow.
Elsewhere, Jean-Noel Thorel was up and down the counts in his typical style; Igor Kurganov managed to acquire a pleasant stack while also playing a heads-up match on his laptop; and defending champ Charlie Carrel dusted off two bullets and will not be returning tomorrow.
One player who didn't get off to a flyer was Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. He busted in brutal fashion not long after registering late within the day, when Phil Gruissem rivered a straight against his top set. It didn't take him long to shop for back in though, and he ended the day with 136,700.
Here's how the most important stacks within the room look, plus a couple of other notable names:
Niall Farrell - 311,200Saar Wilf - 288,000Dong Zhao - 278,900David Dayan - 272,900Dan Smith - 272,500Ivan Luca - 271,300Erik Seidel - 177,300Andre Akkari - 170,000Daniel Negreanu - 136,700Adrian Mateos - 124,000Anthony Zinno - 123,000Steve O'Dwyer - 77,600Liv Boeree - 71,400Mike McDonald - 56,700Jason Mercier - 54,900Dzmitry Urbanovich - 38,600Igor Kurganov - 25,000Ole Schemion - 20,400
Play kicks off at 12:30pm tomorrow so be sure to come again and join us for Day 2 of this event. Tomorrow also sees 28 players return for Day 5 of the primary event, including Team Pro Vanessa Selbst, Dario Sammartino, Antoine Saout, and Joao Vieira all still within the hunt. Play in that tournament starts slightly earlier at noon.
Get some sleep, and we'll see you tomorrow. Bonsoir! --JS
01:10am: Play endsLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
That's it for day certainly one of this event and it seems like Niall Farrell has finished with the most important stack within the room. A recap of the day's play will appear above shortly. Overnight chip counts might be made available in an hour or so, however the seat draw might not be available at the blog until play has started tomorrow at 12.30 CEST. --NW
12:50am: Last fiveLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
The clock was paused and there'll be five more hands before play is finished for the day. Niall Farrell, Dan Smith and Ivan Luca all have around 280,000 and are contesting the chip lead. --NW
12:35am: How high can we go?Level 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
The tournament has just ticked as much as 210 entries (including 40 re-entries), so it is not quite equalled last year's edition, which got 215 entries in total. However, with late registration open until the beginning of play tomorrow, it is a case of when not if this eclipses that figure.
12:35am: How go Team Pro?Level 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
With about 25 minutes left within the night there are four members of Team PokerStars Pro still going strong. They are:
Daniel Negreanu - 115,000Liv Boeree - 114,000Andre Akkari - 102,000Jason Mercier - 39,600
12:15am: Korotkikh shows the bluffLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (ante 200)
Enrico Coppola opened to 3,300 and Mikhail Korotkikh then made a giant all-in move. His shove was for 69,000 and Coppola, who had a stack of around 200,000, was giving it some serious thought. Eventually though he elected to fold and Korotkikh showed J♣8♣ as he took the pot.
| 10 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
12:05am: Chidwick eliminates SoikaLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Daniel Negreanu's second bullet goes better than the primary as he's as much as 70,000. He looked on as Stephen Chidwick and Ihar Soika played a large pot. On a 3♥8♠5♣ flop Soika bet 2,700, Chidwick raised it as much as 8,000 and Soika smooth called.
The 7♦ hit the turn, Chidwick moved all-in for an efficient 15,000 and Soika snap called. He turned over K♥K♠ and was prior to Chidwick's 9♣9♥. However, the 6♦ river filled Chidwick's straight and he's as much as 65,000 in consequence whilst Soika is out, for now. --NW
12am: Petrangelo having funLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Despite having just below 20 big blinds Nick Petrangelo is in a jovial mood. He's at a fun table, one who includes Paul Hoefer and Georgios Zisimopoulos. A round of beers arrived just in time for Petrangelo to open to 2,700, it folded round to Hoefer, who was within the big blind, and the German called the additional 1,500.
The 8♥9♥3♣ flop was checked through and the 4♥ fell on fourth street. After Hoefer checked Petrangelo said: "Now it is time to start betting," before he too checked. The 8♣ fell at the river and Hoefer bet 4,000. Petrangelo - who started the hand with about 22,000 - flicked within the call and Hoefer rolled over J♠7♥.
"Do you might have a straight?" said Petrangelo cheekily as he opened A♦K♥. "Oh no, you may have nothing," he added and Zisimopoulos, Hoefer and Petrangelo cracked up on the joke. --NW
Nick Petrangelo
11:58pm: Dvoress isn't any moressLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)
Serbia's Ognjen Sekularac spread out a pot to 2,900 and Mark Teltscher called out of the small blind, as did Daniel Dvoress from the massive. The flop came 4♠2♥K♥ and it checked to Sekularac who continued for 3,300. Teltscher made the call, and Dvoress decided the time was right to get it within the. bet was 21,300 and that was an excessive amount of for the unique raiser, but Teltscher made the call.
Dvoress - 9♥7♥Teltscher - K♣T♣
Dvoress would wish a heart to pop Teltscher's top pair to the post, but it surely came the T♠ at the turn and the 2♠ at the river and he was out. Teltscher is now playing 120,000. --JS
11:45pm: Boeree busts BensadounLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)
Jonathan Bensadoun moved all-in from the under the gun for 20,000 and it folded around to Team Pro Liv Boeree. She asked for a count and made a rapid call when she discovered the volume. It folded the remainder of the way in which and Boeree was way ahead together with her A♣Q♣ against 7♦T♣.
