• IPT8 Malta Main Event is over - Ismael Bojang wins €101,940• IPT8 MAIN EVENT PAYOUTS • EPT MAIN EVENT COVERAGE | €25K HIGH ROLLER COVERAGE
5:14pm: It's over! Ismael Bojang wins IPT8 Main Event (€101,940); Francesco Leotta 2nd (€75,690)Level 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)
Bojang's the champ
Well, lets sense we were getting with reference to the tip and we were right. In comparison to the remainder of this final table the overall hand seemed rather tame, and yet it was this one who ended all of it and gave the IPT8 Main Event title to Ismael Bojang.
The button was with Francesco Leotta and he decided to shove for 3.025 million. Bojang took a peek on the A♣9♣ and together with his huge chip lead made the call, and he was way sooner than Leotta's 9♦T♦.
The board ran out 4♣Q♣7♥K♥2♠ and prefer that it was over. Congratulations to Francesco Leotta on netting €75,690 for his runner-up finish, but a much bigger congratulations to the last ever IPT Main Event champion before this tour becomes a part of the PokerStars Festival banner: Ismael Bojang, who wins €101,940. We'll have a brand new post with an entire recap of the day soon.
In the meantime, make sure to follow all of the EPT13 Malta live updates here, otherwise you too can read in conjunction with the €25K High Roller coverage here.
Have an excellent evening everyone! --JS
| 32 | 100,000 | 200,000 | 25,000 |
4:37pm: Break time
The two heads-up players have left for an additional 20-minute break. --MH
Opening a PokerStars account is simple. Click here to get an account in minutes.4:36pm: Bojang pushes, Leotta steps asideLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)
In the last hand of the level, Ismael Bojang had the button, and as usual raised to 380,000. Francesco Leotta called, then checked after the flop fell Q♦9♣K♣. Bojang bet 450,000, and Leotta hesitated before check-raising to 1.25 million.
Bojang confirmed the volume of the raise, then announced he was all-in and Leotta instantly mucked.
Ismael Bojang - 13,810,000Francesco Leotta - 5,515,000
Bojang carries a large lead into the break. --MH
4:34pm: Leotta calls, collectsLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)
Francesco Leotta raised to 380,000 from the button, Ismael Bojang called, and the flop came J♠J♥6♥. Bojang checked, Leottof venture 400,000, and Bojang called, then the pair checked the T♠ turn.
The river was the T♥, prompting a bet of 650,000 from Bojang, and after some thought Leotta called. "You win," said Bojang as he tabled his 6♦5♦, and indeed Leotta did as he had Q♥T♦ for tens stuffed with jacks.
Leotta has 7.7 million now, still behind Bojang's 11.625 million. --MH
4:31pm: Bojang shows his brillianceLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)
There's just one hand it's a must to find out about from the past half an hour and it involves an out of this world call from Ismael Bojang - person who has given him a 3:1 chip advantage.
Francesco Leotta opened to 380,000 (the entire cool kids are doing it) and Bojang three-bet to 1.15 million. A BIT earlier, Leotta insta-shoved over an identical bet with king-eight off suit, but he played this one a bit of calmer, just calling.
On the 3♠8♣T♥ flop Bojang opted to not installed a c-bet, instead opting to test as did Leotta. The J♦ hit the turn and that brought no further action either. Finally the Q♣ river landed and Bojang checked yet again. Leotta thought for some time and at last counted a large bet of 1.65 million. After around a minute Bojang made the call, and Leotta flipped over the 4♦3♦ for complete air. Bojang had 7♣7♠ and so it was an ideal call with four overcards at the board.
Bojang now has 15.4 million, while Leotta falls to 3.9 million. --JS
4:05pm: Bojang gets some backLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)
Ismael Bojang button-raised to 380,000, Francesco Leotta made it 1.075 million to go, and Bojang called.
The flop came 3♦4♠J♥, and Leotta checked. Bojang fired of venture of 775,000 into the opening, and Leotta called. Then after the 2♥ turn Leotta checked again, saw Bojang bet 1.6 million, then let go of his hand.
