The 2014 World Series of Poker Asia-Pacific is correct across the corner, kicking off Oct. 2 and running through Oct. 18. With 10 gold bracelets events lined up with buy-ins starting from AU$1,100 to AU$25,000, the poker action might be exciting and it'll be intense for 17 days straight Down Under.
Last year, the poker world was treated to a couple great stories coming from Australia within the first installment of the festival. To begin, the primary event turned out to be an enormous affair with over 1,000 players. Then, Phil Ivey won his ninth WSOP gold bracelet. Finally, Daniel Negreanu captured the WSOP Asia-Pacific Main Event title and his fifth bracelet.
While the development might be attended by quite a few big names and there'll undoubtedly be many new faces that emerge into the spotlight, some stories stand out a bit greater than others. PokerNews want to indicate those who we predict are the highest three things to look at for on the 2014 WSOP Asia-Pacific, and we'll begin with the close WSOP Player of the Year race.
Sitting atop the present 2014 WSOP Player of the Year standings is Brandon Shack-Harris with 752 points, but he's trailed very, very closely by George Danzer with 745.2 points. Following those two, there is a drop off of nearly 200 points before John Hennigan (557.88) and Daniel Negreanu (519.08) are available because the only other players above 500 points.
Last year, Negreanu claimed the title with 890.22 points. In 2012, Greg Merson won with 981.13, and in 2011 Ben Lamb was the victor with 909.05.
We was told that Shack-Harris and Danzer will both be attending the festivities in Australia, as will Negreanu, but the various other players within the top 10 are not, and Hennigan might besides be the flip of a coin as to if or not he'll occur. Daniel Colman — fifth with 452.4 points and winner of the $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop — confirmed that he won't be playing anymore WSOP events this year. Others within the top 10 that won't be attending are Justin Bonomo and Brock Parker.
While it'd be discouraging that such a lot of within the top a part of the race aren't going, the confirmations of Shack-Harris, Danzer, and Negreanu are good enough to maintain the Player of the Year race extremely interesting. All three players can play all sorts of poker, and there is 10 different events the players can get their feet wet with. Originally, we might've said the massive AU$25,000 High Roller would help Negreanu make up probably the most points gap, but Shack-Harris has confirmed with PokerNews that he'll even be playing that event, and Danzer is understood to take some shots in big buy-in events.
With the race between the highest two being so close between Shack-Harris and Danzer, and how Negreanu have been performing as of late, these three are those we peg as in all probability to stroll away with the title — for Negreanu it'd be his second WSOP Player of the Year title in a row and third overall. Of course, a dismal horse could emerge from the remainder field and it might be a hard to do so, but we aren't against it spicing things up.
Another interesting tidbit is the truth that 2014 WSOP November Niner Bruno Politano might be heading to Australia. Politano isn't anywhere to be found at the WSOP Player of the Year leader board, but he's guaranteed no less than 100 points by finishing within the top nine of the principle Event and will go directly to win as many as 500 points if he wins come November. That said, it might be very interesting if Politano is in a position to prepare a pair very deep runs while in Melbourne and provides himself an actual shot.
Whatever happens, it will be one heck of a narrative to observe unfold and we're hoping it goes all the way down to the wire.
This year, there are 10 WSOP Asia-Pacific gold bracelet events. Five of them are brand new, two are somewhat new, and 3 return from last year. The brand new bracelet events are highlighted by the AU$25,000 High Roller to be able to attract a top-level field of competitors. Then there's the AU$2,200 No-Limit Hold'em, AU$5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha, AU$1,650 Terminator No-Limit Hold'em, and AU$1,650 8-Game Dealer's Choice which can be all up to date additions to the schedule.
Last year, the festival held a AU$2,200 8-Game Mixed event and a AU$5,000 Six-Max No-Limit Hold'em one, but this year the buy-ins might be swapped for those two events, making for a AU$2,200 Six-Max No-Limit Hold'em and a AU$5,000 8-Game Mixed.
Of course, the AU$10,000 Main Event would be the granddaddy of them all, but it's quite the treat with the intention to feast on 10 more piece of gold as we lead into the November Nine. Seeing which players will emerge victorious and write their place in poker's history books is something everyone will also be excited for.
Last year, Daniel Negreanu ignited his run to a second WSOP Player of the Year title at WSOP Asia-Pacific. He final tabled one event after which went directly to win the primary Event for AU$1,038,825 and his fifth gold bracelet. With the success Negreanu has already had in the course of the summer's WSOP in Las Vegas, there are two possible back-to-back stories that we have to keep a watch on.
First, Negreanu could have the risk to stay because the only player to win the WSOP APAC Main Event if he's capable of defend his title. While being the only winner from a field of 400-500 players is thought of as a protracted shot, one must pin Negreanu as some of the favorites so as to win. Just have a look at his success over the years, but more importantly his success within the recent year. Hint, it's amazing.
Second, as outlined above, Negreanu has the risk for a back-to-back WSOP Player of the Year title and his third overall. Although he's about 200 points off the pace, Negreanu can really make anything happen if he's in a position to deliver. Everyone knows "Kid Poker" has numerous "intentions," and also you best believe he intends on winning another bracelet and capturing his third Player of the Year title.
The two players Negreanu is chasing the toughest are Shack-Harris and Danzer. We already know that every one three players can play the entire games very well, but Negreanu may get the top of the cap in the case of no-limit hold'em. With six no-limit hold'em events at the schedule, and certainly one of them being a large buy-in of which Negreanu regularly excels in, that is where the six-time gold bracelet winner can make up essentially the most ground.
Don't forget, the 2014 WSOP Asia-Pacific kicks off on Oct. 2, so buckle up and prepare for a thrilling ride.
For additional information at the final RunGood.com Poker Series stop in Season 1, visit RunGoodGear.com or take a look at our article with everything it's a must to know at PokerNews.com.
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CloseThere were 612 runners for this week's Super Tuesday, the weekly $1,050 no-limit hold'em that consistently draws huge fields. That marked the 10th time in 2013 the Super Tuesday has exceeded 600 players, with this week's tourney ranking because the 7th largest of the year (and within the Super Tuesday's history). The prove meant a $612,000 prize pool -- greater than twice the tourney's $300K guarantee -- with Juan "paulwiter" Garcia of Uruguay ultimately earning the largest chunk of it by capturing the $115,668 first prize.
They were well beyond the five-hour mark when the cash bubble burst and just 72 remained. At that time one red spade sporter, Mickey "mement mori" Petersen of Team Online, had just been eliminated a few spots shy of the money in 74th. Meanwhile Petersen's Team Online teammate, Caio "Pessagno" Pessagno, had survived the bubble's bursting albeit with a brief stack that put him right on the bottom of the counts.
