The weather forecast for Day 3 of the IPT8 Malta Main Event would have read something like this: 'Heavy showers of eliminations with the occasional extreme dry spell'. All I DO KNOW is Italy's Francesco Leotta will need to have brought the thickest umbrella to the Portomaso Casino, because he's leading our final six players (which come with Dominik Panka and Ismael Bojang) going into tomorrow's final table.
Final table chip leader Francesco Leotta
We had just 31 players firstly of the day and every had the similar goal: make it to the six-handed final table, and ultimately take down the €101,940 first place prize. The action started out thick and fast. Day 2 chip leader Stefan Jedlicka was the primary to bust (within the first or second hand), which kicked off a string eliminations that did not really decelerate until we reached 13 players. A few of those we lost along the best way included Benjamin Bonnardot (26th - € 4,540), Robert Cowan (19th - €5,800), and Daragh Davey (15th - €7,470).
Thirteen. That number is regarded as by many to be unlucky, and if Cate Hall didn't think it was before today then she certainly might now. We had two hours of play with 13 players before Hall busted to Dominik Panka, and similar to that the eliminations kicked off again. Including Hall, in ten minutes we lost four players - Raffaele Sorrentino (12th - €7,470), Erwanna Pecheux (11th - €9,690), and Yaniv Peretz (10th - €9,690) - and we were right down to our unofficial final table of nine.
Unlucky 13 for Hall
It was a beautiful stacked bunch, what with the aforementioned 2014 PCA Main Event winner Dominik Panka within the chip lead, joined by Ismael Bojang and Alexander Lakhov (either one of whom have millions in poker winnings), Danish pro Rasmus Agerskov, and the second one player in PokerStars history reach 10 million VPPs Vladimir Shabalin. The tip of Day 1B chip leader Johan Guilbert, Daniel Portiansky, and Filip Demby rounded out the table.
Smooth sailing for Dominik Panka
And a very good showing from Ismael Bojang
With nine left the eliminations dried up another time. For greater than a degree we lost no person; then Rasmus Agerskov's unfortunate exit unfolded the bust-out clouds. He jammed with ace-queen but bumped into Bojang's pocket aces. Then things got crazy: the last hand of the night was a double elimination.
Daniel Portiansky shoved his short stack; then the even shorter stack of Filip Demby jammed too. Alexander Lakhov checked out his cards, said "Let's go" and he was all-in besides! Lakhov had pocket queens while Portiansky and Demby both had ace-king. The queens were never in peril and Portiansky was out in seventh (as he had more chips), while Demby was our eighth place finisher.
Here's how the general six stack up:
| Francesco Leotta | Italy | 5,310,000 | |
| Ismael Bojang | Austria | PokerStars player | 4,285,000 |
| Dominik Panka | Poland | PokerStars player | 3,200,000 |
| Johan Guilbert | France | 2,465,000 | |
| Alexander Lakhov | Russia | PokerStars qualifier | 2,180,000 |
| Vladimir Shabalin | Russia | 1,850,000 |
We'll be kicking off this final table at 12pm tomorrow (Sunday) so make sure to join us for what's certain to be an entertainment day of play. Until then, goodnight! --JS
8:44pm: Daniel Portiansky eliminated in 7th place (€17,070); Filip Demby eliminated in 8th place (€12,670)Level 28 - 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
Daniel Portiansky open-raised all-in from middle position, and it folded around to Filip Demby sitting within the cutoff who set out his remaining chips -- about 380,000 -- as an all-in call.
The action got to Alexander Lakhov within the small blind and he asked Portiansky how much his raise was for, and he promptly responded "700." A count confirmed it was indeed for 700,000 even. Lakhov had that covered, and he decided to name to place both Portiansky and Demby at risk.
Lakhov: Q♥Q♦Portiansky: A♥K♦Demby: A♦K♠
The rail started to get excited on the prospect of a sudden end to the evening, and the players were riveted in addition to the dealer spread the 7♠7♦2♥ flop, the 6♣ turn, and... the... 9♠ river!
Lakhov's queens had held, and he bumps up over 2.1 million.
Alexander Lakhov finishes off Day 3
As Portiansky made certain to confirm before leaving, he had more chips than Demby and so finishes seventh (creating a pay jump).
Daniel Portiansky - 7th place
Meanwhile, Demby takes eighth.
Filip Demby - 9th place
With that just six remain and play concludes for the day. Back shortly with a recap of this exciting Day 3! --MH
8:35pm: More for LeottaLevel 28 - 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
Dominik Panka raised to 175,000 from under the gun, and the table folded around to Francesco Leotta within the small blind. Leotta leaned over to get a glance at Panka's stack -- the closest challenger to Leotta's lead at the present time -- then called. Alexander Lakhov folded the large blind, and the pair saw the flop came 7♣Q♠Q♥.
Leotta checked, Panka bet 175,000, and Leotta called. The turn brought the 8♣ and another check from Leotta, and when Panka bet 300,000, Leotta called again. The river was the 6♥, eliciting quick checks from both.
Leotta tabled his hand, revealing he'd only called Panka's preflop raise holding K♠K♥, and Panka mucked.
Panka slips to only over 3.3 million, while Leotta adds more to his lead as he's stacking up 5.35 million. --MH
8:45pm: Hey, presto for GuilbertLevel 28 - 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
There's a certain sense of the medium stacks playing cautiously and waiting to peer if Filip Demby (475,000) or Daniel Portiansky (750,000) double their stacks or die trying. That was in evidence in a up to date hand through which the action folded around to the button. It was Johan Guilbert who had the most efficient position in poker, but with Demby to his direct left (albeit separated by a dealer) he desired to see his chips before you decide so he leaned forward. His decision was to boost to 180,000, Demby folded but Francesco Leotta called.
On the 8♦J♣8♣ flop Guilbert c-bet 175,000 and Leotta stuck across the. 6♥ turn and K♥ river checked through and Guilbert's pocket fives proved best as Leotta had T♦9♣ for a busted straight draw. --NW
8:27pm: Rasmus Agerskov out in 9th (€12,670)Level 28 - 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
Could the eliminations be picking up again after the new dry spell? Well, we're now one down and two more to move before play ends for the night.
Action folded to Rasmus Agerskov in lojack and he moved all-in for 1 million. Ismael Bojang was to his left within the hijack and he asked for a count, before moving all-in himself. That got folds throughout and the cards were flipped.
