Prizewinners

12:26am: Mike Watson wins 2016 PCA Main Event

CLICK HERE TO READ A WHOLE WRAP UP

We have a winner and his name is Mike Watson. Tony Gregg was denied a PCA title despite his third final table on this event over the years.

We'll have a whole wrap up of the day very shortly, but first here was the overall hand.

Tony Gregg limped with the A♠8♣ and Mike Watson checked his option with the 7♥4♠.

The flop was a fascinating one; 2♥8♥6♥. All hearts meant Watson had a flush draw, plus a straight draw. Gregg, meanwhile, had top pair.

Watson checked and Gregg quickly bet 400,000. But now Watson raised it as much as 1.2 million, leaving Gregg with a large decision to make. He decided to shove for 4.1 million and Watson was priced in; he made the decision and it was all right down to these final two cards. Tony Gregg was ahead, but Watson had 12 outs.

The 7♠ landed at the rurn, giving Watson a couple or even more outs - 16 to be precise.

The 5♥ sealed the deal for Watson. It is all over.

--JS

12:11am: Big chip swingLevel 34 Blinds 125,000-250,000 (25,000)

Tony Gregg opened to 500,000 with the A♦Q♥ only to look Watson put out a 3-bet to 1,350,000. Ace queen is way too good a hand heads as much as fold to that sort of pressure though, and Gregg counted out a 4-bet of 2,875,000 and put it out within the middle. Watson called and we went to a flop.

The dealer unfolded the J♥8♣5♠ at the flop and now Watson checked. Gregg opted to bet 1,650,000 but he'd been outflopped, so naturally Watson wasn't done. Watson check-raised all-in and Gregg was forced to offer it up.

There's a large difference between the 2 now: Mike Watson has 22 million and Gregg is right down to just 5 million. --JS

11:25pm: Watson hits his King and gets paidLevel 33 - Blinds 125,000 - 250,000 (50,000 ante)

Tony Gregg just can't catch a break nowadays. He lost another one now when Watson's K♠7♥ hit the K♥J♦4♦ flop significantly better than Gregg's pocket Sevens. Watson check-called a 350k bet at the flop and both players checked the 9♠ activate. the 6♥ river it was Watson's opportunity to check out and get some value together with his pair of Kings. He bet a fab million and Gregg called, only to get the bad news. Mission accomplished for Watson. - RJ

11:21pm: A UNPRECEDENTED pre-flop 3-betLevel 33, Blinds 125,000-250,000 (50,000)

Here's something we have not seen much of on this heads up match - a pre-flop 3-bet.

Watson opened to his standard 500,000 with K♣9♣ but Tony Gregg should have seen something and 3-bet to 1,350,000 with the J♠T♦. Watson called.

The 7♥6♦5♠ flop missed both players, and when Gregg checked Watson won it with a 1 million bet. Watson has 15.3 million to Gregg's 11.7 million. --JS

11:09pm: Watson bluffs, but Gregg's got itLevel 33, Blinds 100,000-200,000 (50,000)

Watson opened to 500,000 with the Q♥3♥ and Gregg made the decision with the Dolly Parton, 9♦5♦. The flop was the 2♦8♣7♥ and Gregg checked it to the raiser. Watson bet 500,000 again with complete air and Gregg called along with his gutshot.

BOOM! The 6♣ at the turn gave Gregg the straight but he chose to test it, as did Watson. The J♣ at the river will have completed a couple of potential hands equivalent to flush draws and straight draws, and Gregg opted to test his straight again. He was clearly hoping Watson would bet.

Gregg got his wish. Watson counted out of venture of 1.2 million and slid it around the felt. Gregg took his time before creating a re-raise to three million exactly, and Watson snap folded.

The two are almost even in chips now, with Gregg having 13 million to Watson's 14 million. --JS

11:00pm: Watson's lead gets biggerLevel 33, Blinds 100,000-200,000 (25,000)

We've just seen an enormous hand which has sent Mike Watson's stack over the 20 million mark.

Gregg opened to 450,000 with the J♥9♥ and Watson made the decision with 8♣7♠. The flop came 9♠K♥T♥ - something for everybody - and Watson checked to the pre-flop raiser. Gregg made it 450,000 again along with his pair of nines, flush draw and straight draw but Watson check raised as much as 1,350,000 together with his open ender. Gregg didn't take too long to call.

The J♠ came at the turn and now Watson checked, allowing Gregg to position out of venture of 1,450,000 having hit two pair. Watson had made his straight though - albeit the low end - and he made the call, perhaps worried a few queen.

The 5♠ at the river wasn't much of an action card and both players checked. Watson raked within the pot along with his straight.

Mike Watson 20,630,000Anthony Gregg 6,950,000 --JS

10:15pm: DealLevel 33, Blinds 100,000-200,000 (25,000)

Players came back from dinner break and struck a deal. It was quick and easy. Tournament staff showed players the numbers they usually instantly agreed. There has been no debate, no negotiating, only a quick nod, a couple of signatures and a handshake.

Mike Watson: $695,175Tony Gregg: $612,175

This leaves the players battling for $33,000 and the title of 2016 PCA Champion. It is a title that might tick a large number of boxes off for Gregg.

Gregg's made three PCA final tables and gotten heads-up and lost before. A win here would also give him the EPT title he needs for the Triple Crown. --AV

8:50pm: Heads-up chip counts

Everyone is on a dinner break. They'll be back at 10pm.

Name Country Chips

Mike Watson	Canada	17,700,000
Tony Gregg	USA	9,875,000

8:50pm: Phillip McAllister eliminated in 3rdLevel 33, Blinds 100,000-200,000 (25,000)

Phillip McAllister looked down at J♥J♦ and just called from the small blind.

Mike Watson then moved all-in from the small blind with 8♣7♣ and McAllister snap-called.

The flop came T♣5♣7♠ to pair Watson's seven and provides him a flush draw. Then the 3♣ came at the turn to provide Watson the flush and leave McAllister drawing dead. The river was an inconsequential 5♠ and the tournament went heads-up.

McAllister won $356,020 for finishing 3rd and Tony Gregg and Mike Watson took their 75-minute dinner break.

Mike Watson -- 17,700,000Tony Gregg -- 9,875,000

8:12pm: Tales from the rail part 3: The wastelandLevel 31 - Blinds 60,000 - 120,000 (20,000 ante)

The departure of Toby Lewis from the principle Event has also caused ruptions at the rail. With Chris Moorman, Ludovic Geilich, Maria Ho and their respective entourages all primarily supporting Lewis, there's now an enormous hole at the rail where they used to be.

Even though their bodies are not any longer present there are definitely clear signs that the Lewis Rail used to be in operation. Strewn a few of the floor are empty beer cans, half-full champagne flutes, a bucket of ice (that when housed Grey Goose) and, curiously, a ton of uneaten chocolate. Lewis and his friends are currently celebrating/commiserating in a single of the Atlantis Resort's fine establishments - so far as the rail is concerned, they are going to be greatly missed.

In other rail news, the massive crews for Tony Gregg and Mike Watson - whose fans have taken to barking like a dog whenever he wins a pot - are still intact. Spare a thought for the opposite Brit, Phil McAllister, as he seems to either be flying solo or have very, very quiet supporters. I'm sure he won't mind however, as he's crushing this final table. - RJ

7:55pm: Toby Lewis out in 4th for $267,340Level 33, Blinds 100,000-200,000 (25,000 ante)

We've just lost British superstar Toby Lewis in brutal fashion.

Phillip McAllister limped at the button with 9♥6♥ and Lewis shoved all in from the small blind for 3,375,000 with K♠9♠. Mike Watson awoke with A♣J♦ within the big blind and moved all in over the top, and McAllister quickly got out of the way.

Lewis was behind, and remained so when the T♣6♠3♥ flop was dealt. However, the turn card was the K♥, pairing Lewis and putting him well in front.

Only an ace or queen for a straight at the river would eliminate Lewis otherwise it might be a pleasing double as much as 7 million. However the river was indeed a queen and Lewis went to hug his rail.

He takes home $267,340 for 4th. Mike Watson now has 12,880,000. --JS

Excited

Nervous

Gutted

7:31pm: Chip counts at break

Players may be coming back to Level 33, Blinds 100,000-200,000 (25,000)

Name Country Chips

Mike Watson	Canada	8,805,000
Tony Gregg	USA	8,540,000
Phillip McAllister	UK	7,735,000
Toby Lewis	UK	2,855,000

7:25: Aces for LewisLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Toby Lewis opened to 320,000 from under the gun, and with good reason; he had pocket aces. He got exactly what he desired to when Tony Gregg 3-bet from the small blind with K♦Q♥ to 890,000. A 4-bet from Lewis to 1,900,000 would take it down though. --JS

7:20: Watson's one betterLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Tony Gregg opened to 320,000 with the T♥8♣ and Phillip McAllister opted to simply call with pocket queens. Mike Watson was within the big blind and he called too.

The K♣2♣T♣ flop brought an overcard to McAllister's hand, and middle pair plus flush draws for Gregg and Watson. However, all players checked. The 3♣ turn made it four clubs on board and gave Gregg and Watsat the flush. Again, though, everyone checked.

And so we saw the A♥ on the river. Watson now correctly figured his flush was the most efficient hand so bet 600,000 for value, Gregg called and McAllister threw his ladies away. Watson's hand was one better than Gregg's and he took it down.

Mike Watson 8,805,000Tony Gregg 8,540,000Phillip McAllister 7,375,000 --JS

7:15pm: Gregg doubles through Lewis, takes leadLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000)

Toby Lewis raised to 320,000 from under-the-gun and Tony Gregg three-bet to 875,000 from the small blind.

Lewis re-raised all-in and Gregg called.

Gregg was at-risk and showed 9♠9♦ to Lewis's A♥K♦.

Tony Gregg

The board ran T♦4♠8♣Q♣9♠ and Gregg doubled as much as 8.8 million while Lewis dropped to 3.8 million. --AV

Well, isn't that special

6:55: Amazing fold from LewisLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Toby Lewis just made an international class fold and has shown the skill level that has carried him this far within the tournament.

Tony Gregg limped the button with T♣9♣ and Lewis checked his big blind with A♥8♣. The flop was kind to Gregg because the 5♥9♦4♥ gave him top pair. Lewis checked and Gregg bet 215,000 which was called.

