blonde poker forum

It's final table tournament time here in Warsaw today.

Seat 1: Trond Erik Eidsvig -- 220,000
Seat 2: Christian Öman -- 110,000
Seat 3: Mehdi Ouakhir -- 360,000
Seat 4: Niclas Svensson -- 174,000
Seat 5: Daniel Woolson -- 164,000
Seat 6: Juan Maceiras -- 437,000
Seat 7: Michael Schulze -- 1,162,000
Seat 8: Ricardo Sousa -- 756,000
Seat 9: Mathias Viberg -- 229,000

Who is is your tip? Can Trond do it in his THIRD EPT final this season?

All will be revealed at 2pm (1pm UK)...

Good Morning Warsaw ! Good Morning Updaters !


Go Medhi... AS usual, a frenchie is here, and AS usual, it's never the same...

Iiiiiin Seat One:
Trond Erik Eidsvig -- 220,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11936&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat Two:
Christian Öman -- 110,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11940&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat Three:
Mehdi Ouakhir -- 360,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11946&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 4:
Niclas Svensson -- 174,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11944&g2_serialNumber=1)


Seat 5:
Daniel Woolson -- 164,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11950&g2_serialNumber=1)


Seat 6:
Juan Maceiras -- 437,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11948&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat Seven:
Michael Schulze -- 1,162,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11938&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat Eight:
Ricardo Sousa -- 756,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11954&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat Nine:
Mathias Viberg -- 229,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11942&g2_serialNumber=1)

Jen's Underdog Pick:  Daniel Woolson
Jen's Overdog Pick:  Juan Maceiras.

Goooo 2/9!

Mine are Trond & Medhi

 ;popcorn;

Chris' Underdog Pick: Trond Eidsvig
Chris' Overdog Pick: Michael Schulze

What do you mean 'predictable'?

The 'Size of Trond's head vs the World Cup Trophy' Prop Bet ends in a draw.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11956&g2_serialNumber=1)

Enthusiasm in the centre, kinda fades away on the sides...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11958&g2_serialNumber=1)

The Six Nations Scrummage is nothing compared to the media scrum here.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11960&g2_serialNumber=1)

Ricardo Sousa WINS the button.

The first hand, Mehdi Ouakhir raises preflop to 25k (blinds 4k/8k/ante 1k).  He's called by Niclas Svensson only. 
Flop: 7h 5s 5d
Mehdi checked, Niclas bet 32k, and Mehdi quickly raised him to 100k.  Quite a pause ensues, and eventually Niclas gives it up, but not before some serious scrutiny of his opponent, who refuses to keep a straight face.

Go Frenchies ! GO Medhi !

 ;popcorn;

The next two hands are both raised preflop by shortstack Dan Woolson to 22k.  The first hand is uneventful, with him picking up some blinds, but all hell breaks loose on the second...

So, like I said, Daniel raises to 22k.  Ricardo Sousa flat calls, as does Mathias Viberg and Mehdi Ouakhir on the big blind.
Flop:  Qs 3h 5c   Now, this doesn't necessarily look like the kind of flop that will drive people nuts, but just see what happens...
Check to Dan Woolson who bets out 65k, a definite "I'm in this for the duration" kind of bet.  Sousa gives up but Mathias Viberg sort of counts down his stack in slow motion, every passing second making his flat call look more suspicious...
Over to Mehdi Ouakhir who suddenly announces, "All in."  The audience gasp as first Dan and then Mathias call all-in (both covered by Mehdi).

On their backs:

Mehdi Ouakhir:  Kc Qc
Dan Woolson:  Aspades Ahrt
Mathias Viberg: 5s 5h

Turn: 6c  bringing a tasty draw for Mehdi
River: Kh 

Which means that Daniel Woolson is our 9th place finisher, winning (122,060   / €34,554) while Mathias nearly triples up winning a c.700k pot on the third hand of the day.

There hasn't been nearly enough Trond coverage, considering. I demand more! Very quickly, before I have to go out!

 ;slavedriver;

He has less than 200k. Looks glum.

Go Trond!!!

Christian Öman moves all-in from the cut-off for about 90,000. It's passed around to Juan Maceiras in the big blind who starts to think and counts out his stack behind me. The surprisingly tall Danny Ryan, standing behind me, says, "Ace Ten? Pair of Sixes? If he has Ace Queen/Ace Jack he calls more quickly."

Juan makes the call.

Christian: 4h 4d

Juan: Qc Td

Board: 6s Ahrt 2s 2h 6d

Next hand, Christian raises again, Mehdi calls from the cut-off but folds to a 30k bet on the Jh Jc 6c board. Christian now up to 250k after two nice pots.

Michael Schulze takes the blinds with a button raise.

Ricardo Sousa raises to 26k from the small blind, but the newly stacked up Mathias makes it 68k and the Portuguese player folds.

Michael Schulze takes Trond's BB. Trond looks more glum.

I demand retribution for Trond's big blind! Can you sneak in and knock over some stacks?

 rotflmfao

Have to go to the studio now to record some country music, most exciting way to spend an afternoon, but GOOD LUCK TROND!!! and wishing you updaters as speedy a day as yesterday. Can't you just taste the beer already...

Michael Schulze raises under the gun to 28k.  Christian Öman calls in the cutoff, but then button Mehdi Ouakhir moves all in over the top.  It looks like he's down to just under 150k, but even so that's enough to elicit an immediate pass from Michael.  Back to Christian, who seems to have a bit more of a decision.
"You have Jacks?"  No reply, so he works his way down, "Tens?  Nines?  No pair?"  Pictured:  Trond watching this exchange, then Christian and Mehdi watching each other.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11962&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11964&g2_serialNumber=1)

Christian suddenly calls the clock on himself, and Lee Jones counts down all the way until his hand is declared dead.  One back for the Frenchman, whom Jones announced as being from Morocco...