Agerskov: A♥Q♠Bojang: A♠A♦
"I'm in bad shape," said Agerskov when he saw pocket rockets. Things didn't get any better at the J♠7♥9♠5♥2♦ board, and the Danish pro was sent to the cage. Meanwhile Ismael Bojang has now got a stack of 4.375 million that may be good for second place presently. --JS
| 28 | 40,000 | 80,000 | 10,000 |
8:19pm: Portiansky slips into the chance zone; Leotta within the leadLevel 27 - 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)
Daniel Portiansky began the day as chip leader, but he's now the second-shortest stack after losing a bit of chips to Francesco Leotta.
The Italian raised to 125,000 from middle position and Portiansky called out of the small blind. The A♦T♦8♥ flop was checked through and the K♥ fell at the turn. Portiansky led for 150,000 and Leotta smooth-called. The J♣ river put four to a straight on board and Portiansky bogged down. He checked the action to Leotta who bet 375,000, and Portiansky thought for a short while before calling.
Leotta rolled over A♣Q♠ for a Broadway straight and Portiansky looked to the heavens before mucking.
He's all the way down to 900,000, while Leotta has retaken the chip lead, moving as much as 4,650,000. --NW
8:04pm: Pushing PortianskyLevel 27 - 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)
Daniel Portiansky was looking to push the action of late, but others keep pushing back. He's opened on a few occasions only to be three-bet or forced off hands at the flop. The start-of-day leader has just below 1.25 million at this time. --MH
7:55pm: Filip needs chipsLevel 27 - 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)
The slow pace continues, and Filip Demby continues to fold hands while nursing the shortest stack on the table. Today he paid both the large and small blinds, which along side the antes has cut his stack right down to 470,000. --MH
7:45pm: Taking it slowLevel 27 - 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)
Twenty minutes have passed within the current level and, well, there is not much to report back to be honest. There's been one three-bet pot, which did not make it to the flop. Two small pots that made it to the river, but not showdown and one flop check-raise shove from Rasmus Agerskov that saw Dominik Panka release his hand immediately.
It's still Filip Demby who's the shortest stack. --NW
7:24pm: Play resumesLevel 27 - 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)
Players are back and play as resumed, with plan being for the general nine players to minimize to 6 before play will conclude this evening. Dominik Panka returns to the chip lead -- he's over 4 million now. Full chip counts can also be seen here. --MH
Meanwhile dinner plans are tentative on the moment, dependent on just how far this group goes. --MH
| 27 | 30,000 | 60,000 | 10,000 |
7:04pm: Let's take a break
The final nine are off for one more 20-minute break. --MH
Opening a PokerStars account is simple. Click here to get an account in minutes.7:02pm: Leotta puts Lakhov to the testLevel 26 - 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
The first big pot of the unofficial final table involved Francesco Leotta and Alexander Lakhov. The Italian opened to 110,000 from the cutoff and Lakhov nearly beat him into the pot with a raise to 300,000. Call from Leotta.
The J♥5♠3♠ flop was checked through and the 9♦ fell at the turn. Leotta bet 325,000, call from Lakhov. The 5♣ completed the board and Leotta moved all-in. His shove was for an efficient 1,550,000, as that is what Lakhov had left.
The Russian player understandably took his time over one of these big decision, even apologizing to the table at one point. He ultimately elected to fold. Pot to Leotta. --NW
7pm: Seating assignments for the nine-handed tableLevel 25 - 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
They've redrawn for a last time, and the last nine players are readying to continue battling for the IPT Malta Main Event trophy. A reminder -- the plan today is to minimize to 6 players, so they'll be continuing on after reaching the official eight-handed final table with the following knockout.
Dominik Panka enjoys the chip lead at the present. Here is a have a look at where individuals are sitting and what stacks they're sitting behind:
Seat 1: Filip Demby (Poland) -- 1,100.000Seat 2: Francesco Leotta (Italy) -- 2,800,000Seat 3: Alexander Lakhov (Russia) -- 2,250,000Seat 4: Dominik Panka (Poland) -- 3,830,000Seat 5: Vladimir Shabalin (Russia) -- 1,550,000Seat 6: Daniel Portiansky (Israel) -- 1,800,000Seat 7: Rasmus Agerskov (Denmark) -- 1,360,000Seat 8: Ismael Bojang (Austria) -- 1,780,000Seat 9: Johan Guilbert (France) -- 2,050,000
Dominik Panka very much
There are about 10 minutes left to head within the level, and then there'll be a 20-minute break. --MH
6:49pm: Yaniv Peretz eliminated in 10th place (€9,690)Level 26 - 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
Another elimination means the unofficial final table of nine was reached and it was Yaniv Peretz who has just missed out.
In his exit hand, Johan Guilbert opened to 100,000 from under-the-gun, Daniel Portiansky flat-called, and Peretz then moved all-in for 770,000 total. Guilbert requested a count after which tanked for a minute or so before announcing all-in. Portiansky made up his mind to fold within a couple of seconds and it was time for showdown.
Guilbert: A♣A♠Peretz: J♣J♦
Players from the opposite table crowded round and watched on because the dealer spread a 7♠T♣3♦ flop, the Q♦ turn and 4♦ river didn't change anything and Peretz was eliminated.
They'll now be a brief break while the tournament staff combine the players at one table. --NW
Yaniv Paretz - 10th place
6:45pm: Erwann Pecheux eliminated in 11th place (€9,690)Level 26 - Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
We waited some time for some eliminations after which three come along directly! Erwann Pecheux is the most recent to fall, having got his 680,000 chips in pre-flop with A♠K♣ against Dominik Panka's 8♣8♦. The board ran out J♣3♦5♦2♥5♣ and that was all she wrote for the Frenchman, who's off to assemble his €9,690. Panka meanwhile is as much as 3.55 million that is likely good for the chip lead. Ten left. --JS
Erwann Pecheux - 11th place
6:39pm: Raffaele Sorrentino eliminated in 12th place (€7,470)Level 26 - Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
Not so much to mention about this elimination hand. It folded to the quick stack of Raffaele Sorrentino at the button and he jammed with the 4♣6♣. Ismael Bojang awoke within the big blind with the 9♦9♥, and a nine-king-king flop gave him an entire house and a lock at the hand. --JS
Raffaele Sorrentino - 12th place
6:35pm: Cate Hall eliminated in 13th place (€7,470)Level 26 - Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
A couple of hours because the last elimination, there has finally been another to report, bringing the sector all the way down to 12 players.
