Wednesday, August 31, 2016

Natan Chauskin wins IPT7 Malta2 Main Event from frontNO Deposit bonus $43

IPT7 Malta2-620 Winner Natan Chauskin.jpg

Natan Chauskin - the winner

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

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

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

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Trophy Presentation

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

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

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Fortune favoured this brave man today

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

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IPT7 Malta2 Denis Timofeev-510 .jpg

Timofeev was downed first

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

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Grogan got his chips in good

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Garp after his last hand

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

IPT Malta-565 David Gomez Antelo.jpg

Gomez couldn't gain traction today

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

IPT7 Malta2-576 Christopher Brammer.jpg

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

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

Click here for all of the Main Event payouts.

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The final hand

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

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



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Sammy Huang holds the entire aces in CanberraNO Deposit bonus $43

It was an extended weekend in Australia and what better option to celebrate the birthday of Her Majesty than with a friendly game of poker. It is a game designed for royalty, as kings and queens were tossed across the felt with effortless precision this afternoon. Fifteen loyal servants came together, but they dropped away one-by-one until just one man remained. That man is Sammy Huang and he's now the King of Canberra!

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As many kings and queens that we saw at the felt of the Casino Canberra today, it was the unnerving choice of aces that ended up within the hands of Sammy Huang that ultimately was the tale of the day. Flying the flag for the Canberra locals, Huang was a dominant force on a tricky final table through a mixture of aggressive play and lots of those wicked aces! His win was well-deserved and it's great to look the ANZPT Canberra trophy staying in home territory.

We started off this afternoon with Germany's Khiem Nguyen leading the best way with all eyes at the short stacks to peer who would fall first. Naz Sabaei and Mario Ljubicic were quick to go, before young gun Jarred Graham made an incredibly rapid fall from grace. Graham was unlucky when his ace-king was outdrawn by the ace-jack of Takahiro Morooka and not recovered. Morooka couldn't take advantage of his chips after a ruling technicality went against him to peer him next to the cashier. Brett Chalhoub was equally unlucky and when David Gorr was eliminated with a king-high flush against Khiem Nguyen's full house, our final table line up was set within 70 minutes of play.

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Khiem Nguyen maintained the chip lead and was always a deadly force at the final table. James Broom entered because the short stack but was relentless in his attack as he endured a rollercoaster ride that might give the weak heart palpitations. Broom needed to come from behind on several all-in clashes including surviving with king-ten against Andrew Watson's ace-queen, after which king-queen against George Graziani's dominant ace-queen.

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It was the latter hand that left Graziani crippled and ended in our first elimination of the overall table. Graziani was all in with A♣6♥ against Tristan Bain's Q♥Q♣ and Tony Kambouroglou's K♥K♣ with the Toothpick taking the pot to land an early double knockout blow.

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Andrew Watson lost a race with A♥Q♣ against Khiem Nguyen's pocket sevens to be eliminated in seventh place, before a card-dead Luke Edwards couldn't survive with Q♣J♦ against Leigh Warne's K♠5♣ to go away in sixth.

While the selection of players were quickly decreasing, Sammy Huang's stack was just getting bigger and bigger, as his overbetting style was playing havoc with the small ball approach of Khiem Nguyen and James Broom. Huang picking up pocket aces with some regularity was also helping the cause, as Nguyen was showing visible signs of frustration.

Leigh Warne was next to head went Toothpick Tony awoke with another big pair when his Q♠Q♥ proved too strong for Warne's A♥Q♣ to go away us four-handed.

Huang was the large stack and Broom was still nursing the quick stack as a good four-way battle ensued. The shorties were forced to transport all in on multiple occasions, but they couldn't find any callers because the establishment remained for over an hour. Something needed to give.

As the blinds ticked over, it was Germany's Khiem Nguyen who finally cracked when he three-bet shoved with 4♠4♦ but Sammy Huang awoke together with his favourite hand, A♠A♣ and made a very easy call. Nguyen couldn't discover a four as his impressive tournament was halted in fourth place.

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James Broom found some swagger when play reached three-handed along with his nemesis in Nguyen now at the rails. Broom spread out his game and caught Toothpick Tony red-handed when he squeezed excessive of a raise and speak to. Broom tabled A♦8♦ as Toothpick sheepishly showed 5♦4♣. The board ran out 9♦T♦K♠J♥T♣ to eliminate Toothpick in third place as we entered heads-up play with the title at the line.

James Broom had a two-to-one chip disadvantage against Sammy Huang and despite a unusual Canberra heads-up rule that has the blinds in reverse to normal, Broom was confident in his heads-up game. However he forgot that Huang held the entire aces!

After a preflop raise, and bet at the flop, Huang overbet shoved all in at the activate a J♥9♦Q♥7♦ board. Broom deliberated for a while before making the decision with Q♦5♦ for high pair and flush draw, but Huang again opened A♠A♥. Broom was in search of a queen, five or diamond nevertheless it wasn't to be because the 7♠ bricked the board to eliminate him in second place and crown Sammy Huang as our ANZPT Canberra champion!

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The Canberra local qualified for this event through one of the most $22+R 3xTurbo online satellites on PokerStars for the investment of just $42. He's now turned that right into a whopping $73,700 in prize money!

