blonde poker forum

Howdy ho, peeps, and welcome to the live update thread of this year's Dublin EPT.

At this point in time, I don't know too much about who is playing, what the venue is like, how many players there are going to be, and so on, but what I do know is that play for the first batch of poker dreamers begins tomorrow at 2pm.

One of the players who is definitely making an appearance this week, although on Day 1B, is the Jaffa King, Jeff (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=195) Kimber (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=195). With my eyes firmly fixed upon the departure screen waiting patiently for it to magically reveal my gate number, I spotted a lonesome Jaffacake (that's Jeff, by the way, not an actual giant Jaffacake) trundling through the airport waiting lounge. "Jeff!" I shouted to no avail. "Jeff!" Again no response as he walked further away. "Jeff!" By this time I was becoming slightly embarrassed as everyone shuffled away from someone they believed to be a mental patient.

As I crammed my laptop into my bag and raced after old deaf aid like an over zealous Take That fan, I managed to catch up with Jeff and, instead of showing myself, creeped up behind him demanding, "Will you make your ****ing move on Scrabble!"

To anyone but us, this exclamation won't make much sense, but the story of late is that Jeff, who I have been unable to beat thus far, is refusing to make his move on our up-to-now amicable game of Scrabulous on Facebook. According to Jeff, my latest word, 'unriper', which, although slightly shaky, has been accepted by the dictionary, is, in his eyes, totally unacceptable and thus reason to boycott the game.

Now, this is the third time I've played Jeff at Scrabble, and he's beaten me on both prior encounters, so imagine my delight when I suddenly unearth a seven word score and manage to place it on a tripple word square. Woohoo! 80 points for the Beagle! However, then imagine my disdain when my opponent suddenly questions the very word that the dictionary has accepted and refuses to play, thus robbing me of my defeat.

Anyway, back to the airport, and, as he had done on many an occassion, Jeff simply brushed aside my request and replied, "I'm not playing until you can tell me what 'unriper' means."

"It's obvious," I claimed. "If you have two bananas, and one is riper than the other, then the other one is unriper."

"But it would just be 'less ripe'," he swiftly replied. "You're going to have to do better than that."

"Let me put it another way," I continued, with a hint of desperation in my voice. "Just say you have two bananas, and scientists add chemicals to each one that reverses the riping process. They would be unriping the bananas, and the one that is most unripe, therefore becomes unriper than the other."

Not surprisingly, my perhaps outlandish scenario fell on stony ground.

After a slight pause, a stunned silence, and the gentle breeze of a clump of tumbleweed brushing past my leg, Jeff replied, "No chance, it's not a word. No one uses the word 'unriper'."

"Tell you what," I suggested. "If in tomorrow's live update I can successfully utilise all the Scrabble words from our latest encounter, will you admit defeat and make your move?"

Hesitantly, Jeff agreed, thus bringing us to the current situation by which I need to incorporate the following words into the Dublin EPT reports.

Gulp! Perhaps I should have re-evaluated the board before striking this deal...

Me: UKE, MOATED, JIB, HAG, POD, TORC, CEDI, AI, TURN, SURF, RAI, UNRIPER, ANY, DEX, VARY, PIED, VOX, JUKES, EGO

Jeff: WELT, COG, TAGS, LADES, BIT, REE, QI, NIT, ZONED, ELFIN, WELDS, HA, OX, KNIT, LOT, BEE, OBIT, TA

Hmm, I don't think the word TURN will be too tricky to implement into a poker update, but there are few in there that may require a little out-of-the-box-thinking in order to succeed in this challenge. However, after I've er... studied the dictionary to find out what the hell these words mean (!), I'm sure I'll have a good crack at proving Mr Cake wrong and showing him that all the words I have used in our battle of Scrabble wits are perfectly normal in the realms of the English language.

I remain quietly confident, but I think I'll need more luck than the players I will be updating. See you tomorrow, and don't forget to shout out for any players you wish us to keep an eye on. We always do our best to answer any such requests.

nice airport report snoops. FWIW i wouldnt allow unriper either :-P

LOLLL will be fun seeing you try to fit all those in snoop, good luck!

Also good luck to Praz Bansi and Karl Mahrenholz, take it down...

 ;D

Should be good!

Unriper indeed!

unriper:

google seems to think its something to do with swinging....... ;whistle;



 rotflmfao

LMAOOOOO!!!  Google is your friend Snoops

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/unriper

Hi Snoopy

Could you provide updates on a few Scandie friends of mine who are playing.

Lades Moated
Hag Elfin
Torc Welt
Ego Jukes.

Thanks

Banned. Again.

Morning chaps and chapettes. I'm sure you'll be jealous to hear that I woke up next to Chili this morning, although I must emphaise that the single bed I requested fell on death ears. I suggested pushing the two together to become closer as a team, but she was having none of it. Meanwhile, I seem to have developed a psychedelic pattern on my body from lying on the folds in the sheet. Also, one of my hands is still numb from sleeping on it, so I am being forced to type with my tongue.

We're yet to venture out into the open air of the Irish coast, but with play commencing at 2pm, we've still got plenty of time to whisk ourselves over there and get settled. There don't seem to be any players staying in the confines of our hotel, the intriguingly named Tara Towers, but that doesn't mean they're not locked in their rooms playing online poker. I did spot Torc Welt in the lobby, and rumour has it that talented German newcomer Vox Unriper is also present.

I hope you were quiet so you didn't wake Chili.

So uncouth AndrewT that I am going to dish out a red card  :redcard:

... and yes, quiet as a mouse.

Whilst we await the start of today's event, which, admittedly, is still a good 80 minutes away, why not have a gander at NoflopsHomer's latest tournament report from Baden. A smashing read as always.

Baden Tournament Report - Click Here (http://www.blondepoker.com/index.php?q=node/13003)

Good afternoon lads and Cadettes and top of the afternoon to you all from Dublin.  Glad to see Snoops have given you guys more than enough information in todays posts  ;snoopy'sguns;

This being my first EPT outside of London, I am excited to hear other languages apart from cockney, oh wait....its Irish I'm listening too.  Slow down guys then I can just make the words out  ;)

I went for the obligatory wonder around pre match and the atmosphere is a little subdued I feel. Not sure if it is the numbers for today, with 80 players seeming to be the number branded about, or just the sheer size of the hall compared to the people in it!  There should be a lot more people deciding to play tomorrow though to shorten their trip here in Dublin.  I'm liking the hall itself, but then again I love rooms with high ceilings.  Please witness:

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2874&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2877&g2_serialNumber=1)

This point brings up the thread I started the other day about EPT numbers. Surely if they only get about 200 runners here for a venue that can clearly hold more, then the reason for upping the buy-in - to answer demand - surely doesn't make sense. I'm not criticising John Duthie and the EPT as they have worked miracles in making this Tour as successful as it is today, but I do feel a time might come when they will have to consider a drop in buy-in to encourage more players to partake in what is a cracking tournament. It would be a shame if the Tour became an elitist affair.