The hand started with a raise to 100,000 from Dominik Panka sitting within the cutoff. It folded to Cate Hall who after just a little thought reraised all-in with the approximately 1 million in her stack. Once the action got back to Panka he didn't wait very long before calling.
Panka tabled 8♣8♦ and Hall A♣9♥, and the race was at the. 4♥Q♦J♦ flop didn't help Hall, nor did the 2♦ turn. The dealer then burned and turned over the river -- the 7♦ -- and Hall is out in 13th place.
Panka is up around 2.75 million now. --MH
Cate Hall - 13th place
6:22pm: All quiet on Table 2Level 26 - Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
Not much to report on Table 2 as there were zero showdowns and no really big pots. The 2 best hands of late both involved Daniel Portiansky, though.
In the primary notable pot, he raised to 90,000 from the hijack and Rasmus Agerskov called from the massive blind. At the K♠5♦J♦ flop, Portiansky c-bet 110,000 and Agerskov smooth-called. Agerskov called an extra 250,000 at the 6♥ turn, but folded to of venture of 400,000 at the 4♥ river. He drops to 1,500,000, while Portiansky climbs to 2,200,000.
On the following hand Vladimir Shabalin raised to 100,000, Portiansky called and Alexander Lakhov then three-bet to 305,000 from the massive blind. Fold by Shabalin, call from Portiansky. At the A♥8♦6♦ flop, Lakhov bet 325,000 and Portiansky went into the tank. He spent goodbye over the verdict that Lakhov called the clock and when almost half his allotted minute was up Portiansky mucked his cards. --NW
6:08pm: Now it's Pecheux's turn to doubleLevel 26 - Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)
Just before the blinds went up, Dominik Panka opened to 80,000 and Erwann Pecheux shoved for 360,000. When it got back to Panka he tilted his head and made the decision with the Q♦J♠, but was trailing Pecheux's A♠Q♥. The board ran out 6♠6♥9♦8♦7♣ and that brought Pecheux as much as just over 800,000, while Panka is playing 1.7 million. --JS
| 26 | 25,000 | 50,000 | 5,000 |
5:48pm: Short stack watchLevel 25 - 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Not much happening over the past orbit or so at either of the 2 remaining tables as they move toward the latter stages of Level 25.
The two shortest stacks are now on the same table -- Filip Demby and Erwann Pecheux. Demby recently open-raised all-in, but didn't get any takers.
Meanwhile after losing that all-in to Raffaele Sorrentino a short time ago (see just below), Pecheux was folding hands, searching for something with which to start out the work of chipping up.
Demby has about 740,000 at present, while Pecheux is sitting behind 580,000. --MH
5:38pm: Pecheux doubles anotherLevel 25 - 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
It's been a nasty level thus far for Erwann Pecheux as he's now doubled up two opponents and, because of that, he's all the way down to just 10 big blinds.
It was Raffaele Sorrentino who was the beneficiary this time, the Italian player committed his final 590,000 by three-bet shoving with 2♦2♠ and Pecheux, who had raised to 90,000, got a count and called. He held A♦9♣ but couldn't hook up with the 4♦J♥5♦J♠K♠ board. He's all the way down to 390,000 now. --NW
5:30pm: Demby gets a walkLevel 25 - Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
These are frustrating times for Filip Demby. He's the shortest stack left at this time with 550,000 and when he just got a walk within the big blind he couldn't believe it, flipping over pocket kings. --JS
5:21pm: Hall monitors a winLevel 25 - 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Fans of classic races read on, as that's how Cate Hall today scored a double-up.
Ismael Bojang lit the blue touch paper, raising it as much as 80,000 from early position. Erwann Pecheux had position, and a hand he liked, as he bumped it as much as 215,000 from the button. Hall then shoved for 415,000 from the small blind and, after Bojang folded, the Frenchman called.
Hall opened Q♣Q♠ and was trying to hold against A♣K♠. She did just that because the 2♣9♠6♥4♥7♦ board kept the pair in front. She's as much as 965,000 that is just not up to Pecheux's 975,000. --NW
5:15pm: Leotta brand new leader; 13 remainLevel 25 - 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)
Over the last break we gathered a new round of updated counts, and so they reveal Francesco Leotta has grabbed the lead with a stack of 3.2 million. Here's how the overall 13 stack up as Level 25 begins:
| Francesco Leotta | Italy | 3200000 | |
| Alexander Lakhov | Russia | PokerStars qualifier | 2500000 |
| Daniel Portiansky | Israel | 2100000 | |
| Dominik Panka | Poland | PokerStars player | 2090000 |
| Vladimir Shabalin | Russia | 1900000 | |
| Rasmus Agerskov | Denmark | PokerStars qualifier | 1600000 |
| Erwann Pecheux | France | 1310000 | |
| Ismael Bojang | Austria | PokerStars player | 1230000 |
| Johan Guilbert | France | 1200000 | |
| Raffaele Sorrentino | Italy | PokerStars qualifier | 855000 |
| Cate Hall | USA | 475000 | |
| Filip Demby | Poland | PokerStars player | 410000 |
| Yaniv Peretz | Latvia | PokerStars player | 400000 |
Francesco Leotta, new leader
The next two players out can be earning €7,470 each, then comes another pay jump. Remember, €101,940 awaits the winner. --MH
| 25 | 20,000 | 40,000 | 5,000 |
4:45pm: Break time
Players are on a 20-minute break. --JS
Opening a PokerStars account is simple. Click here to get an account in minutes.4:42pm: Portiansky wins a large potLevel 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Daniel Portiansky may be feeling pretty damn good as he heads off at the 20 minute break, as for Yaniv Peretz, well, not so much.
On the overall hand of the extent Portiansky raised to 65,000 and called after Peretz had three-bet to 160,000 total. At the Q♥K♣Q♠ flop Portianksy elected to steer for 200,000 and Peretz smooth called.
