After 14 hours within the Casino Barcelona, the rest players of the 97 who came back this morning for the Estrellas Main Event could finally fit around one table. It made me think back fondly to Day 2, when for the primary time all the field could fit inside one room. At the start of that day that seemed highly unlikely.
But now, on the end of Day 3, just nine players remain of the 3,447 who entered. The person who has probably the most chips at the moment is an overly familiar one indeed. He's the largest winner in online tournament poker history. He also has greater than $4 million in live earnings - which after tonight you'll be able to add no less than €45,980 to. Yep, Chris Moorman is the general table headliner, bagging up a monstrous stack of 20,550,000.
Moorman1 is no.1
He's got his eyes set firmly at the €423,600 first place prize, but hot on his heels is the Netherlands' Teunis Kooij with 1,790,000.
Kooij and the gang
Filling out the remainder of the table are Ireland's Nick Newport (5.3 million) and Daniel Wilson (8,675,000), France's Jerome Brion (9,990,000) and Mohamed Samri (4,825,000), Norway's Lars Farstad (6,175,000) and Marius Enebakk (6,300,000) and Switzerland's Jean-Marc Bellini (6,225,000).
We had known names still within the field at the beginning of play today including Christopher Frank, Rodrigo Strong, Lucas Greenwood, Scott Margereson, Steven van Zadelhoff, Louis Salter and Joao Vieira. However, they'd all fall because the day went on. Salter made it the furthest, but busted just after the overall three tables have been assembled.
Salter finished in 24th place (€10,930)
The chip lead was with Ongun Yagci for a lot of the day's later levels, but around 11:30pm he'd be eliminated by Moorman within the biggest pot of the tournament to this point. He jammed over Moorman's three-bet for his entire 7 million stack with the A♣2♣, and Moorman was happy to name for virtually all of his stack with pocket Kings, which he'd then flop a suite with.
From then on Moorman increased his lead and stayed out front until the end.
Big misstep for Yagci
Our final nine will return at 12pm tomorrow (Monday) where they're going to play right down to an official final table of eight. Blinds firstly of the day can be 150,000/300,000 with a running 50,000 ante. Here's the seat draw:
Seat 1: Chris MoormanSeat 2: Nicholas NewportSeat 3: Jean-Marc BelliniSeat 4: Teunis KooijSeat 5: Mohamed SamriSeat 6: Daniel WilsonSeat 7: Lars FarstadSeat 8: Jerome BrionSeat 9: Marius Enebakk
Make sure you join back here tomorrow as we play all the way down to a winner within the ESPT7 Barcelona Main Event. Until then, get some slumber. --JS
DAY 3 LIVE COVERAGE BELOW:
1:56am: Day 3 concludes
They've reached the tip of Level 33 and that suggests nine players can be returning for tomorrow's final day of play. Chris Moorman ended the night with the chip lead with greater than 20 million.
Back in a couple of to wrap up a long, exciting day within the Estrellas Barcelona Main Event. --MH
1:50am: Brion over Moorman Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
Chris Moorman raised from under the gun and got a caller in Jerome Brion playing from the small blind. Both checked the 8♠9♦Q♥ flop, then after Brion checked the 2♠ turn, Moorman bet 625,000 and Brion called.
The river was the 8♦. Both players checked, and when Brion turned over T♣T♥, Moorman mucked.
Brion is as much as 10.5 million now, while Moorman has 17.8 million. --MH
1:42am: Last level Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
It was decided that this may increasingly be the last level of the night. --JS
1:40am: Seating Assignments for Nine-Handed Table Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
Here's how they've redrawn around a single table, with Chris Moorman in Seat 1 and primary position within the counts:
Seat 1: Chris Moorman - 19,800,000Seat 2: Nicholas Newport - 5,900,000Seat 3: Jean-Marc Bellini - 3,700,000Seat 4: Teunis Kooij - 17,800,000Seat 5: Mohamed Samri - 4,200,000Seat 6: Daniel Wilson - 11,800,000Seat 7: Lars Farstad - 7,200,000Seat 8: Jerome Brion - 7,800,000Seat 9: Marius Enebakk - 6,850,000
1:36am: Marc-Olivier Perrault eliminated in 10th place (€36,340)Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
It wasn't probably the most entertaining hand, I'm afraid. Marc-Olivier Perrault had gotten very short and moved all-in with eight-five. He was called by the Ace-Queen of Lars Farstad and the most productive hand-held up.
Marc-Olivier Perrault
The nine remaining players are actually redrawing for one table --JS
1:25am: Sven Lucha eliminated in 11th place (€36,340)Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
Not a lot more to report here. Lucha had 700,000 left and threw it within the first chance he got (under the gun). It folded around to Chris Moorman within the big and for under two bigs more he made the decision with the K♦6♦. That was good as Lucha had the K♠2♠ and was drawing dead after Moorman flopped trips. --JS
Sven Lucha - 11th place
1:20am: Always at the river (the radio edit)Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
Losing a race is rarely fun. Just ask Sven Lucha.
He had PokerStars Qualifier Daniel Wilson all-in with basically identical stacks - his 9♦9♠ against Wilson's A♥J♦. The pot was worth 11 million to the winner, and it was almost - almost Lucha.
The T♦8♣2♠ flop was safe. So was the 2♦ turn. However the A♦ river was anything but.
"Always at the f@#king river!" said Lucha, mainly to himself over and over.
He was left with just 700,000. --JS
1:13am: Ole Olsen eliminated in 12th place (€29,820) Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
It folded to Teunis Kooij within the small blind who announced he was raising all-in, and Ole Olsen called in no time from the massive ignorant of commit his last 5 million or so.
Kooij had A♥5♥ while Olsen had 9♣9♠. The flop fell 8♦A♣K♣ to pair Kooij's ace, and after the Q♥ turn and 2♥ river it was far and wide for Olsen.
"That's life," he said as he shook Kooij's hand. Olsen goes out in 12th while Kooij now has greater than 13 million, good for second position behind Chris Moorman --MH
Ole Olsen - 12th place
12:58am: Kooij picks up a couple of from Samri Level 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
Mohamed Samri raised to 625,000 from the button and Teunis Kooij called from the large blind. The flop came K♣7♣T♥, and Kooij check-called a big gamble of 500,000 from Samri. Both then checked the K♦ turn.
The 7♦ at the river put a second pair on board, and Kooij pushed out a big gamble of 500,000. Samri thought some time and called, and Kooij showed A♠7♠ for sevens full. Samri mucked, and Kooij is now up over 9 million. --MH
12:41am: Olsen makes tortuous foldLevel 33: Blinds 125,000/250,000, Ante 50,000
Ole Olsen opened to 675,000 from the gun and it folded throughout until Marc-Olivier Perrault within the big blind. He defended and the dealer spread an A♦8♦4♦ flop. There can be no c-bet, and when both players checked the 2♥ turn card was dealt. Now Perrault took control with a 975,000 wager, but Olsen didn't go anyway. He called to peer the J♠ river but if Perrault put him all-in he had a significant decision to make.
