blonde poker forum

Final table time, and no TV cameras mean we start 9-handed today. Pictures to follow.

1   Juha Lauttmaas -- 567,000
2   Kristian Kjondal -- 740,000
3   Gino Alacqua -- 660,000
4   Markus Golser -- 352,000
5   Mikael Norinder -- 1,036,000
6   Nedzib Suman -- 216,000
7   Dagomir Pavlovic -- 759,000
8   Johannes Strassmann -- 245,000
9   Arnaud Mattern -- 980,000

So folks, who is going to win? I'm going to stick with my earlier pick Kristian Kjondal, but I'd be delighted to see Arnaud take it down too.

from what i hear arnaud has got all the gears up his sleeve & should be able to exploit his rocky image!

Definitely cheering for Arnaud this time, he deserves a big cash me thinks.

Either way, its gonna be a good final table!

The setup here in Prague is actually really cool, they've put the final table up right next to a raised seating area but then reserved a couple of front row seats for friends of the finalists, which is a nice touch, there's two rail sections either side for the press and and a second seating area for the public opposite the raised area. All in all, it looks really good, though I think the bloggers are suffering from live feed withdrawal symptoms... ::)

Incidentally, Andrew Feldman has made the final of the €1,000 event (which is also running at the same time as this one), I'll keep my eye on that to see if anything happens there.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6806&g2_serialNumber=1)

From left to right. Johannes Strassman, Nedzib Suman, Mikael Norinder, Markus Golser, Dagomir Pavlovic, Juha Lauttmaas, Arnaud Mattern, Kristian Kjondal and Gino Alacqua.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6808&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 1: Juha Lauttamus -- 567,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6810&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 2: Kristian Kjondal -- 740,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6812&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 3: Gino Alacqua -- 660,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6814&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 4: Markus Golser -- 352,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6826&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 5: Mikael Norinder -- 1,036,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6824&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 6: Nedzib Suman -- 216,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6822&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 7: Dagomir Pavlovic -- 759,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6820&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 8: Johannes Strassmann -- 245,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6818&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 9: Arnaud Mattern -- 980,000

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6816&g2_serialNumber=1)

i'm loving gino's look tho...

About 5 hands into the start of the preceedings and we have an exit already.  Firstly Johannes Strassman raised it up 36k but was reraised all in by Nedzib Suman.  He passed saying he had AJ as Suman showed him 55's. 

A couple of hands of later Norinder rasied from the cut off and Strassman pushed for about 200,000.  Norinder made the call and we are shown:

Norinder  9h 9s
Strassman   2h 2s



No help for Johannes Strassman and he is out in 9th winning €39,200.

Italian Pride!

(Italian here too ... ;P)

Huge hand for Arnaud Mattern as we were putting up the last exit and the potrait shots, fortunately, Nicolas Levi was there to tell me everything.

Kristian Kjondal raised, Mikael Norinder called from the hijack, and Arnaud re-raised from the small blind, Kjondal passed, I think Mikael made a mistake because he put in a load of pink chips, intending, we think to call, but because it was 50% more than Arnaud's re-raise it had to be counted as a min-re-raise of Arnaud's raise. Arnaud moved all-in and Mikael decided to call.

Arnaud:

Kh Kd

Mikael:

Ahrt Qh

Board:

9d 2h 5s 7c 6c

Huge cheers erupt from the French Quarter. Arnaud has almost 2 million in chips and former chip leader Mikael is completely crippled.

An uberstacked Arnaud.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6828&g2_serialNumber=1)

F*ck yeah.

that's some gaff to make...aiyah

To be fair though, how hard must it be to go out so fast when you start as chip leader... That's poker for you I guess.

Not suprisingly from what we have seen of Norinder the last few days, it didn't take him long to go all in with the remainder of his once chip lead.  He made the push after a raise to 35,000 from Kristian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) Kjondal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931), Kjonadal called the extra 180,000 or so and on their backs:

Kjondal  Ahrt Kd
Norinder  Jh 9d

The board was 2s 2d  Qh Ac 5d

Norinder leaving the arena:
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6830&g2_serialNumber=1)



 Mikael Norinder is out in 8th place winning €63,200.

Total meltdown by Norinder. First screaming: 1 down 7 more to go!!!!! and then be the next one out.

Really like Kris85s chances now with his experience. Hope he takes it down.