Congratulations to Sammy on an attractive achievement that is certain to create a buzz for poker in our nation's capital.

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PokerStars.net ANZPT Canberra Main Event results

1st Sammy Huang (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) - $73,7002nd James Broom (Australia) - $46,9003rd Tony Kambouroglou (Australia) - $27,4704th Khiem Nguyen (Germany) - $22,7805th Leigh Warne (Australia) - $18,7606th Luke Edwards (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) - $15,4107th Andrew Watson (Australia) (PokerStars Player) - $12,7308th Tristan Bain (Australia) - $10,0509th George Graziani (Australia) - $8,040----10th David Gorr (Australia) - $6,03011th Brett Chalhoub (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) - $6,03012th Takahiro Morooka (Australia) (PokerStars Qualifier) - $6,03013th Jarred Graham (Australia) - $4,69014th Mario Ljubicic (Australia) - $4,69015th Naz Sibaei (Australia) - $4,690

So now it is time to close up and head home (subject to volcanic ash) following an incredible long weekend in Canberra. We've really enjoyed our time here and the poker site appear to really embrace the ANZPT that's fantastic. Many way to the tournament staff, dealers and the hospitality crew on the Casino Canberra for making us feel welcome and part of the team.

Also many way to Cole Bennetts for his superb final table photography.

That's all now we have for you from Canberra. In case you are craving more tournament action, you will have heard of a wee tournament happening in Las Vegas at the present time. They call it the sector Series of Poker. Persist with the PokerStars Blog for the entire latest news and updates from there.

On the local scene, we've got a six-week break before we head to Melbourne's Crown Casino for the primary event of Season 5 of the PokerStars.net Asia Pacific Poker Tour. The APPT Melbourne can be a spectacular event with the principle Event running from July 29th until August 1st with online satellites running now on PokerStars.

Thanks for following our coverage at home and we glance forward to seeing you in Melbourne. Until then, goodbye from Canberra!

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Online Poker Expanding to Mobile at PokerStarsNO Deposit bonus $43

PokerStars bought Cecure, an organization that develops mobile gaming software, because the online poker operator prepares for the growing boom in mobile gambling.

OnlineVegas.com! To be able to best expand its online gambling operations into new areas, PokerStars is preparing for mobile gaming by purchasing Cecure Gaming. Cecure is a software developer that specialize in gaming over mobile devices.

Cecure already operates its own mobile gambling brand, Aces Royal, and the purchase of the corporate is seen as PokerStars' first move in bringing its online poker kingdom to cellphones and other mobile outlets.

Cecure were seeking a buyer, having suffered poor customer development in the course of the recession. No financial details of the deal were released.

"Accessing buyers and investors within the gaming market is notoriously difficult," said a Cecure spokesman. "WE'RE delighted to was in a position to secure a deal for the sale of those assets."

While mobile gambling isn't available within the US, European markets are rapidly growing for the best type of gaming. PokerStars has perhaps the highest brand online, and corporate officials have the desire to make sure they stay prior to market changes to advance their brand.

Published on November 17, 2009 by A.J.Maldonado



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APPT 10 Manila: Day 1B coverage archiveNO Deposit bonus $43

Charles Lesmana leads Day 1b

Another nine levels of play are within the books here at PokerStars LIVE Manila as Day 1b drew to a detailed. By the top of the late registration and re-entry period there have been a complete of 349 entries, comfortably eclipsing yesterday's 228. Of these trying their luck today it was 106 who survived to secure their seat for Day 2 tomorrow, they'll be back to enroll in the 62 survivors from Day 1a.

Ahead of today's pack when all was said and done was Charles Lesmana. He had a stellar day at the felt, bagging up 169,800. Lesmana managed to fly under the radar today before charging home within the final stretch to ascertain himself as Day 1b chip boss. Tomorrow's start-of-day chip leader, however, can be Day 1a commander Jen-Yen Chien who returns with 286,900.

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Day 1b chip boss - Charles Lesmana

Being the last Day 1 flight, today revealed the entire player numbers and payout information. In any case it was a complete of 577 entrants - only just shy of last season's 585. Those players generated a complete prize pool of ₱25,186,050 with 54 places paying dividends and the eventual champion taking home ₱6,135,000 (which incorporates a HK$100,000 entry to the 2016 ACOP Main Event) on top of the coveted APPT trophy. One can find the whole payout information here.

Four of our Team PokerStars Pros qualified for Day 2 yesterday - Bryan Huang (101,500), Yaxi Zhu (86,600), Chen-An Lin (54,000) and Kosei Ichinose (16,300) so they'll be back to make a run on the title tomorrow. Vivian Im was the one Team Pro to go into yesterday and never quite make the cut. She had another shot at it today but unfortunately came up short again about halfway through proceedings.

Joining Im at the rail was fellow teammate Celina Lin who fired her first bullet today. From all reports Lin didn't appear to get much going this afternoon, hanging in there for a couple of hours but ultimately chucking up the sponge within the later a part of the night.