He took his time; after all, we're playing for many money here. After an even couple of minutes he started to hold his cards in hands and whisper to himself, desperately seeking to see the sunshine. Eventually that light will need to have shown him something bad as he decided to fold and live to fight another day. Olsen has 3,425,000 after that one. --JS
| 33 | 125000 | 250000 | 50000 |
12:19am: Break time
The final dozen players are off now on another 20-minute break. --MH
Ready to play the EPT yourself? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.12:18am: The language of bluffLevel 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 30,000
Frenchman Mohamed Samri opened for 405,000 from early position, then Teunis Kooij three-bet to 910,000 from a few seats over. It folded back to Samri who made it 2.2 million to go, and after an extended think Kooij called, making a pot of 4.85 million.
The flop came 4♦7♥T♣, and Samri fired 2.25 million as a number one bet. Kooij tanked for some time, asking Samri at one point if he spoke English. The solution was no, followed by Samri asking Kooij if he spoke French.
"Un peu," said Kooij with a grin.
Finally he let his hand go, and Samri was the only smiling as he showed his hand -- K♦Q♣!
"Well played," said Kooij, still grinning. "Ooh la la!" said Samri. Both understood one another perfectly.
Samri has about 9.35 million heading to wreck while Kooij still has 5.85 million. --MH
12:10am: Mario Pagani eliminated in 13th place (€29,820) Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 30,000
Chris Moorman opened for 405,000 from under the gun and it folded back around to Mario Pagini who called from the massive blind.
The flop fell 9♠T♦K♠, prompting Pagini to push all-in along with his last 2.55 million or so, and Moorman called instantly.
Both had flopped top pair plus gutshot draws, but Moorman had the kicker edge with K♥Q♠ versus Pagini's K♦J♥. The turn was the T♣ and river the 4♥, and Pagini is out in 13th.
Moorman pushes his leading stack up around 17 million. --MH
Mario Pagani - 13th place
12:20am: Newport's times are a changin'Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
Ireland's Nick Newport suffered some bad luck earlier, but his luck could be turning as he's just doubled up. Newport opened and got one caller in Marc-Olivier Perrault. The flop came A♣2♣6♥ and it checked to Newport who put out a c-bet, only to then get jammed on. He snap called with the K♣J♣ flush draw and breathed a sigh of relief to look Perrault also had one with the Q♣9♣. Not more clubs fell anyway meaning the King-high sealed it, bringing Newport as much as 7 million. --JS
12:10am: Cosmin Joldis eliminated in 14th place (€24,480)Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
We've had a few bust outs in quick succession now as Cosmin Joldis is the newest to fall. He got his 1.475 million in good with the Q♣Q♥ up against Marc-Olivier Perrault's K♥J♥, however the flop had other ideas. It came 8♠J♦K♠ giving Perrault two pair, followed by the 9♠ turn which gave Joldis a gutshot. He'd want a Queen or a 10 to survive, but it surely came the 4♥ and he was outta here.
Perrault moved as much as 8.7 million after that hand. --JS
Cosmin Joldis - 14th place
12am: Marek Grześka eliminated in 15th place (€24,480)Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
As if Chris Moorman needed any longer chips after the massive pot he played not long ago, he's just busted Marek Slawomir Grześka - aka the Shark - from this event. Grześka moved all-in for 1.67 million from under-the-gun plus one and it folded around to Moorman within the big blind. He peeked at his cards and said "I BELIEVE I NEED TO"! before making the call.
It was A♥8♣ for the Brit and the J♦T♦ for Grześka, and the Ace hit the A♠4♥3♥ flop immediately. It was far and wide by the 7♠ turn, but Grześka paired with the T♥ river simply to add salt. We're right down to 14, and Moorman has added much more to his stack. --JS
Marek Grześka - 15th place
11:49pm: Yin Zhang eliminated in 16th place (€20,320)Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
Just because the tables were about to wreck to form the general two, Yin Zhang jammed all-in with the A♥Q♦ and was by Sven Lucha's A♦K♠. There wasn't a woman to be found at the run-out and Zhang hit the cage to gather his winnings. --JS
Yin Zhang - 16th place
11:48pm: Nick Mertens eliminated in 17th place (€20,320) Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
Nick Mertens ESPT Barcelona run has come to an lead to 17th place after he found himself at the wrong end of an all-in versus Marc Olivier-Perrault.
All-in with A♥5♠ versus Perrault's A♠K♣, Mertens watched the board come T♠K♠J♣K♦4♠ and that was that.
Nick Mertens - 17th place
They're all the way down to 16 players now because of this another redraw to reseat everyone across the last two tables. --MH
11:33pm: Ruben Pleijster eliminated in 18th place (€16,880) Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
Ruben Pleijster open-jammed for approximately 2.4 million from the cutoff, and it folded to Jerome Brion within the big blind who called.
Brion turned over ace-jack while Pleijster had king-seven. An ace fell at the flop and no help followed at the subsequent streets for Pleijster who goes out in 18th. --MH
Ruben Pleijster - 18th place
11:26pm: Ongun Yagci eliminated in 19th place (€16,880)Level 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
There's only really one hand to inform you about from the past 20 minutes, but trust us - it was the most important pot of the tournament thus far at nearly 14 million.
It started - as such a lot of of our hands tonight have - with an open from Ongun Yagci to 500,000 from the hijack. It then folded to Chris Moorman within the big blind who popped it as much as 1,400,000. Yagci then moved all-in and Moorman snap called.
Now, I DO KNOW what you're thinking. Aces versus Kings right? Or even Queens versus Ace King?
Only some of the hands matched that sort of criteria. Moorman had the K♣K♥.
And Yagci? Oh...he had the A♣2♣.
The flop brought a sweat; it came the K♠3♦4♣, which despite giving Moorman top set and a strangle hold at the hand, it even have Yagci a sneaky straight draw should a five land.
Instead, the 7♠ turn fell, followed by the 9♣ river, and Moorman had won it. After somewhat counting by the dealer it was resolute that Moorman had Yagci covered by a hair, meaning Yagci was out.
Chris Moorman -- the man who has won extra money than anyone else within the history of online tournament poker -- is now a huge chip leader with 13,740,000. --JS
Ongun Yagci - 19th place
11:14pm: Splashing within the shallow endLevel 32: Blinds 100,000/200,000, Ante 25,000
We've gone a protracted stretch with just one elimination -- and many double-ups -- and in consequence the common stack has fallen now to around 22.5 big blinds. --MH
| 32 | 100000 | 200000 | 25000 |
11:06pm: Farstad lays down queensLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
A couple of the massive stacks -- Lars Farstad and Ongun Yagci -- just got concerned with what turned out to be an enchanting hand, even supposing it only got to the turn with a fold to a single postflop bet.
It began with Yagci opening for 400,000 from under the gun, then Farstad three-bet to 960,000 from the following seat over. It folded back to Yagci who thought for roughly a minute, then called, and the pair saw a flop come A♠8♦7♣.
Yagci chose to guide at that flop with a chance of 1.19 million. Farstad tanked a bit, then folded his hand face up -- Q♥Q♠.
Farstad has 7.5 million and what seems to be the chip lead right now, while Yagci has 4.9 million. --MH
Farstad in first
10:58pm: Bad timing for Joldis enables Wilson doubleLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
Cosmin Joldis raised to 375,000 from the cutoff, and it folded to Daniel Wilson within the big blind who three-bet to fifteen. million. The action back on Joldis, he announced he was pushing all-in and Wilson called in a flash, committing his entire stack of 3.47 million.
