After a few overcast days here in Malta, the temperature was higher today at the archipelago. The action heated up in addition on Day 2 of the Italian Poker Tour Main Event here on the Portomaso Casino, where 211 players from a 775-starting field returned to battle their technique to this weekend's final table. 

We saw some wild hands today, including a straight flush, a three-way all-in won with rivered quads, and 2 unlikely runner-runner survivals -- see below, "GOOD DEAL of hearts," "A hot one," "A doozy from Sintuzzi," and "So you're saying there is a chance" -- in case you are curious.

Emerging at night's end were just 31 IPT title-seeking hopefuls, with Israel's Daniel Portiansky the only bagging probably the most chips with 1,540,000.

Daniel Portiansky

Stefan Jedlicka began the day sitting behind the most important stack of the returners, and the Austrian would continue to construct through the early going, cruising up toward the 1 million-chip mark because the short stacks were swiftly scattered.

It only took a level-and-a-half for the sector to whittle all the way down to the money. One spot from the cash, three players were all-in without delay on separate tables, with Raffaele Carnevale and Tonny Van Eck both losing theirs to separate a min-cash.

The pace continued to be a snappy one thereafter, with nearly 50 players going out in lower than an hour for the sector to shrink to 100. 

Shortly thereafter Ole Schemion's run led to 93rd, with Martin Staszko (79th), Yury Gulyy (75th), and Pierre Neuville (71st) a number of the next wave of eliminated players.

Meanwhile Jedlicka had fallen back to the pack as Israel's Daniel Portiansky surged forward, crossing the million-mark after which some to peak at greater than 1.8 million late within the day before concluding the night with a little less. The eliminations continued, with John Farrell (63rd), Benjamin Pollak (56th), and Gaetano Cammilleri (41st) among them.

Finally at night's end just those last 31 remained, with Portiansky still on top of the counts. Also bagging big to finish play were Alexander Lakhov (1,449,000), Johan Guilbert (1,307,000), Nihal Karyagdi (1,164,000), Yaniv Peretz (1,118,000), Ismael Bojang (895,000), Rasmus Agerskov (741,000), and Dominik Panka (700,000). Meanwhile Stefan Jedlicka (294,000) and Cate Hall (151,000) are both still within the mix as well.

Click here for your entire start-of-Day-3 chip counts and here's the Day 3 seat draw. Also, check the prize pool and payouts page to peer who has cashed so far and for the way much.

Then tomorrow at 12 noon we'll be back again to bring you start-to-finish coverage as we discover out who a number of the remaining group will make Sunday's final table and feature a shot on the €101,940 first prize up top.

Until then, good night from Malta! --MH 

9:04pm: Day 2 concludes

The final four tables are all done, and it seems that Daniel Portiansky has held onto the chip lead a few of the final 32. Back shortly with a recap of a thrilling day of poker. --MH

8:55pm: Redschlag sent to the railLevel 20 - 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

I joined the action at Table 2 to peer that Malte Redschlag was all-in for his final 330,000 with A♣8♠ and Johan Guilbert had him bang to rights with a dominating ace -- A♥K♦ -- to be exact.

The J♠T♣3♣7♠4♥ runout sent the German's chips over to Guilbert and, while it isn't going to be enough to present him the chip lead, he's now got some of the biggest stacks within the room. --NW

8:48pm: Five more handsLevel 20 - 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

With 35 left they've paused the clock and announced they'll be playing five more hands before bagging up. --MH

8:40pm: All gone for BrignoneLevel 20 - 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Gaetano Brignone had shoved for 148,000 and action was now on Filip Demby. He was within the big blind so was closing the action. He requested a count, double-checked it, after which called.

Brignone: 4♦4♥Demby: A♦7♣

The 8♣9♣J♥ flop gave Demby a straight draw to compliment his pair outs, the Q♦ turn unfolded some chopportunities, then the 7♥ river gave Demby the outright win. Brignone tapped the table and it made a noisy clang as a finger ring connected with the table. 36 players remain. --NW

8:32pm: Two eliminationsLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

With half an hour left of play, it's do-or-die time for the fast stacks. Sadly for them, we've just lost two in quick succession.

First to fall was Clement Coulanjon. After Erwann Pecheux opened to 26,000 within the cutoff, it folded to Coulanjon within the small blind. He had just 40,000 and opted to move all-in, naturally getting called when it got back to Pecheux, who had ace-three. Coulanjon had jack-ten but a 3 at the flop was all it might take to bust him. Pecheux has 650,000 after that.

Pecheux pushes out Coulajnon, pushes upwards in counts

Shortly after it an analogous story. Day 1B chip leader Johan Guilbert opened to 28,000 and got called by Vladimir Shabalin at the button. Lawrence Andreys then moved all-in for his last 43,000. "I'VE a question," said Guilbert. "AM I ABLE TO raise now or is it just fold or call?"

When he was informed he could only fold or call (and the table had a giggle in regards to the considered him folding for just 15,000 more), he just called, as did Shabalin. The flop fell 3♣7♠3♥ and Guilbert bet 50,000 when it checked to him, which got Shabalin to fold.

Andreys turned over the K♦6♦ but was in bad shape against the K♣J♣. The 3♦ and 4♣ completed the board which meant the jack kicker played and eliminated Andreys. Guilbert has 830,000 now. --JS

8:24pm: Into the general HALF-HOURLevel 20 - 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Just 30 minutes remain within the day and the sphere has shrunk to 38 players. Daniel Portiansky continues to be the player to catch, he looks to have 1,800,000, Alexander Lakhov is on 1,600,000 and Jakub Szczotka completes the rostrum at the moment with 1,200,000. --NW

8:09pm: Bojang's rockets bust CammilleriLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Nobody had called or raised by the point it got round to Ismael Bojang within the cutoff, so he did the betting himself. He made it 28,000 to play and got one call from Gaetano Cammilleri out of the small blind.