Bojang grabs some back, and now sits with 12.775 million to Leotta's 6.55 million --MH
3:59pm: Leotta bluffs big, gets it throughLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)
Francesco Leotta raised his button, Ismael Bojang called, and the flop came an excessively wet 9♠J♠T♣. Bojang check-called a big gamble of 350,000 from Leotta, then check-called again after the 6♠ turn, the bet being worth 725,000 this time.
The river brought the 3♦ and a 3rd postflop check from Bojang. Leotta barreled again -- this time for 1.825 million -- and Bojang let his hand go.
Leotta showed his cards before collecting the pot -- A♣2♣ -- and picked up the pot.
Leotta gets back to about 8.5 million on that one, while Bojang remains to be leading with 10.8 million. --MH
3:53pm: One card away, but instead it is a chopLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
We've seen some craziness in this final table and it is not over yet. Ismael Bojang had his opponent all-in and dominated, yet somehow they chopped it!
It started with a 375,000 open from Francesco Leotta which Bojang three-bet to 1.1 million. Leotta moved all-in for six million without hesitating and Bojang took one last peek before making the call.
Bojang - A♥K♣Leotta - K♥8♦
Things didn't look good for the Italian and his rail knew it. The Q♦5♦Q♣ flop kept Bojang in front but did present some chopportunities, but none hit at the K♠ turn. The ace kicker of Bojang had him well in front, right up until the Q♥ river gave both kings stuffed with queens. Leotta took back his 6 million, Bojang took back his 13.3 million, and we were off to the following hand. --JS
Leotta's turn for a fortunate river
3:44pm: Bojang with 2-to-1 chip leadLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)
Soon after the beginning of the brand new level, Ismael Bojang opened for 380,000 from the button, Francesco Leotta three-bet to 925,000, and Bojang called.
Both players checked the coordinated 7♦6♥8♣ flop, then after the Q♥ turn fell Leotta led for 850,000 and Bojang made the decision. The 6♠ river paired the board, and both checked once more.
"King-high" intoned Leotta, showing his K♠T♥. Bojang tabled J♦7♣ for sevens and sixes, and the chips were pushed to his side of the table.
Bojang is as much as 12.9 million, with reference to a 2-to-1 benefit of Leotta's 6.4 million. --MH
Bojang out in front
| 31 | 80,000 | 160,000 | 20,000 |
3:33pm: Bojang back in frontLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
After a couple of hands of grinding Ismael Bojang has retaken the chip lead, having fully overcome the 3:1 chip deficit he had when coming back from the break.
The biggest of the pots he's won recently went like this. Francesco Leotta opened to 275,000 and Bojang called to peer the 6♦K♣4♦ flop. It checked to the raiser and the Italian continued for 300,000 which Bojang called, taking us to the 5♣ turn. As such a lot of turn cards do, it temporarily killed the action and both checked.
The K♠ landed at the river and now it was Bojang who the aggressive path. He put out a gamble of 650,000 and it didn't take Leotta long to name. He'd muck though when he saw that Bojang had trip kings with the K♥Q♠. Bojang has 10.3 million, Leotta has 9 million. --JS
3:22pm: Neck-and-neckLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
A lot of small ball over the past 10 minutes or so, with our heads-up competitors swapping pots at a rapid clip, usually without going to showdown.
An exception at present as Ismael Bojang opened for 275,000 from the button, Francesco Leotta called, and a flop came 2♠Q♠A♥. Leotta checked, Bojang bet 325,000, and Leotta called. Both checked the board-pairing A♦ turn, then when the 7♥ fell on fifth street, Leotta led for 575,000.
Bojang looked over the placement for a moment, then sent calling chips forward. Leotta briefly exposed his hand -- it appeared like five-four, perhaps -- and when Bojang turned over his 3♣2♣ for aces and deuces, he was awarded the pot.