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A happier time for Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin

For the 168 survivors (seat draw) though it's right back to it tomorrow here within the City of Dreams Casino. Day 2 begins at 2pm local time. You'll want to join us here at the PokerStars Blog for everything it's a must to learn about APPT 10 Manila. -- BK

9:15pm: Last five handsJust like last night, they be five more hands played at each table before play concludes. --MC

9pm: Yu can't do itLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Winfred Yu's dreams of creating Day 2 were just dashed after he ended up at the wrong end of a battle of the blinds. The player within the small blind raised to 2,400 and Yu moved all in excessive for around 22,000.

The small blind called it off and Yu saw that he was flipping to stick alive.

Yu: K♠J♣Small blind: 6♠6♥

The T♦4♣A♣ flop gave Yu some outs to Broadway however the 9♦ turn and 3♠ river bricked off to send him packing with only HALF-HOUR left within the day.

I guess it's back to that job as a receptionist. -- BK

8:50pm: Yu trying to repeat on last year's successLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Winfred Yu was nursing a brief stack for a very long time. He managed to crack A-K with A-6, hitting a six at the turn to get to 18,000 chips. Somehow it wasn't an entire double up as he found someone with a shorter stack than him.

"Maybe, I'll do almost like last year: make Day 2 with starting stack and go directly to make the overall table!" he philosophized.

"If I DO NOT make Day 2 though, I COULD must spend two days working as a receptionist!" he went directly to joke. --MC

8:40pm: Patni back within the huntLevel 9 - Blinds 600/1,200 (100 ante)

Kunal Patni didn't make it through to Day 2 yesterday, but is in with a fighting chance today after winning a very important race.

He was right down to 14,500 when he made his move with K♥Q♣ and located a willing customer with 8♣8♦. The board ran 6♥K♠7♥T♦5♦ to pair the Indian's king. --MC

8:20pm: Ballesteros still breathingLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Jaime Ballesteros's tournament remains to be alive after he pulled a gentle move and it payed dividends. After a raise to 2,000 Bart Luyckx called before Ballesteros pushed all in for 14,300.

The initial raiser made the decision and with Luyckx giving it up the cards went on their backs.

Ballesteros: 9♠8♠Opponent: A♣Q♠

Ballesteros had the worst of it but he had live cards and the 3♥6♦7♦ gave him additional outs with a straight draw. The 8♦ turn saw him pair to take the lead and needing to vanish just an ace or queen at the river the deck obliged with the 9♥ completing things.

Ballesteros clapped and set free a cheer and he raked within the pot and kept his run alive. -- BK

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8:15pm: Yu Lai that hand down Patty?Patty Pei Yu Lai made an agonising lay down in a large pot, and if she's to believe her opponent and his friend, it was an excellent one.

Around 50,000 was within the middle and the board read Q♦3♠J♦T♠ on the turn. Lai was at the button and facing a 22,000 bet.

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Critical decison for Patty

"Sh&t, sh&t!" she said before facing the motions of blowing air out of her mouth and looking out in real pain, before saying, "Oh my god!"

"Should've gone all-in at the flop! Ace-king?" she said moments later before open folding K♣K♥.

When she inquired as to what her open had, he responded by saying he had the nuts, an announcement his friend at the rail backed up as he was shown the cards after the pot was over. Lai still has 52,000 to play with. --MC

7:55pm: Tollefsen back and buildingLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

We reported earlier that Henrik Tollefsen lost the last of his stack right before the tip of the re-entry period, and it sort of feels he utilized the chance as he's now back on the tables and accumulating chips.

Tollefsen raised to 2,400 from early position and it folded around to Kunal Patni within the big blind who opted to defend. The flop was spread 2♥9♥4♥ and once checked to Tollefsen continued for 2,600.

Patni called and the 2 of them went to the J♦ turn. After another check from Patni Tollfesen barrelled again, this time for 5,500, and again Patni called before the K♦ appeared at the end.

A final check from Patni saw Tollefsen continue the aggression with a hefty 13,000. Patni didn't take long to fold before posing a question.

"Got there at the river?" Patni asked.

"Got there at the flop" came Tollefsen's reply as he stacked up a brand new total of 53,000 in chips. Patni however dropped to 32,000. -- BK

7:40pm: Van Putten on a chargeLevel 8 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Jasper van Putten's stack has shot up with big hands both sides of the break. After won the newest hand, he told the blog that he won with set-over-set in a three-bet pot in advance of the break.

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No wonder he's happy!

The hand we witnessed after the break saw him knock out a neighbour after finding aces behind the all-in. A player raised from middle position before another player three-bet all-in for 28,100 from the button. Van Putten looked down at A♣A♦ within the small blind and made the decision. After the unique raiser folded, the cutoff opened 6♠6♦ but did not crack the rockets on a Q♠4♦4♠J♦4♥ board. -- MC

7:20pm: Final break of the night

Players have just commenced their last 10 minute first light 1b. Coverage will resume momentarily. -- BK

7:10pm: Ship it to ShashankLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

Rathi Shashank has moved his stack over the 100,000-chip mark after a pleasant call at the river against Christopher Soyza.

We arrived on the table at the turn with the board showing 6♣3♠6♥J♠. Soyza led out for 7,400 and Shashank made the decision to take them to the 6♦ river.

Soyza had a last stab at it for 18,000 at the end but Shashank picked him off, calling with J♥8♥ for an entire house.

