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This will be the no-frills thread for live updates from the final day's action at the BlueSquare Grosvenor UK Poker Tour Cardiff.

Start time 2:30pm.

Chip standings at the end of Day Two:

Kayshan Muthy     374,200
Ian Nelson             79,000
Victoria Coren       202,200
Roberto Romanello  331,100
Andrew Feldman     138,000
Hoss Parhazkar        488,500

Michael Greco         164,000
Steve Craig            420,400
Eliott Bowker         392,700
Dave Smith            134,850
Simon Zach            322,400
Anthony Romanello  141,000


Payout Structure:

1  £97,680
2  £51,980
3  £34,650
4  £25,200
5  £18,900
6  £15,750
7  £12,600
8   £9,450
9   £6,300
10 £4,720
11 £3,150
12-15  £2,520
16-21  £2,200
22-27  £1,890

The Start-of-Day Redraw is as follows:

Dave Smith       134,800
Steve Craig       420,100
Vicky Coren       202,200
Anthony Romanello  141,000
Hoss Parhizkar    488,500
Kayshan Muthy   374,200

Elliot Bowker      392,700
Roberto Romanello  331,100
Andrew Feldman     138,000
Ian Nelson               79,000
Simon Zach           322,400
Michael Greco        164,000

In the very first seconds of play, we lose our first player - Andrew Feldman, who raised preflop with A-J, and found Roberto Romanello moving in over the top.  Correctly surmising that the lairy Welsh player didn't need to have that much, he called, and was up against A-9.  A spiked Nine, however, and Romanello nearly doubles up while making Day Three very short for Andrew, who finishes 12th, winning £2,520.

Vicy Coren is OUT in11th

Vicky raised pre-flop with 6s 5s and Kayshan called from late position with Kd 7d.

Flop = 8d 6d 5d

Not a bad flop for Kayshan Muthy - second nut flush with an open ended straight flush if need be.

The chips flew in, as you'd expect, and although Vicky had outs for a full house, they didn't arrive, leaving her to join her friend and fellow Vic fanatic, Neil 'Bad Beat' Channing, on the rail.

Ian Nelson triples up - short-stackedly all in, he gets a double call and check-down from Michael Greco and Roberto.
The board:  Jc 7h 7d 4c Qd   and while Greco announces "Pair of Nines," Ian had a Jack and is still in it....




...on the final table...

Anthony Romanello exits in 10th place, winning £4,720

I suppose he was short enough now just to push on the button with Ad 5d, which is what he did, called in the blinds by Hoss Parhizkar with Jc Jh.
The board:  Th 6d 5h Ks Ts - which halved the number of Romanellos in the final.

We come bearing chip counts:

Dave Smith -- 139,500
Steve Craig -- 449,500
Hoss Parhazkar -- 623,500
Kayshan Muthy -- 508,500

Elliot Bowker -- 422,000
Roberto Romanello -- 496,500
Ian Nelson -- 89,000
Simon Zach -- 253,500
Michael Greco -- 167,000

The final is scheduled to start at 4.30pm.

Seating order:

Seat 1: Kayshan Muthy -- 508,500
Seat 2: Elliot Bowker -- 422,000
Seat 3: Ian Nelson -- 89,000
Seat 4: Hoss Parhazkar -- 623,500
Seat 5: Simon Zach -- 253,500
Seat 6: Steve Craig -- 449,500
Seat 7: Michael Greco -- 167,000
Seat 8: Roberto Romanello -- 496,500
Seat 9: Dave Smith -- 139,500

And on the very first hand, Ian Nelson doubles up.

Finding Ac Kh, Ian Nelson moved all-in in pre-flop for 89k, only to find a caller in big blind Kayshan Muthy and his paltry 7s 2c, clearly thinking he had 2 live cards, which he did, and fancying a shot of removing Nelson and moving up the ladder.

But it didn't happen, and with a 9h Ahrt 8s 9c 9s board, the Liverpudlian doubles through.

Greco moves in after Hoss Parhizkar bet on a Tc Qc 2h flop - he follows the 61k bet with a call for the rest (not too much) after a small think during which Michael responds to questioning, "I have a massive hand."  Clearly unconvinced, Hoss calls.

Michael Ahrt Ac
Hoss Ks Td

"Come on baby, don't suck out on me," requests Michael, eliciting a smirk from Snoopy in the press room -

Turn:  Aspades
River:  9s

And a double through for DTD's Beppe, who when told he's first to act said, "I never acted in real life..." the audience are in the palm of his hand.