The turn was the A♦ giving Lewis top pair and the lead within the hand. He checked it though and Gregg continued for 485,000. Lewis thought for a short time and decided to stay around.

The river flipped things once again, because the 9♥ gave Gregg trips. Lewis checked another time and Gregg put out a worth bet of 790,000 right into a pot of slightly below 2 million. Lewis looked confused and disappointed, but looked as if it would know he was behind. "This limping the button stuff is killing me," he said, the top Boss Tony Gregg.

Somehow he managed to fold the ace - an implausible lay down. Lewis now have 6.32 million and Gregg has 2.98 million. --JS

Aces for LewisLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Toby Lewis opened to 320,000 from under the gun, and with good reason; he had pocket aces. He got exactly what he desired to when Tony Gregg 3-bet from the small blind with K♦Q♥ to 890,000. A 4-bet from Lewis to 1,900,000 would take it down though. --JS

6:38pm: Gregg 3-betting lightLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Toby Lewis opened to 320,000 under the gun with A♠J♦ and Anthony Gregg, the shortest stack on the table, 3-bet to 865,000 from the large blind with just K♦3♠. It was enough to make Lewis fold and convey Gregg's stack to 4.4 million. --JS

Ha!

6:33pm: Vladimir Troyanovskiy eliminated in 5thLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000)

Tony Gregg raised to 350,000 from under-the-gun and Vladimir Troyanovskiy called from the massive blind.

The flop came A♣4♥8♥ and Troyanovskiy moved all-in for 700,000. Gregg snap-called and showed top pair with A♠Q♣ while Troyanovskiy showed a flush draw with 7♥3♥.

The turn brought a T♦ and a 9♣ came at the river to eliminate Troyanovskiy.

Gregg chipped as much as 4.06 million while Troyanovskiy won $207,940 for his 5th place finish. --AV

6:20: Watson playing cageyLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Most players who've turned a flush would bet their hand for value, but Mike Watson opted for a cagier route.

Phillip McAllister opened to 380,000 with K♣5♣ and Watson called from the massive blind with T♦8♦. The flop gave Watson a flush draw and it was middle pair for McAllister - 4♦9♥5♦. Watson checked his draw and McAllister continued for 365,000, and Watson was going nowhere.

On the turn we saw the J♦ hit the felt, giving Watson the flush. He checked it, clearly hoping McAllister would continue his aggression, but now he decided to test back. The Q♠ at the river didn't change anything, and Watson checked again, again hoping to look McAllister put some more chips within the middle. Unfortunately for him McAllister checked. Watson won the pot, but could it was bigger? --JS

6:10pm: Toby Lewis doubles through WatsonLevel 32, Blinds 80,000-160,000 (25,000)

Toby Lewis doubled at the first hand back from break.

And he did it by limping from the small blind with 9♠9♦. Mike Watson looked down at 9♦7♥ and checked his option.

The flop came 4♥7♣2♥ and Lewis check-raised to 750,000 after Watson bet 200,000. A 3♠ came at the turn after Watson called and Lewis moved all-in for 2.02 million.

Watson thought for roughly three minutes after which threw in chips for a call.

Lewis showed the overpair and had to dodge a seven at the river.

River: K♦

Lewis doubled as much as 5.975 million while Watson dropped to 5.35 million.

Toby Lewis...did I hold?

5:43pm: Chip counts on the break

Players could be coming back to Level 32 - Blinds 80,000 - 160,000 (25,000 ante)

Name Country Chips

Phillip McAllister	UK	11,415,000
Mike Watson	Canada	8,200,000
Tony Gregg	USA	2,885,000
Toby Lewis	UK	2,960,000
Vladimir Troyanovskiy	Russia	2,110,000

5:40pm: Troyanovsky all the way down to 13 big blindsLevel 31, Blinds 60,000-120,000 (10,000)

A dangerous flop just cost Vladimir Troyanovskiy a large chunk of chips, and he's well and really within the danger zone now with just 13 big blinds remaining.

Mike Watson had opened to 250,000 with the Q♥Q♦ and Vlad 3-bet to 575,000 with the A♠J♦. Watson called and we went to a flop, which was the J♣4♦8♣. Watson checked to Vlad who continued for 425,000 having hit top pair, but he was still trailing the women of Watson.

The T♣ at the turn bogged down the Russian as both players checked, taking us to the 6♦ at the river. The pot was 2,280,000 and Watson put out of venture of 1,125,000. Vlad didn't take an excessive amount of time to make the call, and was dissapointed to peer that prime pair was no good.

Mike Watson now has 8.2 million, while Troyanovskiy is all the way down to just 2 million. --JS

Vladimir Troyanovskiy

5:30pm: Tales from the rail part 2: Greg on GreggLevel 31 - Blinds 60,000 - 120,000 (20,000 ante)

2012 WSOP Main Event winner Greg Merson is at the rail supporting friend Tony Gregg. He's sat with another poker players and so they were overheard discussing Gregg's technique to tournament poker - it made for some fascinating listening.

One said that Gregg is, "absolutely the worst at ICM*. He just desires to win." Merson then concurred and told a narrative about Gregg being deep within the WSOP Main Event and five-bet jamming with air when he easily will have bogged down and moved up the payout ladder without taking any risks. In Merson's language, "it was ICM suicide."With Gregg currently the quick stack on the table it is going to be interesting to peer which approach he is taking for the rest of the day. Do not be surprised if it's an aggressive one.

Meanwhile, Liv Boeree, Maria Ho and Jonathan Little have now showed up at the rail too. Boeree is extolling the virtues of the Burning Man festival. The others are watching the poker.

*ICM is a poker term that stands for Independent Chip Model. It is a system that works out your best play, bearing in mind not just your cards but in addition the chip stacks of yourself and the opposite players on the table. But you knew that already, of course.

- RJ

5:15pm: Lewis takes one from WatsonLevel 31, Blinds 60,000-120,000 (20,000)

Toby Lewis min-raised at the button to 240,000 with K♥4♥ and Mike Watson called out of the small blind with K♣T♦. Vladimir Troyanovskiy left the party and his big blind and we went to a flop of 4♣9♣Q♦, giving Lewis the lead together with his pair of fours.

It was all quiet at the flop and the A♣ turn with both players checking, however the K♦ at the river was a fascinating card. It paired Watson but gave Lewis two pair, and he decided to take a look at and get some value. His 400,000 bet into the 700,000 pot was too tempting for Watson who made the call, giving Lewis the win on this one.

Toby Lewis 4,100,000Mike Watson 4,960,000 --JS

5:08pm: Four-way potLevel 31, Blinds 60,000-120,000 (20,000)

It was almost a family pot but Phillip McAllister folded from under-the-gun.

Toby Lewis raised to 240,000 from the cutoff and everybody else called. The flop came 9♣T♥T♠ and Lewis bet 350,000 when checked to. Watson called with A♥T♦ for trip tens.

Vladimir Troyanovskiy had a straight draw with Q♦J♣ but folded. Gregg missed the flop with A♦7♦ and folded as well.

Lewis, who had K♠J♠, checked when the 4♦ came at the turn and folded when Watson bet 700,000.

The hand put Watson as much as about 7 million. --AV

Mike Watson

4:55pm: Lewis' lady wins itLevel 31, Blinds 60,000-120,000 (10,000)

It just hasn't been Anthony Gregg's day up to now. He's getting no action when he has big hands, and has had the second one best hand many of the time when he's in pots that visit showdown.Gregg opened to 255,000 with the 9♦7♦ at the button and Toby Lewis called from the large blind with K♦Q♠. The flop was T♠Q♦8♦ and Lewis chose to test his top pair. Gregg checked his open-ended straight draw and flush draw too.

The turn was the 9♣, pairing Gregg. Both players checked again and we saw the 8♠ at the river. Now Lewis put out a gamble of 300,000 and Gregg would call together with his beaten pair.

Toby Lewis 4,220,000Anthony Gregg 2,890,000 --JS

4:30pm: McAllister still risingLevel 31, Blinds 60,000-120,000 (20,000)

Phillip McAllister is as much as 9.8 million.

He didn't win a large pot to stand up there either. McAllister have been raising and taking down preflops fairly frequently.

He took a rather bigger pot off Tony Gregg too.

In that hand, Gregg called from the small blind and McAllister raised to 240,000 from the large blind. Gregg called and the flop came 8♥7♥7♦ and Gregg checked. McAllister bet 190,000 and Gregg folded.

The hand put McAllister as much as 9.8 million while Gregg dropped to 2.9 million. --AV

4:11pm: Tales from the railLevel 31, Blinds 60,000-100,000 (20,000 ante)

At any EPT final table there are always loads of star poker players watching the action or cheering on their friends who're up there at the stage. That's magnified much more if you end up on the PCA, and when the overall table contains one of the vital most useful names within the game. The rail for today is packed - listed here are one of the highlights of what is going on.

Chris Moorman, his friends and their WAGs are in the home to support Toby Lewis. They're being very reserved presently but a huge, enormous bottle of Grey Goose is on ice at their feet. Once a few of that sweet, sweet vodka starts taking effect I'M WONDERING if we will be able to begin to see the makings of another infamous British rail.

Meanwhile, the Greenwood family - the poker playing trio of Sam, Luc and Max and their parents - are making reservations for a dinner (we're guessing Nobu) tonight that still includes Justin Bonomo and "Scott" (we're guessing Seiver). With the web worth at that table, they may also be in a position to afford the astronomical sushi and black cod entrees - just.

Finally, Tony Gregg has brought his parents along as he attempts so as to add another title to his already magnificent resume. They're seated within the front row and, after he folds a hand, Gregg goes over to take a seat and chat along with his family. Tenth place finisher Matt Waxman may be at the Gregg rail - nice to understand that he has no hard feelings over just missing out on an appearance himself.

Rest assured that the PokerStars Blog will bring you any further developments, at the table or at the rail, as they happen. - RJ

3:55pm: Chip counts on the break

Players might be coming back to 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante).

Name Country Chips

Phillip McAllister	UK	8,775,000
Mike Watson	Canada	7,615,000
Vladimir Troyanovskiy	Russia	4,000,000
Tony Gregg	USA	3,840,000
Toby Lewis	UK	3,480,000

McAllister extends lead, first break of the dayLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000)

In the last hand of the level, Vladimir Troyanovskiy raised to 225,000 from the button and Phillip McAllister called from the large blind. The flop came T♦4♥2♥ and both players checked.