Bojang is back as much as just over 9.5 million now, which isn't removed from the just over 9.8 million in Leotta's stack. --MH
3:10pm: Getting slowly back to evenLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
There was slightly confusion within the hand previous to this one, as after the blinds have been posted and cards were dealt Ismael Bojang realised that he had had the button two hands in a row. Francesco Leotta confirmed this, as did this reporter, however the floor ruled that a mistake were made but we'd continue with the hand because it stood.
So, with the button back on Leotta within the next hand, he then opened to 275,000 and Bojang called to peer the 7♥Q♠2♥ flop. After it was checked to him, Leotta continued for 275,000 only to be raised to 850,000. Leotta called.
The turn came the 9♠, and both players checked. Finally the 5♣ completed the board and Bojang led out again for 1.25 million. It was a big component to Bojang's remaining chips, and there have been a couple of deep breaths taken when Leotta pulled out a stack of two million chips and began fiddling with them. In any case though he'd just count out calling chips and slid them around the line.
Bojang turned over the Q♣T♠ for high pair. "Queen?" asked Leotta, who couldn't quite see the cards. "Nice hand," he said, when it was confirmed. Bojang now has 8.3 million, Leotta has 11.025 million. --JS
2:55pm: Bojang doubles way to lucky ladyLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
Ismael Bojang is correct back on this thing after doubling up, albeit way to a fortunate river card.
Francesco Leotta opened to 275,000 and three-bet to 800,000 by Bojang. After just a few seconds the Italian announced he was all-in, and Bojang took one last glimpse at his cards before making the call.
Bojang - A♦Q♦Leotta - 3♣3♥
The threes were ahead at the 5♥K♣8♦ flop, and remained there at the T♠ turn. However the Q♠ river paired Bojang, much to quiet disappointment of a number of the Italians watching at the rail.
Bojang is as much as 7.26 million, Leotta has 12.065 million. --JS
Bojang still alive for the silver spade
2:47pm: Status quoLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
Francesco Leotta won four of the primary five hands of Level 30, all small pots.
On the sixth, Ismael Bojang opened for 260,000, Leotta called, then both checked down the 8♠3♣J♦8♥7♠ board. Bojang showed A♦Q♦ and that was good.
The next hand saw Leotta limp from the button, Bojang make it 360,000 to play, and Leotta call. The 8♠2♦Q♦ flop then brought a big gamble of 425,000 from Leotta, and Bojang released his cards.
They're right about where they were when the extent started, with Leotta at about 14.8 million and Bojang with about 4.5 million. --MH
2:38pm: Back to workLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)
Both chip leader Francesco Leotta and Ismael Bojang have returned from break, and heads up play has resumed. --JS
| 30 | 60,000 | 120,000 | 20,000 |
2:20pm: Break time
It didn't appear initially they'd even make it to the primary break of the day, but with the top of Level 29 they've. The heads-up combatants are taking 20 minutes to chill before continuing. --MH
Opening a PokerStars account is straightforward. Click here to get an account in minutes.2:18pm: Updated chip counts; 2 remainLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
Francesco Leotta - 14,655,000Ismael Bojang - 4,670,000
2:17pm: Bojang trips up over Leotta's trip ducksLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
In one of the crucial last hands before the break, Ismael Bojang made the 250,000 open and Francesco Leotta called. The flop came 2♣Q♥2♥ and Leotta check-called a gamble of 275,000, before both players checked the 7♥ turn. When the T♦ river hit Leotta checked once more, and Bojang made a last bet worth 475,000. Leotta made an attractive quick call and Bojang showed his K♣5♦ for king-high; no good as Leotta had K♠2♠ for trips. That was the hand which brought Bojang right down to 4.67 million. --JS
Leotta leaps up
2:14pm: River check-raise nets Leotta another potLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
Following another series of small hands, Ismael Bojang raised again from the button to 250,000, Francesco Leotta called, and the pair saw a flop come 7♣2♥5♣. Leotta checked, Bojang bet 350,000, and Leotta called. The turn then brought the 4♥, and this time Leotta led for 650,000. Bojang paused a few beats, then called.