Enjoy making sweet twangy banjo music, you redneck you.

Bad spot for Trond just now - meaning he's now dropped into Short territory:

Mr. Eidsvig raised under the gun to 24k, having really not played a hand so far in uncharacteristic-for-Norway style.  He gets a call from Michael Schulze (who seems to like doing this) on the button.
Flop: Tc Js 8h  Trond bets out 39k, and gets a call.
Turn:  5c  check-check
River: Qc  check-check 

Oops, Trond announces "Ace-high" with a shake of his extreme-styled hair, and Schulze shows Kh Qd for the rivered pair and the up'n'down on the flop.

Er, might be a little late with this bio (courtesy of Pokerstars) but really ought to give Daniel Woolson more coverage as he seemed to play well through these four days (albeit only 10 mins on the last day) so here we go:

Seat 5: Dan Woolson, 22, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA – PokerStars qualifier - 164,000 chips
Dan has had a roller-coaster tournament so far. On Day 1, he quickly amassed 30k, but then bluffed off nearly all his stack and ended the day on 18k. At that point, he was pretty dejected and expecting to bust. But Day 2 he doubled up early with Aces, and then later beat Kenneth Hicks Jr’s AA with 99. Soon after he busted Tyler Netter, again with 99 v AA and ended the Day in 6th place with 188k. In the quick-fire Day 3, he was doubled up Trond Eidsvig but then got some back from Trond with AQ 77. Dan turned pro after graduating from UMAS university a year ago. This is his biggest result so far but he won a PokerStars nightly $100k tourney for $30k last summer. This is his second EPT and he plans to play at the Monte Carlo Grand Final; he busted out of the PCA on Day 1.

from the PokerStars website (http://www.pokerstarsblog.com/ept-warsaw-chip-counts.html) :

Seat 1 -- Trond Erik Eidsvig – Norway – 220,000
Seat 2 -- Christian Öman – Sweden – 110,000
Seat 3 -- Mehdi Ouakhir – France – PokerStars qualifier – 360,000
Seat 4 -- Niclas Svensson – Sweden – 174,000
Seat 5 -- Daniel Woolson – USA – PokerStars qualifier – 164,000
Seat 6 -- Juan Maceiras – Spain – PokerStars qualifier – 437,000
Seat 7 -- Michael Schulze – Germany – 1,162,000
Seat 8 -- Ricardo Sousa – Portugal – 756,000
Seat 9 -- Mathias Viberg – Sweden – 229,000

but he may have the both Nationalities, I don't know...

Niclas Svensson has been pushbotting his way up, back over 100k after receiving no callers.

Schulze raises to 25k, Mehdi calls from the button, Juan calls from the big blind.

Jh 7h 9d

Schulze and Juan check, Mehdi moves in, the German and the Spaniard fold.

Ricardo raises to 26k UTG, Michael Schulze calls in the big blind.

Jc 5c Td

Check check.

8d

Michael checks, so Ricardo is bound to bet now, he does, and it's 32k. Michael calls.

2d

Check, check.

Ricardo shows Th 9s for a lairy UTG raise.

Christian raises to 28k from UTG, Juan makes it an even 100k. Passed back to Christian who moves all-in for 112k on top of Juan's raise.

Juan tanks it, and I'm sure he has A-Q and will make a crying calls, but, surprisingly getting 3-1, Juan passes.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11968&g2_serialNumber=1)

Here's what Arnaud thought of that pass.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11788&g2_serialNumber=1)

Bad news, Trond fans - he's just busted, in quite cruel circumstances...

Juan Maceiras raises to 26k.  Trond Eidsvig moves it all in from the small blind - it's just 59k to call.  So Juan calls. 
Trond shows:  Ahrt Td
Juan shows: Aspades 9h

Flop:  Ad 5h 2s
Turn:  2c   Someone who supports Juan, or possibly he himself, but I don't want to suggest that, goes, "Five!"  "No, you need a Deuce," corrects Christian.
Or a rivered 9s ... which is exactly what came out.

That meant that a slightly stunned-looking Trond Erik Eidsvig finished 8th, winning 201,040zloty  / €56,913.  Don't feel too sorry for him - this was his third EPT final table, and he's clearly capable of making more.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11908&g2_serialNumber=1)

So, with seven players remaining, it went a little quiet for about 15 minutes, with the various preflop raisers taking down the blinds and antes - Ricardo Sousa even got a walk.  The only break in this was a raise by Ricardo followed by a small blind re-raise from Christian Öman to 75k.  This prompted a request to see how much Christian was playing behind - 250k - and a pass from the original raiser.  Apparently Christian has been relatively short stacked all through this tournament, and had some dangerous table draws (including to the right of Andy Black) and might be a good dark horse for the final. 

Here's what the Pokerstars bio says about him:

Seat 2: Christian Öman, 27, Sweden- 110,000 chips
Christian lives in Stockholm where he is a well-known poker club regular. The 27-year-old has played poker full-time for a few years now after taking up the game five years ago. His biggest live win so far has been €6,000 in a local club’s monthly final. This is Christian’s third EPT and so far he has never survived Day 1. He said: “I’m really looking forward to winning today (!) as my shopping trip to Milan has taken a big part of my bankroll.” Before any tournament starts, Christian practices yoga. He considers himself a good “folder” - and we don't disagree after seeing him survive as a short-stack for so many hours in Warsaw.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11966&g2_serialNumber=1)

Has Medhi moved last minutes ?