"Ten high" Soyza admitted tabling T♣8♣.

He was knocked all the way down to 26,000 while Shashank eclipsed six digits. -- BK

7:05pm: Photo opportunity time. DeniedLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

Dean Alred greater than doubled to just about 40,000 a little while ago after a three-way flop all-in, and desired to take a photograph of the cards, however the dealer wasn't within the mood to decelerate for him. It's unsure even if Alred managed to get the shot - it was so as regards to tell that it was like a photograph finish.

The flop was 2♠A♠9♥ and Alred held A♣K♥ to his opponents' Q♠Q♥ and A♥J♥. The K♠K♣ turn and river run out could've been worse for the Englishman and he was super fascinated about it, as I'm sure you've all worked out. -- MC

6:40pm: Wittmann and Paik pushLevel 7 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)

APPT Seoul champion Albert Paik is on the town going for back-to-back APPT titles and he was only one card clear of eliminating Karl Wittmann.

After an under the gun raise to 2,000 Wittmann moved all in for 14,800 and when it folded around to Paik, he moved all in excessive with enough to hide. The remainder of the table folded and the cards went on their backs.

Wittmann: A♥Q♥Paik: A♦K♠

Paik had Wittmann dominated and by the turn it seemed Wittmann's run was all but over until the river card brought a straight on board with the community cards showing 4♣6♠7♣5♦3♥.

They both took their bets back and must be content chopping up the blinds and antes. -- BK

6:30pm: The receptionist hanging onLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Winfred Yu, who joked about working as a receptionist to earn another buy-in earlier today is hanging in there with a brief stack.

He been patiently folding, obviously looking forward to a hand to make a move with. When he found said hand, he didn't get a decision. He three-bet all-in for 7,500 from the button after the cutoff had raised to 1,700. The cutoff then tank open-folded red fours.

A few hands later, Wu open shoved but received no callers. Sorry sir, are we able to put you on hold until we discover a showdown hand so that you can play? -- MC

6:15pm: Mishira makes an exitLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Don Mishira has just left us near the tip of Level 6 here after you have his money in good and failing to carry against Han Wool Jang.

After a raise to 1,500 from late position, Jang called at the button. Mishira had other ideas, however, as he moved all in for an additional 6,850. The initial raiser quickly folded but Jang called to place Mishira at risk.

Jang: A♠T♥Mishira: A♥K♣

Mishira had Jang dominated and looked good to secure himself a double up. That was until the J♣K♥Q♠ flop saw Jang flop Broadway to go away Mishira drawing thin to a chop or even thinner to a win.

The 5♣ turn was no help and neither was the 8♥ river and Mishira's elimination was confirmed. With the tournament now locked out he will not have the danger to re-enter. -- BK

6:10pm: Even stars burn outLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Alan Lau's ascent have been clipped back slightly after he let a hand go at the river to drop back to 55,000.

He raised to 1,800 off the button and called after the large blind three-bet to 3,700. The flop fell A♣T♥5♠ and the large blind continued for 4,500. Call. Both players checked the 6♥ turn before the massive blind led for 12,500. Fold.

We reported recently that Vivian Lim was in trouble. Unfortunately she never made a comeback and the re-entry period ended at first of this level, so it's gg for the principle event for the Team PokerStars Pro. --MC

5:55pm: Im in troubleLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Vivian Im's tournament life is at the ropes after losing a pot to Colombia's Jaime Ballesteros.

Azusa Maeda kicked things off with an early position raise to 1,500 before Im played back at him to the tune of 3,500. It folded around to Ballesteros who cold-called within the big blind, and Maeda tossed within the extra 2,000 to peer a flop of Q♣2♠J♥.

The action was quickly checked around and at the 3♣ turn it was checked over to Im who wagered 6,000 - leaving herself only 2,725 behind. Ballesteros asked to peer her stack before calling, and when Maeda folded the dealer revealed the 4♥ river.

The two remaining players checked their options and Ballesteros showed J♣T♣ for a couple of jacks. The hand was good as Im mucked to go away herself with lower than five big blinds. -- BK

5:40pm: Lau uses position to assemble more chipsLevel 6 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)

Alan Lau's stack has gotten as much as 68,000 after he won a horny simple pot using aggression and position.

After a cutoff raise to 1,200 he three-bet to 3,200 from the button. The massive blind and the unique raiser called to peer a K♥K♣T♠ flop. The action checked to Lau and he continued for 4,000. Both opponents folded. Simples. -- MC

5:10pm: Scheduled break

It's time again for players to take a break. Coverage will recommence in 10 minutes. -- BK

5pm: No miracle comeback for TollefsenLevel 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

Norway's Henrik Tollefsen found himself with lower than four big blinds and got the last of it in preflop against four other players.

The flop landed 5♠2♣K♣ and after a raffle from one player just one call meant Tollefsen had two less opponents to cope with. The action was checked down throughout the 6♦ turn and 3♣ river. Tollefsen tabled A♥9♦ for just ace-high but it surely wasn't enough against A♦4♦ for a rivered straight.

Tollefsen dusts off that bullet right before break and the close of registrating - we are not sure if he'll choose to re-enter. -- BK

4:50pm: If Carlsberg made river cards...Level 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

Danish player Martin Stausholm is creating a better fist of his second bullet - as much as 35,000 - after flopping second pair and making trips at the river. It have to be to do with the performance enhancing beer he's drinking.