Pessagno would hang on, however, doubling a few times and persisting with below average chips because the field shrunk to fewer than 40 players. Then finally a hand arose that saw Pessagno commit his stack of just over 12,000 (six big blinds) with K♥J♣ but run into kntna waiting within the blinds with A♥J♦. The board brought a jack but no king, and Pessagno finished in 37th for a $2,754 cash.
With 36 players left Juan "paulwiter" Garcia had already charged to front with about 275,000 at a time when no person else had cracked the 200,000-chip mark. Garcia hoped so as to add another big score to his résumé after winning $143,397.49 for taking down WCOOP Event #19 ($109 NLHE) a few months ago.
An hour or so later just 18 were left with chipdonky247 having assumed the highest spot with greater than 430,000, about 100,000 away from the closest challenger.
It took another hour more for nine more to fall, wherein time paulwiter reclaimed the highest spot while pushing up over 700,000 while chipdonky247 slipped to bubble the general table.
David Buetta (18th), Spowi07 (17th), and pablotenisis (16th) each earned $4,896 for his or her finishes. Sobizzle21 (15th), Aditya "intervntion" Agarwal (14th), and Sifosis (13th) took away $6,120 apiece. And claffit01 (12th), Nik "Reraiseallin" Persaud (11th), and eventually chipdonky247 (10th) made $7,344 each for not quite making the general table.
Just nine remained, with numerous familiar names among them.
Seat 1: Kevin "iacog4" Iacofano (UK) -- 279,953
Seat 2: MrKloutt (UK) -- 207,159
Seat 3: Jonkgbg (Sweden) -- 486,172
Seat 4: Yukold (Brazil) -- 400,567
Seat 5: Douglas "Dowgh-Santos" Souza (Brazil) -- 201,702
Seat 6: texaszanardi (Chile) -- 160,624
Seat 7: geoas2003 (Romania) -- 174,954
Seat 8: Juan "paulwiter" Garcia (Uruguay) -- 744,651
Seat 9: Dylan "WhiteRabbito" Honeyman (Australia) -- 404,218
Not long after the overall table began, the blinds were 3,200/6,400 when Kevin "iacog4" Iacofano min-raised to 12,800 from middle position, then Jonkgbg reraised to 25,600 from the cutoff seat. It folded to texaszanardi within the big blind who four-bet to 59,876, forcing a fold from Iacofano. Jonkgbg responded with another reraise to 140,800, and when texaszanardi shoved all in for 262,665 total, Jonkgbg called.
texaszanardi had K♥K♠ but had run into Jonkgbg's A♠A♣. The flop then made matters worse for texaszanardi, coming A♦4♥7♦ to enhance Jonkgbg to a suite of aces. The turn was the J♦, making the T♣ river regardless of and knocking texaszanardi out in ninth.
The remaining eight made it to the nine-hour break, and all eight continued to battle for one more half-hour. Then came two knockouts in consecutive hands.
The blinds had risen to 4,500/9,000 when Juan "paulwiter" Garcia -- still leading -- raised to 18.881 from the cutoff and Dylan "WhiteRabbito" Honeyman called from the button. It folded to MrKloutt within the big blind who reraised all in for 118,530, and while Garcia folded, Honeyman made the call.
MrKloutt had A♦J♥ and kicker trouble against Honeyman's A♠Q♦, and after the board came 9♥K♠3♠5♣8♠, MrKloutt was finished in eighth.
On the following hand Douglas "Dowgh-Santos" Souza opened for 18,493 from under the gun, then paulwiter reraised to 39,993 from a few seats over. It folded back around to Souza who pushed for 202,685, and Garcia called.
Dowgh-Santos showed A♥Q♥ and desired to see an ace come to assist him beat Garcia's Q♣Q♦. An ace did come at the flop, but so did the case queen because it landed Q♠A♠5♦. The turn was the 4♠ and river the 5♣, and Dowgh-Santos's tourney run resulted in seventh place.
About QUARTER-HOUR after that hand it was Yukold raising 2x to 20,000 from middle position, then geoas2003 reraising all in for 138,108 from the following seat. It folded to Kevin "iacog4" Iacofano within the big blind who called all in for only a little not up to what geoas2003 had pushed for, and Yukold folded.
geoas2003 had A♣K♦ and needed help against Iacofano's K♥K♣. The board came jack-high, though, rolling out 4♥9♠6♠T♠J♥, and geoas2003 was knocked all the way down to just 4,352 -- not even a small blind. All in at the next hand with J♦7♣ against Yukold's A♠Q♥, geoas2003 got no help from the 8♥8♠K♦A♥Q♣ board and was eliminated in sixth.
Just a few minutes later it folded to Juan "paulwiter" Garcia who raised big from the small blind with 9♠7♥ and Dylan "WhiteRabbito" Honeyman called all in for 120,368 (about 10 BBs) from the massive blind with A♦3♠ The 3♥4♠9♣ flop paired both, but put Garcia in front, and after the 5♦ turn and K♣ river they were right down to four.
Play continued in the course of the tourney's 10-hour mark, then a couple of minutes later the blinds were 6,000/12,000 when paulwiter was at it again with a raise to 27,772 from the small blind. This time Kevin "iacog4" Iacofano reraised all in for 261,542 from the large blind and Garcia called without hesitation.
paulwiter: A♦Q♣
iacog4: Q♣4♦
The flop came 7♦K♦Q♥ to pair both players but Garcia's kicker kept him in front. The turn was the K♠ and river the 2♦, and Iacofano was done in fourth.
A twinkling of an eye after that Yukold raised 2x to 32,000 from the button, then Jonkgbg reraised all in from the massive ignorant of 210,788 and Yukold called. Jonkgbg had A♣6♠ and hoped the hand would hold against Yukold's K♣T♣, and after the 8♥5♥J♣ flop and 8♣ turn, Jonkgbg was still ahead. However the river brought the T♠ to pair Yukold, and Jonkgbg was done in third.
Heads-up play began with Juan "paulwiter" Garcia enjoying almost a 2-to-1 chip lead over his fellow South American with the Uruguayan player's 1,991,727 chips well prior to the Brazilian Yukold's 1,068,727.
Yukold battled gamely over the following half-hour, although the stacks were still roughly the similar on the tourney's 11-hour mark. Then a couple of minutes after that paulwiter won a large pot after flopping top pair of kings then turning trips, and getting Yukold to name bets on all three post-flop streets.
That one left Yukold with just below 330,000 with the blinds as much as 10,000/20,000, and only a few hands later Yukold shoved all in from the button and got a choice from paulwiter.
It was A♠2♠ for Garcia and Q♣4♥ for Yukold. The flop came A♣3♣6♣ to pair paulwiter's ace but in addition give Yukold flush outs. The turn then brought the 9♠ and the river the 6♥, and paulwiter had won.
Congratulations to Juan "paulwiter" Garcia who had the lead for a lot of the general hours of play on this week's Super Tuesday, including within the final table to remove a pleasant $115K-plus first prize -- a second six-figure score in three months for the Uruguayan!