Mattias (who looks very Swedish, perhaps 10% more so than average) button-raises and Mehdi calls.

Qc 6c 8d

Mehdi bets 35k, and Mattias makes it a chunky looking 200k. Mehdi folds Q-3 face up.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11970&g2_serialNumber=1)

Michael Schulze raises from UTG and Nicolas Svensson dwells for ages from the big blind with some sort of A-8/A-9 or small pair type hand before folding.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11972&g2_serialNumber=1)

Thank you for the updates this week guys, top quality as per usual.

I will say hi to jpean and good luck to your man

Hi Taximan !

Seat 1: Trond Erik Eidsvig
Seat 2: Christian Öman -- 261,000
Seat 3: Mehdi Ouakhir -- 404,000
Seat 4: Niclas Svensson -- 128,000
Seat 5: Daniel Woolson
Seat 6: Juan Maceiras -- 87,000
Seat 7: Michael Schulze -- 1,315,000
Seat 8: Ricardo Sousa -- 648,000
Seat 9: Mathias Viberg -- 749,000

Oh, so many interesting hands (read: at least 30% more flops played than e.g. Copenhagen - this is actually very entertaining to watch)... most of the last few hands before the current break have involved Juan Maceiras losing chips.

How about the one where Mehdi calls on the button, and both blinds (Juan Maceiras and Niclas Svensson) see the flop.
It is:  6c 9c 6h.  Triple check.
Turn: 3c  Check to Mehdi who bets 25k.  One caller - Juan Maceiras.
River:  4h  SB Juan now bets out 35k, having a go at taking it off someone who was having a go, but Mehdi instacalls with his Jc 8c for the flush and Juan is left showing his Ten-high river bluff.

THEN

Juan raises pre to 30k called by Schulze.  They both check the 9d 7s Td flop, but Juan checks and has almost passed before Michael's 30k bet hits the middle.

THEN

It folds round to Niclas Svensson who was now in critical condition.  He moves his last 55k in pre, as one has to, but probably wasn't happy at the insta re-raise all in (140k) from Juan Maceiras. 

Sure enough, Niclas shows:  Ks 3c
Juan shows:  Jd Jh

Flop:  Kh Td 3h  Cheeky two pair for the all in player
Turn: 2c
River:  8d  So Niclas Svensson doubles up and it's Juan who's the short stack now...

;bp;

Michael Schulze raises to 30k on the cutoff, and Ricardo Sousa calmly makes it 75k to go on the button.  The blinds get out of the way, but Michael, as is his trend, calls with little to no dwell.  No messing around with some of these players, it's some really quick action - especially the German player, who makes his decisions in record time for an EPT final.  I am really enjoying watching this one.

Flop:  2d Ks 7s  Michael checks, Ricardo bets 100k, Michael instacalls.
Turn:  9h  Michael checks again, and Ricardo decides to do so too.
River:  Ad  Michael checks a third time, and Ricardo looks a little pained.  "Flush draw? Ace?" he says and checks behind.  He's right on both counts - he shows his losing Kh Qd and Michael Schulze's Aspades 4s takes it.

Pictured:  Sousa and glum looking neighbour Mathias Viberg.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11974&g2_serialNumber=1)

Here's Sousa's stack with featured card protector.  Each of the finalists found a lovely present upon sitting down at the final - a black box filled with a sterling silver thingy which I think is some kind of commemorative EPT medallion, but was described as a card protector.  Anything small is a card protector, really.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11976&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 7: Michael Schulze, 40, Schleswig , Germany
Chip leader Michael bought in direct to EPT Warsaw having already played in Copenhagen and Dortmund without much success. He only took up poker four years ago and is strictly a recreational player. He sid: “I only play for fun, the money doesn’t really matter to me. Even if I win first prize today, it won’t affect me too much on the financial side of things.” Asked about his play so far, Michael replied: “I got lucky and get good cards, and they help up.” Whatever happens today, Michael is already planning to play in San Remo as well.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11978&g2_serialNumber=1)

Ricardo limps UTG, Mattias limps, and now so does Mehdi but you can already feel as though someone will raise here. Niclas Svensson moves in for 106k, folds from the blinds, and then Ricardo and Mattias over to Mehdi.

The Frenchman says, "I can't let you just take this big pot," shaking his head, "I just can't."

He calls and turns over Qs Ts.

Niclas shows 4h 4c.

Kara, debut announcing reads out the 5s 8h 5c and Nicolas taps the table in appreciation of the flop. The 2s turn gives Mehdi extra outs, "Any spade, Eight, Ten or Queen."

8c

Queen high is not much but it's enough to knock out one of our three Swedes.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11980&g2_serialNumber=1)

Niclas Svensson is OUT in 7th winning €77,239

Mehdi over half a million now.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11982&g2_serialNumber=1)

GO GO GO Frenchie ! GO Medhi !!!!!

Is it possible to have an idea of the size of all the stacks ?

Juan Maceiras just went on an all-in bender.  Three hands in a row, he moves all in preflop, to applause from his numerous supporters.  No call - and with the blinds at 6k/12k that's a good chunk of chips every time.

The fourth time he moves all-in pre he shouts, "All in!" and his fans echo, "ALL INNNN!"  This time he wasn't the one to open the action, but raised 97k over the top of Mathias Viberg's initial 35k.  Mathias slowly, deliberately, counts out the call, and makes it.

Mathias shows: Td Tc
Juan shows:  Aspades Ts

"Ace!  Ace! Ace!" chant his enthusiastic supporters.

