• CLICK TO REFRESH FOR UP TO DATE UPDATES• PLAYERS: 27 of 60 tbc (inc 16 re-entries)• CHIPS | TOURNAMENT STRUCTURE | IPT COVERAGE
1:10am: Patrick Leonard leads Super High Roller going into Day 2
Apparently Twitter went down for long stretches of today, leaving poker players bereft of anything to do during those idle moments between hands.
Who knows, perhaps those sorts of things take their toll, turning talented players previously entertained by 140 character aphorisms, and photographs of lunch, into directionless dependants forced to truly wait when the fellow opposite tanks for 5 minutes in place of find amusement elsewhere. And if that is the case what about those less depending on phones? Players like Patrick Leonard maybe?
We've no idea if Leonard is the kind of player to pay attention wholly on events in front of him, in place of the distractions of the web world. But when he's this was his day. For while the web buckled he bagged up 260,000 tonight, good for the chip lead.
If the sort of thing were true though, the chase pack could be top-of-the-line multitaskers within the world, in a position to perform a the top level while scrolling down.
Of the 60 entrants to this point just 27 remain, but it's some field, because the chip count page demonstrates.
They bring an extended day to a close, with play set to renew tomorrow (Saturday) at 12.30pm local time. That's when we'll play right down to a last table without or with Twitter, but with Leonard setting the pace.
Join us tomorrow to find how that seems. Hashtag true story.
1:05am: Khoroshenin leads with 29 left
It seems like it's Oleksii Khoroshenin who has the chip lead. Details coming up.
12:55am: Last four handsLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Four more hands at each table and this long day of high stakes action might be over. --MC
12:45am: Khoroshenin crushingLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
EPT Vienna champion Oleksii Khoroshenin has had a crushing few levels and just knocked out Behzad Ahadpour to soar away from the sector on 280,000.
After an under-the-gun raise and a flat call from Ahadpour, Khoroshenin squeezed to 12,500 from the button. The unique raiser folded but Ahadpour moved all-in for 14,000. Call.
Ahadpour: Q♦J♦Khoroshenin: 8♥8♦
The board ran K♥9♣2♦2♥9♦ to peer the eights hold. --MC
12:30am: Kozlov all-inLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Scott Seiver opened from the button. He bet 4,000 and the action moved one seat along to Martin Kozlov within the small blind. He promptly announced he was all-in, which meant a count for Andras Nemeth waiting within the big blind. The entire amount was 27,800.
Nemeth then announced he too was all-in, the effect of which was to impress Scott Seiver's chair, who folded, irritated. But then not so irritated.
Nemeth: A♠K♠Kozlov: 9♦9♣
They waited because the board was dealt...
7♥J♥Q♦5♠5♣
That was it for Kozlov, who stood to go away while Nemeth stacked his new found chips. He asked Seiver what he folded ("ace-nine") after which tried his luck asking him what he had the hand before that he is. as much as around 160,000 now, with half a degree left to play. - SB
12:25am: Leonard gets to 200k after talking Kitai right into a foldLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Patrick Leonard is back into the lead after an epic one-way river chat with Davidi Kitai.
Around 35,000 had made it into the center by the point the board rested as A♦K♣3♦Q♣K♥. Leonard bet 35,000 from the cutoff and that sent Kitai into the tank. Leonard said such a lot of things that we won't write all of them down, so here is a selection:
"Give me some credit!"You can't let me get to 200k without showing down once!"
After that he ran throughout the range of hands he could have.
"Can I show one?" he asked floor person Kate."Penalty," was the short, sharp and effective answer."Always hero folding - so sick!""He went from crazy calling station to very large nit!"
This went on and on until Adrian Mateos called the clock. Kitai let it get all the way down to 20 seconds after which folded to drop to 110,000. Leonard showed the 3♣. --MC
12:10am: Khoroshenin won't BujtasLevel 10 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Laszlo Bujtas was all in. He called across to his pal and countryman Andras Nemeth with the scoop. Nemeth didn't move or anything, but he showed an interest.
Bujtas was up against Oleksii Khoroshenin, a former EPT winner, known to turn little or no emotion (see his winner's pic). So while Bujtas was up and out of his chair, nervously pacing Khoroshenin calmly awaiting fate.
Bujtas: 4♥4♠Khoroshenin: 6♥6♣
The flop came 2♦A♠4♦. I ASSUMED I saw Khoroshenin's shoulders drop an inch. I AM NOT sure, but they may have.Then the 9♠ turn. Then the 6♦ river, at which point I BELIEVED I saw Khoroshenin's shoulders lift an inch. Again, I AM NOT sure but they may have.
Regardless, Khoroshenin moves as much as around 180,000, that's good for the chip lead. Bujtas meanwhile is headed for the rail, trying his best to not let the discontentment show. - SB
12:05am: Chidwick comeback continuesLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Stephen Chidwick's comeback shows no sign of slowing down. A DEGREE ago he was the shortest stack with 17,000, but he doubled up twice and just won a pot off Vladimir Troyanovskiy to rise to 95,000.
Comeback kid
He raised to 2,500 from the cutoff and Troyanovskiy defended his big blind. The flop spread Q♦A♥8♣ and Chidwick continued for 2,500. Troyanovskiy check-called before both checked the 6♦ turn. The river was the 6♦ and Troyanovskiy led for 12,400, then opened J♣J♠ when called. It was no good though as Chidwick tabled A♣4♣. Troyanovskiy dropped to 80,000. --MC
11:55pm: Philbort doubles LoosliLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
"I didn't know you were so short! But I should've done because it was me that did it to you," said Philipp Gruissem after he doubled up Sylvain Loosli.
The German raised to 3,000 after which tank-called after Loosli moved all-in for 12,300 from the massive blind.
Loosli: 7♥6♥Gruissem: A♣9♦
The board ran 4♥4♦A♠6♦2♣ to send the chips the Frenchman's way. --MC
11:50pm: Nemeth from the buttonLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Scott Seiver opened for 3,000 in middle position. Watching him within the eight seat was Andras Nemeth at the button, who raised to 9,000, which Seiver called.
The flop came 7♠5♦K♣ which Seiver checked to Nemeth, who bet 10,000. Seiver called, after which checked the 9♣ turn, as did Nemeth. At the 3♣ river however, Nemeth bet 20,000 when Seiver left him to behave. Seiver thought of it, and nodded together with his lower lip stuck out. Then passed.
He drops slightly to 90,000 while Nemeth has 165,000. - SB
11:45pm: Leonard folds to Kitai river raiseLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Patrick Leonard has dropped out of the chip lead (right down to around 150k) after he bet-folded at the river to Davidi Kitai.