11/26/13 Super Tuesday ($1,050 No-Limit Hold'em) results
Players: 612
Prize pool: $612,000
Places paid: 72
1. Juan "paulwiter" Garcia (Uruguay) -- $115,668.00
2. Yukold (Brazil) -- $84,762.00
3. Jonkgbg (Sweden) -- $62,424.00
4. Kevin "iacog4" Iacofano (UK) -- $47,124.00
5. Dylan "WhiteRabbito" Honeyman (Australia) -- $33,048.00
6. geoas2003 (Romania) -- $26,010.00
7. Douglas "Dowgh-Santos" Souza (Brazil) -- $19,890.00
8. MrKloutt (UK) -- $13,770.00
9. texaszanardi (Chile) -- $9,363.60
Have you heard about PokerStars' new television show which offers players a possibility to play against Team PokerStars Pros for $1 million? It's called The Shark Cage, and freeroll qualifiers have already begun. Read more about it here.
Martin Harris is Freelance Contributor to the PokerStars Blog.
Three years ago, akun333 fell just in need of a WCOOP bracelet. That night he finished third within the Triple Stud event, two spots behind 2011's Player of the Series 2FLY2TILT, who captured his second WCOOP bracelet. Today, he was back on the final table, albeit with an impressive opponent standing between him and the gold. Artem "roi kin23" Litvinov isn't any stranger to EPT main events and high rollers and pummeled akun333 within the early stages in their heads-up match, moving out to a 13 to one chip lead. However, akun333 found some gas within the tank and mounted a remarkable comeback. He evened their chip counts and after striking a deal, akun333 finally closed out a WCOOP win.
364 Razz enthusiasts bought in to Event #50, their $530 buyins combining to create a $182,000.00 prize pool 48 players earned a share of it with first place set to earn $35,035.00. Representing the Red Spades were WSOP Razz bracelet winner George Danzer, Jason Mercier, Eugene Katchalov, Naoya "nkeyno" Kihara and Roy "GodlikeRoy" Bhasin. Vanessa Selbst slid into the money in 46th place and Matthias "Mati312" Brandner made the general three tables, ending his run in 21st place.
The betting limits were as much as 12,000/24,000 when nine players remained. With the 7♦ showing, short stack kingkai raised roi kin23's completion to 24,000, roi kin23 reraised to 36,000 with the 4♦ up and kingkai called. Kingkai got the remainder of his chips in on fourth street with four to a 7-5 low, while roi kin23 turned over four to a 7-4 low.
roi kin23 (3♣7♣) 4♦2♣A♦9♥ (5♦)kingkai (2♠A♥) 7♦5♣9♠K♣ (Q♥)
Roi kin23 pulled an ace on fifth street to make a 7 low and improved to a wheel at the river. Kingkai didn't improve beyond the 9-7 low he made on fifth and ended his run at the final table bubble.
Final table chip counts
Seat 1: iacog4 (344,235 in chips) Seat 2: padjes (351,016 in chips) Seat 3: paaskebaesen (357,701 in chips) Seat 4: TinyPea (80,672 in chips) Seat 5: Adamyid (660,557 in chips) Seat 6: akun333 (304,419 in chips) Seat 7: roi kin23 (452,422 in chips) Seat 8: Bykladjo (178,978 in chips)
Padjes exits in eighth
TinyPea arrived on the final table with not up to three big bets, but found safer ground when he doubled through padjes. TinyPea was all-in on fifth street with a T-8 low vs. padjes's 8-7 low draw, but fell behind on sixth when he hit a jack and padjes made a 8-7-6-2-A low. However, TinyPea caught a four at the river to enhance to a 8-7-4-2-A low. Padjes's river nine was no help and TinyPea doubled to 222,144.
Padjes fell to 119,000 and got the remainder of his chips in on fifth street vs. roi kin23.
padjes (4♣6♠) A♥6♥5♠5♥ (Q♣)roi kin23 (2♦8♥) A♦T♥3♣3♦ (5♣)
Roi kin23 improved to 8-5-3-2-A at the river, as padjes bricked out with two pair on sixth and a river queen. For eighth place, padjes banked $4,095.00.
TinyPea takes seventh
TinyPea lost over half his stack in a clash with Adamyid. TinyPea competed on third and called Adamyid's 40,000 raise. TinyPea called on fourth and fifth streets, but folded to Adamyid's bet on sixth.
TinyPea (X-X) 3♥3♠2♦6♥Adamyid (X-X) 6♦T♦8♥7♦
Down to 86,000, TinyPea completed to 20,000 on third with the 3♠ up and Bykladjo called. TinyPea called a big gamble on fourth and bet the remainder of his stack on fifth.
TinyPea (6♦9♦) 3♠T♣2♣4♥ (4♠)Bykladjo (6♣5♦) 3♣8♣8♠Q♦ (4♣)
TinyPea' had the lead moving into to the river with a 9-6-4-3-2 low, but Bykladjo caught a four to make 8-6-5-4-3. TinyPea hit the rail in seventh place, good for $5,005.00.
Adamyid felts iacog4
Iacog4 was next to position his tournament life in danger. Heads-up vs. Adamyid, iacog4 called his fourth and fifth street bets. On sixth, Adamyid paired his jack and with a couple of deuces showing, iacog4 made the low board. He check-called 50,000 more from Adamyid, then went all-in on seventh for 30,535. Adamyid called.
iacog4 (3♠4♣) T♦2♠2♥Q♥ (8♦)Adamyid (5♥7♥) 8♠A♥J♠J♥ (6♦)
Iacog4 made a T-8 low at the river, however it was no match for Adamyid's 8-7 low and he went out in sixth place ($6,825.00).
Bykladjo eliminated in fifth
Moments later, Bykladjo called paaskebaesen's third street raise and fourth street bet. Paaskebaesen led out again on fifth, Bykladjo raised all-in for 66,322 and paaskebaesen called.
Bykladjo (2♣3♦) 7♣K♠Q♣K♣ (9♣)paaskebaesen (3♦7♦) 6♦K♦Q♦4♣ (4♦)
Paaskebaesen's Q-7-6-4-3 low edged out Q-9-7-3-2 and Bykladjo departed in fifth place, earning $9,555.00.
Don't you let that deal go down
Shortly after four-handed play commenced, the players agreed to pause the action and discuss a possible deal. Here is a have a look at how they stacked up on the time:
Adamyid - 1,029,992 akun333 - 618,919paaskebaesen - 558,923roi kin23 - 522,166
Per the players' request, final table host Roy "GodlikeRoy" Bhasin presented them with ICM and chip count chop numbers. Naturally, chip leader Adamyid preferred the chip count figures, which awarded him about $1,860 greater than the ICM numbers. His four opponents, however, desired to go together with the ICM deal. Paaskebaesen issued an ultimatum, "ICM or play," and Adamyid was greater than willing to restart the action and revisit the subject later.