Flop:  Ad 9h 6h   (They change to, "Deuce!  Deuce!  Deuce!"
Turn: 3d
River: 6s

"VAMOS! ARRIBA!"  shout Juan's fans, to which he replies, "I'm back in the game, guys."

(http://www.wildonesonline.faketrix.com/content/pictures/original/amazing-roller-coaster-picture.jpg)

Oh, but it wasn't to last... after sitting out just one hand in the middle (won by Christian) he limped in the next one.  Small blind Ricardo Sousa also limped in, but bit blind Mathias Viberg wasn't having that - he raised it to 50k.  Over to Juan and, you guessed it, ALL IN.  The crowd goes wild...   It's another 217k to call for Mathias, and he pushes the chips forward.

Mathias shows:  Ahrt Ks
Juan shows:  2s 2h   (the chant strikes up again, this time, "Dos!  Dos!  Dos!"

Flop: 8c 9s 9d
Turn:  Ac
River  Td

And with the Ace catch on the turn, the usually stone-faced Mathias does a bit of a fist-pump, clearly relieved to have finally busted Juan Maceiras in 6th place, for 344,640 zloty / €97,565.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11984&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11986&g2_serialNumber=1)

It appears that some people are having trouble seeing the rather excellent visual representation I found of Juan Maceiras' final hands, so here it is again, but smaller, along with his Pokerstars bio.

Seat 6: Juan Maceiras, 23, La Coruna, Spain - PokerStars qualifier
Juan Maceiras narrowly missed the final table at EPT Barcelona (went out in 9th). He comes from La Coruna in Galicia but is currently studying international business in St Louis, Missouri after getting his law degree in Spain. He is now seriously considering turning pro much like his sister Maria  - the Spanish poker champion - and his father Juan Antonio “Vietcong01” Barros who won the PokerStars Sunday Million last July, and a week later the PokerStars Warm-up.  What is truly remarkable is that the whole family only took up poker two years ago. At present, Juan mainly plays live games in casinos in St Charles. About his prospects today, he said: “I was really disappointed at EPT Barcelona. I made a big mistake there, but I’ve learned from that and aim to win today.” Juan is being supported in Warsaw by his girlfriend Beatriz.

Mehdi limps the button but Michael Schulze is having none of it, and bumps it up to 56k before staring down Ricardo, the latter passes and then Schulze turns his 'stare of death' onto the Frenchman who also folds. Stare of Death > Limp. I must remember that one next time.

Michael raises to 30k, Ricardo thinks about re-raising from the button but decides to just call. Mattias 'Extra Swedish' Svensson decides to join in the party from the small blind. But Christian is the spoiler and moves all-in for 255k more from the big blind. Michael gives up his raise but Ricardo is dwelling and dwelling, (probably wishing he had re-raised his 9-9 or whatever it was). Ricardo folds and Mattias quickly follows suit.

Next hand Ricardo is at it again, raising to 31k, Medhi makes it 101k and again the Portuguese player has to give it up. He's been pushed around a lot, particular by Mattias Svensson, who is winning all their blind on blind battles.

(http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=32015.0;attach=19399;image)

Where is that rollercoaster and when can I go on it?

I was gna ask the same thing!!!

Lee Jones has handed over the mic to a special guest announcer - none other than Kara Scott.  So now she does the TV for the EPT, plays it AND MC's the final.  What a lady.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11988&g2_serialNumber=1)

Weird Hand of the Day (so far):

Christian Öman raises preflop and gets a caller in the form of Michael Schulze in the blind. 
Flop:  2h 3s 4s  Michael checks, Christian bets 47k.  Michael calls.
Turn:  8h  Michael checks.  Christian re-checks his cards and considers for a moment before checking behind.
River:  5c  Michael bets out 120k, only to find Christian moving all in.  There's a quick call there too - on their backs.

Michael shows:  Ad 6s
Christian shows..... Ahrt 6h   "Where are my hearts?" he laments as they chop the pot.

Pictured, Christian thinking, all serious-like, and Neil and Kara in the background not all serious-like.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11990&g2_serialNumber=1)

What is that weird bracelet Christian is wearing? 

You might well ask, it's a kind of orange googly-eyed thingy with legs and an elastic band, many of which were floating around the card room on the first day.  Also featured around William Thorson's ear, in one of the Pokerstars EPT videos on Poker Fashion (well worth finding).  No idea why these were popular, but they are.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11992&g2_serialNumber=1)

We're starting to get a few more raise-preflop-then-pass-to-re-raise hands now.  Ricardo Sousa, having won an 80k pot off Christian Öman, just had it happen to him: he made it 45k to go and Mathias Viberg put in 150k.  Ricardo did the old re-check, bunched his cards a little (I've never seen anyone do this and then raise, incidentally) and passed.  Pictured:  Ricardo

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11994&g2_serialNumber=1)

Mehdi Ouakhir also got some chips with a preflop re-raise, this time off Christian Öman.  Ever so slight caginess creeping into play.

Mattias raises to 45k on the button, Christian and Medha call from the blinds.

6h 4s 5h

Check check check.

Ac

Christian bets 70k, the other two players fold. Christian shows Kd Qd, "I show because it's the best hand..."

(http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbview_approve/4025343/2/istockphoto_4025343_ugly_old_man.jpg)

Ricardo, who is raising a lot, but getting pushed around a bit, raises to 42k UTG.

Michael Schulze calls from the big blind very fast.

Kc 4d Jh

Check check

6h

Michael checks, Ricardo bets 65k. Call

7d

Michael checks, Ricardo thinks, looks at his cards, thinks, looks at his cards, thinks, then says, "You have a Jack. I check." He turns over Aspades Qs. Schulze wins with Ahrt 6c.