He raised to 800 from the cutoff and was called by the button and small blind en path to a 6♦8♥A♣ flop. Stausholm continued for 1,000 and was only check-called by the small blind before both checked the 6♣ turn. The river was the 8♦ and Stausholm had another 2,700 check-called. He opened 9♠8♣ for trips and his opponent mucked. --MC

4:45pm: Reigning APOY risingLevel 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

Reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan King Lun Lau is here and doing damage - he just knocked a tablemate out of the running.

The cards were spread 9♥6♦5♦A♠K♠ and after the large blind checked, Lau moved all in from the cutoff with enough to hide his opponent's final 17,000.

The player hesitated but eventually called off and Lau flipped over 9♠9♣ for a flopped set. Resigned to his fate Lau's tablemate knocked the table with a nod before leaving the tournament area. -- BK

4:35pm: Team Pro countsLevel 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)APPTManila2016 MainEvent Day1B Vivian Im.jpg

Vivian Im

Vivian Im - 27,200Celina Lin - 17,4002015 Asia Player of the Year Alan Lau may be back today and has a healthy 37,000. --MC

4:20pm: Bart blazing a trailLevel 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)

Bart Luyckx have been steadily climbing here today and he just took down another pot after putting the pressure on with a turn check-raise.

On a flop of J♠8♠9♣ Luyckx check-called of venture of 2,700 to look the dealer turn the 3♦. Luyckx checked again before his opponent bet 4,000 of his remaining 10,000 in chips. There wasn't much hesitation before Luyckx flicked in two 5,000-denomination chips to position his tablemate to a call for his entire stack.

The move was met with a scrunched up face and after a minute's deliberation Luyckx's opponent threw it within the muck. With that pot Luyckx builds to a stack of 54,000. -- BK

4:13pm: Kings cost StausholmLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (25)

Martin Stausholm immediately bought back in after he busted holding pocket kings.He was within the under the gun position and battling post flop with a player to his direct left. The board on the turn, when Stausholm committed his last 11,025, was J♣7♣4♦Q♦. The Dane opened his K♥K♠ but was behind to his opponent's J♥7♥ and the A♦ river changed not a specific thing. --MC

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4pm: Maeda takes from TollefsenLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (25)

Henrik Tollefsen recently sat down next to Team PokerStars Pro Vivian Im, and the Norwegian has since lost a couple of chips to Azusa Maeda.

With the flop showing 3♣T♥J♦ Tollefsen led at it for 2,500 from the large blind before Maeda called from the button. Both players then checked in the course of the 5♥ turn and the J♦ arrived at the river.

Tollefsen checked his option but quickly folded when Maeda had a stab at it for 3,600. With that Tollefsen drops to 16,025 while Maeda moves as much as 46,200 in chips. -- BK

3:45pm: Lai takes one awayLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (25)

Patty Pei Yu Lai's stack has risen to around 30,000 after she took two players off a stack, out of position.

APPTManila2016 MainEvent Day1B Patty Pei Yu Lai.jpg

Patty at the rise

She was within the small blind and called a cutoff raise together with the button. The flop fell 6♠K♦9♠ and the action was checked around to the button who bet 1,825. Both opponents called to the A♥ turn where Lai led out for 6,500. It appeared to take her opponents without warning and one at a time they folded. -- MC

3:20pm: Shaq shows up with the goodsLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (25)

A player known to us only as 'Shaq' just won an overly healthy pot after a crafty river check-raise. The board read 6♣7♣7♦Q♥T♥ and Shaq checked into two players from the small blind.

Next-to-act Roger Spets fired for 2,500 and Don Mishira made the decision before the action was back on Shaq. He took his time before flicking 13,000 into the center. Spets looked befuddled but after a minute or so he committed to a call.

Mishira got out of ways and Shaq tabled 6♥6♦ for a flopped full house. Spets nodded and paused momentarily before relinquishing the inferior hand. -- BK

3pm: Three hands with CelinaLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300

Team PokerStars Pro Celina Lin played three hands in a row leading as much as the break, winning two and losing one, to look her hover just below starting stack.

In the primary hand, she and Albert Paik made it to the turn of a Q♣9♥4♦2♠ board with around 5,000 chips within the middle. Lin led out for 5,000 from the small blind and Paik folded from the hijack.

The next hand saw Lin open raise from the button taking the blinds and antes.

APPTManila2016 MainEvent Day1B Celina Lin.jpg

Lin keeping busy

Hisashi Ogi opened to the pot the following hand, raising to 700 from the hijack. Lin called within the seat and Chung Ying Chen called from the massive blind. Ogi continued for 1,000 at the 6♠4♣7♥ flop before Lin raised to 2,500. Chen check-called from the massive blind and that was enough to scare off Ogi. Lin was then scared off at the 4♥ turn after Chen bet another 2,500.

The players are on their first 10-minute break of the day. --MC

2:50pm: Li seeking to re-enterLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300

Yan Li was all the way down to lower than 3,000 in chips when she opened to 700 from middle position. Azusa Maeda on her direct left made the decision but Graeme Siow Wei Lik popped it as much as 3,000. Li called off for her tournament life and Maeda came along to a flop of J♥Q♥4♥.