The turn brought a 9♠ and McAllister bet 325,000.

McAllister had just hit two pair with T♣9♣ while Troyanovskiy just paired his nine with K♥9♦.

So Troyanovskiy raised, to 860,000.

McAllister called and an 8♦ completed the board. Both players checked and McAllister's tens and nines took the pot.

The hand put McAllister as much as 8.77 million while Troyanovskiy dropped to 4 million. --AV

3:44pm: Bluffing with six-highLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000)

There are not any easy pots on the final table. With five professionals left, every pot won is hard-earned.

Toby Lewis raised to 200,000 from the button and Vladimir Troyanovskiy looked down at 6♦5♣.

It was ok for a call.

The flop came Q♣3♦2♥ and Troyanovskiy checked. Lewis bet 250,000 together with his pair of twos and Troyanovskiy thought. Then he raised to 580,000 and got Lewis to fold.

The hand put Troyanovskiy as much as 4.2 million while Lewis was left with 4.1 million. --AV

3:35pm: Fives are good for GreggLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000)

Anthony Gregg didn't get out-flopped - that's big news in this final table, because the tournament beast hasn't had the luckiest begin to the day.

Gregg opened to 225,000 at the button with 5♠5♣ and Toby Lewis defended his big blind with A♥T♣. The flop was the 9♥2♥2♣ and Lewis checked, leaving Gregg to make a 150,000 bet. Lewis called.

To the turn we went and it was another safe card for Gregg - the 4♠, however he opted to test as did Lewis before him.

The 3♥ came at the river and after Lewis checked Gregg made it 400,000. Lewis gave it up and Gregg raked within the pot.

Anthony Gregg 3,480,000Toby Lewis 5,040,000 --JS

Toby Lewis

3:20pm: Another loss for GreggLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000)

Things haven't been going well for Tony Gregg so far.

Things looked good at first, he found pocket jacks from under-the-gun and raised to 225,000. Vladimir Troyanovskiy called from the massive blind with A♣T♠ and matched his ace at the A♥9♥9♦ flop.

Both players checked and an 8♦ fell at the turn. Troyanovskiy bet 225,000 and Gregg called.

River: A♠

Another ace for Troyanovskiy and another bet, this time for 415,000.

Gregg folded and was all the way down to 3.19 million while Troyanovskiy chipped as much as 4.1 million. --AV

Troyanovskiy

3:06pm: 1,000,000 for kingsLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000)

Tony Gregg raised to 225,000 from under-the-gun with Q♣T♣ and Mike Watson re-raised to 625,000 from the small blind with pocket kings.

Gregg called and the flop came A♠J♠9♣. Watson checked and Gregg bet out 465,000. Watson called and a 9♦ came at the turn.

Both players checked and checked again when a 3rd 9 came at the river.

Watson's kings took the pot and he chipped as much as 6.8 million while Gregg dipped to 3.4 million. --AV

Tony Gregg

3:02: Watson plays it safeLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000 ante)

Vladimir Troyanovskiy opened under the gun to 210,000 with suited connectors, the T♥9♥. It was folded around to Mike Watson within the big blind who 3-bet to 575,000 with A♣Q♣.

The board was all diamonds - Q♦3♦9♦ - and with neither playing holding a diamond both players checked. Watson was ahead with top pair to Vlad's second pair.

The 2♦ landed at the river and also you began to get the sensation that whoever bets would take the pot down. However, both players checked once again.

The river was the 8♣ and both players continued the safe play by checking. Watson took down the pot together with his pair of queens.

Mike Watson 5,570,000Vladimir Troyanovski 4,370,000 --JS

2:45pm: (Hiccup)

For anyone wondering what happened last night, you are not alone. Take a look at a handy guide a rough speculative reflection on last night's PCA party.

2:45pm: Pairs versus pairs, McAllister takes the leadLevel 30, Blinds 50,000-100,000 (10,000)

Phillip McAllister took the lead after two pair bested Mike Watson's.

McAllister raised from the button and Watson defended his big blind. Both players connected with the J♠8♥4♦ flop, but McAllister's J♦8♣ connected a little greater than Watson's J♣5♠.

Watson check-called a 380,000 bet and did the similar when the 7♣ came at the turn. A 5♥ completed the board and coupled Watson's five.

Watson checked again and McAllister bet 730,000. Watson quickly called and showed the inferior two pair.

Watson dropped to five million while McAllister took the lead with 7.4 million. --AV

Mike Watson

2:30pm: A crestfallen Kritzer talksLevel 29, Blinds 40,000-80,000 (10,000)

The only recreational player on the final table was understandably deflated on the end of his remarkable run. "I'm so let down at the moment but I'll recover from it in somewhat bit, it has been a fantastic experience," he said. "I'll probably go cry for a bit."

A crestfallen Randy Kritzer

Kritzer acknowledged that this was by far the most efficient result he had ever had and expressed how sorry he was that it was over. "I TRULY just wish to play more, man, out in 20 minutes."

Although he held his own in some esteemed company, Kritzer said it remains anyone's game. "They're all good, I COULD NOT say [who will win]."

He added: "I TRULY liked this tournament as it fits my style more. I'm a comparatively conservative guy and these long levels worked well for me."

Kritzer's performance gives hope to all recreational players. "I'VE a house game back home with like 25 to 30 guys," Kritzer said. "That was sandlot baseball and this was like they threw me into the sector Series."

That was the top for Kritzer, and now he returns to his other somewhat pressurised other occupation of neurosurgery. "When surgery goes bad, things can go really bad, but if things are going well, that is definitely more stressful," he said.

2:30pm: Kritzer eliminated in sixth; wins $153,920Level 29, Blinds 40,000-80,000 (10,000 ante)

Randy Kritzer was eliminated in sixth place for a payday of $153,920. All we will be able to say is, he got it in good.

Kritzer opened to 225,000 from the button and Phillip McAllister defended his big blind. The flop was the 9♥6♦Q♥ and McAllister checked over to the neurosurgeon who made it 325,000 to go.

McAllister check-raised all in and Kritzer quickly called, and the cards were at their backs:

Randy Kirtzer Q♠T♣Phillip McAllister 8♠7♥

Kritzer was ahead with top pair, but McAllister had up and down straight draw outs. He'd pick up flush draw outs too on the 4♥ turn.

The river was a heart. The 8♥ to be precise. And the doctor was gone. McAllister is as much as 5,800,000 - good for second place. --JS

Randy Kritzer heads home on the end of a spectacular run

Taking turns to 3-betLevel 29, Blinds 40,000-80,000 (10,000)

We're just a few hands into this final table however the 3-bets have come thick and fast. First of all was Mike Watson who 3-bet to 500,000 and compelled Anthony Gregg to fold and abandon his 175,000 open.

Next up it was Toby Lewis, who 3-bet Phillip McAllister's 175,000 to 475,000 and took it down. --JS

2:10pm: McAllister cracks Gregg's acesLevel 29, Blinds 40,000-80,000 (10,000)

In the primary few hands of play, Tony Gregg lost a pot with pocket aces.

Gregg called from the small blind and Phillip McAllister checked his option with Q♠4♠. Both players checked the 8♣Q♥2♠ flop and a J♠ came at the turn. Gregg bet 125,000 and McAllister called.

The river brought a 4♦ and another pair for McAllister.

Gregg bet 285,000 and McAllister raised to 615,000. Gregg called along with his cracked aces and dropped to 3.9 million while McAllister chipped as much as 4.8 million. --AV

A bright start for Phillip McAllister

2.05pm: Players, start pleaseLevel 29, Blinds 40,000-80,000 (10,000)And they're off.

2pm: Virtually readyLevel 29, Blinds 40,000-80,000 (10,000)

There were 11 minutes left at the clock in Level 29 when yesterday's action concluded. So that they will play out that point before we go into Level 30, where blinds could be 50,000-100,000. The players are actually being introduced. Play will start very soon.

1:00pm: Standby for a champion

It's final table time within the 2016 PCA Main Event. Action is solely now starting, but with the intention to avoid spoilers, we will be able to be engaged on the similar schedule because the live stream. For now, you'll be able to read all in regards to the players here on our PCA Main Event final table player profiles.

Seat 1: Mike Watson (Canada) 6,585,000Seat 2: Vladimir Troyanovskiy (Russia) 5,025,000Seat 3: Randy Kritzer (USA) 2,565,000Seat 4: Tony Gregg (USA) 5,690,000Seat 5: Phillip McAllister (UK) 3,040,000Seat 6: Toby Lewis (UK) 4,665,000

Next year, it can be you! Click here to get a PokerStars account so that you can qualify.

Take a glance on the official website of the PCA, with tournament schedule, videos, news, blogs and accommodation details for the Atlantis Resort within the Bahamas.

Also all of the schedule information is at the EPT App, that's available on both Android or IOS.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the $5,000 Main Event: Jack Stanton, Howard Swains, Alex Villegas and Brad Willis. Photos by Joe Giron and Neil Stoddart. For more photos from this event by Joe Giron visit Poker Photo Archive.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: PokerStars Caribbean Adventure]

The forfeiture case involves the seizure of cash being moved through foreign banks to the us for payments from and to Bodog, a well-liked online gambling site.

The Baltimore City Paper has uncovered documents revealing the filing of federal money laundering charges against two men desirous about transactions with regards to funds belonging to Bodog.com online casino. Edward Courdy and Michael Garone were charged by federal authorities in a Maryland court, although nor is in custody.

Federal government proceedings have resulted in a forfeiture finding against Bodog related bank accounts within the amount of $24 million. Courdy and ZIP Payments had filed a claim against over $9 million of the suspect funds on September 29th, and the similar day, authorities brought the laundering charges.

Maryland is the house site for the case as it was the state by which an secret agent gambled at Bodog and other online casinos. The forfeiture case involves the seizure of cash being moved through foreign banks to the us for payments from and to Bodog, a well-liked online gambling site.

The forfeiture was filed in April of 2007, after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act made financial transactions involving online casinos illegal within the United States.