Mattias raises again to 45k, Schulze calls from the small blind.

Kd 9h Tc

Check check.

6d

This times Schulze fires out, which means he has something better than marginal this time. Mattias calls.

9d

Scary river saves Mattias some chips as it goes check check and the German shows Ks Qs, Mattias shows the Ts.

(http://a3.vox.com/6a00c10e0f6746d3b400c22529f4338fdb-320pi)

(http://badgerdiary.files.wordpress.com/2007/12/gurning.jpg)

AHAHHAHAHA mango no way.

Ricardo raises from the button and takes the blinds, next hand he raises from the cut-off too. Mehdi calls in the big blind.

Aspades 4d Th

Medhi checks, Ricardo throws out 55k, Medhi quickly stamps down a large stack of pink 10k chips (200k) in a 'Hah, I know you have nothing and I caught you. I caught you!' sort of way. Ricardo folds.

Rough chip counts (Proper ones to follow at the break):

Christian Öman -- 430k
Mehdi Ouakhir -- 675k
Michael Schulze -- 1.6 million
Ricardo Sousa -- 340k
Mattias Svensson -- 540k

The pressroom is beginning to crack...

They just broke into a chorus of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing"...

(http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/imagefolder/popeye.jpg)

Mehdi Ouakhir wins some all in a bunch, then loses some back little bit by little bit...

The one he wins: 

It passes to small blind Christian Öman who limps in - check from Mehdi. 
Flop:  Ac 8d 8s  Christian bets out 22k, Mehdi makes it 42k, and Christian's having none of it: he ups it by a further 100k.  Mehdi thinks for a moment, and makes the call.
Turn:  8c  Both players check.
River:  Kd  Christian checks, and Mehdi plays with a stack of pink 10k chips, before suddenly lunging the whole thing over the line.  It looks like there's no big card in Christian's hand, because he now passes.

The ones he loses:

Dwindling Ricardo Sousa raises from the big blind after Mehdi limps on the button - he gives him a spin.  He (Mehdi) also bets out 45k when it's checked to him on a flop of 2c 4d 9s but passes immediately when Ricardo pounces with an all-in. 

Mehdi limps on the small blind, Michael Schulze checks.  Flop:  6s 4s 6h  at which point Schulze bets him off with 50k.

Mehdi raises on the button to 45k and again Michael takes the pot with a preflop re-raise to 116k.

So, one hour off, and while we wait like vultures near the area where we've been accustomed to finding sandwiches around now, here are the most recent counts:

Christian Öman -- 228,000
Mehdi Ouakhir -- 747,000
Michael Schulze -- 1,526,000
Ricardo Sousa -- 510,000
Mathias Viberg -- 581,000

Here's Pokerstars' bio of that man - Mr. Ouakhir, with some explanation about our confusion about his nationality:

Seat 3: Mehdi Ouakhir, 22, Montpellier, France - PokerStars qualifier –
Business school student Mehdi is having the best tournament of his career so far. He mainly plays tournaments and Sit and Goes online, but the most he’s won so far is $10k. Yesterday was sweet revenge for the former chess player – he busted Sebastian Ruthenberg , payback for when Sebastian busted him at EPT Dortmund in January. Although a French national, Medhi now lives and studies in Agadir, Morocco.

Ok, we've restarted. After some serious Rock/Scissors/Paper pwnage, Jen is forced to go downstairs first.

Mwahahahahaha.

Hahah.

Ha.

With the blinds now 10k/20k, Christian will have to do something and fast.

Hi Floppy or Jen, do u play on blonde poker? (prob a stupid question) is there any sign up bonus? im at a lose end and want to try blonde would you recomend it?

Hello there - no sign up bonus as yet I don't think (been a while since I opened my account), but would recommend giving it a try - oh look, a banner appears to be right over there ------------->

Blondepoker is part of the ipoker network so there are always a decent number of people online, and hold'em cash games especially go all night.  GL...

Cheers jen and well done in the GUKPT by the way, i spotted the banner lol.

Great updates keep em up and il give Blonde Poker a spin tonight!

Short stack Christian Öman moved in preflop twice in a row, right away after the return from dinner break, but no call.  Then he went all quiet as the other players took potshots at each other like so:

Small blind Ricardo Sousa raised to 61k (after laboriously and I must say rather tediously counting it out in stacks of two, as he seems to be accustomed to do) and big blind Mathias Viberg called.  Flop:  9c Qh Ac  Check to Mathias, who bet 75k.  A bit of self-torture, it looked like, and the room fell silent as he chip counted again, but the tension was marvellously broken by Christian knocking over the table behind him, spilling some drinks and overbalancing the comedy cheque.  "Hope you weren't filming that," he says.
An eventual pass from the Portuguese player who showed the 2c 2d.
______________________________________________________

A couple of hands later (which seemed to involve a lot of under the gun raising and thereby stealing of blinds, oddly) Ricardo raised utg to 55k, called by Michael Schulze in the big blind.
Flop:  7s 4c 6c  Slow check from both players.
Turn:  Ac  Michael bets out 60k now, eventually called by Ricardo.
River:  5d  Check from Michael, and Ricardo sort of gives up, admitting that he only has Queen high.  So Michael's King-high (Ks Jh) wins the pot.

Ricardo's expression says it all:

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11996&g2_serialNumber=1)

ty & ty and gl.  Succinct, no?  OK it's my turn to go back downstairs... I hear rumours of a certain double-up, which details I am sure Homer is just about to bring you.

Christian pushes from the small blind with Ahrt 9h. Mehdi calls from the big blind with 5d 5c

We have a race!

