THIS IS AN ARCHIVE OF PREVIOUS COVERAGE. CLICK FOR UP TO DATE FROM THE TOURNAMENT FLOOR
10pm: Stuer leads
Julian Stuer emerged because the chip leader on the end of Day 1. Here's the full, zoological wrap up from Day 1.
Julian Stuer: Leader
9:30pm: Latecoming Reinkemeier; nearing the endLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Tobias Reinkemeier has just taken a seat on this event, squeezing into the chair recently vacated by Mustapha Kanit. (I AM NOT sure if Kanit moved or is out, but he's definitely now not within the seat he was in about an hour ago.)
Reinkemeier has left it late to register for this one and can be lucky to look 10 hands. There's 20 minutes at the clock and tournament officials will pause it very soon, then draw to figure out what number of last hands they'll see. As ever, we're all praying for three.
We'll have a wrap of the day and a few chip counts with you shortly. -- HS
9:20pm: No prayers can save Sondtheimer or AldemirLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Juha Helppi (SB), Steffen Sondtheimer (BB) and Koray Aldemir were at a flop. It was 4♦J♣5♦ and the dimensions of the pot was in keeping with an open from Aldemir and 2 defences from the blinds.
Helppi checked, but Sondtheimer bet 13,000 and both Aldemir and Helppi called. That brought the 7♠ at the turn. There has been something similar concerning the pattern: Helppi checked and Sondtheimer bet 28,000.
Aldemir now asked Sontheimer to transport his interlocked hands from in front of his chip stack so he could get a coarse count. Sondtheimer responded by pivoting his paws on the wrists so his fingers now pointed upwards as though in a perfect, silent prayer. There has been about 95,000 back there.
Aldemir called and Helppi also referred to as to look the 2♦ fall at the river. Now Helppi asked if he could see Sondtheimer's chips and again Sondtheimer obliged. Helppi bet 103,000, which was enough for the praying to finish and Sondtheimer's cards to enter the muck.
However Aldemir wasn't so swift. He seemed agonised about his decision, but very slowly and deliberately flicked one card after the opposite into the muck. No person is any the wiser as to what any of them had, although one suspects the solution may come to Sondtheimer tonight in a shimmering dream. --HS
9:15pm: Vogelsang with the decisionLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
David Peters had a gamble out in front of him with a board of Q♣9♣J♣T♦K♣ already dealt. The bet was 43,000 and the player with the verdict was Christophe Vogelsang.
Everyone waited, Peters doing so with a blank expression that said he was content either way. After what appeared like a couple of minutes Vogelsang called. Peters turned over K♦8♣ while Vogelsang chose to not show. He drops to only under 200,000 while Peters now has around 375,000. - SB
9:10pm: Small shove enough for KoonLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Mikhail Rudoy opened to 12,000 from the cutoff and Jason Koon defended his big blind with a call, although it left him only 28,000 behind. Koon checked the flop of 3♥8♣5♣, which persuaded a chance of 10,000 out of Rudoy.
This looked to be a ploy because Koon instantly moved all-in, for under 18,000 more. But it surely was too rich for Rudoy, who gave it up almost as quickly. -- HS
Jason Koon
8:52pm: Lebedev takes two hitsLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Sergey Lebedev went deep within the €10,000 tournament this week, busting in 11th place yesterday. But things aren't going great here this afternoon and he just lost back-to-back pots.
Lebedev opened to 9,000 from the cutoff and Rainer Kempe called from the small blind. Mike McDonald also referred to as within the big blind which sent them three-handed to a flop of 5♣2♦9♣.
Kempe and McDonald both checked, allowing Lebedev to bet 15,000. Kempe was the one one to name. Both players then checked the 2♥ turn but Kempe led for 46,000 at the T♥ river. Lebedev took his time, but called, and Kempe opened his 9♥9♠ for a winning set.
On the following hand, Lebedev raised again, trying another 10,000. This time McDonald three-bet to 30,000 from the small blind and it was now Lebedev v McDonald on the flop of 5♦K♣8♦. McDonald bet 22,000 and Lebedev was persuaded out of it before it cost him to any extent further. -- HS
Sergey Lebedev
8:45pm: Juanda technically at the moveLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
John Juanda just moved all-in for around 100,000. It was at the button and both blinds folded, but he gladly took what that earned him, and plugged in his earphones, bopping somewhat in that way that makes people nervous whilst you see it at the bus.
At the similar table Christophe Vogelsang raised to 11,000 at the button. Steve O'Dwyer was within the big blind and called for a 6♦8♠J♦ flop. O'Dwyer checked to Vogelsang, who bet 11,000. O'Dywer called after which checked the 4♦ turn, as did Vogelsang.
On the Q♦ river O'Dwyer came out with a bet, 32,000 in total, enough to force a fold from Vogelsang. - SB
Steve O'Dwyer
8:44pm: Fatehi's shove forces fold from KitaiLevel 8 - Blinds: 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)
Davidi Kitai is famed for his reading abilities but perhaps he picked up the signals of strength somewhat too late in a contemporary hand against Ali Reza Fatehi.
Fatehi opened to 10,000 from early position and Kitai defended his big blind. That took two of them to a flop of K♠5♣Q♦, which Kitai checked. Fatehi bet 17,000 and Kitai raised to 44,000 however the check-raise didn't frighten Fatehi. He called.
The J♠ came at the turn and Kitai stuck along with his story. He bet 59,000, but Fatehi also stuck to his. He raised to 120,000 and Kitai called. Kitai played along with his stack. He had only about 150,000 back. But after he checked the 7♦ river, Fatehi moved all in and Kitai instantly folded.