The T♠J♣9♦ flop put Bensadoun in front but only until the Q♦ turn. The J♠ river sealed the Frenchman's fate and Boeree moved as much as 66,500. --JS
11:30pm: King KenneyLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Bryn Kenney is as much as 150,000 after winning a large pot against Ariel Mantel. The yank was the pre-flop aggressor, raising it as much as 2,700, Mantel defended from the massive blind. At the 8♥7♦2♥ flop Kenney c-bet 3,300, Mantel check-raised to 9,000 and Kenney called.
At the J♣ turn Mantel fired out 11,500 and Kenney again smooth called. On the T♥ river Mantel shoved for an efficient 50,000 and Kenney went into the tank and emerged with a choice. Mantel was bluffing with 5♠4♥ and Kenney had called him all the way down to T♣9♥. Mantel was left with a micro stack but doubled as much as around 10 big blinds shortly afterwards. --NW
Kenney's climbing
11:20pm: Farrell gets thereLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (ante 200)
Xixiang Luo let loose a noisy cry of anguish and it didn't take too long to determine why. He'd got his stack of 70,000 within the middle pre-flop with A♠A♣ and Niall Farrell had put him in peril with K♣K♥. The 6♠7♣8♦T♠ flop and switch were clean, however the K♠ river was a fatal blow.
Luo even got out his phone to take a photograph of the board for posterity. "YOU'LL WANT TO get me within the picture because then people will know why it happened," quipped Farrell. He's as much as 245,000 now and the last time he got off to this good a start he won EPT Malta. --NW
11:10pm: Gruissem gets lucky to bust NegreanuLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)
Not a fair start for Kid Poker...
Felipe Ramos filled us in at the hand. Phillip Gruissem opened under the gun and it folded to Negreanu who defended his big blind. Negreanu led for 4,000 at the Jack-seven-eight flop and Gruissem raised to 10,000, which Negreanu called. The turn was indeed a six and Negreanu jammed along with his top set. Gruissem called with top pair but got lucky to make a straight when a nine hit the river.
Negreanu is gone but, as he says, it is just his first bullet. We're certain to see him again, but meanwhile Gruissem is as much as 110,000. --JS
| 9 | 600 | 1,200 | 200 |
10:51pm: Break timeLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Players have gone on their last break of the day. Back in 20 minutes. --JS
10:50pm: A Stern hand for KurganovLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Kully Sidhu opened to 2,500 under the gun and it folded to Zvi Stern within the cut-off. He made the call, and was the one caller when Igor Kurganov three-bet to 10,000 from the large blind.
The two saw a 3♣T♠3♠ flop land and Kurganov continued for 8,000. That bet was called and the K♠ hit the turn, but now Kurganov bogged down and checked, as did Stern.
We saw the 6♠ river card and Kurganov awoke again with a 26,500 bet. Stern, headphones on, thought for an even minute or two - counting out the chips and waving them in his hand. Eventually he slammed down the decision and Kurganov quickly turned over the A♦A♣. Stern looked a little bit surprised and mucked. He's all the way down to 92,000 while Kurganov is as much as 159,000. --JS
10:45pm: Great call from MercierLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)
I reached the table to peer a K♥7♥A♦7♣T♦ board at the felt. There has been roughly 15,300 within the middle and a chance of 8,500 in front of Dietrich Fast. The player within the tank was Jason Mercier and it was a good percentage of his stack to call, but call he did. Fast showed 8♥6♥ for a busted draw, Mericer had 3♠3♦ for a couple of threes!
He's as much as 53,000 now, Fast is all the way down to 9,000. --NW
10:35pm: Story time with Daniel NegreanuLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Have you heard the only concerning the mice and the tubes? I'll let Kid Poker explain.
Daniel Negreanu: "THERE HAVE BEEN these mice, and there has been a tube that they may go down and on the end can be some cheese [These aren't his exact words, but you will get the theory.]. The mice would go down it five times and get the cheese, but then they'd switch it in order that the mice would get electrocuted [I AM NOT sure who 'they' are].
"Even though they were now getting electrocuted, the mice continued to head down the tube. They believe 'But I got cheese once!' And that's the reason like poker. If people win early, they continue to play, because they suspect 'Well, I won once! It will happen again!'"
Salman Behbahani, Felipe Ramos and Phil Gruissem were riveted, like school kids in an assembly. --JS
Listen up, schools in session
10:25pm: Peters busts, re-entersLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)
David Peters just busted out in an enormous flip against Roman Emelyanov. The yank opened to 3,300 from the small blind with A♠Q♥ just for Emelyanov to transport all-in from the large blind for 65,000. Peters tanked before calling and he was racing against Emelyanov's pocket eights.
Depite flopping a gutshot straight draw to compliment his overcards Peters bricked the turn and river but has since re-entered with a fresh stack of 50,000. --NW
10:20pm: Fun and games with Jean-Noel ThorelLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)
Jean-Noel Thorel was as much as 220,000 but he's dropped backpedal to 110,000 after losing a sequence of pots. The primary beneficiaries of these chips seem to be Ivan Luca (168,000) and Simon Higgins (140,000). --NW
10:17pm: Negreanu's within the houseLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
As he so often does in tournaments, Team Pro Daniel Negreanu registered for this event after the dinner break. He's within the mix and began with 50,000, but certainly one of his first hands didn't visit plan. He made it 2,200 under the gun just for Phil Gruissem to make it 5,500 and Salman Behbahani to make it 13,200. Negreanu gave it up, as did Philbort. --JS
10:08pm: Sick run-outLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
A pre-flop betting war saw Oliver Weis get it in with the J♣J♦ and Yang Wang get it in with the Q♦Q♣. The pot was big and Wang's hopes were high.But then the dealer started dealing.