Around 35,000 had made it into the center by the point the board rested as 7♥6♥A♥5♠K♥. Leonard was under the gun and bet 14,000. Kitai was at the button and went into the trance-like state he gets into. When he came back around, he raised to 55,000 and Leonard folded. The Belgian moved as much as around 140,000. --MC
11:30pm: Juha Helppi himself to a double upLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Adrian Mateos is the chip leader at his table, and will easily absorb doubling up Juha Helppi.
Helppi raised to 3,000 from under the gun before Mateos three-bet to 8,000 off the button. Helppi jammed for 20,600 and the Spaniard called.
Helppi: A♦Q♦Mateos: A♣J♦
The board ran 7♦2♠2♥T♠8♦ missing both players. Mateos dropped to 145,000. --MC
11:20pm: Love for the gameLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Ali Reza Fatehi, Ben Heath, Pratyush Buddiga, Niall Farrell and Jean-Noel Thorel were the last four players to be eliminated.
Buddiga has already re-entered; we wait to look if Farrell and Heath will do the similar tonight or within the morning.
JNT loves his cards
Fatehi and Thorel have both busted twice so can't re-enter. Thorel - who gave his chips to Patrick Leonard (as much as 195k) - left the High Roller area with a large smile on his face. Maybe this is because he loves a Hyper Turbo - the €550 version he's went and jumped into. That's love for the sport right there! --MC
11:10pm: Flying start for NeweyLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Weirdly almost every super high roller was back of their seat an entire two minutes before the ninth level of the day began, so eager they were to play, or to be around when their drink arrived. The beer is flowing like wine right now.
Paul Newey opened the extent by moving all in for around 19,000. The action was folded to Behzad Ahadpour who agonised before deciding, almost as though on a whim, to transport all in himself. He made an uncertain noise when he saw Newey's J♦J♠. Ahadpour showed Q♥K♥.
The board ran out 8♦A♦6♥A♣5♥ to maintain Newey alive. - SB
11:05pm: Last two levels of the nightLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Two more levels to play tonight. Below are the highest ten counts. Click here for the entire list.
Yan's on top
| David Yan | New Zealand | 163500 | |
| Adrian Mateos | Spain | 158000 | |
| Andras Nemeth | Hungary | 150000 | |
| Patrick Leonard | UK | 143000 | |
| Frederik Jensen | Denmark | 132800 | |
| Charlie Carrel | UK | 132000 | |
| Dario Sammartino | Italy | 125000 | |
| Scott Seiver | USA | 123400 | |
| Oleksii Khoroshenin | Ukraine | Live satellite winner | 120300 |
| Davidi Kitai | Belgium | 120000 |
10:45pm: Break time
That's the top of another level. Players at the moment are on their last break of the evening. They'll play two more levels once they return.
10:40pm: Steady, steady, whoa, and back to steadyLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Behzad Ahadpour watched the action folded across the table to him. We'll never know exactly what he had, but he figured it was ok to name with, so he did. Next to him was Paul Newey within the small blind who figured what the hell, and called himself. That left Adrian Mateos within the big blind who checked.
The saw a flop: 6♦J♥A♥
That was checked round. So too was the K♠ at the turn. At this point it gave the look of curtains for any drama within the hand. But then the [qs[ at the river. Mateos bet 3,000, Ahadpour folded, before all of the chips went in. I AM NOT exactly sure in what amounts or how, however the from side to side was quick between Newey and Mateos, who each allowed themselves a smile when the each turned over jack-ten.
A chop pot, and back to where they started. Apart from Ahadpour, obviously. - SB
10:30pm: O'Dwyer and Drinan hit the rail, or barLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Steve O'Dwyer and Connor Drinan were the last two players to exit the tournament. We missed O'Dwyer's exit but Drinan's was stuffed with colour.
Drinan still has a entry if he desires to jump back in
He raised from the hijack and David Yan defended his big ignorant of see a 6♦T♣Q♣ flop. Before he could check Drinan looked at of turn. The ground was called and a ruling made that Yan could still bet, but when he checked then Drinan's would stand. He did check and the A♥ appeared at the turn. Yan check-called 5,000 and the 5♦ was the river card. Once more, Drinan acted out of turn by moving all-in for 15,000. The ground was called another time and the similar ruling was given. Yen checked after which went into the tank as Drinan downed the remainder of his beer.
"Nice call," said Drinan after Yan called with Q♠9♥. Drinan opened 6♣7♣ after left the table. Yan moved as much as 175,000. --MC
10:10pm: Reza sharpLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Stephen Chidwick's view of the tournament is different to everyone else's for the straightforward reason that he sits up better than anyone else. Chidwick is literally and figuratively no slouch.
He opened for 2,500 in middle position and, back ramrod straight, he looked down on folks who might dare to challenge him. Out of position, Ali Reza Fatehi was undeterred, and called for a flop.
Fatehi at the up
It came 7♦Q♠K♦ which was checked for the 4♠ at the turn. Fatehi bet 2,200 which Chidwick called for the J♠ river card.
Fatehi bet again, 3,600 this time, delivered within the same way the last bet was, arm out, chips dropped from up high. Chidwick didn't flinch. Instead he went for his chips and called.
8♠7♠ for Fatehi, enough to make Chidwick fold. He's right down to around 20,000 while Fatehi moves as much as 60,000. - SB
10:12pm: Carrell needs a minuteLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Charlie Carrell was agitated. The board was specified by from of him 9♦K♠5♦2♥Q♦, that much he understood. The difficulty was figuring out what to do next. IT were a couple of minutes because the action was sent to him by Dan Shak, who sat patiently. Carrell asked for a minute.
Eventually he called, tossing in three blue chips worth 15,000. Shak turned over 3♠5♠ for a small pair. Carrell's call though was an even one. He flipped up A♥Q♥ to win the hand. - SB
10:10pm: River tankingLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
River tanking is rather like River Dance except you take a seat. Lower half leg movements are allowed but not always encouraged by the players each side of you. Fredrick Jensen and Sylvain Loosli both did just a little river tanking mutually on different tables. Neither impressed with their moves as they both folded.
Jensen was battling Ole Schemion. They were heads as much as a to a 7♣K♦7♥ flop where Jensen bet 2,200 from the hijack and was check-called by Schemion (UTG). Schemiat then became the lead with bets of 5,100 and 14,500 on the T♠4♠ turn and river. Jensen thought for several minutes before folding. He dropped to 111,500 and Schemion moved as much as 50,000.
Loosli's river routine was longer as he was still thinking two minutes after Schemion on tan adjacent table. He was heads up with Andras Nemeth and the board read A♦T♣8♦7♠3♥. Loosli bet 3,200 from the hijack before Nemeth check-raised to 15,000 from the hijack. Loosli dropped to 40,000 after folding, and Nemeth rose to 110,000. --MC
9:50pm: Drinan up, in chips and beerLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
It's quiet within the tournament room right now, similar to a library, albeit the most productive form of library, the kind that serves beer.
