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Tuesday, August 30, 2016

LAPT9 Panama: Main Event Day 1A coverage archive

It's hot in Panama City, even on the stroke of midnight. And just because the clock turned over from Wednesday to Thursday, the Frenchman Maxence Debar was about as hot as a poker player can get, having catapulted far into the chip result in end Day 1A of the LAPT9 Panama Main Event with an eye-popping 298,900 chips.

That's nearly 15 times the starting stack, and greater than 100,000 better than anyone else in this first of 2 Day 1 flights. Sizzling!

Maxence Debar

There were 218 entries total today, with 63 players surviving to make it to Day 2. It was the Raul Paez show for a lot of the primary 1/2 the day today, because the Spaniard swiftly leaped sooner than the sector to be the primary player to 100,000, and for a few hours had greater than twice what anyone else had. From such dizzying heights he'd eventually fall back to merely above-average status, however, with others overtaking him before he ended the night with 130,500.

The first to pass Paez was the American, Hunter Cichy, doing so just after the dinner break as he appeared in charge of his table. But then a table break sent Debar to sign up for him -- taking a seat on Cichy's left -- and before long the columns of chips began to appear in front of Debar to transport him into first position because the final levels played out.

Meanwhile LAPT stars Oscar Alache, Amos Ben, Carter Gill, and Raul Pino all found themselves at the rail, joining the likes of Aaron Mermelstein, Horacio Nicolas, LAPT9 Chile champion Rodrigo Strong, and Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez.

In addition to Debar and Paez -- and Cichy who finished with 123,600 -- others ending the night with big stacks included Nicolas Baliner (184,900), Jessica Perez (178,900), Guido Ruffini (162,300), Jeiko Palma (113,000), Luis Perez (111,500), and Eugenio Pernia (110,400).

Also making it through to Saturday's Day 2 were Daniel Brenes (97,100), Andres Jeckeln (95,500), Ivan Freitez (88,300), Jin Wen Yu (84,900), David Santarelli (83,800), Mario Lopez (81,400), Erick Brenes (76,900), Andy Hwang (53,200), Nacho Barbero (52,600), Ricardo Chauriye (46,900), Joey Spanne (41,400), and Pierce McKellar (33,500).

Click here for an entire list of all 63 Day 1A survivors and their chip counts.

Day 1B begins tomorrow at 12 noon CT, with all of these who busted today having the chance to re-enter tomorrow. We'll be re-entering the fray as well, so make sure to return then as we discover out together who becomes the following LAPT Main Event champion. --MH

DAY 1A LIVE UPDATES:

12:01am: Day 1A concludesLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

Day 1A is done, and it's greater than apparent than Maxence Debar goes to be the overnight chip leader after the Frenchman added still more to his stack throughout the night's final hands. Back shortly with a recap of today's exciting action. --MH

11:48pm: Three more handsLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

Clock paused. Announcement made. End nigh. --MH

11:46pm: Asuncao keeps Brazil aliveLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

Brazil's Rodrigo Strong is the latest LAPT victor and while it didn't go too well for Brazil today, their lone Day 1A survivor just scored a miles needed late double up. Manoel Asuncao three-bet shoved after a player opened to 2,400 from under the gun, together with his all-in weighing in at 18,300.

The table folded to the large blind and it appeared like he had a call to make. He was behind just about 45,000 and he elected not to opt for the knockout, flashing pocket tens to these seated next to him before folding. The opener then called the bet but saw he was behind, holding 7♥7♣ to Asuncao's J♣J♠. The big blind was behind too, until the K♥T♠9♥ flop fell. He shot out of his chair and Asuncao smiled, knowing he got away with one along with his opponent folding a large pocket pair to his short stack shove. The player within the big blind continued to bemoan his decision because the 4♥ fell at the turn and all of a sudden, Asuncao had a real sweat.

The player that did call picked up a flush draw nevertheless it missed after hte 4♠ completed the board. So the player that did call lost and the player that did not would have rivered an entire house. A LARGE NUMBER OF woulda, shoulda, coulda while Asuncao stacked up just shy of 40,000 chips heading into the general couple of minutes of Level 10. --WOC

11:41pm: No show, Noceda takes the potLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

The action appears to be centered around Jean-Christoph Ferreira's table, as he was just concerned with another sizable pot. This time, he was at the losing end though, as a large river bet forced a fold from Ferreira and moved Arturo Noceda up near the 100,000 chip mark.

Action was picked up pre flop, with Ferreira opening the button to 2,600. The small blind called and Noceda, within the big blind, three-bet to 6,700. Ferreira called and the small blind got out of ways before the T♦9♦4♠ flop fell. Noceda gave up the betting lead, checking to his in position opponent.

Ferreira took that chance to bet, pushing out 6,600. Noceda called and the 3♦ fell at the turn. The similar betting pattern occurred, with Noceda check-calling 9,400. The 5♦ then put four to a flush on board and Noceda didn't check, instead betting 17,500. Ferreira went into the tank for with reference to three minutes before he eventually folded, showing the K♦ before pushing his hand towards the muck.

Noceda gave the impression of he was going to turn his cards as he was getting shipped the pot but instead elected to maintain his opponent guessing. There is no guessing about how Noceda goes to finish just today 1A flight, as he's working just over 100 big blinds heading into the homestretch of Level 10. --WOC

11:31pm: Maxence setting Debar high on Day 1ALevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

Preflop back-and-forthing had built what gave the look of the beginning of a giant pot, then after Maxence Debar check-called a big gamble after a K♠A♦J♦ flop it gave the look of things might continue to escalate.

But both the J♣ turn and 9♥ earned checks from the 2 players, and Debar didn't appear too excited when he tabled Q♥Q♠. But it surely was good as his opponent mucked, and the Frenchman collected yet one more pot.

He's the clear leader these days with 218,000 with a half-hour to move in Day 1A. --MH

11:16pm: Freitez feeling fineLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

Ivan Freitez has seemed especially relaxed throughout the latter levels tonight. The massage he's been getting for the last hour-plus could have helped encourage such an impression.

Or perhaps it's his play. Today we watched his neighbor to the fitting raise from early position, Freitez three-bet, and when it folded back across the raiser relented. Freitez flashed a black seven and with one hand scooped his winnings. He's stacking up around 65,000 in this day and age because the massage moves into hour number two. --MH

11:09pm: "Cero por ciento" against Ferreira's full houseLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

Earlier today, Jean-Christoph Ferreira scored a double-knockout and while he just sent one player to the rail in this occasion, it was a large elimination that shot him up the Day 1A leaderboard. Action pre flop was missed but on a board of Q♠9♠9♣, Ferreira put out a continuation bet at the button and was then check-raised to 12,000.

He called and after the 3♣ fell at the turn, his opponent, who was within the big blind, shoved for just over 40,000. Ferreira couldn't cal quickly enough, tabling Q♥Q♦ for a flopped full house. His opponent shook his head and tried to slip his cards into the muck however the dealer made him show his A♠8♠.

The player then turned the hand back over, because it was drawing dead and it seemed as if he didn't wish to have a look at his meaningless nut flush draw any further. Nacho Barbero, who was seated across from the action turned to Ferreira after the 6♣ fell at the river and smiled before saying, "Cero por ciento."

That translates to, thanks Google, "zero percent" and Ferreira could only laugh. His opponent was drawing dead at the flop and was buried when the chips got within the. Canadian wasn't complaining, though, as he's now working the simpler a part of 125,000 moving throughout the final level of the night. --WOC

11:01pm: Last levelLevel 10 - Blinds 500/1,000 (ante 100)

The 80 players still left within the Day 1A field have now moved into the general one-hour level of the night. Maxence Debar remains the pace-setter -- we'll see if he can hang onto the lead for an additional few orbits before the bagging commences. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

500

1,000

100

10:46pm: Baliner ballin'Level 9 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)

Nicolas Baliner has continued so as to add to his stack because the night wears on, and today grabbed a couple of more while lessening the Day 1A field by one.

Baliner called a short-stacked player's all-in with A♦K♥ and saw his opponent table J♥T♥. The A♠Q♣9♥ flop and 6♥ turn provided escape opportunities for Baliner's opponent, however the 2♣ was a blank and Baliner is now as much as 138,000. --MH

10:38pm: Barbero into SCOOP #17-H quarterfinalsLevel 9 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)

We've referenced players playing PokerStars on their phones or tablets a couple of times today and once we approached Nacho Barbero's table to him celebrating, we quickly realized that it wasn't on account of a pot he just won. Barbero remains to be working an ordinary stack late on this Day 1A session but he's already locked up a win for the day in SCOOP Event #17-H: $2,100 PL Omaha [Heads-Up], $150K.