Joldis had K♦T♥ and had run into Wilson's A♦A♣. The flop came T♦8♣5♠ to offer Joldis one pair, however the turn and river ran clean for Wilson -- 6♦, then 3♣ -- and he now has 7.2 million and is correct there with the chip leaders. Joldis, meanwhile, slips to about 2 million. --MH
10:52pm: Dario Amorello eliminated in 20th place (€16,880)Level 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
It was classic race - Ole Olson's A♥K♣ versus Dario Amorello's all-in for 1.8 million with the T♦T♠. Normally the paired player just hopes to bypass one of the vital two overcards their opponent helds, but as a result it a bit different.
The flop fell the 4♦3♠2♣ and that meant Olson could now win with a five too. Whether Amorello had noticed that or not didn't matter, because he sure noticed it after the 5♣ landed at the turn. The Q♦ completed the board and we were all the way down to 19.
Olson has 5,050,000 after that elimination. --JS
Dario Amorello - 20th place
10:47pm: Samri saved by the riverLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
Mohamed Samri was as regards to out of this one...until a miracle river card that is.
His 1,555,000 all-in was called pre-flop by Marek Grześka, and it was the A♦T♠ against 5♦5♣. The board kept low for the 7♦4♠2♣ flop, and again at the T♠ turn. However the A♥ river was anything but, saving Samri's tournament and giving him a brand new stack of 3.3 million to play with. --JS
10:38pm: Zhang feels the pressureLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
Ongun Yagci appears to be in every pot at the present time. He called Yin Zhang's 325,000 open out of the large blind and the 2 saw a 2♥7♠T♥ flop land, which both checked. The J♠ turn came next and that inspired Yagci to take the lead with a 475,000 bet. Zhang called.
After the Q♠ river came down Yagci announced all-in, which essentially meant he'd bet 1.57 million as that's all Zhang had left. He thought. He thought some more. Eventually Mario Pagani called the clock. But in spite of everything Zhang let it go, and now with just lower than ten big blinds he's in big trouble. --JS
10:30pm: Pagani doubles through YagciLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
Mario Pagani has just secured a whole double up courtesy of Ongun Yagci. After an open and a shove, Yagci made the all-in call with the K♠Q♠ but was well behind Pagani's A♠K♣. Yagci did flop a gutshot nevertheless it never came and the Italian doubles as much as 5.2 million. Meanwhile Yagci has dropped to 4.7 million. --JS
10:21pm: An Enebakk combakkLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
Marius Enebakk was the fast stack some of the final 20 to start out the brand new level, but he's improved his situation a little bit here within the early going, including doubling during the leader Marek Grzeska.
Enebakk could have gotten a couple of chips from Grzeska before the hand we witnessed, as he was as much as 1.245 million and Grzeska down a marginally from the 7.35 million-chip stack he had on the break.
The hand we did see began with Grzeska raising to 360,000 from the button, then Enebakk reraised all-in for 1.245 million and Grzeska called.
Enebakk had A♦5♦ and Grzeska Q♣3♣, and the 3♠J♣7♣ flop paired Grzeska while also giving him a flush draw. The 5♠ fell at the turn to swing the brink back to Enebakk, and after the 8♠ river the Norwegian had survived.
Enebakk has almost 2.7 million now, while Grzeska is on 5.35 million. --MH
10:10pm: Updated chip counts; 20 remainLevel 31: Blinds 80,000/160,000, Ante 20,000
Players are back of their seats and Level 31 has begun. Marek Grzeska returns to the chip lead, just sooner than Lars Farstad as play resumes. Here is a have a look at updated counts for all 20 players:
| Marek Slawomir Grześka | Poland | PokerStars qualifier | 7,350,000 |
| Lars Farstad | Norway | PokerStars player | 7,125,000 |
| Ongun Yagci | Netherlands | 6,700,000 | |
| Chris Moorman | UK | 6,050,000 | |
| Ruben Nils Pleijster | Netherlands | PokerStars player | 5,400,000 |
| Marc-Olivier Perrault | Canada | PokerStars player | 5,350,000 |
| Nicholas Newport | Ireland | PokerStars qualifier | 4,800,000 |
| Dario Amorello | Italy | 4,700,000 | |
| Jerome Brion | France | 4,650,000 | |
| Nick Mertens | Belgium | 3,150,000 | |
| Cosmin Joldis | Romania | PokerStars qualifier | 3,150,000 |
| Ole Olsen | Norway | PokerStars player | 2,975,000 |
| Mario Pagani | Italy | 2,720,000 | |
| Jean-Marc Bellini | Switzerland | 2,600,000 | |
| Daniel Wilson | Ireland | PokerStars qualifier | 2,525,000 |
| Mohamed Samri | France | 2,480,000 | |
| Sven Michael Lucha | Germany | PokerStars player | 2,475,000 |
| Yin Zhang | China | PokerStars player | 2,250,000 |
| Teunis Kooij | Netherlands | 1,850,000 | |
| Marius Enebakk | Norway | 475,000 |
Marek Grzeska
| 31 | 80000 | 160000 | 20000 |
9:50pm: On a break
Players have gone on a 20-minute break. --JS
Ready to play the EPT yourself? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.9:48pm: Almost six for MoormanLevel 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Chris Moorman opened to 270,000 and faced a three-bet to 705,000 from the large stack of Ongun Yagci. Moorman wasn't done though, four-betting to 1,520,000 and getting his opponent to fold.
He's as much as 5,975,000 now. --JS
9:46pm: Double up for ZhangLevel 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
You've been playing for 3 straight days. There are only twenty players left. Nineteen stand within the way of you winning €423,600. Do you call with Ace King if you find yourself put all-in on a K♠J♣9♥Q♠7♦ board?
That was the dilemma Yin Zhang faced by the hands of Mario Pagani. There has been 500,000 within the middle already and Zhang had 1,150,000 behind. He went for it - and was right. Pagani just had an Ace and a four for air, and Zhang got the whole double up. --JS
9:36pm: Jacks work for KooijLevel 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Teunis Kooij open-pushed for 1.67 million from late position and got a caller in Jerome Brion at the button.
Kooij had J♥J♦ and hoped his pair would hold versus Brion's A♥Q♠. Hold it did in the course of the 7♥7♦5♥T♠K♥ board, and Kooij now has about 3.4 million. Brion suffers another hit, but still has 4.05 million. --MH
9:28pm: Pagani shows Moorman respectLevel 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Mario Pagani opened to 270,000 but was three-bet to 800,000 by Chris Moorman. The Italian looked him up and down, and did the similar together with his cards, for a minute or so before folding -- showing the A♥J♣ as he did it. --JS
9:21pm: Yang Hwang eliminated in 21st place (€13,770)Level 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Yang Hwang has just been knocked out, becoming the last player to take home €13,770. The following three players out gets €16,880.
Ruben Nils Pleijster opened to 270,000 before Hwang three-bet to 625,000. Pleijster then shoved and Hwang - who was pretty pot committed already - made the decision with A♥9♣, up against A♠Q♥.
Both paired their Ace at the K♣3♣J♠A♣2♠ board, however the kicker played and Hwang was sent to the rail. --JS
Yang Hwang - 21st place
9:11pm: Joldis doubles up againLevel 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Shortly after doubling through Dario Amorello, Cosmin Joldis managed to take action again through Ole Olsen after his A♥K♠ outdrew Olsen's J♥J♣ when an ace came a few of the community cards.