Conor Drinan just ordered another as he took part in a hand, prompting Ole Schemion to reserve one too. "And a still water," he added. You'll never be too careful.
Drinan was up against Frederik Jensen, a former EPT winner, who got Drinan to test call the flop of 9♠K♣Q♥. Both players checked the A♥ turn card for the 9♣ at the river. Not more action to come, Drinan turned over Q♦J♣ to win the hand. He merrily takes his stack as much as around 46,0000 now. -SB
9:50pm: Kolonias cleaned outLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Alexandros Kolonias had a brief stack and had to get going. Unfortunately for him it was his body he got going, towards the exit.
Vladimir Troyanovskiy opened from second position and called after Kolonias three-bet all-in for 15,100.
Kolonias: 9♣9♦Troyanovskiy: A♣T♥
The board ran A♥J♠7♦K♣7♣ to make the Russian two pair. --MC
9:25pm: Hand reportsLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
A quick spate of no frills hand reports for you, probably the most interesting of which I've left until the end.
First up, Davidi Kitai raised his button, making it 2,300 to play. Patrick Leonard called from the large blind they usually surveyed the 5♦7♥3♦ at the flop. They both checked.
The 8♣ came at the turn and Leonard stabbed 2,100 at it. Kitai called. Then they both checked the 2♦ river. Both then turned over the similar hand: K♠9♦ for Leonard; K♦9♠ for Kitai. That was the dullest of all eventualities: a chopped pot.
Still at the same table, Ramin Hajiyev opened to 2,000 from the hijack and Anthony Zinno three-bet his big blind, making it 5,500. Hajiyev called. They weren't curious about the 9♦K♣J♠ flop but after Zinno checked the A♣ turn, Hajiyev bet 7,500. Zinno called.
This one went to the river too. It was the 9♣. Zinno checked, Hajiyev bet 12,000 and Zinno folded.
So, one table along now and we meet Charlie Carrel at the button, raising to 2,000. Dan Shak called from the small blind and Ali Reza Fatehi called within the big. The flop brought the 5♥8♦3♦ and either one of the blinds checked to the raiser. Carrel bet 4,000 and only Shak called.
The A♥ came at the turn. Check. Check. Then the Q♠ came at the river. Check. Check.
Shak went to muck, but then decided to turn his 7♠6♥ just at the off-chance. Not this time, Dan. Carrel showed 9♠9♦.
So, yet one more table along, and here's Carrel's mate, Ben Heath. Old Benny's going to present us a hand, right? Come on, Benny. You are able to do it.
Heath raised to 2,000 from early position after which Laszlo Bujtas three-bet to 5,300. Heath called.
The 5♠T♥7♦ flop was shared by just those two and Heath checked it. Bujtas bet 4,200 and Heath called.
The J♠ came at the turn and after Heath checked, Bujtas placed on his glasses so he could see Heath's stack. Heath raised his arms to present a correct view and Bujtas, learning it was about 16,100, bet 5,000. Heath called.
The T♠ came at the river and Heath checked again. Bujtas moved in. He had only about 19,000 in his stack, but it surely was greater than Heath's 11,100. Heath folded, leaving himself that meagre offering. -- HS
9:15pm: Jensen doubles in four-bet potLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Those suited one-gap connectors are hard to put down. Good job Fredrick Jensen didn't then as they've helped him to double up through Connor Drinan.
Drinan opened to 2,000 from the cutoff after which four-bet to 11,700 after Jensen three-bet to 6,300 from the following seat. The flop fanned 5♣2♦6♥ and Drinan continued for 7,900. Call. Drinan bet another 7,900 at the K♣ turn and still couldn't shake of the Dane. The A♣ completed the board and Drinan set Jensen in for his last 32,700, who made a fast call with 6♣4♣ for a flush. Drinan dropped to around 40,000. --MC
9:05pm: AMD battles CEOLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
David Yan has moved into the lead again after winning a flip (ace-king versus sixes) to send Orpen Kisacikoglu out the door. Not long later, the Turkish player bought back in.
Over on a neighbouring table, Adrian Mateos was focused on a private war of attrition with Behzad Ahadpour, with the latter, who's the CEO of a Dubai-based design firm, getting the easier of the EPT Grand Final champion. No less than in accordance with this tiny sample size.
Adrian Mateos: Can't win one from the businessman
I saw two pots. Within the first, Ahadpour raised to 1,600 from the cutoff and Paul Newey called at the button, as did Mateos within the big blind. After the 7♥3♥5♠ flop, Mateos tried to symbolize that it had smashed his big-blind hand. He bet 2,300.
Ahadpour didn't believe him. He raised to 8,000 and both Newey after which Mateos folded.
Shorting after, Ahadpour opened from UTG+1 (it is a seven-handed table on the moment), making it 1,800. Mateos three-bet to 5,000 from the button but Ahadpour responded with a four-bet to 21,800--four blue chips thrown high and handsome into the pot--and Mateos folded again.
Niall Farrell on that table. He came jogging back from a longer dinner break, just missing his big blind. He had apparently been slow-rolled on change from a waitress at a restaurant. -- HS
9pm: JNT back in and Heath waiting with the snapLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Ben Heath lost a heads up pot to Davidi Kitai and has dropped to around 30,000 as a result.
He opened to 2,000 from under the gun and Kitai peeled from the massive blind. Both players checked the 4♣7♥8♠ flop before Kitai led for 2,600 and 1,500 at the 9♠8♠ turn and river. Heath called both times and mucked upon seeing Kitai's Q♠9♣.
Phil Gruissem, sat down the opposite end of the table, was too busy grilling Anthony Zinno about what social media apps he uses (Facebook still a winner btw) to peer what the river action was.
"Was it checked?" he asked.
"No, he bet 1,500. I USED TO BE waiting with the snap," said Heath.
Jean-Noel Thorel has re-entered post dinner and been interested in the proper of Heath. --MC
8:45pm: Back to itLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Players have returned, sated, and are actually heading into Level 7. There'll be four more levels of play today before they bag up. Registration remains open until the beginning of play tomorrow. -- HS
8:30pm: Leonard leaps into the lead
Leonard on top
Patrick Leonard, who narrowly missed the cash within the €10,000 event this week, has leapt into the lead on the dinner break. The whole counts are over there at the chip-count page, but here's the highest ten:
| Patrick Leonard | UK | 148,000 |
| David Yan | New Zealand | 134,000 |
| Charlie Carrel | UK | 131,000 |
| Scott Seiver | USA | 118,000 |
| Adrian Mateos | Spain | 98,800 |
| Oleksii Khoroshenin | Ukraine | 94,500 |
| Connor Drinan | USA | 92,400 |
| Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | 92,000 |
| Dan Shak | USA | 92,000 |
| Nick Petrangelo | USA | 80,600 |
7:15pm: Dinner breakLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
That's it for the primary component to this event. Players are fending off for a 90-minute dinner break. We'll have full stacks when they're back, but there are few stacks bigger than the next on the moment:
David Yan -- 139,000Patrick Leonard -- 135,000Charlie Carrel -- 120,000Connor Drinan -- 105,000Scott Seiver -- 105,000Dan Shak -- 101,000
7:05pm: Fold, fold, callLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
There was a good little bit of folding occurring after which a pleasing call so shall we see a showdown.