The dealer spread a 7♦3♠7♥ flop and Cammilleri checked, letting Bojang continue for 25,000. The Italian then moved all in for his 160,000 stack and Bojang almost beat him into the pot. He turned over the A♦A♥ and that was miles sooner than Cammilleri's K♦T♠, and without a assistance on the 5♥ turn or Q♣ river Cammilleri hit the cage. Bojang has 1.03 million now. --JS

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

20	6000	12000	2000

8:01pm: Johan Guilbert wins an enormous potLevel 19 - 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

This hand took a while, but for good reason. The preflop action is unknown but there has been enough already within the pot that it suggested this was a three-bet pot. At the 8♥K♣T♠ flop Clement Coulanjon (under-the-gun) checked the action to Johan Guilbert (cutoff) and he fired out a raffle of 45,000. It was a France-vs.-France battle and Coulanjon considered his action for a very long time. He cut out enough chips to boost but instead settled on a call. The 3♠ fell at the turn and this time Coulanjon called again and did so more quickly, with the associated fee to look the river being 82,000. The J♦ fell on fifth street and Guilbert emptied the clip, betting 214,000 of his 394,000 stack.

"Sorry guys, I WILL need some time," said Coulanjon as he asked the dealer to spread the pot. He thought it over for over a minute -- call and lose and he'd be right down to three big blinds, call and win he'd be as much as around 800,000, fold and he'd have around 25 big blinds.

A few minutes later he placed the mandatory chips around the line to indicate a decision. Guilbert opened T♦8♦ and Coulanjon nodded before mucking.

After that hand Guilbert is as much as roughly 950,000. --NW

Guilbert gets a large one

7:55pm: Filling the lullLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

We've experienced a little a lull on this past orbit, but listed below are two hands I BELIEVED I'd share.

First, Robert Cowen doubled up during the chip leader Daniel Portiansky. The latter opened to 22,000 and immediately Cowen jammed to his left for 140,000. When it folded back to Portiansky he made the decision with the J♣9♣, which was up against the A♥Q♦.

The flop was a good'n for the person in danger as he'd paired up at the Q♥2♦3♣ board. The 4♣ turn, however, presented some problems, and any club would mean his elimination. The river came the Q♠ though and he got the double he needed.

Then on another table, Jakub Szczotka opened to 20,000 and again immediately faced a three-bet by the person to his left. Daragh Davey made it 52,000 to play and when it folded back to Szczotka he made it 120,000. Davey shoved, and was called.

Turned out both had ace-king, but at the Q♦2♥3♦ it was Davey who was freerolling. Running diamonds would give him the win with a flush however the board bricked out for the chop. Davey has 315,000, while Szczotka has 950,000. --JS

7:40pm: So you're saying there is a chance?Level 19 - 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

What a hand! If there have been TV cameras around this would, on this reporter's humble opinion, be the hand of the day.

All the chips went in preflop with Vladimir Shabalin in danger for his final 228,000 holding 7♦7♠. His opponent was Pages Petrice and the Frenchman had Q♥J♣.

The race got decidedly one-sided on a 9♦T♣K♣ flop as Petrice flopped the nuts and left Shabalin with only a 2.83% chance of winning the hand. The K♦ turn gave him hope and the K♠ river realized this hope as Shabalin went runner-runner to enhance to an entire house. He's as much as 575,000 while Petrice drops to 345,000. --NW

7:27pm: Banter with BenhalimaLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Abdelkader Benhalima is as much as his old tricks again. Action folded to Julian Toniolo within the small blind and he made it 22,000 to go, just for Benhalima to transport all-in for 131,000 total. He then started his loud chatting to almost anyone who would listen, and Toniolo ultimately laid his hand down, flashing the A♦ as he mucked.

"Yes! See?" said Benhalima, turning over his J♦9♦. "I USED TO BE going to make a flush!" --JS

7:15pm: Barbato joins the millionaires clubLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

We're beginning to see some seven-figure stacks emerge (the typical is 365,000) and Antonio Barbato is the newest player to sign up for the millionaires club behind Daniel Portiansky and Alexander Lakhov.

Facing a raise of 21,000 from Dominik Martan, Barbato three-bet to 61,000 and instantly called when Martan shoved for 210,000 total.

Martan: A♣T♣Barbato: J♣J♦

The Q♥5♦6♣4♥K♥ run out kept Barbato within the lead and he's now as much as 1,075,000. --NW

7:11pm: Fascinated with one and one for HallLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Filip Demby limped at the button which resulted in Rafal Lubczynski completing within the small blind and Cate Hall checking to peer an affordable flop from the massive blind. That flop showed 2♣9♠4♣ and Lubczynski led straight out for 17,000, just for Hall to transport all-in for 111,000.

Demby made a rapid fold but Lubczynski had a real decision. After all he decided to fight another day and gave it up, allowing Hall to turn her big blind special. She held the 9♣5♣ for prime pair and a flush draw. Hall's back as much as 162,000 now. --JS

7:04pm: Updated counts; 53 remainLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

As noted below, Daniel Portiansky is definitely prior to everyone in this day and age with that massive 1.6 million-plus chip stack. Here is a have a look at the present top 10:

           Name Country Status Chips

Daniel Portiansky	Israel		1618000
Alexander Lakhov	Russia	PokerStars qualifier	1125000
Antonio Barbato	Italy	PokerStars qualifier	860000
Raffaele Sorrentino	Italy	PokerStars qualifier	730000
Rasmus Agerskov	Denmark	PokerStars qualifier	714000
Ismael Bojang	Austria	PokerStars player	600000
Yaniv Peretz	Latvia	PokerStars player	573000
Daragh Davey	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	568000
Erwann Pecheux	France		500000
Danut Chisu	Romania	PokerStars qualifier	490000

Dominik Panka could also be doing well with 485,000.