That event saw 175 players take their seat and Barbero was certainly one of them after winning a $500 satellite. He just won his Round of 16 match, meaning he's into the quarterfinals that allows you to be the overall round for tonight. If he's in a position to win that, he'll be into the semi-finals and lock up a $35,000 score.

He has his sights set at the top prize though, joking, "Be pretty cool to win $100K on my phone."

While SCOOP events shouldn't have live updates, the PokerStars Blog may be bringing you all of the SCOOP coverage you'll handle over the following few weeks. Take a look at those event recaps here and keep your eyes out for Nacho 'PokerLoans1' Barbero in Event #17-H. --WOC 10:21pm: Field further winnowsLevel 9 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)

Amos Ben, LAPT9 Chile champion Rodrigo Strong, and Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez are some of the fallen here in the course of the latter levels of Day 1A. All can return tomorrow, in the event that they wish (and certain will). --MH

10:14pm: Top two on Table 1Level 9 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)

Table 1 would be the feature table on Monday when the LAPT9 Panama Main Event gets right down to it's final table but for now, Table 1 is home to the highest two stacks within the room. Hunter Cichy continues to be playing as regards to 160,000 but a player we mentioned earlier is above that number.

Maxence Debar lost a pot to Andy Hwang earlier but after re-entering, he's shot up the leaderboard and is now pacing this field through Level 9. The Frenchman is playing just over 180,000 and he's also coming off his first career live victory.

Maxence Debar, one half the highest two

Debar won a $1,000 Turbo side event on the EPT Grand Final last month and he's also had his justifiable share of LAPT success in addition. He finished 2nd within the 2012 LAPT5 Lima Main Event, for $138,000 and he may well be trending towards another deep run, as he's the chip leader late in Day 1A. --WOC

10:06pm: Back from break, two more levelsLevel 9 - Blinds 400/800 (ante 100)

The remaining ten tables are back from the overall break of the day and just two levels, meaning two hours, separate them from Saturday's Day 2 restart. Because it stands, not up to 50% of the unique 218 player field continues to be training the luggage and it is still seen what number of will advance to the weekend.

If players aren't able to, or have already busted from this present day 1A flight, Day 1B will run tomorrow, with late registration open until around 7:45 PM. We'll get to preparing our coverage of that flight once we finish the duty at hand, with the PokerStars blog brining you all of the updates from the overall two levels of the night. --WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

400

800

100

9:44pm: Yet one more break

They've reached the tip of Level 8 and the last 15-minute break of the night. There are 90 players left now from the 218 entries here on Day 1A. --MH

9:40pm: We lose Leo

The lone Team PokerStars Pro in today's field, Leo Fernandez, has lost the last of his chips to look his Day 1A end early. The Argentinian will surely be back tomorrow to continue his effort to copy his successful run here in Panama four years ago on his strategy to the LAPT5 Panama Main Event title. --MH

Fernandez falls

9:27pm: Rosenkrantz at the riseLevel 8 - Blinds 300/600 (ante 100)

Costa Rica's Jose Rosenkrantz has nearly three decades' worth of tournament cashes to his credit, including a pair in LAPT Main Events and a victory on this planet Poker Tour Costa Rica Classic back in 2002 -- the primary WPT event outside of the U.S.

Jose Rosenkrantz

He's done well here today so far, and presently sits with 55,000 as they move into the last levels of the night. --MH

9:13pm: Field falls below century mark, Cichy leadsLevel 8 - Blinds 300/600 (ante 100)

With Hunter Cichy still appearing to be holding onto his Day 1A chip lead, the principle Event field has now shrunk to not up to 100 players. It's no less quiet within the tournament area, however, as side action from this 17-event series continues apace on the neighboring tables. --MH

9:01pm: Big slick sends two to the railLevel 8 - Blinds 300/600 (ante 100)

In one of the vital first hands of Level 8, Jean-Christoph Ferreira scored a double knockout with ace-king to send two short stacks to the rail and move himself up near the 45,000 chip mark. That hand was picked up with Ferreira opening to 1,200 from early position and after a player called in middle position, the button and small blind quickly sent their chips in to the middle.

The shoves weighed in at 8,000 and 6,500, respectively, and once it got back to him, Ferreira quickly called. He turned over A♦K♦ and while the button held A♣Q♥, which was dominated, Ferreira needed to hit to send both players out, because the small blind held Q♠Q♦.

He did not have to attend long to hit, because the A♥J♥2♦ flop shot him into the lead. The A♠ gave him some additional support at the turn and after the 5♦ completed the board, his double knockout was also complete. His king-high kicker played and when the dust settled, the Canadian was playing just over two starting stacks. --WOC

8:51pm: Gill goneLevel 8 - Blinds 300/600 (ante 100)

LAPT6 Grand Final Main Event champion Carter Gill nursed a brief stack for the primary hour following dinner, the entire while playing online as he did. Then came the time to commit his last 5,000 or so with J♥T♠, but unfortunately for him he found himself caught between two opponents holding Q♣Q♠ and A♠K♦.

The board ran out 5♣8♣4♣9♦J♠, not quite enough for Gill, and he's out on Day 1A. "You play tomorrow," Gill was asked by a tablemate as he was about to leave. "Yeah, for sure," he replied. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

300

600

8:39pm: The Brenes bunchLevel 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

Eric Brenes, nephew of Humberto, is here and steadily accumulating, presently sitting behind an above average stack of about 45,000.

Eric is hoping so as to add another deep run to an already succesful career that incorporates chopping the Sunday Million on PokerStars last year for a $120K-plus score where he plays as "Uniceja" (or "unibrow").

Eric Brenes

Another Brenes is within the field, too, and another of Humberto's nephews -- Eric's brother, Daniel. He currently is doing even better than Eric, having spun his stack as much as 55,000 to this point.

Daniel Brenes

And Alex Brenes, Humberto's brother, could also be here representing the family well with average chips. Alex has over $1.3 million in live cashes including a runner-up within the LAPT Punta del Este Main Event long ago in Season 1. --MH

Alex Brenes

8:22pm: The equity we want is throughout us...Level 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

Pierce McKellar, who finished 7th in last year's version of the LAPT Panama Main Event just doubled with pocket kings but that isn't the tale here. The tale here's the adaptation between seven-high and suited seven-high.

McKellar held K♥K♦ and his opponent, we are not sure how he got to the pot or the river, held 7♣5♣. By the river, McKellar improved to a flush to overcome his opponent's rivered two pair and after he got pushed the pot, the yank said, "Get out of there with seven-high."

His opponent, who's name we'll withhold to give protection to the innocent, gave the impression to take offense to that comment, correcting McKellar that he held "suited seven-high". While McKellar appeared to ignore the comment, deciding to stack up his nearly 35,000 instead, a player on the table took the comment to heart. "He has kings, you'd rather have suited seven-high. Yeah, you're right."

We don't advise looking to crack aces with seven-five any time soon and we aren't chargeable for any chips lost while doing so in the event you do try. We're here to tell you that yes, you might be holding suited seven-five, a 4.46% better chance to be exact. --WOC

8:11pm: 218 entriesLevel 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

We've gotten word there have been 218 entries total here on Day 1A, although that'll still have to be confirmed officially. Day 1B may be bigger for certain -- perhaps as regards to twice as much -- so the total field and prize pool for LAPT9 Panama goes to be a big one. --MH

8:09pm: Checking at the chipsLevel 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

A quick post-dinner tour of the room is a superb option to work off those calories added throughout the evening meal. It also helps us to update some selected chip counts, in addition to to eye those big stacks. As noted below, Hunter Cichy has jumped prior to Raul Paez here in Level 7, taking out the lead Paez has enjoyed just about all of Day 1A. AN EXPANSION of huge stacks. --MH

Name Country Chips

Hunter Cichy	USA	164,000
Raul Paez	Spain	153,000
Carlos Lam	Mexico	85,000
Mario Lopez	Argentina	84,000
Kenneth Watson	USA	72,000
Andres Jeckeln	Argentina	63,000
Nicolas Baliner	Argentina	60,000
Ricardo Chauriye	Chile	55,000

8:05pm: Hunter Cichy takes chip leadLevel 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

For the primary time in a protracted time, Raul Paez isn't any longer leading this present day 1A flight. That's because Hunter Cichy has get back from the dinner break on a tear, increasing his stack up just shy of 165,000.

Cichy was mentioned as probably the most bigger stacks previous to the new 75-minute recess and because Level 7 began, he's done greater than just contend for that lead. He's now alone on the top of the leaderboard and with just over three and a half levels remaining on this opening starting flight, shall we see Cichy end the night because the flight's chip leader.