Although Garone and his company, JBL Services, didn't contest the seizure of over $14 million, the laundering charges against both men seem spurred by Courdy's decision to contest the only forfeiture. Department of Justice policy was to persecute executives of Internet casinos that operated within the U.S., irrespective of jurisdiction questions.

Authorities have used the specter of ominous felony charges to extract agreements to pay fines, allow forfeitures, or even accept smaller jail sentences, as accused executives seek to offer protection to threatened members of the family. The actions of federal law enforcement was morally shameful, if not illegal.

Published on October 30, 2008 by A.J.Maldonado

Read More... [Source: US Casinos in the News]

Published on August 22, 2013 by April Gardner

Wynn Resorts owner and founder Steve Wynn have been some of the vocal voices in pushing for Internet gambling regulations across the US. Wynn's gaming empire includes top casino resorts not just within the US, but additionally in gaming mecca Macau.

Now, Wynn Resorts is able to bring their brand to the Internet, and they're targeting the most recent state to manage online gambling. On Thursday, Wynn announced that they've submitted an application for a web-based gaming license in New Jersey.

The application process in New Jersey was smooth, with over 25 companies applying for the precious certificates. Wynn, it might seem, would have the news with their track record of operating one of the most most well-recognized casinos within the world.

"It comes as no surprise that Wynn Resorts has applied for a web based license in New Jersey," said analyst Trevor Cambs. "Steve Wynn have been a proponent of Internet gambling, and have been on the forefront of a few of probably the most historic developments throughout the gaming industry. That is just your next step for the corporate to continue their dominance throughout the industry."

The New Jersey application is regarded as by some to be a reach for Wynn Resorts. Regulators have already said that gaming owners operating casinos in Atlantic City could have the primary opportunity to receive Internet gaming licenses. Wynn Resorts doesn't have any casino facilities in New Jersey.

While Nevada and Delaware have also regulated online gambling in recent years, New Jersey is expected to be the crown jewel inside the industry. Analysts have predicted that New Jersey online casinos could generate as much as $1 billion every year. In comparison, the estimated revenue from Nevada online casinos is solely shorty of $250 million.

"In Nevada, much in their gaming business comes from travelers visiting Las Vegas," said Cambs. "THERE ISN'T as big a marketplace for online casinos as there's in New Jersey. The important thing to how much revenue is generated could lie in how these states interact to share customers."

Federal law prohibits Internet gambling to cross state lines, but New Jersey and Nevada have included laws of their gaming regulations that leaves the door open for the 2 states to eventually interact and share customers. Federal lawmakers also are busy engaged on legislation that might regulate Internet gambling on a countrywide level.

Read More... [Source: Online Casino News]

It was a fast-paced Day 2 within the France Poker Series Monaco Main Event on Friday -- so fast, in fact, the verdict was made to forgo the dinner break stop a few levels early. When the last hands were dealt 60 players remained, all that's left from the huge 1,261-player field that began the development. And tonight Philipp Wenzelburger enjoys the overnight chip lead after bagging an excellent 1,389,000 at night's end.

Philipp Wenzelburger

The first two hours today were the Leonardo Pires show, with the start-of-day chip leader from Brazil greater than doubling his starting stack during just two levels to sit down with 715,000 on the day's first break. A reprise, it seemed, of what Pires had done on the 2016 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure back in January where he led the tournament for several days before busting in 13th.

That stack would've been greater than average on the end of Day 2, not to mention two hours in, but after a pair more levels Pires had seen that massive mountain chips reduce to some of hundred thousand, then soon into the day's fifth level he was eliminated in 160th.

At least Pires made the cash, however, because the top 183 finishers were scheduled to divide the tournament's €1,223,170 prize pool. The bubble burst late within the afternoon, with China's Yangzi Wang the unlucky 184th-place finisher.

Soon after the post-bubble rush of exits, Gleb Tremzin -- runner-up finisher within the EPT12 Prague Main Event -- enjoyed a time frame because the tournament's chip leader becoming the primary player to achieve the 1 million-chip mark. He eventually fell back to the pack, though, while his fellow German Philipp Wenzelburger climbed to the highest to take a seat in first position because the field narrowed to lower than 100.

Late within the evening Niall Farrell and Romans Voitovs both began challenging for the highest honors, before finally at night's end Wenzelburger ended up pushing back out in front.

Bruno Cohen, Yury Gulyy, Aaron Gustavson, Marvin Rettenmaier, Arnaud Mattern, Ana Marquez, Mario Lopez, Ivan Freitez, and Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu were a number of the cashers today. You'll check the prize pool and payouts page to peer where they finished and what kind of they took away.

Besides Wenzelburger, there have been several others who finished strong on Day 2, including Jean Bertrand (1,171,000), Niall Farrell (1,122,000), Mathew Hopkins (1,120,000), Thierry Morel (1,053,000), Alexandre Sette (982,000), Kamel Hamou (963,000), Mauro Tarantini (957,000), Tudor Purice (917,000), Gleb Tremzin (860,000), and Pedro Oliveira (860,000)

Meanwhile a number of the others still within the hunt with a possibility at taking their FPS Monaco Main Event runs deeper include Keith Johnson (319,000), Julien Brecard (289,000), and Andrey Andreev (155,000).

Tomorrow they pick things back up at 12 noon yet again to continue the march toward Sunday's final table and the €218,000 prize awaiting the champion. See you back here then, but for now, bon soir. --MH

FULL DAY 2 COVERAGE:

9:20pm: 60 advance to Day 3Level 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

The bell has tolled on Day 2 of the FPS Monaco Main Event and it looks like 60 players can be back for Day 3 tomorrow. Play starts at noon CEST. Join us then for Day 3 coverage, but look out for a wrap of the day's play appearing above, overnight chip counts, and an afternoon 3 seat draw with the intention to all be available via the @PokerStarsBlog twitter account. --NW

9:08pm: Three more handsLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

Clock? Paused. Hands to play? Three. --MH

9:05pm: Crazy four-way all-in!Level 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

Nothing like a four-way all-in to get the pulses racing.

Oleksandr Vorobii shoved from under-the-gun for 122,000 with 2♦2♥, Xiaoyong Liao then re-raised all-in for approximately 225,000 total with 9♠9♦ and action paused as Jean-Charles Beunas considered his options. Eventually he too moved all-in, he had A♦J♠ after which Pedro Oliveira, who had all of them covered, called as well!

Oliveira had K♠K♥ and was in search of a triple-knockout. The 5♥7♣A♣ flop gave Beunas the lead, the 2♣ turn vaulted Vorobii to front and the J♥ river kept him there.

So Vorobii basically quadrupled as much as 500,000, Oliveira all but broke even at the hand, and Beunas and Liao were eliminated. --NW

8:59pm: Graupner goneLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

It folded around to Thomas Graupner who pushed his last 125,000 or so within the middle over the small blind, and Kidhir Megrous didn't take very long to make the call.

Graupner turned over K♥4♥ and needed improvement to outlive versus the A♠9♥ of Megrous. However the 2♠J♥8♠Q♦7♣ board didn't provide any help and Grauner is out.

Megrous has about 420,000 now, slightly below the typical of just over 500,000 with 63 players left. --MH

8:45pm: Haigh jackedLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

Down to a handful of huge blind Robert Haigh moved all-in with Q♦Q♥ and was up against the J♦J♠ of Kamel Hamou.

The 4♣3♦K♠J♣9♣ board was cruel for Haigh and he exited the tournament. --NW

8:35pm: It's tight on the topLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

There are 67 players remaining at the moment and 7 of these players have over 1,000,000 in chips. They are:

Name Country Status Chips

Philipp Wenzelburger	Germany	PokerStars TV Stars	1,200,000
Niall Farrell	UK	PokerStars player	1,200,000
Romans Voitovs	Latvia	PokerStars qualifier	1,200,000
Mauro Tarantini	Italy		1,065,000
Miguel Silva	Portugal	PokerStars player	1,050,000
Jean Bertrand	France		1,040,000
Pedro Oliveira	Portugal		1,020,000

8:21pm: Last level of the nightLevel 20 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (ante 2,000)

One more hour of poker to go, and the bagging and tagging will commence. --MH

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

20	6,000	12,000	2,000

8:17pm: Farrell and Hamou play 900K potLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

Kamel Hamou limped from under-the-gun and next to behave Toni Zengovski raised it as much as 28,000 total. Action then folded all of the option to Niall Farrell within the big blind. He put the cost of poker as much as 67,000 just for Hamou to transport all-in. Zengovski didn't miss a beat and folded, Farrell though wanted a count. It was 454,000 total and after a few minutes he shrugged and call.

The EPT12 Malta champion showed A♠K♠ and was relieved when Hamou opened A♦K♥. The 7♣4♣7♦8♦9♦ board meant the pot was chopped. --NW

Farrell fairing well

8:13pm: Andreev knocks out RuzicicLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

Andrey Andreev limped in from middle position and Gleb Tremzin limped in addition from the button, then Sloboban Ruzicic reraised all-in for his last 56,000 from the small blind. It folded back to Andreev who called, Tremzin called as well, and people two checked both the flop and switch. Andreev then led with a big gamble at the river, and Tremzin let his hand go.

The completed board showed K♠K♥J♥7♦Q♥, and Andreev swiftly tabled his 6♥5♥ to turn he'd made a flush. Ruzicic showed his beated 4♣4♦ and left to assemble his payout.

Andreev is back up around 695,000 now with 75 players left. --MH

8:05pm: Your starting stack within the type of a single chipLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

The starting stack on this event was 25,000 and that equated to a lot of physical chips when play began. Firstly of this level tournament staff introduced the lime green chips worth T25,000 apiece. Each of these represents the stack of a player who entered this tournament! --NW

7:50pm: Silva shiningLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

All-in and in danger with 7♥7♣, Raphael Montefalcone hoped the small pair would hold against Miguel Silva's A♦J♥. However the T♣K♥A♣ flop quickly swung the advantage Silva's way, and after the K♠ turn and 4♥ river, Montefalcone is out.

Silva is now up around 1.2 million and beginning to challenge Philipp Wenzelburger for the chip lead. --MH

7:34pm: Wenzelburger sizzlingLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

The Philipp Wenzelburger express continues unabated, with the Germany continuing to acquire chips at a rapid rate.

