Gala Poker Tour Grand Final: Day 1A - At A Glance

[NoflopsHomer]

Pat Donegan's exit was to Mark Stewart

The board was:



Pat held against Mark's slightly vunerable until the board bricked out with a turn and a river.

Incidentally, it's flooded with women in the casino here because...



Free drinks for all women, which has slightly upped the 'trashy' factor by a fair number...

Just now when they announced that this level would be the last, Bambos was very unhappy stating that he wanted to play 10 levels and they shouldn't finish at the end of this one. Roland told him that it was Ladies Night and all the girls in the casino would be very disappointed if they didn't get to spend any time with Barny Boatman...

[JungleCat03]

A sick hand just played out between  Omar Ghandur, who you might remember hit a one out for quads earlier in the competition, and Marcus Farthing, who after being reduced to 2k early on had recovered quite remarkably to 16 k or so.

I joined the action on the turn of a Ah board. Marcus had bet out 7k and been checkraised the remainder of his stack by Omar, another 7k or so.

He looked uncomfortable and eventually said "I'm committed, I have to call" as he flipped 7-6 for 2nd pair and a gutshot. Omar was no doubt mightily releived as he showed his A-6 for top pair with the gutshot, leaving Marcus looking at only 2 outs to win the pot and four to split.

Marcus runs good though and the river came a quite unlikely 7 though to give Marcus one of the two outs he needed to win the pot and Omar's earlier good luck was reversed on him.

"That's disgusting" he commented.

"Sorry but i was committed" responded Marcus.

[JungleCat03]

Rob Sherwood was just involved in a hand with Andrew Mitson.

Rob sitting on about 18k called Andrew's raise to 2,300 from early position on the button.

The flop came .

Andrew immediately moved allin for 8k or so.

Rob had a tough decision and dwelt up thinking for a while before eventually calling.

Rob showed for a brave call and Andrew showed for 2 overcards and a straight draw.

"He's got lots of outs" commented Rob and his astute observation proved correct as a K on the turn left him drawing dead, allowing Andrew to scoop the pot and leaving Rob in trouble on 8k-ish...

[NoflopsHomer]

And one of the 'dead stacks' (one of the guys who hasn't turned up) was just all-in in the big blind for his last 475 against Barny Boatman's Fives.

Ian Woodley was on card flipping duty, he turned over the , then the too.

When the board came:

, a cheer came from all the players, putting Mr dead stack up onto around 2k meaning he's probably going to make it to day 2(!)

[NoflopsHomer]

Play has now finished for the day, we lost Rob Sherwood just before the end, he bet around 2,500 on the river of an A-6-K-A-6 board but was set all-in. Eventually he called but was shown A-J by Rob Akery. Rob Sherwood flashed a 6 before leaving. Roland De Wolfe knocked out the other 'dead stack' with against .

Chip counts are going to follow shortly. Day 1B will start at 2pm once again, we're thinking we'll probably have another 50 or so players. Perhaps some coming back from Amsterdam, still needing a fix.

[NoflopsHomer]

Chip Counts:

Omar Ghandur -- 19,050
Marcus Farthing -- 27,800
Pete Singleton -- 12,775
Joe Beevers -- 54,950
Benedetto Passantino -- 21,425
Roland De Wolfe -- 29,950
Richard Haile -- 20,950

Alex Torrance -- 13,825
Bobby Rach -- 12,975
Andrew Mitson -- 20,650
Mika Ollila -- 42,850
Peter Cockayne -- 28,875
Andrew Flemming -- 35,200
Rob Akery -- 72,325

Mark Stuart -- 55,225
Mark Segal (the Dead Stack) -- 1,000
Ian Woodley -- 34,775
Barny Boatman -- 36,500
Bambos -- 36,800
Jitesh Thakker -- 36,625
Chris Royle -- 33,475