Fatehi is as much as around 650,000 now. -- HS
| 8 | 2,500 | 5,000 | 500 |
8:25pm: Blind as a KanitLevel 7 - Blinds: 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Mustapha Kanit came strolling into the tournament room about HALF-HOUR ago, accompanying Philipp Gruissem. Kanit was on his second bullet and Gruissem his first, but it surely meant that the tournament's moustache quotient was going to get a double boost.
It also, of course, meant the quantity can be turned up, especially after Kanit discovered that he was sitting beside his countryman Dario Sammartino--although, that said, Kanit is voluble in any language.
So it proved almost immediately, when Mikita Badziakouski, who has clearly tangled with Kanit before in High Roller tournaments, opened to 29,000 and immediately said to Kanit, "Be careful."
Kanit fired straight back, "I DO NOT understand how to watch out". But he then said, "OK, I just call," apparently heeding the warning. Everyone else folded.
Just because the dealer prepared to deal the flop, Badziakouski reached for a couple of mirrored shades, which didn't meet with Kanit's approval. "No, don't placed on glasses!" he said.
"You have glasses," Badziakouski said, but Kanit soon addressed that. He quickly ripped his black-rimmed prescription spectacles from his face and tossed them at the table. But there has been an issue. "Now I DO NOT see flop," Kanit said.
A chuckling dealer fanned the 7♣K♠Q♥ and Badziakouski bet it. "I ACTUALLY don't see flop," Kanit said, pondering playing it blind. But eventually he reached for the spectacles, peered through them and quickly folded. -- HS
A clear-eyed Kanit
8:10pm: The large fizzle outLevel 7 - Blinds: 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Jason Koon opened to 10,000 from late position and Daniel Dvoress called at the button. Diego Ventura, within the small blind, raised to 45,000 and this hand had an excessively familiar feeling to it. That they had all done this before.
Koon called Ventura's raise, but then Dvoress announced that he was all-in for 216,000, having apparently arrange the squeeze. Ventura took his time--this is the issue when someone squeezes back--but then he called for roughly 80 percent of his stack. Koon quickly folded.
But, yes, it fizzled out presently. Both Dvoress and Ventura showed ace-king and it they chopped it. -- HS
8pm: Top five chip countsLevel 7 - Blinds: 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
After a fresh count on the break, listed here are the highest five within the field.
Timothy Adams - 1 millionNiall Farrell - 770kJulien Stuer - 643,000Julian Thomas - 625,000Jean-Noel Thorel - 623,000
Tim Adams
7:55pm: Silver into gold?Level 7 - Blinds: 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)
Max Silver is back within the Super High Roller after his first elimination earlier today. He's seated at table featuring Tim Adams, Dominik Nitsche and Jason Mercier.
It was Mercier that Silver took on in a hand today. He opened for 10,000 in early position which was called by Mercier within the big blind for a flop of 7♥Q♥K♦.
Mercier checked after which called when Silver bet 8,000. Both checked the 6♥ turn for the river card K♥. Mercier bet this time, making it 13,000. That forced Silver to fold. - SB
Max Silver
| 7 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 500 |
7:40pm: Write your personal story
The players are currently on their final break of the day. While we're waiting, please be happy to put in writing your individual story to give an explanation for the numerous faces of John Juanda.--BW
7:22 pm: Chidwick chips upLevel 6 - Blinds: 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Stephen Chidwick goes into the last break of the day in better shape than he may need thought a couple of minutes earlier.
He just doubled up against Andreas Goeller after shoving at the turn. The board read 5♣6♠9♣6♣. Goeller took his time calling but did so, and was ahead at that point, his A♥6♦ better than Chidwick's A♣7♥.Then the 8♦ river card to offer Chidwick the straight.
Chidwick's expression didn't change for a second. He stacked up 180,000 now, while Goeller, probably the most early leaders at the day, drops right down to 400,000. - SB
Stephen Chidwick
7:20pm: Building the mosaicLevel 6 - Blinds: 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Three small pots here which can be probably of little overall significance, but are nonetheless small fragments within the full mosaic of this tournament.
First up, Nariman Yaghmai opened to 7,000 from UTG+1 and collected a choice from Jason Koon, within the hijack. But then Diego Ventura, within the small blind, raised to 28,500. Yaghmai called. Koon called.
The flop brought the 8♣7♠5♥ and Ventura bet 40,000. Koon folded, Yaghmai folded.
On a neighbouring table, Koray Aldemir opened to 7,000 from the cutoff and Martin Kozlov three-bet to 27,000. Aldemir called and the 2 of them saw the flop of 9♦A♣T♥. Kozlov bet 14,500 and Aldemir called, which brought them to the K♠ turn. They both checked.
The river was the 2♣ and Kozlov bet 7,500. Aldemir looked as if it would think he was beaten, but called anyway after a protracted pause. Kozlov showed his A♥3♣ and Aldemir mucked. He will need to have trusted the hunch.
One table further along, Davidi Kitai opened to 7,500 and Ali Reza Fatehi called from the button. Murad Akhundov called from the small blind and David Peters also known as from the massive blind.
So, there have been four of them with a choice at the Q♣Q♠8♠ flop. Akhundov and Peters both checked and Kitai bet 12,000. Fatehi called and the blinds folded, which meant they were heads as much as the 9♥ turn. Check, check.
The river brought the 6♣ and after Kitai checked again, Fatehi bet 26,000 and Kitai passed.
Until this week, Fatehi only had one result on his live poker resume, nevertheless it was a 3rd place within the €100,000 Super High Roller in Monaco in April. He also cashed this week within the €10,000 buy-in tournament, so he likes this sort of event. -- HS
7:10pm: Town of AdamsLevel 6 - Blinds: 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Tim Adams chip stack towers over the others at his table, a metropolis surrounded by the equivalent small towns and villages.
One of these villages belonged to Fedor Holz who took at the City of Adams a short time ago.
