blonde poker forum

It's 2pm and I just saw Mike Sexton head into the TV Room, the fully-lit camera-packed WPT filming room.  The lights are bright, the players are toasty, and they're sitting in their places, but some bits of paper are being circulated and camera angles sorted out for us watchers in the lounge-type area in which they have set up TVs and a few rows of folding chairs.

Rolf assures me that we're going to be able to get in and out of there, but with full TV and sound link-up there won't be too many problems.  I also like the look of the champagne and juices set up at a little table in the corner.

It's all so civilised here - at 6.30am (don't ask) they just bring out breakfast, free for all - tea, coffee, pastries, eggs, bacon, hash browns, cereal, fruit.  How wonderful.

Anyway, an excited-looking Roland just showed up and he's ready to go.  I think it's his first majorly televised tournament, but I am sure he will take to it.

The chips have mutated overnight into large cash chips including those big denomination ones that are the size and shape of pop tarts.  They look better on TV, apparently.

Good afternoon everyone, really looking forward to todays action based on the last few days, cant see it getting any more exciting than yesterday though. Glas to see that Peter's dilemma seems to be resolved.

great updaes Jen and Tikat, keep up the good work

My spellcheck obviously not working

Hi Dewi glad you could make it.  Apologies, but there are a lot of people rushing around and nothing is happening yet.  The camera set-up is still being tweaked.  I think this will be the latest start to a day all tournament...and they went to such a lot of trouble announcing that we all be here at 2pm.  I just got up and ran down without my croissant.  Going to get tea.

So these are the final table chip counts for you one more time (they haven't changed since last night).

Michel Zajdenberg  758,000
Roland de Wolfe    728,000
Juha Helppi           352,000
Alan Goehring       327,000
Curt Kohlberg       126,000
Tim Anders           116,000

THEY'RE OFF! Seat numbers are like this:

1 Carl Kohlberg
2 Alan Goehring
3 Tim Anders
4 Roland de Wolfe
5 Juha Helppi
6 Michel Zajdenberg

"Bonne chance a tous le monde and shuffle up and deal!" says tournament director Sabine.

They appear to have lowered the blinds to 4000 - 8000 with a 500 ante (although now that the actual chips are different it's hard to see).

Curt Kohlberg raises all-in early to Michel Zajdenberg's 20k raise from the button.  He passes.  I think we might see more of this.

So who does everybody fancy - I'm going for Juha Helppi

Roland and Juha I hope.

Apart from Kohlberg they are all wearing sunglasses of different shapes and sizes.  This is one of those times I reckon you might need them for practical reasons - the lighting in there is pretty intense and the table has a sort of glowing white band around the edge which is also pretty bright.

The Media is here, with a lady being filmed next to us saying over and over "Welcome back to the Aviation Club de France and the final table of the Grand Prix of Paris.  I'm Courtney Friel - here's a recap of the action so far."  She has to say it over and over again, and each time, this guy says "great Courtney, one more time.  and 'de' is pronounced 'de.'"

The last pot reached over 100k on the turn, with the board like this:

2c 10d 5c 9s   

Roland bet every street and was called by Juha (on his left)
On the turn, Roland bets 60,000, Juha calls.

River: 3d     Roland bets 80,000, Juha passes.

i am going for anyone cause with my guesses i would proberly jinx anyone i picked this way i jinx them all and that only seems fair

Just been pointed out that the thing that looks like a large coaster on the table is actually a red 200,000 plaque!  It belongs to Michel Zajdenberg.  "He's the captain.  For the moment."

Roland just called an 80,000 raise preflop from Michel.  Flop Ah Ac 6s

Michel bet 40k, Roland called.
Turn: 4s

Roland bet 40k and Michel passed showing JJ.

captain of what?

Spoke to roland this morning and he seemed relaxed and focused. He was very careful about not being boked but by the look of the start hes made its in the bag  ;D Bring it home edge

Tim Anders has raised all-in on a 7 7 K flop but Alan Goehring passed. 