For an entire update of post-dinner chip counts, consult the critically acclaimed LAPT9 Panama Main Event 'Select Chip Counts' tab provided at the top and right of this page. --WOC

Hunter Cichy, chip hunter

7:55pm: Lam returns from dinner to 'murderer's row'Level 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

Before the dinner break, we mentioned the harsh table draw that Andres Jeckeln has now that Mario Lopez moved to his immediate left but that table just got even tougher. Reigning LAPT Player of the Year Oscar Alache has fired another bullet and he's to Jeckeln's right.

Add within the previously mentioned Joseph Spanne, who's to Lopez's left, and 3 of the more matured players are all to Carlos Lam's left. Lam returned from the dinner break with just shy of 80,000 and with some sizable stacks all seated together, murderer's row may provide some serious action over the following few levels. --WOC

7:47pm: Play resumesLevel 7 - Blinds 250/500 (ante 50)

Players are back of their seats and cards are within the air again. They'll play four more one-hour levels tonight before bagging up. Meanwhile, late registration has now closed -- we'll discover soon just what number of entries there have been in this first of 2 Day 1 flights within the LAPT9 Panama Main Event. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

250

500

6:32pm: Dinner break

Level 6 had come to an end and the 75-minute dinner break has arrived with Raul Paez still the chip leader however the chase pack beginning to edge closer. Players will return at approximately 7:45pm CT. --MH

6:30pm: Just below 200 heading into dinnerLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (ante 50)

This Day 1A flight is solely a couple of minutes from the dinner break and that suggests that there's just over 75 minutes left to get into today's starting flight. Once Level 7 begins, the sphere may be frozen and with 198 players currently entered, we imagine that the 200 player mark might be eclipsed once play resumes.

Last year's LAPT8 Panama Main Event drew 422 entrants at a $2,500 price point. This year, the entry fee was lowered to $1,500, meaning shall we and will see an over 500 player field come together over the following couple of days. --WOC

6:21pm: Jeckeln jumps back, jumps upLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (ante 50)

We mentioned earlier Andres Jeckeln sitting within the uncomfortable seat to chip leader to the best of Raul Paez, and at last being stacked and compelled to go away it. We spotted Jeckeln back within the tournament again at present after having re-entered, and while he's clear around the room from Paez, he still looked just a little uneasy.

The player on his left this time had pushed all in for almost 13,000 -- about twice the pot -- on a 6♣5♥2♥ flop, and Jeckeln was deep in thought as he decided what to do. Finally he came up with a call, saw his neighbor table K♥Q♥ for overs and a flush draw, then showed his Q♣2♣ for bottom pair and the present lead within the hand.

The turn was the 4♠ and river the 2♦, and Jeckeln's hand-held up. The Argentinian is up over 60,000 now with the dinner break approaching.

Hold on a sec, though... it seems like Jeckeln's fellow countryman and two-time LAPT champion Mario Lopez is being moved into that seat to Jeckeln's left, and he's bringing a stack of nearly 85,000 with him. It's never easy. --MH

Lopez leaping up the counts

6:10pm: Two above everyone except Raul PaezLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (ante 50)

The tournament area for this LAPT9 Panama Main Event has nearly 30 tables on level ground, with two other tables on a high rise on one side of the room. Those tables is generally saved for large final tables heading throughout the remainder of this LAPT festival but right now, they're home to 2 of the larger stacks within the room.

Hunter Cichy and Nicolas Baliner are working all sides of 80,000, meaning that they are above, literally and figuratively, everyone on this 1A flight instead of Raul "El Toro" Paez. The Spaniard has continued to climb and we wouldn't be surprised to peer him enter the dinner break dangerously with reference to the 200,000-chip mark.

Cichy and Baliner will hope to approach the century mark over the following 20 minutes, that's when that 75-minute dinner break begins. The PokerStars blog will bring you an updated list of the chip counts when that dinner break does begin and counts inside the day are available throughout the 'Select Chip Counts' link on the top and righthand side of the page. --WOC

5:56pm: Try, try againLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (ante 50)

Amos Ben soon bought back into the development after busting a little while ago, and indeed lots of individuals who have gone out to this point have quickly returned because the re-entry period remains open in the course of the dinner break (arising after this level). --MH

5:48pm: Watson's blades reduce BorensteinLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (ante 50)

While American Andy Hwang is moving up the leaderboard, two of his countrymen are heading in very different directions after a large pot developed on a central table. Jonathan Borenstein lost just shy of 30,000, leaving himself a starting stack after Kenneth Watson found pocket aces in a really perfect spot.

Action was picked up with Borenstein calling a 3,000 chip three-bet to peer a K♥8♥2♠ flop. Borenstein the check-called a big gamble of 4,000 to look the 6♦ fall at the turn. The out of position player quickly checked for a second time and Watson calmly threw out 10,000.

Borenstein gave Watson the up and down, looking at his stack a couple of times before taking a handy guide a rough inventory of his 50,000 or so remaining chips. Eventually, he called and after the 6♠ paired the board at the river, he checked again. Watson didn't decelerate though, firing a 3rd barrel weighing in at 13,000.

Borenstein took with regards to two minutes to make his turn decision but he didn't need nearly that quantity of time to choose at the end. He quickly called after which quickly mucked, after Watson turned over A♦A♣. When the dust settled, his blades had moved him up near the 80,000 chip mark, good for second on this Day 1A flight. --WOC

5:36pm: Ben bouncedLevel 6 - Blinds 200/400 (ante 50)

Catching up at the flop with the board showing 8♣2♣T♦, we saw Amos Ben pushing all-in over a big gamble and lift and getting called by one in all his two opponents.

Ben had J♥9♦ and hoped his open-ended straight draw could be happily improved by one of the vital two remaining community cards, however his opponent was drawing, too, with A♣7♣, which took away a few straight outs for Ben although meant he could still win with a non-club jack or nine.

The turn was the 3♦, then the river brought a nine... however it was the 9♣. Ben congratulated his vanquisher and headed railward. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

200

400

5:28pm: Eyes at the PaezLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (ante 25)

We didn't see how the Argentinian Andres Jeckeln went out a short time ago, but sitting to the fitting of overwhelming Day 1A chip leader Raul "El Toro" Paez couldn't have helped his cause very much.

Jeckeln from earlier, within the most uncomfortable seat within the room

Andy Whang (introduced below) has now taken the seat left empty by Jeckeln, and we just saw him open a pot, call a three-bet from Paez, then check-fold after a raggedy king-high flop. Whang has 24,000, just a little above the starting stack, but Paez has 165,000 now.

That means Paez has greater than twice anyone else within the room presently -- and we checked all 180 or so of the others, simply to ensure the. closest we're seeing these days is the American, Kenneth Watson, who's sitting behind a stack of about 80,000. --MH

5:23pm: Nearly 200Level 5 - Blinds 150/300 (ante 25)

As they near the top of Level 5, the large board is showing 198 entries up to now today, with 145 of these players still with chips. With Day 1B promising to draw a field perhaps twice as big as today's, that's adding as much as a large turnout for LAPT9 Panama. --MH

5:14pm: Debar doesn't get there, Hwang chips upLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (ante 25)

We've mentioned a couple of American players inside the first 1/2 this present day 1A flight and another who only recently took his seat has already increased 20,000 chip stack. That's former WPT champion Andy Hwang and the Texan is now playing just about double starting after fading a flush draw with one card to come.

The hand was picked up at the turn, with the board reading 6♣4♥3♣5♣ and Hwang checking from the large blind. Another player checked in middle position before Maxence Debar bet 3,325 from the cutoff. Huang thought for a couple of moments after which check-raised to 14,000, which was enough to position Debar all-in.

The player between them quickly folded and Debar had a choice on his hands. If he were to name and be wrong, it was his tournament life at the chopping block but when he were to name and be correct, he was an over 100 big blind stack. Eventually, he elected to name but he'd must hit to stick alive, as he held 4♣4♠ to Hwang's T♠7♠. The Texan had turned a straight but Debar had outs to both a flush and whole house. The 2♦ was not a kind of outs though, meaning he was hitting the rail while Hwang was scooping the pot.

Over the last calendar year, Hwang has recorded tournament scores around the globe, from California and Chicago to the Czech Republic and Ireland. He's now trying to add Panama and the LAPT to his lengthy tournament resume this weekend. --WOC

5:04pm: Mermelstein runs into kingsLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (ante 25)

Aaron Mermelstein had already bought in once or twice today, and at present we spotted him engaged in a postflop battle again that saw him check-raising a stack all-in at the turn with the board showing 3♥T♦Q♥4♠.