Panka stacking

Meanwhile earlier leader Stefan Jedlicka remains to be in but down now from where he was before with 254,000. --MH

7:01pm: Your chip leaderLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

The man who most probably has the chip lead at this time is Israel's Daniel Portiansky. He's currently playing a stack of around 1.64 million. --JS

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

19	5000	10000	1000

6:48pm: Let's take a break

The 53 remaining players are off on another 15-minute break, and then they'll return and play two more one-hour levels, then call it an evening. --MH

6:47pm: Pollak outLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Not long after that hand between Filip Demby and Malte Redshlag (just below), Benjamin Pollak lost the last of his short stack to move out in 56th. --MH

6:45pm: Filip wins a flipLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

"Show the cards guys," says Benjamin Pollak as both Filip Demby -- who was all-in for 152,000 -- and Malte Redschlag seemed reluctant to take action. Demby showed first, flipping 7♠7♥, he was prior to the A♦K♠ of Redschlag and it was off to the races to come to a decision a winner.

The 9♠Q♣2♦Q♠T♣ board meant Demby doubled to around 320,000 and Redschlag dropped to 148,000. -NW

6:42pm: Action flopLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

On a T♣A♦Q♣ flop Gonzalo Araujo and Konstantinos Gkimpis created an all-in pot with Araujo committed for a stack of what appeared like 90,000. It soon became clear why the flop had ended in such a lot action. Araujo had Q♥T♥ for 2 pair, while Gkimpis was holding J♣8♣ for a combo-draw.

Whatever the other of classic race is, we had one happening here with Gkimpis a 49.9% favourite to take the pot, Araujo had a 49.19% chance of winning the hand with a 0.91% chance of the hand being a tie. The 5♠ turn and 6♦ river meant Araujo clung onto the result in double-up. --NW

6:38pm: Another five-bet potLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Rafal Lubczynski opened to 18,000 but was three-bet to 41,000 by Malte Redschlag. Action folded to Benjamin Pollak and he made a chilly four-bet to 92,000, just for Lubczynski to five-bet shove for 197,000 total. Redschlag tanked for a bit of but thought best of calling, after which it was Pollak's turn to think. He took his time but eventually felt priced in, calling with the A♣7♠ which trailed Lubczynski's A♥K♠.

The 9♦6♣A♠ flop paired both, however the king kept the Polish player in front. Nothing changed at the Q♠ turn, nor the 8♥ river, and Lubczynski now has a stack of 455,000. Pollak has dropped to 146,000. --JS

6:26pm: Big pot goes to SzczotkaLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

The pot between Jakub Szczotka and Freek Scholten was already 100,000 once I arrived. The board showed the 2♣7♥T♦7♠ and Scholten had checked, letting Szczotka in for a 54,000 bet.

After some thinking time Scholten made the decision to peer a 9♥ river. Both decided to check, and Scholten turned over the J♦T♥ for prime pair, but was outkicked by Szczotka's A♣T♣.

Scholten dropped to 180,000 and Szczotka moved as much as 521,000. --JS

6:15pm: Rollercoaster of a handLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

"All-in and call," was the cry and that i wandered over to look that Francesco Leotta and Armin Mette had reached showdown.

Mette was the all-in player, he'd got his final 177,000 in with Q♣Q♦ and was up against Leotta's K♥Q♠. The 9♦8♠5♥ gave no indication as to what was to return. The K♣ turn left Mette with one out -- an out he hit at the Q♥ river to outlive. --NW

6:06pm: Agerskov needs green chipsLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Rasmus Agerskov and Vadim Ukhanov were fascinated with some all-in preflop action that saw Ukhanov in danger (for his 150,000 stack) with ace-king against Agerskov's pocket tens.

The flop brought two jacks but no ace or king, and the 10 at the turn sealed the win for Agerskov with an entire house. Ukhanov went to assemble his winnings while Agerskov stacked up his.

"Maybe I WILL BE ABLE TO get some green chips," he said, regarding recently introduced green 25,000 chips and the truth that Agerskov now has on the subject of 150 orange chips. "Floor!" --JS

6:03pm: Lodge gets unluckyLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

A deep run for Harry Lodge has come to an end as he was just eliminated by Erwann Pecheux. 

In probably the most latter hands of the former level, the Frenchman opened to 13,000 from UTG+1 and Lodge then three-bet to 37,000 from the small blind. When action got back to Pecheux he tanked for a tight period of time before moving all-in. He had Lodge covered, the Englishman took a glance back at his cards after which called all-in for around 180,000 total. 

Pecheux showed A♥7♥ and Lodge was ahead with 9♥9♣. However, the 5♦6♠A♣ flop saw Pecheux leapfrog Lodge into the lead. Neither the 5♠ turn or A♠ river helped Lodge though and he exits in 69th, while Pecheux is as much as 540,000. --NW

Lodge at the rail

5:58pm: Lakhov over KramerLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

A short while ago Kilian Kramer doubled through Alexander Lakhov, when the 2 clashed again it was Lakhov who had the last laugh. Kramer was all-in for roughly 60,000 with A♦T♣ and up against Lakhov's pocket sixes. The pair hung on the 8♦7♣4♠8♣2♣ board and Kramer was eliminated in 70th. --NW

5:49pm: See ya, Staszko; not more NeuvilleLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

They've begun Level 18. A number of the recent knockouts was 2011 WSOP Main event runner-up Martin Staszko, who here finished 79th.

StaszKO'd

Also some of the most up-to-date wave of eliminations was another November Niner, 2015 WSOP Main Event seventh-place finisher Pierre Neuville, who went out in 71st.

Neuvilliminated

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

18	4000	8000	1000

5:39pm: Five-bet pre-flop hands are like buses...Level 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

No, I DID NOT stay up for ages after which two turned up directly. But when you knew what the bus services were like where I live you'd know that folks stay up for ages after which feel lucky when one turns up at all.

Yep, there didn't appear to be much to jot down about for an even little while until this hand. The primary (or second bet, should you will) bet came from Maurizio Melara which was then three-bet by Leonardo Armino to 34,000. A COUPLE OF people folded before Andreas Anastasiades cold four-bet jammed for 65,000, just for Melara to then five-bet to 120,000. Armino was within the tank for quite a while before eventually creating a fold.