They're not going too slowly...  Roland is getting pretty busy pretty early.

tell me when hes got to a million jen.

Truly excellent updates Jenn, not missed Tikay at all.

Has he gone shopping for a kilt ?

 ;)

Now Curt is all-in again.  Every couple of minutes... what did I tell you?  And they all get out of the way.  I lied before - he has sunglasses too.

Ah Karabiner, I thank you kindly.  Tikay is out shopping for a nap, I think; he's been working really hard recently and never left his computer yesterday despite not updating too much.  Until we went to play cash.  Until 8am.  What can you do, eh?

Tim Anders took his turn to push all-in and collect the blinds.

Man, I could really use a picture of Roland sat in Tim Anders' truly impressive hat.  He looks in disguise.  The final table isn't all humourless silent raising and folding, which is great for us audience sat just outside the room.

I do wish the lady would stop doing her TV segment-ettes ("In poker, Paris means ACTION") as it is pretty distracting.

My phone couldnt take yesterdays bad beats, so havent been able to speak to Roland. But I know hes winning, hes got the game!! If u can tell him Im working lucky cards on a distance.

/Bengt (30% is like uhhhh 150 k?)

So where's Shana Hiatt, and who's this Courtney Friel impostor???

Not sure what that means, but I'll pass it on...:)

There goes Curt Kohlberg again, all-in over the top of Juha who passes along with the blinds.  You get the impression that they aren't in a huge rush to call all-ins although the small stacks are quite happy to go for it.

Sorry paddy if you were waiting for her, she doesn't look likely to show up.  I think Courtney is like an EconoShana.  But let's not judge her - let's watch the final product, in  , like, two months.

On a flop of 4 J K Roland and Alan Goehring find themselves heads up (Roland called the preflop raise).  Alan bet 22k and Roland passed, was probably quite happy when he saw Alan's JJ.

any chance of a prize breakdown jen? top 2 will do.

winner alot
2nd alot less
ariston one way ticket to blackpool

Roland vs Alan again preflop.  Roland raises 100k, Alan pushes all in and.... Roland calls!  Huge pot!

Roland KK
Alan AQ

Flop comes: 4h 6d 5c
Turn:  4d
River:  3d!

Alan Goehring falls to Roland's KK in 6th place 74,950

She left to do "other" things.

gogogogogogogogogogo :D:D:D

PRIZES FOR THE FINAL 5

1  479,680
2  254,830
3  179,880
4  119,920
5  89,940

Tim Anders all-in vs Juha who called quickly with QQ.
Tim has AK.

Flop:   4d kd 7s
Turn:  8h
River:  2h

Tim Anders has doubled up and now Juha Helppi is in a spot of trouble with less than 50,000 it looks like.  I'm going in to get a proper count.

Actually, Juha has only two stacks of red chips which we reckon are 500s so he's on 20,000 or less (going to wait until the break for full counts as it's a bit busy in there). 

Is roland over the million mark yet jen?

hubba hubba, what a start

Roland raised Juha's big blind and he calls all-in for 90something thousand... the red chips are actually worth 1000.  We'll be up to full accuracy by the first break.
Roland: Qs 5d
Juha: Js Kh

Flop:  4c Kc Jc
Turn:  7s
River:  (camera didn't bother showing us this but it was a blank, as Juha got the chips)

Juha doubled up to over 200k

his could be the first wpt final table that they dont need to edit out any hands

Second all-in between Juha and Roland....

Roland K 3 (button raising)
Re-raised by Juha with As Kh

Flop: 2c 10 c 10d
Turn:  5h
River 8h

Juha's hand stood up, as we reckoned it might.

Chip counts please?

The break sees the chip standings thus:

Curt Kohlberg   192,000
Tim Anders      221,000
Roland de Wolfe   1,464,000 (!)
Juha Helppi     180,000
Michel Zajdenberg   408,000

There you go, Ariston, safely over a mil

Wow Roland should gobble them all up from there!