The river was the 2♠. Leotta checked quickly, and again acting with deliberation, Bojang bet 1.1 million. Leotta didn't move right away, then eventually gathered chips and pushed forward a tall column representing a check-raise to 2.65 million.
That caused Bojang to lift his eyebrows, and after about 15 seconds he pushed his cards away.
Leotta has around 13.7 million now, while Bojang is right down to about 5.6 million. --MH
2:05pm: A COUPLE OF more for LeottaLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
After a sequence of small-pot hands -- folds to button-raises, or continuation bets taking down pots at the flop -- one arose that saw Ismael Bojang raise to 250,000 from the button, Francesco Leotta reraise to 625,000, and Bojang call.
The pair checked down the J♥8♠A♠ flop and 2♠ turn, then the 6♠ river completed the board with a fourth spade. Leotta hesitated a moment, then slid out of venture of 705,000.
Bojang spoke up, asking Leotta if he liked his hand. "Big play," said grinning Leotta, who earlier mentioned he didn't speak a large number of English.
Bojang considered a short time longer, then called the bet. Leotta tabled Q♠J♠ for a flush, and Bojang mucked.
Leotta is as much as about 12 million now, with Bojang at 7.3 million. --MH
2pm: Leotta moves aheadLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
Ismael Bojang kicked things off with the now standard 250,000 open and Francesco Leotta came along.
The 5♠T♥4♣ flop got Leotta to check-call a 325,000 c-bet, before the 4♥ turn hit the felt. Both checked that one and when the Q♥ river hit Leotta checked again. Bojang took a last stab of 550,000 but Leotta quickly called showing the K♦Q♣ for 2 pair. Bojang had rivered a couple with the Q♠7♠, nevertheless it wasn't enough.
He drops to 8.65 million while Leotta has 10.65 million. --JS
1:55pm: Not much on this oneLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
Both players are so deep that you could see this heads-up match occurring for some time. Things balanced out much more after this last hand, wherein Ismael Bojang opened to 250,000 and Francesco Leotta called, before the flop fell 9♣3♥Q♣. Leotta checked it and Bojang continued for 275,000 which was called, taking us to the 3♠ turn. Both checked.
The river was the 9♦ and Leotta checked, only to fold to Bojang's bet worth 625,000. He's as much as roughly 10.15 million, while Leotta has 9.15 million. --JS
1:45pm: Bojang put to the testLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
It went limp-check and our heads up players saw the 5♦Q♣3♠ flop. Bojang, within the big blind, checked and Leotta made it 125,000 to move. That was then three-bet to 375,000 and Leotta made the decision. The turn was the 9♦ and Bojang checked again. Leotta barreled again for 650,000, but Bojang didn't budge, and at last we saw the 5♥ at the river which paired the board. After a last check, Leotta counted out a large number of chips and finally slid out a raffle of 1.45 million. Bojang was just a little taken aback.
"I have think you've got six seven..." he said, thinking out loud. After a little while he decided to fold. "YOU MIGHT HAVE ace-high?" asked Leotta. Bojang shook his head and slipped to 9.1 million, while Leotta has the lead now for approximately 10.2 million. --JS
1:39pm: First hands to LeottaLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
Okay... we will be able to all breathe now. Heads-up goes to last longer than a few hands.
The first heads-up hand saw Francesco Leotta raise his button, Ismael Bojang call, then Leotta take it down with a continuation bet at the flop. The second one saw Bojang do the button-raising, but fold to a number one postflop bet from Leotta.
We'll see if this new, slower pace continues despite the players' relatively deep stacks. --MH
1:35pm: Heads-up chip countsLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
After his knockout of Vladimir Shabilin in third, Francesco Leotta came to visit the table to congratulate his heads-up opponent, Ismael Bojang, taking the chance besides to take a selfie with him. As chances are you'll imagine, both players' grins were wide. They then posed again for an additional smiling photo:
Happy to make heads-up
Their heads-up duel is now about to commence. Listed here are the stacks they each are sitting behind to start:
Ismael Bojang - 11,490,000Francesco Leotta -- 7,835,000
1:21pm: Vladimir Shabilin eliminated in third place (€56,200)Level 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
"This may well be the fastest final table I've ever played!"