Joldis is as much as 3.6 million now, while Olsen has 3.35 million. --MH
9:02pm: Joldis doubles short stackLevel 30: Blinds 60,000/120,000, Ante 20,000
Short stack Cosmin Joldis open-raised all-in from middle position for his last 540,000 with T♠9♠ and got a caller in Dario Amorello sitting within the big blind with 5♥5♦.
The board rolled out 8♦Q♥9♥Q♠3♦ to hit Joldis's hand and earn him a double-up. He's at 1.3 million now. --MH
| 30 | 60000 | 120000 | 20000 |
8:51pm: Grzeska doubles through BrionLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
In the last hand of the level, Marek Grzeska (and his shark) were all-in from 1.755 million from middle position and got a decision from Jerome Brion sitting within the hijack seat.
Everyone else folded, Grzeska showed A♥T♣, and Brion T♠T♦. Things looked bleak for Grzeska after the 2♥2♣Q♥ flop and Q♠ turn, however the A♠ fell at the river to avoid wasting him and he doubled to about 3.7 million. Meanwhile Brion still leads everyone with 8.4 million. --MH
8:58pm: Roberto Canali out in 22nd place (€13,770)Level 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
There's not much to mention here rather then Roberto Canali have been eliminated. He was all-in with pocket threes against Mohamed Samri's pocket fours, and the board ran out K♠J♥2♠J♣2♥. In the beginning Canali thought it was a chop, but because the deuces were lower the fours played. He'll take home €13,770 for his 22nd place finish.
Just 21 remain now. --JS
Roberto Canali - 22nd place
8:45pm: Yagci takes Pagani for an enormous potLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
By the river of the Q♠4♦6♥A♦T♦ board, Ongun Yagci and Mario Pagani had created a pot of 1.2 million. The action was on Pagani who made it 600,000 to play, but then Yagci raised it as much as an incredible 2.3 million.
Pagani was within the tank once we arrived on the table, and looked enthusiastic about potentially making this call. He had 5.3 million behind, and at last decided to head for it, turning over his Ace-Queen for prime two pair.
It was no good. Yagci had K♦8♦ for the nut flush and raked in an enormous pot. --JS
8:33pm: All tens accounted forLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Roberto Canali open-raised all-in from middle position and it folded to the button where Yang Hwang came up with a decision. The blinds folded, then Canali and Hwang tabled their hands:
Canali: T♥T♣Hwang: T♠T♦
The board came 9♠7♠7♠ (okay... okay...), 3♠ (hmm... interesting...), then 8♣, and the pair split the pot.
Both players remain relatively short, as Canali has 1.25 million while Hwang is on 2.1 million. --MH
8:21pm: Gonzalo Tunez eliminated in 23rd place (€13,770)Level 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Gonzalo Tunez opened for 1.24 million from early position, then it folded back around to Lars Farstad who made a hefty reraise to send the blinds out of the way.
Tunez was hopeful as he turned over his A♥J♥, but Farstad turned over K♣K♠, and five cards later -- 3♥T♦7♦6♥3♠ -- there has been not more hope for Tunez who was out in 23rd.
Farstad is now as much as 7.92 million and within shouting distance of chip leader Jerome Brion. --MH
Gonzalo Tunez - 23rd place
8:15pm: Louis Salter eliminated in 24th place (€10,930)Level 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
It's been an ideal run for Louis Salter, but all good stuff must come to an end. He was all-in with the Q♠Q♣ against Ole Olson's K♥K♠ and needed some help. The Poker Gods should have heard him since the flop came 4♥8♥Q♥ to provide him a set, nevertheless it also presented three hearts.
The J♥ made it four and that gave Olson the King-high flush draw. Salter needed the board to pair however the river bricked the 5♦ and he was gone in 24th. --JS
Louis Salter - 24th place
8pm: Off againLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Play has restarted. --JS
7:55pm: Three table seat drawLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Table 11. Ongun Yagci2. Lars Farstad3. Mario Pagani4. Yin Zhang5. Chris Moorman6. Gonzalo Tunez7. Jean-Marc Bellini8. Sven Michael Lucha
Table 21. Cosmin Joldis2. Ole Olson3. Louis Salter4. Nicholas Newport5. Daniel Wilson6. Nick Mertens7. Dario Amorello8. Marc-Olivier Perrault
Table 31. Mohamed Samri2. Ruben Nils Pleijster3. Yang Hwang4. Teunis Kooij5. Marek Slawomir Grześka6. Jerome Brion7. Marius Enebakk8. Roberto Canali
7:47pm: Three table timeLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
We're right down to 24 players and that implies it is time to re-draw. The clock was paused while the players discover their seat at probably the most last three tables. --JS
7:45pm: Strelitz busts to YagciLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
The man who has just left us in 25th is Daniel Strelitz. He was all-in with pocket fives against Ongun Yagci's K♠Q♥, and a King at the flop (and Queen at the river for good measure) sealed the deal. --JS
7:44pm: Szabo zapped by NewportLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
Soon after play resumed, Gabor Szabo -- probably the most Day 1 flight chip leaders -- found himself all-in and in danger with A♥2♥ versus Nicholas Newport's A♣J♣.
The board rolled out 9♦T♦J♦K♠T♣, giving Newport jacks and tens and sending Szabo to the rail in 26th. Newport sits with 4.75 million now. --MH
Gabor Szabo
7:41pm: AND we're backLevel 29: Blinds 50,000/100,000, Ante 10,000
The 26 remaining players are back of their seats - Level 29 is a go. --JS
| 29 | 50000 | 100000 | 10000 |
6:40pm: Meal time; updated counts
Players have gone a 60-minute dinner break. Meanwhile, the chip counts was updated for the overall 26 players -- here is a have a look at the highest 10 stacks, with Jerome Brion having created some space between himself and the field.
| Jerome Brion | France | 9,200,000 | |
| Mario Pagani | Italy | 5,600,000 | |
| Nick Mertens | Belgium | 5,300,000 | |
| Ruben Nils Pleijster | Netherlands | PokerStars player | 5,250,000 |
| Lars Farstad | Norway | PokerStars player | 4,500,000 |
| Ongun Yagci | Netherlands | 4,300,000 | |
| Jean-Marc Bellini | Switzerland | 3,800,000 | |
| Sven Michael Lucha | Germany | PokerStars player | 3,750,000 |
| Marc-Olivier Perrault | Canada | PokerStars player | 3,700,000 |
| Dario Amorello | Italy | 3,600,000 |
Chris Moorman is solely outside of the highest 10 these days with 2.9 million, with Louis Salter (1.62 million), Daniel Strelitz (1.2 million), and Gabor Szabo (970,000) still with chips.
See you back here in an hour. --MH
Another view of Brion's big stack
Ready to play the EPT yourself? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.6:38pm: Two more downLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Nino Ullman and Robert Fenner made their exit right before the dinner break in 28th and 27th place, respectively. If it's any consolation, no less than now they are able to eat and feature time for the food to correctly digest rather than rushing back. --JS
6:33pm: Greenwood goneLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Luc Greenwood got the last of his short stack in with Q♦9♠ against Nick Mertens's A♠J♦, and a 5♣A♦2♣6♥4♣ runout spelled the tip of the street for Greenwood who finishes 29th.