Is the Santa lookalike still in Jenn ?

that Courtney is the person who took over foe Shawna Hyatt, shes not to bad herself

ah yes...

http://www.courtneyfriel.com/gallery.html

Milkybar, you gotta get a new pic, that one looks like you're showing us where you bumped your head

no one thought ram could lose in copenhagen, a magnificent chip lead, but someones gonna take him on when it's HU...

there, a reverse bok, look out the other 4!

Yeah Santa is Tim Anders and he just nicked Roland's big blind. 

I don't think Roland is that bothered.  He told me in the break that he gave it two shots to get rid of Juha but has no intention of doubling him up again.

Tim Anders has gone all in (Tim fait tapis) twice in a row.  The first time they all passed and he showed AQoff and the second time he didn't show. 
The blinds are 6,000 12,000 with a 2,000 ante, so the earlier blind reduction doesn't really make that much difference.

That's what I've been telling him for ages red-dog. The boy really doesn't have a clue though...

Paddyjim,

Thanks for that web link on Courtney, certainly cheered my aternoon up

Tell us about the cash game last night Jen!  What were you playing and how did you do? :)

J
x

Now Roland raises to 30k and Juha moves all-in AGAIN... this time Roland passes but he's still smiling.

Curt Kohlberg is all-in again re-raising Michel Zajdenberg's 32k raise.  Michel gives his chips a thorough countdown, gets them all stacked up and ready and...Calls!

Curt: Ah Jc
Michel Kh 10h

Flop: 7h 6s 6c
Turn:  5d
River:  Ac       doubling up Curt Kohlberg.

Yesterday they finished early so we sat in the 2 2 no-limit game with a couple of very argumentative people and some lovely ones.  A bit of controversy when someone was dealt a pair... of 5 of clubs!  The deck was changed and everyone forgot about it.  I did OK but may have skanked Tikay with lucky57 vs his AQ.... but there were only 4 players for much of the time so you'll get no verification of that story.

It is really quite pleasant to play here  - totally 24h with that lovely breakfast and comfy chairs.

only if the frenchies keep their mouths shut, very nice when they are not speaking, you can have Paris, I like London 

Do they play hi lo there Jen?
And what sort of limits?

Back to the Big Players -
Roland calls Tim Anders' button raise
Flop:  As Qs 9h         40k bet by Tim, called by Roland
Turn:  6s                 Roland bet out, and Tim instantly moved all-in for what looks like around 120k more.  Roland calls

Tom's a lip reader and thinks Tim said "good call"
Tim: 5d Ks
Roland 10c Js

River:  Ad    and Roland doubles another short guy up.

There was a huge limit dealer's game (200 - 400) with hi-lo as one of the games, and I saw a sign that on regular dealers tables you can now choose 5-card hi-lo.  Wicked. I think they spread lots of limits, depending on interest.

Hi Jen, thanks for the updates. Are many players over there coming over for tomorrows 1,000 Celeb Poker at the Palm Beach?

Jo - sorry to hear about your foot.  :-\

Tell roland to stop doubling people up and knock a few out.
Jac nice mambo number 5 outfit there.

LOL Jac - I'll survive
Will probably see you at the weekend

There will be live updates on blonde for the celebpoker event.

J

Tim Anders is on a roll, reraising all-in preflop again, this time with Carl Kohlberg as the initial raiser.  He gets it without a fight.  His hands shake ALL the time so there's no tell there... He is also sporting those mp3 sunglasses that look like the're spraypainted in camouflage colours.  How perfect for TV is he?

Jac - I don't know about the celebpoker, only that they were planning for 120 runners.  Brian Wilson and Tikay are going.  Not sure I will be able to make it to update but there will definitely be reports in some incarnation as it sounds interesting.  You playing, I imagine?

