5:55pm: Pokerstars Qualifier Rodrigo Espinosa wins the PokerStars Marbella Festival Main Event and €136,000Rodrigo Espinosa became the second one champion of this amazing joint festival hosted by UKIPT and ESPT tours. Last year, Ludovic Geilich took the title home to the united kingdom but this year the title will stay on Spanish soil.
Rodrigo Espinosa within the champion!Congratulations to all of the final table players, especially your champion Rodrigo Espinosa!
A full wrap of the day's play can be up on your reading pleasure shortly. -- MC
5:50pm: Christian Bauer eliminated in 2nd place (€82,900)Heads up play lasted five hands before Christian Bauer was eliminated in second place.
Rodrigo Espinosa raised to 225,000 from the button and Bauer defended his big unaware of see a 9♠K♠6♥ flop appear.
Espinosa continued for 255,000 and was check-raised to 825,000 by Bauer. The German was playing 2,450,000 and was asked a matter for it all as Espinosa shoved. Call!
Bauer: K♣3♣ for high pair.Espinosa: 9♥7♠ for second pair.
The board ran out 7♣2♦ to look Espinosa suck out and make two pair, good for all 15 millions chips in play.
Bauer played a very great game where he never appeared to be in trouble, the deck just wouldn't work with him on the end. -- MC
Bauer defeated after quick heads up battle5:40pm: First two pots to EspinosaRodrigo Espinosa moved as much as 12.3 million chips after he won the primary two pots of heads up play.
The first pot was won with a pre flop three-bet however the second made it to the turn. Espinosa raised to 250,000 and Christian Bauer peeled to a J♥K♠6♣ flop where he check-called 325,000. Call. The turn was the K♦ and the Spaniard fired 550,000. Bauer folded. -- MC
5:30pm: Heads up play commencesTournament director Toby Stone announced the 2 heads up players to the room and cards are back within the air. Spain versus Germany, with home advantage for Rodrigo Espinosa. -- MC
Heads up play gets under way5:20pm: Break before heads upThe two remaining players are on a brief break before heads up play commences. Here's how the 2 players stand:
Rodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 11,525,000 (115 bbs)Christian Bauer, Germany, 3,360,000 (33 bbs)-- MC
5:15pm: Katja Svendsen eliminated in 3rd place (€58,700)Katja Svendsen's run has come to an end after she gambled on a flush draw and missed.
She was sat within the big blind with 6♦8♦ and called a raise from Rodrigo Espinosa at the button with K♦K♥. The flop fell 9♦T♠3♦ and Espinosa continued for 250,000 before the Norwegian check-raised to 500,000.
Espinosa came back with a three-bet to 1,000,000 after which announced all in a second after Svendsen said raise. She hadn't announced how much she was going to lift though and the ground was called. Toby Stone ruled that Svendsen needed to raise but only minimum if she wanted. That is what she did and Espinosa still shoved and Svendsen called all in for 4,860,000.
The board ran out J♥J♣ and the UKIPT/ESPT watch for a feminine champion will continue. -- MC
Katja Svendsen - 3rd place5:05pm: Espinosa continues to leak chipsKatja Svendsen just made a pleasant play and got Rodrigo Espinosa to fold the most efficient hand. Pre-flop she raised to 225,000 from the small blind with 9♥7♥ after which called when Espinosa three-bet to 525,000 with Q♦J♥. The flop fell A♠Q♠4♣ Svendsen elected to steer and her bet of 625,000 was enough to make Espinosa fold the most productive hand. -- NW
5pm: Svendsen reassertion continuesKatja Svendsen moved as much as 3.8million after an extraordinary three-way raised pot.
Rodrigo Espinosa raised with K♦J♠ and Christian Bauer (7♥7♣) and Svendsen (Q♦6♠) both called to a 2♠Q♠5♥ flop from the blinds.
Espinosa continued for 320,000 and was called by the German before Svendsen check-raised to 800,000. Both opponents folded and he or she scooped. -- MC
4:55pm: Bauer barrelsRodrigo Espinosa has proved himself to be a sticky player and it took a few barrels from Christian Bauer to get the Spaniard off a one pair hand. Bauer opened the button to 200,000 with J♠3♠ and Espinosa defended from the large blind with K♦5♠.
The 8♠5♥2♦ flop connected only with Espinosa, nonetheless Bauer bet 225,000 and Espinosa smooth called. The A♣ fell at the turn, after Espinosa checked Bauer decided to continue to sell the tale that he had it and bet 425,000. Espinosa obviously believed him as he elected to fold his hand, Bauer is as much as 4,300,000 because of this. Could we be seeing a shift in momentum at this final table?
4:50pm: Ups and downs for SvendsenThere's a trend devolving today with Katja Svendsen. She's lost ground a couple of times today before reasserting herself.