The mighty fall
Adamyid would soon eat his words. With the betting limits as much as 30,000/60,000, a raising war ended with roi kin23, paaskebaesen, and Adamyid setting up 90,000 apiece on third steet. Roi kin23 led out for 30,000 on fourth, paasekbaesen folded and Adamyid called. Roi kin23 check-raised on fifth and led out again on sixth and seventh. Adamyid called him down.
roi kin23 (2♦A♠) 5♦4♥3♥8♥ (6♥)Adamyid (X-X) 6♠7♣4♣T♥ (X)
Roi kin23 turned up a wheel and passed one million in chips while Adamyid fell to 400,000.
Later within the level the 2 clashed again. Roi kin23 completed on third with the 8♥ and Adamyid raised with the 5♥. Roi kin23 called, then led out on every subsequent street. Once again, Adamyid called him down.
roi kin23 (5♠6♣) 8♥A♠4♥J♦ (3♣)Adamyid (X-X) 5♥8♠6♦6♠ (X)
Roi kin23's 6-5-4-3-A won him the 573,000 pot and Adamyid was crippled to simply 26,000.
On the following deal, Adamyid committed the remainder of his chips on third street and both akun333 and paaskebaesen called. Paaskebaesen bricked on fourth street and folded to akun333 's 40,000 bet.
Adamyid (7♦Q♥) A♦9♥J♥T♣ (J♣) akun333 (5♣2♠) A♥J♠6♠5♦ (J♦)paaskebaesen (X-X) T♦Q♣
Adamyid's J-T-9-7-A fell to J-6-5-2-A and he was eliminated in fourth place. Although he picked up $14,105.00 for his efforts, the payday was $11,085.47 lower than the ICM chop he turned down.
roi kin23 outpips paaskebaesen
Four hands later, paaskebaesen raised on third street with the 8♦, then called roi kin23's lead bets on fourth and fifth. Roi kin23 led again on sixth, paaskebaesen moved all-in for 149,947 and roi kin23 called.
paaskebaesen (7♥6♦) 8♦J♠2♥4♣ (6♣)roi kin23 (J♥4♥) 8♣A♠7♣6♠ (K♠)
Although paaskebaesen caught a four to make an 8-7-6-4-2 low on sixth street, roi kin23 pulled a six and edged him out with an 8-7-6-4-A. For third place, paaskebaesen earned $19,565.00.
Heads-up chip counts
Seat 6: akun333 (799,887 in chips) Seat 7: roi kin23 (1,930,113 in chips)
Roi kin23 whittled akun333 all the way down to only 192,000 in chips before he mounted a comeback. Akun333 chipped back as much as 340,000, then doubled to 680,000 when his 7-5 low beat out roi kin23's 9-6. Three hands later, akun333 pulled in a 736,000 pot when he rivered a T-8-5-4-3 low and roi kin23 didn't improve from the K-T low he made on sixth. Akun333 moved as much as 1.05 million and doubled again five hands later when his 9-6 low bested roi kin23's 9-8.
After slightly more back and forth, our two gladiators agreed to take another run at creating a deal. Here is a take a look at their stacks when the action paused:
akun333 1,329,548roi kin23 1,400,452
This go-around, negotiations were simple and swift. When the ICM numbers were calculated their shares were lower than $185 apart they usually quickly agreed to the maintain. $2,000 still up for grabs, action resumed.
The betting limits were as much as 50,000/100,000 when akun333 and roi kin23 engaged in a fifth street raising war. The betting was capped and akun333 led out again on sixth street. Roi kin23 called and both players checked the river.
akun333 (8♠7♣) 6♣K♦A♦9♣ (8♥)roi kin23 (X-X) 3♥9♦J♦3♦ (X)
Akun333 revealed a 9-8 low and roi kin23 mucked. Roi kin23 lost about half his stack and was left with 690,452 while akun333 topped 2 million.
Roi kin23 never fully recovered from that hand. With 765,000 behind and the 6♠ up, he called akun333 's third street raise and led out on fourth with 6♠8♦. Akun333 raised to 120,000 with 6♥9♦ and the betting was capped. Both players caught queens on fifth, but roi kin23 check-eased to 240,000 and akun333 three-bet. Roi kin23 called, and put the last of his chips in on sixth when he picked up a jack and akun333 hit a king.
akun333 (5♦4♥) 6♥9♦Q♥K♠ (5♣)roi kin23 (J♠2♥) 6♠8♦Q♠J♦ (6♣)
Akun333 's Q-9-6-5-4 triumphed over roi kin23's Q-J-8-6-2 and after waiting three years for an additional shot, akun333 locked up his first WCOOP bracelet.
Congratulations to Poland's akun333 on an out of this world come-from-behind win! He banked $31,392.80 for the win, while runner-up roi kin23 earned $29,577.20.
WCOOP-50: $530 RazzEntrants: 364Prizepool:$182,000.00Places paid: 48
1. akun333 (Poland) $31,392.80*2. Artem "roi kin23" Litvinov (Russia) $29,577.20*3. paaskebaesen (Norway) $19,565.004. Adamyid (UK) $14,105.005. Bykladjo (Russia) $9,555.006. iacog4 (UK) $6,825.007. TinyPea (UK) $5,005.008. padjes (Netherlands) $4,095.00
*= reflects the results of a heads-up deal that left $2,000 in play for the winner
Kristin Bihr is a contract contributor to the PokerStars Blog.
Walters' former property is 21,000-square-feet and is provided with seven bedrooms, three half bathrooms, eight full bathrooms, tennis court, pool and a putting green, among other amenities. The estate's value makes it one of the most highest prices secured for homes this year, per public records.
Walters recently made headlines as a result of an insider trading probe surrounding himself, professional golfer Phil Mickelson (who also lives in Rancho Sante Fe) and investor Carl Icahn, which was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
After all three parties denied the report, The brand new York Times reported Mickelson's role was not nearly as significant because it was originally believed.
This weekend the Mid-States Poker Tour (MSPT) might be on the Ho-Chunk Gaming Wisconsin Dells for an $1,100 Main Event — which PokerNews might be live reporting — but it’s not too early to seem ahead to the following stop, in order to happen from October 11-19 at FireKeepers Casino in Battle Creek, Michigan.
“Every time the MSPT rolls into Michigan, the players end up in full force at FireKeepers Casino," said MSPT owner and operator Bryan Mileski. "Last time we were there, Jason Zarlenga won his first MSPT title, after which he went directly to capture another a couple of weeks ago in Milwaukee to become the best-ever MSPT money earner. I GLANCE forward to seeing if FireKeepers can launch another poker career, or better yet, if Zarlenga can defend and become the primary three-time champion.”
Indeed, back in May Zarlenga topped a field of 411 entries to win FireKeepers for $101,482, which included defeating current MSPT Season 5 Player of the Year leader Mike Deis in heads-up play. Then, in early September, Zarlenga topped a field of 487 entrants to win the MSPT Potawatomi Hotel & Casino in Milwaukee for $120,164.