There is a threeway pot going on now but the TV monitors went off in here just as le flop was being dealt!  Let's hope they sort it out or there's going to be some running back and forth that will have to be done.  Great.

Someone has described Tim Anders as Chris Ferguson's "father" !

Guess that means that he's...........

No wonder he keeps winning when he's allin !!

 ;D

All-in between Juha and Tim (Juha with 162 and covered).

The flop came 8 4 3, Juha and Roland checked to Tim who pushed all-in with his AK off but Juha had hit top set of 8s and doubles through.

When we lost TV transmission we got a signal from a camera pointing at the floor.  Tapis.

Just spoke to Jac - he is definitely playing the celebpoker event tomorrow.

J
x

*******Players are on a break*******

They are making blind levels half an hour now, says Roland, with 10,000 - 20,000 blinds coming up.  He doesn't look best pleased, especially as quite a few players are taking 5 minutes per decision.  "Not a good session for me," he admits, but he's still in great shape.  Counts coming up.

how are these guys getting all the way to palm beach by tomorrow you do know that concorde is defunct

I dont like the Idea of shortening the blind levels, why do they need to do that?

Agreed red-dog,

Seems strange to me too.

Jac told me the blind levels in the celebpoker event tomorrow are half an hour - seems a bit short for a 1k event - can anyone confirm this?

J
x

Yes they are, I rang them

thats what they listed on THM site looks a really crap structure but hey the more of a crap shoot it is the more chance a celeb can win giving them more press coverage for their sponsors

The blind structure is a bit wierd 30mins but lots of levels at the lower end then its gets a bit silly late on. Hope I'm still in by then. A question though. What happens if there are no celebs towards the end? Also does anyone know who the 'celebs' are?

i think 1 or 2 people know the celebs i think they apeared on a reality tv show back in 1932

LOL Ironside - well lets hope one of them will sign me in!!!  I don't think I am a member there

J
x

i'll sign u in jo !

i asked someone at the Palm beach who the celebs were and I think its the usuals Jimmy White, Michael Greco etc etc... I was hoping for some fit birds

Excellent - want to send me pm with you phone number and I will give you a call when I  get there - what time are you going?

jo is going to be there what more you want?

don't know how to do pm. tell me how. I am going quite early cause i always need to 'aclimatize' before i play. Thinking of getting there about 2pm

Awww ironside you charmer!!  When's your next trip by the way Ironside - no more rum for me I am taking the 2 rebuy seriously this time heh

tmt - you hit the little IM button underneath my name.

J
x

not planning any trip untill i get the op

unless they postpone it again when i will try and play the 200 PLO in luton

sent u an e-mail let me know if you get it

I heard they're wheeling in Peter Sucliffe on a trolley hannibal lecter style!

Hi Jen, Its nice to read the posts rather than watch you turn grey with the effort of getting all the latest, great job! Hope its a better pace in Paris than the WSOP for you.
Jo if its Barry Hearn behind the Beach then it wil be his normal matchroom celebs i.e. his snooker players + a few others
And most of all GO ROLAND !!!!! Getting better and better all the time.

It starts at 4PM, but you have to be there for 3PM!

Jo, I will get there at 2.45pm - can sign you (and anyone else who needs to) in  :D

to think they could of had that 70s tv icon ironside but instead they go for that 80s snooker star davis

OK multiple posting now....

Jac - cheers hun -  you out of your meeting so I can call back?

tmt - got your message and replied - cheers!!

Ironside - let me know if you are going to be in Luton - will make a special trip if I can

Mark - cheers for lunch!!  Ahhh Barry Hearn - didn't realise it was one of his.

Roland - win the bloody thing!!!

J
x

The pace here is slow even if the clock is not (confirmed that it's going to be half hours).  Fabulous board of Q A K 10 4, four clubs between Roland and Juha, but it was checked all the way and won by Juha with a pair of Ks.  These five players don't seem to be going anywhere,  Even my usual trick of getting a cup of tea (in the WSOP someone always went all-in when I left the room) hasn't been working...