Mermelstein's opponent called his shove and turned over K♠K♥, and Mermelstein shook his head as he showed A♦Q♠ for a lesser pair. The river was the T♥, and Mermelstein was stacked again.

Mermelstein may or will not be re-entering again today, as there may be only a level-and-a-half left to move before that door closes on Day 1A. If not, there's always Day 1B. --MH

Mermelstein in action

4:48pm: Set of fours fails NicolasLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (ante 25)

LAPT Season 7 Player of the Year Horacio Nicolas just saw his Day 1A come to an abrupt end through the first a part of Level 5.

We caught the aftermath, with Nicolas staring down at his iPad playing on PokerStars as he got up from the table. The 4♥4♣ in front of his seat had made a collection on a 4♦Q♠T♥2♥Q♣ board. But an opponent who showing T♣T♦ had made a greater one to assert the last of Nicolas' starting stack.

The Argentinian doesn't appear as if he's re-entering today, engaged as he's in his game online, though can always get back tomorrow for Day 1B. --MH

4:40pm: Doesn't matter where the chips come fromLevel 5 - Blinds 150/300 (ante 25)

To win tournaments, you must win flips and while players likely don't need to be in 50/50 encounters early and often, Joseph Spanne isn't complaining a couple of recent win. Or even he is, as Spanne just won a flip to eliminate a Costa Rican player after which said, "Hate to take from Costa Rica." The California native spends a majority of his time there playing online but he's now looking good in an try to notch his first LAPT score.

Action was picked up late, with Spanne moving all-in from the blinds for just shy of 25,000. His opponent, donned in a Costa Rican hat and patch at the side of his shirt, had what gave the look to be a four-bet already out in front of him and he called all-in for almost 22,000. He tabled Q♥Q♦ and he had to hold to stick alive, as Spanne showed up with A♠K♠.

That flip was roughly over after the A♦T♣6♠ flop, with Spanne improving to trips after the A♥ fell at the turn. The marginally shorter stack needed one among two outs at the river however the 8♣ was not one among them. The Costa Rican hit the rail and Spanne, who has well over $3,000,000 in career online tournament earnings, stacked up slightly below 55,000 heading towards the midway point of Level 5. --WOC

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4:16pm: Break it up

They've reached the tip of another two hours' of poker, and players are actually taking another 15-minute break. --MH

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4:09pm: "El Toro" ragingLevel 4 - Blinds 100/200 (ante 25)

Four players saw a flop come single-suited -- 6♠8♠2♠ -- but only two of them found those three cards interesting enough to stay around, with our early chip leader Raul "El Toro" Paez calling a number one bet from the first-to-act player.

The turn brought the Q♣ and another bet from Paez' opponent who fired 4,200 into the 7,000-ish pot. Paez responded by raising to 11,000, and when his opponent shoved for the 25,000 or so he had left, Paez was quick to call.

Paez flipped over A♠J♠ for the nut flush, and his opponent chuckled through a grimace as he showed his K♠T♠ for the second-best hand. The river was no matter, and with one less player within the field Paez is now as much as 132,000, a complete that appears to be about twice the closest challenger as they near the top of Level 4. --MH

Raul-ing along

3:45pm: Gill goes for anotherLevel 4 - Blinds 100/200 (ante 25)

We're only some minutes from the second one break of the day and while Carter Gill's 2013 LAPT6 title came in Uruguay, the yank has had his justifiable share of success in Panama. The Oregon native was the last player to hoist a LAPT trophy last year, winning the general side event for a $10,000 score.

His best Panama finish came a year earlier though, as Gill took down the Latin Poker Series Millions event in March of 2014 for a $175,000 score. That win helped push Gill over the $1,200,000 mark in relation to career earnings, together with his only bigger scores coming from that 2013 LAPT victory and a podium finish in a $2,000 NLH event on the 2008 World Series of Poker.

Over the previous few years, Gill has done a majority of his live tournament damage in Central and South America, so it's no suprise to look him back at the felt in an LAPT Main Event. We also wouldn't be surprised to peer him make another deep run and potentially join the previously mentioned two-time LAPT champions. --WOC

3:28pm: Paez almost past century markLevel 4 - Blinds 100/200 (ante 25)

While this field eclipsed the 100 player mark after the last break, the Day 1A chip leader is now approaching the century mark heading into the second one 1/2 Level 4. Raul Paez looks as if he's increased his starting stack significantly since joining the action with regards to 90 minutes ago, as he's up near 95,000.

It's not surprising to look Paez near the highest of the leaderboard, albeit early. The Spaniard has over $1,800,000 in career tournament earnings, along with his most up-to-date sizable scores coming from last year's World Series of Poker. 'The Bull', as he's known in these parts, nearly final tabled two Pot Limit Omaha events and he's doing just in addition today with two cards.

The PokerStars blog will track 'The Bull' and this field within the day with live updates but for chip counts, take a look at Martin's hugely successful 'Select Chip Counts' link at the right hand side of the page. --WOC

3:16pm: Chauriye charging; Alache (alas) loses stackLevel 4 - Blinds 100/200 (ante 25)

Ricardo Chauriye has had a robust afternoon thus far, having spun the 20,000-chip starting stack as much as 56,000 already by early in Level 4.

Meanwhile we saw his fellow Chilean Oscar Alache -- whom we noted had only arrived a short time ago (see below) -- was swiftly short on chips and now he's lost that starting stack. Likelihood is that high, however, Alache may be re-entering, an option available to anyone busting previous to Level 7. --MH

Oscar! Oscar!

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3:01pm: Reigning LAPT Player of the Year, Oscar AlacheLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200

Oscar Alache awarded LAPT8 POY on his home turf

We're now two for 3 on two-time LAPT champions, as Oscar Alache just joined the sphere. The Chilean won his first LAPT title in late 2014, beating a virtually 700 player field in Peru, before claiming his second in his home country early in 2015. That LAPT8 Chile win also roughly solidified Alache because the player to overcome to win that season's Player of the Year honors and while he walked away empty handed from this year's Chile stop, he was presented with the LAPT8 POY trophy.

He's got far to visit attempt to achieve back to back Player of the Year titles in Season 9, but Alache is now trying to come back to his winning ways in Panama. His early draw is not the best though, as he has PokerStars Team Pro Leo Fernandez to his immediate left at a central table. --WOC

2:40pm: Lopez looks to open Panamanian account with third LAPT titleLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200

If you followed the my and Jack Stanton's PokerStars Blog coverage of the last LAPT Main Event in Chile, you realize our fascination with two-time LAPT champions. There are four multiple title winners in LAPT history, with Fabian Ortiz, the previously featured Nacho Barbero and Oscar Alache holding that honor at the side of the most recent Day 1A entrant, Mario Lopez.

He wasn't capable of make a primary Event run in Chile, failing to make the money, but he did finish runner-up for a LAPT side event title. Since then, Lopez has recorded scores in his native Argentina and won an aspect event on the EPT's most up-to-date stop in Monte Carlo. Those results dwarf compared to a few of his bigger tournament scores, including a $451,000 win within the Estrellas Barcelona Main Event in 2015 and a runner-up finish within the Infant for One-Drop event ultimately summer's World Series of Poker.

Despite nearly 50 career live cashes, totaling over $1,800,000, Lopez hasn't ever recorded a tournament lead to Panama. He'll hope to modify that this weekend while also seeking to set himself apart with a 3rd career LAPT title. --WOC

2:24pm: The expanding fieldLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200

The main area of the tournament room is beginning to fill rapidly because the day's third level begins, with two dozen tables now filled as play continues. --MH

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2:00pm: Break time

They've reached the top of Level 2 and players at the moment are taking their first 15-minute break of the day. --MH

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1:55pm: Paez playing, Freitez at the felt, Nicolas among newcomersLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150

Spain's Raul Paez is here, winner of greater than $1.8 million lifetime in tournaments including a third-place showing within the LAPT5 Main Event.

EPT7 Grand Final Main Event champion Ivan Freitez is a part of the sphere as well, the Venezuelan having made the trip over from Monaco where he was playing last week and collected a few cashes.

Ivan Freitez

And LAPT Season 7 Player of the Year Horacio Nicolas of Argentina has arrived as well, not too far far from a victory within the Circuito Argentino De Poker High Roller event in Buenos Aires only a month ago. --MH

1:47pm: "Cacho" catches cardsLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150

Andres "Cacho" Korn just enjoyed a fortunate hand, a kind of runner-runners (and nothing's funner).