(http://z.about.com/d/shoes/1/7/i/h/high_heel_race.jpg)

Board:

8s Tc 7s 6c Js

The Swede doubles up to almost half a million. Medhi still has about 550k left.

Next Medhi limps in the small blind and Michael Schulze raises to 60k in the big blind. Medhi, perhaps a little steamed calls.

8c Js 8h

Medhi bets 50k into the pot. Schulze reads this for what it is, a fairly weak attempt to steal. The German raises to 150k and Medhi insta-folds.

Ricardo raises to 60k from UTG. Schulze calls from the big blind.

Ac 5h Kd

Check check.

9s

Now Schulze leads out for 50k, which should scream danger to the other players as he only tends to lead strong hands on the turn after a check/check flop. Ricardo calls.

3h

Schulze now bets 100k which looks milky, and since none of the press recall him bluffing once in the last couple of days and he seems to play very straight-forward ABC poker, it'll take a strong hand to beat him. With a grimace, Ricardo calls with Aspades 7c, but Schulze's Ahrt 5d is good.

Ricardo bemoans the fact that "He [Schulze] is hitting everything..."

Ricardo is now short and limps in the small blind. Mattias raises to 60k, Ricardo, who Benjo says, "...is tilting himself by dwelling up every hand and suffering every pass he has to make," dwells once more before moving all-in. We think he's steaming here and Mattias eventually makes the call for the extra 177k.

Mattias: Aspades 9c

Ricardo: Ac 2c

Board:

Ahrt 7h Th Ts Qs

;kc;

A fist pump from Ricardo who realises how lucky he just got.

Oh poker, such a cruel mistress.  Here we have two sides of the same sort of coin....

1) Double up for Ricardo Sousa, who decided to move in over the top of a Michael Schulze preflop raise to 80k.  Michael calls with Ac Jc - Ricardo (who has been a little active, dare I suggest tilty recently) shows Kd Qs.

Flop:  Qh Qc Ts
Turn: 3d  so the AJ is now drawing dead and that's a much healthier stack for Ricardo, who says (and for this I give him credit):  "One Queen is enough, but I'm the luckiest guy on the EPT, so I have to hit two!"


(http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/images/060317_two_headed_big.jpg)

2)  Michael Schulze raises in the cutoff to 80k.  Christian Öman in the big blind decides to give him a spin (blinds now 15k/30k).
Flop:  Qh Kh 7d  Check to Michael, who also checks.  All very brisk.
Turn:  9h  Check to Michael again - this time he rather unexpectedly moves all in (which equates to around 330k - what Christian has left).  Now there's a pause, and this time fair enough.  Eventually he makes an excellent call with Kd 5d for his tournament life.
Michael shows: Ac 9s.

River...


...wait for it...


...9c

Ouch!  So Christian Öman finishes in 5th place, winning 437,980 zloty /  €123,989!  Let's hope that's enough to cover his shopping spree.

And here pictured is the man with all the chips:  Michael Schulze (+ bio courtesy of Pokerstars)...

Seat 7: Michael Schulze, 40, Schleswig , Germany
Chip leader Michael bought in direct to EPT Warsaw having already played in Copenhagen and Dortmund without much success. He only took up poker four years ago and is strictly a recreational player. He sid: “I only play for fun, the money doesn’t really matter to me. Even if I win first prize today, it won’t affect me too much on the financial side of things.” Asked about his play so far, Michael replied: “I got lucky and get good cards, and they help up.” Whatever happens today, Michael is already planning to play in San Remo as well.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=11998&g2_serialNumber=1)

Counts (rough):

Michael Schulze -- 1,700,000
Mehdi Ouakhir -- 685,000
Mathias Viberg -- 550,000
Ricardo Sousa -- 450,000

(although news just in Ricardo has a bit more now)...

yep, despite the too short update yesterday, really great updates !!!


any photo of him ? please ?

Great updates guys

Raise to 100k from Medhi, Schulze calls on the button. Ricardo moves in from the small blind for 322k more. Medhi folds instantly, but Schulze thinks for ages, before folding.

Ricardo continues to raise a lot, he takes one down on a 3h 8c 2s board against Medhi, then he and Medhi clash again in the next hand. Ricardo raies and Medhi looks at his cards for so long that half the rail behind him see the Js 8s in his hand. He quickly calls the raise from the big blind.

7h Qh 9c

Medhi instantly bets 100k. Ricardo dwells once more, he knows he's folding, Medhi knows he's folding, we know he's folding. Eventually he folds.

More Ricardo raising, this time to 85k but Mattias pushes for 350k. Dwell, agonize, pass from Ricardo, etc...

Chip leader Michael Schulze.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12000&g2_serialNumber=1)

Oh, it's not such good news, actually... a million chip pot went away from him a few minutes ago, denting his stack to critical condition -

Mehdi (who'd been pretty active recently, accumulating a few chips) raised on the button to 100k.  Big blind Ricardo thought for a moment and then announced all-in with one of those waggles of the fingers.  As Mehdi struggles with the decision posed by this, we can hear from behind a screen which keeps the table games from view of the cameras etc.  a bunch of Americans having a much less stressful time of it:  "The night is still YOUNG!"

Something snaps and Mehdi says he's going to make a "sick call," in an attempt to get rid of Ricardo - and even though it's another 421k to call he does so with Jh Qh.
Ricardo shows:  9c 9s.

Flop:  4s Kd 5s
Turn:  4h
River: Ts

So one million chips heads toward Ricardo Sousa, while Mehdi Ouakhir is down to around 300k.  "I never lose, man," says Ricardo as the pot is shipped to him.  That does seem to be the case, but in his excitement he delivers the rubdown for good measure, "That was a bad call.  This is my EPT." 