Players are starting to file in more frequently now, I have spotted:

Erik (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=545) Seidel (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=545)
Pascal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=691) Perrault (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=691)
Noah Boeken
Jan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=591) Sjavik (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=591)
Barny (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=41) Boatman (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=41)
John (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=608) Conroy (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=608)
Andy (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=469) Black (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=469)
Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95)

Also confirmation now that 91 players have just started...................................NOW!   Also, the revelation that players will be starting with a 15k stack instead of the more usual 10k and 7 levels will be played today.  We believe that making best of the time compared to the players registered they have an added bonus of more chips to dance around with.

It's immensely surreal over here. Heading out in the cardroom, you are greeted by a sea of tables in an open-plan room which I estimate could seat 600. However, on one small side of the room is a batch of tables holding this year's Dublin EPT - it's almost as if we're watching some minor charity event or something. Having said that, within those 9 or 10 tables are a host of poker giants, as Chili eluded to in the previous post, each one now being blessed with an increased stack of 15k in order to cater for the severe lack of numbers. Paul Gourlay is one man who is happy with this change: "I'm a tight player, so it'll let me see more flops and give me a bit more room to play". Truth is, if you get Aces v Kings, or a flush versus a nut flush, the chips tend to find there way in somehow, however many chips you have in front of you.

As I write, I believe I heard the Tournament Director threatening a start within the next few moments, so hopefully we should be up and running very shortly.

agreed snoops, or make some of the events cheaper than the others. Or maybe a Smaller EPT tour with 2k (e) buyins

good luck maria....oh and u cheating beagle. you seem to have forgotten unriper only managed to find a place on the board if you sneaked in the former Brazil midfielder 'rai'.....at least when the mantis makes up words we were playing for bottles of champagne

Some people are suggesting that the lack of televsision cameras for this event has affected numbers, but I'm unsure. The EPT in Warsaw wasn't televised, yet that event was packed to the rafters and had a great buzz about it.

Could just be the effect of the shedule. So many big comps on fortnightly/weekly even, and we know the effect on the pockets of the bad players running bad.  Its hard for non sponsored players who do not play $10/20 + nl to keep stumping up for these events.

€8k, £5k or $10k. It's too much. Even if you're a good Scandie player going into Barcelona full of hope like so many others and fail to cash in any of the first three EPT's, you're suddenly down €30k just from buy-ins and expenses. It's just too much. In a quest to provide bigher prize money and attract more players from the States, the increased buy-in is actually killing the tour. Obviously it wasn't noticeable at the first couple of events whilst everyone still had money, but without a cash or two people begin to feel the pinch and I really worry for the events in Prague, Dortmund and Warsaw. Also, many people are probably thinking why go to Dublin this week when the Masters Classic is on next week for €3k less?

This is how Ian Woodley prepares for a major EPT, collecting his thoughts, soberly wondering if this one will be his:

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2881&g2_serialNumber=1)

Not too much action of note thus far, but we can confirm that cards are in the air and hands are riffling through chips. One player who has been more than just riffling is Hendonmobber Barny Boatman. Re-raised from about 200 to 650 on a Th 7d 9d Flop, our Barny twitched in his seat momentarily before making it 1,650, a bet which resulted in a quizzical look, followed by a hesitant call from his young Scandinavian opponent.

The Turn came Js, and without pause, Barny tapped the table with a slight air of "Oh, I don't like that card, I'll check and hope you check behind me" (although I think he was trying to act weak). However, after resting his chin on his hands for a few seconds, Mateyboy confidently shoved out 3,350. Shuffling in his seat and glancing back at the board, Barny again called, by which time I think we knew that he at least had the Eight.

Come the 4s River, Barny again checked in a similar manner, at which point Mateyboy bet out 6,075, a predominant chunk of his stack that left just a few bits of shrapnel behind. Knowing that he couldn't really fear a Q-8 at this stage, Barny called with 8h 6s and was both relieved and frustrated to be met by a Ts 7s that was in deep deep trouble until that action crushing Turn arrived.

"Bet you didn't like that Jack," observed a shrewd table companion.

Seen sat in their seats are:

Dario (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=517) Minieri (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=517) (can just see over the table, they are rather tall)
Henning (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=575) Granstad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=575)
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)
Brandon Schaefer
Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=655) Wendt (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=655)
Elky

There is a full player list on its way through cyber space as i type, I cant remember if I mentioned it but I had confirmation from John (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=209) Duthie (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=209) that there will be no camera's here at all, no feature tables and no filmed final table either.  This will also be the case in Prague & Warsaw.  Not sure of the exact reason but possibly just the shear amount of EPT's at this moment in time.

Here are some snaps just before kick off:

Pascal Perrault
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2883&g2_serialNumber=1)


This guy is none other than blondes George2loose or Rupinder Bedi, who qualified throught Pokerstars only a few days ago
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2885&g2_serialNumber=1)

This is Len 'Fatboydim' Collin, fully zoned in on the game and the task at hand with his fancy shades. I have no idea if he's communicating with an outer source, perhaps one of the bloggers (hey, I could make a packet cheating that way), but either way, he seems intent on cashing this week with his Terminatoresque specs.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2891&g2_serialNumber=1)

Some Irish talent having a natter, maybe discussing the price of fish:

Joe Rafferty, Michael Muldoon & Andy Black

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2887&g2_serialNumber=1)

I don't need to introduce this chap, but it is worth noting that he is wearing the dusk till (http://www.dtdpoker.com/aff/BlonditesDownload) dawn (http://www.dtdpoker.com/aff/BlonditesDownload) gear for the very last time. At the risk of sounding like a poker pimp, come and get him, folks! He does have those seductive 'I'm available' eyes.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2897&g2_serialNumber=1)

One witness to the previously mentioned Barny (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=41) Boatman (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=41) hand was Jon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=214) Huckle (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=214), seemingly sponsorless today but once a part of the Bad Beat clan I believe. Anyhow, he should be in with a shout, his online reputation as Hamsterboy garnering him much praise, not to mention some good performances on the live circuit with final table appearances in Bolton and Walsall.

Meanwhile, the press room is becoming a vacuum of irritating noises as two bloggers have their laptop volume maxxed up and that annoying MSN bleep constantly badgering away. GRR! Does anyone know the etiquette for such a situation, can I tell them to turn the sound off?

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2893&g2_serialNumber=1)

Oh joy, look what I received in my inbox - the good people of Pokerstars, Mad Harper in particular, being kind enough to send us a full player list.