The flop? A♣T♥J♣.
The turn? K♥.
The river? Q♠.
A chop worth 25K to Weis. --JS
10:05pm: Gruissem and Jaka continue to head at itLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
When you're sat next to someone on the poker table it's nice to be polite and friendly, but there is no love lost if you end up both in a pot together. Phillip Gruissem and Faraz Jaka are positioned in Seat 5 and Seat 6 at their table and each time I walk past they appear to be gunning for one another.
In the most recent battle the board read the A♣2♥J♣Q♣ and Gruissem led for 9,000. Jaka called at the button and when the 4♦ hit the turn the German shoved, putting Jaka's stack in danger. He had 21,500 behind and opted to fold.
As soon because the hand was over, though, the 2 were smiling and giggling again. --JS
10pm Antonius falls to SchillhabelLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)
Stefan Schillhabel is as much as 98,000 after eliminating Patrik Antonius. Within the hand in question it was three to a Q♥T♥9♥ flop, Antonius bet 4,500, Pablo Melogno folded and Schillhabel smooth called. At the 4♦ turn Antonius committed his final 21,400 and after a couple of seconds thought Schillhabel called it off.
Antonius: A♥K♥Schillhabel: A♣Q♣
Antonius needed a heart a jack or a king to stick alive but missed the lot at the 4♠ river. --NW
| 8 | 500 | 1,000 | 100 |
9:55pm Multi-tablingLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)
Igor Kurgnaov is multi-tabling and multi-screening in this day and age. That's because he's still greatly alive on this event and he's also playing heads-up against Bill Perkins in his Global Poker League match.
It all means Kurganov has his laptop perched on his legs to play that match and he's also got his phone propped up so he can follow the action on Twitch, which has hole cards shown on delay.
9:35pm: That is getting silly...even more for Farrell!Level 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
You can now add another starting stack to Niall Farrell's count as he's now playing 208,000.
Georgios Sotiropoulos was the person who gave him the gift. Igor Yaroshevskyy opened to 2,000 before Sotiropoulos three-bet to 5,500 and Farrell four-bet to 11,600 at the button. Only Sotiropoulos called and the duo saw a 6♥J♠8♣ flop, which was checked to Farrell. The Scot continued for 8,400 and Sotiropoulos jammed for his last 26,000. Farrell snap-called and the cards were flipped:
Farrell - K♣K♥Sotiropoulos - 9♣7♣
Sotiropoulos had got it in with an open-ender but couldn't hit at the 2♦ turn or 7♠ river. He's gone, but Farrell now sits more comfortably on the top of the chip counts. --JS
9:15pm: Farrell increases his stackLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)
Niall Farrell was the chip leader on the dinner break and he just won a large pot against Ahmed Fatah to transport as much as 170,000.
I joined the pot at the turn to peer a 5♣K♠4♥Q♠ board at the felt. Farrell (under-the-gun+2) bet 10,000 right into a 17,000 chip pot and Fatah check-raised to 22,500 total. Farrell had a think after which elected to smooth call.
The 5♠ fell at the river and Fatah slowed down, checking the action to Farrell. The Scotsman riffled some chips for just a little after which moved all-in. The bet was for an efficient 29,000, as that is what Fatah, had left. He tanked for a very long time before laying his hand down.
Pot to Farrell. --NW
9:05pm: Stephensen doubles through GreenwoodLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Sam Greenwood has made somewhat a slip up and it's cost him most of his stack. Felix Stephensen made it 2,000 to move at the button and Greenwood bumped that price as much as 6,500. Stephensen then came back excessive to 12,800 and Greenwood put him all-in, which the Norwegian snap-called.
He had the K♠K♦ and that was crushing Greenwood's 7♦7♥. After all the board showed the 6♦J♦2♥A♣5♣ and Stephensen is as much as 110,000, while Greenwood has just 12,700. --JS
8:55pm: Great dessert for GruissemLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
He would possibly not has been in a position to have a pudding after his dinner because of time constraints, but Phil Gruissem has had a sweet start back from the break.
On a 4♦J♠8♦ board he checked to Faraz Jaka who made it 5,000 to head. The German called and the turn came the T♦. Gruissem checked and Jaka put him all-in, followed by a handy guide a rough call.
Gruissem had turned a straight with the 9♥7♥ which was sooner than the T♠T♣ set of Jaka. The river was the A♠ which failed to pair the board or provide quads, and Gruissem doubled to 56,600. Jaka is right down to 36,000. --JS
Good begin to the extent for Gruissem
8:52pm: Run!Level 7 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)
A choice of the high rollers were a marginally tardy in coming back from the dinner break and, when a floorperson announced that the extent was starting, this made several of them break right into a jog to succeed in their table in time to receive cards.
We're used to poker players doing a little runner-runnering but not actual sprinting. So the sight of Sam Greenwood and Stefan Schillhabel being thinking about a race of a unique kind was refreshing.
We've no idea in the event that they made it, but one player who definitely didn't was Ramin Hajiyev. The Azerbaijani had missed the outlet hand but saw the dealer pitching cards for the second one and made a baseball style slide to check out and reach his seat in time to be dealt into the second one hand of the extent. He was given out. "Nice slide, commented Amit Makhija though as Hajiyev took his seat. To be fair to him he didn't seem in any respect bothered about having missed the hand. No less than he was now on the table, unlike Alain Goldberg who'd yet to return.