There was now over 750,000 within the pot, Portiansky had about 1,005,000 back, Peretz about 700,000. The 6♣ turn was checked through and the J♠ completed the board. Again Portiansky reached for chips and he bet 300,000. Peretz eyed the board up for a very long time before flicking in one chip to announce a choice. Portiansky opened T♦9♦ for a rivered straight and Peretz looked disgusted. "YOU WERE GIVEN very lucky, very very lucky," and he flashed just the T♣ as he mucked. --NW
Portianksy collects
4:40pm: Hall tanka to PankaLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Dominik Panka made it 60,000 to head at the button and Cate Hall came along from the small blind. It was heads as much as the 3♥Q♠6♦ flop and Hall checked before calling the 60,000 c-bet.
The dealer burned and turned the A♣ and Hall checked all over again. Panka barreled again for 160,000 which got another call from the American, taking us to the 9♠ river. Hall checked a last time and Panka produced a 3rd barrel worth 350,000.
Hall went into the tank and was thinking for an excellent short time. Her thought process led her to make the call, but she'd muck when Panka quickly flipped over the A♥K♣, confident he was best. He was, and now has 1.96 million, while Hall slips to 500,000. --JS
4:38pm: Bojang loses a lotta to LeottaLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Francesco Leotta opened to 60,000 from the cutoff but was three-bet to 180,000 by Ismael Bojang at the button. Leotta made the decision and the pair saw a 5♥3♥T♠ flop, which was checked to last aggressor. Bojang continued for 215,000 and was called, taking us to the turn which came the A♥. That temporarily killed the action.
After both checked the river was the 2♣ and Leotta chose this point to steer out for 475,000. Bojang had a fair couple of minutes of thinking time and at last made the call, but mucked with a sigh when Leotta turned over the J♥T♥ for a flush.
Bojang has 1.07 million now, while Leotta is as much as 3.15 million. --JS
4:30pm: Samuele Moschetti eliminated in 14th place (€7,470)Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
We're edging ever towards our final table as we're now right down to 13 players. Samuele Moschetti is the newest to leave, shoving all in under the gun with K♣8♣ and getting looked up by Vladimir Shabalin within the big blind with A♣T♣.
Once again, Shabalin left to table as he couldn't bare to observe the runout, which started out badly for him. The flop came K♥3♥6♦ giving Moschetti the lead. The turn was the 2♦, however the river was the A♠ putting Shabalin back in front. Standing behind the dealer (and therefore behind Moschetti) Shabalin set free a silent "Yes!" and a fist pump but kept his celebration to a minimum. Gracious in victory, while Moschetti was gracious in defeat. Shabalin has 1.8 million now. --JS
Samuele Moschetti - 14th place
4:25pm: Domination nation for ShabalinLevel 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Facts it's a must to learn about Vladimir Shabalin:1) He was the third player to wreck the 10,000,000 VPP barrier at PokerStars2) Despite playing thousands upon thousands of high stakes sit & go's online, relating to live poker he can't stand to look at the board run out in all-in situations.
We know that because it's happened once or twice already and just occurred again. He raised to 75,000, Samuele Moschetti shoved all-in and when it folded back to Shabalin he made the call.
Shabalin: A♥K♦Moschetti: A♠Q♠
Like a naughty kid Shabalin wandered off to the corner so didn't see the T♣7♠9♦J♥J♠ board delivered that kept him alive. He was all-in for 735,000 and so doubles to around 1,500,000. Moschetti is all the way down to about 550,000. --NW
4:19pm: Updated chip counts; 14 remainLevel 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Just two seven-handed tables remain, and presently Francesco Leotta and Alexander Lakhov are battling for the lead because the only players over 2 million. A glimpse on the current counts:
| Francesco Leotta | Italy | 2200000 | |
| Alexander Lakhov | Russia | PokerStars qualifier | 2150000 |
| Ismael Bojang | Austria | PokerStars player | 1950000 |
| Daniel Portiansky | Israel | 1580000 | |
| Johan Guilbert | France | 1470000 | |
| Rasmus Agerskov | Denmark | PokerStars qualifier | 1460000 |
| Vladimir Shabalin | Russia | 1450000 | |
| Dominik Panka | Poland | PokerStars player | 1420000 |
| Erwann Pecheux | France | 1350000 | |
| Yaniv Peretz | Latvia | PokerStars player | 1280000 |
| Cate Hall | USA | 1240000 | |
| Raffaele Sorrentino | Italy | PokerStars qualifier | 760000 |
| Filip Demby | Poland | PokerStars player | 560000 |
| Samuele Moschetti | Italy | 310000 |
There are 10 minutes to move in Level 24, and then will come another break. --MH
4:07pm: Double for DembyLevel 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
We can file this one under "hands that play themselves." Erwann Pecheux opened with A♦Q♠, Filip Demby shvoed for 290,000 with T♥T♣ and Pecheux swiftly called. A 8♣9♠5♠2♥9♦ board kept the Pole in front. After that hand he's as much as 640,000, Pecheux drops to 1,300,000. --NW
4:02pm: Daragh Davey eliminated in 15th place (€7,470)Level 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Yaniv Peretz opened to 52,000 from under the gun, then it folded around to Daragh Davey within the cutoff seat. He paused only a beat, then announced he was all-in, and the action quickly circled back to Peretz.
Peretz looked up at Davey. "Eight?" he asked. "Seven," answered Davey, indicating the stack of about 700,000 he'd pushed forward. At that Peretz called, turning over J♣J♥. Davey meanwhile showed he had two live cards with A♥K♦.
The board rolled out nine-high -- 4♥8♠5♥9♥5♦ -- no good for Davey who departs in 15th. Peretz meanwhile is as much as 1.74 million. --MH
Daragh Davey - 15th place
4pm: Velibor Jakovljevic eliminated in 16th place (€5,800)Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
There wasn't much to this hand. It folded to Alexander Lakhov within the small blind, and he put 290,000 within the middle, basically an all-in move against the quick stack of Velibor Jakovljevic. He'd make the decision with the A♦6♠, and was up against the Q♥T♥. The 9♠T♠8♦ flop put Lekhov in front, however the A♠ turn switched the lead back. The T♦ river secured the pot and the knockout for Lekhov, who's now as much as 2.18 million. --JS
Velibor Jakovljevic - 16th place
3:55pm: Davey doublesLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
It folded to Daragh Davey and he moved all-in for 377,000, just for Vladimir Shabalin to re-shove from Davey's left. Nobody else called and the cards were flipped: Q♥J♣ for Davey and A♣K♦ for Shabalin.