Steindl    Johannes   Austria
Dodet    Daniel   Belgium
Lococo    Daniel   Canada
Mcdonald    Mike   Canada
Georgiou    Phidias   Cyprus
Hansen    Casper   Denmark
Hansen    Christoffer Egemo   Denmark
Hostrup    Carl   Denmark
Musa    Zlatan   Denmark
Rask    Martin   Denmark
Top-Rasmussen    Stig   Denmark
Jackson-Palin    Alexandra   England
Arutjonov    Aleksandr   Estonia
Manninen    Reijo   Finland
Mattila    Ville   Finland
Christophe    Benzimra   France
Gallienne    Mathieu   France
Grospellier    Bertrand "ElkY"   France
Perrault    Pascal   France
Testud    Paul   France
Zaicik    Jacques   France
Baran    Marcel   Germany
Koy    Adrian   Germany
Ruthenberg    Sebastian   Germany
Malnai    Csaba   Hungary
Black    Andrew   Ireland
Cahill    Edward   Ireland
Collin    Len   Ireland
Conroy    John   Ireland
Doyle    Conor   Ireland
Grimason    Andrew   Ireland
Mckeever    Fergal   Ireland
Muldoon    Michael   Ireland
O'Toole    Jay   Ireland
Rafferty    Joe   Ireland
Singh    Chris   Ireland
Alacqua    Gino   Italy
Blanco    Cristiano   Italy
Calabro    Davide   Italy
Manganelli    Manganelli   Italy
Minieri    Dario   Italy
Ruscalla    Pier Paolo   Italy
Boeken    Noah   Netherlands
Hollink    Rob   Netherlands
Ruiter    Daan   Netherlands
Smidt    Daniel   Netherlands
Van den Berg    Thierry   Netherlands
Veldhuis    Lex   Netherlands
Augdal    Terje   Norway
Fjellheim    Thomas   Norway
Granstad    Henning   Norway
Holt    Oran   Norway
Kjøndal    Kristian   Norway
Lodden    Johnny   Norway
Sjavik    Jan   Norway
Vreeswijk    Kevin   Norway
Nagy    Jonathan   Spain
Christensson    Simon   Sweden
Eskilsson    Hans   Sweden
Fredriksson    Patric   Sweden
Hellberg    Anders   Sweden
Hogbom    Michael   Sweden
Johansson    Mikael   Sweden
Jonasson    Gustaf    Sweden
Löfgren    Fredrik   Sweden
Skuja    Sebastian   Sweden
Storakers    Johan   Sweden
Stråth    Henric   Sweden
Wendt    Martin   Sweden
Asgcal    Mark   UK
Bedi    Rupinder   UK
Boatman    Barny    UK
Colclough    Dave   UK
De Wolfe    Roland   UK
Huckle    Jonathan   UK
Roberton    Jason   UK
Woodley    Ian   UK
Aronov    Oleksander   Ukraine
Hicks Jr.    Kenneth   US
Kamberis    Alex   US
Peters    Reuben   US
Billirakis    Steve   USA
Blackman    Seth   USA
Hamman    Christopher   USA
Ryan    Daniel   USA
Schaefer    Brandon   USA
Seidel    Erik   USA
Smith    Dan   USA
Smith    John   USA
Diaz    Franklin   Venezuela
Teran    Oscar   Venezuela

With just 10 tables, it's a lot harder to find any heavy action, especially this early in the tournament. However, as I tirelessly scoured the arena looking for signs of red or blue infested pots (these are the higher denomination chips), I eventually stumbled upon a 2k pot which was being ambushed by El Blondie and former EPT finalist, and Italian Stallion, Cristiano Blanco.

I'm not sure if Dave was check-raising or had bet out, but in front of him were 6.2k in chips, with the decision on Blanco who had 2.2k resting in front of him. Blanco looked keen to raise and show the table that he didn't want to be pushed around, but after keeping his ego in check, he eventually admitted defeat and folded, but nonetheless, a nice pot goes sailing over to an in-good-spirits Dave Colclough.

Is it really possible for a little updater like myself to get a rub down whilst taking a picture of a player in an EPT?  Well, I snapped the scary eyed Andy Black and his response was "Good job by the way, nice picture - Oh and thanks for your chips!"

He was refering to a recent Late Night Poker table that we both played on and all I can say is YES I gave him some chips, and YES he managed to get rid of them elsewhere  ;)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2923&g2_serialNumber=1)

Creeping through the tables, I also spotted an even-younger-looking-than-normal Dario Minieri, the Italian schoolboy looking deadly serious with his shades firmly perched on his nose, scarf swallowing his neck like a squeezing serpent and those raising fingers tinkering with chips before throwing out a 275 raise.

Possibly knowing that Dario could have any two cards, especially from the button, Mateyboy and Paul Testud both called from the blinds. The Flop came Kc Aspades 6s, but after the blinds checked, Dario surprisingly resisted a continuation bet and followed suit. The Turn was a cheeky Ks, but this time Dario wasn't prepared to let the action go any further without adding more money to the pot, the young hosthot betting out a paltry 200.

With the small blind folding, Testud called and the two remaining players saw an Ahrt River, one in which prompted a 600 bet from the Frenchman. Not quite knowing where he stood, Minieri mulled over his decision before flicking out the 600 and being met by an Ahrt 9h. Huffing and puffing, Minieiri showed a defeated Kd Qs, but perhaps a bigger bet on the Turn would have sent his opponent running.

Don't forget viewers, this is an interactive update, so if you are a guest and wish to prise out some information on a particular player, then please feel free to sign up to the forum and post your demands.

One of Jen's favourite players is this silent assassin, Norway's Jan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=591) Sjavik (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=591). A finalist in Amsterdam and the 2006 London EPT, Jan is always a dark horse in any event, although I'm not surprised if he keeps texting Phil (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=709) Ivey (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=709) for advice!

Hold on, my phone's bleeping. Hey, it's from Jan, he wants to pick my brains! It was me he was texting, not Phil.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2895&g2_serialNumber=1)

Alright Guys

Ye might keep us informed on the progress of Len Collin aka Fatboydim, aka Terminator. Let him know the Mayo Mob are watching out for him.

Also say hello to Mayo Mob member Danny McHugh who is watching the action from the rail before making his EPT debut tomorrow

As I compliment under my breath a 3,500 call from Manganeli Manganelli on a 2d 5d 6s 8s Kc against fellow countryman Cristiano (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=512) Blanco (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=512) (Manganelli showed 7c 7s), Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) jumps out his seat like a leaping salmon to inform me that the said player is actually a calling station and totally "unbluffable". Yet, according to El Blondie, people are still trying to bluff him. Go figure (?).

Will do, Len already been spotted, but no major hands to report just yet. As for Danny McHugh, I'm yet to spot him on the rail, but when I do will pass on the message.

News of an early exit and its bad news for a Hendon Mobster i'm afraid.  With only a sprinkling of brits in Day1a, 3 are playing on the same table including Barny Boatman & Ian Woodley (the other being Mark Ascgal, who is only playing his second ever live tournament).