Kayshan has been nicking the odd blind, meanwhile it's all "X passes, Y passes."

Ian Nelson raises to 44k in the most recent one, getting it through, then it's Dave all-in once more preflop for 128k exactly.  Kayshan calls, and fast, even with everyone else left to ask behind him.  Simon Zach really gives it a think before passing, though, and it gets through the others -

Dave shows: A K off
Kayshan shows: A K off

Flop:  5c Ah Kd
Turn: Js
River:  2s

CHOP

Dave Smith is all in again the very next hand under the gun, this time no callers, but he shows Ahrt Kd. 
______________________________________________

Roberto Romanello raises on the button, gets a bit back from small blind Dave and big blind Kayshan.  He gets the first spontaneous round of applause!  Popular guy.

Simon Zach raises to 41k, same result, but he doesnt get a clap.  He shows Jd Js.  I am very glad people are showing their uncalled hands or we'd be hard pressed to find information to relate...

Kayshan raises to 49k on the button; Eliott and Ian give up the blinds.  I think he's currently ahead on the blind-raising; Roberto and Eliott keeping surprisingly quiet for the first 20 hands.

Hoss calls a 49k bet preflop from Kayshan (surprise).  Simon thinks for a long while but no one else is interested, including short stacks Ian and Dave Smith, even though in the small blind there's quite a bit of value...

Flop: Qh Ks Jc  Kayshan checks, Hoss stares from beneath the brim of his GUKPT hat before betting 60k.  Kayshan immediately announces all in; Call just as quickly, and it's obvious why - he's flopped bottom set and is on the way to cracking a bigger pair (the only one which wouldn't have a bigger set now, incidentally)...

Hoss:  Jd Js
Kayshan:  Ad Ahrt

Turn:  5c
River:  4s

They measure up the chips, and it turns out Kayshan Muthy finishes 9th, winning £6,300

Chip counts:

Seat 1: Kayshan Muthy -- out
Seat 2: Elliot Bowker -- 342,000
Seat 3: Ian Nelson -- 55,000
Seat 4: Hoss Parhazkar -- 1,125,000
Seat 5: Simon Zach -- 333,000
Seat 6: Steve Craig -- 453,000
Seat 7: Michael Greco -- 261,000
Seat 8: Roberto Romanello -- 489,000
Seat 9: Dave Smith -- 125,000

Ian Nelson is OUT and becomes the 8th place finisher winning £9,450

Michael Greco raises it up to 40k pre-flop and Ian, in the big blind (16k), sticks in his last 39k.

Michael of course calls and shows A-To. Ian turns over K-7o.

Board = 8h 8d 6s 3h 9c.

We've lost the Liverpudlian.

Eliott raises to 51k, winning a brief pot off Simon Zach, albeit with another lengthy consider.  He remarks something like, "I keep getting people who don't believe me on my left," after being made to sweat a bit.

Dave Smith announces all in again; no callers.  He's not really climbing in chips, still a short stack - the only call resulted in that split pot earlier.  Well, nick enough blinds pushing preflop and you'll get all the chips eventually.

Hoss raises to 50k, Dave Smith is the big blind... he doesn't go for it this time, although appearing tempted, at least.

Mike (the announcer - and very good he is too) tells the audience as they have a break that they're just not making enough noise - he's really doing his best, even calling "Anyone from Southampton??" to which he received stony silence in reply.  I might go down and see if it being quiet down there is a lack of atmosphere, or just a tense one.

Kh 3c Qh flop seen by Dave and Hoss
Turn:  Ac
River:  2h 
Check-check to the river, where Hoss bets 60k to win that small one.

Eliot Bowker is OUT and becomes the 7th place finisher winning £12,600

Elliot Bowker raises it up pre-flop and Roberto Romanello calls.

Roberto then says "I check blind" before the Flop is dealt.

Flop = 3d Td Tc

The laid back Elliot sits back for a moment before leaning forward, reaching for a column of chips and betting 70k.

"Have you got Ace King?" asks an inquisitive Romanello.

Elliot, who told me earlier that he just says random things to Romanello when he asks these probing questions, simply decides to shrug his shoulders.

"I call," announces Roberto adamantly.

"And I check," he says before the Turn arrives.

Turn = 3s

Elliot thinks for a moment before moving all-in.

Roberto calls immediately, turns over his A-T and rises from his chair in excitement.

A gutted Elliot turns over Queens and seems to know his fate, even before the rag River.