Pratyush Buddiga opened to 1,300 from early position before Steve O'Dwyer three-bet to 3,800 from the cutoff. Max Silver was at the button and four-bet to 9,400. That scared off Buddiga but not O'Dwyer who jammed for 26,000. Fold
Connor Drinan and took to a 5♣8♠8♦ flop with 12,000 already within the middle. Drinan led for 4,000 from the small blind and Khoroshenin called from early position. The turn was the 7♠ and Drinan check-folded to a 12,500 bet.
And then there has been the decision. It was from Scott Seiver and helped him pass the 100k mark. The board rested as A♠5♥Q♠A♣4♦ and Laszlo Bujtas led for 19,000 from the small blind. Seiver called with A♦J♦ to overcome the Hungarian's K♥J♠. --MC
6:45pm: Carrel hits his kickerLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Charlie Carrel resides a charmed life nowadays. He's the primary challenger to David Yan on the top of the counts and, with about 140,000, the 2 of them are just about neck-and-neck.
When things are going right, hands like this occur: Carrel raised to 1,500 from the button and Ali Reza Fatehi called within the big blind. They saw the 5♥T♠4♣ fall at the flop and Fatehi check-called Carrel's bet of 2,000.
Charlie Carrel
They both checked the 3♥ turn. They usually both checked the K♣ river. Fatehi showed A♣Q♦ which was dominant against Carrel's Q♥4♥, but had fallen behind after Carrel hit his four. -- HS
6:40pm: Michalak strong-arms YaghmaiLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Nariman Yaghmai opened to 1,300 from the cutoff and Jakub Michalak three-bet to 4,400 from the small blind. Yaghmai called and so they saw the J♣3♦9♠ exposed at the flop.
Michalak quickly bet 4,000 and Yaghmai called, buying them both the 4♥ at the turn.
"How much you play?" Michalak asked. Yaghmai lifted his arm to show a stack of around 75,000. Michalak had about 10,000 not up to that behind.
Michalak pushed forward a mixed-up stack, which gave the impression to be 9,825 in total, although Yaghmai wasn't curious about a precise count. He tank-folded. -- HS
6:35pm: Schemion plays backLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
The dust hadn't settled at the table following Jean-Noel Thorel's elimination and David Yan was still stacking up his chips when he decided to boost again, this time 1,600 from the button. Ole Schemion was within the big blind and he called.
The Q♣6♦4♣ flop brought a check from Schemion, but he wasn't done with this hand. Yan bet 1,400 and Schemion raised to 6,400. Yan did not want to debris with Schemion and folded. Playing back on the tournament chip leader can sometimes pay dividends. -- HS
6:30pm: News in briefLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
-Paul Newey took a small pot off Martin Finger to transport as much as 38,000 and drop the German right down to 86,000. Finger raised to 1,500 from the hijack and both blinds called. He continued for 2,300 on a T♠6♠3♦ flop and only Newey check-called from the massive blind. The 8♦9♦ turn and river were checked through and Finger mucked upon seeing Newey's Q♣T♣.
- Vladimir Troyanovskiy took a pot off Dan Shak to transport as much as 68,000. They were on the river and the board read 2♦A♥K♠A♠T♦. Shak checked from the massive blind after which open-folded K♣2♣ after the Russian bet 7,000. He dropped to 135,000 and felt better about life when Troyanovskiy flashed him an ace.
- David Yan is on a charge on his second bullet. Word at the tournament floor is that he has eliminated the formerly big-stacked Jean-Noel Thorel. Yan is now the large stack on 140,000. --MC
6:20pm: Seiver back, level upLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Scott Seiver bought straight back in and can get to peer the beginning of Level 6. They're taking a 90-minute dinner break on the end of this level.
6:15pm: Yan busts Seiver with perfect timingLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
Correct bet sizing is clearly an enormous a part of successful poker, but perhaps not enough is made from bet timing. David Yan just knocked out Scott Seiver, and the timing of his shove at the river seemed with reference to spot on.
David Yan: Perfect timing
Seiver got things moving pre-flop with a raise to 1,250 from the hijack. Yan called within the cutoff and so they went to a flop of 5♥4♥6♠. Seiver bet 2,700 pretty quickly and Yan called after just a short hesitation.
They both checked the 2♥ at the turn and did so in fairly quick succession, taking them to the K♦ at the river.
Seiver pondered a bit of while, then bet 6,500. Yan went into the tank--even though Yan within the tank could be very very similar to Yan outside the tank. He's an extremely composed presence on the table.
Scott Seiver put to the test
After on the subject of the correct amount of time to make it believable, Yan asked to peer Seiver's remaining stack. He had about 16,500 back. After which after another time period that virtually made it seem he was making an aggressive move in a bid to get Seiver to fold, Yan moved all-in. He comfortably covered his neighbour.
Seiver muttered what sounded like, "I FEEL I MUST call." And he then followed through at the intention. Yan turned over his A♥8♥ for the nut flush and Seiver flashed his K♠Q♠ as he headed out of the door.
This had jogged my memory of the pot during which Yan burst the bubble within the recent Eureka Hamburg Main Event. In that coup (see 3:50pm post here), Yan flopped trips but managed to convince Gareth Chantler that his Ace-high was good. Chantler called the entire way and was knocked out within the worst spot within the tournament.
Yan did something similar here to Seiver. He plays big hands very, really well. --HS
6:10pm: Always have it, bro!Level 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
You is also thinking that is post could be about Mustapha Kanit, but it's actually about his "bro" Dario Sammartino.
The newly entered player and Stephen Chidwick had made it to the river where a board read K♥A♣4♥J♠7♦. Around 9,000 was within the pot and Sammartino (SB) checked to Chidwick (UTG) who bet 4,000. Then the Italian then made a surprise all-in move for 46,175. It sent Chidwick into the tank and he came out a couple of minutes later, electing to fold.
"Show the bluff!" requested tablemate Charlie Carrel.
