Dan's the person to catch
While two big tournaments on the Portomaso Casino played to their conclusion today the principle Event was just getting started at the journey to seek out a winner to sign up for Jean Montury and Niall Farrell as EPT Malta champions.
While David Yan and Ismael Bojang were busy winning the €25,000 High Roller and IPT Main Event respectively, a complete of 134 players selected the hole flight to begin their bid for glory by and large Event. After the outlet eight levels, it's Dan Shak who leads the 61 players who bagged chips on the end of play. The American's total of 185,000 puts him just prior to Pasi Sormunen (183,500), Alex Brand (163,600), Frederik Jensen (147,800) and Ole Schemion (147,500).
Shak snatched the chip lead at the final hand of the night when he made a super hero call with 'just' a couple of queens on a flushing and coupled board to eliminate Ghassan Bitar. Up until that point, it looked sure to be Sormunen who'd end the day on the summit, on an afternoon where almost everything looked as if it would go his way.
Sormunen - Finn it to win it
He rivered a straight to crack the sets of Max Silver and Stephan Zesiger and calmly said. "I DID NOT have the percentages but I REALLY LIKE to gamble." He showed he's got hand reading skills in addition to gamble when he called a Dario Sammartino shove with just ace high and was proved right because the Italian had king high. It was that kind of day for the player who finished fifth in Barcelona in Season 10. If he carries on like this, we might even see another sparkly hat on the final table come Saturday. Such was Sormunen's lead over the remainder of the sphere that he could absorb losing an 80k pot to Frederik Jensen over the past level and still almost retain the lead.
Other notables and massive stacks who'll be back on Tuesday for Day 2 include:
Guillaume Valle - 143,200Charlie Carrel - 87,300Stephen Chidwick - 80,900Juha Helppi - 48,700Paul Newey - 41,500Fabrice Soulier - 37,500Adrian Mateos - 27,800James Akenhead - 15,400Pratyush Buddiga - 9,900Vladimir Troyanovskiy - 9,000
Pagano remains to be on the lookout for cash number 22
There were three members of the Red Spade brigade within the field today but not one of the triumvirate may be back for Day 2. Both Luca Pagano and Fatima Moreira de Melo were touched by the icy hand of variance and busted before they may get going. The Italian, who was searching for his 22nd Main Event cash, got his chips in ahead with a dominating hand against Oleksii Khoroshenin but was rivered. As for Moreira de Melo, it was a case of aces cracked for her and by quads no less. Theo Jorgensen lasted late into the night, however the result was the same.
Plenty of notables joined them at the rail with Cate Hall, Philipp Gruissem, Martin Finger, Jorryt Van Hoof, Dinesh Alt, Scott Seiver, Pierre Neuville, Nick Petrangelo, Anthony Zinno, Steve O'Dwyer, Martin Kozlov, Justin Smith and Connor Drinan a few of the sharks who were swallowed up.
No joy for O'Dwyer
That's all from our coverage of the principle Event for today, we'll be back for Day 1B from noon tomorrow. Overnight chip counts can also be accessed by clicking this link.
11:59pm: End of playLevel 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
That's all from Day 1A folks, joins us at noon tomorrow for Day 1B. --NW
11:50pm: Last three handsLevel 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
A three was drawn at random so that's what number of more hands may be played tonight.
11:45pm: Even Jesus Christ can not help you win flipsLevel 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
Andrew Christoforou, who came 18th within the WSOP Main Event within the summer, tutted and whispered, "Jesus Christ" after Frederik Jensen hit an ace at the turn to eliminate him.
Former EPT Madrid winner Jensen opened to 2,000 from under the gun and was called in a single spot before Christoforou squeezed all-in for 31,200. When the action got back around to Jensen he shoved and successfully isolated the Brit.
Jensen: A♣K♥Christoforou: T♥T♦
The board ran 4♥6♦7♠A♦7♦ to make the Dane two pair and he moved as much as 110,000. --MC
11:30pm: Kozlov punished for semi slowroll?Level 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
Martin Kozlov and Charlie Carrel's table was broken and so they were both moved to a table that - when they got there - was even potentially even tougher than the last one. Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Ben Heath, Pratyush Buddiga and Paul Tedecshi to call a couple of were in wait. It was Karzan Hamarash they, or Kozlov, should've been worried about though.
The Australian opened to 2,000 from middle position and was called by Hamarash at the button. The flop spread 7♣4♠5♥ and Kozlov checked to stand a 3,500 bet. He paused, counted his 11,100 stack after which moved all-in. Hamarash got a decision after which called.
Kozlov turned his cards over but had one hidden under the opposite so only the A♣ was exposed. The dealer needed to reach over and slide it off the opposite one, another ace within the type of the A♦. Hamarash opened 4♦6♦ and was rewarded when the board ran out 8♦8♠ to make him a straight. He moved as much as 34,400. --MC
11:10pm: Nice hand for NanosLevel 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
In the list of poker hands that look good, but don't play great then ace-jack suited is somewhere near the highest. Konstantinos Nanos was dealt A♥J♥ and decided that he was going with it and shoved all-in for 21,900. Action folded around to Chi Zhang within the small blind and once you have a count, he called with pocket sevens and Ole Schemion folded.
So it was a race, and one Nanos badly had to win. A 8♥2♣A♣Q♦5♣ board meant he flopped best and doubled up. --NW
11:05pm: No stack NeuvilleLevel 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
Pierre Neuville gave the blog a glance indicating he needed something to happen. A hand to make a move with. He was short and located that hand and the one movement he was doing afterwards was stretching out his legs ready for the walk of shame.
Tibor Nagygyorgy was the player who deal the fatal blow, his A♣Q♥ beating the Belgian's K♠K♣. The chips went in at the turn of a J♦9♥A♦4♥2♠ board. Nagygyorgy was bopping away to music as he tidied up his stack worth 85,000. --MC
10:50pm: GoneLevel 8 - 400/800 (ante 100)
As the last level of the day starts we will be able to report that Anthony Zinno, Jeff Sarwer, Justin Smith, Morten Mortensen and Zorlu Er are only one of the vital players who were eliminated during level seven. --NW
Checkmate for Sarwer
10:45pm: Akenhead straightened outLevel 7 - 300/600 (ante 100)
James Akenhead has dropped much more chips - all the way down to 23,000 - after an opponent flopped a straight against him and located some value.