"A big round of applause for Elliot Bowker," says Big Mike on the er... mike as the online whiz kid exits the stage.

"I knew he had Ace Ten," added Greco. "That's exactly what I put him on."

Roberto has the button; as expected in goes 45k.  Small blind Hoss gets needled, "Go on, re-raise me," says Roberto.. He does - to 166k.
"You sure you got a hand, if I pass?"  He counts out the chips, "It's gonna be a big pot, isn't it?  But if I take 'em all, I've got a good chance of winning it.  You think you're beating me?"
Anyway, Hoss isn't in the talking mood, just says, "Call the bet."  "OK."
Flop:  7c 8s 8d  Check from Hoss "I haven't got an Eight."  "I'm gonna take a risk, just in case," says Roberto, betting 100k at the same time as saying "I think you're winning.  I think you got me.  You don't want to pass the winning hand do you?  You can't pass.  There's a lot of people watching too.  You call every time - I've been watching you."

Hoss passes, after that unrelenting verbal onslaught; Roberto shows Ahrt Qh, and picks up the pot with shaky hands.

Michael Greco thinks about calling Steve's s.b. bet on the big blind; "I love this hand.  I have good odds..." Call.
Flop:  5s Qs 7h  Check-check
Turn:  6d  Steve bets 40k, Michael calls.
River:  4h  Steve counts out a bet while Michael says "Whoa whoa whoa!"  Bets 90k, Michael instantly moves in, saying, "I told him."  Then gets up and kind of bounces around the tournament area, coming to a standstill behind his potential caller.  Who passes.  One for the DTD player, who's still lagging behind Roberto in the chat league, however.

2s 5h 4s Tc Jh  s.b. Roberto vs. b.b. Dave.  Not too much to report, won by Romanello with King high after boring check-down.

The next hand though, Michael Greco called a 46k raise preflop from Steve, so did Hoss.
Flop:  Qh 3s Kc
Turn:  8s Hoss checks, so do the others
River:  6c  It checks round to Michael who showed Tc Td, won, and expressed surprise at Hoss' 9s 6s call preflop, before getting dangerously close to giving lessons, "Well, you had a flush draw..."

Seat 1: Kayshan Muthy -- out
Seat 2: Elliot Bowker -- out
Seat 3: Ian Nelson -- out
Seat 4: Hoss Parhazkar -- 895,000
Seat 5: Simon Zach -- 189,000
Seat 6: Steve Craig -- 176,000
Seat 7: Michael Greco -- 684,000
Seat 8: Roberto Romanello -- 1,137,000
Seat 9: Dave Smith -- 111,000

Simon Zach at the dinner break was getting a grilling from Womble, but explained himself to the satisfaction of all parties...he looked a bit frustrated at having not found a chance to take on the big stacks, remaining towards the bottom chip wise.  But there was even table talk during dinner so who knows what they've been threatening each other with...

As I write this he's moving in preflop over the top of Roberto (see what I mean) for 175,000 total - CALL

Simon shows:  Aspades 5h
Roberto shows:  8s 8c
Flop: Tc Kh 2d
Turn: Js  (Simon's sunglasses in his mouth)
River:  Ks

So right after dinner and we lose Simon Zach in 6th place, for £15,750

Steve Craig and Dave Smith are now the short stacks, in trouble against the chips of the other three - liable to need to win at least one of those on-their-backs tourney-on-the-line type things just to be able to play any poker in these later stages. 

Steve's already made his first pre-flop push, no callers.

Js 2s Qh flop is seen by, everyone, I think.  Checked round, the turn comes:  Jd.  Dave and Hoss checks, Roberto bets 40k and Hoss calls, saying "I think you've got nothing."
"You're right, I have."
2d and Hoss now has Deuces full, which takes out Roberto's Ace-high (double-check on the river).

Dave moves all-in from early position with 59k (has to move at some point) but runs into two callers in Hoss and Steve.

The two bigger stacks check down a Flop and Turn of Js Qc 3c Kd before Hoss bets 100k on the River.

Hoss turns over a Jack, but Dave wins with a Queen and trebles up.

After that, Steve Craig is now in the same position - moving all in soon thereafter for 143k.  Roberto Romanello asks for a count, and then says, "I shouldn't have asked," before dwelling and asking if he'll show if he passes (that old chestnut). 
"Do you want me to call?"  (here we go again)
"I do."
"Let's gamble."

Roberto: Jh 7h
Steve:  Ks Qd
Flop:  6h 5d 8s  (the press room is convinced that it's all over)
Turn:  6d
River:  Tc
But no - bullets dodged, and a stack which Roberto might not autocall if he pushes in.