The Q♠J♦8♥ flop was superb indeed for the Irishman, but Shabalin could hit a 10 to make a straight. Instead, the J♠ turn gave Davey an unbeatable boat. "Thanks," said Shabalin jokingly, because the T♥ river gave him a pointless straight anyway. That hand brought Davey's stack as much as 76,000. --JS
3:45pm: Seating assignments for final two tablesLevel 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
Table 1Seat 1: Raffaele SorrentinoSeat 2: Francesco LeottaSeat 3: Rasmus AgerskovSeat 4: Ismael BojangSeat 5: Filip DembySeat 6: Dominik PankaSeat 7: Erwann PecheuxSeat 8: Cate Hall
Table 2Seat 1: Samuele MoschettiSeat 2: Daniel PortianskySeat 3: Yaniv PeretzSeat 4: Alexander LakhovSeat 5: Velibor JakovljevicSeat 6: Johan GuilbertSeat 7: Daragh DaveySeat 8: Vladimir Shabalin
Level 24 has just gotten started, so they're with reference to an hour before the following break. --MH
3:40pm: Adrian Veghinas knocked out by Vladimir ShabalinLevel 24 - 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)
We're right down to the overall two tables here in Malta as just 16 players remain. Adrian Veghinas was the player to depart in 17th, with Vladimir Shabalin the person who took him out.
Down to simply 312,000 Veghinas shoved from the button with A♥T♣, Shabalin got a count after which reraised all-in, which got the pot heads-up.
Shabalin: 7♦7♠Veghinas: A♥T♣
Shabalin couldn't watch and wandered clear of the table. The 8♥2♦J♠6♦8♠ board meant he stayed in front, but only for kicks Franceso Leotta made a noisy "ooh" noise and Shabalin came running back. He thought he'd lost and scanned the board with a confused face as he tried to see how'd he'd lost. When he realized Leotta have been joking, he took it within the spirit intended. He's as much as 1,200,000 now.
There'll now be a brief break while tournament staff conduct a redraw of the overall 16 players. --NW
Veghinas vanquished
| 24 | 15,000 | 30,000 | 5,000 |
3:35pm: Davey not happy in regards to the clapLevel 23 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Much like poker rules, poker etiquette seems to vary from country to country. However, wherever you may also end up playing cards, the actions of Velibor Jakovljevic in a up to date pot - that he wasn't even fascinated about - crossed the line.
Davey had opened to 50,000 and collected two callers. At the Q♠6♦K♦ flop Davey bet 90,000 and Johan Guilbert - who had position on Davey - was the one caller. The turn was the 2♣ Davey checked pretty quickly - which I BELIEVE Jakovljevic could have missed - after which remaining motionless as Guilbert weighed up his decision. The Frenchaman were thinking for roughly 90 seconds or so when Jakovljevic - who has about 250,000 left - leaned forward and clapped at Davey as though to mention 'wake up' or 'act quicker'. This incensed Davey who asked for the ground to be called on the end of the hand.
There was still a pot happening of course, Guilbert checked, the 2♠ fell at the river and Davey check-folded to a big gamble of 100,000. With the give up the ground was called and the placement explained. Jakovljevic received a warning and the tournament director said to him. "WHEN YOU think someone is taking too long then call the clock, but you can not clap or get entangled in hands you are not in." --NW
3:30pm: Aces help HallLevel 23 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
In the last hand of Level 25, Rasmus Agerskov opened for 55,000 under the gun, and it folded around to Cate Hall within the big blind who checked her cards, then three-bet to 140,000. Agerskov leaned forward to peer how much Hall had behind -- around 780,000 -- then called the reraise, and the pair watched the flop come 6♣3♠Q♦.
Hall checked, and Agerskov took the hole to bet 140,000. Hall called. They both then checked the Q♥ turn and 2♦ river.
Hall tabled her hand -- A♥A♣ -- and with a sheepish grin Agerskov checked out his cards over again before tossing them into the muck. Hall is up around 1.3 million now, as regards to Agerskov's 1.39 million. --MH
3:32pm: More bad luck for PortianskyLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Cate Hall opened to 50,000 within the cutoff, and was called by Rasmus Agerskov at the button and Daniel Portiansky within the big blind. The dealer put down the A♥T♠9♣ flop and it checked to Hall, who made a c-bet worth 70,000. Agerskov and Portiansky called.
We went to the 5♣ turn and that slowed things down, as such a lot of turn cards do. Everyone checked this street, taking us to the Q♠ turn. Portiansky now opted to steer out for 200,000, and Hall made the decision. Agerskov then went into the tank for around four minutes, but never really looked under much stress. It gave the look to be a choice or raise spot, and that's the reason indeed what it was as he called and showed the J♥8♥ for a rivered straight. Hall also had a straight along with her J♠8♠, meaning both beat Portiansky's 6♠6♦.
Hall and Agerskov chopped the pot, while that river card meant Portiansky dropped lower. He now has 700,000, while Hall has 955,000 and Agerskov has 1.53 million. --JS
3:20pm: Karyagdi KO'd in 18thLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
It was on the subject of the wettest board going. Nihat Karyagdi stared at his cards, then back on the board, then back at his cards, for around five minutes. He faced a tought decision; Franceso Leotta had bet enough to place him all-in (440,000) and there has been 230,000 within the middle already. All of us waited for his decision. And then...
SLAM. Karyagdi stomped down a stack of chips indicating a decision. The brief adrenaline rush would soon turn to regret though, as he saw his T♦J♦ two pair had lost to Leotta's 2♠4♠ flush.
Karyagdi made his way out the room, having been eliminated in 18th, while Leotta now has 1.93 million. --JS
Karyagdi cut down
3:10pm: Moschetti straightened out by Vladimir ShabalinLevel 23 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Samuele Moschetti just couldn't keep his emotions in check and slammed his fist at the table after losing a pot to Vladimir Shabalin. Within the hand in question, the Italian player opened to 55,000 from early position and Shabalin called from the massive blind.
