Portuguese man Carlos Frazão is the chip leader after the tip of Day 1B of the PokerStars Portugal Poker Series Figueira da Foz, bagging up 123,400 chips on the end of nine levels. Ayaz Manji is second, greater than 25,000 chips behind.

Now 42 players get back for Day 2, with Day 1A leader João Costa top with 204,700 chips.

Day 1B chip leader, Carlos Frazão

Among the survivors are Team PokerStars Pro João Nunes, who bagged 38,800 chips after a superior performance which included the elimination of EPT Vilamoura Season 6 winner, António Matias.

Fifteen players will make the money, with the winner getting €24,460 from the €89,630 prize pool created by 132 players.

Check out the Portugal Poker Series website to be informed more about this new PokerStars circuit.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Portugal Poker Series]

Day 2 is finished and dusted. The lucky few who bagged up chips on the conclusion of play may have the night off from the tables before returning at midday tomorrow to battle it out at the penultimate day.

That bunch includes the 22 players who survived through six levels of play today, after being whittled down from Day 2's starting group of 61. Six levels in place of the standard eight because play was cut short today. With only 61 remaining and still two days left before the overall table, an executive decision was made as play started to finish two levels sooner than expected.

Only 18 places are paying dividends on this Main Event so things started to get interesting as we approached the bubble within the dying stages tonight. That bubble still hasn't burst with four more who will fail to see a payday tomorrow before the highest 18 lock up ₩5,099,000 (~$4,350).

It was Chan Tsuh Ming who started the day as chip boss with 169,800 in chips and he did well to keep up that lead for several levels. That was until Poland's Daniel Demicki emerged to usurp his title. Demicki had a stellar showing here, spinning the 93,000 he started with as much as 292,000 by the belief of play.

Leading the way in which - Daniel Demicki

Some of the others joining Demicki back here tomorrow include Liam O'Rourke(191,000), Michael Egan (107,500) and Day 1a chip leader - and second place going into Day 3 - Albert Paik (287,000).

As for the Team PokerStars Pros, Chen An Lin, Celina Lin and Bryan Huang returned today, but unfortunately for the 3 of them they were unable to carry directly to Day 3. Chen An Lin was first to go, running ace-king into the pocket kings of Romain Dours. Following him to the rail was Celina Lin who found herself all in at the flop with top pair against her opponent's bottom set. Huang managed to outlive until the overall level but his suited ace-six couldn't overcome the chances versus Satsuki Ochiai's suited ace-queen.

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin enjoying herself on the table today

And now we're only 13 places clear of the general table and potentially another short day tomorrow. Play picks back up at 12pm local time as 22 try to edge towards the ₩119,097,600 (~$101,600) first place prize and the coveted APPT trophy.

As always we'll have all of the action from the felt here at the PokerStars Blog. Until you then can read up on how today transpired below. We are hoping you'll be able to join us tomorrow! -- BK

6:15pm: Four more handsLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Tournament official Rex Cheong just asked the present chip boss Daniel Demicki to attract for a way many hands may be left here on Day 2.

Demicki drew four. We are not long from wrapping up another day here at APPT Seoul.

Stay with us! -- BK

6pm: Chip leadersLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Right now it's Poland's Daniel Demicki who leads the pack. With 20 minutes to head he has 290,000, having seemingly won so much from former chip leader Shenghua Qian.

Closely following Demicki is Day 1A end-of-play chip leader Albert Paik with 280,000. --JS

5:50pm: Slowroll for O'RourkeLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Eechi Mizuno is beginning to become Liam O'Rourke's nemesis. After that hand we told you about not way back (where the Aussie paid 100 won), Mizuno has now slowrolled him!

It started with an under-the-gun open by Mizuno to 8,000, and folded right around to O'Rourke within the small blind. He made the decision and the 2 saw a 6♥9♦7♥ flop, which they'd both check. That took us to the 4♥ turn, on which O'Rourke led for 7,500. Mizuno just called.

The river came the 3♦ and now the bet from O'Rourke was 11,500. Mizuno didn't look happy about it but made the call, and O'Rourke turned over the T♥T♣ confidently. Mizuno paused for a moment, but then turned over his hand - the K♠K♥!

Bit of a slowroll Mizuno! --JS

5:45pm: Last woman standing fallsLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Jia Yu was the last remaining female player on this event following Celina Lin's departure, but sadly she's left us now too. Yasuyuki Tsuji opened to 6,500 and Yu three-bet to 15,500 at the button. After Tsuji called the flop fell K♣A♠5♥ and it checked to Yu, who continued with a 15,000 bet. Tsuji then insta-shoved and Yu type of shrugged - as though she needed to call her last 50,000 - and did just that. She had the K♠Q♠ for middle pair but was trailing Tsuji's A♣5♣ for high pair. Tsuji had her covered too, and when no help came at the turn or river she hit the rail. Tsuji now has 188,000. --JS

5:40pm: Lin's exitLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Celina Lin has now shared how she busted, so over to her:

5:35pm: Huang out to dryLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

The last hope for Team PokerStars has just been extinguished as Bryan Huang leaves us within the final level of the day. Huang had caught a lucky run of cards in a few spots to circumvent elimination earlier but he couldn't do it this time against Satsuki Ochiai.

It folded to Huang in middle position and he moved all in for his last 35,500. Ochiai on his direct left called to position the Team Pro at risk, and with the remainder of the table out of the way, the cards went on their backs.

Huang: A♣6♣Ochiai: A♠Q♠

Huang was dominated and couldn't turn things around with the cards falling 4♠Q♦3♦T♣3♠.

He finished 2nd place on this event last year but unfortunately for Huang he won't be making back-to-back deep runs. -- BK

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante

14	1500	3000	500

5:25pm: Seven awayLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

With 25 players remaining we're just seven eliminations from the cash. Will the bubble burst before the top of Level 14 when play is because of end? Stick around to peer. --JS

5:20pm: O'Rourke folds but still paysLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

There was slightly commotion on Liam O'Rourke's table so I went over to peer what was up. On a Q♣4♠4♣9♠8♦ board O'Rourke had bet 28,000 into Eechi Mizuno, just for Mizuno to transport all-in excessive. The pot was already substantial previous to the river.

O'Rourke got a count and learnt that it was 72,900 to name. While he was thinking, Mizuno stood up and put his rucksack on.

"Why are you putting your bag on mate?" asked O'Rourke. "Are you going home?"

Mizuno smiled.

"Will you show?"

Mizuno nodded. "For 100 won!" and everybody on the table started laughing.

O'Rourke threw his hand away, and Mizuno jokingly gestured for the cash before giving the dealer permission to show his hand: Q♠Q♥ for the nuts.

O'Rourke let loose a sigh of relief, and true to his word he reached into his wallet and tossed over a 100 won coin.

"Ahhh thanks"! said Mizuno because the table fell about themselves laughing. He's as much as 180,000 now, while O'Rourke slips to 117,000. --JS

5:05pm: No back-to-back final table for LinLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

It appears last year's fourth place finisher, Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin, won't be making another final table appearance. Her seat is empty and there's no sign of her within the poker room.

We missed how she was eliminated but we'll keep you posted if the Team Pro takes to Twitter to fill her followers in. -- BK

4:45pm: Dours does his dashLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Romain Dours got the last of his chips in preflop with pocket aces but unfortunately for the Frenchman the hand couldn't hold up.