Woodley, who self proclaimed was only his third hand and was playing tight, raised it up to 300 and got a caller in Boatman.  The flop was an innoffensive

 3s 9h 5s

Barny checked and Woodley made it 700, Barny reraised to 2,000 and Woodley was taking no prisoners bumping it to 6,000, Barny went all in and Woodley "put him on the flush draw" then called.

Barny  7s 9s
Woodley  Kh Kc

No surprises came on the turn or river and Barny Boatman takes an early bath and Ian Woodley catapoults to circa 27,000.


(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2899&g2_serialNumber=1)

According to the board, which is never wrong (cough, splutter), there are 85 of 89 players remaining with the average stack just over 15,000, as you'd expect. We are due to say goodbye to the 50/100 level in 5 minutes.

Hey guys

watching your coverage from Heathrow Airport, will be arriving tonight and will start my defence of the title tomorrow. At least the field is slightly smaller! good luck all Brits playing today and good luck to DC too. He certainly should be sponsored, he is a class act no doubt..

Rolandinho

Aha Mr Wolfe, that explains a few things, you are on the list of todays players which caused a few people debating whether you gonna make a fashionable late arrival any time soon.


Players are on a 15min (usually turns into 25 min) break!

Catford-via-Mayo Irishman Len Collin, or 'Plastic Paddy' as Padraig Parkinson refers to him as, has seen his 15 stack bisected in half (that's to 7,500 for the non-mathematicians out there) after his flopped set was out-gunned by an open ended straight draw on the Turn. From the sound of it, Len thinks he could have got away from it because a heart also arrived and by the turn, he wasn't liking the cut of Mateyboy's jib when he blasted out a 5k bet. However, Len called with his trips nonethless and was sadly met by a 4-5 for the straight.

i think they just put my name up to get more entrants...like added value..il be there tomrrw, fashionably on time

Hi Snoops and Chili. If you get a chance, wish Joe Rafferty all the best for me. I'm a bit surprised at the low low numbers considering that Dublin was always one of the most popular stops on the EPT. Any idea how many are playing tomorrow?
Mick            

Whilst Dave Colclough tries to adapt to the impossible-to-bluff billionaire on his table who probably wouldn't know if he was playing in dollars, Euros or even Cedi (would a billionaire care?), another equally affluent tycoon on the neighbouring table catches the eye of El Blondie.

"You see that guy there," he says pointing towards the lack-lustredly named John Smith. "He ran me ragged in the WPT."

Apparently, the chap pictured below is the guy who put the odd bad beat on Mr Colclough during the 2006 WPT final when El Blondie was running particularly well. Perhaps today will be his chance for revenge...

"He looks like he owns a Texan oil rig or something," adds Dave.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2931&g2_serialNumber=1)

Hello Mick, will do.  No idea to tell really about tomorrows numbers, but 130 seams to be a popular number.

Here's the young and hip Noah Boeken, fresh off what looks like a recent visit to a surfshack with his snazzy, eye-catching hoodie. The Dutch whiz will be looking to repeat his EPT victory from Copenhagen in 2006, but he'll have the likes of Ian Woodley to contend with just a seat or two down.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2933&g2_serialNumber=1)

I've always been a fan of the number 130 too.

Snoops, if we are to assume 130 tomorrow and therefore 220 or so runners overall, would this event be classed as a failure in EPT terms?

Anyone, when was the last time an EPT was so poorly attended?

I haven't borne witness to many all-ins, but one that I did have a ringside view to was Henning Grandstad's recent push. The board read 4c 2d 3h and the Norwegian pro had his tournament life on the line with his remaining 5,150 sprawled across the felt. Dwelling up in typical pensive fashion was Stig Rasmussen. After a deep thinking session in the think tank, Rasmussen opted for the fold, but was in explosive mood upon being shown Ad 2h by a mischievous Granstad, Granismo (as is his moniker) adding, "You folded the best hand".

As Henning grinned like a Cheshire Cat, Rasmussen rose to his seat and paced a hole into the carpet beyond the table as he attempted to rekindle his composure... probably to no avail.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2927&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2929&g2_serialNumber=1)

Looky here.

http://www.europeanpokertour.com/at_a_glance.html (http://www.europeanpokertour.com/at_a_glance.html)

I think it's unfair to judge based on just a couple of events as there are various factors that could affect numbers, but if over the rest of the season numbers still continue to dwindle, then I firmly believe that they will need to lower the buy-in to make it more accessible to players. Even the players that can afford to play all these events will start to drop out if the numbers are low enough.

Energy levels here in the cardroom are painfully low at the moment, so I've decided to take up my Irish counterparts' kind offer of munching on a banana. I think I picked the wrong one though because the one I pulled out is surely unriper than the rest of the bunch. There's definitely a green tinge that isn't present in the others. Bah.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2935&g2_serialNumber=1)

Joe (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=975) Rafferty (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=975) 10,000     and overjoyed at coming back from 2.5k in the first hour
Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) 24,000
Brandon Schaefer 20,000
Rupinder Bedi  10,500
Pascal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=691) Perrault (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=691) 21,200
Eric Seidel  3,600
Henning (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=575) Granstad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=575)  15,200
Ian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=176) Woodley (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=176) 24,100
John Huckle  19,000
Alex Jackson-Palin  9,500
Jonny Lodden  35,600
Andy (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=469) Black (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=469)  17,500
Elky Grosspelier  11,200
Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=655) Wendt (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=655)  17,400
Michael Muldoon 3,600 - Well he did have when I wrote it down, but has since typing this gone OUT
Christoffer Egemo Hansen  21,600

*Sigh...at this rate, I'll hold the record for bans soon.   ;angel;

Great updates Snoopy!  And yes, I agree...that banana is definitely unriper than the rest.   rotflmfao

If you guys dont give me people to follow or take pictures of then I will just keep posting pics of the cute ones:

Christoffer Egemo Hansen

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2921&g2_serialNumber=2)


Johnny Lodden

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2905&g2_serialNumber=1)

Dario Mineiri will be doing his homework back in the hotel after being eliminated from this comp. He was down to circa 2k at the time after a few mistimed moves, before running A-T into A-Q and failing to improve.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2909&g2_serialNumber=1)

With Lodden betting 1,625 on a 2s Qh Qd Kd 8h board, you could forgive neighbour Johannes Steindl for calling a serial bettor on the River, but as always seems to be the case with these aggressive, yet successful players, Lodden had the goods with Qc Jc. As a result, the dealer lades another ship with chips and sends them sailing over to the acclaimed Norwegian whose stack rises to a rather formidable 37k.