Just now Wenzelburger grabbed a couple of more while reducing the sector by one in a hand versus Mamouni Smain. The latter was all in with a brief stack behind 3♥3♠ and had run into Wenzelburger's 7♦7♥, and after a K♠Q♥A♠6♠9♦ runout Smain was knocked out while Wenzelburger moved as much as about 1.325 million -- the most important stack around with 90 players left. --MH

7:30pm: Purice continues to climbLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

Tudor Purice has had an up and down day. He was as little as 15 big blinds at one point but now has almost 100 big blinds after winning a big pot against Jessica Drissi. At the river the Romanian bet 92,000 right into a pot of around 200,000. Drissi checked out the Q♠J♥9♥2♥8♥ board after which called. Purice showed A♥5♥ for a flush and Drissi mucked.

After that hand Purice has roughly 970,000. --NW

7:19pm: Every decision has a rippling effectLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

Ariel Mantel (121st, €2,040), Marvin Rettenmaier (113th, €2,310), Josh Prager (105th, €2,310), and Aaron Gustavson (100th, €2,310) were a part of the last wave of knockouts in advance of the last break. Don't forget, you'll check who finished where at the constantly updated prize pool and payouts page. --MH

Rettenmaier's run is over

7:10pm: Top 10 stacksLevel 19 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (ante 1,000)

Below are the highest ten stacks at first of level 19. It's Philipp Wenzelburger who leads the way.

Name Country Status Chips

Philipp Wenzelburger	Germany	PokerStars TV Stars	1,247,000
Miguel Silva	Portugal	PokerStars player	1,052,000
Gleb Tremzin	Russia	PokerStars player	830,000
Pedro Oliveira	Portugal		785,000
Mauro Tarantini	Italy		750,000
Olivier Decamps	France		738,000
Tudor Purice	Romania	PokerStars player	730,000
Jessica Drissi	France		720,000
Niall Farrell	UK	PokerStars player	710,000
Bruno Dos Santos Caseiro	Portugal		670,000

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

19	5,000	10,000	1,000

6:55pm: Last break of the day

Reaching the top of Level 18, the remainder 94 players have gone on one last 20-minute break for today. Recall the schedule has changed -- in preference to visit dinner now, they'll get back shortly for 2 more one-hour levels, then call it an afternoon. --MH

Get a seat on the table. Click here to get a PokerStars account.

6:42pm: Every decision has a rippling effectLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)

Ivan Arbatskii opened for 18,000 from the center position, Andrey Andreev called from a few seats over, then Gleb Tremzin made it 51,000 to move from the button. Slobodan Ruzicic called the three-bet from the following seat within the small blind, and it folded back to Arbatskii who shoved all-in for 253,000 total.

Andreev let his hand go, but Tremzin wasn't going anywhere and called the shove. That sent Ruzicic deep into the tank, and after a while he finally emerged to fold his hand. The remainder two players tabled their cards:

Arbatskii: K♦K♣Tremzin: A♥K♥

The flop came 9♣Q♣T♥, and while neither of the players within the hand responded at all, Ruzicic was fit to be tied, standing from his seat together with his hands on hips. The turn was the 8♣ and river the 4♥, and Arbatskii survived with a more-than-double-up.

Before sitting down, Ruzicic leaned over and poked a finger on the nine at the board, and it wasn't hard for the others to infer he'd folded pocket nines.

Gleb Tremzin - 720,000Ivan Arbatskii - 565,000Andrey Andreev - 555,000Sloboban Ruzicic - 345,000

Ruzicic continued to shake his head as he sat back down, although Arbatskii was plenty glad he had chosen to not gamble. --MH

The chips are going back and forth

6:40pm: Right down to the overall 100Level 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)

Just 100 players remain within the FPS Monaco Main Event and there are still two EPT champions among them.

Niall Farrell, who triumphed in Malta this season is chugging along nicely. He's got 765,000 that's well above the common that is 312,000. When put next Aaron Gustavson has work to do as he's got 160,000. -- NW

6:32pm: Mattern, Marquez outLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)

More eliminated to report -- Arnaud Mattern (134th) and Ana Marquez (137th), each of whom earned €2,040.

Marquez out

6:17pm: Gabriel gets gotLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)

Add Niste Mihai Gabriel to the growing list of eliminated players. Gabriel got his small stack in with K♠J♦ versus the 9♣9♦ of Mamouni Smain, a 2♠9♥9♠Q♦5♦ runout giving Smain quads was greater than was had to end Gabriel's run.

They are actually all the way down to 119 players. --MH

6:10pm: What a horrible spotLevel 18 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (ante 1,000)

Laurent Olive just found himself in a ridiculously tough spot and it isn't one you'll be able to ever train for or expect to happen. I'll explain...

From under-the-gun Massimiliano Patroncini moved all-in for 132,000 and Olive flat called from his stack of 360,000. It folded the entire option to Fabio Freitas within the big blind but before the Brazilian could act Patroncini went to show his hand over, thinking that Freitas had folded.

Before he fully exposed his hand Freitas told him to stop, however it was too late as Freitas had seen the cards. The ground was called and it was ruled that Patrocini's hand have to be exposed and the J♠J♥ was turned over.

It have to be noted that Freitas had claimed he'd yet to have a look at his cards at this point. He then took a peak and fairly quickly moved all-in. This was not what Olive desired to hear. He asked for a count and the shove was for 290,000. Olive took a while after which folded the opposite two jacks face-up!

Freitas showed K♥K♣ and the 6♠9♦5♥6♦5♣ board kept him in front. He's as much as 525,000 whilst Olive is all the way down to 230,000. --NW

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

18	4,000	8,000	1,000

5:53pm: Tremzin up over a millionLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

Gleb Tremzin saw both Dany Parlafes and Slobodan Ruzicic go all-in before the flop, and he had a decision.

About Parlafes, Tremzin slightly less concerned, as he was only in for 81,000. Meanwhile Ruzicic had committed nearly a quarter-million, and while Tremzin already had some chips within the middle, he wasn't sure if he desired to put any further at risk.

Finally Tremzin did call, showing A♣J♥, and expressed some relief when he saw Ruzicic turn over A♥J♦. Meanwhile Parlafes had 4♠4♥, and looked as if he was about to triple up after the T♣5♥7♦ flop and 9♠ turn.

But the river brought the 8♠ to provide the larger stacks a straight, and Parlafes was eliminated. Ruzicic sits with about 275,000, while Tremzin now looks to be the primary player in seven figures as he has about 1.07 million. --MH

The Tremzinator

5:40pm: Change of plansLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

There were 10 levels scheduled for today but we've been informed by the tournament director that the verdict have been made to play just eight levels today instead. Play should end around 20.45 CEST. --NW

5:30pm: Stacks of chipsLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

Gleb Tremzin is the present chip leader, the Russian player is closing in on one million.

Name Country Status Chips

Gleb Tremzin	Russia	PokerStars player	940,000
Philipp Wenzelburger	Germany	PokerStars player	900,000
Thomas Popov	Canada	PokerStars player	780,000
Andrey Andreev	Russia		710,000
Niall Farrell	UK	PokerStars player	675,000
Fahd Boudaouine	France		585,000
Maxence Benoulha	France		480,000
Stefano Terziani	Italy	PokerStars qualifier	470,000
Jessica Drissi	France		450,000
Mirco Maisano	France		445,000
Francisco Acevedo	Chile		440,000
Miguel Silva	Portugal	PokerStars player	440,000
Pedro Oliveira	Portugal		430,000
Nicolas Guest	France		408,000
Xiaoyong Liao	China		400,000
Toni Zengovski	Macedonia		395,000
Mathew Hopkins	UK	PokerStars qualifier	380,000
Keith Johnson	UK		370,000
Kidhir Megrous	France		362,000
Alexis Queneau	France	PokerStars qualifier	360,000
Ariel Mantel	Argentina	PokerStars player	345,000
Raphael Montefalcone	France		345,000
Olivier Decamps	France		340,000
Makram Saber	Lebanon		330,000
Tudor Purice	Romania	PokerStars player	330,000
Mirko Radovic	Monténégro		320,000
Ahmed Sahih	France	PokerStars qualifier	312,000
Apostolos Bechrakis	Greece	PokerStars player	306,000
Perego Michele	Italy		301,000
Chebli Chebli	Lebanon	PokerStars qualifier	300,000
Abdulatif Taslim	Finland		290,000
Slobodan Ruzicic	Serbia		290,000
Ut Tam Vo	France		280,000
Ghassan Yared	Lebanon		275,000
Nicolaj D Antoni	Italy		273,000
Bruno Dos Santos Caseiro	Portugal		270,000
Vicente Delgado	Spain	PokerStars qualifier	265,000
Sergey Tikhonov	Russia		263,000
Olivier Aarmougon	France		262,000
Arthur Conan	France		260,000
Aaron Gustavson	USA	PokerStars player	250,000
Ivan Arbatskii	Russia		245,000
Adrian Apmann	Germany	PokerStars player	240,000
Oleksandr Vorobii	Ukraine	PokerStars player	240,000
Olivier Puche	France		232,000
Gaetano Preite	Italy		230,000
Thomas Graupner	Germany		230,000
Nicolas Ferrandes	France		220,000
Benoit Averes	France		210,000
Leonardo Pires	Brazil	PokerStars player	205,000
Thierry Morel	France	PokerStars qualifier	200,000
Yannick Dupont	France		195,000
Mamouni Smain	Canada		190,000
Bertrand Guenoun	France		187,000
Philip Christiernin Rung	Sweden		182,000
Sylvain Mazza	France		180,000
Cyprien Berger	France		170,000
Robert Leszczynski	Norway		170,000
Ivan Freitez	Venezuela	PokerStars player	166,000
Dany Parlafes	Romania		160,000
Fred Weiss	France		160,000
Mady Cherit	France	PokerStars qualifier	160,000
Michel PoMaret	France		160,000
Steven van Zadelhoff	Netherlands	PokerStars qualifier	147,000
Marvin Rettenmaier	Germany	PokerStars player	145,000
Ait Obram Ali	France		141,000
Niste Mihai Gabriel	Romania	PokerStars qualifier	130,000
Arnaud Mattern	France		124,000
Yaxi Zhu	China	Team PokerStars Pro	118,000
Guido Pezzotta	Italy		110,000
Armand Lopez	France	PokerStars qualifier	105,000
Ana Marquez	Spain	PokerStars player	93,700
Gabriel Nassif	France		91,300
Yury Gulyy	Russia	PokerStars qualifier	84,000
Julien Brécard	France	PokerStars TV Stars	81,000
Ana Marquez	Spain	PokerStars player	70,000

What everyone wants

5:16pm: Benoulha bounces CamhiLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

Eric Camhi was all-in with a brief stack with K♠Q♠, and the stack was short enough that Maxence Benoulha couldn't bow out of the hand together with his 7♦4♦.