“The second major was actually more rewarding than the primary as it had now given me the boldness that i'm just pretty much as good if not better than anyone at any table I play with during any tournament,” Zarlenga told PokerNews in an interview.
Other past winners of the MSPT FireKeepers include Thomas Midena ($73,456) and Jordan Townsend ($76,975). Interestingly, Adam Lamphere finished runner-up in both those events before finishing 17th for $3,138 at the MSPT’s third visit to the property.
FireKeepers Casino Hotel, that's located on Highway 94 directly between Chicago and Detroit, offers live poker action 24 hours a day, seven days a week, in addition to craps and other table games, including two-deck blackjack and baccarat, a world-class buffet and a bunch of quality restaurants and bars.
The stop will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 12:00 p.m. with a $250 qualifier, with a view to see the highest 20 percent of the sector advance to the principle Event. They're going to then host qualifiers everyday leading as much as the $1,100 Main Event. Here’s a glance on the schedule:
| Saturday, Oct. 11 | 12:00 p.m. | Main Event Qualifier | $250 |
| Saturday, Oct. 12 | 12:00 p.m. | Main Event Qualifier | $250 |
| Monday, Oct. 13 | 12:00 p.m. | Super Satellite to $250 Qualifier | $65 |
| Monday, Oct. 13 | 6:30 p.m. | Main Event Qualifier | $250 |
| Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 12:00 p.m. | Super Satellite to $250 Qualifier | $65 |
| Tuesday, Oct. 14 | 6:30 p.m. | Main Event Qualifier | $250 |
| Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 12:00 p.m. | Super Satellite to $250 Qualifier | $65 |
| Wednesday, Oct. 15 | 6:30 p.m. | Main Event Qualifier | $250 |
| Thursday, Oct. 16 | 9:30 a.m. | Main Event Qualifier | $250 |
| Thursday, Oct. 16 | 4:00 p.m. | Main Event Day 1a | $1,100 |
| Friday, Oct. 17 | 4:00 p.m. | Main Event Day 1b | $1,100 |
| Friday, Oct. 17 | 8:00 p.m. | Main Event Turbo Qualifier | $250 |
| Saturday, Oct. 18 | 4:00 p.m. | Main Event Day 1c | $1,100 |
Unlike most MSPT stops, which give two starting flights, the MSPT FireKeepers will offer three Day 1 flights at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday respectively. Each starting flight will play 14 40-minute levels of play, and players are allowed to reenter each in the event that they so choose. The remainder players from each flight will combine on Sunday at 10 a.m. and play until a champion is crowned. The overall table of 10 can also be live streamed on a 15-minute delay.
Listen to Bryan Mileski discuss Season 5 of the MSPT at the latest PokerNews Podcast. Click here to listen.
For additional information at the MSPT FireKeepers, visit msptpoker.com.
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TransAct Technologies Incorporated (Nasdaq: TACT) (“TransAct” or “the Company”), a world leader in market-specific solutions, including printers, terminals, software and other products for transaction-based and other industries, announced today that it has expanded its existing, exclusive multi-year distribution agreement with Suzo-Happ to now include all European territories beginning on January 1, 2015. This makes Suzo-Happ the exclusive global distributor of TransAct casino and gaming printing solutions to casino and gaming operators within the U.S. in addition to both operators and manufacturers in Europe and Asia.
In September 2013, TransAct entered into an agreement with Suzo-Happ to market and distribute the Company’s casino and gaming printing solutions in most areas of the world, excluding Europe. As a number one supplier of engineered component solutions for gaming customers worldwide and with a eu sales and marketing team of 70 professionals in seven European countries, Suzo-Happ is uniquely positioned to further enhance TransAct’s distribution network within the European marketplace, building upon the success achieved within the first year of this unique partnership.
Bart C. Shuldman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TransAct Technologies, commented, “Over the last year, now we have worked in close partnership with the team at Suzo-Happ to bring TransAct’s gaming industry solutions to their customers through a wide-ranging agreement that has significantly broadened the global distribution network for our award-winning products. Our expanded agreement now includes European gaming markets, building at the successful foundation we've got already established. As a result, Suzo-Happ is now the Company’s exclusive global distribution partner for our innovative Epicentral® promotion and bonusing software system in addition to our industry-leading Epic® printers for gaming devices and in-casino kiosks.
“We are excited to leverage Suzo-Happ’s established global relationships to further expand the addressable market in Europe and beyond for our Epicentral bonusing solution in addition to our award-winning Epic printers. Today, Epicentral is demonstrating proven ends up in an atmosphere where casino operators are trying to find how you can optimize their marketing efforts to drive revenue growth. With initial deployments of Epicentral on over 10,500 electronic gaming machines at 11 casinos within the United States, Europe and Latin America, we believe this expanded relationship with Suzo-Happ will let us aggressively pursue new opportunities in numerous markets and help drive further visibility for the advantages Epicentral brings to day-to-day casino operations. In addition, we believe Suzo-Happ’s extensive distribution footprint within the European market will drive additional opportunities to extend the leading market share of our Epic printers which might be clearly the gaming machine printer solution of choice.”
Marcel Oelen, Managing Director Europe for Suzo-Happ, added, “We strive to search out and grow strategic partnerships where we will be able to bring real solutions that add measurable value to both manufacturers and operators. TransAct is an ideal fit with that business philosophy and we're excited to incorporate TransAct’s best-in-class products in our product range.”About TransAct Technologies IncorporatedTransAct Technologies Incorporated is a pacesetter in developing and manufacturing market-specific solutions, including printers, terminals, software and other products for transaction-based and other industries. These industries include casino and gaming, lottery, food safety, banking, point-of-sale, hospitality, oil and gas, medical and mobile. Each individual market has distinct, critical requirements for printing and the transaction isn't complete until the receipt and/or ticket is produced.
TransAct printers and products are designed from the bottom up according to market-specific requirements and are sold under the Ithaca®, RESPONDER, Epic, EPICENTRAL® and Printrex® product brands. TransAct distributes its printers and terminals through OEMs, value-added resellers, selected distributors, and direct to end-users. TransAct has over 2.5 million printers and terminals installed around the globe. TransAct may be committed to providing world-class printer service, spare parts, accessories and printing supplies to its growing worldwide installed base of printers. Through its TransAct Services Group, TransAct provides a whole range of supplies and consumable items utilized in the printing and scanning activities of shoppers within the hospitality, banking, retail, gaming, government and oil and gas exploration markets. Through its webstore, http://www.transactsupplies.com, and an immediate selling team, TransAct addresses the on-line demand for these products. TransAct is headquartered in Hamden, CT. For more information, please visit http://www.transact-tech.com or call 203.859.6800.