"I desire a re-entry" Li said, flashing us what gave the impression of 7-3 off suit.

Li was already walking to the registration booth before the opposite two checked to peer the Q♠ turn. The action checked during and the T♥ river completed the board.

Lik had the most efficient of it with A♠J♠ sooner than Maeda's T♦7♦ and Li's rags and he took down the pot. Li need to be back within the field momentarily. -- BK

2:35pm: Ozawa outta hereLevel 3 - Blinds 150/300

Japan's Naoya Ozawa has fallen within the third level here after a nasty beat sent him packing.

He got one and all of his chips in preflop holding K♥K♣ and looked set for a double up against his tablemate Andy Asihwardji's Q♠Q♣.

That was until the 7♠Q♥3♠ saw Asihwardji take the lead and Ozawa left chasing two outs. Neither of these would come because the A♦ turn and T♦ river rolled off and Ozawa left his seat.

Asihwardji moved as much as 63,700 in chips. -- BK

2:30pm: Lucky suit for Yu?Level 3 - Blinds 150/300

Winfred Yu fired two bullets yesterday without luck and he's back for more today, and wearing a dapper suit, as you will find from the below photo.

APPTManila2016 MainEvent Day1B Winfred Yu.jpg

Winfred Yu looking the part....of a receptionist

He told the blog that he needed to are available in early to work a couple of hours behind the registration desk to earn the money for the today's entry, therefore he had to dress the part. We believe times are that arduous Winfred, we actually do. -- MC

2:20pm: Cry me a river for HolleyLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200

Matt Holley did the old reverse psychology trick at the deck to win a race to come back to starting stack.

He was at the button and got his stack in with A♦Q♠ and was called by a player within the hijack holding 8♣8♠. The board ran to the turn as 9♣4♠4♣2♠ when Holley said, "Nice hand, you win," while tapping the table. Then the river came because the A♣ handy him the pot, and he continued, "Sorry!" --MC

2:15pm: Celina Lin takes a seatLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200

Today's PokerStars Team Pro roster seems like it's doubled here today with Celina Lin spotted at the tournament floor. She joins teammate Vivian Im who was seated originally of play.

A few more familiar faces on the tables include Pete Chen, Christopher Soyza, Bart Luyckx, Iori Yogo and Winfred Yu. -- BK

2:00pm: Tang takes one downLevel 2 - Blinds 100/200

We arrived on the table to peer an already bloated pot and cards on their backs with the board reading Q♦2♠2♦7♦K♦ and Jing Tang with a 6,700 all-in out in front of him.

His opponent had called with A♣A♦ to position Tang in danger however the latter flopped the arena holding Q♠Q♣ for a whole house.

The dealer cut out the right amount from the opposite player's stack and pushed the pot Tang's way. He now has 29,000 in chips to play with. -- BK

1:50pm: Five-way action on table 17Level 2 - Blinds 100/200

Marcuss Liow bet into four opponents on table 17 and after you have called in two spots he would've been happy to peer a favourable turn card.

The flop was 9♠A♦5♠ and his 500 bet from the hijack was called Kian Chong Cheong and Fu Bang Huang within the next two seats. The turn was the 5♣ and he upped the pressure with a 3,000 bet, only called by Cheong. The board filled out with the J♦ and Liow bet 6,000. Cheong called over again and mucked upon seeing his opponent's 5♦6♦ for trip fives. -- MC

1:40pm: High Roller champ caught outLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

While Day 1a of the primary Event was on last night, China's Yan Li was busy shipping the High Roller Event and pocketing herself ₱3,527,400. She's back within the poker site today for Day 1b of the principle Event, but things haven't quite been going her way so far.

In a up to date hand the action went four-way to a flop of K♣2♦4♠ and after the large blind checked, Li barrelled for 525 from early position. Azusa Maeda made the decision next-to-act and after the fourth player folded, the massive blind stuck around and the 3 went to the T♣ turn.

Another check from the massive blind saw Li continue for 1,700 which was met by a choice from Maeda and a fold from the large blind. The T♠ river completed the board and Li loaded up again, firing for 6,325 at the end. Maeda didn't take long to make the right kind call and saw his K♥J♥ was good when Li tabled 3♣3♦. -- BK

manila appt yan li.jpg

Yan Li

1:35pm: Chang and Panti feel positional painLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

The power of position in poker is so important as many people know. Kunal Patni and positively Carlos Chang know that, after tangling with Kitamura Makoto.

Panti raised to 425 from third to behave after a player had limped under the gun. Chang was at the button and studied Patni before calling. Makoto didn't need anytime to think at the button and immediately made it 1,500 to move. The limper folded but Patni and Chang called to a A♦3♠2♦ that each one three checked during the. turn was the J♥ and Patni checked to Chang who bet 2,400, just for Makoto to quickly raise again, to 6,000. Patni got out of how to permit Chang to name to the 6♠ river where he check-folded (dropping to 13,000) when Makoto moved all-in. --MC

1:15pm: Field swells and familiar facesLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100

There are still players lined up on the registration booth and with 152 already seated - and unlimited re-entry available, it looks as if there have to be an outstanding field size today.