The action began with Ken Hirosawa opening to 6,700 from under the gun, and after he was called in two spots, Dours moved all in from the massive blind for 48,200. Hirosawa didn't wait long to announce he was all in excessive and with the 2 callers out of the way, Dours and Hirosawa's cards were turned face up.

Dours: A♣A♦Hirosawa: T♣T♦

Dours had the lead until a 10 within the window at the 9♦9♥T♥ flop hurt his possibilities of survival. He had to find an ace or running nines to stick alive however the 3♦ turn and 2♠ river meant it was far and wide. -- BK

4:45pm: Huge pot gives Qian the chipleadLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Daniel Demecki opened it to 5,500 and got a decision from the player to his left, Yasuyuki Tsuji. It then folded to Shenghua Qian at the button and he raised it as much as 16,500, just for Noriko Suzuki to install a four-bet from the massive blind worth 33,000. It folded back to Qian and he made the call.

The pot was already huge by this point and it was about to get bigger. The 6♦5♠K♦ flop saw Suzuki continue for 32,500 and Qian went nowhere. The 2♣ hit the turn though, and despite being a seemingly innocent card it killed the action. Both checked.

That took us to the 8♠ river and Suzuki checked another time. Qian thought for a couple of moments before counting out of venture of 30,000 and sliding it within the middle. Suzuki hated to surrender at the pot but ended up throwing his hand away. He still has 85,000, while Qian is as much as 225,000. --JS

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante

13	1200	2400	400

4:20pm: Scheduled break

It's time for one more break. Coverage resumes in 10 minutes. -- BK

4:15pm: Huang survives way to Barry GreensteinLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang has hit another miracle river card to stick on this event.

After Gu Yu Du made it 4,500, Shenghua Qian three-bet to 11,000. Fellow Team Pro Celina Lin got out the way, then Huang jammed for 19,200 total. Du gave it up and Qian made a rapid call.

Huang had the A♦Q♦ and was up against the 5♦5♣ of Qian. He'd wish to hit, but found nothing at the 7♠3♣3♦ flop and J♠ turn. But then, the Barry Greenstein - aka an Ace at the river - hit the felt. Way to the A♠ Huang had hit a larger pair and doubled as much as 43,000. --JS

4:05pm: Team Pro downLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Three Team PokerStars Pros began here today but now only two remain with the departure of Chen An Lin. We've been told that Romain Dours moved all in preflop and Lin did the similar with less chips to place himself at risk.

Lin held a decent ace-king but Dours was in front with pocket kings because the board was spread J♠5♣2♣J♦Q♣. Lin couldn't find an ace and exits as our first Team Pro casualty today. -- BK

Recently eliminated: Team PokerStars Pro Chen An Lin

3:55pm: Zhou exitsLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Quan Zhou recently had his stack all but obliterated by Albert Paik and Yen Chen Huang just finished the job.

Huang brought it in for a raise to 5,000 and it folded around to super shortstack Zhou within the big blind. The latter opted simply to flat call and leave himself only 400 behind - a choice that was met with laughs from his tablemates.

The 3♠T♠9♣ flop came and Zhou tossed within the remaining 400. Huang called immediately with J♥T♥ for prime pair and Zhou saw his A♠2♥ was behind. The 7♣ turn and 6♦ brought him no help and Zhou was eliminated.

Huang moves as much as 32,000 in chips. -- BK

3:45pm: Paik punishes ZhouLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Day 1a chip leader Albert Paik wasn't having the most efficient afternoon on the felt here on Day 2, but he's moving within the right direction again after leaving Quan Zhou's stack crippled.

We arrived on the table to look the board reading 2♠2♣6♥J♣ and a bloated pot of approximately 40,000. Zhou was first to talk and he bet 19,000 before Paik pushed all in for 36,700. Zhou made the decision and saw his probabilities of winning the hand were slim to mention the least.

Zhou: K♥K♣Paik: 3♦2♠

Zhou had the overpair but Paik had flopped trip twos and would take down the pot if he could avoid a king falling at the river. The 6♦ finished things and Zhou was left with only 5,500 to play with. -- BK

3:40pm: Lin takes a small hitLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin kicked off the hand with an open to 4,500 and it folded right around to Yukinori Amano within the big blind. He matched the bet and the pair saw a K♦7♦4♦ flop fall. Amano tapped the table, inviting Lin to c-bet for 3,700. That was called.

To the turn then; it came the 9♣ and now both players checked. The 3♣ landed at the river but there can be not more action. Lin waited to look Amano's hand, and when she saw the K♣5♣ she mucked. --JS

3:35pm: Egan edging upwardsLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Australian Michael Egan is steadily climbing this afternoon. He just picked up a pot from the present chip leader Chan Tsuh Ming.

Ming opened the action to 4,200 and Egan next to behave made the decision. The remainder of the table folded an the 2 players saw a flop of 2♦7♦K♥.

They both checked to the 4♦ turn when Ming made it 5,400 to head. Egan called the bet and the K♣ landed at the river. Agawithin the action went check check and Ming tabled A♠9♥ for an air ball while Egan quickly flipped up 6♥6♦ for the win.

Egan lifts his stack to 72,000 and Ming remains in the chip lead but is knocked back to 169,000. -- BK

3:25pm: Nakamura takes one from O'RourkeLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Yutaka Nakamura - the man within the Charlie Brown and Snoopy t shirt on Day 1A - made it 4,500 to head from middle position. That got one call before Liam O'rouke popped it as much as 11,400 at the button. Only Nakamura called taking us to the flop.

The 3♠T♦5♣ hit the board and Nakamura checked to the last aggressor. O'Rourke continued, this time betting slightly less with 11,000, just for Nakamura to jam for 41,300 total. O'Rourke was interested and got a chip count, but finally it was an excessive amount of and he let his hand go. --JS

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante

12	1000	2000	300

3:15pm: Paik's still aroundLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

As we just told you about Chan Tsuh Ming, let's come up with an update of our other end-of-day chip leader. Albert Paik topped the Day 1A field, but has seen his stack head within the wrong direction up to now today. He started with 116,800 but now has 75,000. --JS

3:05pm: Yang continues to buildLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Not way back we reported on Renjun Yang winning a pot from Quan Zhou and he has continued the trend, this time taking from Alvin Zheng.

The hand began with Zheng opening to 4,000 before Masanori Ishihara called at the button, Yang called from the small blind and Romain Dours came along from the massive blind.

The flop landed 5♣A♣J♠ and it was checked back to Zheng who fired for 7,500. Ishihara let it go but Yang made the decision. Dours folded his hand and the 6♠ arrived at the turn.

The two remaining players checked through to the 4♠ river where Yang led for 13,000. Zheng tanked for over a minute but finally he tossed in a choice to peer he was beat by Yang's A♦6♦ for 2 pair.

That hand sees Zheng drop to 58,000 in chips. -- BK

3pm: Bullying the large stackLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Spare a thought for Chan Tsuh Ming. He is also a number of the chip leaders, but presently he can't raise a hand without someone shoving on him.

First it was Australia's Michael Egan. Chan opened to 4,300 at the button and Egan jammed for around 30,000 out of the small blind. That got the massive stack to fold.