All-in before the flop with ace-king versus an opponent's pocket queens, a Q-5-5 flop looked about as dire because it gets for the Argentinian. However the turn and river brought two kings, improbably giving him an better full house and allowing him to maintain his seat. --MH

Kings save Korn

1:24pm: Team Pro joins the fieldLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150

This Day 1A field was steadily growing over last 90 minutes and heading into the second one half Level 2, the lone LAPT9 Panama attending PokerStars Team Pro has taken his seat. That's Argentina's Leo Fernandez, who has claimed victory in Panama before.

In 2012, Fernandez outlasted a 338 player field to assert the LAPT5 Panama Main Event for a $172,000 score. That was on the last LAPT Panama venue though, meaning Fernandez remains to be searching for his first breakthrough on the new Sortis Hotel.

He'll attempt to record his second Main Event cash of Season 9 this weekend, while also trying to add to his over $2,000,000 in career tournament earnings within the process. The PokerStars Blog might be tracking our Team Pro throughout this event. --WOC

1:12pm: Have a seat!Level 2 - Blinds 75/150

Early within the second level, greater than 100 players are in action already here on Day 1A. Late registration -- in addition to the choice to re-enter should a player bust -- is open until the beginning of Level 7.

More than 90 players qualified online at PokerStars for this event as well, with lots of those more likely to come for tomorrow's Day 1B, so we predict the sector to keep growing. --MH

Day 1A action

1:06pm: Three Americans walk into Panama...Level 2 - Blinds 75/150

While nearly all of players we'll be featuring this weekend will come from Central and South America, this early Day 1A session has a couple of token Americans scattered across the tournament area. While two want to open their LAPT and Panama accounts, one is hoping to regain the shape he had in last year's series en path to another deep Sortis Hotel run.

Hunter Cichy is seated at Table 1, at the high riser overlooking the remainder of the poker site. The Minnesota native now calls Florida home but he's had success around the U.s. during the last few years. His best domestic-based score came last summer, when he finished 2nd within the first ever online bracelet event on the World Series of Poker. His best career result came on the end of last year within the Dominican Republic though, as Cichy took down the Peter's Poker Tour Main Event for $123,000.

Austin Peck has scores from around the continental U.s. as well, with a few of his best finishes coming this year. Peck opened 2016 with a WSOP Circuit win in February, before heading north of the border to record a 20th place finish within the WPT Fallsview Poker Classic Main Event. He then returned to Florida, where he does most of his damage, to notch a last table run within the WPTDS Jacksonville Main Event. He's now trying to add a Panamanian flag to his tournament resume but Philadelphia native Aaron Mermelstein has some of those already.

The two-time World Poker Tour champion ended last summer with a Jackie's Poker Tour III Main Event win, good for $67,000. That followed up a podium finish within the LAPT8 Panama $5,000 High Roller, where Mermelstein finished 3rd for $30,000 result. Those two scores have Mermelstein sitting third at the Sortis Hotel all-time cashes leaderboard, a status he hopes to modify this weekend.

In total, those three Americans boast with regards to $2,500,000 in career tournament earnings so while they might not be familiar faces at the LAPT scene, they'll all be contenders throughout this LAPT9 Panama Main Event. --WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

12:52pm: Chauriye takes a chairLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

More players continue to arrive, including Ricardo Chauriye who's seeking yet one more LAPT Main Event final table.

During Season 8 Chauriye made two final tables at Main Events, taking eighth at LAPT8 Peru in Lima in July, then finishing fourth on the LAPT8 Grand Final in São Paulo in November. The Chilean has amassed over 1 / 4 million in tournament cashes since 2013. --MH

Chauriye in action

12:39pm: The sector gets StrongLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

LAPT9 Chile champion Rodrigo Strong has joined the proceedings within the early going, searching for back-to-back titles after having topped a 565-entry field to earn a handsome $120,565 first prize.

Since that win in March, Strong has kept busy picking up cashes in Madrid, Marrakech, and Kyrenia. All of which runs counter to the memory of our photographer Carlos Monti, who at present recalled Strong suggesting a few months ago that he is also walking clear of poker after his big win.

"Enjoy me now," he said (says Monti), "because I'M done with poker."

It appears, though, that poker isn't done with the Brazilian. --MH

A Strong smile

12:28pm: SCOOPing pots with Juan Pablo MartinezLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

Juan Pablo Martinez SCOOPing

"Yeah Martin, I AM NOT really a large fan of hands early in Day 1s," he said before opening his LAPT9 Panama account with just that, a hand history. To be fair, hands this early in a tournament aren't usually meaningful but a 100-big blind pot at any stage of tournament has to count for something.

Early in Level 1, a player within the big blind called a four-bet of 2,200 from Juan Pablo Martinez. While his opponent looked to be eagerly awaiting the flop, Martinez was relatively uninterested, tapping and swiping his iPad where he was playing some PokerStars SCOOP events. The A♣J♣4♥ flop brought a check from the massive blind and Martinez quickly peered as much as throw out 1,200.

The big blind shot a glance around the table, person who Martinez missed as his head was still buried within the virtual action, before clicking it back with a check-raise to 3,200. Martinez seemed annoyed that his SCOOP concentration was broken twice on one street but he called to look the 2♦ fall at the turn. Both players quickly checked, with Martinez using the reverberations of his opponent's check to grasp that it was his turn to tap the table as well.

The A♣ paired the board at the river and the massive blind bet 3,800. Martinez finally seemed interested and after a couple of seconds of thought, he needed to come back to SCOOP you know, he called. His opponent tapped the table to suggest "good call" and it was, as he could only muster 9♥9♣.

Martinez turned over K♦K♠, together with his bigger pocket pair winning him the sizable early pot. After quickly stacking up his nearly 30,000 chips, a 50% increase on his Day 1A starting stack, Martinez went right back to his iPad to absorb more pots, both virtual and real. --WOC

Want to follow the LAPT9 Panama live updates and play for SCOOP glory? Click here to get a PokerStars account and begin today

12:16pm: Early arrivalsLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

There are already 10 tables' worth of players seated within the early going here within the tournament area of the Sortis Hotel Spa & Casino, with more streaming in to take their seats.

Among the early arrivers is two-time LAPT Main Event champion Nacho Barbero who made the fast trip over from Monaco. Barbero cashed four times in the course of the EPT12 Grand Final series, including making two final tables and finishing 65th mainly Event. --MH

"I have two LAPT titles already," Nacho reminds us

12:00pm: Shuffle up and deal!Level 1 - Blinds 50/100

With a scattering of players seated the primary hands of the LAPT9 Panama Main Event are underway! Players start with 20,000 chips with the blinds at 50/100. --MH

LAPT9 Panama has begun!

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10:15am: Welcome to Panama! Who would be the next LAPT champion?

Buenos días again, everyone! The Latin American Poker Tour is back in action this week with the following stop of Season 9 here in Panama City, returning again to the gorgeous Sortis Hotel Spa & Casino. The elements is warm outside, with temps within the 80s (Fahrenheit) making it nice to take a seat poolside and jump in every now and then, too.

The action may be heating up inside, too, in a bit while, because the first of 2 Day 1 flights for this $1,500 buy-in Main Event begins at 12 noon (that's Central Time). And we think numerous players to be jumping in here as well.

So far in this Season 9 we've witnessed the Greek player Georgios Sotiropoulos top a field of 607 to win LAPT9 Bahamas, then Rodrigo Strong of Brazil outlast a 565-entry field in Viña del Mar to win the LAPT9 Chile title. Meanwhile last year on the Sortis it was the Canadian Shakeeb Kazemipur beating out everyone for the LAPT8 Panama trophy, where there have been 422 entries for the next buy-in $2,500 event.

This marks the fifth time the LAPT has visited Panama's capital city, where previous to Kazemipur's win it was Fabian Ortiz of Argentina earning his second LAPT title here in Season 7, Galal Dahrouj of Colombia winning in Season 6, and Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez triumphing in Season 5.

Today's schedule requires 10 one-hour levels with a dinner break after Level 6. Players who bust previous to dinner can re-enter as time and again as they would like until the beginning of Level 7, and then they'll still have an way to come again and play tomorrow's Day 1B, in the event that they wish.

The PokerStars Blog live reporting team may be to be had every step of how from today through Monday's finish. Stick close for live updates, chip counts, photos, and more starting at 12 noon CT as we discover out together who's going to be the following LAPT champion. --MH

The LAPT returns to the Sortis Hotel Spa & Casino

Want to qualify for the LAPT? Click here to get a PokerStars account and begin today

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Chile: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

Regulation, Not Prohibition, Found as Best Online Gambling Policy

A bipartisan group acknowledged that the UIGEA was flawed by nature and online gambling could best be controlled through regulation.