He told everyone in a while that he'd folded queens, so it was a fair fold as Melara had the A♣A♦ against Anastasiades' 7♥7♣. The board ran out 9♥8♣3♠5♥J♥ so the rockets held up, eliminating the person from Cyprus and lengthening Melara's stack to 320,000. --JS

5:21pm: A hat-trick of exitsLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Frantic, that is the only strategy to describe the action at the tournament floor. From standing within the same spot I saw three all-in-and-calls, on three separate tables in under three minutes. Here is a recap of what happened.

1) Pasquale Grimaldi shoved all-in from late position for 58,000 with K♥3♠. Velibor Jakovljevic was within the big blind, and after requesting a count he called with Q♠J♣. After the 9♥J♦6♣ flop hit the felt, Grimaldi rose from his seat and watched on because the 6♠ turn and 5♣ river fell, and Grimaldi is out.

Grimaldi gone

2) Cornelis Van Gent had almost three-bet shoved at the previous hand, but folded to Ismael Bojang's open. At the next hand action folded to him within the small blind, he moved in for 48,000 and Julian Toniolo called to position him at risk.

Van Gent: J♠5♣Toniolo: Q♦J♥

The 9♦3♦4♦K♠6♥ board kept the most efficient hand in front and Van Gent was on his way.

3) Another short stack and another shove as Yury Gulyy pushed for just below 100,000 with pocket nines, only to run into the pocket aces of Patrick Brooks. There has been no assistance on the board for Gulyy and he wished his opponents good luck as he left the table. --NW

5:11pm: More bustoutsLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

The bustouts continue in rapid fashion, with Antoine Degiorgio (82nd), Sarah Behja Herzali (81st), and Christophe Vincent (80th) the newest to move. --MH

Herzali hits the rail

5:04pm: Cruel twist for Di MezzaLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Clement Coulanjon opened to 14,000 within the cutoff and Pierre Neuville made the decision at the button. Fausto Di Mezza came along, too, from the small blind and checked when the dealer put down a T♥9♣4♣ flop. Coulanjob continued for 26,000 and that removed the Belgian, but Di Mezza didn't budge.

The turn came the Q♣ and Di Mezza checked again. Coulanjon didn't stop and fired 36,000 this time, but Di Mezza had other ideas, moving all in for 111,000. After slightly of thinking time, Coulanjon made the decision and saw that his 9♦9♠ flopped set was now behind the K♦J♣ straight of the Italian.

However, a river can change everything. Fifth street came the T♠, giving Coulanjon a winning full house and eliminating Di Mezza in 83rd place. The Frenchman now has a stack of just over 500,000. --JS

4:55pm: King KramerLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

If only Kilian Kramer could get dealt the hand that fits his initials every hand, then he'd be an overly rich man. Because it is, he needed to accept a double-up against Alexander Lakhov.

The Russian player opened to 13,000 and Kramer defended from the massive blind. "How much do you've got left?" asked Lakhov to Kramer. The German played had about 64,000 left and watched on as a T♠3♠3♦ flop fell at the felt. He checked, Lakhov bet 16,000 and Kramer called.

The T♦ turn checked through and the Q♥ fell at the river. "All-in," announced Kramer and Lakhov threw in one chip to indicate a decision. Kramer showed K♠K♣ and had Lakhov's A♥Q♠ beat. "Lucky river," said Lakhov. "You would've got all of it preflop," he added. --NW

4:45pm: Updated chip counts; Jedlicka leadsLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

We have some updated chip counts from the break to share. Start-of-day leader Stefan Jedlicka leads all these days with 650,000, with Ismael Bojang, Dominik Panka, and Rasmus Agerskov a few of the top 10, shown below:

           Name Country Status Chips

Stefan Jedlicka	Austria	PokerStars player	650000
Antonio Barbato	Italy	PokerStars qualifier	540000
Gianluca Escobar	Italy		480000
Ismael Bojang	Austria	PokerStars player	460000
Dominik Martan	Czech Republic	PokerStars qualifier	430000
Dominik Panka	Poland	PokerStars player	422000
Rasmus Agerskov	Denmark	PokerStars qualifier	416000
Francesco Leotta	Italy		415000
Johan Guilbert	France		400000
Clement Coulanjon	France	Live satellite winner	391000

Cate Hall sits just outside this group with 370,000. Other notables still in include Benjamin Pollak (251,000), Pierre Neuville (166,000), Koray Aldemir (145,000), Erwann Pecheux (99,000), Yury Gulyy (88,000), and Martin Staszko (85,000). --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

17	3000	6000	1000

4:34pm: Break time

With 86 players left they're off over again on another 15-minute break. --MH

4:27pm: Two double-ups for yaLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Right before the break, Carlos Olmos doubled up through Cornelis Van Gent with the A♦K♠ against the Q♠Q♥. The board ran out K♣2♠A♠J♠A♣ and the entire house meant Olmos now has 270,000, while Van Gent drops to 130,000.

Meanwhile at the next table along, Kilian Kramer moved all-in with the 6♥6♠ and was called by Fernando Cimaglia with the K♥Q♣. The 2♥2♣6♣ flop on the subject of gave Kramer the nuts, and he'd hold onto the result in double to 70,000, while Cimaglia was left with 61,000. --JS

4:18pm: Schemion's goneLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Ole Schemion was standing up and pulling his bag over his shoulders. Once I got to the table I saw he was all-in and in danger with the A♠J♣ against James Grogan's K♥9♥ on a K♦K♣7♣A♥ board. Only an ace could save him, however the river came the 9♠ giving Grogan a ship and sending Schemion to the cage. --JS

Another cash for Schemion

4:11pm: Merci mon amiLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

I heard an "All in and speak to"! once I entered the room. That is what the dealers call out to floor staff when we're playing hand-for-hand. Thing is, the bubble burst ages ago. This was no dealer.