The Brit raised to 1,400 from under the gun and was only called by Alain Fluri within the big blind. The flop came 5♥6♣8♥ and Akenhead continued for 1,400 and called after Fluri check-raised to 3,200. The turn was the 3♥ and Fluri led for 6,000. Call. The board completed with the Q♠ and Akenhead called another 3,300 before mucking when shown 9♣7♥. --MC
10:30pm: Eights not so great for AkenheadLevel 7 - 300/600 (ante 100)
There wasn't a flicker of emotion throughout this hand from James Akenhead, that is hardly surprising given the collection of poker hands he's seen over his career as this was, because the kids say, pretty standard.
The Londoner opened to 1,400 from under-the-gun, Mikalai Vaskaboinikau, who was next to act, fiddled together with his chips for a while, picked some up and tossed them around within the palm of his hand after which three-bet to 5,600 total.
It folded back around and Akenhead glanced to his left to gets eyes on Vaskaboinikau's chip stack after which bet enough to set the Belarussian all-in. Pause, call.
Akenhead: 8♣8♦Vaskaboinikau: A♠K♦
It was looking good for the previous train driver however the river of a 4♦3♦7♠J♥K♣ board sent the pot to his opponent and Akenhead is right down to 32,000. --NW
10:25pm: Trippy table number tenLevel 7 - 300/600 (ante 100)
Unless we're seeing things, table 10 - which was already tough - has become so much tougher since Scott Seiver was sat there after buying in, and Martin Kozlov was moved there. Here's the whole line-up:
1. Romal Jaweed - 21,7002. Martin Kozlov - 19,8003. Scott Seiver - 29,5004. Roman Korenev - 46,0005. Marko Neumann - 16,5006. Viacheslav Buldygin - 32,0007. Charlie Carrel - 56,0008. Paul Newey - 35,3009. Andrew Christoforou - 42,000
A visual experience of a table
The table conversation is being dominated by Kozlov and Carrel and it's fascinating to listen to what they're saying. Both are deep-thinking people, not only about poker but in addition life and looking for oneself. Out of respect, we can't divulge the whole details of the experiences they've gone through, but it's some trippy stuff.
Carrel and Newey
While they were talking Jaweed opened from early position and was called by Korenev within the hijack. The flop fell 6♦8♠4♠ and Jaweed continued for 2,300 but folded when raised to 5,500. --MC
10:10pm: Enter JensenLevel 7 - 300/600 (ante 100)
There aren't that many players who can say they've won an EPT after which finished third in another and won way over they did for his or her victory. However, Frederik Jensen is a person who can. He took down EPT8 Madrid, winning €495,000 within the process, and finished third at EPT12 Barcelona, pocketing €810,294.
He took his seat a little while ago and finds himself to the fitting of Oleksii Khoroshenin and Pasi Sormunen. No sooner had he sat down then he limped in from under-the-gun, Ran Azor attacked the limp by raising to 1,600, Khoroshenin called from the massive blind and Jensen also called.
The 8♥A♠8♠8♦Q♣ run out looked 'actiony' but not a single post-flop bet was put into the pot. At showdown Azor showed Q♥T♦ which was good. --NW
9:50pm: Kisacikoglu doubles and provides some backLevel 7 - 300/600 (ante 100)
Orpen Kisacikoglu wishes he could play more poker than he does, but can't find the time as a result of a hectic growing gaming company that he runs. So, while he's here at EPT Malta, he's packing within the tournaments. He's already featured within the blog while playing the €10k Re-entry and the €25k as well, coming eighth within the first one for €23,280.
He's playing here normally Event but struggling. He doubled up after which gave some back.
Marcello Miniucchi opened from UTG+1 and called after Kisacikoglu three-bet all-in for 9,600 from the following seat.
Miniucchi: T♣T♥Kisacikoglu: J♠J♣
The board ran A♣A♠7♣7♦Q♣.
The very next hand Miniucchi raised from UTG and was called in three spots including Kisacikoglu. The flop came 7♣6♥9♥ and Kisacikoglu was first to bet at it, for 4,000. Luca Granieri was within the blind and check-raised to 10,000. All opponents, including Kisacikoglu, folded. --MC
9:30pm: Top 10 stacksLevel 7 - 300/600 (ante 100)
Below are the highest 10 stacks because the level gets underway, Pasi Sormunen remains to be the player to catch.
| Pasi Sormunen | Finland | 174,000 | |
| Sergey Sergeev | Russia | 130,000 | |
| Graydon Kowal | Canada | 102,000 | |
| Alex Brand | Netherlands | PokerStars player | 92,000 |
| Paul McCartney | UK | 86,000 | |
| Dan Shak | USA | PokerStars player | 83,000 |
| Thomas Mjeldheim | Norway | 80,000 | |
| Dmitry Yurasov | Russia | PokerStars qualifier | 75,000 |
| Guillaume Valle | France | PokerStars qualifier | 74,000 |
| Jakub Michalak | Poland | PokerStars player | 74,000 |
Notables who're just bubbling under include: Ole Schemion (68,000), Brian Altman (67,000), Adrian Mateos (50,000) and Charlie Carrel (47,000).
Dmitry Yurasov is building a good stack
8:15pm: Dinner break
Players at the moment are on a 75-minute dinner break.
8:10pm: Drinan doubles through ErLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Zorlu Er -- who you'll recall took fifth within the EPT13 Barcelona Main Event a few months ago -- opened with a raise to 1,125 from the cutoff. Then Connor Drinan -- who you'll recall won the €10K High Roller in Barcelona (and so much else which will greater than $10 million in tournament winnings) -- reraised all-in for his last 9,300 from the button.
It folded back to Er who got a count, and he called with A♠8♠. Drinan meanwhile had Q♣J♥, and after the flop came A♦Q♦9♦ to present both a pair, Drinan was needing further assist in order to maintain his seat.
The K♠ turn didn't specifically help Drinan, but at the side of the T♥ river made a saving straight for Drinan and he stays within the game with almost 20,000. Er, meanwhile, is down under 4,000 because the dinner break nears. --MH
8:05pm: Sormunen away from the fieldLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Pasi Sormunen has shown up to now at the EPT that he is usually a hard man to forestall once he gets momentum going. He's certainly got that going presently as he's the clear chip leader on 160,000.
We're assuming he's left a trail of disaster behind him, the most recent being the elimination of Dario Sammartino. We missed the hand but Sormunen told the blog that Sammartino moved all-in at the turn with a king high flush draw. He didn't believe them and called with ace high and was proved right. --MC
8:00pm: Domination rotationLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Davide Suriano and Mete Ustuay got it all-in pre-flop with Ustuay the only at risk, all-in for just over 15,000.