It was Mustapha Kanit who opened from middle position, making it 6,500 to play which was called by Adams within the bring to a halt. Holz then called from the massive blind for a flop of 9♣5♠7♠.
All three players checked for a 8♥ turn card. The hand was interrupted for a moment by the sound of Jason Mercier yawning a kind of impressive "at home" yawns that combine great relief with a Yogi Bear impression.
"Jet lag anyone?" he said, turning to seem over his shoulder.
Meanwhile Holz was betting 9,500. That forced Kanit out of the hand but Adams called for the 7♣ at the river.
Holz bet 14,500 this time, leaving Adams with a call. After a minute or so Adams decided. He raised to 42,000 which Holz immediately called. Adams flipped up 8♣8♠ for an entire house. Holz was about to turn but saw this and hesitated, mucking instead.
Holz: Population 70,000.Adams: Population 900,000
Adams remains a number of the leaders. - SB
Timothy Adams
7:00pm: Well, that did not take longLevel 6 - Blinds: 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Well, once we had the bird mystery figured out, the covey took wing. It was always going to happen.
Play folded around to Mustapha Kanit within the hijack, and he made it 6,500 to move. Play folded to Fedor Holz within the big blind. He wasn't yet able to quit. He made the call, and the 2 (yes, a minimum of semi-bearded) men saw a flop of 5♠9♠3♦. Both Holz and Kanit checked to the 5♦ turn.
Holz cut out his chips and made a chance that was almost about the dimensions of the pot: 14,500. Kanit thought for a minute before cutting out the calling chips. So far, so standard.
The river revealed the Q♥. With the action on Holz, we saw him put 50,000 in front. It seems he'd done greater than that during. barely greater than a whisper, Holz had announced he was actually all in. That amounted to 79,800.
Cue the tank.
Kanit, deep within the throes of a shirt-lifted again massage, got to thinking. He had the 79,800 to spend, but not an awful lot more. If he called and lost, he can be largely crippled. A minute passed, and Holz didn't stop Kanit's face. The one thing moving above Holz's jugular were his long eyelashes.
Another minute went by, and Kanit looked confused. Timothy Adams peeled a banana. Dominik Nitsche and Jason Mercier sank deeper into their phones. Holz blinked, boring holes in Kanit's face with every passing second.
Over the process a deliberation that lasted nearly five minutes, Kanit appeared like he would fold, gave the impression of he would call, gave the look of he was enjoying his massage, looked again like he would fold--no wait, now call...and then finally a resigned peak at his cards and a muck.
This is what happens whilst you put too many men with beards on the same table.-BW
6:50pm: The person with the birdLevel 6 - Blinds: 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
"The man with the bird, he's Mercier, yes?"
The member of the local press stood beside me and made the inquiry. He was being kind enough not to mention the truth my Spanish is, in a word, dreadful. He spoke my language out of courtesy, and also, apparently to determine who the fellow with the bird was.
I began to say, "No, Mercier is over at that other table," after I should've been asking, "Wait. Where did Mercier get a bird? And more to the point, why did Mercier get a bird."
That's once I realized Mercier had, in fact, been moved to the table directly in front of me. But...no bird.
I say all this as it was my ignorance manifesting itself in some avian fantasy by which Mercier had gone full pirate with a watch patch and parrot on his shoulder. Then I NOTICED I USED TO BE being an idiot. The local hadn't said bird. He'd said, "beard."
I don't see a bird anywhere...ohhhhhhh...
That posed another problem. Literally six of the seven people sitting on the table had a beard or some version thereof. For a person trying to distinguish one from other, a bird would've been a greater identifier than a beard. Don't ask in regards to the man getting the massage, because three of the seven had ladies rubbing on their back. Don't ask concerning the man staring into his phone, because three of them are doing that, too.
And don't attempt to distinguish by asking that man who's among the best on the planet. That wouldn't be easy. Why? Well, here's who's sitting there:
Seat 1: Mustapha KanitSeat 2: Timothy AdamsSeat 3: Dominik NitscheSeat 4: Jason MercierSeat 5: Fedor HolzSeat 6: EmptySeat 7: Claas SegebrechtSeat 8: Jean-Noel Thorel
None of them have a bird, but all but Segebrecht have millions in live cashes.
So, yes, that may be Mercier. Yes, he has a beard like everyone else. No, there isn't any bird. And yes, this table is certain to be interesting. -BW
6:40pm: Big hand therapyLevel 6 - Blinds: 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)
Conor Drinan opened for 7,500. His face was with reference to the felt as a massage therapist worked on his back. Opposite him was John Juanda, also being massaged, who raised from the button, making it 21,500 to play. Drinan called to peer a flop.
K♥J♦9♥
Drinan checked to Juanda who bet 25,000 using a single green chip. Drinan called for a T♥ turn card which was checked by both for the 7♥ at the river. Drinan, face still low, bet 60,000. On a perilous looking board Juanda paused, never losing concentration. The mark of a real pro is their capacity to stay focused, even while getting their thigh massaged.
Juanda saw in the course of the danger though and folded this one. He dropped slightly to 145,000 while Drinan now has around 315,000. - SB
| 6 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 400 |
6:20pm: Let's light this (birthday) candle againLevel 5 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)
It's only been a couple of minutes since we lamented Vladimir Troyanovskiy's not-so-eternal flame. It took him not up to six hours to burn out on his first €50,000 attempt at celebrating his birthday within the Super High Roller. Undaunted, he returned and counted himself a number of the few re-entries that experience occurred since Day 1 began six hours ago.
Now he's back, and he isn't within the mood for silliness. Sitting within the small blind, he saw a flop four ways and checked when A♠3♠J♦ hit the felt. Play checked to Jason Mercier who put out 9,300. Manuchehr Khangah called, perhaps thinking he would play heads-up with Mercier. Instead, he found himself taking a look at Troyanovskiy's check raise to 28,000. Everybody else got out of the way, but Khangah called, leaving himself barely greater than 50,000 behind.