Discussion last week throughout the markup of H.R. 2267, Barney Frank's measure regulating online gambling, resulted in the expressed belief by the vast majority of the home Financial Services Committee that oversight is the right kind policy regarding Internet gaming, versus the UIGEA ban. Even supposing Spencer Bachus, the ranking Republican and a determined foe of gambling expansion, described horror stories of gaming, listeners said his anecdotes only confirmed the failure of the web casino prohibition.

Bachus used a newspaper story within the Orlando Sentinel, which he repeatedly confused with the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, for example the risks of gambling. In step with Bachus, the item observed 12-year-olds addicted to gambling, and desperate calls to problem gambling help lines.

But Representative Mary Jo Kilroy of Ohio retorted that the existence of the tale shows the failure of the UIGEA to dam casino sites, leaving regulation of gambling operators because the only responsible course. Over 5000 calls to counselors addressing compulsive gambling issues demonstrates the necessity to protect residents left at risk by the problematic prohibition.

John Campbell, a Republican from California, joined within the criticism of the UIGEA, saying regulation and oversight should replace the payment processing ban, which was cited for its placement of unreasonable enforcement duties at the financial industry.

The argument that the technology doesn't exist to correctly regulate online gambling has also faded, as Democratic Congressman Gary Peters of Michigan testified players may also be identified as to the state of origin, and the power to require proper age checks can easily be included.

Published on August 3, 2010 by PrestonLewis

Monday, August 29, 2016

EPT13 Barcelona: €50K Super High Roller live updates

Click to read the entire recap of Holz's incredible win

Full payouts from Super High Roller

7pm: Fedor Holz wins! (€1,300,300); Sam Greenwood second (€903,600)Level 24 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

There were a couple of jokes on the end of play yesterday that they may in addition just give the trophy to Fedor Holz, well they may be able to now as he's taken down this super high roller to continue his incredible run. For context the €1,300,300 he's just won is his fourth biggest score of 2016! Fourth! Excellent news for everybody then that he is 'retired'.

In the overall hand Sam Greenwood shoved for 3,150,000 with 6♥5♥ and Holz made the decision with A♦K♦. The board was a sweaty 9♦7♠K♣4♣Q♦ but Holz took the hand, the pot and the trophy.

Commiserations to Sam Greenwood and congratulations (again) to Fedor Holz.

A full wrap of today's final table is at the way.

EPT13 barcelona super high roller day3 fedor holz.jpg

Not bad for a part-time poker player

6:50pm: Three in a row for HolzLevel 24 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Fedor Holz continues to grind down Sam Greenwood and accumulate the Canadian's chips. He's won the primary three hands of this level and the third was the biggest.

Greenwood was at the button and limped it with 9♦7♠ - although we didn't know his cards until the hand was over - and Holz checked with Q♥4♠. At the 8♥7♥5♥ flop Greenwood fired out 300,000 and Holz smooth called.

The 6♠ fell at the turn giving both players a straight, Greenwood's was better but Holz did have the flush draw. Greenwood bet 625,000 and Holz called again. The 6♥ river filled Holz's flush and he led for 625,000. Greenwood didn't adore it but he called and looked exasperated that he'd been rivered by Holz.

The German now has a stranglehold in this heads-up match as Greenwood is right down to around 3,000,000 whilst Holz has 22,500,000.

6:35pm: Break timeLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

The players are taking a ten minute break, Fedor Holz now has a near four to at least one chip lead.

Name Country Chips

Fedor Holz	Germany	20,125,000
Sam Greenwood	Canada	5,375,000

6:30pm: More for HolzLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

Another big pot has gone the best way of Fedor Holz and he's stretched his result in 18,600,000 to 6,900,000. Holz raised the button with 4♥ and another card that the RFDI readers hadn't picked up. Greenwood defended with A♣8♦ and the 2 of them saw a K♣T♣3♠ flop. OF VENTURE of 450,000 from Holz was called by Greenwood and the K♦ rolled off at the turn. It went check-check (as predicted by Vanessa Selbst, who has joined the EPTLive commentary team). The J♥ fell at the river and Selbst said that she liked a raffle here from Greenwood as he was, "presupposed to have a king, jack or ten always."

But he checked and Selbst thought that Holz was going to bet and bet big. She was right. Holz fired out 1,875,000 and Greenwood mulled it over before folding.

6:20pm: Holding steadyLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

It's still Fedor Holz out in front. He's got 18,000,000 to Sam Greenwood's 7,500,000.

6:10pm: Holz takes a large potLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

The first big pot of heads-up play has gone to Fedor Holz but we won't let you know much more than the truth that Holz raised pre-flop, bet the flop, called a check-raise from Greenwood at the flop, then checked the turn and bet 2,400,000 at the river, right into a pot of 4,600,000. That final bet was tank-called by Greenwood.

The card graphics were down for the hand and the camera didn't zoom in at the hand Holz turned over at the river of a 2♦7♦5♣A♥9♥. Greenwood mucked his facedown. That's a large chip swing as Holz is as much as 17,700,000 and Greenwood is all the way down to 7,900,000

Edit: Joe Stapleton just told EPTLive viewers that Holz had 9♣7♣ and Greenwood: [QX][7X]

6pm: Heads-up play beginsLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

The two players have shook hands and brought their seats. Heads-up play is underway.

EPT13 barcelona super high roller day3 head up.jpg

The final two

5:45pm: Timothy Adams eliminated in third place (€597,500)Level 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

We're now heads-up and it was a dear coin-flip that's reduced the sector to only two. Within the hand in question Sam Greenwood raised to 400,000 from the button with A♣K♣, Timothy Adams shoved from the massive blind for 5,350,000 with pocket twos and Greenwood made the call.

The K♠Q♦6♣Q♠T♠ board favoured the overcards and Adams exited in third place. The overall two are almost dead level in chips with Greenwood having 12,620,000 and Holz 12,880,000.

EPT13 barcelona super high roller day3 timothy adams.jpg

Third place for Adams

5:40pm: Greenwood flops a straightLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

It's not all a technique traffic as Sam Greenwood just got some chips back from Fedor Holz. The latter raised it up from the small blind with J♣7♥ and Sam Greenwood called from the large blind with J♠9♥. The 8♠T♥7♥ flop was gin for Greenwood but both players checked and the J♥ turn made the board a little scarier.

Again both players checked and the 6♣ completed the board. Again Holz checked and Greenwood bet near pot, firing out 870,000. Holz talked to himself for a very long time and it gave the look of he was going to escape from it, but he eventually made the decision and Greenwood took the pot.

5:30pm: Holz doing what Holz doesLevel 23 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

It started with a limp, well technically a completion. That is not something you'll say about most big pots but it's what Sam Greenwood did with 4♠3♠ from the small blind. Fedor Holz had K♣Q♣ though and he raised it as much as 500,000, Greenwood wasn't done though as he made it 1,600,000 and Holz made the call.

On the 9♠9♦8♣ Greenwood made a comparatively small bet of 920,000 and Holz yet again smooth called. At the 2♥ turn Greenwood slowed down, checking the action to Holz, who bet 875,000. It was enough to get the job done and Holz now has greater than half the chips in play. He's as much as 14,230,000, Greenwood and Adams both have around 5,640,000.

5:20pm: Holz gets thin valueLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Limping big hands from the small blind is becoming a trend during three-handed play it sort of feels. We have seen Fedor Holz do it with pocket kings, Timothy Adams try it with pocket sevens and Sam Greenwood completed the set by trying it with A♣K♠.

It gave Holz a free have a look at a flop with J♦5♠ and he took the lead at the 2♦2♣J♥ flop. Greenwood led at it for 120,000 and called when Holz made it 315,000 total. Action bogged down at the 7♠ turn and the 3♦ completed the board. Greenwood checked it over to Holz who went for value with of venture of 635,000.

It put Greenwood in a very tough spot and he stacked up the calling chips with a grimaced look on his face. He spent over two minutes within the tank before calling with ace high. He's all the way down to 9,000,000 and Holz is as much as 12,000,000.

5:10pm: Now Holz picks up kingsLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Before three-handed play began there has been brief talk of a deal but Holz said he was having an excessive amount of fun at this time so it was very brief. He then seconds later picked up pocket kings. AN EFFORTLESS raise right? Nope, Holz limped from the small blind and Adams bumped it as much as 425,000 with A♠J♥. Now Holz sprung to life, re-raising to 1,370,000. Call from Adams.

The 9♥9♠T♥ flop missed Adams and he folded to a gamble of 980,000 from Holz. He's now the chip leader with around 11,000,000. --NW

5pm: Alexandros Kolonias eliminated in fourth place (€467,700)Level 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

From domination nation to domination rotation and a horrible exit hand for Alexandros Kolonias by the hands of Fedor Holz.