Ustuay: A♥8♣Suriano: A♣K♣
The T♦8♦4♣ flop meant Ustuay took the lead and he held onto it via the 4♦ flop and Q♣ river. He doubles, while Suriano is left with just 8,000. --NW
7:58pm: Shak hits jack and has a stackLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Kind of a fascinating one for you, a hand that ended in Dan Shak stacking up greater than 100,000 as Level 6 nears its close.
The hand began with Shak opening big for 2,000 from the button, then watching Luke Marsh three-bet to 4,800 from the massive blind. Shak called, and the flop came 2♥7♥3♦.
Marsh led for 3,600, and Shak didn't waste an excessive amount of time before raising to 15,000. Marsh acted relatively quickly, too, reraising all-in, and Shak called to commit 41,900 total.
Marsh turned over A♣Q♥ for a few overcards, having perhaps hoped to push Shak off his hand. Because it turned out, Marsh was ahead -- for the moment, anyway -- as Shak had J♥T♥ for 2 (lesser) overs a heart flush draw.
The turn was the 9♣, and Shak closed his eyes as if hoping it could improve his probabilities of drawing out at the river. Whether that helped or not, the J♦ landed on fifth street to pair Shak and provides him the large pot.
As noted, he's up around 100,000 now, while Marsh slips to 21,000. --MH
7:55pm: O'Dwyer's day is doneLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Table five, aka the 'Table of Death' just got a smidgen softer as Steve O'Dwyer has busted. He jammed from under-the-gun+1 for his final 4,950 and Knut Karnapp flicked in one blue 5K chip to name and everybody else folded. Karnapp opened K♠Q♠ while O'Dwyer had J♥T♥. The 3♣6♣2♦K♥9♠ board didn't help O'Dwyer and he departs. --NW
Steve O'Dwyer
7:50pm: No arguin', Larguemin... you won that oneLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
With the board showing 3♦8♥K♣6♥, Christophe Larguemin put his last chips forward as an all-in bet but didn't appear very enthused about his chances when either one of his opponents within the hand -- Karzan Hamarash and Ben Heath -- called his bet.
Larguemin shifted in his seat, and after the K♦ came at the river and the opposite two checked, he stood as he tabled his A♥8♣ for kings and eights. That couldn't be good, could it? It was as if Larguemin had already argued it out with himself and decided there has been no chance he was still remaining within the tournament.
Heath showed 7♦7♠, so it was better than that. And Hamarash had a busted straight draw with 5♦4♠, another hand Larguemin could beat.
He sat back down, glad that he were wrong. And right. And still in with 18,000. Heath meanwhile has 28,000 and Hamarash 55,000. --MH
Ready to begin playing on PokerStars? Click here to get started.7:45pm: Pagano outLevel6 - Blinds 250/300 (75 ante)
Luca Pagano is out. After three-betting pre-flop and taking Oleksii Khoroshenin in conjunction with him, his ace-queen was rivered by a king, which matched the only in Khoroshenin's hand. The Team Pro is out.
Khoroshenin meanwhile, fresh from the High Roller final, is as much as 58,000. - SB
7:40pm: Heath gets lucky to doubleLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Ben Heath was halfway out of his chair as he anticipated his exit, but a good looking river three-outer came to his rescue and he doubled up.
The hand was three-way to a T♥3♥9♦ flop and 5,700 was already within the pot. The action checked to Heath within the cutoff and he bet 3,250. Christophe Larquemin was within the small blind and check-raised all-in for 14,425. The third player within the hand tanked for a couple of minutes before folding, but Heath snap called all-in for 11,925.
Larquemin: J♦T♣ for prime pair, jack kicker.Heath: T♦8♦ for prime pair, eight kicker.
The board ran out A♣8♠ to hit Heath's kicker. --MC
7:35pm: Always play suited pocket pairsLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
"I think you may have folded the most productive hand, Luca."
So said Dmitry Ponomarev at present. Luca readily agreed because the table laughed. Let's back up and explain.
Pagano had opened with a raise to 1,000 from the cutoff, then watched Oleksii Khoroshenin on his left call from the button. That's when Agron Kabashaj reraised all-in for his last 9,575 from the small blind.
It folded back to Pagano who let his hand go. Khoroshenin leaned forward to get an idea of the quantity of the raise, then called.
With a sheepish grin, Kabashaj turned over T♦6♥ to show his bluff-squeeze had apparently gone wrong. The table was a bit of surprised at that hand, but much more so when Khoroshenin turned over his -- 8♠6♠!
And nobody was more surprised than Khoroshenin himself.
"I thought they were eights," he said with a resigned look, then looked somewhat more dismayed because the board rolled out 9♣A♠4♣J♦Q♠ to present Kabashaj a shocking double-up. Meanwhile Khoroshenin fell to about 33,000.
Khoroshenin repeated afterwards how he genuinely misread his cards, that's when Ponomarev suggested Pagano had folded something better than the 2 hands shown. Pagano then turned to Khoroshenin.
"Did you think that your eights were suited?" asked Pagano, and the table laughed some more. --MH
7:30pm: Names, notables and massive stacksLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
A collection of chip counts below that covers one of the vital names and notable in today's field:
| Pasi Sormunen | Finland | 115,000 | |
| Sergey Sergeev | Russia | 94,000 | |
| Brian Altman | USA | PokerStars player | 69,000 |
| Ole Schemion | Germany | PokerStars qualifier | 63,300 |
| Dario Sammartino | Italy | PokerStars qualifier | 57,000 |
| Vladimir Troyanovskiy | Russia | PokerStars qualifier | 50,600 |
| Stephen Chidwick | UK | PokerStars player | 46,300 |
| Theo Jorgensen | Denmark | Team PokerStars Pro | 46,000 |
| Senh Ung | UK | 40,925 | |
| Oleksii Khoroshenin | Ukraine | 34,500 | |
| Juha Helppi | Finland | 34,125 | |
| Paul-Francois Tedeschi | UK | 33,000 | |
| Dan Shak | USA | PokerStars player | 32,025 |
| Jeff Sarwer | Finland | PokerStars player | 30,300 |
| Paul Newey | UK | 28,550 | |
| Luca Pagano | Italy | Team PokerStars Pro | 26,000 |
| Adrian Mateos | Spain | PokerStars qualifier | 25,100 |
| Steve O'Dwyer | Ireland | PokerStars player | 22,700 |
| Anthony Zinno | USA | 19,700 | |
| Charlie Carrel | UK | PokerStars qualifier | 19,000 |
| Martin Kozlov | Australia | PokerStars qualifier | 19,000 |
| Morten Mortensen | Denmark | PokerStars qualifier | 18,900 |
| Alexandros Kolonias | Greece | 16,600 | |
| Pierre Neuville | Belgium | 16,300 | |
| James Akenhead | UK | 15,450 | |
| Ben Heath | UK | 13,800 | |
| Pratyush Buddiga | USA | PokerStars player | 9,900 |
| Connor Drinan | USA | PokerStars qualifier | 7,575 |
| Nick Petrangelo | USA | PokerStars player | 6,525 |
Mateos points within the direction his stack is going
7:15pm: Short stay for SilverLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
Earlier we reported that Max Silver had slipped to simply 4,000 after running into aces. Well he just had a go at spinning it up into something more significant and it was quite the hand.