Instead, it was Algeria's Abdelkader Benhalima, who had moved all-in for his last 73,000 and was seeking to encourage the following player to behave -- Carlos Olmos -- to name him. Benhalima appears to be providing the entertainment on his table, and everybody got a kick out of his yelling.

Olmos obliged and did indeed match the bet, and when everyone else folded we saw it was Benhalima's Q♥Q♦ against Olmos' T♦T♥. The Q♣8♥A♠ flop was an ideal one for Benhalima, and the set stayed in front after the 2♠ turn and 3♥ river.

"Merci, mon ami," said Benhalima who has 158,000 now, while Olmos drops to 89,000. --JS

4:04pm: Agerskov flush with chipsLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

From early position Aivaras Kerusauskas opened to 10,500, Rasmus Agerskov smooth-called from the small blind, and Adriano Santulli installed the additional from the large blind.

On the A♣3♣5♣ flop, Kerusauskas c-bet 16,500, Agerskov flat-called and Santulli then moved all-in for 36,000. That escalation removed Kerusauskas, but Agerskov snapped with 9♣7♣ and Santulli was in horrible shape as he had A♦6♦. The 6♠ turn kept him alive, however the 8♣ river didn't complete the miracle runner-runner that he needed and Santulli is out.

Agerskov is as much as 460,000. --NW

3:59pm: A doozy from SintuzziLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

It's always very kind when players who've just been knocked out recap their bustout hand for you. I arrived to this one right because the turn came down, so thanks visit Andrea Sintuzzi for filling me in -- and this hand was fantastic.

Gaetano Brignone kicked the hand off by opening, which got two callers in Sintuzzi and Francesco Leotta. The flop came down 7♠J♥Q♥, and let me you, it was an action flop. Leotta checked, Brignone put out a continuation bet, Sintuzzi jammed, and Leotta shoved excessive. Brignone made the decision and the cards were flipped.

Brignone: A♥A♣Sintuzzi: T♥9♥Leotta: 7♦7♥

Brignone's aces have been overtaken by Leotta's set of sevens, while Sintuzzi had the straight flush draw. The turn was going to be crucial, and it changed everything. It came the 6♥, giving Sintuzzi the flush. Now Brignone had the nut flush draw with the A♥ so needed a heart (but not the straight-flush giving king or eight), while Leotta would wish the board the pair to make an entire house.

Neither of these things happened. Instead, the river card wbecause the 7♣, giving Leotta quads for the near-treble up. "WOW!" he said as the case seven hit home. He even needed to get out his chair and take a moment clear of the table.

Sintuzzi was eliminated and headed to get his money, while Brignone let loose a sigh. He was right down to 265,000 after that hand, while Leotta now sits with 395,000. --JS

3:52pm: It made the blog, JoeLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

"I hope you'll report that," said a smiling Joe Grech to me. You would not realize it however the" Maltese Joker" had just been eliminated by Robert Cowen. "REMEMBER TO say that I DID NOT flop him dead," said Cowen. Let's rewind.

Christophe Vincent was the unique catalyst to this hand, as he opened to 10,500, Grech then shoved for 59,000 and Cowen came to visit the highest and raised all-in. Vincent passed what he said was pocket sixes, and it was time for showdown.

Cowen: A♥T♦Grech: K♠J♠

Grech was happy to look he had live cards but not overjoyed by the T♠T♣T♥ flop. Cowen was correct to show that Grech could go runner-runner for a straight flush or royal flush. The 7♣ turn left him drawing dead though, and he headed to the payout line. Cowen is as much as 260,000. --NW

3:35pm: A hot oneLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

"Sweaty!"

That was the comment made by a player following a preflop all-in between Robert Cowen and Christophe Vincent. More or less an understatement, really.

That's because Cowen was all-in and in peril with T♦T♥ versus Vincent's T♣9♣, and the J♠J♣5♣ flop and 6♣ turn had given Vincent a flush. However the river was the J♦ to make a whole house for Cowen, enabling him to outlive the hand.

Cowen is as much as 195,000 and wiping his brow, while Vincent slips to 125,000. --MH 

3:31pm: New level; 106 remainLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

They move on into Level 16 with out a break, with just 106 players remaining. That implies 44 went out during Level 15. --M

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

16	2,500	5,000	500

3:27pm: Topolinski toppledLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Oliver Hede opened to 8,500 and right next to him Dawid Topolinski jammed all-in for just over 65,000. Armin Mette was within the small blind and he reraised all-in, which prompted Hede to fold.

Topolinski showed 2♥2♠ and the smallest of pairs was in front of Mette A♣Q♦. Not for long, though, because the 8♦A♥K♠T♣6♣ board hit Mette's hand and sent Topolinksi to the rail. --NW

3:22pm: Blank board bounces BlancoLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

It's been an implausible level with almost 40 players eliminated in 55 minutes of play. Now Jokin Blanco is likely one of the scores of players who've been eliminated.

In Blanco's exit hand, Daragh Davey opened to 8,500, Blanco shoved for what seemed to be around 90,000, and when it folded back to Davey, he called.

Davey: Q♣Q♦Blanco: T♣T♦

The K♥J♣A♣5♦K♦ board kept Davey in front and the double UKIPT leaderboard winner is as much as 305,500. --NW

3:20pm: Hall and Schemion: A tale of 2 tablesLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Sometimes whilst you arrive at a table on the end of an all-in multi-way pot and the action remains to be going, it could actually take a little bit to determine what exactly is occurring. Once I'd put all of it together, I MAY see that Andre Joutotte was all-in against Cate Hall and Massimiliano Rosi, and that main pot was worth roughly 80,000. There has been a facet pot between Hall and Rosi worth 32,000. The board showed the 9♥A♠5♣8♦9♦, and Hall had bet 23,000 at the river.

The action was on Rosi, and he was within the tank. 

Rosi at the brink, has to think

He eventually folded, and Hall showed A♥Q♣, which was outkicking Joulotte's A♦7♦. He was eliminated, Hall increased to 310,000, and Rosi dipped to 155,000.