Meanwhile whilst some elected to install some cardio work to succeed in their table as quickly as possible Jason Mercier and Patrik Antonius, who two of these who simply sauntered to their seats with no care on the planet. --NW
8:50pm: Could it's? Can or not it's? It's! It's Kanit!Level 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Mustapha Kanit has joined the field, and that during itself deserves its own post. Expect to look his name so much going forward, because the popular Italian always provides excellent entertainment - irrespective of how high the tournament buy-in is. He's kicking off with 50,000. --JS
| 7 | 400 | 800 | 75 |
7:30pm: Supper time big stacksThe high roller's entry number had risen to 165 by the point dinner break came over and 134 remain. They now take a 75 minute break. Meanwhile, listed below are the counts of these who've passed the 100k-mark so far:
| Niall Farrell | United Kingdom | 150,000 |
| Wilf Saar | Israel | 148,000 |
| Andrey Pateychuk | Russia | 145,000 |
| Thomas Muehloecker | Austria | 141,000 |
| Marko Neumann | Germany | 133,000 |
| Jean-Noel Thorel | France | 130,000 |
| Rocco Palumbo | Italy | 128,000 |
| Paul Hoefer | Germany | 128,000 |
| David Dayan | Brazil | 124,000 |
| Dong Zhao | China | 123,000 |
| Yang Wang | China | 122,000 |
| Xixiang Luo | China | 120,000 |
| Steve O'Dwyer | Ireland | 117,000 |
| Francisco Benitez | Uruguay | 115,000 |
| Erik Seidel | United States | 110,000 |
| Andrew Lichtenberger | United States | 104,000 |
'Hey Mum, I'm chip leader'
7:15pm: Jacks no good for O'DwyerLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Steve O'Dwyer had dropped right down to 46,300 after tangling with fellow former EPT Grand Final champion Mohsin Charania.
O'Dywer opened to 2,200 from second to behave and was called by Charania at the button and Zvi Stern within the big blind. The flop came 7♦3♥Q♦ and O'Dwyer continued for 2,200. Only Charania called to the A♦ turn where O'Dyer fired another 4,500. Charania called again and the board got wetter with the 9♦ river. Both players checked and O'Dyer announced he had jacks without a diamond. Charania's A♥Q♣ had that beat he raked within the pot to transport as much as 86,500. -- MC
7:05pm: Voulgaris busts, while Greenwood doublesLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Looking back on Haralabos Voulgaris' under-the-gun shove all-in for 12 big blinds with the J♥8♣, it will seem slightly inpatient. Then again, we're in the course of the NBA finals, so perhaps the prolific basketball bettor had tape to study.
He was called by Mikita Badziakouski within the utg+1 seat who held the 9♣9♠. The board ran out 6♣2♥5♣7♥K♥ and it was an airball for Voulgaris. Badziakouski now has 82,500.
On another table, Luc Greenwood - one in all three Greenwood brothers on this event - was busy doubling up through Ariel Mantel. The Argentinian opened under the gun before Greenwood three-bet to 4,000 at the button. Mantel then four-bet to 11,400, and Greenwood five-bet jammed for 40,750! Mantel called.
Mantel - Q♥Q♣Greenwood - K♦K♣
There was a sweat at the turn of the A♦T♦9♥J♦ board (Greenwood didn't wish to hit a set, that's needless to say) however the river was the 4♣. Greenwood doubled to 82,000, while Mantel has 95,000 left. --JS
Ready to join PokerStars? Click here to get an account.7pm: Carrel's okay with losing 50kLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Charlie Carrel was sat at an empty table mostly tournament room, with the look of a person who has busted, albeit with a grin across his face.
PokerStars Blog, "Busted?"
Carrel, "Yeah, my second bullet too! I had a collection over straight in a three-bet pot but I'm okay with it as a result of yesterday."
The yesterday Carrel is relating to is his victory within the €5k tournament last night. The win earned him €172,000 so life's still pretty good for the likable young pro. -- MC
You can't win all of them Charlie!
6:50pm: More foldingLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
They say that folding is, within the long run, essentially the most profitable move in poker. That does not permit you to fold yourself to a tournament win though. There is a lot of folding happening - maybe it's just this blogger that's running bad. Maybe this post is the equivalent of folding.
Sam Chartier opened to 1,200 and called after Ben Heath three-bet him to 4,600. The flop came 4♠3♥6♣ and both players to the 4♣ turn where Chartier led for 4,600. Heath called and faced anther 13,300 bet at the 2♦ river.
"If I'm wrong I'm really dumb," said Heath. He took another 30 seconds after which folded to drop to 38,000. Chartier moved as much as 51,000. --MC
| 6 | 300 | 600 | 75 |
6:35pm: More foldingLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
They say that folding is, within the long run, essentially the most profitable move in poker. That does not help you fold yourself to a tournament win though. There is a lot of folding occurring - maybe it's just this blogger that's running bad. Maybe this post is the equivalent of folding.
Sam Chartier opened to 1,200 and called after Ben Heath three-bet him to 4,600. The flop came 4♠3♥6♣ and both players to the 4♣ turn where Chartier led for 4,600. Heath called and faced anther 13,300 bet at the 2♦ river.
"If I'm wrong I'm really dumb," said Heath. He took another 30 seconds after which folded to drop to 38,000. Chartier moved as much as 51,000. --MC
6:20pm: Second and final bust for Buddiga; Tsoukernik's gone tooLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
It has not been an excellent day for Pratyush Buddiga. He's well and really out of this one after busting his second bullet after only a few hands.