Pasi Sormunen opened to 1,100 from under-the-gun, Silver then shoved for 2,950, Stephan Zesiger flat called from the large blind and Sormunen also called.
On the T♥8♠6♦ flop Zesiger bet 4,000 and Sormunen called. The K♣ hit the turn, bet of 5,000 from Zesiger, call from Sormunen. Silver was pretty able to leave at this point, sensing he did not have the most efficient hand here. The river was the 4♣, Zesiger moved all-in for 7,700 and Sormunen snap called. Silver was the primary to show, he tabled 4♥4♠ and laughed when he saw the K♥K♠ that Zesiger turned over.
"I thought I'd rivered it," he said laughing. Then Sormunen turned his hand over, he had 7♦5♦. "AND YOU HAVE GOT the straight," said Silver laughing even harder now.
So that's a double elimination for Sormunen who's as much as 115,000. "I DID NOT have the percentages but I LOVE to gamble," he said as he stacked the chips. --NW
7:00pm: New levelLevel 6 - 250/500 (ante 75)
We're into the following level. On the end of this level players will take a dinner break -- approximately 8:15pm local time.
6:55pm: Smith's still got it and Schemion's always had itLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
It was just a chop pot for Justin Smith but it surely showed his instincts are still there.
He and Luigi Curcio made it to the turn where the board read 9♣7♥9♥7♠. Smith bet from the cutoff and called when his opponent check-raised him from the small blind. The board completed with the 3♠ and Curcio opened K♥9♥ after both players checked. Smith opened K♠J♣ and it was chopped up.
Moments in a while a close-by table, Ole Schemion was taking a pot off Graydon Kowal and Jeff Sarwer.
The three of them took to a 5♣Q♦7♣ flop where the German bet 1,700. Kowal was within the cutoff and raised to 4,000. That was enough to get Sarwer to fold from the small blind, but not Schemion who called. The 3♣ turn was checked through before Schemion led for 3,000 at the A♠ river. He opened A♦5♦ when called and Kowal mucked after showing the Q♣.
That put him as much as 75,000 and Kowal all the way down to 65,000. --MC
Kowal - rivered by Schemion
6:50pm: Chidwick takes last chips from LuisLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
Damien Luis's EPT Malta Main Event came to a premature end near the tip of the tournament's fourth level.
All-in with A♦K♠ versus Stephen Chidwick's Q♣Q♥ along with his short stack, Luis watched the board run out an unhelpful 5♣8♦T♥3♣3♥, and he headed toward the exit. Chidwick's tourney continues, meanwhile, as he's playing about 60,000 at the moment. --MH
Strong start for Chidwick
6:44pm: You look familiarLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
It's a skilled field for today's Day 1A. Indeed, as often happens at EPT Main Events, there are various top pros filling the seats around a few of the tables, meaning plenty of familiar faces with reference to everywhere one looks.
That said, each individual EPT stop attracts local media who aren't perhaps as acquainted with the EPT regulars. This sort of truth gave the look to be demonstrated at present as one Ole Schemion -- whom we were obviously capable of recognize from a perfect distance -- was being quizzed by one as regarding his identity.
This is speculation, mind you, as we watched from a distance. But Ole's patient grin gave the impression to indicate clearly enough what was happening. He was even asked about his chip stack, and Jeff Sarwer -- sitting around the table -- tried to assist out by suggesting Schemion was fooling around 70,000, the largest stack on the table on the moment.
It was an amusing scene, although most of Schemion's table -- made from many familiar faces from pasts EPTs, including Sarwer, Anthony Zinno, Steve O'Dwyer, and Knut Karnapp -- were intent at the hand being played. Schemion soon returned to concentrate on that to boot. --MH
6:40pm: Silver going for gold againLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
What do you do when you've just busted a €25,000 tournament and won €164,030? Well, if you are Max Silver you hop into the EPT Main Event. Silver and his salad, have taken a seat on the same table as Dario Sammartino and Martin Kozlov.
It's not been the most efficient of starts though...
6:30pm: Original end boss back within the gameLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
When the poker boom started greater than 10 years ago, Justin Smith was emerging as one of the most games brightest stars. He won a ton online under the handle "BoostedJ" and then, from 2008, began to crush in live tournaments besides. He's the one player I've personally ever seen correctly fold a straight flush. Yes it was in PLO but it surely was still incredibly impressive nonetheless.
His life got a bit of hectic for some time post 2012 and he mostly disappeared from the circuit. He's back and playing here today though and it will be interesting to peer if he still has it.
His stack sits at around 40,000 and we watched him play a few small pots.
Andrey Bondar raised from the button and Smith peeled to peer a 5♣5♦4♦ flop. Bondar continued for 900,000 and Smith check-called 900. The turn A♦ turn was checked through and Smith got his opponent to fold with a 1,400 bet at the 3♣ river.
Two hands later, Smith couldn't beat pocket threes at showdown. He raised to 1,000 off the button and Maximilian Seidel called from the massive blind. The flop fanned J♥A♥Q♦ and Smith's 1,000 c-bet was check-called. Not more chips migrated towards the center because the 7♥7♠ turn and river were checked through. Seidel opened 3♣3♦ and Smith mucked. --MC
6:20pm: Bad timingLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
There's no good time to run into aces, but some are worse than others, like if you end up all-in for instance.
Jakub Michalak was the catalyst for the hand, he's got a large stack and he opened to 1,100 from early position, Arben Cimilji then shoved for around 7,000 and Marcello Miniucchi flat called. This sent Michalak into the tank, and he folded. Cimilji confidently turned over A♦K♣ but his hopes of a double up was soon dashed when Miniucchi opened A♠A♣.