An almost identical thing happened at the next hand. Chan opened to the similar 4,300, and this time it was Siyang Phua's turn to shove for 23,500 total. Again Chan threw his hand away. --JS

Start of Day 2 chipleader Chan Tsuh Ming

2:50pm: Yang finds a flushLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Quan Zhou opened the betting with a raise to 4,200. It folded around to Renjun Yang within the big blind and he defended to look the J♠5♣A♣ flop.

Yang checked to Zhou who continued for 4,100. The bet was met with a decision and the dealer turned the 7♣. That arrival of that card prompted both players to test before the 9♦ river completed the board.

Yang deliberated for a moment before flicking in 11,000 in chips. Zhou reached into his stack and cut out a decision but hesitated to decide to it. Ultimately he did put the chips within the middle and saw that Yang had him beat with K♣6♣ for the nut flush.

Zhou dips to 52,400 while Yang jumps as much as hover around 98,000. -- BK

2:40pm: Selected chip countsLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

The player who began Day 2 as chipleader, Chan Tsuh Ming, continues to be out in front as we catch up with to the cash. Listed here are the most important and most notable stacks within the room. --JS

Chan Tsuh Ming - 210,000Jia Yu - 145,000Masanori Ishihara - 140,000Kengo Nishihara - 110,000Liam O'Rourke - 110,000Alvin Zheng - 72,000Michael Egan - 59,000Celina Lin (Team PokerStars Pro) - 47,000Bryan Huang (Team PokerStars Pro) - 42,000Quan Zhou - 35,000Chen An Lin (Team PokerStars Pro) - 23,000

2:30pm: Tsuji stays aliveLevel 11 - Blinds 900/1,800 (200 ante)

Yasuyuki Tsuji's tournament dream remains to be alive after he found himself in danger against Poland's Daniel Demicki.

We missed the beginning of the action but Demicki had 9,600 in front of him and Tsuji had moved all in for 31,600. With the verdict back to Demicki he gave it considerable thought before begrudgingly dropping calling chips into the middle.

Tsuji: A♣Q♦Demicki: 9♥6♥

Tsuji was in front however the 8♥2♦4♥ made things interesting. Demicki had picked up a flush draw and will still hit a nine or six to take the lead. The 8♦ turn was safe for Tsuji and so too was the 5♦ river as his ace high held to fasten up the pot.

Demicki takes successful but still sits with 94,000 in chips. -- BK

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante

11	900	1800	200

2:05pm: Break time

Players are happening their first break of the day. We'll be back in ten minutes. --JS

1:55pm: Flip outLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

There's a large queue right in front of the media desk at this time and that's the reason because one of the crucial popular flip out tournaments is ready to start out. It costs ₩100,000 to go into so if you are in search of some fun action here in Seoul, head on down now. --JS

1:45pm: Larsen leaves usLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Denmark's Rasmus Larsen started today with 35,600 but he has just been sent to the rail by Shenghua Qian.

Qian brought it in for a raise to 3,000 from late position, and when it folded to Larsen within the big blind, he moved all in for his last 24,100. The jam was called and players opened their cards.

Larsen: A♠9♠Qian: 7♥7♣

It was an excellent fight but Larsen would have to improve to outlive. The 2♦5♦8♠ flop was no help and while the Q♠ turn brought some flush outs, the J♥ river bricked off to look Larsen eliminated.

Qian meanwhile builds to an excellent 138,000. -- BK

1:40pm: Huang triples up in crazy handLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Bryan Huang continues to be alive on this main event way to a miracle river card. This was a horny ridiculous hand which had everything.

It started with an under-the-gun limp from Yukinori Amano, followed by another limp from Gu Yu Du who was utg+1. It then folded to Huang and he jammed for 24,100. After all, his limping opponents presumably weren't that strong, right?

Wrong. Amano then made the call, just for Du to then re-shove for around 60,000 total. It was essentially a choice for Amano's tournament as Du had him covered. After several minutes spent deep within the tank he decided to present his hand up, telling the table he had Ace King.

It was an even decision in the beginning as Du had the K♦K♥, which was sooner than Huang's 7♠7♥. But Amano was kicking himself when the Q♣T♣J♦ flop hit the felt, which might have given him a broadway straight for the stone nuts.

Huang needed help and didn't get any at the 6♦ turn. The 7♣ river however was a unique story, catapulting Huang into the lead and giving him a triple as much as around 77,000. --JS

Team Pros Bryan Huang and Celina Lin on Day 2

1:25pm: Power poker from MatsuoLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

Ken Hirosawa opened to 4,100 and Mingken Thoo came along. He wouldn't be capable to see a flop though as Ryusuke Matsuo squeezed it as much as 16,000 from the large blind and only Hirosawa called.

The dealer fanned a T♥7♦6♠ flop and Matsuo continued for 14,000. Hirosawa didn't take too long to call, and so we saw the K♣ at the turn. Matsuo decided to jam for his remaining 21,800 and Hirosawa went into the tank. After a few minutes he decided to maintain his chips and threw his hand away.

Matsuo then showed the K♦. --JS

1:15pm: No joy for JinLevel 10 - Blinds 700/1,400 (200 ante)

It won't be back to back APPT final tables for Jiayi Jin. He finished 5th in APPT Macau only some weeks ago but was just eliminated by the hands of Kenji Kurashina.

Jin opened to 3,200 before Kurashina next to behave installed a raise to 9,000. The verdict fell back on Jin who counted his own stack and weighed up his options. The raise was for as regards to half his stack but he opted to flat call and leave himself only 13,400 behind.

When the dealer spread the 4♦4♥9♦ flop Jin quickly moved in and was Kurashina snapped it off.

Jin: A♦K♦Kurashina: Q♠Q♣

Jin was behind but had an international of outs with any ace, king or diamond (not counting the Q♦) making him the most productive hand. He would find none of those, however, because the 9♣ turn and 4♣ arrived to seal his fate.

Kurashina sends Jin home and moves his own stack as much as around 74,000. -- BK

Eliminated: Jiayi Jin

Level Small Blind Big Blind Ante

10	700	1400	200

1:05pm: Nice call by IshiharaLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Quan Zhou kicked off proceedings with a 2,600 open which was called by Yen Huang and Masanori Ishihara. The trio went to the flop and it came 9♠8♠6♥, and Zhou decided to not c-bet. It checked to Ishihara who led out for 3,600 which got Zhou out the way in which. Huang made the call.

The 3♥ turn saw Huang check again. Now the bet from Ishihara was 7,600, and again Huang went nowhere. Then the 3♣ completed the board and impulsively Huang bet 10,500. Ishihara looked confused; what could Huang be representing here? A random three?

In the tip Ishihara sniffed out what was clearly a bluff as he made the decision. We never saw either in their hands though; Huang insta-mucked meaning Ishihara did not have to turn his cards. Instead he just focused on stacking his newly-acquired chips. He's as much as around 140,000 and has one of the vital room's biggest stacks, while Huang drops to 28,000. --JS

12:55pm: Another one goes Zheng's wayLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Alvin Zheng has well and really turned his bad start around after scooping another big pot.

He went to a flop of T♦J♦6♠ with Kouichi Shibata and the 2 quickly found all of the money in with Shibata vulnerable to elimination.

