blonde poker forum

Play resumes at 2pm.

3   4   Black   Andy   Ireland   350300
1   1   Obrestad   Annette   Norway   284700
3   8   Munoz   Simon   Spain   278100
2   8   Hansen   Casper   Denmark   241800
3   6   Lodden   Johnny   Norway   208600
1   4   Lacay   Ludovic   France   200700
2   7   Van Den Berg   Thierry   Holland   200200
2   1   Boeken   Noah   Holland   158500
1   7   Hicks Jr.   Kenneth   USA   149800
3   5   Kjøndal   Kristian   Norway   144500
2   4   Pettersson   Anders   Sweden   126800
1   5   Ruiter   Daan   Holland   114700
1   8   Brummelhuis   Michiel   Holland   106400
1   6   Manninen   Reijo   Finland   103500
2   6   Kaady   Ziad   USA   97200
2   2   Durrer   Michael   Germany   96100
3   2   Green   Martin   UK   90800
2   5   Eidsvig   Tronde   Norway   76700
1   3   Veit   Jan   Germany   76400
3   7   Pagano   Luca   Italy   55200
3   1   de la Gorce   Guillaume   France   54600
3   3   Peters   Reuben   USA   42200
1   2   Malnai   Csaba   Hungary   30900
2   3   Hussain   Arshad   UK   29900

There's bound to be some heavy action today, can't wait.

With 5 of my top 8 picks to make final table from yesterday still in, I am going to go out on a limb now and forecast a win for Jonny Lodden I think his battle with Andy Black with create some massive pots two very aggressive players.


My final table:

Black   Andy   
Obrestad   Annette   
Hansen   Casper   
Lodden   Johnny   
Van Den Berg   Thierry   
Boeken   Noah   
Hicks Jr.   Kenneth   
Pettersson   Anders

Gl to ash, and the green machine.

How sweet a table would that be?

They should move the final table online with the final 4 being:

Annette_15
Exclusive
Pokekong1
Bad_Ip

cmooooooon the best shortstack player in europeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.



gl ah

Some big names left standing gl!





ps.  No I wasn't there.No idea why someone said I was :(

Do we get live TV/Internet coverage this time?

I know Ash has no battery on his phone so can you wish him GL from me, Cheers Snoops.

There is no TV/Internet Live Feed from this event unfortunately, even more so for me & Snoops which means we don't get a Live feed into the press room, we actually have to report with our own eyes the final table  :o

It is my understanding that the camera's will be absent in Prague & Warsaw this time.

As always seems to be the case with the tail end of EPTs, many of the wounded have drifted back to their humble homes leaving just an odd sprinkling of avid cash players and our remaining 24 Main Event players. Fast approaching the bick bucks, it's bizarre to think that the atmosphere was more bubbly on the opening days when little was at stake, but that's the nature of poker festivals.

I often recall the 2006 WSOP $50k Horse event in Vegas, the star studded final table line-up with Ivey, Brunson, Tomko and co attracting an endlessly thick crowd of poker enthusiasts. However, once we reached heads up, and the subsequent 7-hour encounter, that enthusiasm soon turned to boredom, and what was a sea of spectators gradually morphed into one man and his dog... oh, and Jen and I.

Rather surrealistically, Chip Reese and Andy Bloch were playing for millions, the second biggest prize of that entire Series, yet no one was there watching as the tumbleweed brushed past our legs. People were snoring, I was doodling on my notepad, and everyone, and I mean absolutely everyone, was sighing upon every shortstack double up, of which there were many. Then again, it was 10am in the morning...

With such a big echo-inducing venue, few spectators and no televised razzmatazz, a similar situation could occur tomorrow as someone lifts the trophy as the 2007 Pokerstars.com Dublin EPT champ and takes away that half a million prize.

By the way, and for what it's worth, I reckon this finally could be the Year of the Lodden.

Mr Hussain is indeed reading your message as a write. He claims to have his phone up and running now, so feel free to text any insults directly to his phone.

Are the cards in the air (or on the table) yet?

private sideaction going on, go andy black!

One piece of news today that could effect proceedings is the mystery disappearance of Andy Black's 'thunderbolt' card protector. Apparently he was rather anxious about playing without his lucky card protector and even rang the venue this morning to see if hadn't been placed in the bag by accident. Unfortunately for the Irishman, it was nowhere to be seen.

As Mike Lacey says, "I don't use a card protector, just my chips. If I have no chips, then I'm out the tournament and don't need a protector."

He's a bright lad that one.

Play has just commenced. Hold onto your hollyhox, whatever that means (my mum used to say it).