Blinds are now 15,000 - 30,000 with a 300 ante. 

Tim Anders re-raises Juha's preflop 75,000 all-in.  Juha passes.  For every verb in that sentence, add 5 minutes.

Curt Kohlberg moves all-in preflop over the top of Juha who calls with two red 7s.  Curt shows Ad Qc - he has 270,000.

Flop:  3c 9c 3s
Turn:  7s
River: irrelevant and ******Curt Kohlberg OUT in 5th place********

anychance of ruff chipcounts plz jen?

oh and i thought of something that might help if u say coffe olea or somert its white coffe the only bit i learnt while i was overthere :)

Kohlberg takes 89,940 for fifth, and the next player out receives just over 119,000.  I asked Roland how he felt about it being Juha that's been accumulating chips and he said, "If we get heads up it doesn't matter - he doesn't have position on me all the time.  If I go out fourth I'd be gutted..."  I suggested that lots of money might make him feel better.  Actually going to get some chip counts.

tell him to just stay calm, he isnt going to finish 4th. He has the beating of Juha if he can keep his head. Dont think about anything but first roland. 

Michel Zejdenberg   393,000
Juha Helppi            860,000
Roland de Wolfe     800,000
Tim Anders            350,000

wise words russ,
chip swings inevitable,
he can still pull this off if he believes in himself!

******************Tim Anders OUT****************

His all-in with pocket 5s was called by Roland pre-flop with A9 of clubs.  The A came on the flop and there was no rescue for Tim Anders so the tall long-white-haired American exits with 4th prize of 119,920.  They get a round of applause as the exit the TV room into the lounge where quite a few people have gathered recently.

So re-calculate Roland's chips at 1,150,000 or thereabouts.  He has regained the chip lead...

Morning (?) all. Bloody Hell, does Jen do good updates, or WHAT? Glad to hear Karabiner does not miss me. It's mutual.

I think that pkbt, who posted a few times earlier in this thread, is Bengt Sonnert. And Jac Arama been posting too. My my, the blonde Forum does seem to attract the big boys, eh? Very gratifying.

Last night's Cash Action. I'm afraid I fell out with Jen. She Raised me Pre-Flop with 7-5 off, I Re-Raised her with my monster AQ, & hit my Q. She RRR'd me, I called, & she hit her 2 pair, 7's & 5's. It's intolerable, she's been talking to Thewy I think. Do they know who i am? So as punishment, she has to buy me dinner tonight. She's grovelling now, big time.

We travel home on the 0630 Eurostar on Saturday morning. Jen to bed, me a brief trip back to the Midlands, then back to the Celebpoker.

I saw a mention of blonde Live Updates from the Celebpoker on Saturday. (Players include El Blondie, Brian Wilson & Thewy). Please be aware, this is not guaranteed. We ALWAYS apply formally, in writing, to seek permission to do Live Updates. It's a "best practice" thing, it's important to treat the Casinos with respect. I have not applied to cover CelebPoker. So it's possible we will, but by no means guaranteed.

But I will be there all weekend (whenever I bust out) as we have the Poker 425 TV Crew with us, so if it looks like being an "interesting" Final, then we may be able to sort something.

Rhowena & I, on behalf of Poker 425, will be interviewing all the "celebs", so you will see it on the show next week. Who are the celebs? Depends what you call a Celeb, I suppose. I think El Blondie, Brian Wilson & co are celebs. But I gather Nick Leeson (he who helped destroy a century old bank), Joe Greco (I'm told he's a soap star) & the usual collection of snooker players etc etc are what are classified as celebs. You pays your money.....

We have fell in love with Paris. Evening Meals on Pavement Cafes, warm weather, brekkie at the Aviation, it's been quite wonderful. It's a shame there are so many Frenchies here though. They have perfected rudeness, made it an art-form.