"I have it!" came the response before Sammartino opened the 2♣. "Always have it, bro!" he continued with a grin. --MC
6:05pm: Yan all-in againLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
David Yan wasted little time in getting his stack within the middle, but this time he managed to survive.
Fredrik Jensen raised to 1,300 from middle position and was called by Yan (button) before Jean-Noel Thorel raised to 3,500 from the small blind. Both opponents called and the flop fell K♣3♥A♣ before Thorel continued for 6,000. Yan was the one caller, and he called another 15,000 at the Q♥ turn. The board completed with the 2♦ and Thorel check-tank-folded to Yan's 20,600 shove. His stack dropped to 65,000 consequently. --MC
5:55pm: Newcomers and re-entriesLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
Martin Kozlov, Juha Helppi and David Yan have re-entered this event having dusted off their first stacks. Ramin Hajiyev and Dario Sammartino have also arrived for the primary time, with the latter telling his table that he only got up an hour ago. That is the poker life, kids. -- HS
5:50pm: Petrangelo wins this raceLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
It was A♠K♠ for Nick Petrangelo and T♣T♦ for Pratyush Buddiga with the pair of them within the blinds. They got it all-in pre-flop, as it's possible you'll expect, and Petrangelo earned a double for his 45,075 stack after the board ran K♦J♥5♥9♦2♣.
Max Silver, the lone Brit on that table, shortly afterwards pondered aloud whether any of his mostly American opponents can be voting for Donald Trump within the election next month. Suffice to say, if any of Petrangelo, Buddiga, Connor Drinan or Steve O'Dwyer plan to place a tick next to Mr Trump's name, they were denying it this afternoon in Malta. -- HS
5:45pm: Farrell dressing for the railLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
Niall Farrell told everyone firstly of play today that he had chosen his day's attire very carefully. "I've worn a shirt so I WILL exit if I bust," he said. (Farrell prefers a T-shirt if he expects to stay around for the day.)
Although he's a brief stack, he's still greatly involved at this stage--the clubs aren't exactly getting going yet, so it's worth hanging around.
He played two small pots recently, losing either one of them. The primary played out after he called from the large blind after Sam Greenwood raised to 12,000 from the cutoff and Behzad Ahadpour called at the button.
There was not more betting, not at the flop of J♥3♥8♣ nor the turn of Q♣ nor the river of Q♥. Farrell turned over his A♦5♠ with what gave the look to be moderate expectation that it was good. "Ah, so close," he said after Ahadpour turned over his 2♣3♣ which was actually the winner.
Not long after, Farrell raised his button to 1,200 and Martin Finger called within the big blind. They checked the flop of 9♦9♠K♥ after which Finger bet 1,500 after the A♠ turn. Farrell mucked.
Farrell is the defending EPT Malta Main Event champion, so grew well accustomed to the nightspots in a celebratory booze-up this time last year. It continues to be seen if he'll be back. -- HS
5:30pm: The executioner becomes the executedLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
David Yan came back with just 8,000 chips and it wasn't long before they were gone; his K♥Q♣ couldn't come from behind to overcome Martin Kozlov's A♦K♠.
I'm the father now
It's a funny old game this poker lark as Kozlov was soon out the door as well, falling to Dan Shak. The latter was within the hijack and checked all three streets of a K♣5♥3♦T♠4♥ board over to Kozlov at the button. The Australian bet 2,400, 6,500 and all-in for 16,000 on each street. Shak called the entire bets with K♥J♥, beating Kozlov's A♣Q♥. Shak moved as much as around 115,000 - good for the chip lead. --MC
5:15pm: Carrel leads at second breakLevel 5 - Blinds 250/500 (75 ante)
At the break, the tournament officials were kind enough to supply us with an entire chip count of the remainder 39 players. You'll find how all of them stack up at the chip-count page.
The top ten are as follows:
| Charlie Carrel | UK | 101000 |
| Martin Finger | Germany | 97500 |
| Nariman Yaghmai | Iran | 85000 |
| Dan Shak | USA | 82000 |
| Max Silver | UK | 81000 |
| Davidi Kitai | Belgium | 80000 |
| Ben Heath | UK | 78000 |
| Mikita Badziakouski | Belarus | 77000 |
| Oleksii Khoroshenin | Ukraine | 74800 |
| Adrian Mateos | Spain | 73000 |
4:50pm: Break timeLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
That's the tip of Level 4. Players are taking a 20-minute break and we'll have some chip counts with you shortly.
4:40pm: Fast "back within the game"Level 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
A matter of seconds after David Yan doubled with pocket sevens against ace-queen, Dietrich Fast did so on a neighbouring table. Fast opened to 1,000 from the hijack and Davidi Kitai three-bet the button, making it 2,800. Fast shoved for 14,150 and Kitai called.
Fast: 7♦7♣Kitai: A♠Q♠
The board ran K♥K♣3♥9♦8♠ and people sevens were good again.
"Back within the game," Fast said. -- HS
4:30pm: Yan doubles with sevensLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
David Yan was all the way down to around 13,000 but he found a great place to transport all-in. Ali Reza Fatehi opened his button, making it 1,000 to play, and Yan shoved from the small blind. Fatehi called.
The cards were on their backs:
Yan: 7♥7♠Fatehi: A♠Q♣
After a board of 8♣3♦T♥3♥5♠ Yan was counting his precise stack -- 12,850 -- and getting it doubled. Fatehi still has around 51,000. -- HS
4:25pm: Fatehi beats ShakLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Dan Shak opened to 1,000 from the button and Ali Reza Fatehi called within the small blind. David Yan also referred to as within the big blind and the 3 of them peered at a 6♦Q♥3♠ flop.
Fatehi and Yan both checked and Shak bet 2,000. Only Fatehi called.
The K♣ came at the turn and Fatehi checked. Shak bet 5,000 and Fatehi called again. The river was the 9♣ and now they both checked. Shak looked very disappointed when Fatehi showed his Q♦4♦, mostly as it was a winner. -- HS
4:20pm: Two players hit the railLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Jakub Michalak and Satish Sanan both busted within minutes of one another on different tables. Sanan busted to Martin Finger (who has a 140k stack as a result), and Michalak was eliminated by Kitai in an excessively interesting hand.
He opened to 1,000 from first position and was called by Kitai within the next seat and a player within the cutoff before Deitrich Fast squeezed to 4,500 from the large blind. Michalak then reraised to 14,000 and Kitai min-raised on top of that. That forced out the cutoff and Fast, but not Michalak who jammed for 14,000 more. Call.
Michalak: Q♦Q♣Kitai: A♣K♦
The flop came A♦3♦4♦ and Fast may well be heard from the opposite end of the table, "Ah, I would've flopped a straight!" The board ran out 8♣5♣.