Please pass on best wishes to Martin Green ( from Tony of the duck comment fame..... he'll know )

Looking at the list of the golden 24 players in Country order, the countries that stand out are Holland & Norway with 4 representatives each.  Have Holland had such amount of players going so deep before? 

We have 2 Brits in Ash Hussain & Martin Green and 1 Irish in Andy Black.

 Re: Pokerstars.com Dublin EPT: Day 2 - Interactive
« Reply #136 on: November 01, 2007, 10:13:44 pm »  

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Annette Obrestad just added to her stack, seems like the river loves Annette.  I did not see the preflop action but all the chips were in and Dutchman Bart Westein the lower stack was showing KK and Annette A9.   Yep, as I alluded to, the A popped on the river giving Annette a circa 160,000 stack and Westein OUT.

AND

 Re: Pokerstars.com Dublin EPT: Day 2 - Interactive
« Reply #149 on: November 01, 2007, 10:39:33 pm »  

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It's all gone snooker loopey out there, the victim of the snooker loopiness being Mike McDonald who has now snooker looped his way over to the rail. The snooker loopiness started with a 7k raise from Mateyboy with Nines, 21k from Mike with Jacks and then an all-in from Annette with A-Q. The Nines folded, but Mike called, only to lose to an Ace. To say he looked a tad shell-shocked would be an understatement. Little ol Annette meanwhile has more chips than a potato factory.


What a player !!!!!!!!  What were her chances of being a race against a 3/1 dog against an 8/1 or more dog in the second hand given the action once it had had got to her to make 3rd raise with AQ ?

paul he has bought a new charger , i brought his other one back with meee.........dohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

wp in the 200 by the way

I think it’s fair to say, the general consensus feel that the Live Tournament Updates by the Blonder Poker Team are by far and away the best available. It doesn’t matter which tournament or which updaters are on duty the reports are always excellent and well received and greatly appreciated by those unable to attend said events.

That said I have to say, it is my feeling that the reporting at this tournament has “raised the bar” in updating. I cannot explain why, it’s just a gut feeling I have as I read the reports. I really feel as if I am there watching the action myself.

So my thanks to Snoopy and Chili for this and long may the updates on Blonde continue.

These are just my thoughts which I wanted to share with you all.

Thanks Snoopy I had managed to mentally erase that night/morning from my memory until you reminded me. Btw do you think it was just a conincidence that everyone departed once Andy Bloch had run out of free dvds?

What he said ^^^^^^^

To me the greatest thing about the Blonde updates is the interactive nature of them. Even without the great reporting that Snoopy, Floppy et al do this very fact alone elevates the Blonde updates above all others IMO.

QTF

Thanks, I would have rather have not played that AJ from UTG yesterday and made the money today in the main than a poxy third in the 200 but it pays  for the next ride on the merry go round

 

15 mins into the start of the day and fireworks already.  Firstly on table 3, Guilluame doubles up through 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) leaving Kjondal on about 90,000.  Then about 3 hands later, giant hands meet in small & big blind confrontation.  With 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) in the big blind & 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) in the big blind, Luca (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=995) Pagano (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=995) kicked off the action from UTG + 2 by going all in for around 50,000.

Folds round to Black who just makes the call then a gasp as Kjondal in BB goes all in.  Black stated it was an easy call and the cards are on their backs:

Luca (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=995) Pagano (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=995)  6c 6d
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)   Qc Qd
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)   Kc Kh

The board allows the best hand preflop to stand up and Black steamrolls Kjondal & Pagano to leave him adding about 140,000 to his already big chip lead.

22 left.

Couldn't agree more! Was following the Swedish Open on a swedish site few weeks ago, and they had hand for hand updates on the final table. Great i thought! They didn't update the chipcounts one single time and there were mistakes in every other hand.... was the worst shit ever.

Gotta love blonde! Good work guys!

I was thinking this as well.

Maybe it's because the lower number of players means they're able to watch a table for longer, meaning they're able to describe things a hand history wouldn't reveal. There's more space to move around in as well, which helps. Also, fewer Mateyboys?

Hi Nick - finally got back from Aruba then?? Couldn't agree with you more mate - it almost beats being there and is a helluva lot cheaper too!!!

.....my first proper post, I have been watching your updates for months now, and could not have said this any better myself.

welcome aboard mr dickie now you've started please keep the posts coming

Our Scandinavian friends may be falling by the wayside, but the Brits are packing a punch, both Ash (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) Hussain (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) and Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) Green (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) doubling up in quick fashion.

First up was Ash, whose usual rocky image was shattered when he was forced to push all-in blind (this was announced, by the way) from the blind after Ziad Kaady had raised pre-flop. However, fortunately for Ash, the combination of (1) Ziad being caught with his pants down with Qc Ts and (2) having two live cards with the dum dum dum.... the mighty 8d 3c, meant that he was in with a good shout of achieving that vital double up.