The primary sponsors of the event, the yank Gaming Association and Reed Exhibitions, have managed to keep up this lofty perch by constantly improving the development; primarily by adding conference and show floor elements to maintain G2E both fresh and exciting. This year is not any exception, with a brand new hotel and lodging-specific educational conference track and exclusive seminar keynotes delivered by industry heavy-hitters Sheldon G. Adelson and Stephen A. Wynn.
On the trade event front, G2E organizers claim this month’s event will feature the most important show floor up to now five years; with greater than 450 exhibitors displaying a few of the services and products had to maintain and improve both land-based and online gaming operations. In spite of these added companies, chances are high that most trade exhibition attendees might be focusing on one facet of the industry—slot machines; even perhaps more so than usual given all of the recent merger and acquisition activity within this space over recent months. With this backdrop, the editors of Slot Managerasked a cross-section of slot operators what slot products and technologies they are going to be on the lookout for at this year’s Global Gaming Expo. Listed below are a few of their answers.
Bart Algozzini, manager, slot operations, Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem, Bethlehem, Pa.
While at G2E, we can be all of the new products from the next manufacturers: Bally, IGT, WMS, MGAM, GTECH, Lightning Gaming, Ainsworth, Konami and Aristocrat.
I can be taking a look at self-dispatching systems for floor attendants (WRG, Bally and other companies); CDI/Global Suite, for floor tracking; and whatever else catches our eye while we're there.
Warren Davidson, slot director, Coushatta Casino Resort, Kinder, La.
This year I'LL BE on the lookout for new slot machines with cabinets that offer a visible impact and differentiation for the casino floor. Too often great new games are overlooked by players just because the cupboard didn’t stick out from the group. I WILL BE ABLE TO even be on the lookout for new mechanical reel games for my quarter, dollar, and better denomination players. We’re finally beginning to see great new products on this still important segment and our guests love them!
Larry Flynn, senior vice president, gaming, Ontario Lottery & Gaming Corporation
As operators of gaming facilities, we'd like and are games with a purpose to take the buyer experience to the following level; it doesn’t must provide the large bang although that will be nice. We’re in search of products with longevity and player experience-focused math models a good way to keep our players engaged. We feel the precise game experience the player has after they decide to take a seat at a game in a single of our properties is terribly important to our future success. We’ll certainly be paying close attention to the goods vendors show this year to peer if they’ve captured the essence of what we’re looking for.
With the evolving customer we glance to adapt as well, and always have our eyes out for the games that allows you to bring new faces into our properties. One area we’ve seen considerable growth in is e-tables; they create within the younger crowd and provides them the feel and appear of live card games. The games are fun, engaging and exciting whether its blackjack, baccarat or roulette.
When we glance at games, we've got come far from thinking, “it’s a sexy box, so let’s buy it.” We love to, and can continue to, challenge our vendors in bringing to the table the suitable games with the suitable math models for our market and, wherever possible, being first to market.
Chuck Hickey, vice president, slot operations, Barona Valley Ranch Casino, Lakeside, Calif.
I’m not on the lookout for anything too specific. I ATTEMPT TO keep an open mind for the entire stuff in the market. Something I REALLY LIKE to check out and do is spend Thursday looking off the beaten path and take a look at to seek out some of the next great ideas from some company seeking to do something different. I’ve not been very successful at this, but perhaps this year!
From a technologies standpoint—I don’t have much of an idea. Barona is somewhat a throwback casino and believes in people greater than technology. We glance for tactics to delight in people. Anything so that it will help our staff make friends and feature fun with them is a winner in my book.
Jaime Martinez, director of slots, Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino, Gila River Gaming Enterprises, Chandler, Ariz.
I could be taking a look at product innovation and clearly the pricing to maximise my capital investment. These two categories don't seem to be the one things I TAKE ADVANTAGE OF in creating a determination in my manufacturers or game selections; it's the way the games play, look, sound in addition to the hit frequencies, etc. There are lots of factors to think about and to check before committing to a ramification or a specific product. Hopefully many makers bring some innovative and exciting new products to G2E this year so that they can sway me to buy.
Michael Palmieri, vice chairman of slot operations, Empire City Casino, Yonkers, N.Y.
My main goal for G2E is to seek out the brand new innovative games or products as a way to provide entertainment and excitement for our guests. Last year, the manufacturers looked as if it would focus just a little more on premium game content. I'M fascinated with seeing the brand new premium themes, in addition to the core themes so that they can resonate well with our guests and make sense to us operationally. With the landscape changing at the manufacturer side, this year’s show need to be more interesting than ever to look what direction the manufacturers are heading and ultimately, the way it affects the battle for floor space.
I am also hoping to search out new products that enhance our guest’s overall experience while at our property. With our large casino floor and high amount of traffic, we're always in search of products that make us more efficient with all kinds of guest service transactions.
NASCAR is also some of the few US sports leagues to realistically address the problem of sports betting, acknowledging that fans just like the option and that integrity of results is unlikely to suffer. However the lawsuit by the NFL and other sports leagues which prevented Delaware from accepting single-game gambling also keeps NASCAR bets from being played.NASCAR's race this weekend at Dover Speedway would have featured racing fans betting on their favorite drivers at adjacent Dover Downs, in a really perfect world. But US courts ruled the casino can only take bets at the NFL, under its grandfather clause within the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.
What's most frustrating to gambling patrons is that everybody involved could be happy to permit the action. The state already tried to legalize sports betting, fans are eager enough to bet that they pump billions into illegal gambling, and NASCAR has no objection.
"I think the sports betting can have had the facility to attract new people into NASCAR simply to give them any other reason to watch," Denis McGlynn, president of Dover Motorsports, told USA Today.
So, way to the NFL, an event that doesn't in any respect involve them will attract over 100,000 fans on Sunday, all of whom might be denied the danger to legally bet on their sport. Perhaps the NFL thought that racing fans would switch back to their commercial-engorged telecasts to look at Terrell Owens act like a jerk, if betting weren't permitted.
Published on September 26, 2009 by A.J.Maldonado
iGaming Business – Online games developer Yggdrasil Gaming has gone live with internet gaming operator Unibet within the regulated markets of Belgium and Estonia.
The move comes after Unibet last month integrated Yggdrasil’s entire casino games portfolio, so one can now be launched within the two countries.
The portfolio features a range of casino games akin to high-roller video slots Jokerizer and Winterberries.
Fredrik Elmqvist, chief executive of Yggdrasil Gaming, said: “This is our first foray into the regulated markets of Estonia and Belgium and we've got our eyes on plenty more territories around Europe.”
Meanwhile, Yggdrasil has also announced that Scandinavian online casino operator Mr Green has gone live with its range of casino games.
Mr Green customers will now have access to the whole range of Yggdrasil’s online casino game offering.
FULL STORY
It took four Day 1 flights. Four!
Then it took two Day 2 flights. Finally, the Belgian Poker Series has reached Day 3, and more importantly to the players involved, the money.