She lost a pot to Christian Bauer after she three-bet him pre flop and won one the very next hand versus Javier Espinosa.
She completed from the small blind and called after the Spaniard raised to 300,000 from the massive blind. The flop fanned Q♣7♠8♠ and she or he checked to stand a 360,000 c-bet that she check-raised to 720,000.
Her K♣7♣ was prior to his 9♣3♦ and he correctly folded. Her stack rose to twenty-eight. million. -- MC
LEVEL UP: BLINDS 50,000-100,000, ante 10,000
4:35pm: Chips still being passed aroundThere's been little change within the chip stacks within the last 30 minutes, but Katja Svendsen and Christian Bauer have traded places because the German is now in second place.
Rodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 8,295,000Christian Bauer, Germany, 3,455,000Katja Svendsen, Norway, PokerStars Qualifier, 3,155,000
4:30pm: Chips being passed aroundThe players are staying aggressive and we're seeing some three-bets and bluffs, just no hands are matching as much as create any big pots. Watch this space though as action is sure to be across the corner. -- MC
4:17pm: Chip countsRodrigo Espinosa continues to be within the lead and he now has 54,5% of the chips in play.
Rodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 8,175,000Katja Svendsen, Norway, PokerStars Qualifier, 3,415,000Christian Bauer, Germany, 3,295,000
4:15pm: Final table poker faceRoll up, roll up for a game of ultimate table poker face. We particular like Jake Cody's little nod. It's as though he's saying, "I know, another final table!".
4:10pm: Svendsen four-bets to a winKatja Svendsen stopped the small slide she was experiencing by four-betting her technique to victory against Rodrigo Espinosa.
She was within the small blind with A♦T♣ and min raised to 160,000. Espinosa was within the big blind and three-bet to 360,000 with A♠4♠. The Norwegian wasn't going to be pushed around though and compelled a fold from the Spaniard by four-betting to 800,000. That got her back as much as 3.1 million. -- MC
3:55pm: Javier Elorza eliminated in fourth place (€44,450)And identical to that we're right down to three...During this final table Christian Bauer has shoved on Javier Elorza a couple of times when it had folded to him within the small blind. On one occasion Elorza folded a weak king when Bauer had Q♦8♦.
When Bauer did it again Elorza decided to name all-in for 760,000 with K♣7♥ but picked the incorrect time to make a stand as Bauer held A♦K♦. The board ran 8♣8♠Q♥3♠4♣ and Elorza is out in fourth place. Bauer is as much as 3,400,000 and is second in chips. -- NW
Elorza has scored his biggest ever live cash here in Marbella3:45pm: Gareth Hamilton eliminated in 5th place (€35,150)Gareth Hamilton's eventful Main Event has come to an end and he was unlucky to bust in his last hand.
Javier Elorza was within the cut-off and tanked before folding ace-deuce. No such tanking for Hamilton though who shoved from the small blind and was called by Rodrigo Espinosa within the big blind.
Hamilton: K♦K♣Espinosa: A♦8♦
The board ran 4♠9♥T♦J♦6♦ to make the chips leader a flush. Hamilton shook his hand and was all smiles in defeat. Espinosa rose to 8.5 million chips, greater than 1/2 those in play. -- MC
Hamilton - was the quick stack coming in but finished fifth3:25pm: Gareth Hamilton doubles through Katja SvendsenGareth Hamliton has got the double up he was looking for, but he's still short stacked...
He three-bet shoved for 470,000 with pocket tens and Katja Svendsen, who already had 160,000 invested within the pot, called the additional with A♣J♥. The 7♦K♥8♣K♠Q♦ board kept Hamilton in front and he's as much as 1,010,000 consequently. -- NW
LEVEL UP: BLINDS 40,000/80,000, 10,000
3:20pm: Don't fail to spot the FlipoutAttention players in Marbella! If you've qualified for the PokerStars Flipout Freeroll, or wish to see for those who have, then you definitely wish to head to the welcome desk within the hotel lobby to assemble your token. Upon getting token in hand then at 5pm head to the 'La Cassata' card room where the Flipouts can be run on a primary come, first serve basis between 5pm and 6pm. -- NW
3:15pm: Official break time counts The first 20-minute break of the day for the players.
Final tableKatja Svendsen, Norway, PokerStars Qualifier, 3,120,000Gareth Hamilton, Ireland, 480,000Rodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 7,895,000Christian Bauer, Germany, 2,430,000Javier Elorza, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 960,000
3:10pm: Javier Elorza doubles through Gareth HamiltonAfter a short lived lull within the action the table was woken from its slumber by an all-in and get in touch with. It was Javier Elorza doing the shoving - all-in for 490,000 with A♥3♥ - and Gareth Hamilton doing the calling with A♦J♠.