When the 5♥ came at the turn, Troyanovskiy didn't wither. He put out 50,000, a chance that may effectively put Khangah all in. Faced with making the decision for his tournament life, Khangah folded and left himself with would soon be lower than 20 big blinds. Meanwhile, is calling to make good on his second birthday bullet. -BW
6:10pm: Silver packs his bagsLevel 5 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)
Was it over for optimum Silver? He was facing a decision for his tournament life but seemed pre-occupied not with the A♣Q♣ he had, but with putting away his things. He closed his iPad, detached the headphones and paid special attention to wrapping the cable around them before putting them away. They, along side the iPad went into his bag. By the appearance of items Silver was able to leave. Did that mean he was about to call?
Max Silver: Packing his bags
Several minutes earlier the pot was started by two players who wouldn't get anywhere near the river card.
Moritz Dietrich opened under the gun for 7,000 which John Juanda next to him raised to 20,000. Silver was at the button and called but if the action reached Julian Stuer within the big blind he paused for a moment. Then he raised to 56,000.
One by one Dietrich and Juanda passed, leaving it to Silver to tackle Stuer, which he did, calling for a flop of Q♥2♣3♠.
Both checked this for the 2♦ turn card. This was also checked resulting in the 6♣ river card. At this point Stuer moved all-in.
Silver grinned, then rubbed his chin for some time. The all in was for around 280,000, which had Silver covered. Was his ace-queen good enough?
You could only assume the bag packing meant Silver had decided to name and certain enough he did so, flipping over his hand. It was an excellent hand, but not ok. Stuer turned over Q♦Q♠ for a flopped set. Silver knew he was out before the dealer began counting, tossing his ID card onto the center of the table.
Sure enough the dealer confirmed the inevitable. Silver out. Stuer meanwhile now has upward of 670,000. - SB
6pm Well, now that may be a problemLevel 5 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)
The dealer raised his hand. It was a sheepish movement, one he clearly did not want to make. But he had no choice.
"Floor," he said quietly. He spotted a floor-man and motioned him over, unwilling to talk much louder.
"What happened?" the floor-man began. He looked across the table and motioned in any respect the stacks.
The floor-man didn't immediately see the problem. Nobody was angry. There have been no cards to dispute or rules to enforce.
"We had a player leave the table, and..." the dealer continued.
He pointed on the seat previously occupied by Adrian Mateos. It was empty, as was where where Mateos's big stack was missing from the felt.
The problem. Well, here's the article. There may be still a 400 ante in play, person who requires a minimum of a couple of black 100 chips.
"We can't make change," the dealer said.
See, Mateos have been kind of running over the table, and he had taken many of the black chips with him when he was moved to a different table. That's a problem.
It was a subject quickly rectified when the floor-man picked a few 1,000 chips off the table and exchanged them for a few stacks of black out of Mateos's collection. Though the issue was solved, it didn't soothe the larger problem.
"He took the entire big chips, too!" Jason Mercier said.
There was, of course, nothing the ground could do about that.-BW
5:45pm Happy birthday. That'll be 50KLevel 5 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)
We've been told that today is Vladimir Troyanovskiy's birthday. Ordinarily, that might be cause for a party. We were even preparing just a little a fete for the Russian man who continues to dominate in a field largely dominated by people half his age. (NB: We had no indication he wanted the sort of party, but being the supportive bloggers we are, we were going to celebrate for him even within the event he had no interest.)
Roasting the birthday boy, Vladimir Troyanovskiy
On this present day of Vlad's birth, however, the party must wait. And it is going to be costlier. The birthday boy has busted his first buy-in and has just re-entered for a second bullet. For his sake, let's hope this candle burns somewhat longer. -BW
5:35pm: Bad for ChidwickLevel 5 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)
In the following hand Stephen Chidwick opened from the bring to a halt this time for 5,500 which Jack Salter, next to him at the button, raised to 15,500. With the action back on him Chidwick called for a flop of 5♣T♣9♠.
Both checked for the 4♣. Chidwick made it 25,000 now which Salter called for the 9♣ river card. Chidwick stared first on the board and then, after checked, at Salter. He checked too. 7♠6♠ for Chidwick but Salter won the pot with A♠9♦.Chidwick all the way down to 80,000 which Salter moves as much as around 185,000. -- SB
5:30pm: Good for ChidwickLevel 5 - Blinds: 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)
Two hands played by Stephen Chidwick with mixed leads to. the primary he opened from the button for 6,000, which Ivan Luca called within the big blind. The flop came 8♦4♣T♣ which both players checked. The turn came 8♣ which both Chidwick and Luca checked for the K♦ at the river. Luca bet 7,300, but if Chidwick called Luca insta-mucked. What either player had will remain a mystery. - SB
| 5 | 1,200 | 2,400 | 400 |
5pm: Petrangelo's queens beat AuyezkanovLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Vladimir Troyanovskiy opened to 4,500 from the hijack and Nick Petrangelo, one seat to the left, bumped it to 12,500. Aidyn Auyezkanov called the three-bet from the massive blind and Troyanovskiy also added the extra.
So it was three to a flop of J♠3♥K♠ and Auyezkanov led for 15,000. Troyanovskiy folded, but Petrangelo called.
The two of them saw the 5♣ fall at the turn and i am pretty sure Auyezkanov bet 6,000 at it, although will confess that these bet sizes are unusual. Petrangelo called.
The 4♦ came at the river and Auyezkanov now bet 15,500. Petrangelo didn't wait very long before calling, but greeted with an apparent reluctance at the a part of Auyezkanov to show his cards said, "I call."