WOW,

Norinder went so fast we didn't even get a chance to post a little bio of him.  For it not to go to waste and courtesy of Pokerstars for the information here it is:

Mikael Norinder, 43, Stockholm, Sweden  - 1,036,000  (1 hour ago)
Mikael "Micke" Norinder took up playing poker three years ago after one of his four children died and he decided he wanted to spend more time with his family. He still own two clothing & furnishing stores in his home city of Stockholm, Sweden, but now plays poker full-time. This is Mikael’s fourth EPT but the first time he has cashed. Last month he came fifth in Amsterdam Master Classics. Most of his winnings come from online tournaments and he considers himself a tourney specialist.


A little reminder to view with your eyes what smackeroons the remaining chaps are playing for today:

1              € 708,400   
2              € 407,300   
3              € 235,300   
4              € 182,200   
5              € 151,800   
6              € 119,000   
7              € 93,600   

Sorry, our clock seems to screwing up a little. We are actually on the 8k/16k level

Arnaud makes it 48k to go from the cut-off, Juha re-raises to 144k from the button, the blinds run for cover and Arnaud then announces, "All-in," Juha looks at the pot and then looks at his slightly diminished stack and decides it's not worth it and passes. More cheers from the Arnaud fan club.

Next two hands sees Kristian and then Arnaud raise and take the blinds, then Kristian makes it 37k to go, Dagomir in the big blind re-raises to 137k and Kristian folds quickly.

Dagomir, who has a habit of always showing big hands whenever he has them, raises to 48k from the button. Juha calls from the big blind.

Flop:

7d 2d 2s

Whilst Juha is still thinking and hasn't acted, Dagomir, perhaps a little too quickly, puts in 100k but pulls it back and no-one complains, Juha then checks and now Dagomir puts it in properly. Juha immediately declares he's all-in and Dagomir insta-folds.

Marcus Golser raises to 50k from UTG+1, Juha asks for a count from the small blind and Markus tells him, "About 285k more," Juha counts out his chips and then mucks his card, Kristian thinks for about a minute before he calls from the big blind.

Flop:

4h Jd 7c

Kristian checks, Markus moves all-in and Kristian folds.

This is followed by more blind thievage, first from Markus and then from Dagomir who shows Ac Kc as everyone passes.

Juha Lauttmaas limps the 16k from under the gun but gets raised by Nedzib Suman to 60,000.  Lauttmaas reraised to effectively put Suman all in.  A short visit to tank town only and Suman made the call showing  Th Ts.  Lauttmass not impressed with his  8d 8h anymore didn't hit any cards to make him win and Nedzib Suman doubles up to around 520,000.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6832&g2_serialNumber=1)



Nedzib Suman, 53, Trelleborg, Sweden
Nedzib doesn’t speak a word of English, but since arriving at the Prague EPT, he has been happily chatting away to his fellow players in Swedish and somehow assuming they will understand him. Married with three grown-up children, Nedzib has been playing 5-card draw his whole life – taking up Omaha and Texas Hold’em five years ago. In 2006, he won the Malmo Omaha Open and Swedish Omaha Open. This year, he won Omaha in Malmo Open and came sixth in Swedish Open Omaha. He's one of Sweden highest-ranking players. 

Chip Counts:

Juha Lauttmaas -- 222k
Kristian Kjondal -- 697k
Gino Alacqua -- 634k
Markus Golser -- 390k
Nedzib Suman -- 648k
Dagomir Palovic -- 676k
Arnaud Mattern -- 2,248k

As this is the last update for the year, I would just like to wish you:

Its a little slow here since the last exit.  Floppy & myself take it turns to go and stand by the final table, so I shall post the fruits of my labour in the form of pictures since I do not have much else to report poker wise.

We are quit lucky at this EPT because of no TV camera's rooling the roost, we can use flash and have our own press bull pen enclosure.


The Final Overview
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6836&g2_serialNumber=1)


Who says Poker isn't a spectator sport?
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6840&g2_serialNumber=1)


Kristian Kjondal & Arnaud Mattern's arms:
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6842&g2_serialNumber=1)

Go on Arnaud!

Many thanks Mr T Man.  ;hattip;

Juha Lauttmaas moves all-in, everyone passes and he shows Aces.

Next hand, he moves all-in again for 244k, this time Dagomir calls from the small blind.

Juha:

Aspades Kh

Dagomir:

Ahrt Qh

An anguished cry from the Slovakian when he sees his opponents hand.