However, a 9♠5♦3♠6♦A♣ board gave Elorza the winning hand, he's as much as 1,090,000 whilst Hamilton is all the way down to 440,000. -- NW
3pm: Espinosa turning the screwRodrigo Espinosa's great begin to the day has shown no signs of slowing down. He won two pots off Christian Bauer to transport as much as 6.7 million.
In the primary hand he opened with A♦T♣ and was only called by Bauer who held A♥K♣. Both checked the flop before Bauer barrelled 155,000 and 350,000 at the turn and river. The general board read 2♣7♠2♦Q♥J♠ and Bauer gave up at the river.
A couple of hands later Espinosa raised with 4♦5♦ and Bauer called with 7♥5♥. The Spaniard flopped a wheel on a A♣2♣3♠ flop but did not get any action. -- MC
2:45pm: Espinosa extends his leadWhen you are the chip leader and looking out to increase your lead taking chips from the player in second is flat out how to do it, that is exactly what Rodrigo Espinosa just did.
Espinosa is the person to catchAfter Katja Svendsen raised to 120,000 from the bring to an end with 9♣7♣ he defended from the small blind with Q♦T♦. The 7♦6♥4♠ flop gave Svendsen the lead which was all of the impetus she had to continue for 130,000, it wasn't the tip of the hand though as Espinosa stuck around.
The T♠ fell at the turn he checked, then she checked and the 2♦ completed the board. First to behave Espinosa threw out a chance of 205,000 and Svendsen thought for some time before calling, Espinosa showed the winner and Svendsen mucked. -- NW
2:40pm: Chip count updateKatja Svendsen, Norway, PokerStars Qualifier, 4,0700,000Gareth Hamilton, Ireland, 1,220,000Rodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 5,570,000Christian Bauer, Germany, 3,245,000Javier Elorza, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 780,000
2:35pm: Daniel Rodriguez eliminated in sixth place (€26,550)From under-the-gun Christian Bauer raised to 120,000, it passed to Daniel Rodriguez within the big blind and he moved all-in for 940,000 with 8♠8♦. There then followed a snap call from Bauer with Q♣Q♦ and the board ran 4♠J♦5♠K♦2♦ meaning we lose Rodriguez in sixth place.
After that hand Bauer is as much as 3,155,000. -- NW
Rodriguez's race is run2:25pm: Espinosa, the five million chip manRodrigo Espinosa escaped a dominating position in a hand versus Katja Svendsen to re-take the lead from her.
He was within the big blind and called a raise to 125,000 from Svendsen. Both players checked the 3♠J♣9♠ flop before Espinosa check-raised Svendsen's 150,000 bet as much as 360,000 at the Q♥ turn. Svendsen made a fast call but took so much longer to name 500,000 at the 5♠ river.
Espinosa opened A♠J♠ for a flush and rose to 5,070,000. Svendsen's A♦Q♣ was no good and he or she dropped to 4,200,000. -- MC
Blinds up: 30,000/60,000, ante 10,000
2:15pm: Big ace vs big aceIn the time it took to move from 18 players right down to eight Christian Bauer and Katja Svendsen played various pots along side the Norwegian popping out on top most of the time and she or he just repeated the trick because the two of them just clashed in a pot.
From the button Bauer raised to 100,000 with A♥T♥, Svendsen three-bet to 240,000 from the massive blind with A♠K♠ and Bauer smooth called. The 7♠T♠Q♦ flop gave Bauer the lead but Svendsen a large combo draw. She bet 150,000, Bauer made the decision and the K♣ fell at the turn. Despite taking the lead Svendsen checked, but Bauer didn't fall for it as he checked behind. The K♥ completed the board and Svendsen bet big, firing out 500,000 into the pot, although Bauer dwelled for a little while he ultimately elected to fold. -- NW
2:05pm: Chip count updateKatja Svendsen, Norway, PokerStars Qualifier, 4,390,000Gareth Hamilton, Ireland, 1,500,000Marcin Barwinski, Poland, PokerStars Player, 7th placeRodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 4,495,000Jake Cody, United Kingdom, Team PokerStars Pro, 8th placeDaniel Rodriguez, Spain, PokerStars Player, 860,000Christian Bauer, Germany, 2,525,000Javier Elorza, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 1,050,000
2pm: Marcin Barwinski eliminated in 7th place (€19,050)Gareth Hamilton came back and finished the job off he started on Marcin Barwinski.
The action folded to him at the small blind and he set Barwinski all within the. PokerStars qualifier called all in from the massive blind.
Hamilton: A♠J♥Barwinski: Q♣J♦
The board ran 8♣K♣2♣K♦4♠ and Hamilton cheered at his progress. -- MC
Hamilton and Barwinski battle1:55pm: Jake Cody eliminated in eighth place (€13,030)We've lost the primary player on the final table and the opposite seven players may be breathing a sigh of relief as its Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody who's been eliminated. Rodrigo Espinosa opened to 105,000 from under-the-gun+1 with pocket aces, next to behave Cody moved all-in for 1,180,000 with pocket nines and when it folded back to Espinosa he snap called.