Auyezkanov shook his head as he exposed his A♠Q♦. Petrangelo's Q♥Q♠ were good. -- HS
4:59pm Everything's arising MatteosLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (200 ante)
In the last minutes of Level 4, with the pot already swollen Adrian Mateos went at it with Koray Aldemir. With a flop of 6♦2♥Q♣, Mateos led at Aldemir for 25,000 and got the decision. When the J♥ came at the turn, Matteos didn't decelerate. He put out 70,000. It took Aldemir longer this time, but he still made the decision. The K♦ at the river spooked Mateos. After pounding the pot on previous streets, he backed off and checked. Aldemir, who never looked confident in regards to the hand within the first place, checked behind. Mateos showed him A♥A♠, and Aldemir folded. Mateos stacked all of it up and is sitting on 480,000 now. -BW
4:55pm: Astapau out-pips MoraesLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Anton Astapau raised to 5,000 from early position and that attracted two callers: Alexandros Kolonias at the button and Rafael Moraes within the big blind.
The three of them got to look the 7♥9♠6♦ fall at the flop and, after both Moraes and Astapau checked, Kolonias bet 10,000. Both opponents called.
The A♠ came at the turn and all three of them checked that, which took them to the A♣ at the river.
All three checked that too and Moraes flipped over 8♥6♣. Astapau examined those cards, then slowly turned over his, having established that his 8♠7♠ was going to win it. Kolonias had long mucked. -- HS
4:50pm: JJ pays off AKLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
John Juanda, the reigning EPT Main Event champion, opened to 4,800 from under the gun. Action folded all of the way round to the person sitting to his right, Moritz Dietrich within the big blind. Dietrich called.
The flop brought the 4♥A♣6♠ and both players checked. In addition they both checked the 6♥ turn. After the 8♥ came at the river, Dietrich bet 10,000, earning a decision from Juanda.
Dietrich showed A♠K♣ and that was good. --HS
4:45pm: Chip leaderLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Timothy Adams is sitting behind a wall of chips, amounting to about 800,000 in this day and age. He's way out in front of the sector. -- HS
4:40pm: Koon's river bet is goodLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Jason Koon opened button, making it 5,000 to play. Daniel Dvoress called from the small blind and Chance Kornuth also referred to as from the large blind, completing the north American party.
The three saw a flop of 4♦K♠5♣ and Dvoress and Kornuth both checked. Koon bet 5,800 and only Dvoress called.
The two remaining players both checked the J♠ turn, but Koon's bet of 15,000, after Dvoress checked the T♦ river, took this one down. -- HS
4:35pm No heroes hereLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (200 ante)
Everybody desires to be a hero, even supposing it's a kind of lesser ones. Aquaman, maybe.
Steffen Sontheimer sat within the small blind and completed to 2,000. Sylvain Loosli, uninspired by the move, checked behind and so they saw a Q♣J♣2♠ flop. Sontheimer checked, and Loosli, seemingly even less excited than he was before, checked behind. The 5♣ turn saw the action go similar to the flop. At the Q♦ turn, Sontheimer checked again. This time, Loosli pulled 5,500 off his stack and dropped it in front of him.
This was not a large pot. It wasn't even a thrilling pot. Thus far Sontheimer's level of aggression couldn't also be described as micro. Nevertheless, he felt compelled to summon the spirit of Aquaman. He was going to make that call, by goodness.
He did so with one-chip-call confidence, tossing out 500 to symbolize the 5,500 he owed. Loosli, looking just a little bored by the entire thing, turned over J♦6♠, good for the win at the flushing paired board, and good to make Sontheimer pull another 5,000 chip off his stack. Call it Hero Tax. -BW
4.25pm: A measure of revengeLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
The quirks of the table draw has sat Nick Petrangelo next to Tom Aksell-Bedell this afternoon, two men who had divergent fortunes within the €10,000 tournament this week. Petrangelo, as you'll have seen, won it. Bedell, you almost certainly didn't see, went out at the stone bubble.
Bedell has just taken a small measure of revenge against Petrangelo, stacking the brand new champion at across the mid-point of Level 3.
Petrangelo was the architect of his own destruction. He opened from the cutoff to 4,500. Bedell called at the button. Guanfei Zhu also came along from the large blind.
Those three took a flop of T♣8♠2♦ and Zhu checked. Petrangelo bet 6,000 and only Bedell called.
The turn brought the 6♥ and a big gamble of 18,200 from Petrangelo. Bedell called, and so they then saw the 6♦ fall at the river.
Petrangelo shoved for 76,000 and, after a moment's pause, threw in calling chips. Petrangelo had missed his draw. His J♥9♥ was jack high and Bedell's T♠7♠ was good. -- HS
4.20pm: Small acornsLevel 4 - Blinds: 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
The defending champion, Sylvain Loosli, is sitting alongside Stephen Chidwick today. As amazing because it sounds, Chidwick remains to be looking for his first major tournament victory, having picked up countless high buy-in cashes but never an outright title.
His latest bid earned a small boost in a contemporary hand against his neighbour, although he'll desire a lot more where this came from to make certain of cashing.
It was a battle of the blinds and Loosli bet 2,000 on the flop of A♠9♥4♥. Chidwick called. Loosli then also bet the 3♥ turn, this time 5,000. Chidwick called.
Both players checked the 9♦ river and Chidwick's K♥4♠ was better than Loosli's 7♦5♥. -- HS
| 4 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 300 |
4:10: No pressure, JasonLevel 3 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Jason Mercier's table is situated at the rail. At the other side of the stanchions the women Event is simply on the brink of start. Right in between stands a person who looks a bit misplaced within the sea of ladies. Nevertheless, he's right where he's presupposed to be.
Rick Mercier, Jason's father, is standing watch a couple of feet clear of his son's table. Over the years, Rick has become one among Jason's biggest supporters, and fresh off a summer than saw Jason win a WSOP bracelet for Father's Day, Rick has maintained his role as head cheerleader for Team Mercier.