So said Ismael Bojang just now, not long after yet one more knockout -- within the hand immediately following that double-KO only a few minutes ago -- has brought the IPT Main Event all the way down to heads-up.
After Bojang folded at the button, Francesco Leotta got a glance at how much Vladimir Shabilin had left after posting his big blind -- just a little over 2 million. At that Leotta announced he was all-in. Shabilin checked his cards and exhaled... he had a call to make.
"Can I talk?" asked Shabilin, who then gave the impression of he said he had pocket fives before the dealer was in a position to answer. The Italian Leotta grinned and said "No English." Shabilin then thrust his hands forward.
"I call," he said, and indeed turned over 5♠5♥. Leotta showed 3♦3♥, then the dealer spread the flop -- T♥3♣7♣! A SUITE for Leotta! The turn was the 9♥ and river the J♣, and just 45 minutes into the day, they're already right down to two.
There might be a pause before heads-up play to paint up some chips and get exact counts. Don't go anywhere -- you could miss something! --MH
Vladimir Shalabin - 3rd place
1:15pm: Double-knockout! Dominik Panka eliminated in fifth place (€30,970); Johan Guilbert eliminated in fourth place (€41,720)Level 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
Wow, what a quick and exciting final table that is proving to be. Mirroring the best way we finished last night to get to the overall six, we've just another double-knockout!
It folded to Dominik Panka and he jammed for 1.41 million, which Ismael Bojang then casually called at the button. Johan Guilbert was within the small blind and he asked for a count from big blind Francesco Leotta. "Five million," came the solution. After another glance at Bojang, he too announced he was all-in for 1.6 million, Leotta gave his hand up, and Bojang called the variation to create a three-way situation.
Panka - A♣5♣Bojang - A♥K♣Guilbert - A♠Q♣
Everyone at the rail or even many from the IPT High Roller were on their feet to observe this one, and the Q♦9♠4♠ flop was certainly good for the Frenchman. Guilbert had taken the lead with a couple of queens and just a king or running cards could eliminate him now.
Well, the turn was a type of running cards that was superb for Panka's chances. It came the 3♣ which gave the Pole some signs of hope. Any deuce now would give him the win.
Then finally the river hit...the K♦. Bojang had re-taken the lead right on the end and busted both players. Guilbert had more chips firstly so he'll be our fourth-place finisher...
Johan Guilbert - 4th place
...while Panka is officially out in fifth.
Dominik Panka - 5th place
And then there have been three! --JS
1pm: Alexander Lakhov eliminated in sixth place (€23,000)Level 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)
We lost our first player within the last hand of Level 28. Alexander Lakhov opened to 200,000 and Ismael Bojang called at the button to peer a J♥3♥2♣ flop. Lakhov chose to not continue with a bet, and both players checked to look the 4♠ turn.
This aroused from sleep the Russian. He installed a delayed c-bet of 200,000 and Bojang made a sharpish call, leading to the 7♣. This proved to be one heck of a river card.
Lakhov made it 475,000 and Bojang shoved. Lakhov made a fast call but was absolutely disgusted when Bojang turned over the 7♠7♦ for a rivered set. "Pocket fours!" he said before he flipped over the 4♣4♥. "F***ing set over set," he muttered, understandably frustrated with the way in which things panned out. After that hand Bojang moved as much as around 7 million, and takes over the chip lead. --JS
Alexander Lakhov - 6th place
| 29 | 50,000 | 100,000 | 10,000 |
12:59pm: Double-up for ShabalinLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
Alexander Lakhov opened to 200,000 from the cutoff and Vladimir Shabalin jammed for 1.11 million. When it got back to Lakhov he acted instantly - as he has every hand to this point - and called with the 3♥3♦, up against the K♦T♥.