A K♦Q♦3♣ flop gave Cimilji a glimmer of hope however the 7♠ turn and 6♦ river kept the aces in front. --NW
6:05pm: Good fold, good banterLevel 4 - 200/400 (ante 50)
A fun hand all round on this one as some friendly banter punctuated the seriousness of the pot.
The action had already escalated by the point the PokerStars Blog arrived on the table. There has been a big gamble of 9,000 in front of Sergey Sergeev (under-the-gun+1) and 2,100 in front of Anatoly Korochenskiy (button). I CANNOT say for sure, however the chances are Sergeev opened, Korochenskiy had three-bet and he was now staring down the barrel of a four-bet for a good component to the 23,000 that he had left.
"If I pass will you show?" asked Korochenskiy."Yes, one card," replied Sergeev."No two," pleaded Korochenskiy."Only for those who show two," bartered Sergeev.
"I think you may have aces or kings," professed Korochenskiy to the table as he showed Q♥Q♦. True to his word Sergeev showed his hand which was A♣A♠. "Yes," said Korochenskiy and he lightly rapped the table to turn how happy he was along with his fold. There has been quite a lot of laughing and joking on the table concerning the hand and it kind of feels like a fun table to be at. After that hand Sergeev is as much as 70,000. --NW
You can win your seat to events like EPT Malta with a PokerStars account. Click here to get started.6pm: Enough is enough for FatimaLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
Try and squeeze Fatima Moreira de Melo off a hand and spot what happens to you.
Mikhail Petrov opened to 900 and was called by the Team PokerStars SportsStar before a player within the small blind raised to 3,100. Petrov folded but Moreira de Melo, who had exactly 15,000 back, moved all-in and got a snap fold from her opponent.
Postscript: Moreira de Melo is now out having run aces into quads. --MC
5:45pm: Play resumesLevel 5 - 200/400 (ante 50)
Players have returned from the break. They'll play two more levels before taking a dinner break.
5:30pm: Break timeLevel 4 - 150/300 (ante 25)
We're as much as 126 runners ordinarily Event now, of whom 113 remain. That implies new tables are being formed with some regularity. Nick Petrangelo, James Akenhead and Alexandros Kolonias are all seated on the same table. That trio, and everybody else, at the moment are on a 20-minute break. --NW
5:27pm: Big pot for Moreira de MeloLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
A hit for Fatima Moreira de Melo because the level involves an end. On a board of A♠3♦6♥6♠K♣ she was facing a big gamble of 7,500 from Morten Mortensen. She took her time with the call, but needed to concede when Mortensen showed A♣K♦. - SB
5:25pm: Yurasov gets paidLevel 4 - 150/300 (ante 25)
Dmitry Yurasov, who has three EPT €10,000 High Roller final table finishes on his results résumé, is as much as 58,000 after eliminating Ghanim Dashti. It was a correct cooler too with the Russian's aces, holding against the pocket queens of Dashti. --NW
5:15pm: Gruissem in, Gruissem outLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
Had he lasted longer than simply a couple of minutes Philipp Gruissem would have made a powerful addition to a table already featuring Stephen Chidwick, Conor Drinan and Zorlan Er. But that did not happen. Instead Gruissem just crashed out of the primary event.
Florin Minea opened at the button for 625 which Romal Jaweed called from the small blind, as did Gruissem from the big.
The flop came 8♠9♠9♣. The action was checked to Minea who bet 1,325. Jaweed raised to 3,000 before Gruissem moved all-in for 14,825. That got a fold from Minea but a choice from Jaweed who turned over A♦9♦. Gruissem meanwhile had T♣9♥. Neither the Q♣ at the turn or the K♣ at the river could help the German whose out within the same level he registered. - SB
5:10pm: Short and never so sweet a trip for FingerLevel 4 - 150/300 (ante 25)
"It was a brief visit today - 10 minutes!" Martin Finger said to the blog as he was walking during the room, a couple of minutes after busting.
Finger played only two hands in general Event today. The primary one saw his stack decimated, the second one saw him lose the remaining. He was all the way down to 5,400 when he moved all-in and had custom within the shape of Luca Granieri.
Granieri: A♦T♣Finger: 9♠9♦
The flop came A♥T♦T♠ and the entire table (including Finger) erupted in laughter. Finger's now enjoying a lager with the buddy Ismael Bojang, who just took down the IPT Main Event. --MC
Ready to join PokerStars? Click here to get an account.4:55pm: Tough table!Level 4 - 150/300 (ante 25)
Who'd be Chi Zhang? He just had a suite over set situation go against him to slide to 34,000 (see 4.40pm post) and now he's got to cope with another tough player on his left. That's because Ole Schemion has just sat down. The German pro finished sixth within the €25,000 High Roller and has now hopped often Event.
Zhang, who finished third at UKIPT5 Bristol in August 2015, is now sat an extremely tough table. He's in seat two, Jeff Sarwer sits in seat nine, Steve O'Dwyer is in seat one, Schemion's occupies seat three and you will find Anthony Zinno in seat four. That's some line-up. --NW
4:45pm: The unmaking of a handLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (50 ante)
A lot of hands we see go unreported, for no other reason that they begin well but do not get anywhere. Take this hand.Koray Aldemir opened for 300 in early position which was raised to 750 by Brian Altman. That was adequate for Nick Petrangelo to name before Yigit Aktulga four bet, to 2,200 total.
It's at this point where you're thinking that you're watching either a large hand develop, or the high point at which everyone starts folding.
Aldemir folded, as did Altman. Petrangelo though, headphones firmly attached, called to peer a flop.
3♥6♠4♦
Petrangelo folded. Aktulga bet 3,600. Would Petrangelo keep the hand alive? Pretty soon there has been the tell-tale handling of the cards, lifting them up after which tossing them into the center. Drat. - SB
4:40pm: Big stacks, big pots and marriage suggestions on table fiveLevel 4 - 150/300 (ante 25)
As we approached table five, Jeff Sarwer was saying to Graydon Kowal, "I DO NOT BELIEVE he liked that you simply said you'd marry his daughter!"
Kowal's sat with a 60k-plus stack and the seat to his left, once belonging to Georgios Karakousis, was now empty so we're assuming that's who Sarwer was referring to.
"There's worse guys that might marry his daughter," came Kowal's reply."That's true," responded Sarwer who went directly to open to 800 from under the gun.