It was actually Timothy Adams who opened the action, raising to 300,000 with A♠8♥, Kolonias looked down at pocket kings and moved all-in for 2,175,000. Action was now on Holz and he had pocket nines and a call. His decision was to also move all-in and that got Adams out the way.

The A♣8♦9♠ flop was nearly as good for Holz because it was bad for Kolonias and the German's handheld up at the 4♦ turn and 4♥ river.

Holz is as much as 9,660,000 that is a large blind or two behind Sam Greenwood (9,840,000) and Adams is the quick stack with 6,000,000. --NW

EPT13 barcelona super high roller day3 Alexandros Kolonias.jpg

It's good game for Kolonias

4:55pm: Adams slips to thirdLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

The two Canadians just locked horns, with Sam Greenwood picking up a small pot from Timothy Adams. Greenwood opened his button, making it 300,000 to go, and Adams called from the massive blind. (THE OPPOSITE two players weren't interested.)

They saw a flop of 8♦2♣4♠ and, after Adams checked, Greenwood bet 230,000. Seeing just one over-card, Adams called.

The turn brought the A♦ and Greenwood responded to Adams's consult another bullet, this time 600,000. Adams had a gutshot now and he called, which bought the 4♦ at the river.

Both players now checked and Greenwood's pair of aces took it down.

It was a pivotal hand. Greenwood extended his chip-lead and Adams slipped below Fedor Holz into third, of 4. Greenwood has 9.8 million; Holz 7.3 million and Adams 6.3 million. -- HS

4:50pm: Kolonias the clear short stackLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

With only 15 big blinds left, Alexandros Kolonias is the clear short stack. He just tried to get cute, limping from the small blind with T♣7♦. Sam Greenwood was having none of it though as he shoved all-in with A♣T♥ and Kolonias folded.

4:45pm: Holz forces Greenwood to foldLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Sam Greenwood just picked up the doomed 8♥8♣, and prefer others before him, lost the pot. The item he didn't know on the time is that--whisper it--he was good. He will need to have called.

With Alexandros Kolonias reckoning on from behind a brief stack, his three well-chipped adversaries went to battle against each other, ending with Fedor Holz having a bluff on the river.

Greenwood found those eights under the gun and raised to 300,000. Holz called at the button with K♦8♦ and Timothy Adams called from the small blind with 3♠3♦. So, three of them were still involved when the flop came 7♥6♥T♣ and both Adams and Greenwood checked.

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How could a face so angelic not have it?

Holz, with the worst hand, bet 500,000 and only Greenwood now called. Both players checked the 6♠ turn and Greenwood also checked the Q♣ river. But Holz had a stab, a 975,000 stab, and Greenwood tank-folded the most productive hand. -- HS

4:30pm: Holz bluffs the riverLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

There's been a couple of hands where the RFID sensor hasn't picked up the cards of Timothy Adams, leaving viewers at the hours of darkness about his holding. It's made one of the vital hands fun to sweat and he just played one against Fedor Holz that reached the river.

It was a blind on blind hand with Holz holding J♦7♣ and Adams, well, we didn't know. They went heads-up to a 6♣T♣5♣ flop, Holz bet 220,000 and Adams stuck across the. K♦ turn checked through and the 8♥ river left Holz with just jack high. You do not win $11,000,000 in six months by going to showdowns with jack high and Holz bet 515,000.

Adams had a little a think after which folded, he was asked to place his cards in order that they RFID reader could pick them up and we saw that he had Q♥5♠ for a small pair and the most efficient hand. Pot to Holz. --NW

4:15pm: Ahadpur Khangah eliminated in fifth place (€377,100)Level 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

And then there have been four.

From the small blind Sam Greenwood moved all-in with A♠7♥ and Ahadpur Khangah called off for his last 1,120,000 with K♦J♦. Greenwood was ahead but just a 54-46 percent favourite. Indeed it was Khangah who took the lead at the 4♣T♣J♣ flop but Greenwood vaulted back into the lead at the A♥ turn. It was a lead he kept at the 8♣ river.

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Ahadpur Khangah out

A solid performance then from the amateur Khangah on his first EPT appearance, but it's come to an result in fifth place.

4:10pm: Khangah limps into troubleLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Ahadpur Khangah's policy of limping pre-flop just got him into trouble in a pot against Timothy Adams. Khangah found A♦5♦ and hope to pay 120,000 to peer a flop. Fedor Holz called within the small blind, but Timothy Adams installed a large raise from the large blind with J♦J♣. Khangar called. He desired to see this flop. (Holz folded.) But then when flop came J♠Q♠K♥ and Adams bet again, Khangar folded leaving himself with only nine big blinds. -- HS

4:10pm: Tens again for GreenwoodLevel 22 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

On the primary hand back from the break Sam Greenwood picked up pocket tens, raised and collected the blinds and antes. --NW

3:45pm: Level over; first breakLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

That's the top of Level 21 and players are taking a 20-minute break. We lost four of them in that first passage of play, which also sent Sam Greenwood vaulting to the chip lead.

The counts at the present are as follows:

Sam Greenwood: 7,985,000 (66 BBs)Timothy Adams: 7,730,000 (64 BBs)Fedor Holz: 5,230,000 (43 BBs)Alexandros Kolonias: 2,655,000 (22 BBs)Ahadpur Khangah: 1,900,000 (15 BBs)

3:43pm: Defending champ done; right down to fiveLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Pocket eights is rapidly becoming the hand to bypass at this final table--and the snowmen have just accounted for the defending champion, Sylvain Loosli.

Fedor Holz opened to 225,000 from under the gun and action folded around to Loosli within the big blind. Loosli looked down at 8♠8♥ and he shoved for 2.086 million. Holz snapped and rancid they went to the races.

Although technically a slight favourite, pairs have fared very poorly this week to over-cards, a minimum of within the all-in confrontations I'VE watched. And so it proved again here because the board ran Q♥A♠2♥7♠T♥, the ace at the flop proving to be the killer.

Loosli has to make do with €232,600 for sixth place this time. -- HS

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Sylvain Loosli: First to sixth

3:40pm: Sound the four-bet klaxonLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

The EPT Live lads needed to shake the dust off the cold four-bet klaxon as we just saw the primary such instance at this final table.

Sylvain Loosli got the party started with Q♠J♠, Fedor Holz three-bet to 500,000 in position with A♥8♥ and action passed to Timothy Adams who was at the button. He gave it an excellent old sweat after which four-bet to 1,275,000. We couldn't see Adams cards at this point so had no idea what he had.

Loosli had seen enough and he ducked out the way in which and, after a few minutes within the tank, Holz did likewise. We then did get to look the Canadian's cards that have been A♣Q♦. Good fold by Holz then. --NW

3:30pm: Daniel Dvoress eliminated in seventh place (€232,600)Level 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

We have six players left and a brand new chip-leader as Sam Greenwood just eliminated Daniel Dvoress. From under the gun, Greenwood opened to 250,000 with T♥T♦ and one seat over Dvoress shipped in his 1,640,000 stack with pocket eights. When it folded back to Greenwood he quickly called and Dvoress saw the bad news.

A 9♥Q♥4♦5♣5♦ run out eliminated Dvoress from the development and the tournament loses the most productive dressed player on the final table. --NW

3:28pm: Greenwood's charge continuesLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Sam Greenwood has closed the space on Timothy Adams on the top of the chip charts by taking a pot from his fellow Canadian.

The former opened with K♣9♣ and Adams defended from the massive blind with T♦7♦. Adams flopped best on 7♣6♦6♠ and called Greenwood's 190,000 chip c-bet. The 5♣ turn meant Greenwood picked up flush and straight draws and he bet again. This time the associated fee was 500,000 and Adams gave it up. He's all the way down to 7,120,000, Greenwood is as much as 6,325,000. --NW

3:25pm: Daniel Dvoress doublesLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

We're back to the dep. of Hands that Play Themselves for this one, as Daniel Dvoress picked up A♥K♠ and moved his stack of 770,000 around the line. Fedor Holz was within the big blind and called off with A♠7♥. The 4♦Q♥2♥T♠T♥ kept Dvoress in front and he doubled to 1,660,000, while Holz is right down to 4,160,000. --NW

3:20pm: Khangah wriggles awayLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Ahadpur Khangah is proving especially tough to predict, but it is not only blind aggression, it's sometimes also unexpected folds. He limped from under the gun with A♦J♣ and Fedor Holz raised to 350,000. Action folded back to Khangah and he passed. (Holz had Q♣T♥.)