Hoss raises on the button to 75k (although he does say, "Bet" which it would do him a favour to replace with the word, "Raise" in general to avoid confusion in these situations).

Michael calls.  Flop:  8h Qh Jh  Michael checks, Hoss checks.
Turn:  8s  check-check
River:  Kc

Hoss shows A-Q while Michael had a pair of Jacks - somehow that got all the way through without a single bet.  Hoss takes it with top two. 

Flop:  2h Qd 3d  (threeway)
Turn 2d  Michael bets out 30k, called by Roberto only.
River:  9h  Michael bets 100k.  Roberto shakes his head, but calls.

Greco showed 9c 9d for the winning house, Nines full - it was announced that Rob had "Trip Kings" but since that's impossible it was either Kings or something with a Deuce in it in Roberto's hand.  Plus he said, "You rivered me."  In any case he'd lost his chance to win it with earlier bets - but then again he (Rob)'s pretty near impossible to put on a hand.

Dave Smith is OUT and becomes the 5th place finisher winning £18,900

Everyone sees a cheap flop, except for Romanello, ironically.

Flop = 6s 4d 4s

All check.

Turn = 5d

Dave Smith (small blind) announces all-in for 99k.

Folds round to Greco who asks for a count.

"Got a draw, Dave?"

"No."

"Trip fours?"

"I can't tell you that."

"I call"

"Nice hand"

Greco shows 9-9 which holds up against Dave's K-5, the 6d River giving both players three pairs.

Steve Craig is OUT and becomes the 4th place finisher winning £25,200

Hoss and Steve see a cheap Flop of 5c 6h 7d

Hoss checks, Steve bets 40k and Hoss moves all-in.

After sizing up his opponent, Steve decides to call.

Steve = 7s 9s

Hoss = 6s 5s

Turn = 3h

Lots of outs.

River = Tc

Not to be.

I wish they would a) let us up to the table in the pauses to count the chips or b) announce them when they restart or c) give us access to the person with the clipboard who undoubtedly is doing this for someone somewhere.

Very sorry, but we are sure that Hoss has a lead on Romanello (on 900kish) and Greco (around that too).

Hooray!  Complaining works:

Hoss Parhazkar      1,427,000
Michael Greco          836,000
Roberto Romanello   929,000

A board appears:  Kh Ad 5c 7d it's checked threeway to this point, at which Roberto bets 30k.  The rest of the field passes, and he shows the Kc.

Roberto's big blind is called by Hoss on he button, and small blind Mike.  No raise.
Flop:  Kh 3d Ac  Check-check-check
Turn:  5s  Check-Roberto bets 90k (does this pattern look familiar?)- Hoss flat calls.  Michael passes.
River:  7h  Roberto checks, Hoss checks and shows Ks Qd  vs. Roberto's Jd 7d which was extremely unlikely to have called a river bet anyway.

Hoss calls preflop, but Michael Greco wants to raise it - 90k more.  "I just saw my cards and thought I've got to raise it, see where I am."  No real interest from Hoss on that one, and he sees where he is, I guess.
_________________________________________

Roberto gets a walk.
_________________________________________

Michael holds a big stack of large denom chips almost over the line, then flat calls.  Roberto makes up the small blind, and Hoss checks. 
Flop:  5c Ad Ts  Check to Greco, who bets 80k.  Roberto calls, Hoss says, "Have you got yourself in trouble?" 
Greco:  "Are you talking to me or him?"  Hoss passes.
Turn:  7c  Roberto checks, gets a check behind.
River:  Kc  Roberto bets 150k.  Michael announces, "All in," and gets a swift pass, with no comment.

Hoss calls, Michael calls, Roberto makes it 130k.  Hoss immediately announces all-in.  Pass from Michael, stand up from Rob...CALL

Roberto:  Qc Qs
Hoss:  Ad Ks
Flop:  4h 2h 3s
Turn:  Ac
River: .................... 5c

And the crowd goes wild.  Well, wilder than previously tonight.

;kc;

Latest chip counts:

Hoss -- 1,565,000
Greco -- 897,000
Roberto -- 730,000

20k/40k (4k)

Hoss on the button

Jh 6s 4s Ks comes with some checking between Hoss and Michael, but the latter takes it with a 60k bet at this point.
____________________________________

Small blind Roberto makes up the blind and Hoss checks it.
Flop:  Tc 3c 5c  Check-check
Turn:  8h  Check-check
River:  4s  Check-check  Hoss shows 2-9 and Roberto's A-Q wins.
____________________________________

Roberto makes it 100k on the button, and Michael Greco announces all in.  Roberto has to release once again, showing A-5; Michael shows A-Q.