He picked up five callers before a 6♣2♠7♠ flop was dealt. Kowal was within the big blind and came out betting for 1,200 before Sarwer raised to 3,200. The raising wasn't to finish there though as Chi Zhang three-bet to 8,100 and Knut Karnapp moved all-in for 18,300. All folded except Zhang who called with 6♣6♠ for middle set. His German opponent opened 7♥7♣ for high set though and survived the T♦Q♣ turn and river. Zhang dropped to 34,000. --MC
4:25pm: Hello, nice to look you againLevel 4 - 150/300 (ante 25)
"First hand," said Morten Mortensen as he saw me seeking to gauge what number of chips he had. He's got 30,000 then! He's on the same table as Jorryt van Hoof, James Akenhead, Sergey Sergeev and Konstantinos Nanos.
Other players with a fresh starting stack initially of level four include Juha Helppi, who's on the same table as Senh Ung, Praytush Buddiga, he's to the proper of Ben Heath, Steve O'Dwyer, who's taken seat one at Anthony Zinno's table, Martin Finger, complete with a subtle new noise piercing and Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen.
The field is getting bigger, and tougher. --NW
4:15pm: The Chidwick ChroniclesLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200
The last hand of the third level was a fair one for Stephen Chidwick. He opened from the bring to an end for 500 which was called by Romal Jaweed, who had won a few recent hands using brute force.The flop came 2♣4♥7♦
Both players checked for the A♥ turn card. Another 1,300 from Chidwick this time which Jaweed check-called for the 7♠ river. Chidwick bet another 1,500. Jaweed paused, but eventually called. Chidwick showed him A♠J♠ to wwithin the hand. - SB
You can win your seat to events like EPT Malta with a PokerStars account. Click here to get started.4:05pm: Konstantinos pressure on Van HoofLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200 (ante 25)
Jorryt van Hoof, who finished third in the WSOP Main Event two years, has dropped right down to 5,175 after being bet off a hand by Konstantinos Nanos.
The man from Greece opened to 525 from the button and Van Hoof peeled from the large blind. The flop came 8♥T♦A♥ and Van Hoof check-called 700. He did the similar for one more 1,875 at the 9♥ turn and the Q♠ filled up the board. Van Hoof checked for a 3rd time and Nanos fired a 3rd bullet, and all-in one. His Dutch opponent tanked for several minutes before folding. Nanos moved passed the 40,000-mark. --MC
4pm: Different song for CarrelLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200 (ante 25)
Roman Korenev opened for 500 in early position. A COUPLE OF seats along Charlie Carrel was within the bring to an end and raised to 1,500. The action was folded back to Korenev. He called, and after a large number of fuss about getting change, they saw a flop.
2♦T♥4♥
Korenev was first to behave and bet another 3,000. "Is that two blues?" asked Carrel, taking a look at Korenev's remaining stack. It was two blues. Carrel called.
The turn was the 5♠ which both players checked. The Q♥ at the river followed and every checked that in addition. Korenev turned over K♣Q♥. A winner.
"Come on man," said Carrel laughing. "Let's not be silly about things," he added. Then sighed and whispered something to Viachelav Buldygin, who I AM NOT sure understood. - SB
3:55pm: Chip countsLevel 3 - 100/200 (ante 25)
Our friends at Pagano Events have gotten two members of staff devoted to updating the chip counts, so way to their sterling work we will be able to bring you the highest 10, that is as below.
| Martin Kozlov | Australia | PokerStars qualifier | 65,000 |
| Graydon Kowal | Canada | 60,000 | |
| Bart Maes | Belgium | 59,000 | |
| Konstantinos Nanos | Germany | PokerStars qualifier | 57,000 |
| Ben Heath | UK | 54,000 | |
| Toomas Kursa | Estonia | PokerStars qualifier | 51,000 |
| Tibor Nagygyorgy | Hungary | Live satellite winner | 50,000 |
| Brian Altman | USA | PokerStars player | 45,000 |
| Mete Ustuay | Turkey | 45,000 | |
| Karzan Hamarash | Iraq | 44,000 |
3:35pm: Hall falls to TroyanovskiyLevel 3 - 100/200 (ante 25)
It never rains, it pours...
Cate Hall was all the way down to around 7,000 and opened to 525 at the button, the small blind smooth called and Vladimir Troyanovskiy then re-raised to 2,025 from the large blind. Hall moved all-in, the small blind folded and Troyanovskiy called.
Troyanovskiy: 9♥9♣Hall: T♥T♣
Hall had Troyanovskiy dominated however the 6♠2♣8♥5♠7♠ board meant the Russian rivered a straight to eliminate her from the tournament.
Other early casualties include Iliodoros Kamatakis, Ferdinand Le Pichon, Joseph Doors and Johnnie Saksvik. --NW
Hall - one of the crucial first to fall
3:30pm: Carrel and Buldygin tangle and chatLevel 3 - 100/200 (ante 25)
Charlie Carrel played within the €10k re-entry and the €25k with Viacheslav Buldygin this week, so after they were drawn next to one another today, chatter between the 2 gave the impression to flow easily. It is not hard to peer why, as Carrel has the facility to hit it off with everyone and Buldygin, fairly new the to the live arena, quickly became highly regarded amongst his high-rolling peers.
Scrub this and write your caption here instead
These two love just a little chit-chat
The action folded around to Roman Korenev at the button and he raised to 400 before Buldygin three-bet to 1,650 from the small blind. Carrel was within the big blind and smiled at Buldygin who started chatting with him.
"Guys!" said the dealer."Don't worry, I CANNOT understand a word he's saying anyway!" responded Carrel.After Korenev folded, Carrel said, "YOU'LL BE ABLE TO say whatever you wish to have now!"
The flop fanned 7♦J♦2♣ and Buldygin continued for 2,100. Carrel stared at his opponent's neck while he fiddled with the chips before betting after which made the decision after he bet. The turn was the 2♦ and Carrel folded to a 5,200 bet.
"Choose one," said Buldygin to Carrel who opened the 6♥."Hilarious!" said Carrel. "Your range was so strong.""What you mean, range?" the Russian responded.
Buldygin - 32,000Carrel - 37,000--MC
3:15pm: Kozlov clock called, but can't callLevel 3 - 100/200 (ante 25)
An interesting hand this and a penny for Martin Kozlov's thoughts. The Australian opened to 400 in middle position from a stack of around 64,000, Stephan Zesiger, who was to his direct left, flat called and Pasi Sormunen then re-raised to 1,800 total. It folded back around to Kozlov, he called and Zeisger then shoved for 8,425 total a 42 big blind shove.