The flop came 2♦A♠7♣ to hit Benhoula's seven, and after the 5♦ turn and 3♣ river Camhi was done for a small cash. Benoulha now's moving up the leaderboard, having chipped as much as 525,000. --MH

5:14pm: More fallLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

Ricardo Chauriye (149th), Vicente Delgado (155th), and Luca Moschitta (159th) were also some of the latest knockouts, with each of them earning €1,770. --MH

5:07pm: Pires bustsLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

At the beginning of Day 2, Leonardo Pires was the whole chip leader with 339 players left. After two hours of play, he'd greater than doubled his stack to 715,000 to steer by a fair wider margin over the 255 or so players still remaining.

A little over two hours more, and Pires is out in 160th for a 1,770 min-cash, ending his FPS Monaco roller coaster here before the dinner break. --MH

An earlier shot of Pires, when the pots were all going his way

4:59pm: Min-cashersLevel 17 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (ante 1,000)

Among the primary taking trips to the cashier, Kasra Pour Khomamy (178th), Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu (171st), Ivan Freitez (168th), and Mario Lopez (166th) all collected 1,770 for his or her efforts.

To keep tabs on who's finishing where, check the constantly updated prize pool and payouts page. --MH

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

17	3,000	6,000	1,000

4:37pm: Break it up

The next 20-minute break has arrived, giving the remainder 163 players a possibility to catch their breath after the joy of the bubble's bursting. --MH

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4:31pm: Andreev at the ascentLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

End-of-Day-1A leader Andrey Andreev is now sitting behind a powerful stack of chips after picking up a pleasing post-bubble pot versus Guido Pezzotta.

With about 230,000 within the middle and the board showing A♦5♣8♣7♦, an all-in shove by Andreev just couldn't be called by Pezzotta, and now Andreev has about 780,000 because the next break nears. --MH

More for Andreev

4:25pm: All-in crazy!Level 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

Since the bubble burst this joint has gone mental! There's smoke coming off the felt such is the velocity that chips are being moved around.

I saw five all-ins in exactly a few minutes, here is what happened:

1. Cederic Ramqaj moved all-in for his final 30,000 with 9♠8♠ and he found a decision from Ariel Mantel who held A♣T♠. The A♠6♣J♥K♠ gave Ramqaj hope however the river was the 5♦ meaning Ramqaj was eliminated and Mantel climbed to 240,000.

2. Julien Brécard had just 18,000 they usually went in with 6♥6♦, Vicente Delgado had already opened and he called the additional off with 8♥7♥. A 6♣J♠K♥9♣J♦ board gave Brécard a fright but he survived. Delgado is now right down to 260,000.

3. Christos Stefanidis was in peril for his final 53,000 holding A♦7♠ and within the deep stuff against Vincent Antoine Cavailles, who held pocket tens. The 4♥3♦7♥ flop gave Stefanidis hope, the 4♣ turn was a blank, however the A♥ river saw the Greek player survive.

4. Action folded to Stefano Terziani within the small blind, he looked to his left and eyed up Steven Baldolli's stack. It totaled around 77,000 and Terziani elected to transport all-in, a raffle Baldolli snap called.

Terziani showed 8♥7♥ and feature live cards against Baldolli's A♠K♦. That proved crucial because the 3♥8♣J♥4♦6♠ board favoured the suited connectors and eliminated Baldolli.

5. Vincent Antoine Cavailles got one of the most chips he'd lost back as his A♣Q♦ held against Jimmy Guerrero's Q♥9♦. Guerrero was all-in for his last 55,000 and sent on his option to the payout desk. --NW

4:11pm: Yangzi bubblesLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

After Morgan Aceto survived a river shove all-in with trip aces -- doubling up after he was called by Mario Melis -- it was confirmed that 184 players were left, eight each at 23 tables.

On the primary hand of hand-for-hand play, Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu saw an opponent raise to 12,000, then while at the button with just 15,000 looked down at what was a playable hand. She grimaced a little, then the table chuckled once they heard "all in and speak to" coming from a neighboring table.

Zhu wondering what to do

Finally, Zhu let her hand go, and in any case of the opposite tables finished their hands everyone congregated across the table featuring the all-in.

Suspense!

Yangzi Wang of China was the only in danger. She stood and waiting after having put her last 49,000 in from middle position, with Mauro Tarantini having called her from the large blind. Finally the cards were revealed:

Tarantini: 9♣9♠Wang: K♣Q♣

The dealer dealt the primary three community cards, and a king appeared within the window to offer Wang. But if the flop was spread it showed a villanous nine underneath (from Wang's point of view), the board showing 9♦6♣K♦.

The A♣ then fell at the turn, giving hope to Wang that she might make a backdoor flush to overcome Tarantini's set. However the river was the 4♥, and with a round of applause the bubble were burst.

Yingzi Wang, 184th place

They're halfway through Level 16. Let's have a look at what number of visit the moneyier's desk before the break happens in half an hour. --MH

4:06pm: Bad time for kings for BonavenaLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

With 185 players left -- just two from the cash -- Salvatore Bonavena just found himself in somewhat a nightmarish situation.

A blind-versus-blind hand between Bonavena and Ivan Arbatskii led to the previous being all in with a below average stack with K♥K♦ only to peer Arbatskii table A♣A♥. The board ran out J♦5♣9♥4♠Q♦, and Bonavena exits shy of the cash.

There may be a short lived pause because the tables are balanced to make sure just 184 are left. Stay tuned. --MH

4:05pm: Pires gets poorerLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

Leonardo Pires was as much as 600,000 at one point, he's now all the way down to 205,000. That looks like a small stack but it's still above average. Thomas Popov, who's sat to his right is as much as 450,000. The 2 could also be connected. --NW

3:55pm: Miracle for MaisanoLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

Oh. My. God.

Mirco Maisano just hit a miracle!

I only saw the denouement of the hand but on a 5♠3♥Q♥6♠6♥ Maisano had got his last 163,000 in at the river and Patrick Schuhl had matched it. Maisano had 6♣6♦ in front of him for quads, whilst Schuhl had pocket queens for a flopped set that was a whole house that lost to quads!

He had his hands on his head and well he might, he's right down to 59,000 whilst Maisano is as much as 410,000. --NW

3:45pm: Deadman done for ahead of the bubbleLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

We're just two spots off the bubble now and Simon Deadman is a type of who've just missed out on a cash.

In his exit hand Ariel Mantel raised to 10,000, Tudor Purice three-bet to 32,500 from the small blind and Deadman then moved all-in for 44,500 from the massive blind. Mantel smooth called and Purice then wanted confirmation from the ground that he couldn't raise.

The floor was called and Purice was informed he could only call, which he did. The flop fell 2♥2♣3♥ and Purice moved all-in, whilst Mantel folded. Deadman showed pocket fives and he was sooner than Purice's A♣Q♥.

The Q♣ turn gave Purice the lead though and Deadman didn't hit the 9♦ river.

Other players just missing out on a cash include Slaven Popov and Daniel Smith. --NW

3:38pm: Tough spot for ZhuLevel 16 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (ante 500)

Just 190 players remain -- seven from the money -- and Team PokerStars Pro Yaxi Zhu finds herself in a tough spot.

Just now she lost a preflop all-in versus Lionel Clerc during which her T♥9♥ couldn't catch as much as his A♠K♣. Zhu got as much as leave, thinking the 85,000 or so she'd pushed forward was completely lost, but because it happened she had Clerc outchipped by somewhat and so she has kept her seat.

But with lower than 10,000 -- and the extent having just changed -- she doesn't have two big blinds left in her stack. We'll see if she will hang on and make the money. --MH

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

16	2,500	5,000	500

3:26pm: Pires tripped upLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

Leader Leonardo Pires just dropped a couple of chips in a large multi-way pot. We saw him fire a big gamble of 100,000 -- roughly the dimensions of the pot -- to force a few folds but one player called.

The board showed T♦K♣7♥2♥A♥ and Pires turned over J♥8♦, appearing a little bit dismayed as he did. That was no match for the set of deuces held by the winner, and now Pires is all the way down to about 465,000. --MH

3:17pm: Big stacksLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

The bubble is fast approaching as 192 players remain and 183 receives a commission. For the players below though the bubble should hold no fear as they're the massive stacks.

Name Country Status Chips

Leonardo Pires	Brazil	PokerStars player	660,000
Andrey Andreev	Russia		477,000
Xiaoyong Liao	China		460,000
Ahmed Sahih	France	PokerStars qualifier	448,000
Niall Farrell	UK	PokerStars player	385,000
Aaron Gustavson	USA	PokerStars player	365,000

3:07pm: Boeree bounced, Dattani down, Urbanovich undoneLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

The field is shrinking down just about just 200 players left, with a couple of more notables a few of the recent exits.

Ami Barer, Alessandro De Iaco, Joao Vieira, and Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree have seen their FPS Monaco Main Event runs end shy of the cash. So, too, has Michel Dattani lost the last of his stack.

And after continuing a brief stack this afternoon, Dzmitry Urbanovich was finally felted besides. --MH

Urbanovich out

2:55pm: More exitsLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

Numbers continue to dwindle on this event with Joseph Carlino, Andrei Konopelko, Matias Ruzzi, Dietrich Fast, and Govert Meetal a number of the latest batch of departures. --NW

Joseph Carlino's last hand

2:51pm: Patricio picked offLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

LAPT6 Peru Main Event champion sat quietly, his last 75,000 or so pushed out before him. He was waiting to look if Gerard Sanches was going to name or fold. He hoped for the latter, as we'd come to seek out out, precisely because Sanches would select differently.