Board:

Jd Kd 7h Kc 3s

A couple of hands later, and Arnaud, who has really being constantly attacking the blinds of Juha and Kristian any chance he gets, raises to 62k from the button. Juha announces all-in from the small blind and Kristian gets out of the way. Arnaud is told it's about 455k more.

Arnaud, "I call."

Juha:

Kd Qh

Arnaud:

Tc Th

Board:

9d 3d Jd Kc 3s

Juha is now up to over the 1 million mark after hitting one of his 15 post flop outs, though Arnaud still has roughly 1.7 million and is still chip leader.

Proving all you have to do is ask, there is another exit.  Kristian Kjondal made a 60k raise and Dagomir Pavlovic went all in for 284,000 more.   Kristian called and on their backs.

Kjondal  Ad Jd
Pavlovic   Aspades Tc

There was no improvement for Pavlovic so:


 Dagomir Pavlovic is out in 7th place winning €93,600.



A nice friendly handshake from Kjondal

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6854&g2_serialNumber=1)


Pavlovic

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6852&g2_serialNumber=1)

And just when I think Maria is going to get every single exit going, I get one.

Nedzib Suman moves all-in over the top of Juha's raise. Juha makes the call.

Nedzib:

Ahrt Tc

Juha:

7c 7s

Board:

2d Jd Qh Qc 9c

Nedzib Suman is OUT in 6th place winning €119,000.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6850&g2_serialNumber=1)

A little profile section now on a favourite player here for a lot of people.  Gino Alacqua doesn't speak much English but has a very animated face and is always smiling:

Gino "El Diablo” Alacqua, 46, Milan, Italy
Gino is a relative new-comer to poker after taking the game up 18 months ago. Nevertheless, the Sicilian is already pretty successful and currently ranked 26th in the Hendon Mob’s All Time Italy money list. He won the Campione d’Italia €1k Main Event this summer, was a runner-up in the 2006 Italian Championship, and also achieved a further win and two final tables in side events. His total live tourney winnings now total nearly $130k – not to mention here in Prague. Gino, an antiques dealer, is currently single but hoping to find love in the Czech capital. In Italy he’s well-known for his Mephistophelean look, hence his nickname “El Diablo”. He mainly plays live (both tournaments and cash) – and also a small amount on online on PokerStars as ‘jim29’.

With Kjondal
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6844&g2_serialNumber=1)


Whilst moving in agains Suman earlier:
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6846&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://)

Chip Counts:

Juha Lauttmaas -- 1.46 million
Kristian Kjondal -- 1.2 million
Gino Alacqua -- 763k
Markus Golser -- 420k
Arnaud Mattern -- 1.734 million

A random multitude of EPT legs and shoes for you from the final.  Don't say that blondepoker don't give you the action up close and personal!

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6848&g2_serialNumber=1)

For anyone who follows the high stakes online games. I'm 90% sure that Juha = Kuna on Betfair.
He plays both NLH and PLO from 50/100 up to 250/500NL. He was the bubble boy in Barcelona
and overheard Thomas Wahlroos and Johhny Lodden talking about him.

Gino, Kristian and Juha have all seemingly opened up a little in the last twenty minutes or so, Arnaud is consolidating his chip lead whilst Markus is just picking spots to move all-in.

Markus raises all-in, Gino shows a 6s in the big blind and folds, Markus shows the 2d.

Arnaud makes it 85k (The standard raise of all players), but Markus moves all-in again and the London-based Frenchman passes. Markus has probably gone over the 450k mark, but still doesn't reckon it's enough for a standard raise, opting to push all-in once again a few hands later.

It's BanARNAUDman...  ;hide;

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6856&g2_serialNumber=1)

After 15 minutes of raise, reraise, pass all done on a loop, we have action.

Juha Lauttmass raised to 85,000.  Markus Golser just smooth called the bet, we see a long lost flop of:

Jc 6s 5c

Markus announces all in and Juha called.

Golser  Kc Tc
Lauttmass   Qd Js

Turn:  9h
River:  7h


 Markus Golser finishes in 5th place winning €151,800.

Juha Lauttmaas, 22, from Vaasa, Finland

Juha only took up poker two years ago and turned pro after six months. He kicked off with online $5 Sit and Goes, within four months was on $100 SNGs, three months later on $500 SNGS and now has turned his attention to the cash games, where he players in $5k and $10k heads-up and short-handed games. He played at EPT Barcelona but went out in 59th place – “I was pretty much the bubble” he said.