Cody was on his feet because the K♣4♠6♦8♦Q♦ board was dealt or even that little trick couldn't persuade the Poker Gods to position a 3rd nine amongst the community cards. Cody shook hands together with his opponent's and it's back to Vegas tomorrow for Cody. -- NW
Cody - nothing he could do about his exit hand1:50pm: Hamilton doubles through BarwinskiGareth Hamilton a great deal needed a double up and he found it.
Down to 490,000, he moved all in from early position with A♦K♠ and located a customer in Marcin Barwinski who held A♥J♠. The board ran 8♠7♣2♣7♠T♠.
Barwinski was left with 540,000 after the loss. -- MC
1.35pm: Rodriguez shovesAfter Jake Cody opened to 100,000 with A♥8♦ Daniel Rodriguez moved all-in for 605,000 with pocket aces. It folded back to Cody and besides the fact that children he was getting a good price to name the 12 big blind shove, he did a handy guide a rough count of his stack, decided it was an excessive amount of to name and folded his hand. -- NW
1:30pm: Svendsen flush with chipsKatja Svendsen moved as much as 4.7 million chips after creating a flush versus Marcin Barwinski.
She raised from early position with A♣3♣ and went directly to bet every street of a 6♣7♦2♣5♣9♦ board including all in at the river. Barwinski called all of the approach to the river with A♠Q♦ but folded the river and dropped all the way down to 1.1 million. -- MC
1:25pm: Svendsen three-bet gets it doneThe chip leader just added more to her stack but she was a marginally unlucky to not add more for the reason that Jake Cody and Christian Bauer both made disciplined folds. It was Bauer who got the action started, raising to 100,000 with K♠J♦, Svendsen then three-bet to 225,000 from the cut-off with A♥K♣ and it folded to Jake Cody within the big blind. He looked down at A♠Q♣ and thought for a minute or so before folding and Bauer swiftly followed suit. -- NW
LEVEL UP: BLINDS 25,000/50,000 ante 5,000
1:20pm: Barwinski semi bluffs with the most productive handMarcin Barwinski negated a positional disadvantage to oust Rodrigo Espinosa off a hand.
The latter raised with K♦Q♦ from under the gun and the Pole peeled from the large blind with A♥J♥. The flp came 4♥T♣7♦ and Barwinski check-called a 105,000 bet before he led for 125,000 at the 9♥ turn. Espinosa folded. -- MC
1:10pm: First blood to BarwinskiWe had a showdown at the first actual hand...
Marcin Barwinski opened to 80,000 and Rodrigo Espinosa made the decision. At the 4♥3♠9♣ flop Barwinski c-bet and Espinosa stuck around. Both players checked the K♠ turn and the Q♦ landed at the river. Barwinski decided to stab again, he bet 80,000 and maybe somewhat surprisingly Espinosa decided to appear him up. Pot to Barwinski. -- NW
1:05pm: Shuffle up and deal!There are eight minutes left in level 25 and cards are within the air. -- MC
12:50pm: Final table about to commenceIt's final table day on the PokerStars Marbella Festival and 8 players are still in with the risk of succeeding last year's champion, Ludovic Geilich, and claiming the highest prize of €136,000.
Cody still in contentionKatja Svendsen leads the way in which with greater than 3.9 million. A LARGE NUMBER OF those chips came from eliminating British pro Sam Grafton in ninth place last night. Grafton had nearly a fifth of the chips in play with 15 left but a dramatic downswing saw him leave because the final table bubble boy.
One British hero can have busted but another one continues to be greatly alive. Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody flew in especially from Las Vegas where he's competing on the WSOP and he's justified his decision by making the general act.
Here's how the overall eight line up today:
Katja Svendsen, Norway, PokerStars Qualifier, 3,910,000Gareth Hamilton, Ireland, 590,000Marcin Barwinski, Poland, PokerStars Player, 1,055,000Rodrigo Espinosa, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 3,705,000Jake Cody, United Kingdom, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,600,000Daniel Rodriguez, Spain, PokerStars Player, 720,000Christian Bauer, Germany, 2,425,000Javier Elorza, Spain, PokerStars Qualifier, 880,000
The final eightPlay got underway at 12:15pm CET but because the action is being streamed on Pokertars.tv with hole cards face up, we're abiding by a 45-minute security delay and can update alongside the stream that's as a result of start at 1pm.
To discover a bit more in regards to the finalists, click here to read through their profiles.
PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT4 Marbella2: Marc Convey and Nick Wright. Photos by Danny Maxwell and Rene Velli.
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: UKIPT]
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