Yang Wang made it 1,300 under the gun and there have been three callers, including Sean Winter at the button and Mark Teltscher from the small blind. Buddiga was within the big and he put out a squeeze to 7,500, which only Wang would call.
We needed a flop and we got one: 6♦Q♦3♥. Both players checked and the K♥ hit the turn. Now Buddiga put out a delayed c-bet of 11,000 which Wang called, and moved all-in for 24,000 at the 4♦ river. He was called.
Buddiga - A♥K♣Wang - Q♣Q♠
Top pair wasn't going to overcome Wang's set of Queens anytime soon, and Buddiga went on his way.
Meanwhile at another table, Leon Tsoukernik has also busted his second bullet. --JS
6:05pm: Germans foldingLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
Fabian Quoss and Rainer Kempe folded hands on adjacent tables but in very different circumstances.
Quoss had three-bet to 4,500 from the button after Robert Crossley had opened to 1,500 from the hijack. Crossley called to the 5♥A♥3♣ flop and led for 12,000. Quoss open-folded K♣K♠ and his opponent nodded and flashed A-Q.
Moments later, Kempe and Zvi Stern battled. Stern opened to 1,025 after which four-bet to 7,025 after Kempe three-bet him to 2,850. Kempe called and both players checked a T♠9♦7♥ flop. The turn was the 3♦ and Stern led for 6,500. Kempe called after which check-folded to a 13,000 bet at the 2♣ river.
Crossley - 47,000Quoss - 42,000Stern - 80,000Kempe - 23,000--MC
Ready to enroll in PokerStars? Click here to get an account.5:55pm: Muehloecker shoots up the chip countsLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
How does 260 big blinds sound? Pretty good to Thomas Muehloecker, who just eliminated Adnan Chamaa.
Chamaa began the hand with a raise, only to be three-bet by Muehloecker to 3,500. After the call, the flop came the J♦5♥T♥ and Muehloecker decided to not c-bet, instead check-calling a 6,000 bet. The Q♣ hit the turn and now Muehloecker check-raised the 9,000 bet from Chamaa to 22,000. The united kingdom player made the decision with 24,000 behind.
The river was the 3♥ and Muehloecker put Chamaa all-in, and that i guess by that time he felt pretty priced in. He called, but got the bad news quickly: his J♠J♣ set were pipped at the turn by Muehloecker's A♣K♦ for a straight. And prefer that, Chamaa was gone.
Muehloecker is now playing 130,000. --JS
Muehloecker's off to an excellent start
5:40pm: Buddiga busts brutallyLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
Yuck. Gross. Sick. All those words.
Yingui Li just put Patyush Buddiga all-in on a Q♥8♣6♦5♠ board with the J♣Q♣ and Buddiga snap-called with the A♦A♠.
The river was the J♠, giving Li two pair.
Buddiga swiftly went to re-enter, while Li now has 78,000. --JS
| 5 | 250 | 500 | 50 |
5:11pm: Break time
Players are actually on a 20 minute break. Listed below are the present chip leaders:
Niall Farrell - 143,000Erik Seidel - 110,000Andrey Pateychuk - 110,000Xixiang Luo - 92,000
5:10pm: News briefly: high roller editionLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
- Liv Boree won a small pot off Vladimir Troyanovskiy. They were heads as much as the turn with a board reading 2♠5♣A♣Q♠ and Troyanovskiy check-called a 3,500 bet before both checked the Q♠ river. Troyanovskiy opened 8♣8♠ but Boree took the pot with A♦K♣. She rose to 62,000 and he dropped to 25,000.
- Dominik Nitsche has busted his first bullet but continues to be smiling. "AFTER ALL"! he answered when asked if he was buying back in. - Jack Salter didn't a win a seat within the last satellite for the high roller today, but has bought whatsoever. That satellite continues to be running and the prize pool is huge enough to award eight seats and €18,070 in cash for ninth. Sixteen still remain and people still in include Ludovic Geilich, Edmund Yeung, Matt Wood and Steven van Zadelhoff. --MC
5pm: Tsoukernik busts to Farrell; in for an additional bulletLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Leon Tsoukernik played fast and furious today, but it's cost him his first €25K bullet.
Niall Farrell opened to 1,000 from at the button and Xixiang Luo bumped it as much as 2,600 out of the small blind. That intrigued Tsoukernik enough to make the decision from the massive blind, and Farrell came along too.
The three saw a 6♥5♣K♦ flop fall and it checked around, prompting the dealer to burn and switch the 3♠. It checked to Tsoukernik and he made it 3,500 to go, and only Farrell matched it.
That brought the 4♦ at the river and Tsoukernik again led for 5,000. Farrell had something up his sleeve though - a raise to 22,000. Tsoukernik didn't appear to like it, but decided to transport all-in for 31,000. There wasn't exactly any fold equity there so Farrell had a very simple call, especially considering he had the 9♠7♦ and had made a straight at the river. Tsoukernik had the 5♠3♦ for two-pair but that wasn't good enough.
Farrell now has 141,000, while Tsoukernik has already re-entered. --JS
4:50pm: Are you picking on me?Level 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
That's exactly what Chance Kornuth asked Leonardo Cucchiarini after he opened from under the gun when Kornuth was within the big blind - presumably not the primary time this has happened.
The raise was 1,000 and it folded to David Dayan in the small blind who came along, and Kornuth defended. The flop was the 2♠9♦6♦ and Cucchiarini continued for 2,000. Only Kornuth called to peer the 5♦ hit the turn, and it went check-bet 2,800-call.