Zheng: 6♥6♣Shibata: Q♠Q♣

Zheng had flopped bottom set against Shibata's overpair and held during the A♣ turn and A♠ river. Shibata tapped the tabled and exited the tournament area while Zheng moved as much as around 77,000 in chips. -- BK

12:50pm: Out of turn and out the doorLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Masaya Nakagawa opened it as much as 2,600 and didn't appear to get much respect; four players called and so they were Norihiro Otani, Satsuki Ochiai (button), Xiaoyi He (small blind) and Kwok Chun Yip (big blind).

All five saw the 2♠8♦4♠ flop fall and it checked around to Otani. He took a stab with a 4,500 bet, bringing the action Ochiai. However, He then acted out of turn and announced he was all-in, before quickly realising his mistake and dragging his chips back. "So sorry!" he told the dealer.

It didn't matter much in spite of everything as Ochiai would finally end up folding anyway, as did everyone else after He was all-in for 9,200 total. Otani made the decision though and the cards were on their backs:

Otani: 9♣9♠He: Q♣2♣

He had only a pair of deuces and was trying to improve, however the 8♣ and 3♣ at the turn and river didn't help him. He hit the rail and Otani moved as much as a stack of 70,000. --JS

12:40pm: Zheng bounces backLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

We just reported how Alvin Zheng has had a coarse start here today, losing greater than half his stack within the early stages, nevertheless it looks as if he's turning it around after finding a double up.

The hand began with Team PokerStars Pro Chen An Lin raising to 2,800 from late position before Zheng moved all in for his last 16,900. It folded to Masanori Ishihara within the big blind and he came visiting the highest with an all-in of his own. Lin quickly folded and the cards went at their backs.

Zheng: K♦K♦Ishihara: J♥J♣

Zheng was in front and had a stranglehold on the hand by the point the K♠4♣7♥ flop arrived. Needing to vanish only running jacks he had locked up the pot by the 7♣ turn before the inconsequential 9♦ river rolled off.

Zheng secured the double while Ishihara dropped to a still very healthy 122,000. -- BK

Busy day up to now for Alvin Zheng

12:25pm: Simply disgustingLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

If you're eating at the moment I suggest you wait until you've finished before reading this hand. It's pretty darn sick.

There was a 6♦T♦7♣ flop showing and Yen Chang Huang led at it for 9,000. He started today with 29,900 and had already lost a few, so this was an important a part of his chips. His only opponent, Alvin Zheng, then moved all-in excessive. He had Huang covered.

Huang tanked but eventually made an emphatic call, slamming his stack within the middle. Unfortunately for him, though, it was the inaccurate decision. Zheng turned over the Q♥Q♦ and the overpair was way prior to Huang's top pair with the A♦T♥.

The dealer then burned and turned the Q♦, and that sealed Huang's fate.

Or did it? Out of nowhere the 8♦ hit the river and Huang had hit a runner-runner flush. There have been gasps all around, and lots of declarations of "so sick". Indeed it was.

Zheng has now dropped to 13,000, while lucky old Huang has shot as much as 50,000. --JS

12:15pm: Goh'ing homeLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

New Zealand's Gabriel Goh was just sent packing after a nasty beat from China's Tong Zhou.

Goh kicked things off with a raise to 2,600 before Zhou moved all in from the small blind. The jam was met by a snappy call from Goh and he saw he was in a great place to win the pot.

Goh: Q♠Q♦Zhou: A♦9♦

Goh managed to vanish danger through to the activate the J♠3♥6♥K♥ runout however the A♥ river signaled the tip of his tournament.

"Yes!" cried Zhou because the ace arrived at the end.

The pair had similar stacks and Goh wasn't sure if he have been eliminated. Zhou started the day with only 14,200 however it appears he had spun it up within the first few hands because the dealer reduce 57,000.

"57?" Goh confirmed with the dealer, "he has me covered then."

Goh was up front his seat and headed for the exit as Zhou raked with reference to 100,000. -- BK

12pm: Let's get this show at the road!Level 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Cards are within the air here on Day 2 as we commence to play to the bubble, which bursts at 18 players. --JS

11:45am: Welcome to Day 2

Good morning all! We're back on the Paradise Walkerhill Casino, and in QUARTER-HOUR we'll be joined by the 61 remaining players on this APPT10 Seoul main event.

It's Day 2, which sees our Day 1A and 1B survivors merge for the primary time. Our champion could be within the room today, but who will it's? Could Team PokerStars Pros Celina Lin and Bryan Huang make the overall table together again like they did last year? Will our other Team Pro Chen An Lin make his first Seoul final table? Can the Aussie contingent (made from talented pros including Michael Egan and Lim O'Rourke) make deep runs? You will have to wait and see.

The man leading the sector at this time is Chan Tsuh Ming. He's bringing an enormous stack of 169,800 into play today, after a late surge last night saw him shoot up the leaderboards. Listed here are the largest stacks within the room today:

Last Name First Name Table Seat Country Chip Count PokerStars Status

1	Chan	Tsun Ming	6	8	Hong Kong	169,800
2	Paik	Albert	7	6	USA	116,800
3	Ishihara	Masanori	4	2	Japan	114,000
4	Nguyen	Windsor	3	4	Canada	111,100
5	Qian	Shenghua	2	3	China	100,300
6	Kim	Andrew	3	6	USA	99,000
7	Demicki	Daniel	2	8	Poland	93,000	PokerStars Qualifier
8	O'rourke	Liam	1	8	Australia	87,800	PokerStars Qualifier
9	Tsuji	Yasuyuki	2	9	Japan	84,900

Play starts shortly at 12pm local time. The bubble is certain to burst today with 18 players getting paid. You'll take a look at the entire prize pool and payouts here, but know that each one players are aiming for the primary place prize of ₩119,097,600 ($101,399 US).

In terms of ways long we'll play for today, as of presently we actually do not know! Stick with us all day to follow the action. --JS

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PokerStars Blog reporting team in Seoul: Brad Kain and Jack Stanton. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography.

The APPT Seoul festival at Paradise Walkerhill Casino runs until Monday, June 27th. Full details can be found at the official APPT website page.

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It took just five hours of play for us to take our 28 Day 3 players and switch them right into a final table of eight. It's almost as though those players who busted desired to go outside and luxuriate in the pretty city of Bucharest or something weird like that.

This was Day 3 - the business end of the primary event. The cash was getting bigger, and players were dropping like flies. The object is, play went so fast that in preference to stopping play once we reached eight, the verdict was made to play to 6 players instead.

That only took another hour.

It's Bulgaria's Yasen Dichev who started and ended Day 3 as chip leader, finishing with 3.9 million. He grinded solidly and was never not up to third in chips. The one player who really competed with him chip-wise was the similar guy who finished second in chips to him last night: Israel's Moshe Eliyahu. He'd finish third tonight though with 2.69 million.

Yasen Dichev - final table chip leader

It was Jozsef Liszkovics who did the dirty work - eliminating two players at the final table to come tomorrow second in chips with 2.75 million. The 2 players who reached the general table and yet won't be returning tomorrow are PokerStars qualifier Razvan Bordei (seventh for € 16,910) and Florin Ionut Pandilica (eighth for €11,630).