Exit!!! And a Double Up!!! And necessarily in that order.

Medhi open shoves from the small blind having just looked at one card, the Qd. Michael Schulze instantly calls with Ts Tc, Medhi flips his second card, it's an unhelpful 3h.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12004&g2_serialNumber=1)

A 2s Kc 8c 8s 2h board later...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12006&g2_serialNumber=1)

Mehdi Ouakhir is OUT in 4th place winning €152,445

Next hand, Mattias raises to 80k. Michael passes, Ricardo goes into DDM, (Deep Dwell Mode), and he's going to pass...NO! He moves all-in. Mattias thinks for 10 seconds before announcing, "Call," and turns over Ahrt Ks. Ricardo goes a little pale as his Ad 4h shrinks up a little.

Tc 6s 5c Jc 6h

Mattias doubles through and now Ricardo is short again.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12008&g2_serialNumber=1)

Chip Counts:

Mattias -- 1,072,000
Ricardo -- 458,000
Michael -- 1,952,000

hum, no so good updates in fact... ;)

LOL, Well Played Medhi, 4th, it's not so bad... it's even very good !!

but what a not fair-play reaction from Ricardo... not very nice with his opponents... not...elegant !

Fewer flops to report from me, and no showdowns.  With the blinds at 20k/40k Ricardo has even moved in first to act (no callers) and looks to be ready to make a double-up/go home kind of move any time soon.  He did win one hand off big blind Mathias Viberg, but nothing went in apart from the compulsory 40k and his 100k bet on the flop took it down.

Other than that, it's a pretty even distribution between players as to who's made it between 100k and 120k and taken down the blinds and antes.  There was more action with Kara as MC, bring back Kara!

To while away the time, check out Mathias Viberg's arms - they are like the arms of a wrestler.  Seriously.  His next championship will be Mr. Universe.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12010&g2_serialNumber=1)

Incidentally, they are now having a Time Out, which means what you think it means... a deal might well be afoot.

what is a time out... I suppose it's a part of the rule who is applied here, but I don't understand what and why...

A deal is a deal.

This is a foot.

(http://www.coudal.com/i/monty_foot.jpg)

Before the (http://bp3.blogger.com/_ZrGr2P54Yb8/RoyMSzx-MHI/AAAAAAAAAlM/LuzE6Wxm7-c/s320/timeoutbar.JPG)

Schulze had re-raised Mattias' 110k initial bet to 250k, Next Schulze folds his 110k bet to Ricardo's 456k re-raise all-in. It's now very much push/fold at the moment.

Incidentally spotted during the action. Photographer norkage...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12012&g2_serialNumber=1)

After a really long pause during which they were in all likelihood striking a deal (unconfirmed, however, though suspected) the first hand, as is so often the case, brought fireworks. 

Mathias Viberg raised to 110k on the button, and Ricardo Sousa called.
Flop:  8d 9s 3d  Ricardo checked, Mathias bet 170k.  Ricardo then moved all in, called fairly quickly.

Ricardo showed:  Tc Jd for the up'n'down straight
Mathias showed:  Jc Js  for, er, the currently-winning pair of Jacks.

Turn:  No hesitation, the Qd
River: Ad

So double up for Ricardo, shown here donning his shades (if I were less lazy I'd make a moving pic of this), while Mathias Viberg stares impassively before the hand.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12014&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12016&g2_serialNumber=1)

Mattias manages one double up after it's folded to Ricardo (who is being renamed 'Rico Suave' by a couple of press, due to his dweliness), Ricardo manages to dwell for 30 seconds before setting Mattias in. Mattias instantly calls with his Ahrt Kh, Ricardo shows 9d 8h. An Ace comes but Mattias is still in hot water with less than 200k.

He can't even pick up anything to push with, eventually calling all-in with 6c 2h against Schulze's 4c 4s. The railing Swedes chant for a Six, already bitter with Schulze for his rivering of Christian earlier, and equally non-plussed with Ricardo's earlier suckout with J-T, and more than happy to say they don't really rate the other two players (they used less kind words than that though).

The flop brings a tantalising 4h 5d 8h, a set for Schulze but the Swede needs a 3 or a 7. "Hearts," cries one overly optimistic Scandie.  A Jc turn and a Qh river later and we're Heads-Up.

Mattias Viberg is OUT in 3rd place winning €203,261

We didn't get any details of the deal I'm afraid.

The full rundown of the headsup I just watched, before Chris took over:

Number of times Michael Schulze gets a walk:  2
Number of times Ricardo Sousa gets a walk:  5
Number of times Ricardo gets the blinds with a button raise:  2
Number of times Michael gets the blinds with a button raise:  0
Number of flops played:  3

One of them gets a mention here:  Michael Schulze raises to 80k (yes, min) on the button.  Ricardo calls.
Flop:  Js Jh Qc  Ricardo checks, Michael bets 120k, Ricardo calls.
Turn:  Tc  Ricardo checks, Michael bets 200k, Ricardo calls (although it takes him longer on the turn).
River:  5s  Both players check and Ricardo's Qd 9s takes the pot.

In an effort to keep the whole thing moving briskly along, Lee Jones has handed the mic to Kara Scott and has taken a seat on an unobtrusive corner of the table and is shuffling one deck while the dealer deals from another.  Good plan, that man.