Mertens has 5.25 million. --MH
Greenwood goes out
6:28pm: Pleijster cracks Fenner's kingsLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
All-in with A♣Q♥ for 1.6 million, Ruben Pleijster bumped into a caller in Robert Fenner who had woken up with K♥K♦. The flop came A♦3♥7♠ to provide Pleijster the simpler pair, and after the J♦ turn and 2♥ river he doubled to 3.35 million while Fenner fell to 900,000. --MH
6:26pm: Smadga outLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Avihai Smadga was knocked out in 30th place because the level nears its end. --MH
6:25pm: Yagci and Moorman at it againLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
These two are developing just a little rivalry; who knows what would happen in the event that they were sat next to one another as opposed to being separated by the dealer.
In this one, the action was on Chris Moorman who stared down on the J♥9♠6♠4♠A♥ board and a pot worth greater than 1,000,000. His opponent again was Ongun Yagci, and into him Moorman made a gamble of 520,000.
"How much are you playing?" Yagci asked the winningest player in online tournament history. "3.15," replied Moorman, as in 3,150,000.
"All-in," were the following words Yagci uttered, slowly sliding his 1.78 million stack into the center. Moorman went into the tank somewhat bit, not quite sure of what to do. It'd be for a big chunk of his chips, but in spite of everything he decided he did not want to play for half his stack. He gave it up, but it is only a question of time before these two are at it again. --JS
6:12pm: Doubles for Tunez and PerraultLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Two all-ins to report, either one of which worked out for the at-risk players.
Gonzalo Tunez was committed for approximately 1.05 million with 8♥7♥ and humorously let escape an "oh no" when Nino Ullmann looked him up with 6♥6♠.
The 4♠A♠3♦ flop and 7♠ turn weren't good for Tunez, however the 8♦ river was and he doubled to about 2.2 million while Ullmann slipped to 1.06 million. "IT'S A MUST TO do this to win tournaments," commented Tunez with a grin.
Next it was Marc-Olivier Perrault all-in with A♥Q♣ versus Daniel Wilson's 2♣2♠. That worked out for the endangered one, too, because the board came Q♦3♥6♥9♠4♥ to push Perrault as much as 3.2 million. Wilson still has 3.4 million. --MH
Sometimes the deal is nice for you, sometimes in your opponent
6:09pm: Renaud latest to fallLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Gfeller Renaud has made his exit in 31st place, but it surely came as no surprise. He was very short and moving all-in every hand, so a bust-out seemed inevitable. He had the A♦7♦ against Nick Mertens' A♠Q♥, and the most productive hand-held up. --JS
6:05pm: The huge pot that couldn'tLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
It got was such a lot juicier. Two of the room's biggest stacks, belonging to Jerome Brion and Ole Olson, were heads up in a pot together, and it started out promising.
The flop showed the 6♦Q♥K♣ and Olson checked, letting Brion in for a 350,000 bet. That was called, adding to 600,000-plus that was already within the middle. Then came the 5♦ turn which Olson checked again. Brion made it double the flop bet - 750,000 - and if that bet were called the river would has been very interesting indeed.
Sigh. Olsen gave it up, so we never even got to peer it. --JS
5:55pm: Diaz, Shklyar outLevel 28: Blinds 40,000/80,000, Ante 10,000
Cristian Diaz ran ace-king into Ole Olson's pocket aces to move out in 33rd, and he was followed shortly thereafter by Yaroslav Shklyar who went out in 32nd. --MH
| 28 | 40000 | 80000 | 10000 |
5:39pm: Brion soaring, busts RoccoLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Start-of-day leader Jerome Brion is back in front with 33 players left, and in a large way following his receipt of a giant pot earned from a knockout of Michael Rocco.
Picking up things at the turn with the board showing 2♦J♣8♠6♦, Brion was for sure delighted to look Rocco shoving all-in as he called and tabled J♦J♠ for high set. Rocco showed A♦Q♣, meaning no river card could save him and he was knocked out in 34th.
Brion's up over 7.4 million now, a few million clear (no less than) of the sphere in this day and age. --MH
Jerome jumps ahead
5:40pm: Moorman's inquisitive but not immersedLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Ongun Yagci opened under the gun (and seat one) to 150,000 and Jerome Brion called. When it got round to Chris Moorman within the big blind (seat nine), he leaned out in front but couldn't quite see past the dealer.
"How much are you playing?" he asked. "Around two million," replied Yagci.
Moorman turned back to his stack and commenced plotting. He decided to squeeze it as much as 475,000, however the squeeze soon turned to nothing greater than a gradual touch as Yagci jammed for the aforementioned two million. Brion folded, as did Moorman, who's still sitting with 4 million. --JS
5:34pm: Things ain't rosy for de RosaLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Our latest casualty is Italy's Andrea de Rosa, who has fallen by the hands of Mohamed Samri. The previous was the player in peril for 465,000, and the player behind with pocket threes versus pocket Queens. De Rosa couldn't bink a miracle two-outer and he made his exit. --JS
5:24pm: Yagci felts FrankLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Christopher Frank started hot today, but slid thereafter and at present has busted in 36th place.
Frank got an overly short stack in with J♦9♠ versus Ongun Yagci's A♦K♠, and five cards later -- 7♥5♣7♠3♦T♠ -- Frank was heading over to the cashier's table.
Yagci is at 1.8 million now. --MH
5:21pm: Ullmann and Tunez sing the similar tuneLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Right after the Salter double-up, we heard another "All-in and get in touch with"! announcement from a dealer and rushed over to look what was up. Seems Nino Ullmann had jammed for around 400,000 with the A♣T♣, and was called by Gonzalo Tunez holding the 9♣9♠.
Ullmann hated the flop. The J♦8♦9♦ had given Tunez a set, but he did have the ability to pick up a consolation open-ended straight draw. The 4♦ turn then brought four diamonds to a flush, meaning any diamond at the end would cut it.
The river was a Queen and Ullmann made his straight. Oh yeah -- I should probably mention it was the Q♦, so the straight was actually meaningless. Both ended up playing the board, which left an unsatisfying taste in everyone's mouth. Chop it. --JS
5:12pm: Ditz down, loses to LuchaLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Down near the felt after that encounter with Louis Salter, Franz Ditz was compelled to push all-in from middle position with T♦9♣ and after a brief think Sven Lucha decided to name from the blinds with 6♥4♥.
The flop came 3♠Q♣4♠ to hit certainly one of Lucha's two live cards, and after the J♠ turn and A♥ river Ditz was done, his Estrellas Barcelona Main Event concluding in 37th place. Lucha is as much as 2.82 million. --MH
5:10pm: Salter doubles through DitzLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Louis Salter's stack was all-in and called pre-flop by Franz Ditz. Both had hands, but Salter's 8♥8♠ was already made, whereas Ditz's A♠J♣ would have to get there.