Joining Dichev, Eliyahu, and Liszkovics tomorrow may be Razvan Belea - who surged in chips when he eliminated two players in a single hand (scroll right down to 2:50pm to read that one); Israel's Avishai Shitrit; and one in every of only four females who entered this event - popular local player Carmen Zainescu.

       PLAYER COUNTRY STATUS CHIP COUNTS

Yasen Dichev	Bulgaria		3900000
Jozsef Liszkovics	Romania	PokerStars Player	2750000
Moshe Eliyahu	Israel		2690000
Razvan Costinel Belea	Romania	PokerStars Player	2450000
Avishai Shitrit	Israel		1730000
Carmen Zainescu	Romania		690000

Find out more about our final table players here.

Of course, before those guys there have been 20 other eliminations. Toni Judet, who's sixth on Romania's all-time money list, would eventually bust in 12th adding €6,290 to his career earnings. Before him though, we lost the Netherlands' Tobias Peters (17th - €4,940), Romania's Alexandru Boicea (16th - €4,940), and Ireland's Gary Clarke (25th - €3,310) to call only a few.

Simply scroll right down to read all of today's action because it happened. While you feel you've caught up, you'll be able to check out all of the prize pool and payouts here, and if you want a reminder of what I've literally just told you, you'll view the overall table chip counts here.

The magnificent six get back at 2pm tomorrow to minimize to a champion. Discover might be crowned king (or queen) of Eureka6 Bucharest.

You can win your seat to at least one of countless PokerStars live events around the globe. Click here to open an account and get started.

7:15pm: We're doneLevel 25 - Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Play is over and players have bagged their chips. We'll be right back with a snappy recap, plus the chip counts for tomorrow.

7:05pm: Razvan Bordei is our 7th place finisher (€16,910)Level 25 - Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

That's it! Play is over for the day as we're now right down to six players.

When Jozsef Liszkovics min-opened from under the gun, Razvan Bordei moved all-in from his immediate left for 600,000. It folded back to Liszkovics, and he called to take a look at and eliminate his second player from this final table.

He had the A♠Q♠, prior to Bordei's Q♣K♣. Both paired their Queen at the Q♦7♥3♦ flop, however the 2♣ turn and 9♣ river couldn't save Bordei.

Bordei's day is done

6:47pm: Pandilica gone in 8th for €11,630Level 25 - Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Chip leader Yasen Dichev made it 85,000 to move and Jozsef Liszkovics called from the hijack. It folded around to Florin Ionut Pandilica at the button and he jammed for his last 400,000 which only Liszkovics would call.

Liszkovics: 8♥8♠Pandilica: A♥K♦

They were racing, but Liszkovics ran faster and straight right into a set at the 9♣6♣8♦ flop. The 5♠ turn brought some chopportunities, however the 6♥ filled up the set and Pandilica was gone.

Pandilica out in 8th

6:36pm: Back in businessLevel 25 - Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

We've had what's going to likely be the last level of the day. Two more eliminations before we stop for the day.

6:15pm: Break time

Players are taking a 20-minute break.

6:14pm: And Pandilica doubles too!Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

Our two short stacks have both now doubled up, so a snappy end to the day now seems unlikely! He moved all-in over Jozsef Liszkovics' open for 211,000 with the K♠9♦ and was called by the A♥4♣. The board came 5♦K♦6♥J♠Q♦ and he's as much as 445,000 now.

5:53pm: Zainescu doubles through LiszkovicsLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

Well, that's certainly one of our short stacks doubled up already. Yasen Dichev made it 60,000 only for Jozsef Liszkovics to three-bet to 14,000. It folded to Carmen Zainescu at the big blind and she or he moved all-in for 212,000. Dichev folded, but Liszkovics called.

Zainescu had the J♠J♥ against the A♠9♣, and the board ran out 9♦Q♥4♦5♥J♦. She's as much as around 500,000 now.

5:45pm: Off we go!Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

After a fifteen minute break play has restarted.

5:30pm: Final table chip counts/seat drawLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

         PLAYER CHIP COUNT

Yasen Dichev	3490000
Moshe Eliyahu	3070000
Razvan Costinel Belea	2460000
Jozsef Liszkovics	2250000
Avishai Shitrit	1900000
Razvan Bordei	700000
Florin Ionut Pandilica	280000
Carmen Zainescu	220000

And here's how the overall eight are seated:

1. Moshe Eliyahu2. Avishai Shitrit3. Razvan Costinel Belea4. Yasen Dichev5. Jozsef Liszkovics6. Razvan Bordei7. Florin Ionut Pandilica8. Carmen Zainescu

5:17pm: Official final table redrawLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

We're right down to eight and that suggests the official final table!

We'll be playing all the way down to six today.

5:12pm: Florian Rosa departs in 9th for €9,150Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

On a K♥Q♠4♣ flop, Florian Rosa checked it to his good buddy Jozsef Liszkovics (the 2 was joking and purchasing one another drinks) who bet 130,000. Rosa then check-raised all-in for around 400,000 and was snap-called.

Rosa: K♠Q♦Liszkovics: Q♥Q♣

It was dire straits for Rosa and terrible luck; the cooler didn't heat up for him at the 8♥ turn or 4♥ river and he was out. Rosa and Liszkovics gave one another a friendly hug before Rosa went to assemble his winnings.

4:59pm: Unofficial final table seat drawLevel 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

1. Moshe Eliyahu - 3,100,0002. Avishai Shitrit - 1,850,0003. Razvan Costinel Belea - 2,400,0004. Yasen Dichev - 3,240,0005. Florian Rosa - 800,0006. Jozsef Liszkovics - 1,400,0007. Razvan Bordei - 700,0008. Florin Ionut Pandilica - 250,0009. Carmen Zainescu - 210,000

4:55pm: Bostan busted in 10th (€7,530)Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

Just as my colleague Jan Kores informed me that the plan was now to minimize to 6 players, we had another elimination.

Traian Bostan was short and moved all-in for 260,000. It folded to bother - sorry, I mean Razvan Belea within the big blind and he called with the A♦T♦, prior to Bostan's A♥2♦. The 4♣3♣4♥7♣4♠ board brought no help and Belea's kicker played. He's as much as 2.3 million, while Bostan collects €7,530.

We're now paused while they draw for one table seats.

Bostan's gone

4:42pm: Valentin Cristea says goodbye in 11th (€7,530)Level 24 - Blinds 15,000/30,000 (4,000 ante)

When you're short stacked, it's folded to you, and also you look down on the Q♠J♠ at the button, that's an overly pretty hand. You are feeling good about moving all-in with it, until you get snap called by the massive blind of course.

Valentin Cristea was the player doing the shoving for 291,000, and Yasen Dichev called with the A♦K♥. The board ran out J♥2♥8♦5♣A♠ and Cristea was felted in 11th for €7,530. Meanwhile Dichev is as much as 2.95 million.

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

24	15,000	30,000	4,000

4:28pm: Toni Judet out in 12th (€6,290)Level 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000 ante)

He was easily essentially the most accomplished player left within the field when it comes to live poker winnings, but Toni Judet can't add a Eureka6 Bucharest title to his resume.

He opened to 51,000 from the cut-off and was three-bet to 155,000 by Avishai Shitrit from the massive blind. Judet counted out his chips, and when he saw he had around 350,000 he moved all-in and was called.