Anthony Zimmo is sat next to Fast and the 2 had a funny exchange. Fast was heard adding, "I WOULD NOT have done it in the event that they were off-suit!"
Kitai, meanwhile, has 104,000 chips. --MC
4:15pm: Balancing hurts SilverLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Remember that groovy table that Max Silver had at first of the day. Well, it is not quite so great any longer. Silver remains to be there, however the balancing of the tables as new players have entered means it now looks as if this:
Seat 1 - Jean-Noel ThorelSeat 2 - Orpen KisacikogluSeat 3 - Patrick LeonardSeat 4 - Frederik JensenSeat 5 - Oleksii KhoresheninSeat 7 - Scott SeiverSeat 8 - Max Silver
Edit: Leonard got moved from the table and was replaced by Ole Schemion no less. The German star recently busted from the IPT Main Event. Then Silver himself was moved to the table that comes with Morten Mortensen, Connor Drinan, Pratyush Buddiga, Steve O'Dwyer and Nick Petrangelo. So the nice times are really over for him.
4:10pm: Private gameLevel 4 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Dietrich Fast, Vladimir Troyanovskiy and Davidi Kitai have turned EPT Malta thus far into their private game. They all made the general table of the €10K earlier within the week, and now they all are playing against each other within the €25K today. Listed here are three hands featuring those three exclusively.
Fast amongst familiar faces
In the primary Kitai opened to 1,000 from the hijack and Fast called within the big blind. The flop came 6♣8♦K♠ and Fast checked. Kitai bet 1,800. Fast made it 4,800 and Kitai called.
The turn was the Q♣ and Fast checked again. Kitai bet 4,800 and Fast snap-folded.
Next up: Kitai raised to 1,000 from under the gun and Troyanovskiy raised to 2,800 from one seat to his left. Kitai folded.
Then, to finish the set, we had a hand between Troyanovskiy and Fast. Troyanovskiy opened to 1,000 from under the gun and Fast made it 3,000 from the button. Troyanovskiy called. The examined the 7♣7♦T♣ flop and Troyanovskiy check-called Fast's bet of 3,000.
The 9♦ appeared at the turn and Troyanovskiy checked again. Fast bet again, making it 7,500, but Troyanovskiy emerged with a large check-raise, making it 35,000. That was greater than Fast's 21,000 total stack and yesterday's big winner folded. -- HS
4:05pm: New table, new players, new big stackLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
As a brand new table was being opened to accomodate the likes of Sam Greenwood, Fredrik Jensen, Morten Mortensen, Davidi Kitai and 10k Re-Entry Champion from yesterday - Dietrich Fast, Charlie Carrell was focusing on winning a large pot off Ali Reza Fatehi.
They were within the blinds and Carrel had a 5,000 chip out on front of him. Fatehi raised to 10,000 from the massive blind and Carrell called. That was at the turn and the general board read T♣7♦9♠T♠2♣. Carrell checked and snapped off a 12,100 bet to listen to those beautiful words, "Good call!" The Brit opened T♥5♥ for trips and Fatehi mucked to drop to 70,000. The win put Carrell over the 80,000-mark. --MC
3:55pm: Bujtas gets some backtrack FarrellLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Laszio Bujtas backed right into a flush to get some much-needed chips back down Niall Farrell.
Main Event champ from last season - Farrell
The board read Q♠5♦A♣T♣ on the turn and Farrell (UTG+1) check-called 1,300 from his opponent at the button. The river was the 6♣ and checked to stand a 3,300 bet. He tank-called and was shown J♣7♣ and mucked to drop to 38,500. Bujtas upped his stack to 18,000. --MC
3:40pm: Eyes everwhereLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Here's a multi-table update. This takes real talent.
• On Table 1, Ben Heath raised his button, making it 800 to play. The blinds folded and the chips went to Heath.• On Table 2, Connor Drinan raised his button, making it 800 to play. Martin Finger called from the large blind and the flop came T♣K♦4♠. Finger checked, Drinan bet 700 and Finger folded.• On Table 1, Paul Newey opened to 750 from under the gun. Paul Newey is currently watching YouTube videos on his phone. The videos are of individuals playing slot machines. Dietrich Fast called within the big blind and the flop came 5♦9♦6♦. Fast checked and Newey bet 1,050. Jackpot. Fast folded.• On Table 2, Steve O'Dwyer opened to 750 from UTG+1. Pratyush Buddiga called within the big blind. The flop came Q♠Q♣J♣ and the both checked. Then Buddiga bet 2,500 on the 5♠ turn. O'Dwyer called. They checked the 7♥ river and O'Dwyer's A♣8♠ was good. -- HS
3:30pm: O'Dywer frustratedLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Word in the street was that Steve O'Dwyer lost a pot to Sylvain Loosli the hand before we witnessed him lose a pot to Martin Finger.
The "Irishman" raised to 750 from early position and called after Finger three-bet to 3,200 from the small blind. The flop spread J♦Q♦4♥ and Finger had a 3,800 c-bet called before both players checked in the course of the 5♥ turn. The river came as 8♣ and Finger led for a chucky 11,500. O'Dwyer tank-folded to drop to 29,000. The win put Finger over 70,000. --MC
3:25pm: Jack the lad FarrellLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Niall Farrell is calling so as to add an EPT Malta title to the primary Event title he won here last season. His start wasn't so good, but a contemporary pot win has gotten him back to starting stack.
He was heads up with Laszlo Bujtas and we picked up the action at the 9♥5♣4♠ flop. Farrell bet 1,000 from the cutoff and called after Bujtas check-raised to 2,300 from the small blind. The turn was the Q♥ and Bujtas check-called 1,700 to go to the 3♥ river. He checked and waited for a coupe of minutes as Farrell thought. Then he called a 3,700 bet and mucked when the champ opened J♠J♣. The Hungarian dropped to 38,000. --MC
3:15pm: Big call from Silver earns maximum rewardLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Max Silver isn't having all of it his own way any more, with Scott Seiver and Oleksii Khoreshenin now sharing what is, by most estimations, the least fearsome table of the tournament. But Silver just demonstrated that he has the chops to play against anyone who sits down, creating a gutsy call against some Seiver aggression.
Action folded to Satish Sanan at the button and he raised to 300. Seiver, within the small blind, three-bet to 1,300 and Silver, within the big blind, four-bet to 4,300. It looked to the casual observer as if Seiver was desirous to go heads-up with Sanan and Silver, thinking that too, had denied him the danger. But after Sanan folded, it soon transpired that maybe the professionals actually both had hands. Seiver called.
Strong call from Max Silver
The flop fell 5♣5♠3♦ and Seiver instantly moved a tower of blue chips over the line, meaning Silver would want all of his remaining 27,375 if he was to call.
"Pretty gross," Silver said."Aces to kings usuall," Seiver said. "THAT MIGHT be gross."