More chips for Hall

"Would you've called if I'd shoved?" Rosi asked Hall. "Probably, yeah," replied Hall, honestly. "YOU MAY HAVE about 100 right?" He actually had 155,000 - much more reason to provide her hand up.

On the adjacent table, Ole Schemion was in a hand with Salvatore Agliozzo that had also reached the river. The board showed Q♥7♦2♥2♠2♣ and there has been 45,000 within the middle. Schemion made a pot sized bet of 45,000 and Agliozzo was within the tank. He'd give it up though, and Schemion increased to 155,000. --JS

3:16pm: The shrinking fieldLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

They're all the way down to 114 players, meaning nearly 40 have cashed already because the bubble burst on the end of the former level. A few of the eliminated (whom we have not mentioned) were Zoltan Szabo (146th), Tomasz Doktor (141st), Ondrej Vinklarek (137th), Alfonso Amendola (129th), and Allan Sannier (122nd). 

They're still within the min-cashing zone, although the pay jumps will begin after the following couple of knockouts. Check the prize pool and payouts page to look who's finishing where. --MH

3:12pm: Gulyy doublesLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Yury Gulyy is a typical fixture at the EPT and, having made the money, the Russian was seeking to get his stack out of the chance zone. When action folded to him within the small blind he sensed a possibility and shoved all-in for around 10 big blinds with [Jx][7x]. Luke Marsh was within the big blind and he called it off with pocket threes.

It was looking good for Marsh until a jack appeared at the river, sending the pot Gulyy's way and dropping Marsh into the chance zone. --NW

2:59pm: The thrill stops for FundaroLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Giacomo Fundaro moved all-in for 26,000 and action folded the entire method to Gaetano Cammilleri, who was within the big blind. He made the decision with 4♦4♠ and was way behind Fundaro's Q♦Q♠.

The 4♣A♠T♠ flop sent Cammilleri into the lead, but Fundaro still had a redraw to the flush and two queens. The 9♦ turn and K♣ river didn't help Fundaro though and he's yet one more player to be eliminated (in 136th) within the usual post-bubble carnage. --NW

Fundaro felted

2:53pm: Double for DaveyLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Daragh Davey is the most recent player to secure a double-up with pocket jacks. He moved all-in from the small blind excessive of Kamil Szoen's open with the J♥J♣, and was up against ace-jack off. The board ran out 4♥2♣Q♥Q♣T♦ and Davey increased to 94,000, while Szoen drops to 54,000. --JS

2:47pm: Gulyy doubles as Neuville feels generousLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Yury Gulyy open-jammed for his last 21,500 and the action folded to Pierre Neuville within the big blind. I'd say he'd already been thinking for some time once I showed up at the scene, as Gulyy was starting to look somewhat frustrated, but eventually Neuville counted out calling chips and punctiliously placed them over the line.

Gulyy turned over his hand immediately -- J♦J♣ -- and Neuville leaned over to get a glance at them. He turned over 7♣4♠, and everybody on the table seemed a bit of confused by his call. Nevertheless, the board ran out 6♥A♠9♦9♥8♥ and the jacks held up. Neuville has 65,000 now. --JS

2:39pm: Uhkanov versus KamatakisLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Play along.

You arrive at a table with the river having been dealt. The board shows 7♣A♣3♦9♦6♣, a player has open-bet all-in fromeearly position for his last 50,500 (in regards to the size of the pot), and the player at the button is within the tank.

What's that seem like?  

As you piece it together, you're probably noting how river card potentially completes either a flush or a straight. Looks a bit of like an "all or nothing" roughly bet, yes?

Perhaps that is what Vadim Uhkanov was thinking, too. He was at the button, and his opponent Iliodoros Kamatakis had made just this kind of bet. Finally, after a few minutes, Uhkanov banked on "nothing" and called, and Kamatakis smiled as he showed his hand -- K♠J♣ for king-high.

"Ace-ten?" asked Kamatakis, in keeping with which Uhkanov turned over A♥9♠.

"Ace-ni-i-i-ine," said Kamatakis, still smiling and shaking his as he wished the table well before leaving to go to the cashier to gather 145th-place prize money. The bet had nearly done what it had meant to do -- even versus Uhkanov's two pair -- but his opponent had ultimately been in a position to get a hold of the call.

Uhkanov has 310,000 now. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

15	2000	4000	500

2:11pm: Break time

With the bubble safely burst, the 150 remaining players at the moment are taking a 15-minute break. --MH

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2:10pm: Bubble bursts prior to the breakLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

On the overall hand before the break there have been three all-in-and-calls and the bubble was burst.

First up was Raffaele Carnevale. The Italian shoved from the small blind for 42,100 with A♦8♥ and Michael Kane called from the large blind with A♠Q♠.

Raffaele Carnevale is in green, at the left (before he left)

The Q♦3♦K♠K♣2♥ board eliminated Carnevale, and he moved over to the rail, hoping no less than probably the most other two players would bust, as though they did they'd chop the payout(s).

Over at the other side of the room, Nihat Karyagdi had opened to 6,500 from under the gun plus one and he then faced a 30,400 shove from Frenchman Frederic Delval. Karyagdi had a "I FEEL I NEED TO call!" look on his face, and after a minute or so he made the call.

"And now we wait!" said Delval. While this hand was paused, the bubble was officially burst, but we still had to know the end result. The hand was restarted and the cards flipped: K♥K♦ for Delval, and A♣J♠ for Karyagdi. The J♣8♠2♠ flop paired the Romanian, however the K♣ turn gave Delval a collection for the win. The 9♣ river changed nothing, and Delval doubled.

Last, but not least, Tonny Van Eck was all-in for his final 96,600 with Q♥Q♣ and he'd walked into the pocket aces of Gursan Okan.