That removed Sormunen but Kozlov was not quick to make his decision, in fact, he tanked for thus long that Sormunen cracked and called the clock. The ground arrived, read him his rights and the minute started to tick down. With not up to 30 seconds left Kozlov, who was staring intently at Zesiger throughout, mucked his cards. --NW
3pm: The Sergey surgeLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200
Anatoly Korochenskiy opened from under the gun, making it 525 to play. Connor Drinan called from the seat next to him, but if it got to Sergey Sergeev he raised to 1,600. Jorryt van Hoof, certainly one of two former November Niners on the table (the opposite is James Akenhead) called form the large blind.
Korochenskiy found the action was back on him and called, as did Drinan. Finally we might see a flop.2♥J♣8♥
Korochenskiy picked up where he left off, betting 600. Drinan was next. There is not much of his face to see, masked behind a mix of beard, headphones and sunglasses, but you sensed is brow was furrowed slightly. He raised, making it 2,600. Would this be enough?
Not in keeping with Sergeev. He raised to 7,500, forcing out everyone, including Drinan after a period of deep thought. - SB
2:57pm: Play resumesLevel 2 - 75/150
Players are back to start the third level of the day.
2:37pm: Break timeLevel 2 - 75/150
The players are on a 20-minute break.
2:35pm: Who's turn is it?Level 2 - 75/150
Connor Drinan has joined table six to make it even harder, but he wasn't concerned about a pot that got a bit of lost at the river.
The action was four-way to 9♦A♥A♦ flop and Konstantinos Nanos bet 400 from middle position. He was called by Jorryt van Hoof (cutoff) and Jens Luebbe (bb) before all three checked the 9♥ turn. The board completed with the 9♥ and the dealer looked Luebbe who smiled. The dealer thought he had checked so turned his attention to Nanos. Luebbe then corrected the dealer and said he was just being nice and smiling back, but his two opponents didn't get that memo. Nanos checked and Van Hoof bet 3,000.
The table's the opposite direction Jorryt
"I haven't acted yet guys!" said Luebbe. Van Hoof quickly took his chips back and Nanos still hadn't picked up what was happening because of his headphones, but he was then made aware and smiled. Luebbe then bet 3,500 and both opponents folded. If table six was a classroom then there'd be a couple of detentions handed out for not paying attention, teacher included! --MC
2:30pm: Big move for BanicevicLevel 2 - 75/150
By the time I arrived at table one there has been already a large pot brewing, with a piece of chips within the middle and 3 players still with live cards.
On the J♣3♣J♦ flop Vlado Banicevic (under-the-gun) bet 7,700 and Sven Magirius was the one caller. The Q♣ turn checked through and the A♥ hit the river. Baniecevic announced all-in, his bet gave the look to be 16,400 and, although Magirius tanked, he didn't ask for a count before folding his hand. --NW
You can win your seat to at least one of countless PokerStars live events around the globe. Click here to open an account and get started.2:15pm: Zinno fires backLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150
Faced with the chance of a flight home by the hands of a drunk pilot (see the entry at 1:15pm) it can be that Anthony Zinno is firing back at Graydon Kowel within the "easy methods to freak someone out on the poker tables" stakes.
Zinno's approach is predicated more in cold hard provable facts, and the announcement that he was a certified player (to these not already conscious about this).
"What do you mean by professional?" asked Kowel.
"It's my primary source of income. I'm a qualified gambler," replied Zinno.
Kowel would possibly not have known who Zinno was earlier on. He does now. - SB
2pm: Life by quads for KozlovLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150
Mahmood Rasheed was running over his table early on (as we wrote below), getting his stack as much as a number one 70,000 or so. We said "was" as his good start was mostly undone in an enormous pot (for this stage) versus Martin Kozlov.
The action was four-way to a 9♥7♥4♠ flop and Rasheed led for 1,750 from under the gun. Only Kozlov stayed involved by raising to 3,800. The turn was the 5♣ and Kozlov bet 7,500 only to be check-raised all-in by Mahmood. The Australian's eyes opened wide before he made the call.
Rasheed: J♣J♠ for an over pair.Kozlov: 9♦9♠ for high set.
Just to make sure, Kozlov rivered quads when the board completed with the 9♠. Rasheed dropped to 37,000. --MC
1:50pm: How do you favor them apples?Level 2 - Blinds 75/150
Nick Petrangelo opened from the button, making it 300. Yigit Aktulga called within the small blind and the action moved to Mikhail Sokolovskiy within the big. He asked how much after which raised to 1,400. Petrangelo came along, but Aktulga backed out. They saw a flop.
K♣8♥2♥
Sokolovskiy fired again with another 1,500 and again Petrangelo was happy to name for the J♦ turn. Both players checked that, and did the similar at the A♠ river. At which point Sokolovskiy triumphantly rose from his chair to toss his cards into the center of the table with force, the familiar "how do you prefer them apples?" flourish.
He waited for Petrangelo's response, but there wasn't one. - SB
Nick's not a fruit fan
1:45pm: Two pair good for NeweyLevel 2 - 75/150
A decent start for Paul Newey as he's as much as 33,500 after taking a pot Ferdinand Le Pichon. Both made two pair with Newey rivering an outstanding had along with his Ace-King to overhaul the Jack-Nine of Le Pichon. The Frenchman was none too pleased to peer he'd been rivered when the hand went to showdown. --NW
1:30pm: Incredible level for RasheedLevel 2 - 75/150
Some players love to happen late as they find the outlet levels somewhat boring and worth more rest over playing from the beginning. Fortunately for Mahmood Rasheed, he is not considered one of them because the Irishman, who won the PokerStars Cup in Barcelona two months ago, is as much as 65,000 after a barnstorming first level.
Getting a whole house helps of course, especially whilst you find an opponent with an inferior full house. But that wasn't the most efficient hand Rasheed made in the course of the first level as a short while later he found two queens at the board to compliment the 2 in his hand.
Easy game. --NW
1:20pm: Simply too good at pokerLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
"Too good!" said a smiling Cate Hall to Vladimir Troyanovskiy after the latter lost so much not up to he could've done in a hand. Amazingly he smiled right back and the 2 shared a moment of appreciation in each other's game.
He had raised to 250 from under the gun and was called by a player to his direct left, and Hall within the big blind. The flop fell K♣3♠K♦ and Troyanovskiy continued for 275. Only Hall check-called before she checked over the 2♣5♠ turn and river. He checked right back and Hall opened T♥T♠. Then Troyanovskiy threw his 9♥9♠ on top of hers. Too good indeed. --MC
You can win your seat to events like EPT Malta with a PokerStars account. Click here to get started.1:15pm: Slow boat home anyone?Level 1 - Blinds 50/100
I think I COULD just have uncovered Graydon Kowel's poker strategy.