Upon hearing the call, Rojas showed his J♥T♥, and Sanches turned over 9♦9♣ to say the pot and knock out the Chilean. Sanches has about 225,000 now. --MH

2:45pm: Much needed double for Cederic RamqajLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

Tudor Purice opened to 9,500 from early position and Cederic Ramqaj then shoved for 26,000 with Q♥Q♠. Purice made a rapid call with A♦8♣ however the pair hung on the K♣5♦8♦6♠Q♦ board. --NW

2:40pm: Jaka shot downLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

A big thanks to Faraz Jaka for filling us in on his exit hand as he was leaving the tournament room.

He told us that he got dealt pocket jacks under-the-gun+3 and flat called from a stack of 80,000 after the under-the-gun player had opened to 12,000 with A♥6♥. Another player then moved all-in for 32,000 with king-queen, the under-the-gun player re-raised all-in and Jaka snap called.

Although the covering player turned a flush draw it was looking good for Jaka until he was Barry Greensteined by an ace at the river. --NW

2:29pm: From around the globe to MonacoLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (ante 500)

We have pie! The ever popular nationalities pie chart, that is, giving us some insight on where all 1,261 of those FPS Monaco Main Event players came from to get here.

Unsurprisingly, France was accountable for essentially the most entrants, the 550 players representing just over 43% of the sphere. Italy was next in step with about 9.3%, with the UK, Russia, and Germany next at the list.

A total of 71 countries sent players. Here's that pie for more (click to embiggen). --MH

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

15	2,000	4,000	500

2:07pm: Break time

With lower than 260 players left -- still about 80 off the cash -- the primary 20-minute break of the day has arrived. --MH

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2:02pm: Pires keeps collectingLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)

Leonardo Pires just capped off his first two hours of play today having greater than doubled his chip-leading stack already. Near the top of Level 14 he picked up another 100,000-plus in a hand of Kasra Pour Khomamy who entered today with a top 10 stack.

The hand started with Pires raising to 11,100 from middle position, and only Khomamy called from the small blind. The flop came 6♥7♠4♣, Khomany checked, Pires bet 15,000, and Khomamy called. The turn was the 5♣, and Khomamy again check-called a chance from Pires, this time for 20,000.

Pires checked his cards another time because the 2♥ completed the board. Khomamy checked a 3rd time, and after acting quickly inside the hand Pires paused a couple of half-minute, then slid forward a stack containing 67,300. Khomamy stacked up calling chips, considered it for one more beat or two, the called.

Pires tabled A♥8♥ for a turned straight, and Khomamy mucked.

The Brazilian is up around 715,000 now going to break, greater than 300,000 away from his nearest challenger at this time. --MH

1:58pm: OutLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)

We're all the way down to just 261 players after the outlet two levels with Pablo Gordillo, Ben Heath, Georgios Sotiropoulos, Alex Difelice and Rasmus Agerskov a few of the big names who've crashed out. --NW

1:55pm: Counts!Level 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)

The overnight chip leader shows no signs of losing it. Leonardo Pires is as much as 605,000 and still holds the chip lead.

Leonardo Pires - 605,000Andrey Andreev - 490,000Aaron Gustavson - 395,000Ariel Mantel - 295,000Vicente Delgado - 285,000Niall Farrell - 238,000Andrei Boghean - 235,000Keith Johnson - 190,000Ivan Freitez - 166,000Dany Parlafes - 160,000Steven van Zadelhoff - 147,000Simon Deadman - 140,000Yaxi Zhu - 118,000Salvatore Bonavena - 103,000Liv Boeree - 98,000Marvin Rettenmaier - 84,000Arnaud Mattern - 77,000Julien Brécard - 70,000Tudor Purice - 63,000Faraz Jaka - 62,000Dmitry Urbanovich - 55,000

1:45pm: Deadman's turn to doubleLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)

It's raining double ups!

The cards were already on their backs by the point I reached table 17 to look Simon Deadman & Weiyi Zhang all-in and at risk, with Tudor Purice on the lookout for the double knockout.

Deadman: A♦Q♠Zhang: Q♣T♣Purice: K♣J♠

A 2♦6♠8♥5♥Q♥ board meant Zhang, who was the shortest of the three, was eliminated and Deadman, who was all-in for 68,900, greater than doubled to around 150,000. After that hit Purice drops to 63,000. --NW

1:26pm: Dzmitry dzoublesLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)

Roger Mouries opened for 6,500 from early position and once you have a choice from his neighbor to the left watched the table fold around to Dzmitry Urbanovich at the button. Urbanovich swiftly set out his remaining short stack before him as an all-in reraise for roughly 26,000. The blinds got out, Mouries reraised excessive for roughly twice what Urbanovich had, and the remainder player folded.

Mouries had 9♠9♣, but that meant Urbanovich was in better shape with T♥T♠. A 10 at the turn then sealed things for the Polish pro, shooting him back as much as around 55,000. --MH

1:10pm: Big double for AcetoLevel 14 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (ante 400)

Nicolas Guest requested a count. He was in a precarious position and had to know exactly where he stood. He'd bet 31,000 at the turn of a 2♠7♠T♦4♦ board and Morgan Aceto had then shoved all-in.

There was already roughly 35,000 within the pot and also you could now add 84,200 to that figure as that was the scale of Aceto's shove. Numbers crunched Guest made the decision and showed 9♠8♠ for the combination draw.

He'd wish to hit as Aceto had K♠K♦, however the 2♥ was a brick and Aceto held to double to over 200,000, whilst Guest is all the way down to 64,000. --NW

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

14	1,500	3,000	400

1:06pm: Kings serve BrecardLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Julien Brecard was at present all-in and in peril for his last 35,000 or so, but in an excellent spot, relatively speaking, holding K♣K♦ versus Quentin Lecomte's A♠K♥. The board came clean for Brecard -- 4♠9♥8♦7♣2♥ -- and he's back up around 70,000 while Lecomte is suddenly right down to not up to 10,000. --MH

1pm: Tough crowdLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

There are a couple of candidates for 'table of death' in this day and age. Table 17 is actually up there as Tudor Purice, Simon Deadman, Marvin Rettenmaier and Ariel Mantel are all scrapping it out for chips there. -- NW

12:56pm: Andreev takes his seatLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Day 1A chip leader Andrey Andreev was late arriving today, which meant those two tickets he won for Saturday's football match (a prize for his Day 1A accomplishment) needed to wait together with his stack.

Chips and tix

But Andreev did finally get here, and after pocketing his tickets has now gotten to work seeking to build his big stack even further. --MH

12:51pm: Loeser leaves, Metalidi moves onLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

More than 25 players have already lost their stacks within the first half-hour of play, with Manig Loeser and Artem Metalidi a number of the latest wave sent railward. --MH

12:45pm: Malinowski outLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Viktor Malinowski just got the last of his stack in behind K♦J♦ but unfortunately for him had run into the K♣K♥ of Laurent Olive. The board ran out 2♦5♦2♠T♠5♥, and Malinowski hit the rail. Olive meanwhile is now up around 120,000. --MH

12:40pm: Vieira takes a hitLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Joao Vieira has seen his stack cut in half after losing a flip to Jeremie Maxime Beneteau.

Kevin Fallourd opened to 5,100 from under-the-gun and Vieira called from early position. The action folded to Beneteau - who was the massive blind - and he shoved for 27,800 total. Fallourd folded but Vieira made the call.

Beneteau: K♣J♦Vieira: T♠T♥

The 9♥J♥3♠A♥4♦ board favoured the overcards and dropped Vieira to about 30,000. --NW

12:25pm: Gustavson takes out MetalidiLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Artem Metalidi was all-in for his last 27,000 with 5♣5♦ and Aaron Gustavson had him in serious trouble with T♠T♣. The board ran Q♣2♠K♦2♦4♣ and Metalidi departed.

Gustavson now has over 180,000 consequently. --NW

12:21pm: Early bustoutsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Among the primary to fall here on Day 2 were Cedric Louard, Vladyslav But, Sebastien Boyard, Jeremie Maxime Beneteau, Vasily Kurdin, Stephane Gamet, and Jaroslaw Sikora. --MH

12:14pm: Prize pool and payoutsLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

With 1,261 total entrants on this event, the entire prize pool is an important €1,223,170. The highest 183 finishers may be splitting those riches, with a min-cash being €1,770 and the primary prize €218,000.

Here are the prizes awaiting those making the general table:

1st: €218,0002nd: €127,9003rd: €89,9004th: €67,1005th: €51,7806th: €38,5007th: €29,3508th: €20,900

For a whole list of payouts, click here. --MH

12:11pm: A sunny startLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (ante 300)

Day 2 has begun with 339 players remaining, all still vying to make it to 1 of the highest 183 spots and the cash of this event. In other words, everyone still has a comparatively sunny disposition because the first hands of the day are being dealt.

Such is appropriate, because tournament organizers have opened the roof at the main tournament room here on the Sporting Club, revealing a wonderful blue sky overhead. They'll keep it open for the primary couple of minutes, then close it as much as make for a more familiar setting for poker because the sun sets (with the intention to speak) at the day's first bustouts.

Look at the bright side... everyone still has a chance

Just before play began, Day 1A chip leader Andrey Andreev and Day 1B leader Leonardo Pires were each awarded a couple of tickets to tomorrow's football match between French Ligue 1 sides AS Monaco and EA Guingamp. Actually only Pires picked up his tickets, as Andreev has yet to reach today.

Whoever happens to have the highest spot on the end of Day 2 will even win the similar prize, although given how that person could be playing poker on Saturday night, the tickets could be going to a chum. --MH

12:09pm: Chip count pageLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

With such a lot of players within the field it's impossible to maintain track of everyone but we'll be updating the chip counts of as many players as possible. You can see that information at the selected chip counts page so one can include the large stacks, names and notables because the day progresses.

12:07pm: Let's beginLevel 13 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Day 2 action has started. --NW

EPT Tournament Director Thomas Lamatsch begins the day

  LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

13	1,200	2,400	300

11:45am: Time to bust a move but not bust in Monaco

On among the regional tours that PokerStars operate world wide the blogging fraternity seek advice from Day 2 as 'moving day'.

It's the day when tournament winning stacks are built and the money starts to be dished out. Whilst 339 players return today we think only around 10% of that field will still have chips to bag come the tip of the day. The common stack will rocket to around 850,000 and Leonardo Pires's start of Day 2 chip leading stack of 339,400 will appear to be chump change 10 levels from now. This isn't an afternoon to keep up and stand still, it is a day to move.