Tonny Van Eck is in gray, at the left (before he left)

The latter had him covered by just 700 and hung on the 9♥T♣2♥8♥A♠ runout. That suggests Van Eck and Carnevale will no less than get €750 back each. --NW

2:04pm: Caution at the bubble from MarshLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

It folded around to Harry Lodge at the button who leaned forward to test the stacks of the 2 players within the blinds -- Yury Gulyy (small) and Luke Marsh (big) -- either one of whom were at the short side. Lodge then raised to 6,500. Gully folded, but after checking his cards Luke Marsh tossed out chips to call. 

The flop came A♦5♣6♣. Marsh checked, Lodge continued for 5,500, and Marsh called. Both checked the 5♦ turn, and without an excessive amount of hesitation they both again checked the 7♣ river.

Marsh tabled his hand first -- K♦K♣ -- and Lodge mucked. They then shared a glance and fun at Marsh having woken up with the sort of hand, though he'd been tempered postflop by his short stack and the ace on board.

Marsh sits with about 85,000 while Lodge is up around 230,000. Meanwhile, it seems like there are multiple all-ins in this hand -- the last one before the break -- so the bubble's bursting is also imminent. --MH

1:50pm: Schemion brings the bubble closerLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

With 154 players left, Tobias Hausen found himself all-in and in danger for his last 60,000 or so with 8♠8♣ versus the K♠K♥ of Ole Schemion. The board came a monotonous 7♦2♣A♠J♥6♠, and Hausen was eliminated a few spots shy of the money as Schemion bumped back up around 150,000.

Another elimination swiftly followed at the other side of the room, and then the tournament was paused as they're right down to 152 -- only one knockout from payday. Hand-for-hand plays is coming... stay tuned! --MH

1:39pm: Amendola survivesLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Down to simply 25,500, Alfonso Amendola moved all-in with A♠8♣ and Fernando Cimaglia had him bang in trouble with K♦K♠. Amendola was walking clear of the table but needed to get back because the river of a 5♥2♥Q♦2♣A♣ board saved him on the very last.

However, Kimmo Eskelinen is out. 155 players remain. --NW

1:23pm: A Vulpix matchLevel 14 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Humberto Brenes has the shark; Greg Raymer has the fossil; well, welcome to the brand new generation of poker players: Harry Lodge's card protector is a toy of Vulpix.

Meet Vulpix

In case you do not know (and i am not necessarily embarrassed to confess that I needed to Google "fox Pokemon" with a view to discover its name, after which go double consult Lodge), Vulpix is indeed a fox Pokemon, with a fiery head of hair and tail. Therefore, it is a redhead, similar to Lodge.

"What is that?" asked a player at Lodge's table.

"Vulpix!" the Brit replied, giving the table a reason to giggle.

"I expected it to be a stranger one..." said Mehmet Kacar.

"Well, it matches my hair!" said Lodge, who's currently playing a stack of 245,000. --JS

1:17pm: 162 leftLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Paolo Pellegrini, Kresten Hougaard, Danilo Casalvieri, and Umut Picacki are some of the players most recently going out here shy of the money because the tournament continues to race toward that money bubble. 

Just 162 left now. --MH

1:11pm: Neuville making movesLevel 14 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Pierre Neuville just took down a pot with a cheeky check-raise. Having defended his big ignorant of an open from Fausto Di Mezza, the flop came down 9♣A♦Q♣. The Belgian checked and Di Mezza continued for 7,000, just for Neuville to lift it as much as 16,000. The aggressive play worked out, and Neuville claimed the pot.

Neuville has increased his stack from around 100,000 to 150,000 to this point today. --JS

1:05pm: New level, 20 off the moneyLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

They've played one hour's worth of poker on Day 2, wherein exactly 40 players fell to the felt, chipwise. That suggests 171 are left -- just 20 eliminations from the money. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

14	1500	3000	500

1pm: The primary card's an ace, but what is the second?Level 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

We all like to squeeze our cards from time to time, but squeezing your second card after you've already had your all-in shove called could be the squeeziest squeeze of them all.

Gaetano Preite just demonstrated this, having shoved under the gun for his last 28,100 and been called by Chi Zhang. When everyone else had folded Zhang showed the K♣K♦, and Preite lifted his cards up, one tucked behind the opposite. All of us saw the primary one was the A♣ -- and presumably that is the just one Preite had seen to prompt the jam. He slowly peeled the highest ace to the side, praying the opposite one could be a rocket, too.

It wasn't. It was the 6♥.

The board ran out Q♣5♦8♠2♠7♣ and the kings held up. Preite is out, and Zhang has 238,000 now. --JS

Preite pushes, gets pushed out

12:57pm: Good deal of heartsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

What a fun hand! Lucas Blanco opened to 5,200 from middle position and called after Aivaras Kerusauskas three-bet to 13,200 from the lojack. At the 6♥T♥4♥ flop, Blanco checked, Kerusauskas fired out a raffle of 10,500, Blanco check-raised all-in for 44,300 total, and Kerusauskas made a swift call.

Kerusauskas: K♥K♦Blanco: 8♥7♥

The 5♠ river was a blank however the 9♥ sure wasn't because it made a straight flush for Blanco! The Spaniard got his phone out and took a photograph of the rare occurrence. He's as much as just over 100,000 while Kerusauskas drops to 30,000. --NW

12:54pm: Avdoulos the likely chip leaderLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Dimitrios Avdoulos started the day fourth in chips with over 265,000. Well, he's had a perfect begin to the day and is as much as 420,000, which looks good for the chip lead. --NW

12:49pm: A Schlott within the darkLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Whatever else happens to Felix Schlott on this Main Event, he can look back at this call with pride.

Picking up the action at the river of a T♠3♥4♠A♥9♦ board, Robert Cowen checked to Schlott who put out a big gamble of 12,000. Cowen then check-raised it to 43,600 and Schlott went deep into the tank, such a lot so the clock was eventually called. With around half a minute to move he made the call, and exhaled a sigh of relief as he saw his K♦T♥ for second pair was best against the 8♠7♠ busted flush draw of Cowen.