The 8♣J♦Q♦ flop gave Shabalin an up and down straight draw, however the 6♦ turn bricked. The K♠ river gave Shabalin a larger pair and he doubled to 2.33 million, while Lakhov dropped to 2.15 million. --JS
12:54pm: Big call benefits BojangLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
Ismael Bojang opened for 175,000 from the hijack seat and it folded around to Dominik Panka who defended his big blind with a choice. The flop came 5♦2♣K♦. Panka checked Bojang continued for 180,000, and Panka called. Both players then checked the 3♣ turn.
The A♣ fell at the river, and after Panka checked a 3rd time Bojang fired 325,000. Panka sat quietly for approximately a minute, then check-raised to 1.1 million, putting Bojang to a difficult decision.
Bojang took two minutes -- and two sips of his smoothie -- before leaning forward to get a glance on the not quite 2 million Panka had behind. He continued to think, appearing at one point to voice the word "four" quietly, alluding to the straight-making card he worried his opponent might have.
Finally Bojang came up with the call, and Panka tabled his A♠8♦ for a couple of aces. Bojang showed his A♦K♣ for 2 pair, and he claimed the pot.
Bojang bumps as much as 5.3 million and is as regards to Francesco Leotta for the chip lead now, while Panka slips to 1.95 million. --MH
12:45pm: Lakhov's loss of fearLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
After the primary five or so hands, it has been the Alexander Lakhov show. First he opened to 200,000 from the cutoff, and Vladimir Shabalin three-bet to 500,000 from the small. That got Ismael Bojang to surrender his big blind, but if it was back on Lakhov he couldn't have moved all-in fast enough. Shabalin looked deflated once the bet was announced, took another glance back at his holding and let it go.
In the very next hand Lakhov opened to 200,000 again, which got everyone to fold. Fast forward a few 'raise and take it' hands and Lakhov was now within the big blind. Play folded to chip leader Francesco Leotta and he limped from the small blind, letting Lakhov check to peer a flop. It came A♦T♦7♥ and Leotta led for 80,000 which got a handy guide a rough call, followed by the similar pattern at the Q♣ turn; Leotta bet 155,000 and the decision was instant. Leotta would check though when the 6♠ hit the river, and Lakhov immediately chucked two black 100,000 chips over the road. Leotta folded.
All the while, Lakhov is playing Open Face Chinese Poker on his smartphone. --JS
12:35pm: The overall day begins!Level 28 - 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)
The six remaining players are of their seats and play is underway in this last day of the IPT Malta Main Event. There's slightly below a half-hour to head in Level 28. --MH
| 28 | 40,000 | 80,000 | 10,000 |
11:00am: Meet the general six
We're an hour-and-a-half clear of play resuming here on the Portomaso Casino, at which period we'll start to discover who some of the six survivors from the 775-player field will end up this year's Italian Poker Tour Malta Main Event champion.
While we watch for the beginning of play today, take some time to get to understand the general six players somewhat better. It's an eclectic -- and stacked -- final group!
Seat 1: Francesco Leotta, 33 (Catania, Italy) - 5,310,000
Francesco Leotta
Start-of-day chip leader Francesco Leotta have been playing poker professionally for 3 years now, though this marks his first appearance on Italian Poker Tour. The 33-year-old from Catania has just one reported live cash to his name, as his biggest results have are available in the net realm where he's racked up greater than €300K in winnings. His accolades include winning the Sunday Special, the most important regular event on PokerStars.it.
Leotta is engaged and can be getting married next year, and plans to spend his IPT Malta winnings for the wedding.
Seat 2: Alexander Lakhov, 44 (Irkutsk, Russia) - 2,180,000
Alexander Lakhov
Alexander Lakhov brings a very good poker résumé to today's final. The 44-year-old from Irkutsk has won greater than $2.8 million in live tournaments and currently sits in 12th place at the Russian all-time money list. He has both WPT and WPT National titles under his belt, plus further two runner-up finishes.