Let's hope Roland wins this baby. He had a HUGE chip lead, but as Thewy said earlier, so did Ram in Copenhagen. But I think he can do it. He's ballsy, smart, & not frightened of anyone. His moment has arrived. Good Luck Roland.

Come on Roland

Oh oh oh... I'm SOOOO not letting Tikay away with this! Po'Kar handed him big pair after big pair last night and he cleaned me out once with a well played KK but then Monsieur Kenndall got all bully and I got my cash back with TPTK against a stone cold bluff from him! I'd have called him with 75o in a heart beat last night so Jen has nothing to be ashamed of! :)
I lost count of the number of times I called or reraise TK and he claimed he'd "misread his hand" :) :p
Was fun though apart from the annoying arsehole in seat 9 who told us we couldn't talk to each other.    EH?! they certainly have some weird rules here too. One of them is "if you are french, all rulings go in your favour, regardless how ridiculous".

If you guys are going for dinner, let me know. I'm in the back room. Especially if Jen is buying :) :)

Tom.

They've just had a little break and are back.  No dinner break for them, oh no. 

Just to set Tikay's record straight, I hit my two little pair on the flop and the three of us in it all checked; the Q came on the turn and sucked Tikay in for all his money.  His phrasing made it sound like I runnered something or something.  I am not ashamed.

It is amazing the amount of stories from Tikay that start  "Looked down found kings and raised, then after the flop realised I had 10 2 off and had misread my hand!" :)

Juha just made it 80k to go and Roland stuck The Big Chip in (200k pop tart thing) to push him off it. 

Not meant to be partisan but Go On Roland!

Rolly. When you win I will jump on the Eurostar tomorrow and come and party. Can I crash at yours? Nik.   :)

Funniest comment of the night was when someone suggested that Tikay order Jen to do something (what, I can't recall). Tikays response was:
"What? Order Jen to do something? Are you mad? 'Jen, do something', 'GO **** YOURSELF!'"
I nearly wet myself.

Jen, I've put a few pics up here: http://devore.typepad.com/photos/wpt/
If you guys want any of them, fire ahead, just credit Antesup.com

Tom.

About time you signed up Nik :)

J
x

Almost like being here eh Nik? Except for the shouting and the sweet smell of Gauloises drifting through the room.

Some kind of colour-up is in progress as more of the un-threadable plaques are put on the table.  I think there's a niche for plaque tricks which not even Roland has cornered.

These are they.  We love antesup.com.

Love those pics and more so the comments!!
Especially the final table pic (poorly veiled piccy of 2 lovelies methinks) and the dealer comment

Well Jen, you SHOULD be ashamed. Your pre-flop raise showed a total lack of respect. 7-5 indeed. And I was ahead until I was behind.

DeVore. It's true - I honestly thought I had the nuts. It was only after you RRR'd me I realised I'd missed the board completely. 9-4 is a very unlucky hand for me.

French rulings? Seat 9 was an Isreali, a born troublemaker, argued about EVERYTHING. Asked for a ruling, because we were chatting!

I'm SB, he's BB, he acts before me, fires in a R of 6. I've got a hand, the Dealer says "it's tikay to act first". I bet 12. Mr Angry takes his 6 back and passes! Tom, from antesup, asks for a ruling. Ruling is, that's OK, Mr Angry can have his 6 back. Tom leaves table in protest!

or for those of us without mircoscopes for eyes

here is the same pic thanks to antesup.com

Juggling ?

Juha just checked his pocket AA three times to Michel, but no bite on any of the five rags.  It;s hard to tell from out here but I reckon Roland has 1,250,000. Juha and Michel share the other half of the chips, with Juha slightly in front.

Tikay, I was going to quip "christ, if you want 6 euro THAT badly, you really MUST be jewish!" but I have a good friend who is and I don't like racial stereotypes (being Irish and all  ;D). Fun evening apart from him!