After that hand Cowen drops to 140,000, while Schlott is as much as 150,000. --JS

12:46pm: Parmar doubles through GroganLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

They're right down to 180 now with about QUARTER-HOUR to head within the day's first one-hour level. The hot knockouts Antonio Scuderi, Fabio Rubino, and Bertrand Crouzille were a few of the last eliminations. So, too, has Szymon Wysocki hit the rail. --MH

12:43pm: Parmar doubles through GroganLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

There's been a large number of short-stacked carnage within the early going, but a couple of players has been in a position to improve their situations, chip-wise, including Taran Parmar.

Down to simply under 40,000, Parmar open-raised all-in from under the gun, and after it folded all the way around to James Grogan he checked his cards, then quickly set out calling chips.

Parmar had pinned his fate to A♥K♠ while Grogan had T♦T♣. The flop came A♠4♠6♠ to offer Parmar a couple and a flush draw, then after the 4♦ turn and 7♦ river he'd doubled back up over 80,000. Grogan meanwhile slips to about 50,000. --MH

12:25pm: Oops works out for TrumperLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

"Oops," said Simon Trumper when his turn shove of 19,700 was called by Cate Hall. There has been a 6♠6♥J♥8♦ board at the felt, Trumper had made his move with 9♣7♣, and Hall had put him in danger with T♥8♥.

"Make her two pair please," asked Trumper, however the dealer produced the 9♦ at the river.

There was a little bit confusion over who'd won the hand with the dealer pushing the pot to Hall, but it surely was Trumper's pot and his all-in bet were pulled into the pot. So the dealer reverse engineered the betting and all was well.

"Don't worry about it. I USED TO BE in search of the five or ten, although I knew I'd hit the nine," said Trumper to the dealer. He's as much as around 60,000 while Hall drops to 110,000. --NW

12:32pm: Early bustoutsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

They're not even a half-hour into Day 2, and already two dozen players have hit the rail. A number of the early busts who fall shy of the money are Yang Zhang, Mecit Turan, Rotondo Claudio, David Dill, Ben Heath, and James Akenhead. --MH

Akenhead out

12:22pm: Chip and a chair, but no playerLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

With only 8,000 in chips to begin the day, it was always going to be an arduous task for Lorenzo Amendola to get a workable stack. He made it damn near impossible though, as he wasn't in his seat firstly of play. It is all well and good having a chip and a chair, but if there is no player, well that's something else. It looked as though perhaps he'd opted to only let his stack blind off, but he did actually take place and just in time to look an enormous pot take place.

There was already 60,000 within the pot by the point the dealer fanned a Q♥9♥J♦ flop. Alexander Lakhov (under-the-gun) checked, Yang Zhang bet 30,000, Lakhov check-raised all-in (he was the covering stack), and Zhang tank called. Lakhov showed A♣J♥ and was sooner than Zhang's A♦T♥. So middle pair against a large draw then, and the 6♣ turn and 2♥ river meant Lakhov held. He's as much as 290,000 as a result.

On the following hand, Amendola was basically forced all-in from the small blind and Lakhov, who was within the big blind, called without looking. He had Q♠5♥ and Amendola hadn't picked a good time to be dealt 7♣2♠. A T♣T♦A♠4♣3♦ board sent him for an early bath. --NW

12:14pm: Lucky treble up for GrimaldiLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

"Yes!! YES!!" shouted Pasquale Grimaldi from around the room. Such excitement couldn't be ignored, and after I got to his table I saw why he was so happy -- he'd just hit a runner-runner flush to survive.

Grimaldi was all-in with A♥7♥ against another player's J♦T♦. A 3RD player was all-in, too, but his hand was so inconsequential it have been mucked before I got there. The flop brought a 10 and one heart, followed by the T♥ at the river, giving Grimaldi a flush draw. He then hit a heart at the river and raked in almost 100,000. --JS

12:12pm: Bojang straight within the actionLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Ismael Bojang is definitely some of the talented all-round poker players left within the field, and he wasted no time making his presence felt here today.

Having defended his big unaware of an open from short stacked Marco D'Amico, the 2 saw a 7♥9♣4♣ flop and Bojang checked. D'Amico continued for 5,200 and Bojang came along to peer the 2♣ turn, which he'd check another time. D'Amico also checked, so we went to the river -- the J♥. Bojang thought for approximately 30 seconds before putting D'Amico all-in, who had 25,300 behind or just a little over ten big blinds.

He thought for a heck of so much longer -- around five minutes -- and finally Carlos Olmos called the clock. It ticked right down to six seconds before D'Amico folded, leaving Bojang to rake in some more chips. --JS

"Call me" ~Ismael (Marco D'Amico declined)

12:05pm: Day 2 beginsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

With 211 players returning, Day 2 is underway. Remember, the highest 151 get paid, in order that bubble have to be approaching earlier than later. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

13	1200	2400	400

10:45am: Bubbles, payouts, and a complete lot of eliminations

Welcome to Day 2 of the IPT8 Malta Main Event. We've 211 players coming back today, all seeking to push their edges and pick up a little bit luck as they try to build big stacks and make a run towards making the massive bucks. The bubble will burst after we hit 151 players, so we're sure to reach the money today and notice a ton of eliminations within the process.

The man leading the charge at this time is Day 1A chip leader Stefan Jedlicka with 299,100, closely followed by Day 1B chip leader Johan Guilbert with 294,000. You'll view all the start of Day 2 chip counts here, or check out the seat draw here.

Play kicks off at 12pm, and the plan at this time is to 8 one-hour levels. Meet us back here at noon for what's certain to be a really perfect day of action. --JS

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Key IPT 8 Malta information:

- 25,000 starting stack- Blinds on Day 2 start at 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)- The plan today is to play eight 60-minute levels- Day 3 on Saturday is all about attending to the overall table, so as to happen on Sunday- Full IPT8 Malta schedule here

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the IPT Main Event: Nick Wright, Martin Harris, and Jack Stanton. Photography by Manuel Kovsca and Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

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