We've already spotted a couple of familiar faces on the tables. Donald Lange is back again, he'll be hoping to run better this afternoon after having his pocket kings cracked yesterday. Also a number of the field are Kunal Patni, Gab Yong Kim and Team PokerStars Pro Vivian Im.

Im was the one Team Pro who played yesterday not to qualify for Day 2, with Bryan Huang, Yaxi Zhu, Kosei Ichinose and Chen An Lin all securing theirs seats. Also expected to play today is teammate Celina Lin, but we've not seen her within the poker site just yet. -- BK

1pm: Cards within the air!Level 1 - Blinds 50/100

Players at the moment are of their seats and play is underway. We'll be hitting the tournament floor to look if we will be able to spot any notable names within the mix. Stay tuned! -- BK

12:30pm: Welcome to Day 1b!

It's almost time again for an additional group of poker hopefuls to tug up seats and check out their luck on this APPT Manila Main Event. Yesterday saw 228 entries and ultimately 62 survived the nine levels of play. With re-entry available on this tournament we're expecting some of yesterday's casualties to make a return appearance in addition to a gaggle of latest faces within the mix.

Today's runners could be chasing yesterday's chip leader Jen-Yen Chien who bagged up 286,900 on the conclusion of play. He had an excellent day on the felt, spinning up his 20,000 starting chip stack to over tenfold inside the day.

And now only HALF-HOUR remain until the action commences again here at PokerStars LIVE Manila. As always we'll have the entire action from here at the tournament floor. Be sure you stick with us here on the PokerStars Blog! -- BK

APPTManila2016 MainEvent Day1A Fred Leung.jpg

Fred Leung explaining what a float is, in his regular morning lesson

PokerStars Blog reporting team in Manila: Brad Kain and Marc Convey. Photos by Kenneth Lim Photography.

The APPT Manila festival at PokerStars LIVE on the City of Dreams runs until Monday, August 8. Full details can be found at the official APPT website or via the PokerStars Manila page.



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Sunday Briefing: Sunday Million Results in a Four-Way ChopNO Deposit bonus $43
HomeNewsOnline Poker Sunday Million

While the ecu Poker Tour Barcelona festival was drawing to a close, tens of thousands of poker players were trying to win big in online poker’s Sunday Majors, and lots of those grinders ended the night with sizable scores to gloat about.

The biggest tournament scores stemmed from play at PokerStars where the Sunday Million led to a four-way chops, and people four players scooping a combined $418,890.38. Claiming the most important prize was the eventual champion “VegasDietz” who walked away with $122,108 while runner-up “donki4” banked $102,475.04.

Also at that final table was James “Asprin1” Akenhead, who won this event in January 2012. Akenhead fell in eighth place for $12,729.42.

Another large score came from the Sunday Warm-Up where “Znam” topped a field of 1,444 to get their hands at the $44,321.09 first place prize, and within the Sunday Grand NLHE it was Sergi “srxakgirona” Reixach who emerged victorious, banking $40,201.43.

Other notable results from PokerStars this Sunday include:

  • Jamie “buffyslayer1” Wilby – winner of the Sunday Starter for $5,416.13
  • “trickyone14” – winner of the Sunday Kickoff for $18,254.29
  • “germaxi” – winner of the massive $109 for $22,166.53
  • Norbert “wantme1234” Berent – winner of the Super-Sized Sunday for $26,718.53
  • “Tagult” – winner of the Sunday Grand PLO for $24,374.62
  • “pitkas799” – winner of the large $215 for $17,221.55
  • “ViciuSMaXiMu” – winner of the Sunday Cooldown for $17,713.29
  • Aleks “grinder1992” Dimitrov – winner of the Sunday Supersonic for $29,437.59
  • “kbza08” – winner of the Sunday Wrap-Up for $8,742.19

Over on the partypoker tables, the $100,000 Gtd Main Event resulted in a heads-up chop between champion “NAGORNYAK” and runner-up “fwd2dreams” who walked away with $18,669.37 and $18,559.38 for his or her $109 investment, nevertheless it was “hitaremchok” who collected the biggest cash of the night, namely $25,522.50 for his or her win within the $100,000 Gtd High Roller.

Before those two tournaments ended, “ZLbIDeNb PrO” won the $40,000 Drago for $7,676 and “JaxAd” took down the $50,000 Weigh-In for a $10,283.29 addition to their bankroll.

Over to 888poker now where we round up this week’s Sunday Briefing.

In the $70,000 Baby Whale, “BriIliant” won the $16,196.40 first place prize, with 888poker ambassador Chris “888Moorman” Moorman finishing in third place for $8,949.60.

A three-way deal brought the $100,000 Mega Deep to a conclusion. “dulek jason” finished third for $15,035.43, “Lov3ThiSGamE” was the runner-up for $17,705.14, and Jase “MyLilPwny” Regina was crowned champion, a finish worth $15,792.93.

“nemekiss” added $7,224 to their lifetime tournament winnings with a victory within the $30,000 Turbo Mega Deep, while Russia’s “LetheGuard”, “kuconi1”, and Daniel “CabecaTilt” Costa chopped the $60,000 Sunday Challenge for $10,720.06, $10,912.72, and $10,594.21 scores.