A cheeky "Oops" from Ash as the dealer popped out a Kh 8c Ahrt Flop soon turned into a more serious, mildly intense "Come on!" and gentle punch of the air as the Turn and River brought a 7d and 4d respectively.

"You should have looked," suggested a defeated American.

"I probably would have folded if I'd seen them," replied an elated Ash, his victorious smile reflecting both relief and that adrenalin pumping sense of "Now we're in with a chance."

Meanwhile, 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) couldn't resist highlighting the initial raising hand, adding, "Queen Ten at this stage, there goes your image."

But the important thing here is that Ash is up and away and looking to go one further than his 2006 Monte Carlo performance. There's no reason why he can't, especially with the confidence that he now holds.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3329&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3331&g2_serialNumber=1)

great start to the day for andy

Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) Green (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269)'s double up was one of those seemingly simple overpair versus underpair affairs that quickly turned into a gasp-inducing encounter following a horrorshow Flop. As I joined the action, summoned by the dulcet microphone enhancing tones of Big TK, it was on their backs times with Martin in cracking shape with Js Jc versus the 8s 8d of Guillaume de la Force. Martin had claimed a slight case of luckboxamenting yesterday with A-T versus A-Q and, if I recall correctly, A-J versus K-K, so it would have been a pleasant surprise to see he was ahead for once.

However, as the dealer panned out a nerve-tingling 7d Qd Ad Flop, the focused stare of Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) Green (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) was interrupted by a raised eyebrow and that desperate "please, not this time" expression, but he needn't have worried, the Ac Turn and Qh River (which, for some reason, many hoped would be the Jd) keeping him in the tournament with a timely double-up.

It took a second glance to confirm it wasn't a split pot, but with his Jack kicker taking down the pot, Martin now has a playable stack and could be worth a punt. Could the quiet, reserved Liverpudlian take this one down?

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3333&g2_serialNumber=1)

Let the wars begin!

Cracking updated as usual guys.  I was off work yesterday and the updates made my day that bit more enjoyable, its good to have something fresh to read.

The exits are coming thick and fast here, next for the chop and OUT in 22nd place is Frenchman Guilluame de la Gorce.  He was on about 90,000 and moved in preflop with    but was called instantly by the Kings of Michael Durrer.   This exit has resulted in Annette Obrestad being moved to Andy Black's table again LOL!!

Here is the prize money by the way:

Position
 Euros
 
1  532,620
 
2  297,800
 
3  178,680
 
4  127,630
 
5  105,510
 
6  83,380
 
7  66,370
 
8  47,650
 
9  30,630
 
10  30,630
 
11  23,820
 
12  23,820
 
13  20,420
 
14  20,420
 
15  15,320
 
16  15,320
 
17  10,210
 
18  10,210
 
19  10,210
 
20  10,210
 
21  10,210
 
22  10,210
 
23  10,210
 
24  10,210

The picture won't be making the front cover of Cardplayer anytime soon, but just to give you an idea of the set-up at the RDS, here's a quick snap of the final three tables.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3337&g2_serialNumber=1)

Hey Tim,

Yeah eventually I got stuck in JFK airport overnight due to a delay flying out of aruba, not a prob as i had a laptop and found a plug socket  :)  I think your way of flying direct is the way to go next year if UB is still alive then.

Will hopf cu at an event soon and have to buy you a penis enlarger or two  ;D

how ash hussain getting on wat da chip count

chip count on ash hussain and martin green please, snoopy

In Warsaw, it's actually against the law to film the event, at least that's my understanding. With Dublin and Prague, I believe it's a cost thing. Bizarrely however, they might be in the Bahamas...

please more updates about frenchman Ludovic Lacay, thanks

Crazy action again, no sooner do I write down one hand, I turn sideways and another one is kicking off.

Ziad Kaady doubled through Casper Hansen with QQ v AK.

Dan Ruiter goes all in with AJ against Ken Hicks Jr who was holding AK.  The board was rather fortunate for Ruiter as it was

 9d 4c 2h 3c       5h     CHOPPETY CHOP


Tronde Eidsvig doubled through Anders Pettersson, A10 versus Q10 giving Eidsvig around 140,000.

Snoopy also has news now of another exit................