Confession time: I initially wanted Roland to become a grease spot when he and Andy Black were on the same table as Roland knocked me out of a big tournie in the Gutshot and then the next night took my tank in a cash game. But he seems like a good lad, and the best player left so I hope he wins now.

And maybe he'll give me my dosh back.

Tom.

Make that Michel has half Juha's stack.  The camera angle is such that the stacks of white chips (5000) have no depth and he's actually got about 12 of them to Michel Zajdenberg's 5

But quipping on here is OK ??

And Jewish is spelt with a capital J, as Irish is with a capital I.

 ???

The blinds are now 25,000 - 50,000 with a 5000 ante.  Roland raised on the button but Juha in the small blind went all-in showing AK when Roland passed.

The next hand sees the dwell of all dwells from Michel before giving Roland a walk on his b.b.  The half hour starts to shrink visibly.

ACTION!

Michel is all-in for 385,000 and Juha has called.

Michel:  AJ     vs   Juha:  AQ   (Juha stands with his back to the table as this happens:

Flop:  9s Ad 6h
Turn:  2c
River:  3d

*******Michel Zajdenberg OUT in 3rd, receiving 179,880********

How the F can they reduce the levels to 30 minutes ?? Is this is further proof of the contempt of "powers that be" for poker players?  :(

you can eat soon make TK pay Jen for the good work
what a showing from Roland go on The Wolf hope its big celebrations for the Brits tonight

Did you have money on this??

They go into the final stage with Juha having a near 2:1 chip lead.  Roland reckons the blinds are going to make this fairly speedy, one way or the other.  The cards are in the air and a big silver barbecue type thing has been wheeled in filled with Euros.

Go on Roland!!!

Jo, can you give me a lift in to the Palm Beach tomorrow? I can sign you in as I joined during the week - but they stressed you still need to bring ID (not sure if driving licence is enough?).

Leave me a message at home - I'm off to the Sky Summer Party which is conveniently on my birthday.

Talk to you tomorrow,

Martin.

The reduction to 30 minute levels? Personally, I think it's a disgrace, but maybe I don't know what I am on about.

But I DID hear that NO Dinner Break is scheduled. And that the TV crew costs 100,000 per hour to hire. Make what you will of that.

TV has been good for poker, of that there's no doubt. But there's no such thing as a free dinner - everything has a price.

Happy Birthday Martin "Gripper" Farragher!

another 70 and he will be as old as tony

Yes Happy Birthday Martin!!

Enjoy your party

Roland has already re-raised all in once with a pass from Juha.  No messing about. 

Roland's got this great unblinking stare going on - no glasses at the moment. 

Wow. Caught up with update, wonderful. Great pics from Tom, the dealer comment cracked me up, wasn't expecting it.

Hard luck with the cash game tikay, I heard you were nearly ahead, until they started dealing out cards that is!

Incredible thay are mucking about with the structure, unimpressed.

They see a couple of flops....

The second one sees action on the turn (board A K 4, J)     Juha bets 100k and is raised to  220k by Roland, call by Juha.
River 5.

Juha checks, Roland moves all-in.  Juha calls!

Juha mucked his hand as:
Roland shows K5 off to double up in the first 10 mins. Wow.

with these 2 going at it I think its probably gonna be decided on a standard 60/40 shot. Maybe Ax v Kx or similar. Neither of these will lie down thats for sure.

*Pause as Roland stacks his new chip mountain*

Juha IMMEDIATELY all in with JQ off, Roland called with A8 off

Flop: 6d 5h 4s
Turn: 7s
River: 4c

ROLAND DE WOLFE WINS THE 2005 PARIS WPT!!!

Juha Helppi 2nd receiving 254,830

But winning a huge 479,680 is ROLAND!


CONGRATULATIONS - We knew you could do it

(how accurate was my prediction, eh?)

Congratulations!!!