Rick is making his first trip to Barcelona. He traveled here with Jason's mother and fiancée to sweat their man at the first few days of this festival. They spent yesterday seeing the sights and marveling on the ancient and modern architecture across the city.
It's the height of tourist season here, and Rick was amazed on the choice of different people and languages he encountered across the city. Every one of these people represented a curiosity for the person born and raised in south Florida.
"I considered what number of stories there were," he said.
Today, however, as Jason's mom and wife-to-be go shopping, Rick has occupied himself with crucial story he can find: whether his son can be ready to navigate the ridiculously tough field of the €50,000 Super High Roller. He spoke to Jason earlier and offered a light-hearted request.
"I said 'No pressure, but I'm standing here. You cannot bust while I'm standing here,'" Rick said.
Even if luck should turn bad, Mercier could rebuy. Regardless, he's now got down to make his dad's first trip to Barcelona one he'll remember for something rather then the architecture. -BW
4pm: Clash of the titansLevel 3 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
You'd struggle to seek out two players more in form over the last year than Fedor Holz and Anthony Zinno, and they're now sitting next to each other. That suggests we will decide once and for all who's best, right?
On the root of the next hand, it's clearly Zinno, because he just extracted about 100,000 from Holz's stack.
There was already about 40,000 within the pot pre-flop, which hinted at no less than a 3 bet and a call, maybe more, after which Holz checked the K♣8♥5♠ flop. Zinno, in position, bet 16,000.
The 3♣ came at the turn and both players checked, which took them to the 8♦ at the river.
Holz now had a stab. He bet 17,500. Not long after, Zinno raised, pushing forward two 25,000-denomination chips. Holz called and Zinno quickly turned over A♥A♦. Holz nodded, as though he knew that every one along. -- HS
3:45pm: Bumpy start for MercierLevel 3 - Blinds: 1,600/2,000 (200 ante)
Jason Mercier hadn't even situated himself on the table before he decided to become involved within the action. With a cup of coffee beginning to cool within the cup holder next to him, Mercier had pulled out two packets of sugar and a stirring stick, able to caffeinate himself for the following six hours of play. But, as happens with Mercier, he found a hand he desired to play.
His raise got two calls: Adrian Mateos at the button and Jean-Noel Thorel within the small blind. On a flop of 7♠5♦5♣, Thorel checked to Mercier and opened the door for a 5,600 bet from Mercier. Mateos and Thorel both stayed along for the ride to the 5♠ turn. Thorel checked again, and Mercier put out 13,000. Mateos made the call, and Thorel gave up.
The river was the A♦, and Mercier backed off. He checked to Mateos who thought for a moment before cutting out a 20,000 bet. Mercier didn't find it irresistible. Not one bit. He scrunched up his face and shoved the coffee stirrer between his teeth. After tilting his head a couple of times, peeling his cards up once, and performing some light damage to the coffee stirred, Mercier gave up. He didn't quite lose 10% of his stack on that first hand, however it was close. Nevertheless, that is Mercier we're talking about, and by the point we make it back to his table, there is no telling what that stack will seem like. -BW
Mercier, speaking softly and chewing a small stick
3:40pm: Cookie bait no good for SalterLevel 3 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Jack Salter, within the cutoff, and Sam Greenwood, within the big blind, were the one two players within the pot pre-flop. Salter had 35,000 in front of him and Greenwood had 14,000, which meant Salter had likely opened, Greenwood had three-bet and Salter had four-bet. We were now looking forward to Greenwood to make a decision what to do next.
After a short while within the tank, and another check of his cards, Greenwood announced that he was all in, pushing a few towers of chips over the road. Salter took a brief moment, but then folded his cards, tapping the table. At that point, Greenwood picked up a large cookie that he had beside his stack and motioned to push it over the road too.
"Oh, there is a cookie in there?" Salter said.
"Did you need the cookie?" Greenwood said, apparently incredulous that Salter wouldn't wish to call with the added incentive.
"I didn't see it and that i can't eat sugar, but thanks for the action," Salter said.
Salter is exactly a savoury man, one assumes. I ASSUME the clue was within the name. -- HS
3:30pm: Aldemir really must get another nameLevel 3 - Blinds: 800/1,600 (200 ante)
The artist formerly referred to as Adrian Mateos Diaz (now just referred to as Adrian Mateos) began a hand that rapidly because a typist's nightmare.
Mateos raised to 4,000 and Jean-Noel Thorel (who needs all three names) called from one seat to his left. Action folded to the small blind, where Manuchehr Ahadpur Khangah lurked with the most important name of all of them. He called, and Koray Aldemir, with only two names, called within the big blind too.
So, four to the flop. It came 9♠Q♠J♠ and MAK, Aldemir and AMD all checked. JNT threw out 11,000 with the casual disdain of a person brushing croissant crumbs from his lap. That thinned the field--six names departed as only Aldemir called.
The 2♠ appeared at the turn and Aldemir checked. Thorel flung 20,000 into the pot, as if swatting at a wasp. Aldemir called again.
The 4♠ came at the river and Aldemir checked again. Thorel checked behind, Aldemir showed him A♠7♥ and Thorel tossed his cards away like a person who had just lost a pot to the nut flush. -- HS
3:23pm: WSOP Player of the Year arrivesLevel 3 - Blinds: 1,600/2,000 (200 ante)
He tore up the arena Series of Poker this summer and won Player of the Year. After not managing to do much within the €10,000 single re-entry, Jason Mercier has just put down his €50,000 for the Super High Roller. - BW
3:21pm: Rebuy!Level 3 - Blinds: 1,600/2,000 (200 ante)
After busting earlier with queens to Steve O'Dywer's aces, Daniel Dvoress has decided to fireplace a second €50,000. He's currently awaiting his new neat assignment. -BW
| 3 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
2:50pm: Break time
That's the tip of the extent. Players are off to entertain themselves for 20 minutes.