When the tournament got underway per week ago, it started building a field 538-people strong. The highest 80 players within the field stood to earn no less than some money with a view to determining who would win €175,000 and the BPS Grand Final championship.
Now, there are 62 players remaining and play continues with Michael Gathy because the chip leader. The action should go on tonight until the tourney gets right down to three tables.
For live coverage of the event, visit the PokerStars Dutch Blog.
Sometimes you get up at the right side of the bed and you've got a flawless day through which everything goes your way. Zero red lights, no queues, sensational weather and achieving blissful harmony with the universe that new age hippies has been chasing for the reason that 1960s. Those ethereal days, whilst you look like you are able to do no wrong, are the appropriate days you ought to be playing poker. Australia's firemandave9 experienced a type of magical cosmic moments when the celebs and planets aligned perfectly. On the MicroMillions Event #90 final table, firemandave9 held a dominating lead and not looked back as he rode the rush, steamrolled the general table, and breezed to a victory.
MicroMillions 6 Event #90 $1+R NL Hold'em [3x-Turbo] attracted 8,040 runners. They added 36,971 re-buys and 4,290 add-ons. The highest 1,080 places paid out with $6,734.39 put aside to the eventual champion.
As expected, action progressed quickly on this turbo-charged format. A LAST table was set in approximately five hours, which was remarkable considering the huge field.
With ten remaining, action went hand-for-hand. Haui1974 bubbled off the general table in tenth place when Q♠3♥ lost to Shyvatrip's A♣8♦. Shyvatrip flopped two pair and Haui1974 was doomed. With Haui1974s' elimination, the general table was set.
Event #90 - Final Table Chip Counts:
Seat 1: jiaohuai (17,067,178)
Seat 2: batatinha766 (29,383,408)
Seat 3: spoc75 (31,239,893)
Seat 4: victoras (11,361,000)
Seat 5: rpyc (46,676,944)
Seat 6: stas luzana (5,920,834)
Seat 7: TASOS16 (4,112,038)
Seat 8: Shyvatrip (23,296,699)
Seat 9: firemandave9 (94,675,006)
The final table commenced during Level 57 with blinds at 1.05M/2.10M and a 210K ante. Australia's firemandave9 sat atop the monster stack with 94.6 million, while TASOS16 clung to the slimmest stack with 4.1 million.
victoras eliminated in 9th place
The final table had just begun and two of the smaller stacks rumbled. jiaohuai opened to 4.8 million, victoras moved all-in for 6,831,000 with T♥8♥, and jiaohuai called with K♣T♠. The board tan out Q♣9♦9♣2♣4♦. Although both players flopped straight draws, if a Jack fell at the turn or river, jiaohuai would have won the hand with a better straight. Neither players improved their hands, so jiaohuai won the pot with a couple of nines and a King-high kicker. Romania's victoras became the primary player to exit on the final table. For a ninth-place finish, victoras took home $347.69.
stas luzana eliminated in 8th place
Big stack bully firemandave9 threw his weight around with a raise to 7 million, short-stacked stas luzana bombed it all-in for 8,559,630 with 5♥5♣, and firemandave9 snap-called with T♥T♠. The board ran out K♥6♠2♠8♠A♣. firemandave9's pocket tens held as much as win the pot. Russia's stas luzana busted out in eighth place, which paid out $538.36.
TASOS16 eliminated in 7th place
Seven-handed went so quick that when you blinked, you missed it. TASOS16 called all-in 1,884,076 in early position, and Shyvatrip raised to eight million to isolate so everyone else got out of how. Shyvatrip led with A♣9♠ versus TASOS16's K♠8♠. The board ran out Q♣8♥5♠A♥7♣. Although TASOS16 took the lead at the flop with a couple of eights, Shyvatrip turned a couple of Aces to win the pot (and the side pot). For a seventh-place finish, TASOS16 collected $964.57.
rpyc eliminated in 6th place and batatinha766 eliminated in 5th place
Two birds with one stone. Two for the prize of 1. Whatever cliche you prefer, Shyvatrip took out two opponents with the similar magic bullet. Short-stacked rpyc was all-in from the large blind for 3,532,256. Shyvatrip opened to 10.8 million and batatinha766 called all-in for 6,803,408. Three-way pot with two players all-in for his or her tournament life.
Shyvatrip: A♦Q♥
batatinha766: A♠8♠
rpyc: J♥8♣
The board ran out 9♦3♣3♥A♥7♦ and Shyvatrip won the primary pot and side pot with two pair -- Aces and treys -- but with a Queen-kicker. Although batatinha766 also held two pair -- Aces and treys -- he had an inferior kicker and lost the pot. rpyc also didn't improve and busted out in sixth place, which paid out $1,390.78. Meanwhile, batatinha766 hit the virtual rail in fifth place, which paid out $1,839.42.
With four to go, firemandave9 held a commanding lead with 133 million while jiaohuai held onto the fast stack with a shade under 9 million.
jiaohuai eliminated in 4th place
Same story... small stack made a last stand and firemandave9 picked him off. firemandave9 opened with a raise to twelve million and jiaohuai called all-in for 4,880,768. Coin flip. firemandave9 actually trailed with A♦Q♠ against jiaohuai's 8♠8♦. The board ran out Q♦7♠3♥7♦Q♥. firemandave9 flopped a Queen, turned two pair, and rivered a ship. China's jiaohuai went busto in fourth place, which paid out $2,377.78.
spoc75 eliminated in 3rd place
Can anyone stop firemandave9? The Aussie min-raised to eight million, and short-stacked spoc75 called all-in for 2,881,013. firemandave9 led with A♠K♥ against spoc75's 7♦2♦. The board ran out K♠7♥3♥5♠4♥. firemandave9 flopped a couple of Kings to win the pot. That's all she wrote for spoc75, who was knocked out in third place and took home $3,589.11.
HEADS-UP: firemandave9 (Australia) vs. Shyvatrip (United Kingdom)
Seat 8: Shyvatrip (54,967,063)
Seat 9: firemandave9 (208,765,937)
With two to go, firemandave9 was in full control with a large chip advantage worth approximately 4-to-1.
Shyvatrip eliminated in 2nd place; firemandave9 binks MicroMillions 6 Event #90
Heads-up lasted only nine hands before firemandave9 delivered a knock-out blow. Shyvatrip lost almost half his stack within the first eight hands of heads-up action.
On the general hand... firemandave9 kicked things off with a raise to 24,750,000, Shyvatrip shoved all-in for 28,117,063, and firemandave9 called. Shyvatrip actually led with A♦3♦ against firemandave9's K♣7♦. However, if you end up running nearly as good as firemandave9, no matter what you will have. The board ran out K♦9♠7♥A♠2♣ and it was no surprise to peer firemandave9 flop two pair. Shyvatrip turned a couple of Aces but didn't improve, so firemandave9 won the pot and the tournament.
For a gutsy runner-up performance, the U.K.'s Shyvatrip won $4,951.62.