The player in danger was Salter, but luckily for him the board ran out pure and he even hit a suite of eights at the river for good measure (not that he needed it). He's doubled to 2.7 million. --JS
4:59pm: De Oliveira out, van Zadelhoff offLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Six busts within the first 10 minutes of the extent have suddenly reduced the sphere to 37, with Steven van Zadelhoff in 39th and Joao De Oliveira in 38th the most recent to fall. --MH
4:55pm: Moorman moves in frontLevel 27: Blinds 30,000/60,000, Ante 10,000
Chris Moorman had a robust last level, and here firstly of next one appears to have moved out into the chip lead with 40 players left. Moorman is sitting on about 5.3 million nowadays. --MH
| 27 | 30000 | 60000 | 10000 |
4:28pm: Break time
Get yourself back here in 20 minutes when players return from break. --JS
Ready to play the EPT yourself? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.4:26pm: Bellini bounces aheadLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Just before the break arrived, Jean-Marc Bellini knocked out Miguel Seoane in a blind-versus-blind hand through which Seoane got all-in from the small with queen-six, Bellini had ace-queen, and the easier hand held.
Bellini has about 4.2 million to finish the level, and while others are building big stacks around, too, he could be the chip leader at the present. --MH
Bellini's ballooning chip stack (on right)
4:23pm: Welcome to CoolersvilleLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
This pot was huge, and it's given Nick Mertens the chip lead with 3.8 million.
When I arrived, Mertens and American player Dejuente Alexander had already seen a flop. It showed the Q♥5♥2♥ and Alexander had checked to Mertens at the button who bet 215,000 into the 350,000 pot. Alexander then chirped up with a raise to 490,000, and once that was called you should tell this pot was going to get even bigger still.
The turn card came the 5♣, pairing the board, and the action was on Alexander. It was still on him three minutes later as he hadn't yet acted; was the top massage he was receiving on the time sending him to sleep?
Turned out he really was just deep in thought. "All in," he announced, which was music to Mertens' ears. He called. He had an entire house. He had the Q♠5♠.
And he won a huge pot. Alexander have been coolered after flopping a flush together with his K♥9♥ as that turn card left him drawing dead. A pointless K♣ completed the board and Mertens shot out in front, currently leading the pack. --JS
Mertens and his mountains
4:17pm: Eights work for CanaliLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Roberto Canali just doubled through Hassan Sey to transport up around 2.35 million, knocking Sey right down to just 455,000.
All-in before the flop with 8♣8♠ against Sey's A♦K♥, the board brought both an eight and an ace -- coming 2♥8♥2♠5♣A♣ -- and Canali won along with his flopped full house. --MH
4:04pm: Van Zadelhoff has kicker problemsLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Picking up the action on a K♦A♦Q♥ flop, Mario Pagani checked it to his sole opponent - Steven van Zadelhoff. The Dutchman made it 175,000 to head and the Italian made the decision to peer the 4♠ turn. It went check-bet-call again, only this time van Zadelhoff made it 350,000. It's worth noting that either one of these calls were made super fast.
The river came the 7♣ and that card slowed van Zadelhoff down. Both checked and Pagani showed the A♥J♠ for high pair, and that is what van Zadelhoff had too. However, all he showed was the A♠, so that you can safely assume his kicker was no good. Either that or he's just feeling very friendly.
The bearded one now has 2,050,000, while Pagani is as much as 3 million. --JS
3:47pm: Brion bounces backLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Start-of-day leader Jerome Brion fell back to the pack through the first couple of levels today, but he has swiftly climbed back near the highest of the counts thanks partly to a recently completed hand versus Cristian Fernandez Diaz.
With 1.5 million within the middle and the board showing 2♠6♠5♦A♥5♥, Diaz had checked and Brion shoved his stack of about 2 million forward, putting Diaz to what looked to be a hard decision.
Finally Diaz folded to concede the pot, and Brion is up around 3.5 million now. Diaz is doing well also, despite that hand, and has nearly 3 million. --MH
3:41pm: Greenwood makes the best callLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
"I don't believe I WILL fold this."
So said Luc Greenwood at the turn in a hand versus Victor Zabukas Begara. With the board showing 4♣8♥8♣T♥ and about 750,000 within the middle, Zabukas had pushed all-in and Greenwood needed to decide even if to risk the remainder of his stack to call.
Finally he did, turning over K♣T♣ for tens and eights, and saw he was prior to Begara's 9♦7♦. The river was the 7♣, and Greenwood doubled to around 1.95 million. Begara has about 295,000 now. --MH
Greenwood good
3:39pm: Two bust-outs to shout aboutLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
Following on from the elimination of the amazingly-named Dragoljub Martinovic, we had two more eliminations in quick succession.
The first saw Stoyan Obreshkov sent packing. He was pretty short stacked and got it in with the A♦Q♦ against Yung Hwang's 9♠9♣. A SNAPPY glance on the Ace-high flop should have looked good to the Bulgarian, nevertheless it had actually fallen 3♥A♥9♦ and Hwang had hit a suite. The turn and river changed nothing and Hwang raked it in.
Next up was Christian Jeppsson's demise. He jammed for 1,500,000 over a Louis Salter raise and the Brit couldn't call fast enough together with his Q♠Q♥. Jeppsson had got way out line with the K♦T♣ and it was about to price him his whole tournament as a King didn't come to avoid wasting his day.
Louis Salter is as much as 2.4 million now. When he isn't in a pot Salter is all smiles, but if he's in a hand he's all business. It's possible you'll say it's his...(see photo caption). --JS
Salter ego
3:26pm: Martinovic runs out of luck versus LuchaLevel 26: Blinds 25,000/50,000, Ante 5,000
All-in and in danger with 6♣5♣, Dragoljub Martinovic did not have the worst hand on the planet to head up against the A♥A♣ of Sven Lucha.
The J♠6♠9♥ flop paired Martinovic once, then after the J♦ turn the 5♠ fell on fifth street, and it appeared in the beginning Martinovic didn't realize he'd been counterfeited to have the more serious two pair.
"Nice jack at the turn," said Lucha, roughly breaking the spell somewhat for Martinovic who having realized the location wished the table well before departing.
Lucha has about 1.5 million now. --MH
| 26 | 25000 | 50000 | 5000 |
3:14pm: Salter was loaded but fired a blankLevel 25: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
The Italian with the ever-so-Italian name of Mario Pagani opened to 90,000 under the gun, and no-one else desired to play with him except the person to his direct right: big blind Louis Salter.
A 7♣T♠5♥ flop was spread and it checked to the raiser who continued for 150,000. Salter saw something he liked and came along to peer the 8♠ turn, which both checked.
Finally the A♥ landed at the river and that was always going to be a betting card. It was Salter who tried to grab control, lining up 450,000 of his troops and sending them out to battle. Pagani was ready and waiting though, calling with the A♣T♦ for prime two pair. Salter had an excellent hand along with his A♠5♦, however the lower two pair couldn't win the war.
Salter dropped to 1.6 million, while Pagani has climbed to 2.6 million. --JS
3pm: They preserve on fallin'Level 25: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
We're all the way down to 60 players. If everything goes to plan, we'll be playing right down to a last table of eight today. --JS
2:57pm: They ain't your pals, PahlLevel 25: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
Louis Salter opened to 85,000 and after a few folds the massive stack of Gfeller Renaud was intrigued enough to make the decision. Action got to Martin Pahl and - looking down at his 90,000 stack - he shoved. The others tossed in a 5K chip and we went to a flop and potential side pot.
It came the 6♦K♦9♠, and for a few streets it seemed like Salter and Renaud were going to test it down the entire way. That might have meant Pahl had the most efficient hand and would treble up. They both checked the flop and the T♦ turn.