No, it's less ripe. Cheating dawg

Any chance of an update please on these two players

Doyle    Conor   Ireland
Grimason    Andrew   Ireland


Thanks

There hasn't been much shouting from you guys on this update, so I'm hoping this picture will activate the humour cog in your brain and prise some cracking one-liners from your fingers. At the moment, I'm lost for words, but I'm sure this encounter between Rob (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=724) Hollink (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=724) and the masseuse is worth a caption or two. Anyone fancy a shot?

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2937&g2_serialNumber=1)

So you're saying it's unriper than the others?

Alexandra Jackson-Palin -- 9,225

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2941&g2_serialNumber=1)

I'll have a check. Just a tick.

Rob Hollink battery runs dry & needs replacing!

My degree in educated guesses informs me that Johnny Lodden is the current chip leader after eliminating Jon Huckle's other half, Alexandra Jackson-Palin. Calling a Lodden pre-flop raise with Ad Qd, the two players entered a fierce raising war on a Nine high Flop with two diamonds, Lodden making the final call to Alexandra's push with A-9. Any diamond or Queen would have suffice, but it wasn't to be as the British lass is sent hurtling to the rail to support partner Jon.

We've located these players (I hope) and will post pictures and chip counts in just a jiffy. Meanwhile, fellow Irishman Len Collin has seen his yoyoing stack head north, a flopped set of threes against Pocket Queens seeing his count rise back over the 15k mark.

I see that the German Marcel Baran is doing well again currently on 26K.  He came 11th in this event last year and 3rd this season at the EPT London, not a record to be sniffed at.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2947&g2_serialNumber=1)

Nice. How about?...

The world's leading female ventiloquist forsees problems when designers wheel in her latest dummy.

Andrew Grimason  19,700

On the left
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2949&g2_serialNumber=1)


Conor Doyle  16,500


On the left again
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2951&g2_serialNumber=1)

Nice update to surf, lady and gent... Cool venue, if a bit underpopulated at present and lacking in jukes. My bets on Norwegian trio Sjavik, Granstad and Lodden, as well as any UK contingent!  The sole cog in your brain must be moated with a lot of information to knit into the update, and your ego is on the line with this challenge.  Gather your qi, put some uke music on your ipod, and you'll be zoned in to turn every update into something filled with Scrabble tags.  According to a vox pop I conducted, Jeff Kimber is an elfin nit with no cedi or rai to his name, and who had to sell his only pied ox to buy a torc for his lady friend Bee (a hag).  Tell him it would be wise to vary his jib or he might end up getting the odd welt, or even ending up in an obit.  Rumour has it he lades himself with dex, too - while living with the Ree he was taught how to make it out of unriper guavas. 

However he welds his game, your use of AI (the online dictionary) will give you the last laugh - Ha.

Ta.

hello

do you know what time the dinner break is?

Hi Snoops, can u keep tabs on any Badbeaters, John Conroy, Dan Smith, Chris Smith, Ian Cox etc etc

I have just seen Annette_15 Obrestad enter the building and was signing up for tomorrow.  I didn't try to steal her bracelet this time as she informed me I tried to do when we met last week!!

The Epitomy of Patience award goes to Erik Seidel, who went down to 3,600 about 2 hours ago, down to 2,900 about an hour later then back up just now 7,000 chips.  I feel sorry for the him actually as I keep hovering on his shoulder like a black widow waiting for his chips to fly in, but it just isn't happening!

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2945&g2_serialNumber=1)

Hell yeah, it is in less than hour at 7pm... ;kev;  mmmmmmmm food!!

I believe meds, only John Conroy playing today out of your list.  I'll check him out now tho...

Erik (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=545) Seidel (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=545) -- 5,300
John (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=608) Conroy (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=608) -- 15,250
Daniel (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=83) Dodet (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=83) -- 21,300
Len (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=971) Collin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=971) -- 12,450
Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) -- 24,500
Cristiano (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=512) Blanco (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=512) -- 3,700
Manganeli Manganelli -- 2,250
John Smith -- 13,825
Hans (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=915) Eskilsson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=915) -- 21,225
Johan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=604) Storakers (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=604) -- 18,525
Pascal (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=691) Perrault (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=691) -- 18,750
Brandon Schaefer -- 9,225
Paul (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=863) Testud (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=863)
Rupinder Bedi -- 11,325
Paul (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=863) Testud (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=863) -- 12,775
Andrew Grimason -- 26,475
Jan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=591) Sjavik (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=591) -- 6,875
Phidias Georgiou -- 24,350
Henning (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=575) Granstad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=575) -- 8,000
Stig Rasmussen -- 16,900
Noah (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=677) Boeken (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=677) -- 15,425
Conor Doyle -- 18,575
Jon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=214) Huckle (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=214) -- 14,525
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) -- 36,800
Marcel Baran -- 20,900
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) -- 26,500
Thierry (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1133) Van Der Berg (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1133) -- 20,100

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2957&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2955&g2_serialNumber=1)

Showoff.

Further proof that 'unriper' has a natural place in the English language.

You're not a black widow Chilli...he should be thanking you and calling you his good luck charm!

I went by Ian Woodley's table as he had a difficult decision to make, there was about 5k in the middle and an all in bet from mateyboy for about another 12K which was a good chunk of Ian's stack.  I watched, and watched and watched and Ian made the call to be semi rewarded with matey showing him the same hand AK off!  Just in case you wanted to see it:

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2959&g2_serialNumber=1)


John Conroy is not so happy sitting on 6,800 but still in there.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2961&g2_serialNumber=1)

Blinds have now risen to 150 and 300.

There are 75 players remaining with an average stack of 17,800.

Why thank you lady, thats the best compliment I have had all week hehe

That looks like you typed it with some keys missing from your keyboard. You're nothing more than a cheat's accomplice and, frankly, I think you're better than that!

Paul Testud will need to practice Qi after clashing with Martin Wendt, the French veteran halving his own stack and aiding his foe to a rather sumptuous 25k plus stack.

The action exploded on a seemingly innocent 6d Jd 9s Flop, Martin's bet of 625 being raised to 2,000 by Testud, before Phidias Georgiou of Cyprus reluctantly folded (I won't say that it was 7-8 - oops!). With the action folding back round to Wendt, the Dane made the call and checked the Th Turn with that unconvincing droopy eyed look of a player feigning weakness. Testud, however, took the bait and bet 4k, a bet which Wendt inevitably called.

An 8s River triggered an instant deep reach from Martin, but Testud clearly had the old fingers trapped in the cookie jar as he folded quicker than Babe in a butchers, although it all occurred with a cheeky smile from the temporary thief.

I wouldn't mess with our elfin friend, Jeff. Make her angry and we'll be reading your obit in the local newspaper.