2:45pm: Ruzicka continuing summer formLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Vojtech Ruzicka is playing the primary super high roller event of his career--a luxury he can afford now he's a November Niner. And it's going pretty much for him to this point today. He most recently won a piece from Sam Greenwood.
Greenwood got things started with a raise to 3,000 from under the gun. Vladimir Trojanovskiy called from the cutoff (this was a six-handed table on the time) after which Ruzicka also referred to as from the large blind. So far, so sedate.
The flop was a well connected 8♥6♥5♣ and Ruzicka led at it as if he meant business. He bet 8,100. Greenwood seemed happy to name at this stage, and Troyanovskiy seemed equally happy to fold.
The turn was the 6♦ and Ruzicka bet again. He Greenwood now seemed a little bit more circumspect, but called nonetheless, and that meant they saw the 3♣ at the river.
Ruzicka now cut out 48,500 and Greenwood was properly suspicious. He looked Ruzicka up and down, even seeking to peeking behind his opponent's arm stretched, as is the fashion, over his right shoulder. Greenwood was seeking to see specifically what Ruzicka was looking to hide behind that seatbelt arm pose: his heartbeat.
Whether or not he got the tips he was looking for--and I FEEL he probably didn't--Greenwood tossed in a crying call. Ruzicka showed 5♦6♠ for the flopped two pair, turned boat. Greenwood mucked.
Fedor Holz has now joined that table too. -- HS
2:40pm: Adams cans TunaLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Well, he didn't exactly can him, but Timothy Adams just won a pot against the person with a reputation like a foodstuff who comes from a rustic named after another. (Akin Tuna is from Turkey, to provide an explanation for this laboured joke.)
They were the entire strategy to the river, with the board showing A♥J♥7♦6♦Q♣ and Tuna bet 58,500 right into a pretty hefty pot. Adams, at the button, moved all in and that set Tuna thinking. He got a count--it was 179,000--and then he checked out his own stack, which was almost the very same size.
After an excellent four minutes, he folded. Adams's aggression took it down. -- HS
2:35pm: Not-so-much-a-Battle of the BlindsLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
As Level 2 play wound toward the break, play folded the entire way around to Adrian Mateos within the small blind. After a moment of thought, he cut out a raise. It looked bullying and mean. France's Jean-Noel Thorel sat within the big blind and gave up his chips.
Mateos, perhaps feeling generous or maybe putting in place Thorel for later, made the verdict to show his hand: K♥K♦. From a distance, it seemed unlucky for Mateos to get no action on his big hand. Why would Thorel surrender so easily? Why couldn't he be brave and fight back against the Spaniard.
Thorel laughed aloud and grabbed at his face-down cards as they moved toward the muck. He flipped them over to show 7♣2♣.
"Fifty-fifty," John Juanda cracked from the tip of the table. --BW
Adrian Mateos
2:25pm: No joy for ChoiLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Andreas Goeller appears to be getting the hang of things, this time taking up Stanley Chio.
It was Choi that opened from the button, making it 3,500 in a neat orderly fashion, placing the desired selection of chips in an immaculate tower in front of him. The small blind called, as did Goeller within the big for a flop of 9♦3♠5♦.
The action was checked to Choi who made it 8,000 this time, within the same fashion as before. Goeller stuck around for the turn card, the T♠. Both checked taking things to the river card 4♣.
As before Goeller checked, leaving it to Choi to make it a tidy 12,000 to play on. Goeller found the decision easy though. Choi showed J♥8♠ but Goeller had that beat with K♦3♣. Good to position him on around 500,000. - SB
2:20pm: New arrivalsLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
As we make it toward the tip of Level 2, the sector has grown to greater than 50 players. A number of the new arrivals: This week's €10,000 single re-entry champion Nick Petrangelo, John Juanda, Juha Helppi, Sylvain Loosli, Byron Kaverman, Stanley Choi, Mikhail Rudoy, Sergey Lebedev, Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Vojtech Ruzicka, and Igir Kurganov. --BW
2:10pm: Goeller takes on McDonaldLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Mike McDonald opened for 3,000 at the button. The small blind called but Andreas Goeller was within the big blind and raised to 11,200. McDonald called for a flop of 2♠9♦T♣. Goeller checked to McDonald, who did the same.
On the 4♦ turn card Goeller bet another 13,000. McDonald responded first with a stare after which a choice for the 6♠ river card. Goeller checked first, and McDonald did the same, not before pausing for some time. Goeller turned over 8♦8♠ to win the hand. - SB
2:04pm: No Negreanu...todayLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
After waking up feeling not-so-well, Daniel Negreanu decided to stick in his room today. The nice thing is, registration is open until 12:15 tomorrow.
1:50pm: Drink fishLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
As we mentioned earlier, drinks and snacks are complimentary here with the €50,000 buy-in. Chance Kornuth, however, was not around for that announcement. As he presented his buy-in receipt today, someone checked out his cup incredulously and said, "Drinks are free for this."
Kornuth dropped his head. "I paid for this espresso, too. I'm this sort of fish." --BW
1:40pm: Changing facesLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Just as you get used to a table of players the faces all change, or a minimum of one or two start appearing elsewhere. That is the standard phenomena within the early stages of an event like this, as players are moved, almost every hand, to balance tables with the brand new arrivals.
One player at the move is Adrian Mateos, who after winning a hand earlier againt Steve O'Dwyer just won another on a fully different table.