The key start of day info may also be accessed below. Cards are within the air at noon CEST.

Start of Day 2 seat drawStart of Day 2 chip counts

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at FPS Monaco: Martin Harris and Nick Wright. Photos by Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

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

Full Tilt, one of the popular Internet poker operators, is being sued in California for supposedly using software bots disguised as players to win hands at the site, and for accusing legitimate players of operating as bots themselves.

An internet poker player has filed a lawsuit against operator Full Tilt, wherein the corporate is accused of being controlled from inside the US and using software to regulate hand results. Lary Kennedy, a whole Tilt patron, filed in L. a. County Superior Court against the corporate and pro players Howard Lederer, Phil Ivey, and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson.

Since the scandals at Absolute Poker and supreme Bet, online gambling customers was worried about software manipulation of Internet games. Kennedy alleges that bots are playing hands at Full Tilt with the information and participation of the poker site.

Kennedy also says that Full Tilt has used a zero-tolerance policy instituted after the cheating scandals on the other poker rooms to accuse legitimate players of being bots, and seizing their money. Kennedy says this happened both to her and other players.

The pros are included within the suit because they're named at the site as having contributed to Full Tilt's design, and Kennedy says they're the controlling force behind the preferred online poker room.

Full Tilt has asserted that it's regulated by the Kahanwake Gaming Commission, on Indian land in Canada.

Published on October 3, 2009 by MattMiller

Read More... [Source: Poker News]

Legislation authored by Barney Frank proposing the licensing and regulation of online casinos will arise for committee discussion next week, after an extended wait.

Barney Frank's legislation proposing a delay in UIGEA implementation and a system of regulation and taxation for online casinos will finally be brought before the home Financial Services Committee. In its announcement of its upcoming calendar, the committee said Thursday, December 3rd, would be the time to talk about Frank's plan to permit controlled online gambling within the US.

The committee will review both House Resolution 2266, by which Frank suggests postponing UIGEA implementation until the tip of 2010, and H.R. 2267, through which Frank lays out a plan to license and tax Internet casinos and online gambling.

The date comes two days after a scheduled beginning of required compliance to the UIGEA, a date reportedly postponed today for one more six months. Letters from twenty-five Congressmen of both parties had asked Treasury boss Tim Geithner to postpone the problematic Internet gambling payment ban.

One of the explanations given Geithner to further delay the UIGEA was the approaching legislative review of the law, which was attached on the last minute to a port security act, and not was debated nor discussed by lawmakers. Now, that review will happen next week.

Frank were looking to get the bills in front of the committee, which he chairs, since last spring, but coping with the recession has kept the committee too busy to listen to discussion on online casinos. Deadlines set by Frank at Easter after which July 4th came and went, and only now will formal public conversation be held concerning online gambling.

Published on November 25, 2009 by TomWeston

Read More... [Source: UIGEA News]

Chance Kornuth: Continues a spectacular run

There are a few how one can end a poker tournament, over and above the standard approach of 1 player winning all of the chips. Late this evening on the PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino EPT Grand Final, the €10,000 single re-entry high roller found a kind of alternative ways.

With three players left--Chance Kornuth, Philipp Gruissem and Sergey Lebedev--they decided to have a look at the numbers and broker a deal. We do not know specifically how the conversation went, but if they emerged from the conclave, that they had a perfect idea: Let's just end it now, split the prize money in keeping with Independent Chip Model (ICM) calculations and hand the trophy to Kornuth, who had about twice the selection of chips as either of the opposite two.

It wasn't all that dramatic, lacking the cuff-chewing anticipation of a slowly peeled flop, turn and river. Nevertheless it was certainly quick. Kornuth is the official champion, taking €351,108 and the primary big trophy of this EPT Grand Final festival.

"This is great," Kornuth, who beat a field of 164 players to the title, said. "I got my first a type of beautiful trophies, so I'm pretty excited. It's only a dream year."

Kornuth have been on a remarkable run of late, winning a high roller event in Australia, finishing runner up in Dublin, and before that reaching the general table of the high roller on the PCA a year after finishing third ordinarily event. This pay-check nestles in amongst those and makes him one of the most standout performers in world poker in 2016. There have been also 50 re-entries, swelling the prize pool some more.

Kornuth added: "Almost each stop have been somewhat like this and poker doesn't get any better when times are like how they're now. It's pretty spectacular."

Chance Kornuth celebrates together with his wife, Emily

To get to the title, Kornuth needed to beat a stacked field, including every other players in red-hot form. Gruissem, the official runner up taking €292,750, is a beast in events with this type of buy-in; Anthony Zinno also made the overall table, translating his sensational U.S.-based form to Monaco; and Fedor Holz, who finished fourth, can not seem to put a foot wrong.

Actually, in the case of Holz, he did finally end up having to serve a one-round penalty on this one after Gruissem flopped a flush to raised his pocket pair of kings. But it surely didn't actually hurt Holz a great deal in any respect. He ended up doubling up in that hand--the true touch of a poker Midas. Have a look at the 5:20pm update within the live coverage post to look how that one went down.

Philipp Gruissem and Fedor Holz, in quiet times

Holz thought he was out and showed his displeasure

But back to the start of this present day: They resumed this afternoon with 23 players still involved, which represented some distance to head by anyone's standards. But with with regards to half one million euros up for grabs, it made sense to settle in for the long haul.

The pace of eliminations fluctuated wildly within the early passage of play: Ozgur Arda, Diego Ventura, Dan Shak, Ognyan Dimov, Alexandru Papazian and Alexandre Rivero were out before anybody could even blink. But there then came a protracted slowdown before Adrian Mateos and Imad Derwiche went out simultaneously to chop the sphere to its final two tables.

The quality of the rest field was still exceptionally high, but Jean-Noel Thorel, Isaac Haxton and Sam Panzica, who won a €10,000 high roller in Dublin earlier this year, were sacrificed in a bid to get to the last nine.

Jean-Noel Thorel: Dream another day

Then Tom Hall couldn't beat Kornuth and saw his tournament go up in smoke, which took them to the last table. But only after Christian Christner perished at Kornuth's hands did we reach a last table at which only eight chairs are ever positioned.

Got that? Well, here is what happened within the actual final.

Dmitry Yurasov was last night's leader, but he found the going tough with Mateos sitting on his left for far of the early stages. However after the reigning Grand Final champion was sent packing by Pavel Plesuv, Yurasev got most of his chips back...only to lose them to Holz shortly after final-table play began.

Yurasov flopped top pair along with his K♠Q♠, and watched it improve to trips with the Q♥ turn and a flush with the 5♠ river. But if the last of the chips went in, Yurasov was in trouble. Holz had A♠J♠ for the larger flush. Yurasov took €54,180 for eighth.

Felipe Ramos was the following to leave. He have been grinding a below average stack for many of the past two days, but always looked as if it would get it in on the right time to secure a double up when things got desperate.

Andre Akkari drops by to test on fellow Brazilian Felipe Ramos

Eventually, however, he lost a 60-40 to Gruissem, followed by losing a flip for the rest of his stack to the similar player and needed to accept seventh. "I'VE no complaints," he said. "2016 have been great for me." He took €74,100.

The final six headed to dinner, with Holz and Kornuth ahead. At that point, two of the tournament's biggest names--Gruissem and Zinno--were the shortest stacks, but they experienced divergent fortunes within the postprandial action.

Gruissem went on an upward charge, taking significant pots from Murad Akhundov (himself a former chip-leader) after which Holz. But Zinno didn't get anything going and was next to perish when his A♣T♥ couldn't beat Sergey Lebedev's pocket sixes.

Zinno was on a fantastic run, just about ever since he burst directly to the scene with a flurry of large scores at the WPT. He's been an ordinary in Europe for the past year and this €101,500 represents his biggest cash in this side of the Atlantic.

Anthony Zinno seals six figures in Europe for the primary time

Akhundov was likely happy to peer Zinno bust, mainly because he had a micro-stack himself. He got it in at the very next hand, with Q♥4♥, but was knocked out by Kornuth's T♣8♣ when Kornuth rivered a straight.

That left them with four, and the small matter of Holz. The person referred to as CrownUpGuy is rapidly becoming the player almost everyone names once they discuss the most efficient of the brand new crop in world poker. When you think about one of the competition, you realise what an accolade that is.

The former WCOOP Main Event champion has already racked up greater than $7.6 million in live cashes to check his online talent and was again irresistible on this tournament. It's why the incident with Gruissem, which cost him a round of action, seemed so out of character.

But he got himself together again and built up a stack to challenge, before he bumped into Kornuth. On an extremely fascinating hand -- take a look at the 10pm update -- Holz called all-in on a double paired board with a queen. But Kornuth, within the big blind, had made an entire house and Holz was sent home in fourth.

Kornuth consoles Fedor Holz after knocking him out

This tournament may need gone on rather a lot longer. Kornuth had 5,625,000, Gruissem had 2,830,000 and Lebedev 2,605,000, with blinds at 30,000-60,000, after they checked out the numbers. Or even though Lebedev may be not besides referred to as the opposite two, it is a measure of ways highly they regard him that Gruissem nor Kornuth desired to play on.

Sergey Lebedev: Third for just about €300,000

Lebedev officially took €291,162 for his third place after that remarkably swift solution to finish things three handed. "Everyone that I USED TO BE up against on the end was just incredibly good," Kornuth said. "Just fantastic people generally and fantastic card players. It was really fun."

That was a superb option to kick off this festival. And with Day 2 of the super high roller getting under way tomorrow, perhaps with all of Kornuth, Gruissem, Holz and Zinno involved, things are just just warming up.

EPT Grand Final single re-entry high rollerDates: April 26-28, 2016Buy in: €10,300Players: 214 (164 unique players plus 50 re-entries)Prize pool: €2,075,800

1 - Chance Kornuth (U.S.A.) €351,1082 - Philip Gruissem (Germany) €299,1623 - Sergey Lebedev (Russia) €292,7504 - Fedor Holz (Germany) €169,0005 - Murad Akhundov (Azerbaijan) €133,6806 - Anthony Zinno (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA) €101,5007 - Filipe Ramos (Brazil) €74,1008 - Dmitry Yurasov (Russia) €54,180

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