Gino, who has played very well, surprising all of us if we're honest, raises it up and Juha calls from the big blind. The flop is 9h 8s 4h, Juha checks and the Italian moves all-in getting a quick fold from the Finn.

Arnaud raises to 90k from the button, Juha re-raises to 255k. Kristian Kjondal, who hasn't really been incredibly active today, just content to manoeuvre quietly through the table, passes. Arnaud thinks for a moment and calls the re-raise.

Flop:

Td Qd 9h

Juha checks, Arnaud bets 90k and Juha passes.

I think Juha had already given up that one as soon as Arnaud called the re-raise, though Nicolas Levi reckons his friend was trying to goad Juha into check/raising his rubbish so that Arnaud could come back over the top with his monster hand and Juha could still get away with a decent amount of his stack intact.

Brilliant photo:

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6846&g2_serialNumber=1)

Juha Lattamaas -- 1.85 million
Kristian Kjondal -- 940k
Gino Alacqua -- 1.176 million
Arnaud Mattern -- 1.696 million

A picture of Nicolas (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=675) Levi (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=675) and the blondie probably standing next to him would be great just to see if they're half as nervous as I am..... ! ;)

Juha has turned into a raising machine raising three or four pots in a row, getting a couple of raises through but Kristian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) Kjondal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) pushing against another.

Then Arnaud (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1011) Mattern (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1011) raises from the small blind to 120k. Juha asks for a count and Arnaud moves his arms from around his stack, and Lee Jones says, "About 1.4, 1.5 million."

Juha, "I'm all-in."

Arnaud instantly replies, "I call," thrusting the Ahrt and Ad. Juha looks shell-shocked as he turns over 9c 9d.

Board:

5d 5h 3s Jc Td

Arnaud wins the biggest pot of the day, thrusting him up to roughly 3.3 million. Juha is crippled with around 200k left.

Here's a picture of Nic before he was jumping up and down when Arnaud doubled through. No sign of his girlfriend at the moment, just a couple of fellow Winamax players.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6858&g2_serialNumber=1)

What a fantastic post! Thank you.

With Juha Lauttmass only being down to about 200,000, he makes the move on the button and finds Gino in the big blind.  Gino can't resist but give him a spin for the chance to go down to 3 players.

Gino  Qs 4d
Juha  Qd 2s

Board:

 Ahrt Js 4c Qh 5c


 Juha Lauttmaas is out in 4th place winning €182,200.


Remaining prizes:

1              € 708,400   
2              € 407,300   
3              € 235,300   

Gino Alacqua button raises to around 120k. Arnaud Mattern sets him all-in from the small blind and Kjondal gets out of the way. Gino calls for his 1,128,000 stack.

Gino:

Kh Jd

Arnaud:

8s 8c

Board:

Kc 2h 4d 9c Th

Gino doubles up, he and Arnaud both have about 2.2 million, Kristian has about 1.1 million.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6860&g2_serialNumber=1)

Arnaud limps for 40k from the button, Kristian calls from the small blind and Gino checks.

6c Kd 3c

Kristian and Gino check, Arnaud bets 80k, Kristian calls and Gino folds.

7d

Kristian checks again, Arnaud bets 220k and Kristian twists his head slightly and stares intently, alternating between Arnaud and the board. After about a minute, he makes the call, leaving just 700k or so behind.

3s

Kristian checks again, albeit with a little reluctance, Arnaud thinks for a while, but the longer he thinks the weaker a bet now would look, after two minutes he gives up and checks. Kristian's Ks 4s is good.

A couple of hands later, the two are sparring again. Arnaud limp-calls a 120k raise in the small blind against Kristian in the big.

They both check the 3c Qs 2s flop before Arnaud fires out 220k on the 6s turn, Kjondal makes the call, again after much thought. The river is the 6h and it goes check, check.

Arnaud announces, "Ace high," and Kristian turns Aspades 3d. Arnaud sees the hand and mutters in French-accented English, "So sick..."

He's down to just 1.2 million now, the bluffs against Kjondal being at the wrong time.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6862&g2_serialNumber=1)

The 3 playes have gone for a 10 minute break because Gino requested one, Floppy says that Gino has been angling for a deal since they were 5 handed to no avail though.