Threeway Flop:  Js 9h 7d  Roberto calls the flop bet from Michael (notice how I can leave ambiguity of amount without making it really obvious I don't know it).
Turn:  Jd  Roberto checks, Michael bets 80k, call.
River:  4c  Roberto checks, Michael shows K-J for trips, while Roberto shows pocket Sixes.  Another to Greco.
_________________________________

Kc Qs 7s check-check-check  (there really are a lot of these threeway limp-check flops)
Turn:  Td  Hoss checks, Michael bets 60k, Roberto calls instantly.  "You never believe me," says Greco.  "I don't know what to believe..."
River:  Ks  Michael checks - check behind  Q-8 for Michael beating Roberto's T-J

Roberto likes the flop play: "It's much better now - I'm enjoying this," despite conceding quite a few small pots to his neighbour in the last half hour.

Roberto moves in after a raise from Hoss preflop.  The chat starts to flow freely:  "I've got rubbish, but I'll show you - that's how confident I know you've got nothing."  Hoss does indeed fold, showing an Ace, and Roberto shows the Ks...

Michael Greco doesn't want to be left out. "You had pocket Kings.  I know you have pocket Kings.  I'll give you a grand afterwards if you didn't have pocket Kings."
"You promise?" asks Roberto...

Latest chip counts:

Seat 1: Kayshan Muthy -- 9th
Seat 2: Elliot Bowker -- 7th
Seat 3: Ian Nelson -- 8th
Seat 4: Hoss Parhazkar -- 1,300,000
Seat 5: Simon Zach -- 6th
Seat 6: Steve Craig -- 5th
Seat 7: Michael Greco -- 910,000
Seat 8: Roberto Romanello -- 985,000
Seat 9: Dave Smith -- 4th

Word is out that a deal has been struck.

They are taking home 50k each to effectively guarantee themselves 2nd place each, and playing for the remaining 32k.

The 32k doesn't include the Grand final seat and the £10 added money, which makes the total 45k.

Pics of the final three on the Interactive thread
http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=21856.msg444211#msg444211 (http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=21856.msg444211#msg444211)

Roberto raises to 100k (that's a min raise), Michael Greco calls.
Flop: Th 6c 8d  Michael calls the 120k bet from Roberto
Turn:  Kc  Check-check
River:  8c  Michael checks, Roberto checks his J-2 and 7c 8s in Michael's hand proves the winner.
__________________________________

Everyone's getting a bit tired now, I gather another checked-to-the-river pot between Hoss and Roberto saw the Welshman misread his winning straight for a pair of Jacks.  And we just had a pause while everyone tried to remember who was meant to have the button.  It's been a long four days.

Roberto Romanello is OUT and becomes the 3rd place finisher officially winning £34,650

Hoss and Greco (small blind) both limp and Roberto moves all-in.

Hoss folded, but Greco called instantly.

Greco = Ac Js

Roberto = 9d 9h

Board = Kd Ks Ts Qc Tc
 

Heads up Chip Counts:

Hoss Parhizkar    1,185,000
Michael Greco     2,010,000

Hoss calls on the button; check.  Michael checks in the dark the 2h Qc 5s flop.  Check back.
Turn:  Jh  check-check
River:  6s  check-check   Michael's J-6(!) wins by a mile.  "I was waiting for you to bet..." he almost apologises.  We reckon he might be waiting a while, and betting a bit might get it won quicker - he does have a 2:1 lead...

MICHAEL GRECO IS THE CARDIFF GUKPT CHAMPION OFFICIALLY WINNING £97,680

Michael Greco raised to 100k from the button and Hoss Parhazkar called.

Flop = Kh 8c 3s

Both players checked.

Turn = 9s

Hoss announced all-in and Michael called.

Hoss = Tc Jh

Michael = Kd 9c

River = Jd

MICHAEL GRECO IS THE CARDIFF GUKPT CHAMPION OFFICIALLY WINNING £97,680

What can I say, I can't top that picture.  Thanks to Grosvenor Cardiff for being so hospitable, thanks to Wifi for existing, and congratulations to all who experienced the joy of a successful poker tournament.

That's all from us, we have to be in Monte Carlo in less than 36 hours.  So ;stickaforkinme;