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The unpredictable Manuchehr Khangah

On the following hand, both Khangah and Holz turned a flush at the board of 8♥5♥2♥Q♥. Holz had A♥J♠ and Khangah had A♦T♥. They both checked, with Holz setting a trap, after which the J♥ came at the river. Khangah checked again; Holz bet and Khangah folded his third nuts. -- HS

3:15pm: Julian Stuer eliminated in eighth place (€181,200)Level 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Action folded to Sam Greenwood within the small blind and the Canadian set Julian Stuer in for his final 535,000. Stuer called all-in.

Greenwood was in front with K♠8♠ but Stuer's Q♠2♣ went ahead at the Q♦J♠A♥ flop. Greenwood had seven outs and that increased to twelve at the 6♠ turn. Stuer had a dozen death cards to dodge but couldn't manage it because the K♦ sent him to the payout desk to assemble €181,200. --NW

3.06pm: Khangah limps queens, gets paidLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Over the 3 days of this tournament we have seen Ahadpur Khangah limp a large number of hands. We have not been capable of see what they're a lot of the time but we just saw him limp Q♠Q♥ from early position. Timothy Adams had a tight hand too and after thinking it over he just called from the button with K♥J♦ and Sam Greenwood checked his option with 7♥4♥.

The A♥K♣Q♦ flop gave Khangah a suite but he didn't bet it and the action rolled directly to the 3♠ turn. Khangah could wait now not and bet 250,000. Call from Adams.

The 9♥ completed the board and Khangah bet for value again, 475,000 was the fee and it was person who a reluctant Adams was willing to pay. After that hand Khangah is as much as 2,300,000 while Adams drops to 7,620,000. --NW

3:05pm: Stuer loses race, all the way down to fumesLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Julian Stuer is purely barely alive after losing a flip for the majority of his chips.

Stuer, following a trend established early on this final table, limped from early position with K♠Q♦ and that attracted Ahadpur Khangah from the hijack and Timothy Adams from the small blind.

Alexandros Kolonias was within the big blind and located 9♦9♣. He moved all in for 1.085 million. Stuer didn't take too long before re-shoving, for not a lot more. Khangah and Adams folded.

So this was a race and the flopped made it pretty imbalanced. It came 6♥K♥9♠. The 5♠ put a lock on it for Kolonias. The river of the Q♣ was just salt within the wound. -- HS

3pm: Another for LoosliLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

From a stack of twenty-two big blind Sylvain Loosli elected to limp in from the button with A♥J♥. That dragged Fedor Holz in from the small blind with the fewer than stellar J♠[3h and Timothy Adams got a free have a look at the K♥T♥T♦ flop with Q♥4♥.

So flush draws for Loosli and Adams and nothing for Holz. It was checked to the Frenchman who bet 160,000 and Adams was the one caller. The T♣ turn checked through and Loosli made top pair at the A♠ river. A GAMBLE of 450,000 was enough for Loosli to pull another pot. --NW

2:55pm: Two in a row for LoosliLevel 21 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Sylvain Loosli is bidding to win his second EPT Barcelona super high roller title in a row and he boosted his chances by winning two hands in a row. Within the first he opened from under-the-gun with A♣5♣ and Ahadpur Khangah defended from the massive blind with K♦2♣. The Q♥7♥J♥ flop missed both players but Loosli took it down with sheer aggression as Khangah folded to his flop bet.

He needed to do even less to win the second one pot as he got a walk, much appreciated when you find yourself holding four high as Loosli was. He's as much as 2,270,000 now. --NW

2:25pm: Hartigan and Stapes stretch their vocal cordsLevel 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

It took 11 hands of the overall table for Hartigan and Stapes to bust out their Number 1 hit. Both Fedor Holz and Alexandros Kolonias had weak aces and there has been no betting action until the river of a K♦8♦T♥J♠Q♠ when both made the nuts.

Kolonias value-bet 250,000, Holz value-raised to 500,000, Kolonias shoved for 975,000 and Holz obviously called. That each one took a few minutes to play out and the pot was chopped. --NW

2:35pm: Back-to-back acesLevel 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

You never see them for weeks after which two come along immediately. Ahadpur Khangah picked up aces and shoved over Julian Stuer's opening raise. Stuer binned his deuces. Then the very next hand, Timothy Adams found them within the big blind and got a walk. -- HS

2:25pm: Four-way all-in!Level 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

This isn't a drill! We just had a four-way all-in on the final table.

Ahadpur Khangah limped with A♠5♠ and that started a sequence reaction. Erik Seidel shoved for 850,000 with 9♠9♣. So far, so standard. Then, within the small blind, Sam Greenwood peeked down at K♠K♥. In went his stack of 1,250,000 but we weren't done there. Julian Stuer had a large pair too - T♠T♦ - and he re-shoved. He covered both with 2,130,000.

So a trivial fold for Khangah? No, he wanted in at the action and called to position three players in danger. Greenwood was a 38 percent favourite to win the hand, Khangah 26 percent to eliminate all three, Stuer 19 percent to win an enormous pot and Seidel 17 percent to outlive and quadruple up.

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Julian Stuer: Out

The flop fell Q♠4♥J♥. "If two people make a collection then someone makes a straight," said Fedor Holz as we waited for the turn. Fourth street was the J♠ meaning Khangah had flush and ace outs to win the hand.

The 2♥ completed the board meaning Greenwood quadrupled as much as 4,690,000, Stuer won the side pot but still dropped to 1,760,000, Khangah is right down to 1,410,000 and Seidel out in ninth for €137,130. --NW

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Sam Greenwood: Four times

2:20pm: Another shove!Level 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Four hands in and every has bought something to the party. The fourth started with a limp from Ahadpur Khangah with A♣2♠, Erik Seidel came at the side of A♠4♠ and Sam Greenwood also looked down at an ace. His was the most efficient of the lot - A♥9♥ - and he wagered all of his 1,010,000 stack. It got the job done and he padded his stack. --NW

2:20pm: Dvoress shoves on StuerLevel 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

The first shove of the overall table came from Daniel Dvoress who moved all-in for 1,030,000 with A♣Q♣ after Julian Stuer had opened to 180,000. It folded back to Stuer and he decided his Q♥J♥ wasn't ok and pitched it into the muck. --NW

2:10pm: Big stacks play a pot at the first handLevel 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

On the primary hand of the overall table the 2 big stacks went to war. OK not war, however it was a skirmish. OK not a skirmish, they played a pot.

It was a blind on blind encounter with Fedor Holz completing from the small blind with T♣7♥ and Timothy Adams checking his option with 8♠2♦.

The 5♣8♥7♣ flop gave both players a couple and Holz check-called of venture of 125,000. The 3♦ hit the turn and the pattern repeated itself with Holz matching Adams's bet of 375,000. The A♦ slowed both players down and Adams took the pot at showdown. He's now got roughly twice the volume of Holz, who's still the second one biggest stack on the table. --NW

2:05pm: Kicking offLevel 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

On the very stroke of 5 minutes late, the EPT Live channel blinks into action. Players are being introduced to the viewers and they're going to be under way very soon. -- HS

ept13 barcelona shr final table.jpg

The final nine: Standing (l-r): Sylvain Loosli, Ahadpur Khangah, Timothy Adams, Daniel Dvoress, Alexandros Kolonias, Erik Seidel. Seated (l-r): Fedor Holz, Julian Stuer, Sam Greenwood.

1:20pm: How they line upLevel 20 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Action is under way within the real world, but we're reporting on a 60-minute delay in keeping with EPT Live.

Here's how they're going to line up when everything gets going.

Seat 1. Timothy Adams - 8,045,000Seat 2. Alexandros Kolonias - 1,385,000Seat 3. Erik Seidel - 850,000Seat 4. Sam Greenwood - 1,050,000Seat 5. Julian Stuer - 2,360,000Seat 6. Daniel Dvoress - 1,050,000Seat 7. Ahadpur Khangah - 3,670,000Seat 8. Sylvain Loosli - 2,120,000Seat 9. Fedor Holz - 4,970,000

1pm: Delayed action

Today's action could be on a one-hour security delay because the EPT Live cameras at the moment are on the town. Play in real life commences at 1pm local time, but is probably not broadcast until 2pm. We will be able to be reporting from the published. -- HS

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Tim Adams, chip-leader

Take a glance on the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for EPT13 Barcelona and the remainder of the season.

Also all of the schedule information is at the EPT App, that's available on both Android or IOS.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT13 Barcelona €50K Super High Roller: Howard Swains and Nick Wright. Photography by Neil Stoddart. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter:@PokerStarsBlog