This one came against Manuchehr Ahadpur Khangan. Mateos made a couple of jacks at the flop, which had Khangan beat. There has been no flicker of emotion from either player, as though both understood who this was going to finish long before showdown. - SB
| 2 | 600 | 1,200 | 200 |
1:30pm: Your Super High RollersLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000 (100 ante)
While registration won't close until tomorrow, here is a quick list of who we've got spotted to this point within the field. --BW
Adrian MateosAkin TunaAlexandros KoloniasAli Reza FatehiAndreas GoellerAnthony ZinnoChance KornuthChristian ChristnerChristoph VogelsangChristpher KrukClaas SegebrechtDaniel DvoressDavid PetersDietrich FastDominik NitscheFedor HolzGuanfei ZhuJack SalterJannis BrauerJason KoonJulian StuerJulian ThomasKoray AldemirLeo Yan Ho ChengMakita Badzia KouskiManuchehr Ahadpur KhanganMartin KozlovMax SilverMike McDonaldMoritz DietrichNariman YaghmaiNiall FarrellNicolas ChouityPaul NeweyRainer KempeSam GreenwoodSteffen SontheimerStephen ChidwickSteve O'DwyerTimothy AdamsTom-Akel Bedell
1:20pm: Early actionLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000 (100 ante)
An early contest between Steve O'Dywer and Adrian Mateos.
On a board of 6♦2♠T♥A♠ O'Dwyer bet 9,000 with a fist filled with chips right into a pot of about 15,000. Mateos called for a river card T♠. Check-check this time. Mateos turned over 6♥4♠, which O'Dwyer, the appropriate side of his face wincing, couldn't beat. - SB
1:15pm: Standing out in an excessively stand out-ish crowdLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000 (100 ante)
A few more arrivals, including Jason Koon, who one $1 million in Seminole Hard Rock poker open per week ago (a bit greater than a month after winning $500,000 in a Bellagio High Roller). He was reaching for his wallet when his drink arrived."Drinks are complimentary," said one player, helpfully. Koon insisted he'd still love to tip.
Standing out in a field like that is difficult given the standard of the competition, but Ali Reza Fatehi does his best, wearing a bright blue polo with bright yellow shorts. It's possible you'll remember Fatehi from Monaco where he surprised everyone with a 3rd place finish worth greater than €828,000.
He's back for more in Barcelona. - SB
1:10pm: Boozy oddsLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000/100
Stephen Bartley mentioned earlier that the €50,000 buy-in to the Super High Roller also comes with free access to a close-by buffet of snacks and drinks. Hidden at the very bottom of the cart are bottles of gin and vodka. In another tournament, those bottles might get a workout, but on this one, there's a relatively good chance they go untouched all day long. We are not good at handicapping this sort of thing, but what are the chances any of the Super High Rollers ordering a cocktail? If so, who would truly do it? Ideas? Tell us on Twitter:@PokerStarsBlog.--BW
1:09pm: Fortune smiles at the brave...and ChanceLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000/100
The short delay in kicking off today has benefited a minimum of one man. Chance Kornuth was running late, but managed to simply miss a couple of hands before he arrived.--BW
1:02pm: More familiar facesLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000/100
No surprise, because the seats begin to fill in, the faces remain familiar. A number of the runners sitting right down to play now: Daniel Dvoress,, Stephen Chidwick, Christoph Vogelsang, Sam Greenwood, Jack Salter, and--fresh off his SHRPO win--Jason Koon. --BW
Daniel Dvoress
12:45pm: The most costly buffet within the worldLevel 1 - Blinds: 500/1,000/100
Play is underway, into that neutral zone where just a freak accident will see you crash out. Small pots are the norm, on tables not quite filled with players.
There's been one interruption though with the welcome announcement that, to your €50,000 buy-in, you furthermore mght get complimentary food and drink, making this one of the crucial expensive buffets within the world.
So in case you are peckish, you'll be able to order what you prefer from the bar for 50 grand, and we'll throw in a poker tournament whilst you digest. - SB
| 1 | 500 | 1,000 | 100 |
12:40pm: Play to start soon
The €50,000 Super High Rollers have started queueing as much as get their chips. Play need to be underway soon. So far, the road is stuffed with the faces you'd recognize, including Steve O'Dwyer, Niall Farrell, Paul Newey, Max Silver, Mike McDonald, Dominik Nitsche, and Adrián Mateos.
All of them may be starting with 250,000 chips on the 500-1,000-100 level.
--BW
12:29pm: Trouble in Kid Poker land
It appears we would possibly not see Daniel Negreanu in today's Super High Roller. As play gets able to begin, Negreanu has not yet left his room. Despite the fact that he can't make it immediately, registration could be open for an additional 23 hours, so he has a while to feel better. --BW
11am: Important details about payouts within the Super High Roller
Official information released by PokerStars today:
"After collating data and feedback from players at the recent expansion of payouts, PokerStars has decided that for events of this nature (this event and event #33, the €25K) last season's payout structure of 15% might be used. We spoke to Neil Johnson for more info in this latest update:
"We need to thank all the players who've given feedback over the past two days in Barcelona in regards to the change in EPT payout structure. We've received a large number of valuable feedback from players, and this, alongside data collected at the expansion, has backed up the verdict to extend payouts to twenty.% While the change was rather well received overall, it's clear that our highest buy-in events have unique characteristics. For that reason, PokerStars has decided to make use of the former season's payout structure of 15% for Event #16, the €50K and event #33, the €25K at EPT13 Barcelona.
"We're always trying to make the live poker experience as positive and enjoyable as possible for as many players as possible, while ensuring our event champions are well rewarded for his or her efforts. We wish to get more feedback from our €25K+ players so we'll be running a survey with the players in either one of these events to achieve much more insight into the kind of payouts that might best suit special events of this nature in future."
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 the entire schedule information is at the EPT App, that is available on both Android or IOS.
PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT13 Barcelona €50K Super High Roller: Brad Willis, Howard Swains and Stephen Bartley. Photography by Neil Stoddart. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter:@PokerStarsBlog
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: European Poker Tour]
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