... and to Jen and tikay.

awesome result ro,
good man yourself

Thanks Jen for all your hard work.
Buy you a drink when you come to notts. and will buy Tony some new glasses so he can read his hands properly

A somewhat subdued looking Roland is being interviewed by Mike Sexton (I think he's in shock)  He's being very gracious, I think.

WOW

Very nice result Roland, congratulations!!

go Rolo well done mate

Thanks for the good work Jen and Tk

Mike does the wrap-up for TV and they all toast Roland!  He deserves it - how good is that?

Well done Roland! Fantastic result.

Chuffed to bits for you roland. Spoke to him every morning and never once did he doubt he was going to win. The brits are taking over poker.

Terrific, just TERRIFIC.

Well done Roland - you're a Star. Official.

So it's all over - there just remain a few thank yous for the people that have made this event so much fun (and pretty laid back) -

 Bruno Fitoussi  - ever-helpful and Tikay appears to be quite charmed

 Tom and Rolf for the most helpful photo and update pillaging  (and antesup.com of course)

 Sabine for running the whole show

 The Aviation Club for being a wholly civilised and relaxing venue.


Cheers!

well played Roland - congratulations ;D

And Team blonde need to say a big "thank you" to a few folks.

DaVe C, who arranged with Bruno for blonde to do the Live Updates.

Bruno, who has been magnifique, given us everything we needed, all week, nothing was too much trouble. That's not just words - he really has been tremendous to Jen & myself.

Sabine, as Bruno.

Rolf Slotboom - once again, showed that Updaters can work as a team.

Tom, from www.antesup.com. As at the WSOP, Tom has been a good friend & of great help.

Benjamin G - he helped out a lot, and found us mains power when we most needed it.

Finally, & most importantly - Jen. I never thought we would be able to find anyone we trusted enough to do these, but she is just THE World's best Updater. A wonderful way with words, ever enthusiastic, tireless, understands the game VERY well, & is not afraid to approach anyone with a question if it will help the cause. And everyone at the Venues - EVERYONE - adores her. She absolutely LOVES dloing it, too, & it shows. She told me she is living her dream doing this, rubbing shoulders with the poker greats & not-so greats, being an accepted part of the Poker Community. I don't know how long she will stick with blonde, but as far as we are concerned, we hope it's for as long as possible.

So Bully for Roland, and Bully for Jen. TWO Stars born in the same event.

How proud are we, eh guys?

Very.. excellent job you guys...and very many thanks to all the effort Jen puts in.. not as she makes it look like an effort ..the girls a true star..

Well to paraphrase the Ronnies its goodbye from him and its goodbye from us. Its been terrific to hang out in Paris with the Blondies and being here for the whole week. Congrats to Roland who still looks in shock, he's been a very gracious winner, I hope he wins the final now. Big thanks to Tony and Jen for terrific chip counts and for sharing info and occasionally bits of technology between us! Its nice to work with nice people.
I'll be hanging around here from now on too I think! Roland just came over and thanked us and is still obviously on cloud nine. He's a good winner.

Have fun and see you next time.

Tom.

oops, just got in.... but CONGRATS ROLAND!!!!!!!

Tony, you are redundand, (as far as updating is concerned)

I just read Jen's biog. She has a degree in classics from Oxford for Fug's sake! No wonder she has a "wonderful way with word's". It's enough to make the old guard in poker writing like me feel a tad inadequate..

Well played Roland, I am so pleased for you.

wow, just got back w/ Eddie giddens and you did it ;D

how many blondities will win a major trhis year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all

thanks for your support. It meant a great deal. I know how lucky I am to win an event like this. I know ho wmnay good players there are out there capable to win a big event so feel even more priveleged. Poker, what a game eh.

Thanks also to the blonde crew. Great support, informative, just all round nice guys.

Im off on holiday for a bit.

Take care all

Thanks again

Well done Roland...a great performance!

The same goes for Jen and all at Blondepoker...great job!

well done Roland