But then the Q♦ and Salter counted out some chips. He made it 100,000 and Renaud instantly folded, allowing Salter to show over his J♦J♣. If Pahl showed his hand it was so quick we didn't see it. Not that it mattered - it wasn't beating the Jacks and he hit the rail. --JS
2:48pm: Xiao triples, Motta outLevel 25: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
While Ole Olsen was knocking out Deividas Kvaselis on one table so as to add further to his big stack, a large preflop three-way all-in developed at the neighboring one.
It began with Gao Jiang Xiao open-raising all-in for somewhat over 400,000 from middle position. The action reached Marcelo Mereles Motta within the small blind who reraise-shoved over that, then Marc-Olivier Perrault (who had them both covered) called from the massive blind.
Motta: K♥Q♥Perrault: A♥J♥Xiao: 6♦6♠
The flop came 7♣A♦4♦ to offer Perrault a couple of aces, and Xiao visibly reacted with frustration. Then came the turn -- the 6♣ -- and Xiao said "oooh" as his mood instantly improved.
The river was the 4♥, meaning Motta was out and Xiao had tripled as much as around 1.25 million. Meanwhile Perrault slipped to about 470,000. --MH
2:39pm: Margereson outLevel 25: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
Scott Margereson was a part of the wave of knockouts to start this new level, hitting the rail in 66th. --MH
2:30pm: A GLANCE on the stacksLevel 25: Blinds 20,000/40,000, Ante 5,000
Here's how one of the crucial big and notable stacks are standing presently. --JS
Ole Oleson - 3,000,000Michael Rocco - 2,850,000Gfeller Renaud - 2,500,000Daniel Wilson - 2,400,000Steven Van Zadelhoff - 2,300,000Marek Grześka - 2,200,000Lucas Greenwood - 2,000,000Jerome Brion - 1,750,000Louis Salter - 1,600,000Chris Moorman - 1,000,000
| 25 | 20000 | 40000 | 5000 |
2:02pm: Take a break
Our players have gone for a 20-minute breather, so see you back here shortly. --JS
Ready to play the EPT yourself? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.1:59pm: The shark is backLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
Remember the fellow yesterday who didn't know who Humberto Brenes was? The man who also has a toy shark that he moves over the road when he jams all in? Well his name is Marek Grześka and he just won a large old pot from Yung Hwang.
The two had seen a J♦8♣7♣ flop, on which Grześka checked. Hwang led into for 83,000, suggesting he had opened pre-flop and Grześka had called from the massive blind. That bet was called and the 2♦ fell at the turn, which saw the action go check - bet 140,000 - call.
Finally the J♣ arrived on fifth street and for the primary time Grześka chose to steer out. The flush had got there, and the board had paired, so perhaps it was a fair card to bluff. The 285,000 bet at the river troubled Hwang somewhat, but after racking his brains he decided to call.
Grześka wasn't bluffing. He had the 4♣9♣ for a rivered flush and Hwang was forced to muck, bringing his stack to 1.35 million. Grześka now has 2 million. --JS
1:55pm: Van Zadelhoff takes from BrionLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
Steven van Zadelhoff opened for 65,000 from under the gun, then Jerome Brion three-bet to 165,000 from the cutoff. It folded back to van Zadelhoff who considered for a brief while, then reraised back to 475,000. Brion called.
Both took a while at the 2♣4♦4♠ with checks, then van Zadelhoff checked the 8♠ turn besides. Brion bet 300,000 (lower than a 3rd of the pot), and van Zadelhoff called. The K♦ then brought relatively quick checks from both once more.
Van Zadelhoff turned over A♦K♠, having hit the river, and Brion mucked. Brion still has about 3.29 million and the presumptive chip lead, while van Zadelhoff is as much as 2.2 million. --MH
Ace-king off for van Zadelhoff
1:46pm: Fenner had the winnerLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
Robert Fenner and Stoyan Obreshkov were heading towards the tip of a 400,000 chip pot once I arrived at the scene. I saw a board that read the 8♣4♣3♦8♥, and after each had a minute to think it went check-check.
The dealer put out the 6♠ river and Fenner checked one last time. Obreshkov didn't appear to be he was going to behave any time soon, so I nipped over to catch Rodrigo Strong's exit below. By the point I got back the Bulgarian had prepare a gamble of 288,000 and slid it over the road. Fenner called instantly.
Obreshkov showed the T♦T♥, and overpair to the board which might easily was good, were it not for Fenner's A♠A♣. The pocket rockets won the pot and sent Fenner's stack as much as 900,000, while Obreshkov dropped to 900,000. --JS
1:40pm: Wilson doubles through LeonettiLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
After Frederic Antoine Leonetti opened for 100,000 from middle position, Daniel Wilson chose to reraise-shove his stack of 470,000 from a few seats down. Once the action returned to Leonetti he considered a couple of beats, then chose to call, turning over 8♦8♠ while Wilson tabled A♥K♥.
The flop was good for the at-risk player, coming 2♠K♣K♠ to make trips for Wilson. The turn was the 5♣ and river the 9♦, and Wilson doubled to nearly exactly 1 million. Meanwhile Leonetti slides to about 275,000. --MH
1:36pm: Strong gone, more for MoormanLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
A simple, no-thrills headline to inform you that Chris Moorman just eliminated Rodrigo Strong.
The money went in pre-flop and powerful found himself in a foul spot with the J♥8♦ against Moorman's A♠J♠. The 2♠7♦T♣ flop brought Strong some gutshot outs, while the J♣ turn paired both. The board was completed by the K♣, sending Strong to the cage (and perhaps to the Estrellas High Roller).
Moorman is as much as 1.5 million now. --JS
1:31pm: Brion continues to set the paceLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
Jerome Brion began today with the chip lead and he's spent the primary hour-and-a-half today adding further to his stack. The Frenchman is up around 3.15 million now as they cross the midway point of Level 24. --MH
Brion bringing it
1:25pm: Deimann down, more fallLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
After battling with a brief stack for far of the primary level today, Fabian Deimann fell in 83rd previous to they moved into Level 24. He joined Iyaylo Panev, Khal Ozol, and Iani Tulica at the rail, then was soon followed by Carlo Savinelli and Chun Ho Law. --MH
1:23pm: Cool story BrosoloLevel 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
Frenchman Yann Brosolo kicked off a pot with an open to 63,000 from middle position. The person to his left - Italy's Carlo Savinelli - then stuck in a three-bet to 123,000, not even double the bet. Brosolo will need to have picked up on something as he then jammed for greater than one million in chips. Savinelli let it go and Brosolo turned over the J♥T♥ for a beautiful but not powerful hand.
Cool story, bro. --JS
1:15pm: Where'd them chips go?Level 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
We just mentioned how Johan Jakobsson -- who'd enjoyed the lead for a part of Day 2 -- was right down to a brief stack. But he's doubled a few times now, to climb back out of the chance zone.
In the most recent double, the money went in preflop with Jakobsson's A♠Q♦ prior to Jasper Van Moorsel's A♥J♦. Both paired their Ace at the turn but there has been no Jack to hassle the all-in player, who doubled to 770,000. --JS
Johan going back and forthobsson
1:05pm: Right down to 79Level 24: Blinds 15,000/30,000, Ante 5,000
The first one-hour level saw 17 players hit the rail, meaning they're now right down to 79 players gathered around 10 tables. -MH
| 24 | 15000 | 30000 | 5000 |
1:03pm: Quintas calls, then falls to StrelitzLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Here's an intriguing hand to conclude today's fast-paced first level.