Congrats to Australia's firemandave9, who took home $6,734.39 for first place.
View the general hand via the replayer:
MicroMillions-090 $1+R NL Hold'em [3x-Turbo]
Entrants: 8,040 (36,971 Re-buys, 4,290 Add-ons)
Prize pool: $44,863.91
Place paid: 1,080
1. firemandave9 (Australia) - $6,734.39
2. Shyvatrip (UK) - $4,951.62
3. spoc75 (Argentina) - $3,589.11
4. jiaohuai (China) - $2,377.78
5. batatinha766 (Brazil) - $1,839.42
6. rpyc (Russia) - $1,390.78
7. TASOS16 (Switzerland)- $964.57
8. stas luzana (Russia) - $538.36
9. victoras (Romania) - $347.69
MicroMillions is sort of over. For a schedule of remaining events, visit the MicroMillions 6 home page. If you are there, take a look at to peer who's currently atop the leader board.
Pauly McGuire is an author and freelance contributor to PokerStars Blog.
The Player of the Year race in this season's European Poker Tour has slightly altered its format. It's now a three-pronged affair with three leader boards: players' results contribute to their standing in gold, silver and bronze categories.
If you're conversant in the best way SCOOP works at PokerStars, you will have a good suggestion of this type of approach. And, in fairness, it's pretty straightforward despite the fact that you've never played SCOOP to your life.
The BRONZE leader board includes results for all open events with a buy-in of $600 and below. The SILVER tier is for events with a buy in of $4,000 and below. The GOLD tier accumulates results from all open tournaments, all of the way as much as the Super High Roller events.
The winners will collect a trophy on the end of the season, plus the immense kudos that goes with recognition of being Best In Show. The worldwide Poker Index (GPI) is chargeable for the entire number-crunching, so things are going to be properly official.
With the principle Event and High Roller still yet to complete in Barcelona, plus a handful of attractive final-day turbos, the general results from this festival, the primary of the brand new season, are yet to be known of their entirety. However, the GPI stats bods has been capable of give us their initial indications of which players are going to take an early lead within the race.
GOLD! (Always believe to your soul)The young German player Fedor Holz took the early lead within the race for GOLD. He collected 312.82 points from cashes in four events to this point in Barcelona, including a victory in event #4, the no limit hold 'em eight-max.
Holz is definitely going to be adding to his lead as he also cashed within the €10,000 High Roller event, although points may not be added to the leader board until after the realization of the overall table.
Joao Barbosa, who cashed in five events in Barcelona - including a win in vent #21 - currently sits in second place even though it looks as if he's going to be giving option to Dan Smith. Smith, the GPI World No 1, also cashed within the €10,000 High Roller and may earn enough points to leapfrog Barbosa.
The leader board currently includes three former EPT champions: Anton Wigg (Copenhagen, 2010), Robin Ylitalo (London, 2013) and Toby Lewis (Vilamoura, 2010)
TOP 10 - GOLD1. Fedor Holz - 312.98 points2. Joao Barbosa - 240.793. Markku Koplimaa - 221.264. Anton Wigg - 206.595. Grzegorz Wyraz - 206.596. Dan Smith - 197.547. Ramin Hajiyev - 194.988. Mikhail Rudoy - 192.689. Kimmo Kurko - 190.8810. Robin Yiltalo - 187.28
High Ho SILVER! LiningFamiliar faces also are scattered during the race for SILVER, with Anton Wigg out on the front, Barbosa third and Holz fourth. Henrik Hecklen's two cashes in Barcelona, including his Estrellas High Roller victory, put him into second place.
TOP 10 - SILVER1. Anton Wigg - 206.592. Henrik Hecklen - 182.633. Jaoa Barbosa - 168.414. Fedor Holz - 166.105. Santiago Nadal - 153.186. Daniel Barriocancal - 153.037. Artur Koren - 140.558. Ognyan Dimov - 134.479. Michael Flanagan - 127.8010. Marius Glerse - 127.55
Gonna BRONZE! these blue suede shoes Players who cashed within the enormous Barcelona Cup are dominating the Bronze race, with Luca Faggioli, who won the title, leading the best way. Xavier Segura Campos, the runner up, is second.
TOP 10 - BRONZE1. Luca Faggioli - 13.472. Xavier Segura Campos - 12.213. Firat Baltaci - 11.474. Chen-Wei Yin - 10.955. Mateusz Koczwara - 10.546. Sabina Hiatullah - 10.217. Lois Dufouleur - 9.938. David Gassian - 9.689. Igor Sodel - 9.4710. Cristian-Alexandru Bala - 9.28
Follow all of the action from the tournament floor at the main EPT Barcelona page. There's hand-by-hand coverage within the panel on the top, including chip counts, and have pieces below. Follow the action from the High Roller at the High Roller page. Here is a wrap of yesterday's action, and there is also EPT Live, that's streaming action from the overall table of the primary Event.
We're beginning to get towards the business end of the ANZPT Melbourne Main Event. The large screen is ready to tick under 100 players left for the primary time, and when players lookup and notice that milestone, they are going to know that things are about to get serious.
As tables break and new line ups are formed, they are going to be confronted with increasingly quality players. They'll also probably have some pretty big stacks. Just wandering the room now, we couldn't help but notice the dominance of the net brigade. The young guns out to make their mark at the live poker scene. And in the event that they begin to get some chips, be careful everyone else.
So who're these online phenoms and what are their names?
Well first we've got the crowd who clearly chose their online names in keeping with their very own real life names or initials. Perfectly reasonable, even though a tad boring. But simply because Baza88, Lynskey99, brett threat, Eddy and mjw006 have nitty online usernames, does not imply their game is equally tight.
At the following level up, there's some creativity behind Knightsgee, Jackovich and WhiteRabbito. A GAGGLE with names that experience a bit of mystery, and a few intrigue to the tale in their background.
Finally there a bunch with usernames that probably raise a couple of eyebrows. Usernames which can be part amusing, part disturbing. A NARRATIVE probably better left untold. We're talking concerning the likes of Banana Thief, Tiny molester, SkunkDen and MON3Y$HOT.
These guys are all still alive within the ANZPT Melbourne Main Event, however the person who has the most important stack of all of them is GooGieMonA.
GooGieMonA probably fits within the intriguing category in the case of username, but Edison Nguyen's chip stack is currently in a gaggle of its own within the online circles with over 200,000 in chips. And it kind of feels the others agree.
As Nguyen was raking in another big pot, Adrian "Knightsgee" Attenborough wandered past his table and quipped, "Oh, are all of us playing for second place now?"
Nguyen often goes under the radar but his record is impressive with live wins on the Aussie Millions and ACOP in addition to a last table eventually year's WSOP APAC. And the web kids know exactly how fearsome the GooGieMonA can be.
Heath "TassieDevil" Chick is a contract Contributor for the PokerStars Blog.