I'll take this chance to give you the profiles of the two finalists I have missed:

Kristian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) Kjondal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931), 21, Oslo, Norway

In the world of high stakes online poker, Kristian “Kris85” Kjondal is already a huge name and has turned over at least $250k in 2007 alone. In March he came 4th in the EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final for € 471,180 and at EPT Dublin this season, he came 23rdt for € 10,210. He was nominated Online Player of the Year in the Pokerstars’ Scandinavian Poker Awards in January but beaten by his good friend and fellow Norwegian Johnny (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=606) Lodden (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=606). He also came 21st in the WSOP $10k Pot Limit Omaha event for $25k in July.


Arnaud (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1011) Mattern (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1011) , 28, from  Paris, France

Hailing from Paris but now living in London, Arnaud is the current holder of the French Backgammon Championship title. He won the Gutshot Poker Masters in 2006  for a $51,000 prize. Before turning to poker in 2004, Arnaud's main game was backgammon: in his own words, he "crushed the tournament circuit and cash-games all around the world”. The switch to poker has been very successful, both live and online. The Frenchman likes the poker circuit: "it’s a good opportunity to do what I love: meeting people, partying, learning new languages and of course playing cards." This is Arnaud's first EPT cash, and he starts the final table second in chips – with already the largest payday of his career.

News just in that Gino has got his wish for a deal.  With the help of translators and with Gino actually have the most chips at the moment this was there outcome:

Official prizes:
1              € 708,400   
2              € 407,300   
3              € 235,300   

Deal:

€350,000 EACH  then an extra
€100,000 on top for 2nd
€200,000 on top for 1st

Pretty good really and handy for everyone, can I play??

You mean +100  for 2nd and +200 for 1st..?

Wow...

Flushy would be proud.

Arnaud and Kristian can't seem to stop going after one another and Gino is keeping out of it.

Arnaud raises to 150k from the small blind, Kristian calls.

3d Kd 8c

Check check.

3s

Now Arnaud bets out 220k, a number he seems to like. Kjondal folds.

Arnaud takes the blinds from the button and then gets a walk.

Next he limps in the small blind and Kristian checks.

Js 3h 2s

Arnaud checks, Kristian bets 85k and Arnaud calls.

6c

Both players check.

7h

Now Arnaud thinks for a second before leading out for 150k, but Kjondal practically beats him into the pot showing Kh Jc, where as Arnaud shows the 8c 7s. The Frenchman trying to float after the flop, but then hitting?

Oooops, yes thanks alot, ammended now!

Gino Alacqua on the button makes it 145k to play (blinds 25k/50k), Kristian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) Kjondal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) calls from the big blind.  We see a flip......errrr mean flop (forgotten what it was called):

3s 4c 5s   Gino bet 220,000.  Kristian went all in with Gino easily covering him, Gino instacalls.  We await the monsters to be flipped over:

Gino  Kd 5h
Kristian  Kc 6h

Turn:  8c

River: Jd

That's it, Kristian missed his draw and Gino AND two Italians in my ear let out an ear drum pulverising "YESSSSSSSSSSSS" that physically made me jump.  Italians certainly wear their hearts on their sleeves!


 Kristian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) Kjondal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=931) is elimated in 3rd place officially winning €235,300.


Milliseconds before the river card was dealt.
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6864&g2_serialNumber=1)


Gino the victorious after his belly yelp:
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6866&g2_serialNumber=1)

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSS Heads up!

We really do wear our hearts on our sleeve... it makes you wonder how any italian can ever be any good at live poker!

P.s. Unforunately I must be out of here now, but thank you sooooooo much for all the updates!

You are welcome Gowardo....


So we made Heads up with an approximate of chip count of:

Arnaud Mattern   1,550,000
Gino Alacqua       4,000,000

The story so far:

Kristian   Kjondal   3rd   € 235,300
Juha   Lauttmaas   4th   € 182,200
Markus   Golser   5th   € 151,800
Nedzib   Suman   6th   € 119,000
Dagomir   Pavlovic   7th   € 93,600
Mikael   Norinder   8th   € 63,200
Johannes   Strassmann   9th   € 39,200

And the Italian has had the better of HU battle so far, he called on the turn of an A-K-x-A-x board with Jack high which was good after the rest of the hand was checked down.

After a limp in for Arnaud, Gino checks. They see a 2h 2c 4s Tc Ad board, which is checked all the way to the river where Gino fires out 90k, Arnaud calls after a think and Gino shows three pair, T-4. Arnaud mucks.