Silver took his time and said, "Unfortunately this isn't a slowroll." He apologised to the table for taking his time. Seiver started talking with Khoreshenin and Silver asked if he may have a bit quiet while he pondered his decision. Seiver said that was fine and fell silent.
"I feel you've it," Silver said. But he then ran through a couple of possibilities in his head, counting chips, mouthing calculations, etc. He then picked up his remaining chips and plonked them over the road to call.
Seiver turned over his 9♥9♣ and Silver exposed his T♠T♣.
"What a call," Sanan said. "AM I ABLE TO cash out now?"
The 2♣ at the turn and the 8♣ at the didn't help Seiver catch up. Silver doubles back to beyond his starting stack and can be buoyed by an awesome call. -- HS
3:05pm: Good start for LoosliLevel 2 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Sylvain Loosli has joined the fray for level 3 and tanged in a pot with Andras Nemeth. There has been action on the beginning, action on the end, but not so much in between.
The Frenchman - who has an excellent record in these high rollers - opened to 650 from the hijack and called after Nemeth three-bet to 2,200 off the button. Not more chips went in until the river where the board rested as Q♣9♦9♠4♠7♣. Loosli led for 2,600 and opened J♣J♠ when called. Nemeth mucked to dropped 60,000 and Loosli's moved as much as 58,000. --MC
2:33pm: First break of the dayLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
The players are taking 15 minutes.
2:25pm: Finger moving and clicking buttonsLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Martin Finger, identical to Ben Heath, was balanced off his original table to a brand new table where Steve O'Dwyer was in wait to play a pot with. Finger had better luck than Heath though.
The German raised to 600 off the button and O'Dwyer (BB) slid the calling chips off the highest of his stack. The flop fanned 7♦7♥Q♦ and Finger continued for 600. O'Dwyer used the similar slide solution to check-call. The turn wad the 9♦ and O'Dwyer check-called another 1,500, using a couple of more muscles that point. The K♠ filled up the river and there has been no stopping Finger who bet 2,500. O'Dywer tanked before check-folding to drop to around 40,000. Finger rose to 68,000. --MC
2:10pm: Two hands, 20 minutes to typeLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
I do not know whether Orpen Kisacikoglu and Vladimir Troyanovskiy knew one another before this week, but they're certainly well acquainted now. They went the entire method to the overall table of the curtain-raising €10K and are sitting together again within the €25K.
They just played a few pots too--although Kisacikoglu's involvement within the second wasn't massively significant. It's worth reporting though.
Troyanovskiy opened the primary pot, making it 600 from the button and Kisacikoglu called within the big blind. The 4♣3♦2♦ came at the flop and Kisacikoglu check-called Troyanovskiy's bet of 700.
They both checked the 5♠ turn after which Kisacikoglu's bet of 1,200 at the Q♦ river took it down.
Troyanovskiy wasn't done. At the next hand, Nariman Yaghmai opened to 525 from under the gun and Troyanovskiy called within the cutoff. Kisacikoglu called within the small blind and 3 of them saw the flop of 7♣J♦8♣. Both Kisacikoglu and Yahgmai checked and Troyanovskiy bet 1,000. Only Yaghmai called.
They both checked the 3♦ turn after which after the 3♥ came at the river, Yaghmai checked again. Troyanovskiy bet 1,525 and, after somewhat period within the tank, Yaghmai called.
That turned out to be a shrewd move. Troyanovskiy was at it. He showed 6♥9♥. Yaghmai showed A♠K♣ and won.
Tip to wannabe poker bloggers, incidentally. Attempt to avoid hands featuring players called Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Orpen Kisacikoglu and Nariman Yaghmai. It is a bloody nightmare to type. --HS
2:05pm: Biggest heist of the year?Level 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
"Oh my goodness, biggest heist of the year!" said Max Silver after he realised he had won a four-way pot with fourth pair.
The pot started with a Satish Sanan early position limp. He picked up Silver (button), Jean-Noel Thorel (SB) and Dan Shak (BB) en path to a 9♣3♠6♥ flop. The action checked around to Silver who bet 400. Both blinds called and Sanan left them to it. Not more chips made it into the center because the T♣8♦ turn and river were checked through.
Jean-Noel Thorel
Thorel opened 3♦4♦ for bottom pair, which had Shak beat, but not a cheerful Silver, who opened 6♣5♦. --MC
1:55pm: Fatehi straight back at itLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Say what you prefer about Ali Reza Fatehi, but he isn't afraid to play big pots. Despite being the one player to this point to fireside a second bullet (having lost the last of his first set of chips to Martin Finger), Fatehi is straight back on the big bets.
Ali Reza Fatehi: First man out, first man back in
I didn't see the pre-flop action here, nevertheless it gave the impression of Fatehi opened his button after which called after Nick Petrangelo, within the small blind, made a three-bet. They'd about 13,700 within the pot pre-flop.
They both checked the flop of A♦7♣3♠ after which Petrangelo also checked the 9♦ that came at the turn. Fatehi bet 4,700 and Petrangelo called, which bought him the T♠ at the river.
Petrangelo checked again and Fatehi bet 26,000. (The starting stack is 50,000 do not forget). Petrangelo took a very long time to evaluate his options, and double-checked his cards too. But eventually he decided to reserve it for an additional day. He folded. -- HS
Nick Petrangelo: Lay-down
1:50pm: Man down. Man back inLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Ali Reza Fatehi has become the primary player to bust, but he immediately re-entered. Martin Finger was the opponent who did the wear and tear and he recounted one of the most details of the hand.
Jean-Noel Thorel opened to 550 from under the gun and was called by Fatehi within the next seat before Finger squeezed to 2,600 from the small blind. The flop came 9-8-6 with two diamonds and Finger continued for 4,500. Thorel folded but Fatehi moved all-in for 13,000 with 9♣6♣ for 2 pair. Finger opened pocket tens and got lucky when a 3rd appeared at the turn. --MC
1:35pm: Run better BenLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
We wrote about Ben Heath taking an early lead, and the young Brit seemed very at home on his table. And why wouldn't he be? Often in these high rollers, one could be surrounded by sharks, but today he found himself surrounded by businessmen. Then you definitely must have seen the look on his face when a floor person walked behind him with empty racks. "Noooo, please don't balance me to a brand new table!" is something we imagined he was saying inside.
Don't worry Ben; we're sure your new table can be just as fruitful, and hands just like the one below will happen. Who's that with you currently? Oh, you appear to have Steve O'Dwyer, Anthony Zinno, Orpen Kisacikoglu and Vladimir Troyanovskiy for company. Good luck!