The 3♥4♣Q♠ flop is where this hand began to get interesting, Moschetti bet 50,000, Shabalin check-raised to 135,000 and, after a short lived dwell, Moschetti decided to stay across the. A♥ turn slowed the action as both players checked through to look the 2♠ land at the river. Shabalin decided to bet 100,000 and Moschetti almost beat him into the pot. The Russian player showed 5♥2♥ for a rivered straight and upon seeing Shabalin's cards Moschetti banged the table in anger. It's never fun being rivered.
After that hand Shabalin is as much as 980,000 while Moschetti drops to 910,000. --NW
2:55pm: Cowen reduce in 19thLevel 25 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Robert Cowen committed his last 347,000 behind A♥T♣, but needed help against Rasmus Agerskov's A♠K♦.
The flop came K♠7♥6♣ to enhance Agerskov to a couple of kings, and after the 2♦ turn Cowen was drawing dead to complete in 19th. Agerskov bumps up around 1.45 million with that one. --MH
2:51pm: Armino ousted in 20thLevel 25 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Johan Guilbert opened for 50,000 from under the gun, and it folded around to Leonardo Armino within the big blind. Armino checked his cards, sat in contemplation for roughly 10 seconds, then announced he was reraising all-in.
Guilbert got a count -- the rush was for 261,000 total -- and after thinking nearly a minute decided to name with K♦Q♦. Armino turned over A♦Q♣ and appeared fit until the flop came 4♣T♠K♠ to pair Guilbert. The turn was the Q♠ and river the 3♥, and Armino wished the table well before departing in 20th.
Guilbert has about 1.35 million now. --MH
2:44pm: Chisu runs kings into aces, out in 21stLevel 23 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
After those battles with Vladimir Shabalin just now, Danut Chisu finds himself at the rail in 21st after a last hand -- and a little bit bad fortune -- against Francesco Leotta.
Chisu was all-in for his last 260,000 or so versus Leotta, and doubtless thinking K♠K♦ was an excellent enough to present himself a fair shot at a needed double-up. Alas for Chisu, Leotta had A♠A♥, and when the board did not help Chisu he hit the rail in 21st.
Leotta is as much as 1.32 million. --MH
2:42pm: Hall's well that ends wellLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
If you notice Cate Hall with a large smile on her face, here's why.
First, Daniel Portiansky opened to 50,000 and Dominik Panka just called. Hall then shoved for around 250,000 and Portiansky reshoved, which Panka called.
Hall: 6♣6♥Portiansky: 6♠6♦Panka: Q♥Q♠
Panka near to had this one wrapped up unless clubs or diamonds ran out. So guess what happened?
The flop came T♣J♣8♣. And the turn? The 9♣.
Hall had turned an unlikely flush and left the others drawing dead, although Panka had turned a straight. The 8♦ completed the board and Hall trebled as much as around 800,000, while Portiansky dropped way all the way down to 550,000 as he also needed to double up Panka, who sits with 1.65 million. --JS
2:40pm: Shabalin doubles through Chisu, then vice-versaLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
When you have got two short stacks sat next to every other, the blind versus blind pots become much more simple. It's always all-in or fold, and as such we've two all-in pots through which all that happened were the chips got passed back and forth.
First Vladimir Shabalin - who was the second one player ever in PokerStars history to achieve 10 million VPPs - moved all-in for 230,000 when it folded to him within the small blind. Danut Chisu called with the 8♠8♦ and was up against K♠9♣, however the A♥T♣9♥6♣9♠ board gave Shabalin the win. That left Chisu with 135,000.
He'd soon double up though. Shabalin opened to 50,000 and Chisu jammed, while everyone else folded. This time it was A♠J♠ for Chisu against the K♠T♣, and the Q♠T♠3♠ gave Chisu the nut flush and a royal flush draw. The 8♣ came at the turn followed by the K♦ at the river. Basically, the chip counts are back where they started ten minutes ago. --JS
2:28pm: Updated counts; 21 leftLevel 23 - 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)
Players are back and cards are within the air over again. The chip counts was freshly updated -- here is a take a look at the highest five, with Raffaele Sorrentino still leading:
| Raffaele Sorrentino | Italy | PokerStars qualifier | 1800000 |
| Daniel Portiansky | Israel | 1700000 | |
| Ismael Bojang | Austria | PokerStars player | 1700000 |
| Yaniv Peretz | Latvia | PokerStars player | 1600000 |
| Erwann Pecheux | France | 1400000 |
Johan Guilbert is next in keeping with 1.1. million, with Rasmus Agerskov (1 million) and Dominik Panka (900,000) not far behind. Cate Hall is currently 21st of 21 with 280,000. --MH
| 23 | 12,000 | 24,000 | 4,000 |
2:07pm: Break timeLevel 22 - 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
The players at the moment are on a 20-minute break. --NW
Opening a PokerStars account is simple. Click here to get an account in minutes.2:05pm: Panka doublesLevel 22 - 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
On the overall hand before the break Dominik Panka doubled through Daniel Portiansky. The Isreali player opened to 40,000 at the button and Panka smooth called out of the massive blind. At the T♠4♦9♦ flop Portiansky fired out 50,000, Panka check-raised to 135,000 total, Portiansky moved all-in and Panka called all-in for 380,000 total.
Panka: K♦T♠Portiansky: 3♥3♦
It was a misstep from Portiansky as he'd been caught bluffing, the 4♣ turn and K♣ river further improved Panka's hand and he's as much as around 868,000. We'll be getting full chip counts through the break. --NW
Panka picks up pot
1:54pm: Sorrentino hits his straight, surges aheadLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Raffaele Sorrentino opened for 42,000 from under the gun, then it folded to the button where Alexander Lakhov three-bet to 150,000. Velibor Jakovljevic called the reraise from the small blind, and after some thought Sorrentino called as well.
The flop came Q♥T♠2♥ and it checked around to Lakhov who continued for 210,000. Jakovljevic let go of his hand, but after tanking a while Sorrentino chose to check-raise to 500,000, leaving himself about 215,000 behind. Lakhov announced he was pushing all-in, and Sorrentino called with what he had left.
Lakhov tabled A♣A♦, then expressed surprise when Sorrentino showed J♣9♣ for an open-ended straight draw. More expressions followed from Lakhov when the K♦ fell with a thud at the turn, and he suggested Sorrentino will need to have known what was coming. The river was the meaningless 4♣, and Sorrentino won the massive pot.