Judet: A♥Q♠Shitrit: Q♦Q♥

The Romanian no.6 money winner needed an Ace or running cards to survive, but it surely ran out 9♣K♦3♠8♠4♣ and he hit the rail. GG Judet!

Toni Judet

4:15pm: Cosmin Petcu eliminated in 13th (€6,290)Level 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000 ante)

We're four eliminations from ending play today, as Cosmin Petcu has just been felted. He moved all-in for 220,000 with the A♠9♦ and was called by Jozsef Liszkovics within the big blind with the K♠8♠. The board ran out 9♠4♣J♣K♥4♠, and the King at the turn was the nail in Petcu's coffin. He picked up €6,290 for 13th.

Liszkovics has 1.5 million now.

4:05pm: Nice call from DichevLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000 ante)

Avishai Shitrit opened from utg+1 and it folded around to start out of day 3 chip leader Yasen Dichev. He came along to look the 2♥4♣2♦ flop fall. After he checked, Shitrit continued for 80,000 and Dichev called again.

The turn was the 7♣ and the action was the similar. Check, bet (this time 130,000), call.

The K♠ arrived at the river and after checking a last time Dichev called a 200,000 bet, turning over just the A♣3♠ for Ace-high.

It was good. Shitrit had only the J♥9♠ and dropped to 700,000, while Dichev moves as much as 2.74 million.

3:50pm: Don't bluff him guysLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000 ante)

The board showed the 2♣K♥7♦8♥ when chip leader Moshe Eliyahu checked to Razvan Bordei. There has been a decent-sized pot within the middle already, and Bordei took a stab at it worth 120,000.

Eliyahu counted out the chips but took a moment of thought before calling. Bordei turned over the A♠4♠ for Ace-high, and Eliyahu showed his 7♣T♥ for a couple of sevens. 

"Don't bluff me guys!," he said. "I never fold!"

3:40pm: Eliyahu's lucky birthdayLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000 ante)

Israel's Moshe Eliyahu is our chip leader right now, set to make the overall table of eight tomorrow barring some unforeseen incident.

PokerStars Blog photographer Tomas Stacha came upon something interesting concerning the leading man. Last year, Eliyahu took down a tournament in Prague on May 22nd. That was also his birthday.

Well, what are you aware? Tomorrow may be May 22nd, and if Eliyahu wins Eureka6 Bucharest it will be his second tournament win on consecutive birthdays, and by far his biggest score to date.

Can Moshe Eliyahu win back-to-back tournaments on his birthday?

3:35pm: Final 14 chip countsLevel 23 - Blinds 12,000/24,000 (3,000 ante)

               PLAYER CHIP COUNT

Moshe Eliyahu	2959000
Razvan Costinel Belea	2360000
Yasen Dichev	2010000
Jozsef Liszkovics	1315000
Florian Rosa	1133000
Avishai Shitrit	1057000
Razvan Bordei	1004000
Antoanell Cristian Judet	780000
Valentin Marius Cristea	510000
Cosmin Ionut Petcu	364000
Traian Bostan	330000
Carmen Zainescu	269000
Ionut Aurelian Stoichita	241000
Florin Ionut Pandilica	199000

3:24pm: Break time

Players have gone on a fifteen minute break.

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3:20pm: All the way down to two tablesLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)

The bust-outs are coming thick and fast! The most recent players to fall are:

15. Yordan Yordanov Mitrentsov - €5,50016. Alexandru Boicea - €4,94017. Peters Tobias - €4,940

Tobias (blue hoodie) is out

Here's how the last 14 players are seated:

Table 1:

1. Toni Judet2. Yasen Dichev3. Razvan Belea4. Avishai Shitrit5. Ionut Stoichita6. Traian Bostan7. empty8. Valentin Cristea

Table 2:

1. Carmen Zainescu2. Empty3. Moshe Eliyahu4. Florin Ionut Pandilica5. Razvan Bordei6. Cosmin Ionut Petcu.7. Florian Rosa8. Jozsef Liszkovics

3:05pm: More for Moshe!Level 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)

Moshe Eliyahu was second in chips coming in to today, but he might rather well have just taken the chip lead.

On a board of 4♣7♣9♠2♥8♣, Alexandru Boicea moved all-in and Eliyahu made the decision together with his 7♥7♠. "Vamos!" he shouted when he saw his set was prior to Boicea's K♦K♥.

2:50pm: Here comes trouble! Belea enjoys double knockoutLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)

I've just been informed that the name Belea in Romanian means 'trouble'. Well, here comes trouble as Razvan Belea has just eliminated two players in a single hand and greater than doubled his stack.

Razvan Belea - no trouble please

He opened to 44,000 from under the gun and got a decision from Mihai Ciorteanu at the button. Adrian Popa then moved all-in for his last five big blinds - 111,000 in total - and Belea then re-raised to 200,000. 

The action was back on Ciorteanu and he took his time. After a few minutes he announced he was all-in, and that got a snap-call from Belea.

Belea: K♦K♠Ciorteanu: A♠Q♣Popa: 8♣8♥

The flop was absolute gin for Belea. It came the 9♦K♣9♥. "Nice...NICE!" he said, when full realisation kicked within the. turn and river came the 2♠ and 6♦ and he took Popa's chips and Ciorteanu's 796,000 stack too.

Belea's as much as around 1.75 million now.

2:35pm: Staring contestLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)

Peters Tobias and Avishai Shitrit are sat right next to one another and are developing a bit a rivalry. I've caught them playing a number of pots heads-up, observing each other non-stop from close range. Here's the latest.

It folded to Tobias within the small blind and he made it 55,000 to play, which Shitrit called. They saw a K♥T♦3♥ flop and Peters, after some staring of course, continued for 57,000. Shitrit stared right back, and with their eyes locked and he re-raised to 150,000. That was an excessive amount of for Peters and he gave it up.

Peters has 500,000, while Shitrit is as much as 910,000.

2:25pm: Big double up for CiorteanuLevel 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)

Razvan Belea kicked this one off with an under-the-gun-plus-one open to 44,000. Moshe Eliyahu came along to his left, and it folded around to Mihai Ciorteanu within the small blind. He then jammed for 391,000, and Belea had a call on his hands. He tanked for roughly two minutes before eventually decided to re-shove himself.

His isolation play worked as Eliyahu gave his hand up, and the cards were flipped. 

Ciorteanu: A♠T♦Belea: 9♦9♠

Ciorteanu would have to hit to survive, and it looked bleak at the 6♥3♠8♦ flop. Things soon brightened up for him though when the A♦ hit the turn. The Q♣ completed the board and sent around 800,000 in chips Ciorteanu's way.

2:25pm: Can someone call 999 for Catalin Moraru?Level 22 - Blinds 10,000/20,000 (3,000 ante)

Romania's Catalin Moraru is our latest player to make his exit. He got his chips all-in pre-flop with the A♥J♥ against Yordan Mitrentsov's pocket nines, but a nine at the flop and no assistance on the turn or river sent the local home in 20th.

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

22	10,000	20,000	3,000

2:14pm: A LARGE blind special busts Ionescu's AcesLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

In a blind v blind pot, Adrian Nicolae Ionescu and Alexandru Boicea saw a Q♥4♥4♠ flop fall. Something resulted in another (OK - I arrived a bit of late to the party) and all of Ionescu's chips were within the middle.