The Canadian has some connection to the aviation industry and in casual conversation with Anthony Zinno a couple of seats along confessed, with a sinister laugh, that a good collection of airline pilots occur for work drunk.
Zinno needed clarification, and to be honest so did I. But when anything Kowel gave people the hebejebes even more, claiming that no less than one pilot he knew turned up for work unable to speak.
"Seriously?"
"Oh yeah," laughed Kowel, adding that during many nations it was illegal to check pilots for any substances to might affect their ability to barrel roll over the mid-Atlantic, or buzz the tower at JFK. Even supposing the the one sound they may make was to giggle.
"Seriously?"
Kowel seemed adamant as he raked in another small pot, mentioning one Canadian airline as being the safest on this planet (coincidentally Kowel is Canadian), but we were left to wonder (and worry) in regards to the others.
Then again, those folks in search of solace should consider that, given all of us came safely, it can be that the booze actually helps. But within the meantime, for the reason that it's now likely the pilot that flew us here was just doing his best to succeed in the center of the 3 runways he could see out the cockpit window, it's hardly surprising things have gone quiet.
Sobering stuff. -- SB
1pm: More facesLevel 1 - 50/100
The room is staring to refill nicely now with plenty more big names amongst the late arrivals. Of all of the poker tables in the entire world, Ben Heath was sat to the direct right of Cate Hall. Meanwhile, Adrian Mateos has some tough competition as he's the beef within the Brian Altman and Nick Petrangelo sandwich. The latter is the player who's got the rub of the seat draw as he's got position on those two tough opponents.
The affable Anthony Zinno may be playing today. He arrived on the table in shorts and a cardigan. "You're late," joked Graydon Kowal to Zinno. "Always," replied the double WPT champion. The yankee also had a small wardrobe malfunction. "Tuck your (shorts) pocket back in," pleaded Kowal. "IT'LL drive me crazy!"
"OCD? Never reveal your weaknesses," joked Zinno in return.
Lastly, Pierre Neuville has taken a seat to the appropriate of Justin Smith. --NW
12:55pm: Cash machine Pagano within the houseLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
It's good to peer Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano in the home. His company - Pagano Events - partners with PokerStars to organise the IPT and this very stop, so in a small way every else is playing in his home game.
Put the kettle on Luca
Yaniv Peretz is without doubt one of the Italian's tablemates and, by the appearance of his tall tower of chips; he's had a fair start. The Latvian, who came 10th within the IPT Main Event yesterday, won a small pot of Pagano while we were there. The board read 8♣A♦K♠5♥J♣ and the action was checked at the river. Peretz opened K♦2♣ from the large blind and Pagano mucked from the button. --MC
12:40pm: New arrivals and an early big(ish) handLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
At this stage of the primary Event it is all about who's here in preference to what they're doing as pots are likely to remain small. Pierre Neuville is a contemporary arrival. He just took a seat next to Justin Smith, who for all our talk of small pots, just took part in a moderately big one.
The board was already dealt as much as the turn: T♦3♥J♠ 4♣
Andrey Bondar was involved too. Smith was within the big blind and bet 2,300 which Bondar called for the 6♥ river card. This time Smith checked. Bondar, breathing along with his mouth open, almost in that way you do when seeking to be quiet while sneaking home several hours later than you said you'd be. Bet 4,200. Smith seems never to flinch and wasn't going to start out now. He would fold though. - SB
12:30pm: Some short-handed pokerLevel 1 - 50/100
As is the norm at the beginning of Day 1A of an EPT Main Event there's numerous space for the players who've shown up on time for the outlet hands of the day. Most tables are playing four or five handed right now, with seats open for individuals who late register, and for those who've already got their seat assignment but haven't yet arrived.
Dan Shak is without doubt one of the big names seated within the right-hand element of the room who was here from the off, as was Paul Newey. Both played in a €1,000,000 tournament last week that you could have heard about, neither cashed but both have traveled here to Malta to check out their luck in some smaller buy-ins!
While both is also businessmen by profession, they're both dangerous players to have at your table and feature mixed it with the most productive in high rollers for years. Newey can have his work cut out though as Charlie Carrel has just sat to his direct right. Newey and Carrel quickly struck up a talk and are chatting away. Carrel, of course, has an EPT High Roller title to his name, which he won on the EPT11 Grand Final. Also in that side of the room is Martin Kozlov, the Australian won what's considered one of the vital blue ribbon events on the WSOP this year when he took down the $10,000 six-max no-limit Hold'em event. That final table included Nick Petrangelo, Justin Bonomo, Davidi Kitai, Chris Ferguson and Jack Salter. Stacked!
Speaking of high rollers, Iliodoros Kamatakis could also be playing today. The Greek player had his best live result when he finished fifth within the €10,000 High Roller at EPT12 Prague some 10 months ago. That money was worth €180,890 and he now has almost $1,000,000 in live earnings. --NW
You can win your seat to events like EPT Malta with a PokerStars account. Click here to get started.12:20pm: Small but stacked field to the leftLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
The tournament has gotten underway and tables are slowly filling up, spread over the left and the best side of the room.
Players who've already taken their seats at the left hand side of the room include: former November Niners James Akenhead and Jorryt van Hoof who're sat next to one another; 25k finalist Adrian Mateos; BoostedJ himself Justin Smith; Cate Hall giving that look when Vladimir Troyanovskiy sits right down to your left; and Senh Ung, Alexandros Kolonias and Fabrice Soulier. --MC
12:10pm: Also going down today
It's a hectic day at the EPT today with several major events in action. The 3 we're specializing in are the principle Event, obviously, but in addition the overall table of the IPT Main Event and likewise the general table of the €25K High Roller event. We'll have live updates from either one of those events once they start shortly.
And if you wish to watch the action for yourself EPT Live begins its broadcast today, bringing you each hand from the High Roller final table, with cards up. You will not miss anything. To watch, simply click here. Coverage starts at 2pm local time (1pm UK, 8am ET).
12:00pm: Play startsLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
Cards are within the air at the opening day of the principle Event. The plan at the moment is to play eight 75-minute levels, with a dinner break after six. -- SB
11:50am: Play begins shortly by and large Event
We're ten minutes clear of the beginning of the EPT Malta main event. We'll have live updates of all of the action inside the day. -- SB
Take a glance on the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for the remainder of the season.
Also all of the schedule information is at the EPT App, that is available on both Android or IOS.
PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT13 Malta Main Event: Stephen Bartley, Marc Convey and Nick Wright. Photography by Neil Stoddart. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog.
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