Next hand is another limped pot. The board reads 9d 7h Jh Td and Arnaud bets 65k, Gino calls, then both check the Qs river. Arnaud's Js 3s is good.

Gino raises to 150k and Arnaud calls, it's checked to the river of the Aspades 3s Kh 4s Qh board where Gino bets 135k, Arnaud calls, but Gino shows Jc Td for the rivered straight.

Arnaud raises and gets the blinds.

Gino raises again to 150k, Arnaud calls.

Ac 9c 9h

Check, Gino bets 100k, Arnaud calls.

Qh

Check, Check.

5d

Arnaud bets 160k, Gino calls and Arnaud shows Aspades 5h, which wins.

"Yes!! Valuetown!" cries Nicolas Levi.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6868&g2_serialNumber=1)

I have just manouvered myself up on the stands with the lappy, so can update at my leisure without running back and forth to the pressroom!!!

AWESOME DUDE (as the Canadian's from Pokerlistings often say).

Arnaud takes 240,000 off Gino with K9 by flopping a 9 and getting paid with a river bet of 135,000.  Gino insta mucked.

------------------------

Gino from the button makes a 130,000 raise.   Mattern annouces ALL IN (everyone stands).  Gino is hilarious, he huffs and puffs, stands up, goes crimson, lays his forehead on his hands........................and passes!

A Chipestimate

Arnuad  1,900,000
Gino  3,500,000

Arnaud raises to 180,000 from the small blind, Gino goes all in and Arnaud immediately mucks his cards.  Very cagey last 20 mins.

-------------------------------

Yes, Maria and I have both moved our laptops to the vicinity of the final table.

This is literally my view.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6872&g2_serialNumber=1)

Gino raises to 210k from the small blind, Arnaud reraises all in for about 1.5 million (5.55 million in play).  Gino makes the call:

Gino  Ad 9h
Arnaud   Jd Jh

No ace or miracle for Gino and Arnaud is the new chip leader, just.

Arnaud  3 Mill
Gino    2.55 Mill

Yep, as Pete Tong would say...

"We continue!!!"

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6874&g2_serialNumber=1)

Qd 6h Th 8s

Arnaud checks, Gino bets 130k, Arnaud calls.

9s

Arnaud checks, Gino bets 140k, Arnaud calls. Both show 8-7.

;kc;

 Ahrt 9c omg what was he thinking?

We have more action:

Arnaud raises to 210k from the small blind, Gino stretches out his hands, does a little muscle relaxing movement and looks down at his cards.  He announces all in and Arnaud calls before Gino has even finished the "in" part.

On the backs:

Gino Alacqua   Qd Td
Arnaud Mattern   Ad Kc

2d 6c Jd         Ks       2c


Scary canary flop and turn but that means


Gino Alacqua is out in 2nd place officially winning €407,300.


and


EPT Prague 2007 Champion is Arnaud Mattern - Officially taking home €708,400

Here's a few winner shots, including a couple where he's congratulated by Nicolas and Vicky, which I'm very proud of catching.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6880&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6876&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6878&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6882&g2_serialNumber=1)

Well, we're all off to relax and get some drinks. This has to be one of the most smoothly done EPT's I've experienced, it really worked with reducing the buy-in back to €5k, so hopefully that will stick.

Finally congratulations to Arnaud Mattern, who became the big stack early on and played well throughout before fighting right back into it when three-handed.

;stickaforkinme;

[Oh, Maria says bye too.]

nice one arnaud...
great updates floppy & chilli
x

Delighted for Arnaud! He's a nice guy.  ;yippee;

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Thank you Guys, enjoy your Christmas and New year, here's looking forward to 2008.
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Raise your glasses to the BEST UPDATING TEAM there is

Although I was there the whole time, I was Behind the Rope dealing cash and had no idea what was going on in the EPT.  Now I have caught up with Chili and Homer's excellent reporting, and have a much clearer picture - it was a great event with a spectacular turnout and a well-deserved victory for Arnaud.

The dealers backstage were thinking of trying to put some money on the dark horse Frenchman, but we just didn't get around to it - our hunch was spot on and I clocked off early to stand on a chair and watch the last few hours of the final table to see him take it down.  He's a gent and a quality player (even though he doesn't think London is better than Paris) and throws a mean party.  Fantastic result and wp everyone.  Thanks to those who tipped me when they won a pot, too ;)

 ;applause; ;applause;

ONE TIME!!!
Well played fish! You did it!