Want to stick atop the entire latest within the poker world? If so, be sure to get PokerNews updates to your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+!

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APPT10 Manila: Jessie Leonardez commands the overall nineNO Deposit bonus $43

The penultimate day of this APPT Manila Main Event is officially a wrap. 39 entered but now only nine remain with our final table prepared for tomorrow's exciting conclusion.

At the start of play the role of chip leader was shared between Alex Lee and Seongsu Kong but one fared better than the opposite here on Day 3. In fact, it was Kong who ended up knocking Lee out just a few shy of the overall table.

Lee moved all in on a flop of 9♣9♥8♦ with 8♠6♦ but bumped into the T♠T♣ of Kong, who held to send Lee packing. Kong will start tomorrow 4th in chips with 990,000.

manila appt Seongsu Kong.jpg

Seongsu Kong

Leading the best way into tomorrow could be last season's APPT Manila 3rd place finisher Jessie Leonarez. He rampaged his solution to the highest within the early stages of play and refused to relinquish the title of chip leader throughout. Within the final level of the night he extended that chip lead even further with an enormous bluff against Kong.

The hand saw Kong bring it in for a raise before Leonarez defended his big blind and the flop fell K♦8♦5♦. Kong fired for 120,000 but Leonarez raised it to 250,000. Kong called and the T♥ turn arrived. Leonarez quickly bet 500,000 which was met by a good quicker call before the T♣ completed the board. Leonarez made it 650,000 at the river which was around two thirds of Kong's stack. The latter tanked for several minutes but ultimately gave it up.

Leonarez added salt to the wound by tabling 6♥3♥ for absolutely nothing. It was plays like that person who brought Leonarez to this spot within the tournament and he'll return tomorrow with greater than double the chips of his closest rival. We'll see if Leonarez can finish on his 3rd place finish from last year!

manila appt ft chip leader Jessie Leonarez.jpg

Jessie Leonarez (standing; right) returns with a commanding chip lead tomorrow

Perhaps essentially the most bitter sweet finish of the day was for our final table bubble boy Rommel Angeles. His final hand saw reigning Asia Player of the Year Alan King Lun Lau move all in from the small unaware of cover Angeles's short stack within the big blind. Angeles called it off and went to the races for a possible spot on the final table.

Angeles: 2♥2♣Lau: K♣T♣

The 4♥9♥3♥ was a really perfect one for Angeles as he also picked up a flush draw. Angeles faded danger at the 4♣ turn however the off suit T♦ landed at the river to finish his run in 10th place. He collected ₱430,400 while Lau locked up his spot at the final table with 1,015,000 and play concluded.

manila appt Rommel Angeles bubble.jpg

Alan King Lun Lau (pictured left) eliminates Rommel Angeles (pictured right) at the bubble

Here's how our final table stacks up before they battle it out come tomorrow:

Seat Name Chips
1 Linh Tran 1,870,000
2 Mike Takayama 670,000
3 Sam Razavi 500,000
4 Seongsu Kong 970,000
5 Joven Huer 355,000
6 Alan King Lun Lau 1,015,000
7 Jessie Leonardez 4,595,000
8 Bruno Tzu Chieh Lo 860,000
9 Sangyong Lee 795,000

manila appt final 9.jpg

That's all from us here tonight. Play will recommence back here at 2pm where our final nine might be chasing the APPT Main Event title, a ₱6,135,000 payday and the celebrated APPT trophy. Be sure you join us on the PokerStars Blog!



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João Costa leads Portugal Poker Series in Figueira da FozNO Deposit bonus $43

Thumbnail image for ps news thn.jpgPortuguese player João Costa built a big chip lead during Day 1A of PokerStars Portugal Poker Series Figueira da Foz. After nine 60- minute levels, Costa bagged 204,700 chips, putting himself as an enormous favourite to win this second event of 1 of the most recent PokerStars tours.

That stack is much more impressive when you think about that, certainly one of 54 starters on Day 1A of this €700+€70 tournament, he began with 15,000 chips. When he returns on Sunday for Day 2, blinds can be 500-1,000 (100 ante), because of this he has just a little greater than 204 big blinds. In total he has greater than 25% of the 810,000 chips in play today, and his closest challenger, Eduardo Ferreira, has 83,700 chips!

joao costa pps.PNG

Chip leader João Costa

Day 1A saw the demise of 2 Portuguese Team PokerStars Pros. Henrique Pinho lost his last chips in spite of everything of the penultimate level of the day, just a bit bit after Nuno Coelho had pocket kings... twice! First he lost 1/2 his stack pre-flop against A-K, then he found himself at the wrong side of a K-K vs. A-A cooler.

nuno coelho pps.JPG

Team PokerStars Pro Nuno Coelho

Satursay saw another Team PokerStars Pro in play. João Nunes plays, but after a different heads-up challenge against Paulo Futre, probably the greatest Portuguese footballers ever, whose popularity levels in Portugal are, nowadays, higher than ever.

If you desire to practise your Portuguese, visit our fellow PokerStars PT Blog, where one can find all details of just today 1A at the Live Coverage. Whilst you do that, take a look at the Portugal Poker Series official website to be told more about this tour.



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