We just lost Henning Granstad in unfortunate circumstances.  Henning calls a raise with  6c 6d and two of them see a flop of

 Ahrt 9h 5d

Henning makes a bet of 1k and gets a smooth call from matey.  The turn is a  2d and it is checked by both players where Henning says "I had given it up by then!"  The river lands a mighty  6s for a set for Henning, he procedes to go all in and is called instantly as his opponent held  Aspades Ac for the much better flopped set.

Erik Seidel is having a tough time of it so far, currently on 4,175 after seeing his button raise re-raised to 3,800 from small blinder Martin Rask and then called by Mateyboy in the big blind. The multi-bracelet winner quickly moved out of the way, only for Rask to check-fold the 8h Th 8s Flop to a 4,500 bet.

The players are now on an hour dinner break, so we are off to join them as at the last minute we were "allowed" to join in the buffet.  Wahooooooooo!!!

just caught up after a busy day at work..great updates snoops and maria

good luck wishes are for Dave Colclough and Rupinder Bedi

::)
Rob Hollink whispers to girlfriend stay low as i don't want the table to see you without any make up

Is this based on personal experience?

 ;ashamed;  Hmmm that would be telling.

Ok we have kicked off again, maybe things will speed up now.  It has been a bit of a slow start to this EPT, there are still 74 out of the 89 starters left and now half way through the 150/300 level.  Im off into the weird tall ceilined, hanger looking, carpeted train depot type place to see if I find anything to post about....

Great updates guys,

News on The Rocket Man's cash game please...

Say hello to Punk floyd for me to please and tell him to have a quiet Guinness for me... Ty x

At some point today, Cristiano Blanco, Henrik Olander and Joe Rafferty all fell by the wayside. Time of exit may vary.

Some of the players on Table Black will be in need of some dexedrine to cure the narcolepsy caused by recent turn of events, the action being held up substantially after the dealer dealt out an Ace high Flop... without a burn card!

As you'd expect in these situations, Thomas Kremser was called over to make a ruling, which led to much analysis of how the dealer deals his flops and which card should be the burn card. After a while, Big TK decided upon a card (99% sure, apparently), but said to the players involved in the hand that if they had any doubt, they should speak out. Whilst Johan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=604) Storakers (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=604) shrugged his shoulders saying he'd go with whatever Kremser decided, Jason Roberton claimed to be unsure. As a result, Thomas Kremser changed his decision and ordered the dealer to reshuffle and deal out a brand new flop, one which came in the form of a 6s 4s 4c. Storakers confidentally bet out (bravely in hindsight), triggering a quick fold from Jason who deemed his Pocket Nines inferior. Unfortunately for the Irishman, Storakers revealed Aspades Kc for a well played Big Slick.

Whilst Big TK was looming over a rather edgy dealer, I couldn't help but hoping for another faux pas on the next flop. I think if that had happened, Big TK would have grabbed him by the ear like a 1920's teacher and given him 10 lashings.

Just before the dinner break we lost blonde (George2loose) Rupinder Bedi.  He makes a raise with  Ad Qs and gets one caller, he is rewarded with a flop like this:

  Ahrt Qh 6d

Rupinder bets out 800 but gets reraised 2,500.  Rupinder reraises again to 6K but matey pushes all in, Rupinder feels with 2k behind he may well be behind with all the action but has to call and is shown 66 for the flopped set.  He took it well, but obviously disapointed as was highly enjoying his first EPT.

Hi Matt, I cant find Paul Gourlay but he was on about playing a tournament somewhere or other!?!!

Bertrand Grospellier is still here, although in rather thinner form due to accepting a 70k bet (who wouldn't?) in which he has to lose a certain amount of weight by a certain amount of time. Yes, details are very sketchy, but I do know that he has 8 kilos to go before he can collect the money. Why does no one offer me these bets? I'll lose 8 kilo for a fiver.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2889&g2_serialNumber=1)

The only way you could lose 8 kilos is if you cut off an arm. Eat some food!

One of the more enigmatic characters is Danish player Stig Rasumussen, quite prepared to wear his heart on his sleeve and make every decision appear to be a highly stressful one. The last encounter to induce a huff and a puff was with Christophe Benzimra, the Frenchman putting Stig to a seemingly painful decision with a 2,675 to 8,000 re-raise on Qd 7d 2h 3s board.

With his face twitching like a three legged ferret, Stig eventually bet the lot and pushed all his chips across the line, although rather messily I might add. Christophe quickly called, but was dismayed to see that his Aspades Qs was in need of assistance against Stig's 7h 2s.

A house-filling 7c on the River and we were braced for a Stig explosion, one that came in the form of an exclaimed "Yes!", a slam of the chair, and the repetition of the phrase "Gut Poker, Gut Poker" (or at least that's what I think he was saying).

Meanwhile, Christophe was left to slip away in defeat as Stig took the pot unquietly.

He may be loud, but at least he's entertaining in what has been a rather quiet affair today.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2965&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2969&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2967&g2_serialNumber=1)

Food is for wimps!

My point exactly.  ;hide;

Hey Snoops, you know that giant beef rib joint I sent you a photo of before? It's coming out of the oven now. Mmm. It's saying...

 ;stickaforkinme;

players: 63
blinds: 150/300
average stack: 21,200

Im trying to get to know players that are new to me.  This guy is from the UK and has a decent amount of chips 30,000, the average at the moment is about 21,000 and he has Andy Black to his left.  They keep tangling, but then again there isn't many players that Andy doesn't tangle with.

Jason Roberton

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2971&g2_serialNumber=1)

There is a decent cash game on that looks quite juicy, I can see the likes of Surinder Sunar, Ram Vaswani, Josh Gould, Andreas Hoivold, good luck lads.  Also elsewhere in the arena a 200 euro rebuy tournament is going on and I just nabbed Annette 15 on her break, there are about 40 players left and said she has had "far too many" rebuys.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2975&g2_serialNumber=1)

Following ElkY's recent demise, which I'm afraid went unnoticed by Team blonde, fellow shortstacker Brandon Schaefer faired rather better when his chips crossed the line, although divine intervention was required... by the bucket load.

With Schaefer pushing all-in over the top of an early position raiser with Jc Tc , Andy Black must have been grinning from ear to ear when he woke up with Kings, but after a Jack high flop with one club led to runner runner flush on the turn and river, the Irishman's smile soon turned upside down as he forced to double up his American foe.

Evening all. Any news on len Collin?

Just at Birmingham airport on my way over, and absolutely stunned by the small number of players today. I'm surprised the increased buy-in took a while to have its effect.

Also, this is the first time I've seen such a discrepancy between the numbers on the days 1A and 1B. Are there really going to be as many as 130 tomorrow. Is this fair, it seems strange?

Ian Woodley, who is far from being a nit, is enjoying a fast and furious rollercoaster ride which has finally slowed down at 32,000 after induring more than the odd loop-the-loop.