Almost immediately he got right into a multi-street battle with O'Dwyer. The latter raised from the button before occurring to bet 1,200, 2,700 and 4,300 on each street. The board read 3♣5♦8♠J♦J♣ and Heath called all of the method to the river where he check-tank-folded. --MC
1:15pm: Out-of-turn Thorel profits with queensLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Max Silver seemed delighted along with his table assignment. "Playing Malta 25k. Another pro on my table :)" he tweeted. He was relating to Ben Heath, who was to his right on a table also featuring Jean-Noel Thorel, Satish Sanan, Behzad Ahadpour and Ali Reza Fatehi. Not long after he'd hit send, Heath was off--moved to a different table to depart Silver with the less-experienced players.
And then this happened.
Jean-Noel Thorel limped from the cutoff and Fatehi raised to 750 from the hijack. Sanan called within the small blind and that persuaded Silver to name too from the massive blind.
Action got back to Thorel and he now raised, making it 3,500 to play. Fatehi called, Sanan called and Silver saw the price and called from the massive blind as well.
So they went to a flop four-handed: 3♦J♦4♥. Sanan checked after which before Silver could act, Thorel threw out 6,000. The dealer indicated that Silver was yet to behave. "Did you check?" she said. "I do now," Silver said, pointing at Thorel's bet.
Fatehi called and Sanan called too. Silver muttered something about how he wished he had better cards and mucked.
The J♥ came at the turn and Thorel instantly checked. The dealer reminded him that it wasn't his turn, but then Sanan checked, Thorel's check was binding and Fatehi checked behind.
The 6♠ then came at the river and Thorel checked again. For a 3rd time, the dealer told Thorel that it wasn't his turn, but Sanan checked anyway and Thorel's check stood again.
Fatehi wasn't done with it. He now bet 10,500. Sanan made a reluctant fold, but Thorel quickly called. Sanan showed A♥Q♥ which was a busted draw, ace high. Thorel was in a position to turn over Q♠Q♣ and scoop it.
Sanan said that he folded A♦K♦. That would has been much more costly for everybody concerned.
As this played out, Martin Finger sat down, so Silver doesn't have all of them to himself any more.-- HS
1:10pm: Small ball HelppiLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Charlie Carrel sat down on Table 3 and saw Steve O'Dwyer to his right, Paul Newey and Juha Helppi to his left. About two minutes later, a tournament official came around and told Carrel to transport tables and he offered an exaggerated "Phew!" as he left this actual frying pan. (A FIREPLACE awaits.)
As these manoeuvres were taking place, Helppi was winning a small pot from Newey. Newey, fresh from the only Drop in Monaco, opened to 500 and Helppi called. Newey continued for 800 at the flop of 6♦J♦5♠ and Helppi called. After which the 6♥ came at the turn. Newey checked, Helppi bet 2,000 and that was enough.
Juha Helppi
O'Dwyer won the following hand with a button raise -- to 600 -- that got both Newey and Helppi to fold. -- HS
12:50pm: Big blind specialLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Ali Reza Fatehi may need lost the primary 10,000+ pot of the day (see below), but he's just taken a bit back. This was a gift, to be honest, and there wasn't so much he could do to lose the hand, although he'd have wanted.
Satish Sanan limped from early position and a pair of others limped behind: Orpen Kisacikoglu at the button and Max Silver within the big blind, which allowed Fatehi to test his cards within the big blind then rap the table.
Four of them then surveyed a 2♣2♥J♣ flop and both Silver and Fatehi checked. Sanan bet 700, which got folds from both Kisacikoglu and Silver, but Fatehi stuck around.
The Q♦ came at the turn and Fatehi checked again. Sanan bet 1,300 and Fatehi called. Then the 6♦ came at the river.
Fatehi threw a 5,000-denomination chip forward, announcing the bet as 4,000 as he did. Sanan called quickly, but was then shown the 9♠2♦ for flopped trips.
A frustrated Sanan exposed his J♠T♦, but his flopped top pair was never ahead. -- HS
12:45pm: Heath off to a flierLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Charlie Carrel and Max silver turned up and that was enough for the ground staff to open a 3rd table. Carrel have been sat at Ben Heath's table but didn't play a hand before he was balanced off to a different one. He was there long enough to look his friend win considered one of two pots that experience propelled him into an early lead.
In the primary hand, Satish Sanan and Heath had made it to the river where a 9♦3♦7♥A♦6♣ board rested. Heath led out from the small blind and opened A-3 for 2 pair when called. Sanan showed A-4 and mucked.
Heath won the very next hand too, and it was a larger one.
A 5♣3♠8♠ flop was out and Ali Reza Fatehi led for 700. He was called by Sanan before Heath raised to 3,200. Fatehi was the one caller and he went directly to check-call a 7,400 bet at the Q♣ turn before leading for 6,500 at the 4♠ river. Heath flicked in a chip to name and was shown J♥8♥ by Fatehi, but Heath opened K♣K♥ and scooped.
Fatehi came third within the €100,000 Super High Roller ultimately season's Grand Final so he'll be capable of shake off the early loss. If not, he'll always have the ability to re-enter. -- MC
12:40pm: A slow startLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Players are gradually arriving to take their seats within the €25,000 event. It's usually more of a dribble than a torrent. A few of the first to sit were Ben Heath, Mikita Badziakouski, Paul Newey and Niall Farrell. They were quickly joined by Alexandros Kolonias, Martin Kozlov, Stephen Chidwick, Ali Reza Fatehi, Charlie Carrel, Juha Helppi and Orpen Kisacikoglu.
12:33pm: Shuffle up and dealLevel 1 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
Excited much? We are, because the biggest buy in tournament of this poker festival is under way.
12pm: Satellite winners
Six players won their seat to this event in a satellite last night. They were:
Laszlo Bujtas, HungaryMartin Kozlov, AustraliaMorten Mortensen, DenmarkMarcin Chmielewski, PolandJakub Michalak, PolandOleksii Khoroshenin, Ukraine
Also, there has been a hyper-turbo satellite, won by Ali Reza Fatehi of Iran.
11:30am: Strap in for the €25,000 event
Good morning everybody and welcome back to Malta for the beginning of the €25,000 High Roller event. This can be a three-day affair, with one-hour levels throughout and a 50,000 starting stack. Registration is open to the beginning of Day 2.
Action gets under way at 12:30pm and we'll play 10 levels today, with a dinner break after six. That implies we'll wrap at around 12:45am.
We have no confirmed player lists yet, but we're expecting probably the most world's best to add. So stick around and share the excitement.
Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.Take a glance on the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for EPT13 Malta and the remainder of the season.
Also all of the schedule information is at the EPT App, that is available on both Android or IOS.
PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT13 Main Event: Marc Convey and Howard Swains. Photography by Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter:@PokerStarsBlog
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: European Poker Tour]
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