I said "Go Trond!" and he went. Now I'm sad. :(

Number of times Ricardo (Rico Suave) button raises to 125k: 6 (aka every time)
Number of times Michael re-raises all-in: 1
Number of times Michael re-raises to 400k: 1
Number of times Michael re-raises to 500k: 1
Number of walks Michael has given Ricardo: 5
Number of times they see a flop after Ricardo has raised: 1

The board for this was checked down to the river (Js 8c 7s Th Ahrt) before Michael bet 200k to win it.

Number of times Michael has raised after Ricardo limps: 0
Number of times Michael has raised from the button: 0
Number of times Michael has raised his eyebrows: 7

Spot the Polish Journalist Lady giving the camera evils in the top left corner.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12018&g2_serialNumber=1)

I think the guy next to her likes you though.

Sorry, there is no need for me to post this at all but I've just found it and I have to post it somewhere owing to its massive awesomeness:

(http://www.banjohangout.ws/users/avatars/av_6935_45911_sm.jpg)

It's weird, when I'm watching Michael Schulze is pretty passive, but it seems he's re-raising with abandon while Floppy's down there.  Goes to show if you only watch 15 mins of a game, you really have no idea of the overall dynamic.  He re-raised preflop only once while I was there, and Ricardo let it go.

One other hand of note:

Michael Schulze called Ricardo Sousa's preflop 100k raise in the big blind, and checked the 4c 8s 3c flop.  Check behind.
Turn:  5d  He check-called Ricardo's 120k bet.
River:  Tc  A small pause and then Michael moves all in.  Ricardo goes way into the tank, and stays there flipping his card protector over and over and over like some kind of talisman before eventually letting it go.

The Chris Morris Prize for Non Sequitur goes to..... danafish!  Congratulations!

 ;danafish;

While I drag my feet a bit so Floppy stays tableside until the forthcoming break in 5 mins, I would just like to make a personal note about betting in lower chip denominations when higher ones are available.   It annoys me, and the dealer.  The winner of the pot spends ages stacking afterwards only to ship in loads of 5k chips when 10k ones would have done (half as many, in fact).  I would hope that by the time you're heads up at an EPT you won't be fooled by the size of the physical stack rather than the actual chip count of your opponent.  Rant over.

Very much a state of Ricardo raising every button but folding to an occasional chunky re-raise. The stacks aren't really going anywhere and Schulze I don't think bluffs. Ever.

No hands actually went anywhere of notice, but they're starting to get into the nasty habit of open-folding the small blinds quite regularly.

Jen, "I'm giving it another level before it can be called 'Tim vs Soren 2'."


Owen and Stephen. Enjoying the battle. Sort of. Maybe. Perhaps.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12020&g2_serialNumber=1)

Is there common things in these players uses that can be compared too to the last EPT finalists ? something who can explain why those 2 head's up are so... long ?

That's very diplomatic... :)

I didn't want to slur players who plays better than me even if, for the watchers, it can be ... boring

And now for something completely different...

No, no it isn't!

I can only report that the action has been varied, if at times tooth-pullingly slow.  Ricardo, for example, took about two minutes to raise on the button once, and was rewarded by an instapass from Michael.  Rumour also has it that the time he went into the tank for ages when the river flushed the board he actually passed Aces... no idea if this is true but it's possible.

Apart from that, no idea what hands each of these players is playing.  A few flops have been seen, but there's not usually a struggle at that point - whoever bets the flop has taken it.

Almost a little bit of action. It seems the organisers have read Jen's earlier rant about chips, since now all the chips have been coloured up to the 10k ones. :)

Michael raises to 200k, Ricardo calls.

7s 4c 3c

Ricardo checks, Michael bets 200k, Ricardo min-raises. Michael moves in. Ricardo passes.

Michael -- 2.2 million
Ricardo -- 1.4 million

is Ricardo always as unappealing as he busted Medhi ??? like Soren was I remember...

No, everyone's been pretty quiet during the heads up - a little tense, and someone was going to call one of those preflop re-raises one of these days... 

It was Ricardo raising on the button to 165k which started our final hand (oops given the game away a bit there) - this time when Micheal Schulze re-popped him (500k) he moved in.  Call!

Ricardo showed:  7c 7s
Michael showed:  Aspades 6s

Flop:  5h 2c 4d  bringing a few extra outs for Michael
Turn:  Ac
River: 2d

So that means that Ricardo Sousa finishes 2nd winning 1,220,600 zloty / €345,543 (a zloty millionnaire!)

but

Michael Schulze is the champion of the Pokerstars.com EPT Warsaw Polish Open, and wins 2,154,000 zloty  / €609,782 (a zloty multi-millionnaire!)

Chris is downstairs taking photos of the triumphant amateur, and pretty triumphant runner-up - they will be with you shortly. 

ok

Great job updaters !

Jen, see you soon on the other side of the camera !  ;)

Whilst Kara chats to Michael, one of the Polish TD's thinks about stealing the vase.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12022&g2_serialNumber=1)

The hand.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12024&g2_serialNumber=1)

Michael admiring the trophyies

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12026&g2_serialNumber=1)

Germany wins the World Cup. Again.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12028&g2_serialNumber=1)

Michael Schulze...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12030&g2_serialNumber=1)

Is...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12032&g2_serialNumber=1)

A Happy Bunny

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12034&g2_serialNumber=1)

That's everything then. We're off to drink copious amounts maybe one pint of overpriced beer.

The next blonde update will start on Thursday when we'll be over at the Irish Open for a huuuuuuuuuuugeeeeeeee event with an estimated 700 or so runners.

;stickaforkinme;

700 ?? ;gobsmacked;

Good luck blondes !!!!!

Thanks Floppy ! Thanks Jen ! Great job today !

Ta very much.  Nothing else to say except ;stickaforkinme;

gg blondepoker reporters.