His biggest payday came within the 2015 WPT Borgata Spring Poker Open Main Event where he collected $573,779 for a second place. Meanwhile his online accolades also are remarkable, where he's won a Sunday Million (in 2012) and likewise has collected both Super Tuesday and SCOOP titles.
Seat 3: Dominik Panka, 25 (Brzesc Kujawski, Poland) - 3,200,000
Dominik Panka
2014 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure champion Dominik Panka has already tasted success here at Portomaso Casino, having made the EPT11 Malta Main Event final table where he finished third for €347,300. The 25-year-old Pole also has a EPT11 Barcelona deep run to his name (11th for €77,600), and he also won the coveted EPT High Roller trophy after beating a 115-entry field at EPT11 Deauville for a €272,000 payday.
Hailing from the tiny town of Brześć Kujawski, Panka has already accrued greater than $2.4 million in live tournaments, placing him second behind to Dzmitry Urbanovich on Poland's all-time money list.
Seat 4: Vladimir Shabalin, 29 (Berezniki, Russia) - 1,850,000
Vladimir Shabalin
Vladimir Shabalin has just one reported live profit his Hendon Mob profile -- a sixth place at IPT7 Grand Final in Saint Vincent worth €13,000. But making this IPT final table isn't his first moment within the spotlight. Shabalin is especially known for his online grind -- indeed, if any player deserves to be labeled as a grinder, it's Shabalin.
Playing as "shabalinvlad" on PokerStars, the 29-year-old from Berezniki became only the third player in history to damage the ten million VPP mark. In 2013 alone, Shabalin earned 4.5 million VPPs, mainly playing high-stakes SNGs. That will be enough to shop for seven Porsche Cayman S sports cars (!).
During an interview at EPT10 Grand Final, Shabalin told the PokerStars Blog: "My dream is to become an area tourist so I'm dreaming about sitting down in a shuttle and watching our Earth from there."
Seat 5: Ismael Bojang, 27 (Hamburg, Germany) - 4,285,000
Ismael Bojang
Renowned for his mixed-game skills, Ismael Bojang has five WSOP final tables to his name. The 27-year-old of Gambian descent hails from Hamburg, and is currently ranked 21st at the German all-time money list with greater than $2.1 million in earnings. Bojang's biggest payday was $187,571 for sixth place within the 2015 WSOP $25k PLO High Roller.
He nearly matched that prize at this year's World Series, taking $179K for a sixth-place finish within the $5K NLH Event. Bojang also made the general table at EPT9 Sanremo, banking €65,450 for eighth place. His main discipline is Omaha and he proved it back at EPT9 Deauville where he wat the €10k PLO Championship Event for €83,000.
Seat 6: Johan Guilbert, 27 (Sarreguemines, France) - 2,485,000
Johan Guilbert
Johan Guilbert comes from Sarreguemines, a small town on the French-German border. Guilbert was a theatre actor for seven years, and worked another three years as an animator within the Fun Radio in Paris before becoming a full-time poker pro in January 2011.
The 27-year-old has racked up greater than $100K in live poker tournaments. His biggest cash dates back to the 2012 WSOP Main Event where he finished 337th for $32,871. Guilbert kicked off his IPT Main Event run on Day 1b, bagging up the chip lead on his technique to this, his first major final table.
A talented group, wouldn't you compromise? Here is a reminder of what these six are playing for:
1st: €101,9402nd: €75,6903rd: €56,2004th: €41,7205th: €30,9706th: €23,000
Join us starting at 12:30pm for start-to-finish coverage of today's final, as we'll bring you reside updates, chip counts, photos, and more until the general hand is dealt. --MH
The scene from near the tip of Day 3
Opening a PokerStars account is simple. Click here to get an account in minutes.PokerStars Blog reporting team at the IPT Main Event: Jack Stanton and Martin Harris. Photography by Manuel Kovsca and Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Italian Poker Tour]
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