Both checked the 4♦ river, which put four diamonds in the market. Kornuth showed the 8♣7♣ for a turned straight, however Cucchiarini had the J♦J♥ and won it with a flush. --JS
Come on man!
4:40pm: Reinkemeier sings a Carrel of joyLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Charlie Carrel might be disappointed to has been thinking about a cooler within the blinds versus Tobias Reinkemeier, however the fact he wat the €5k last night for €172,000 means he'll probably be over losing it pretty quickly.
The action folded around to Jason Wheeler on the button and he raised it as much as 1,050. Carrel three-bet to 3,600 from the small blind after which Reinkemeier four-bet to 10,500 from the large blind. Wheeler moved out of ways but Carrel had no such intentions - he moved all-in and Reinkemeier shrugged all called off for 40,700.
Reinkemeier: T♦T♠Carrel: A♣K♠
The board ran Q♦4♣9♥Q♥J♣ to peer the tens hold. Carrel dropped to 16,000 because of this. --MC
| 4 | 200 | 400 | 50 |
4:25pm: Chamaa using sports modeLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
Monaco might be one of the most only places on the earth where an individual would wear the attire of a car they own. Adnan Chamaa has a Bugatti cap and bodywarmer on, so after scripting this post, I'm off to seek across the car park searching for a Veyron.
Chamaa played a hand with Andrei Konopelko and got the Belarusian to fold at the turn through the use of the over-bet function. It's identical to sport mode within the Veyron.
Around 12,500 lay within the middle and Chamaa led for 17,000 from the small blind. Konopelko went into the tank for a couple of minutes after which Chamaa piped up with, "I WILL allow you to should you ask me?"
"Call?" answered Konopelko.
Chamaa, "Good hand?" Konopelko nodded. "A COUPLE? Two pair?"
Konopelko decided to fold and he asked Chamaa to turn one. The latter obliged and opened A♣ while adding, "I shouldn't show but it's okay! Now. I showed you one so that you tell me one among your cards."
Konopelko said he had a queen. He lost the post but his stack continues to be worth 85,000. Chamaa moved up 42,000. -- MC
Ready to enroll in PokerStars? Click here to get an account.4:10pm: Schemion makes good fold - or so he's toldLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Here's the Luo down:
Xixiang Luo opened from the cut-off but was three-bet to 2,500 by Ole Schemion at the button. Luo then four-bet to 7,250 and the German came along for a flop.
Flop: It came the 2♣6♦8♥ and Luo bet 7,125. Schemion called.
Turn: T♣, Luo bet 13,200, Schemion called.
River: 8♠. Now Luo jammed for 29,225 and Schemion had a tricky decision on his hands. He thought for longer than he usually seems to take, and finally made a fold he didn't look too confident about.
"Good fold," said Luo, and he showed the A♥. "YOU'VE pocket Jacks?"
Schemion pointed upwards, indicating he had better.
"Queens?" Luo asked. Schemion nodded. "SUPERB fold."
I guess we'll never know if Luo was being honest. It doesn't actually matter now though - he's as much as 84,000 while Schemion is fooling around 30,000. --JS
4pm: Dominik Nitsche gets double QuossedLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
The two Germans on the table - Dominik Nitsche and 50K high roller winner Fabian Quoss - are really gunning for every other thus far today.
In the primary pot Nitsche made it 800 and both Adrian Mateos and Fabian Quoss called out of the blinds. The flop came the 2♣3♦Q♦ and it checked to Nitsche who continued for 1,800, only to be raised by Quoss to 5,000 when Mateos got out the way.
Nitsche would call though, and the 2♦ hit the turn for three-to-a-flush on board. Quoss led for 6,500 and Nitsche let it go.
Just a few hands later they'd be at it again. Quoss opened to 800 at the button and Nitsche three-bet to 3,000 after Ariel Mantel called from the small blind. Quoss then four-bet to 7,400 and Nitsche again needed to fold.
Nitsche is all the way down to around 17,000 while Quoss has around 60,000. --JS
3:45pm: Seidel soaringLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Erik Seidel had almost doubled his starting stack already after eliminating Raouf Ibrahim. It should be something to do with the super-food salad he was eating all through the hand.
Ibrahim opened to 800 from first position before Ollie Price three-bet to 3,000 from the following seat and Silver four-bet 5,200 from the cutoff. Seidel, sat within the small blind, casualty rested his wooden fork inside his salad container and five-bet to 12,500. Ibrahim called, Price folded quickly and Silver took longer in folding.
The flop fell 4♦8♦J♦ and Seidel bet 11,000 and called after Ibrahim raised all-in for 22,700. "I'M HOPING you do not have the diamonds" said Seidel.
Ibrahim: T♦T♦ for an over pair and one diamond.Seidel: K♦K♠ for a larger over pair and larger flush draw.
The board ran out 3♦4♣ and Ibrahim (genuinely) tanked Seidel and the opposite before departing. Silver said he had folded queens. --MC
3:30pm: Tsoukernik misreads the situationLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Czech entrepreneur and casino owner Leon Tsoukernik isn't any stranger to high stakes tournament action. The large buy-ins don't mean all that much to this type of successful guy.
He just proved this in a hand against Sam Greenwood that might see the professional double up. Greenwood made it 750 and Tsoukernik three-bet to 3,000 from the massive blind. Greenwood then moved all-in.
Tsoukernik asked how much it was for and the solution was "99." Thing is, we discovered after the hand that Tsoukernik thought that meant 99,000 - not 9,900 which was the reality.