After Yin Zhang opened for 50,000 from early position, Daniel Strelitz made it 132,000 from the following seat over. It folded around to Joaquim Quintas who called the three-bet from the massive blind, and Zhang stepped aside.
The flop came all diamonds -- Q♦T♦4♦ -- and Quintas led with a big gamble of 200,000. Strelitz then pushed all-in, and after some thought Quintas called to commit all 720,000 or so he had behind.
Strelitz quickly tabled Q♠Q♣ to turn he'd flopped a set, while Quintas had 9♦9♠ for a flush draw. The turn brought the 8♥, adding a gutshot straight draw for Quintas, however the K♠ river was safe for Strelitz and Quintas is out.
Strelitz has around 1.7 million now. --MH
Set holds for Strelitz
12:58pm: Unsal was unsure and now he's all outLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
A 300,000 pot was in the midst of a hand between between Jiri Horak and Onur Unsal. The latter had installed a river bet of 109,000 at the 8♥3♣Q♦2♥J♥ board only to peer Horak jam for greater than Unsal had (360,000).
The Turkish player was in a tank for a protracted time, such a lot in order that he almost looked as if it would wish to call the clock on himself. After one final glance at his watch a couple of minutes in he made the call, and Horak immediately showed the T♥9♥ for a flush. Unsal's A♥5♣ was no good and he was outta here. --JS
12:55pm: Push-fold modeLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Johan Jakobsson was the chip leader for a time during Day 2 yesterday, though he ended the night with a brief stack. He's still battling here in the course of the day's first level, having just gone all-in again without getting called. The Swede has about 155,000 right now.
Yann Brosolo similarly started the day in relatively dire straits, though has managed to chip as much as 475,000. He, too, just had an all-in go uncalled to maintain his stack and seat.
The blinds are about to move up again, though, to make the fast stacks' tourney lives feel much more tenuous. --MH
12:54pm: Deimann's not dead yetLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Somehow Fabian Deimann's stack have been obliterated today and he was left with just 40,000. Without a action in front of him he moved all-in with the 9♦6♦, and Louis Salter continued the fantastic run he started last night of picking up big hands on the perfect times by calling with A♠Q♦ from the large blind.
However, Salter's success only seems to turn up within the big pots as he lost this one. A six at the flop won it for Deimann and secured him a small double up. However, he still only has around four big blinds. --JS
12:44pm: Parrila put outLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
More short stacks was eliminated, including Javier Andreu, Said Sadallah, and Robert Genoud.
Moises Parrilla is out to boot. He shoved his last 155,000 from middle position, then watched Jorge De Pablo reshove from the button to isolate. Parrilla had A♣9♣ and De Pablo A♠Q♠, and a 3♥A♦K♦J♥4♠ runout meant De Pablo's hand was best and Parrilla was done.
There at the moment are 88 players left. --MH
12:37pm: Less for MoormanLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Chris Moorman made it 55,000 to play under the gun, which removed everyone except Yung Hwang within the big blind. He'd defend to look the 8♠K♦5♣ flop, but neither player chose to bet.
They both checked the J♥ turn too, so I USED TO BE starting to think maybe this wasn't a worthy enough hand to jot down up.
The T♥ river completed the board and we had our first glimpse of post-flop action - a 63,000 bet from Hwang. Moorman thought for a minute before making the call, only to muck when Hwang showed the A♠T♣ for a rivered pair.
To be honest, I'm still unsure this hand was worthy. But it's done now. --JS
12:32pm: De Oliveira gets StrongLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Action folded to Brazilian Rodrigo Strong within the small blind, and he stared off right into a corner within the distance - kind of they prefer they do in TV shows when a character's daydream precedes a flashback.
Whatever he was thinking about, it resulted in him to at least one conclusion: move all-in. The large blind player was Joao De Oliveira and he was short-stacked with 435,000. He'd make the decision though along with his J♥K♠ and should have been happy to look Strong's 7♣6♣.
The T♠A♥2♠K♥A♣ run out was all gravy for De Oliveira, who doubled to only over 890,000. Meanwhile, Strong's stack dropped to 800,000. --JS
Strong still getting along
12:23pm: Short stacks fallLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Several others have joined Joao Vieira at the rail here within the early going.
Lorenzo Meoni just lost his short stack and has visited the cashier's desk. And Georgios Giorkatzis likewise lost his in a hand versus fellow short stack Virgilio Di Cicco. --MH
12:17pm: Quick day for JoaoLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Joao Vieira had little chips to work with getting into Day 3 so it was no surprise to look him involved early. Yung Hwang had opened from the cutoff to 55,000 and Vieira - who was within the big blind - decided to defend.
Three cards hit the felt - the J♥3♥7♦. The Portuguese pro checked to Hwang, who continued for 62,000, and Vieira announced he was all-in for around 200,000 more. A SNAPPY call came and Vieira showed the 7♠6♥ for middle pair, which trailed Hwang's Q♥J♦ for prime pair. He'd improve to 2 pair at the Q♣ turn, and the 5♠ changed nothing, sending Vieira to the rail.
Actually, there is a superb chance that his elimination will merely send Vieira over the €2K Estrellas High Roller that's going down presently. --JS
12:08pm: Let's be FrankLevel 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
It's good to be Christopher Frank at this time. Or no less than that is what we imagine, having watched the German player get off to a quick start here on Day 3.
Picking up the action at the turn with the board showing 6♠3♣A♣5♠ and a large pot already having developed, Deividas Kvaselis check-called of venture from Frank, then checked again after the J♦ river. Frank took his time, then pushed out a raffle of 250,000 and Kvaselis quickly called.
Frank instantly tabled A♠Q♥ for prime pair and Kvaselis mucked. Frank jumps up around 1.8 million, while Kvaselis slips to 670,000. --MH
First hands good for Frank
12pm: Cards within the air!Level 23: Blinds 12,000/24,000, Ante 4,000
Let's play some poker. The primary one-hour level of the day has begun. --MH
| 23 | 12000 | 24000 | 4000 |
11:45am: Day 3 awaits
Welcome back to the Casino Barcelona and our coverage of Day 3 of the Estrellas Poker Tour Barcelona Main Event. Just 97 remain from the 3,447 who started, all with a eye toward claiming the massive €423,600 first prize awaiting the winner.
When play ended last night it was Jerome Brion claiming the chip lead by bagging a stack of 2,468,000. That put the Frenchman just sooner than Louis Salter, Nick Mertens, Michael Rocco, and Ongun Yagci.
Plenty of alternative big names remain among those in contention, including Christopher Frank, Rodrigo Strong, Lucas Greenwood, Chris Moorman, Scott Margereson, Steven van Zadelhoff, and Joao Vieira.
Play begins in a little while at noon, with the plan being to minimize to an eight-handed final table if feasible. Stick close as we'll be providing hand reports, chip count updates, photos and more from this biggest ever Estrellas Poker Tour Main Event. --MH
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's available on both Android or IOS.
PokerStars Blog reporting team at the ESPT7 Barcelona Main Event: Jack Stanton and Martin Harris. Photography by René Velli and Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter @PokerStarsBlog.
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: European Poker Tour]
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