Sorrentino jumps as much as about 1.9 million and what seems like the chip lead with 21 left while Lakhov slips back to just about 1 million even. --MH
Straight to top for Sorrentino
1:40pm: Szczotka sunk by BojangLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Jakub Szczotka open-pushed his short stack from the button and got looked up by Ismael Bojang within the small blind. Szczotka had A♣6♥ but unfortunately for him had run into Bojang's A♥Q♣.
The Q♦5♦K♥ flop put Bojang further in front, and after an eight fell at the turn the river was regardless of. Szczotka is out in 22nd, while Bojang bumps as much as 1.38 million. --MH
1:33pm: Kane KO'dLevel 22 - 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Towards the tip of Level 21, Michael Kane lost about two-thirds of his stack to Filip Demby when he bluffed the river and got picked off. That left him with about 150,000 and he blinded down before finding a place to get his chips in.
He shoved for around 105,000 from the cutoff with 6♠6♥, Dominik Panka folded, Cate Hall did likewise and he just had Robert Cowen to get in the course of the. two are pals and Cowen checked out one card, then the opposite. "Sorry," he said and turned over A♣A♥.
The Q♣6♣7♣ flop vaulted Kane into the lead but Cowen had the nut flush draw which completed at the 8♣ turn to eliminate Kane in 23rd place. "He's my friend," said Cowen to give an explanation for why he'd said sorry. --NW
1:25pm: Sorrentino at the upLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Raffaele Sorrentino was nursing a brief stack of 296,000 but way to some help from pocket rockets he's just doubled up. He open-jammed with the A♦A♠ and was called by Alexander Lakhov holding 7♦7♣. The dealer dealt a 3♠9♣T♥9♦K♣ board and he increased his stack to around 631,000, while Lakhov is playing 2.1 million. --JS
1:15pm: Di Mauro clears tomorrowLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)
Giuseppe Di Mauro should find some new plans for his Sunday in Malta, as he won't be making this final table. After Alexander Lakhov opened under the gun to 50,000, Di Mauro moved all-in from the utg+1 seat for 215,000 and it folded back to the Russian who called. Di Mauro's Q♦J♠ was in bad shape against the A♠K♠ but no less than he had live cards. However, the 7♣9♠7♥8♠4♥ runout brought him no help. He went out in 24th, while Lakhov moved as much as 2.4 million in chips. --JS
| 22 | 10,000 | 20,000 | 3,000 |
1:07pm: Seating assignments for final three tablesLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
The final 24 players have redrawn and resat across the final three tables. Here's where people are sitting:
Table 1Seat 1: Daniel PortianskySeat 2: Franceso LeottaSeat 3: Samuele MoschettiSeat 4: Erwann PecheuxSeat 5: Nihat KaryagdiSeat 6: Adrian VeghinasSeat 7: Vladimir ShabalinSeat 8: Danut Chisu
Table 2Seat 1: Filip DembySeat 2: Jakub SzczotkaSeat 3: Ismael BojangSeat 4: Michael KaneSeat 5: Dominik PankaSeat 6: Cate HallSeat 7: Robert CowenSeat 8: Rasmus Agerskov
Table 3Seat 1: Velibor JakovljevicSeat 2: Raffaele SorrentinoSeat 3: Daragh DaveySeat 4: Leonardo ArminoSeat 5: Johan GuilbertSeat 6: Alexander LakhovSeat 7: Giuseppe Di MauroSeat 8: Yaniv Peretz
There are five minutes to head in Level 21. --MH
12:58pm: Brooks bounced in 25thLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
After Francesco Leotta opened from middle position, Patrick Brooks reraised all-in for his last 250,000 or so from the button and when it folded back to Leotta he called right away.
Leotta tabled A♠K♠ while Brooks needed help with A♣9♣. The flop came J♥Q♠K♣, creating a chop possible, however the J♠ turn and 2♥ river were no good for Brooks and he's out in 25th.
There may be a pause now as a redraw is so as with 24 left. --MH
12:57pm: Bonnardot busts to one-outerLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Benjamin Bonnardot has just been eliminated in brutal fashion in 26th.
He open-shoved for around 280,000 and when it got to Daniel Portiansky he made the decision. Everyone else folded and Bonnardot was thrilled to peer his 4♠4♥ was prior to the 3♥3♦. The 6♠T♣7♣ flop was safe, as was the Q♣ turn. However the 3♠ river brought a couple of grossed-out oohs and ahhs. Yaniv Peretz told Portiansky after the hand that he'd folded a three, so it was a one-outer. Portiansky has 2.1 million now. --JS
12:53pm: Barbato busts to PecheuxLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
A huge pot to inform you about between Antonio Barbato and Erwann Pecheux, which took quite a while to play from begin to finish. The Italian opened to 32,000 from under-the-gun, Pecheux three-bet to 103,000 from the small blind and Barbato made a fairly quick call.
The K♦Q♥6♥ flop was where the action first slowed down, Pecheux took a good period of time to choose his flop action, when he did, he bet 93,000. Call from Barbato. At the 5♦ turn Pecheux desired to understand how much Barbato had left (around 400,000). Having digested this information, he checked and Barbato moved all-in. Right now Pecheux puffed out his cheeks, took off his sunglasses, re-checked his cards after which called.
Barbato showed Q♦9♦ for second pair and a flush draw, while Pecheux had A♠K♥. The 6♠ river changed nothing and Barbato was eliminated in 27th. Pecheux is now as much as 1,580,000. --NW
Antonio Barbato
12:49pm: Petrice is outta hereLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Pages Petrice started the day with 366,000 and 45 minutes into the primary level he had made no improvements, dipping to 340,000. He open jammed and it folded to Yaniv Peretz within the small blind, who began glancing over on the big blind (and large stack) of Daniel Portiansky. After half a minute Peretz announced only a call, but he needn't have worried about Portiansky as he made a fast fold.
Petrice had A♥J♥ which needed help against Peretz's K♠K♣, and although he had hope of a gutshot at the turn of the 5♣9♦T♠K♦3♦ board he'd ultimately fall short to the set, going out in 28th. Peretz has 1.12 million now. --JS
12:42pm: Big stack aggressionLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Alexander Lakhov is the chip leader presently and he's putting his big stack to work.
After Benjamin Bonnardot opened to 35,000 it folded to Lakhov who three-bet to 100,000. Action back on Bonnardot, he counted out a four-bet to 230,000 and slid it around the line, just for Lakhov to then five-bet jam. Bonnardot had just 268,000 behind and thought hard and long about calling, but in spite of everything decided to fight another day.