"Can we re-buy on this event?" he asked, before making an emphatic call when he was told he could. He had just the A♥J♣. And he made the decision thinking the shove was for double the starting stack!
Greenwood had the K♠K♥ and was ahead, but by the activate the 4♦2♣5♥J♥ board Tsoukernik had outs. Any Ace, Jack or three would win it for him, but it surely came the K♦ and Greenwood doubled, while Tsoukernik has around 30,000 left. --JS
3:20pm: Philbort wants a rule changeLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
Philip Gruissem wants a while back and a rule change after he hung out closely watching a hand play out, just for no cards to be shown on showdown.
Faraz Jaka had opened from under the gun and was called by Yaxi Zhu within the small blind. Both checked the A♥4♥Q♠ flop before Zhu check-called 2,400 and 5,200 at the 6♠5♦ turn and river. Jaka mucked his hand to drop to 34,525 whereas Zhu got back as much as 41,000.
"Stupid rule," said Gruissem. "He mucked [points at Jaka], she mucked [points at Zhu] and that i watched the entire f***ing hand and didn't get to peer any cards!"
There are 115 entries, the most recent being Anthony Spinella, who looked as if it would me meditating while awaiting his seating assignment. --MC
3pm: Thorel doubles through HolzLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
A two-man pre-flop betting war led to a four-bet to 4,300 from Fedor Holz and a shove all-in from Jean-Noel Thorel for 30,000. Holz thought for over a minute but eventually made the decision with the J♠J♥. It was no good, as Thorel had the products along with his K♠K♥.
The board ran out Q♠K♦4♣7♥6♠ and Thorel moved as much as 60,000 with top set. Holz is right down to 30,000. --JS
| 3 | 150 | 300 | 50 |
2:40pm: Break time
Players are actually on a 20 minute break
2:36pm: Yang Wang, thanks SamLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Sam Greenwood have been left short after doubling up Yang Wang. Ole Schemion started the hand off with an open to 600 and Wang called within the cut-off, before Greenwood three-bet to 2,000 at the button. Both called.
A 5♥T♥K♠ flop hit the felt and it checked to Greenwood, who continued for 4,500. Schemion gave it up but Wang raised it as much as 11,000. Greenwood called to look the Q♠ turn, and Wang continued to carry directly to the betting lead with an 18,000 wager, but Greenwood went nowhere. The 8♠ completed the board and Wang moved all-in for 25,000 exactly.
Greenwood was deep in thought and his process led him to creating the decision along with his A♠A♦. That wasn't the winner though; Wang had the J♠8♠, so had check-raised the flop with nothing, semi-bluffed the turn together with his many draws, after which got paid when he hit. He's as much as 101,000, while Greenwood is right down to 12,000. --JS
2:35pm: Re-entries and lucky sevensLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Mikita Badziakouski and Isaac Haxton wasted little time in buying back in for his or her one second-chance.
Orpen Kisacikoglu is in no danger of shopping for back in as he won a pot off Sam Chartier to rise to 75,000. The Canadian, who busted the principle event late yesterday, raised from the cutoff, bet 900 at the flop and 1,900 at the turn. Kisacikoglu stuck with him all of the way from the small blind and both checked the river when the board read 4♦K♠2♣5♥K♥. Kisacikoglu opened 7♣7♠ and Chertier mucked to drop to 34,000. --MC
2:25pm: Two gone already and Zhu halvedLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Isaac Haxton was the primary player out and he soon joined at the rail by Mikhail Korotkikh. Despite her great start, Yaxi Zhu's woes have continued. She's all the way down to 26,000 after raise-folding at the river versus Dietrich Fast.
Around 10,000 sat within the middle by the point the board rested as 9♠9♣4♣7♦A♠. Fast bet 3,800 from under the gun and was check-raised to 12,000 by Zhu within the big blind. Fast shoved and Zhu went into the tank. She went from a confused look, to a pained one and back to confused. She decided to fold. -- MC
2:20pm: Schemion's Aces an excessive amount of for ChidwickLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
I'm just going to mention it now: if Ole Schemion comes first or second on this tournament, then I FEEL it's safe to mention the person isn't human. If he manages a top-two finish in his third high roller in little over one week, he have to be some roughly highly-advanced poker bot dressed as much as appear to be a 23-year-old wunderkind.
He's off to an even start here as usual, having just taken down a pot against Stephen Chidwick. Schemion opened to 625,000 which Chidwick then three-bet to 3,000 out of the large blind. Schemion four-bet to 8,625 and Chidwick called.
The flop was the J♦3♣J♠ and Chidwick checked to the last aggressor. Schemion continued for 6,000 which was called, so we saw the K♠ hit the turn. Both checked.
They'd also both check the 6♦ and Schemion turned over the A♠A♦. After Chidwick mucked he dropped to 40,000, while the poker bot - sorry, I mean Ole Schemion moves as much as 75,000. --JS
2:15pm: McDonald's FastLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
After an open to 450 (from a player so new to the tournament that i am yet to clock his name), Leonardo Cucchiarini made the decision. The action was then on Mike McDonald who three-bet to 1,800, only to run right into a four-bet from Dietrich Fast to 4,800. McDonald was the one caller.
The pair saw a 9♣7♥2♠ flop fall and play bogged down with both checking. The A♥ was a fascinating turn card; Fast opted to test again and McDonald put out a big gamble of 6,000 which was called.
The 4♣ landed at the river and both Fast and McDonald shut it down. Fast flipped over his A♦6♦ and the Ace was enough for the win. He's as much as 60,000 now while McDonald has slipped to 38,000. --JS
2:10pm: Patrick Bruel - a person of many talentsLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
One of France's most famed singers; an actor; a commentator; and a poker player with a WSOP bracelet and greater than $1.5 million in live earnings. Shall we only be talking about Patrick Bruel.