First up was a mild corkscrew, Ian raising it up with Pocket Fives before calling a small re-raise. A five on the flop with two spades led to a raising war with his re-raising opponent, but after Mateyboy showed Aspades 3s and subsequently hit a third spade on the Turn, Wooders was ruing ever making trips at all. "I can't believe he re-raised me before the Flop with A-3," observed a bemused Londoner.

Soon after though, the rollercoaster ventured into a frenzied spin, Ian calling a button raise from Noah Boeken with Pocket Nines. Check-raising the 7s 2d 6c Flop, both players checked the Kh Turn before Ian hit a dream 9d on the River. Out of position, Noah checked, and then called a 9k bet from Ian. Of course, Ian took it down, but Noah, who is now down to 4k as a result, had a face like a smacked arse, so one can only assume that he had a hand like Jacks or Queens.

However, as eluded to in the initial line, Ian isn't one to sit tight for a tournament and rarely welds chips to his stack, so don't be surprised if Ian is back playing big hands soon and ensuring that the rollercoaster is back in full flow.

Len Collin is on 17,200. Another Irishman, Conor Doyle, appears to be watching from the sideline. Unfortunately, I didn't catch his exit hand.

Hows John Conroy doing please

Len Collin -- 17,200
Thierry Van Der Berg -- 10,725
Conor Doyle -- out
Johnny Lodden -- 51,000
Phidias G -- 23,500
Jan Sjavic -- 9,125
Marcel Baran --32,600
Paul Testud -- 9,800
Stig Rasmussen -- 43,425
Martin Rask -- 43,425
Martin Wendt -- 12,200
Dave Colclough -- 43,000
Kristian Kjondal -- 36,200
Pascal Perrault -- 9,375
Johan Storakers -- 18,450
John Conroy -- 10,950
Andy Black -- 27,500
Brandon Schaefer -- 19,175
Andrew Grimason -- 36,175
Christoffer Egemo Hansen  -- 18,000
Noah Boeken -- 18,000
Jon Huckle -- 11,200

John Conroy is on 10,950

Tyvm

I've an early start in the morning so I'll say goodnight to you all.

I'll check in on things in the morning. Hopefully Len Collin will still be alive and kicking.

Make sure Danny McHugh gets to bed early. A couple of hours sleep might do for the thursday night freeze-out in Hanleys, but there's bigger fish to fry here!!!

As Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) wins a 10k plus pot with a 6k bet on a Qd 9d 3h Ks board, he adds yet more chips to his stack which looks, although it is difficult to tell whilst he scoops in the chips, to be around the 45k mark. Either way, he's quickly building a castle of chips - he just needs it to be moated now so that no one can their mucky paws near his newly acquired fortune.

Could this be the EPT where El Blondie shines?

(http://inicia.es/de/estrellaee/srburns.jpg)

Introducing Danny Ryan, he was born in the USA but now lives in Spain.  He is currently on 38,000 and I'm plowing through the field of unknowns to me and I wonder why I tapped this guy on the shoulder...

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2977&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://)

Just to throw in a cute female in the mix, here is the marvelous Marina Kremser who is so cool and great at dealing she is too fast for the camera shutter.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2963&g2_serialNumber=1)

As the players take a well-deserved 15 minute break, we've been joined in the pressroom by Len (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=971) Collin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=971) who is updating his blog as the day progresses. He says he's still in, but not playing particulalry well, although not seeing too many major hands either. He did have Aces one time, and saw a couple of sets, but only managed to win smallish pots with them. The major action he's seen thus far involved two other players, one poor guy's American Airlines being outflushed by an opponent's fellow Aces. Ouch. Meanwhile, there's a discussion going on (well, just with me, myself and I really) about Len's likeness to Marcel (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=642) Luske (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=642) and Jac (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=181) Arama (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=181). I'm sure if you threw them to into a pod each in the Fly, then you'd end up with Len, although that's only when he's wearing those funny glasses.

Is it really that boring there tonight?? The pace must be really slow. How many are they playing down to?

maria Danny Ryan is HOT..well done bird

gooooooo Dave...x

As we creep into the last level of the day, we have lost a popular Frenchman in Pascal Perrault, the Hawaiian shirt-wearing long haired lover from er... not Liverpool, falling at the hands of Belfast's Andy Black, who's been as busy as a bee today. I only caught the end of the hand, but Pascal was all-in on a board of Ts Ad 3s 2c 5d, but quickly called by Black's 5s 5c which I believe only edged into the lead on the River.

It's not boring, it's just that with less players, you naturally see less action.

This is the last level, about 50 minutes left on the clock.

Meanwhile, a more through check of Dave Colclough's stack has revealed it to be 46.5k.

Just as I decide to follow a qualifer from PKR, Jason Roberton who was doing well, well he is kinda OUT.  A strange hand indeed when he held  Ahrt Qd on a  Tc Qh 6h board.  Matey boy bet the flop and Jason called.  The turn was a  3h and mateboy bet out with  9s  Td

Jason raised all in and the guy made the call, the river was another 10 to knock out Jason.  The even more unfortunate news for Jason was that matey told him after the hand the his friend had just been knocked out and wanted to go him so he threw his chips in so he could get his lift!!  Personally I would hate to hear information like that after getting knocked out in that hand.

Are the "big name" poker players happier with the smaller field?

Do the likes of Dave C, Andy (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=469) Black (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=469), & Johnny Lodden prefer 220 "good" players or would they rather have the value of the 500+ seat lol-donaments with the added value of more less skilled players but more chance to go out to badly played hands by "inferior" players.

TA

Frenchman Paul (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=863) Testud (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=863) just doubled up to 18K with his Kings, courtesy of the 7's of Marcel Baran.

There is only 20 mins left of this 200/400 level and that will be it for the night.  There are 52 remaining players at the moment.

And here is Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) now. Just to satisfy my curiosity (it killed the cat, not the dog!), I actually managed to have a sneaky peak at Dave's ipod to see what sort of music he was into. I was expecting to find something from the 80s, Ultravox, Human League, Pet Shop Boys and the like, but our Dave is in fact a bit of a punk at heart, maybe even a rebel of sorts, the ipod happily blasting out the Sex Pistols. I think we should pop it onto the jukebox so everyone can hear.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2979&g2_serialNumber=1)

Battling El Blondie for the chip lead is Johnny Lodden. Lodden's still hovering around the 50k mark, although he did just pay off a 1.2k bet on a Kc Kd 7c 8h 5s board only yo be shown Ks Qc.

Lodden's another one who has headphones seemingly glued to his noggin. I wonder what he's listening to, anyone want to hazard a a guess. Does he look like a Reggae, Drum and Bass, Rai, Rock n Roll man? Maybe he's into something a bit slower, say the dulcit tones of Barry White or Marvin Gaye. He has the old unbuttoned shirt of Tom Jones ilk, so perhaps that's a clue. It wouldn't be unusual.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2983&g2_serialNumber=1)

The Breakfast Club soundtrack?