He turned over the A♦A♠ for pocket rockets, but they were no good against Boicea's big blind special - the 8♣4♣. The turn was the 8♠ and the river the Q♠, and Boicea's full house busted our 21st place finisher. 

Ionescu takes home €3,820. All 20 remaining players are actually guaranteed a min-payout of €4,380.

2:09pm: Bostan doubles through JudetLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Traian Bostan just moved all-in for 128,000 over Toni Judet's open, and the previous professional billiards play made the decision. He had Queen-Jack which trailed Bostan's Ace-Jack, and the board ran out pure for the at-risk player. With Ace-high he took down the pot and doubled up.

2:04pm: Two more goneLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Despite having just survived that sweat below, Mihai Manole didn't have the capacity to survive for much longer. He's been eliminated in 24th, while Ionut Dragos Munteanu is out in 23rd.

1:58pm: A hearty chopLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

There was a beautiful sick sweat for Mihai Manole at present. It folded to him within the small blind and he moved all-in with A♦2♣, only to be called by Adrian Nicolae Ionescu within the big blind with the A♥2♥.

It looked destined to be a chop, until we saw the flop: K♥Q♦5♥. Any heart would eliminate Manole, nevertheless it came the K♦ and Q♠ they usually did indeed split it. 

1:48pm: Turning straight down fourth street pays off for RosaLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Florin Ionut Pandilica min-opened to 32,000 and got two callers: Florian Rosa within the cut-off, and Moshe Eliyahu from the large blind. The trio saw a K♦T♠6♣ flop land, which they'd all check.

That took us to the A♥ turn, and Eliyahu led for 44,000. Both players called and we went to the river.

It came the 8♦ and it checked to Rosa. He put out a gamble of 60,000, and got called by both Eliyahu and Pandilica. We'd never see their cards though; Rosa turned over the Q♦J♣ for the nuts and raked within the chips.

1:38pm: Meet Romania's 6th all-time money winnerLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Toni Judet

Antoanell 'Toni' Judet is celebrated around these parts; he sits at number six on Romania's all-time money list with $879,000 in live earnings. His biggest cashes came back in 2008 when he won a €2,000 side event on the EPT4 Grand Final for €156,500, followed by an overly deep run within the WSOP main event, finishing 22nd for $257,334.

Judet remains to be within the running for his first Eureka Poker Tour title here today.

1:33pm: What else goes down?Level 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

While we're looking forward to the primary event to relax off, here is what else is happening today.

The Day 1B flight of the €330 Bucharest Cup begins at 2pm, and the €2,000 high roller plays all the way down to a winner today. At 8pm tonight there is a Eureka NL Holdem Knockout (€100 per knockout) tournament which costs €330 to enter, too.

1:26pm: Redraw timeLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

The clock is paused while we redraw for 3 tables.

1:24pm: Four down already!Level 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Players haven't been shy about getting their chips within the middle thus far today. We've already had four eliminations!

The first to head was Vali Anghel in 28th. He came into the day with just six big blinds, and he got it in good along with his A♣T♣ against his opponent's A♠7♠. But there have been three spades at the board by the river, and that sent him to assemble his €2,860.

Then Alin Petrisor Pandilica was busted. He got his chips in with the J♥K♥ against Mihai Ciorteanu's A♥5♥, and the board ran out 2♣2♥8♥4♥9♣ to present Ciorteanu a flush. Pandilica collected €3,310 for 27th.

Out of nowhere Adam Milewski was also eliminated in 26th for €3,310, followed by Ireland's Gary Clarke in 25th for a similar amount.

Fast and furious Day 3

1:10pm: Yahoo for EliyahuLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Nice to get off to an even start, eh? Moshe Eliyahu came into the day because the second biggest stack, and he's already managed so as to add a bit of more to his arsenal.

Yordan Yordanov Mitrentsov opened to 37,000 at the button and Eliyahu came along from the small blind. The 2 saw a 4♦K♦2♥ flop land, which they'd both check, just as they might at the J♦ turn. When the 8♦ river came, though, Elyahu checked and Mitrentsov took a stab worth 46,000. Eliyahu picked it off along with his K♥9♥, while Mitrentsov could just show a Jack as he mucked.

1pm: Cards within the airLevel 21 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

The 28 players are actually seated, spread seven-handed over four tables. Shuffle up and deal.

11:45am: Welcome to Day 3 - the business end of Eureka6 Bucharest

When the cash gets big, the bust-outs get brutal. It's Day 3 here in beautiful Bucharest, and just 28 of the 579 players who entered this event remain.

Today we'll be playing all the way down to final table of eight, and everybody has their heart set on the €107,350 first-place prize. Presently they're all guaranteed a €2,860 payday, but after only one elimination that'll increase to €3,310.

Yasen Dichev leads getting into Day 3

The player out in front in the beginning of play today is Bulgaria's Yasen Dichev, who stormed prior to the pack yesterday afternoon and held the chip lead for the previous few levels. He comes into today with 2.047 million.

Close behind him are Israel's Moshe Eliyahu with 1.636 million, and Romania's Razvan Costinel Belea (915,000), Jozsef Liszkovics (912,00), and Antoanell 'Toni' Judet (906,000).

Play starts at 1pm with the blinds at 8,000/16,000 and a 2,000 ante. See you shortly as we tackle the business end.

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at Eureka6 Bucharest: Jack Stanton. Photos by Tomas Stacha. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

You can win your seat to 1 of countless PokerStars live events world wide. Click here to open an account and get started.

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Three weeks ago we were finishing the 12th season of the ecu Poker Tour in Monaco. Three months from now we'll be starting the 13th in Barcelona.

With the top of 1 season the brand new one is rarely far away, and the brand new season, which starts within the traditional setting of Barcelona, promises to top everything that has come before. 

We know that because we have seen the schedule, that is released today. 

The entire festival begins on August 17, 2016, with events bound to cause fireworks. That's when the €10K event begins alongside the six day Estrellas Main Event, which this year has three starting flights.

After that comes the €50,000 Super High Roller, which begins on August 20, with the general table three day afterward August 22, the day that the EPT Main Event starts. 

The simplest way to get to an EPT is by winning a primary Event package on PokerStars. Click here to get an account.

This year the primary feature has the similar buy-in of €5,000 and is about to be a record breaker. Last year Casino Barcelona positively strained to house thousands of players searching for probably the most festival action, and it didn't disappoint. As a season starter there's nothing quite find it irresistible. Did we mention the elements is additionally quite good too?

As the EPT Main Event plays on it is going to conclude alongside the 3 day €10K High Roller which concludes on August 28. Two whole weeks of poker, at stakes as little as €120 and as high as €50,000, with all manner of buy-ins in between. The phrase "something for everybody" was never more applicable. 

For the entire details take a look at the EPT homepage which has details of all the Barcelona festival, now just three months away. Check back at the PokerStars Blog for more information about the festival within the coming weeks in addition to how one can book your trip to Barcelona for a fragment of the principle Event buy in. 

Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.

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Congratulations to Albert Paik!

Champion of the APPT10 Seoul Main Event. For his impressive victory this week Paik collects ₩119,097,600 (~$101,000) (including a HK$100,000 ACOP Main Event seat), the coveted APPT trophy and he etches his name in Asia poker history.