Bonnardot has got 16 big blinds now (about 250,000), while Lakhov is hovering across the 2 million-chip mark. --JS
12:35pm: Armino doubles through ChisuLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Danut Chisu opened to 35,000 in mid-position before Leonardo Armino shoved for 182,000 to his immediate left. When it folded back to the Romanian he made a rapid call showing the A♦Q♣, which trailed the at-risk player's Q♠Q♥.
The 4♥6♠7♠6♣3♥ board meant the queens were good and doubled Armino as much as 402,000, while Chisu is all the way down to around 470,000. --JS
12:25pm: Blenkarn blanks outLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Jeffrey Blenkarn was the shortest stack firstly of play, with just 80,000 to his name. He got the last of his chips in from the small blind with J♥3♥ and Dominik Panka put him in danger with K♦T♦.
The 7♣Q♦K♠J♠A♦ board meant Panka made a straight and Blenkarn headed to the payout table to assemble his 29th-place cash. --NW
12:22pm: Kane scores a tripleLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Leonardo Armino open-raised all-in for 160,000 from the cutoff, then it folded to Michael Kane within the small blind who went all-in besides for bit less -- 126,000.
When Kane pushed, Armino started to open his hand prematurely, but Ismael Bojang within the big blind alerted him not as he was still to behave. Bojang -- who had both players well covered -- then chose to call, and the trio each showed their hands.
Kane: 6♥6♦Bojang: 8♥8♦Armino: K♥7♠
Bojang could score a double-knockout, however the flop was a unique more or less knockout for the all-in players, coming Q♠6♣K♦ -- a suite for Kane and top pair for Armino. The turn was the 4♠ and river the 9♦, and Kane tripled up over 400,000, Armino was left with about 100,000, and Bojang still has a snug 750,000. --MH
12:18pm: Jakovljevic takes from KaryagdiLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Nihat Karyagdi opened for 35,000 from early position and got three callers in Velibor Jakovljevic (cutoff) and Johan Guilbert (button), and Dominik Panka (big blind). The flop came 2♥T♦3♦, and it checked to Karyagdi who bet 55,000. Jakovljevic called and the others folded, making it heads-up to the A♥ turn. Karyagdi fired another 100,000 at that card, and Jakovljevic stuck around.
The river was the J♠, and this time Karyagdi checked. Jakovljevic put out a gamble of 150,000 and after an extended tank Karyagdi let his hand go.
Karyagdi still has about 1.05 million, while Jakovljevic pushes up over 900,000. --MH
12:17pm: Eychenne knocked out by PecheuxLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
Antonio Barbato open-raised for the minimum to 32,000 from UTG+1, then Thomas Eychenne reraised all-in for his last 221,000 from the following seat over. It folded around to Erwann Pecheux within the small blind who after a little thought called the reraise, then Patrick Brooks tanked for a fair while within the big blind before folding. Barbato stepped aside, and the remainder players tabled their hands.
Pecheux: A♣Q♠Eychenne: K♣K♠
Eychenne was fine in the course of the 3♠9♠7♣ flop, however the A♠ turn put Pecheux out in front. The river was the 8♥, and Eychenne is out in 30th.
Pecheux is as much as 980,000 now. --MH
12:12pm: Jedlicka's the primary to fallLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
He led the pack entering yesterday's Day 2, but Stefan Jedlicka is the primary to exit here on Day 3. After Ismael Bojang opened to 36,000 Jedlicka shoved for 266,000 just for Adrian Veghinas to re-shove immediately to his left with a larger stack. Everyone else folded, including Bojang, and the cards were flipped: A♣9♣ for Jedlicka against the J♠J♣ for Veghinas.
The K♦4♥5♦6♥9♥ board gave Jedlicka a couple but that wasn't enough. He went to assemble his 31st-place winnings and find differently to spend his day (the elements is wonderful here in Malta, in order that should not be hard), while Veghinas stacked up 783,000. --JS
12:04pm: Double-up for HallLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
What an ideal begin to Day 3 for Cate Hall. After Dominik Panka opened from the cutoff she jammed for 147,000 from the massive blind, and when it folded back to Panka he made the decision. It was the A♦T♣ for Hall, who was at risk, but she was sooner than Panka's A♣8♦. The board ran out K♥9♦5♦Q♥6♥ and Hall's as much as 318,000, while Panka slips to around 540,000. --JS
Good start for Hall
12pm: Day 3 underwayLevel 21 - 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
And they're off! All 31 players are of their seats and the primary one-hour level of Day 3 is underway. --MH
| 21 | 8,000 | 16,000 | 2,000 |
10:30am: Portiansky leads final 31 into Day 3
Good morning from Malta! We're clear blue skies today with the sun reflecting off the nearby bay.
And here within the Portomaso Casino things remain relatively bright in addition for the 31 players who've made it to Day 3 of the Italian Poker Tour Malta Main Event, each of whom still has a possibility to make tomorrow's final table and earn the €101,940 prize awaiting the winner.
When the primary hands are dealt today, the player best positioned to advance to Sunday's final could be Israel's Daniel Portiansky who returns to a number one stack of 1.54 million.
Daniel Portiansky, pacesetter
Not far behind him could be Alexander Lakhov of Russia and Johan Guilbert of France, with Ismael Bojang, Rasmus Agerskov, and Erwann Pecheux among those lurking within the chase pack. Also returning to shorter stacks today are Daragh Davey, Stefan Jedlicka, and Cate Hall.
You can check the counts to start out Day 3 here, although similar to those rippling waters at the surface of the bay, everything might be in constant flux once the action begins at 12 noon today.
Join us then for start-to-finish coverage as we'll bring you the entire big hands, photos, and update those chip counts as they play all the way down to the eight-handed final table tonight. --MH
Opening a PokerStars account is simple. Click here to get an account in minutes.Key IPT 8 Malta information:
- Blinds on Day 3 start at 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)- The plan today is to minimize to an eight-handed final table after which continue until just six players are left- Full IPT8 Malta schedule here
PokerStars Blog reporting team at the IPT Main Event: Nick Wright, Martin Harris, and Jack Stanton. Photography by Manuel Kovsca and Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
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