Len Collin has just been all-in for what I believe is the first time. The board read Th Th 4s 8c, and Len pushed for 9,075. The recipient of this aggressive move was Daniel Dodet, who quickly donned a tortured expression of someone who simply couldn't make their mind up. A few minutes later, we were still awaiting a decision, and Dodet was still swaying back and forth on what to do. I think at one point, his face even turned red because he was so bamboozled.

After a lengthy pause, he asked his neighbour if he held the Ten, but Len was stoic under questioning, simply ignoring his quizzical foe and looking straight on undeterred. Not long after, Dodet made what appeared to be a very reluctant fold (it was for his tournament life, after all), but his face soon sagged as he was shown Ac 4c for a nice, but still inferior hand. Dodet's contorted face looked like he'd just been pied by one of those annoying clowns - he wasn't a happy chappy.

Nonetheless, Len survives and is almost certain to be returning to day 2 with his head above water.


Dodet, just prior to the encounter.
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2981&g2_serialNumber=1)

Is that a popular choice in the Floppy household?

Excellent work as usual folks.

We prefer neo-classical space-rock down here.

Jon Huckle has been spotted on the rail with a dejected look, his tournament life reeing through his fingers like grains of sand. He raised pre-flop with A-T and was check-raised on a Ten high Flop by a straight draw, which obviously hit to send the Huckle packing. As he left, he wore a 'what can you do?' kind of expression on his face, if you can somehow picture my vision.

As Henning Grandstad agrees that a tag system with big stacker and often Day 1 leader, not to mention latter Day exploder, Johnny Lodden would be the perfect team, fellow pace setter Dave Colclough reveals a rather tasty 59,300 stack and understandably brags, "Not bad for a day's work".

Meanwhile, the final whistle has been blown, and the players are deep into the bagging process ready to return for Day 2, some with smiles, others with frowns, but all still present nonetheless.

Remember when I described the Woodley rollercoaster and how it could rocket at break neck speed at any time?

Well, his final words to me as he awaited dismissal were, "I'm on 24,550, haven't played a hand."

Ha, my acute observation skills and ability to predict chip activity is clearly rather questionable. The guy's turned into a rock!

Nice Work Snoop ..See ya Tm enjoyed the read ty

And thats it folks, it is all over for Day 1a.  Interestingly they stopped play with 7mins still left of the level, but with 50 players remaining.  We shall get a full chip count and body identification from Pokerstars at some point during the night so we shall post it as soon as we have it.  I shall say goodnight and leave you with a few pics that I just took because I like to post them current.


Kristian Kjondal of Norway
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2987&g2_serialNumber=1)


Andy Black
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2989&g2_serialNumber=1)


A bit blurry Martin Wendt
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=2993&g2_serialNumber=1)

Len (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=971) Collin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=971), who once again joins me in the pressroom, finished the day n 17,275. He didn't experience any excitement post-nervy all-in moment, which, unlike the World Series, isn't sponsored by anyone, but he did inform me that Daniel (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=83) Dodet (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=83) folded a pair of Nines, so I guess we have to commend the Irishman for a timely all-in.

Finally, John Conroy has made it through, as one might expect, with 11k. However, even though he claims to have received absolutely nothing apart from one Big Slick - "not even suited connectors" - he's still alive and we know from Warsaw he can make his patient, steady style pay off.

Later dudes, be back you with all from about 1pm tomorrow, hoping for a 2pm start for the Day1b ers.

What the eck is neo-classical space rock, and what bands perform that. I'm sure Dana would like to think it involved uke or banjos.

 :)up  Thx 4 the upadtes.

Righteo, peeps, that's about it for us. Thank you for joining us, but please do grace us with your presence tomorrow, same bat time, same bat channel.

For those of you who read my initial post, I think I did well enough today for Jeff to retract his accusation of cheating and call off his Scrabble strike. I think I only left out the words TORC and WELT, but when you take a look at their dictionary definition, then I'd think you can sympathise with my struggle:

Torc = a neck ornament consisting of a band of twisted on a medal, worn esp. by the ancient Gauls and Britons.

Welt = a leather rim sewn around the edge of a shoe upper to which the soul is attached.

Answers on a postcard please as to how I include them without ruining the updates.

Before I go, and I promise this is the gospel truth and not a cheap method of squeezing in one final Scrabble word, but as we journeyed in the taxi to what is an admittedly huge venue, the taxi driver drove up to one entrance that read 'Knitting and Sewing Convention' and asked, "Is this it?" I really must consider losing the pink trainers...

 ;stickaforkinme;

Here are the remaining survivors for Day 1a.

McDonald    Mike   Canada   67250
Colclough    Dave   UK   59350
Georgiou    Phidias   Cyprus   55475
Kjøndal    Kristian   Norway   53150
Zaicik    Jacques   France   48225
Black    Andrew   Ireland   45675
Christensson    Simon   Sweden   45000
Hansen    Christoffer Egemo   Denmark   43050
Vreeswijk    Kevin   Holland   42725
Baran    Marcel   Germany   40150
Stråth    Henric   Sweden   39000
Malnai    Csaba   Hungary   37250
Lodden    Johnny   Norway   37225
Hansen    Casper   Denmark   37150
Steindl    Johannes   Austria   36500
Koy    Adrian   Germany   35850
Grimason    Andrew   Ireland   35400
Ruthenberg    Sebastian   Germany   35175
Holt    Oran   Norway   33450
Hicks Jr.    Kenneth   USA   30950
Arutjonov    Aleksandr   Estonia   30150
Boeken    Noah   Holland   27825
Ryan    Daniel   USA   27550
Hostrup    Carl   Denmark   26850
Schaefer    Brandon   USA   26725
Top-Rasmussen    Stig   Denmark   26300
Wendt    Martin   Denmark   25125
Woodley    Ian   UK   24550
Hamman    Christopher   USA   18875
Eskilsson    Hans   Sweden   18550
Asgcal    Mark   UK   18500
Testud    Paul   France   17750
Manninen    Reijo   Finland   17525
Collin    Len   Ireland   17275
Hogbom    Michael   Sweden   16100
Jonasson    Gustaf    Sweden   15200
Storakers    Johan   Sweden   15050
Van den Berg    Thierry   Netherlands   14250
Ruiter    Daan   Netherlands   14125
Augdal    Terje   Norway   13925
Conroy    John   Ireland   11525
Peters    Reuben   USA   11050
Gallienne    Mathieu   France   10750
Rask    Martin   Denmark   10175
Calabro    Davide   Italy   8125
Fredriksson    Patric   Sweden   5850
Sjavik    Jan   Norway   5450
Blackman    Seth   USA   5000

Excellent updates Maria, see you tomorrow. Snoops, I think you've lost the plot