Paik overcame a difficult field of 157 here in Seoul, but before he was named champion he needed to overcome Shenghua Qian in a tense heads up battle. Starting that match as a 2:1 chip underdog, he fought his as far back as emerge victorious.

In the top all of it came right down to an enormous flip when Paik and Qian were almost dead even in chips. Paik opened to 60,000 at the button before Qian played back at him for 130,000. Then came the four-bet jam from Paik for 1,571,000, and after some deliberation, Qian called it off with almost equivalent stack.

Paik: 8♠8♣Qian: A♣Q♠

The flop landed 7♠5♠6♦ and Paik jumped with excitement - not just fading an ace or queen but in addition picking up a straight draw. The 7♣ turn and 6♥ river were also safe and as Paik had Qian covered, the APPT Seoul Main Event was done and dusted.

Before that heads up match we started proceedings with seven players in contention.

It took lower than 10 minutes for the primary of these to be eliminated. Canada's Windsor Nguyen started the day with only eight big blinds and couldn't run it up. He met his demise after running 3♥3♦ into the Q♣Q♦ of Shenghua Qian. The board ran out 5♣4♣K♠K♦7♥ with Nguyen failing to enhance and finishing in 7th place.

Satsuki Ochiai was next to go, also hitting the rail within the first level of the day. It was a flip against Michael Egan that ended his tournament run. Ochiai held A♠K♣ but wouldn't find the assistance he needed against T♣T♦ when the community cards landed 2♥9♦2♠2♣7♠. Ochiai was out in 6th place for ₩23,455,000.

Australia's Michael Egan left us in 5th place. He were nursing a brief stack and ultimately ran T♥T♦ into Shenghua Qian's K♠K♣. Egan couldn't catch a lucky break and was sent packing when the 7♥6♠Q♥A♦9♠ board came down. He collected ₩28,554,000 for his impressive showing this week.

Next to head was Ken Hirosawa. He moved all in from the small blind holding Q♦8♠ but found himself dominated when Shengua Qian called from the massive blind with K♠Q♠. The cards fell 7♠2♠T♦A♠K♣ with Qian turning the nuts and sealing Hirosawa's fate.

Tetsuro Tomita took home the third place prize. He pushed the last of his chips in from the small blind with Q♣8♥ and Paik selected a decision holding A♦5♣. Tomita had live cards but he bricked at the 4♠5♥T♦3♣J♣ run out to be sent home one shy of the heads up match.

APPT Seoul Main Event Final Table Payouts1st: Albert Paik (USA) - ₩119,097,600 (~$101,000)2nd: Shenghua Qian (China) - ₩69,346,000 (~$58,000)3rd: Tetsuro Tomita (Japan) - ₩44,871,000 (~$38,000)4th: Ken Hirosawa (Japan) - ₩34,673,000 (~$29,400)5th: Michael Egan (Australia) - ₩28,554,000 (~$24,200)6th: Satsuki Ochiai (Japan) - ₩23,455,000 (~$19,900)7th: Windsor Nguyen (Canada) - ₩19,736,000 (~$17,600)

Well played to Albert Paik and due to the Paradise Walkerhill Casino for hosting another spectacular tournament. The following stop at the APPT is Manila from July 28 - August 8. We are hoping you'll be able to join us again then!

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com]

May 5th, 2016

DP called it -- Ole Schemion is back and in a large way! He and Rich break down the consequences from the EPT Grand Final, speak about Team Media within the upcoming 25K Fantasy Draft, and take a couple of voicemails.

Record your voicemail: 774-77P-NPOD

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Natan Chauskin - the winner

A total of 947 players turned up a couple of days ago to play the IPT Main Event, and here on a Sunday evening, only one man was left standing. Natan Chauskin defeated Govert Metaal in a comparatively short heads up battle to assert the trophy and €149,560.

Chauskin entered the day as clear chip leader and, taking that stat (alone) into account, was expected to win. Metaal came in to the general table because the short stack so was never expected to get so far as he did, so may also be very pleased with his achievement.

Asked if he was happy and expected to win, he responded with, "Yes, very, and that i came to win, and that i was sure I'D. When back in Belorussia, we were in a bar with our team and my coach, Jenya Gavrilovich, winner of EPT12 Barcelona €2k, asked me, when shooting a video, "What about this IPT Malta?" and that i said: "I WILL win it! Go there and win it evidently"! That is what happened, so I WILL say I USED TO BE just looking ahead to it."

Trophy Presentation

He went directly to say, "IT ISN'T the amount of cash that changes my life, and plus, I DO NOT play only for the money, I play to become a sportstar, because poker is a sport, where the contest is an important thing. I WILL BE ABLE TO play the EPT Main Event tomorrow and win it too!"

The final hand saw Metaal three-bet all in with pocket fives and Chauskin call after he had raised with king-queen. The Belorussian took the lead when he turned top pair and victory was confirmed when he improved to a flush at the river.

Fortune favoured this brave man today

Meetal won the €10,000 High Roller event at EPT Campione back is Season 8 and was so on the subject of claiming a second major trophy on tour. The €124,080 he won today tops the €110,000 he won back in 2008 and, after the tournament had ended, he had this to mention on both achievements, "THE SECTOR was harder here so this result's more valuable to me."

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Timofeev was downed first

Day 3 started with two quick eliminations and a bustout (on average) every 12 minutes within the day, whereas today it took around two hours for the primary player to bust. Denis Timofeev, short stacked on the time, made his move with pocket fours but didn't stay prior to Chauskins ace-jack. The Belorussian only took five more minutes to say another scalp and this time he didn't event need coin-flip odds to get the job done. After raising with ace-seven, he called James Grogan's shove with big slick and rivered a seven.

Grogan got his chips in good

Garp after his last hand

They say bad things are available threes and Tobias Garp will believe that sentiment. He three-bet all in with pocket sevens after Metaal -who was midway through his rush up the leader board - had raised with pocket aces. A very easy call and an ace high board later saw Garp leave stage-central. A period of consolidation followed before the second one Dutch representative on the final table, Joep Raemaekers, was given his marching orders. He moved all in with jack-eight suited from the button but Chris Brammer, and his pocket queens, lay in wait within the small blind.

Gomez couldn't gain traction today

David Gomez helped start Metaal's resurgence at the start of the day and, ten minutes after Raemaekers bust, his nemesis came back to complete off the job. Metaal opened with ace-king and called the Spaniard's shove with pocket nines. The board ran ace high and just three remained.

Chris Brammer headed off to begin his Sunday session after busting third

The second period of consolidation kicked in and chips were passed across the table before Metaal, who was left short after an end of level confrontation with Chauskin, returned from break and made his second recovery of the day to without equal cost for Brammer. First he doubled his very short stack through Chauskin and then, when armed with more chips, took most of Brammer's when his pocket jacks stayed prior to his king-queen.

Click here for the entire Main Event payouts.

The final hand

Before heads up play began, the 2 player struck a deal that meant they were effectively playing a €20,000 heads up sit and go. Chauskin held a 13.8 million to 9.8 million lead and only extended it until he had all of the chips. He proved over the past two days that he is a gorgeous front runner and has made an overly impressive begin to his live poker career.

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For full details of the tournaments on offer, and whilst you can register for them, click here.

Updates provided by Marc Convey, with photos coming from René Velli and Tomáš Stacha.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Italian Poker Tour]