He's within the field for today's 25K and is bound to make some noise (even if he'll sing is a unique question). --JS
| 2 | 100 | 200 | 25 |
1:40pm: Thorel getting shortLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
As the primary level draws to a close, 79 players have taken their seats. That number will soon be three figures though as a glance on the long(ish) registration line indicates we'll be seeing many new face soon.
Don't forget that this can be a re-entry event so we'll be seeing a few of these faces twice today and/or tomorrow. Jean-Noel Thorel is at risk of turning into the primary casualty, he's all the way down to 9,000 after folding at the river to Stephen Chidwick.
The Brit, whose recently engaged (congrats!) opened to 500 from first to behave and was called in three spots. The flop fanned A♦2♥7♦ and Chidwick continued for 1,500. Only Thorel called to the 6♠ turn where he quickly called off another 3,000. The board completed with the 4♣ and Chidwick bet 2,500. Thorel gave the look of he was going to lift but ended up folding. --MC
1:35pm: Farrell finds his feetLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Niall Farrell, who finished second within the France Poker Series main event earlier within the festival, is already as much as 75,000 after only a few hands. On an 8♠A♦K♣9♦7♣ board the Scot put out of venture of 13,000 with the A♣9♥ and Brazil's David Dayan called before mucking. --JS
1:25pm: Zhu's good start over
Yaxi Zhu has dropped back to below her starting stack after running right into a full house belonging to Alexandros Kolonias.
Ivan Deyra opened from under the gun and was called by the Team Pro at the button and Kolonias within the big blind. All three checked the 7♠T♣8♣ flop before Deyra led for 1,500 at the T♥ turn. Zhu called but Kolonias check-raised to 7,000. Only Zhu called to the 6♦ river where she tank-called 15,000. Kolonias opened 8♠8♦ and Zhu mucked. --MC
1:20pm: Timokhin came here to playLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Russia's Alexander Timokhin won his seat into this event in a live satellite, and up to now he's been super aggressive. Take hand this as an example; pre-flop he installed a chilly four-bet to 5,200 and Kully Sidhu was the one caller. The flop came J♣4♥J♦ and he instantly led out for 15,000 - greater than the pot. The massive blind is purely 200!
It's going to be interesting watching him against the professionals today. --JS
1:10pm: Good start for the Team ProLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
In tournament poker, it's now the way you start but the way you finish that counts. That being said, it's still pretty nice to hit the bottom running.
That's exactly what Team Pro Yaxi Zhu has done. On a 3♣2♥T♠ flop, Roman Emelyanov checked to her and he or she bet 1,500 which got a choice. The turn was the A♥ and Emelyanov checked once more, before calling another bet of 2,800. He'd also check the 4♦ river before calling a last 6,000 bet. Zhu flipped over her A♦K♣ and top pair was good for the win. She has 61,000 now. --JS
1:05pm: A COUPLE OF more namesLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Timothy Adams, Vladimir Troyanovskiy, and Haralabos Voulgaris have all taken their seats. Meanwhile, Niall Farrell, Luc Greenwood, Mike McDonald, Justin Bonomo, Faraz Jaka, and Thomas Muehloecker are all waiting to register. --JS
Ready to enroll in PokerStars? Click here to get an account.1pm: Short-handed play all roundLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Play is also underway but many tables still only have three to four players at them. Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu tried to sit down on the wrong table before being sent the best way; Timothy Adams had no such problems; and Artem Metalidi said hi as he joined Dietrich Fast and Emil Patel's table.
These latter three then played out a pot together. Fast opened to 450 and was called by Patel (button) and Metalidi (big blind). All three checked the 7♦2♥Q♠ flop before Fast bet 750 at the 2♦ turn. Metalidi hung around to the 8♣ river but had no real interest in calling Fast's 2,200 bet. --MC
12:50pm: New arrivalsLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
There's still just a handful of players of their seats, now including Francisco Benitez, Orpen Kisacikoglu, and Dietrich Fast. Isaac Haxton, Stephen Chidwick, and Daniel Dvoress are all in line to register at the moment. --JS
12:40pm: Looks as if a slow startLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Poker players aren't great timekeepers, and the high rollers will also be the worst offenders. With a few minutes to move until play kicks off, only seven players had turned up; Saar Wilf, Paul Newey and Ole Schemion being three of them.
Walking back in the course of the overflow room, you'll be able to see 56 players (to this point) within the last-chance satellite. So we can be enough to generate sevens seats and a cash prize. Tournament registration may be located in that room with Adrian Mateos, Segio Aido and Jean-Noel Thorel all lined up waiting to shop for in. -- MC
12:15pm: Registered so far
Play begins in about QUARTER-HOUR for now. Thus far the next players have registered: Rocco Palumbo, Steffen Sontheimer, Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Kully Sidhu, Sam Greenwood, Haralabos Voulgaris, and Paul Newey.
11am: The €25K EPT High Roller starts today
It's the last of the massive events on this festival yet to begin however the EPT High Roller kicks off in not up to an hour. We'll be following all of the action here with live updates. Play starts at 12.30pm -- SB
Ready to join PokerStars? Click here to get an account.Take a glance on the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news and results.
Also the entire schedule information is at the EPT App, that's available on both Android or IOS.
PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT12 Grand Final main event: Stephen Bartley, Marc Convey and Jack Stanton. Photography by Rene Velli. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
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