Lets hope so mate - who knows if UB does go south Mr Duthie might decide that as Aruba is in the Dutch Antilles he might want to include it in the EPT a la Bahamas - rumour has it he has Jack Charlton checking out the validity of dual nationality for these events because he did so well with Mr Cascarino and others in Ireland :)

As I waltz back into the cardroom, Big TK forces me to perform the tricky blogging maneuver of racing like a greyhound on speed whilst simultaneously jotting down the announcements on my notepad. Somehow, I manage to scribble down the bare facts, "Jan Veit all-in with Aspades Td against Micheil Brummelhuis's 7h 7s" and join the table with the Flop reading Qh 2h 9h. After the 4s Turn and 9s River, it's all over for the German, Brummelhuis left to high five his fellow Duthman, Daan Ruiter, in victory and scoop a crucial pot.

I'm not sure where they've come from, but after a few years of obscurity, it would appear as though the Netherlands are finally becoming in a force in poker.

Of course he can, fingers crossed, he is more than capable of taking this down.

Martin is more than good enough from this spot.

Holland.

According to the PokerStar's photographer, Neil, American shortstack Reuben Peters is a dead ringer for Poochie from the Simpsons. Can anyone else see the likeness?

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3339&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.simpsonstrivia.com.ar/simpsons-photos/wallpapers/poochie.gif)

Good timing, Ludovic Lacay just eliminated ultra short stack Csaba Malnai in 20th place.  Under the gun +1 raised to 11,500 only to find Malnai going all in for a total of 15,100.

Lacay on the button reraised to a total of 50,000 and the original raised passed and left Lacay to slay the shortstack himself. 

Lacay  Td Th
Malnai   Ad Qd

Tens are good and Lacay is sitting pretty on a nice stack circa 250,000.

Wow. That photo is the perfect accompanyiment to the term "shortstack". Towers and towers and towers to his left.  ;surrender;

Another shortstack in full survival mode is Anders Pettersson, surely donning a hairstyle reminiscent of the lead singer of a Flock of Seagulls. He just pushed in from the button, but although Ziad Kaady casually chatted away to neighbour Thieery Van Den Berg from the big blind, small blinder and equally hairstylishly (sorry, I know that isn't a real word) Tronde Eidsvig gave his all-in neghbour a severe staredown. Tronde eventually folded allowing Anders to live another day.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3341&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.bmusic.com.au/links/whatsnew/newsletters/archives/images/afos.jpg)

Players are just coming to the end of 15 minute break with Andy Black as your chip leader. As you can see from the photo, 'colouring up' isn't the phrase of the day here in Dublin, so chip counts are really tricky, but we do know that Andy is currently on 470k.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3343&g2_serialNumber=1)

Level 17 has just begun.

19 players
2,500 / 5,000   500 ante
average 174,500


Martin Green 176,000
Ash Hussain 38,500
Andy Black 452,000
Annette Obrestad  330,000
Noah Boeken  100,000

Sorry for the late response, it's still really hectic here, but in answer to your question, I don't recall any DVDs. Was he pimping himself out to the onlookers?

Crikey O'Reilly, I might regret drinking that cup of coffee this morning because on trip to the little boy's room and you miss about three departures. The latest to experience the bitter taste of dust is Spanish note-taking obsessive Simon Munoz, his A-3 all-in against Andy Black's A-T receiving no help on a 4-9-T-Q-J board. To the dismay of his fellow Spaniards, Munoz closed his notebook and left the table as quietly as a mouse as Andy searched for more felt space to tower up his newly acquired chips.

Many thanks for the kind comments back on page two, we haven't been ignoring them, it's just that it couldn't be more chaotic here if you stood on a chair with your pants down and shouted "free bar" at the top of your voice.

Anyhow, a big thumbs up for the compliments, blogging can be difficult at times with many obstacles cropping up during the week, but this event has been an enjoyable experience. I think someone mentioned the lack of numbers and large venue, and this has probably aided the blog immensely as it means we can roam around more freely without having to worry about (1) plowing through endless rows of spectators and (2) bumping into the back of the player's chairs as we cram in between the tables.

Also, unlike other casinos, the pressroom is relatively nearby and we don't have to challenge our calves with countless flurries of stairs. The Internet connection isn't great, which can make uploading photographs an absolute nightmare, but it's manageable, meaning that overall, we really can't complain.

Thanks again.

It may not necessarily be about cost. There are more stops on the Tour this year, so perhaps they simply don't have the extra TV time and have been forced to sacrifice the broadcasting of a couple of events as a result.

No worries Snoops, IIRC everytime he won a pot the first person in the crowd that clapped/whooped/hollered etc got a free 'beat blackjack' dvd from mr bloch.

Table Ash:

Ash Hussain -- 31,000
Anders Pettersson -- 92,000
Tronde Eidsvig -- 158,000
Ziad Kaady -- 139,000
Thierry Van Den Berg -- 180,000
Casper Hansen -- 108,000

Still here in the mix with the fast paced action.  There have just been two double ups, one for Anders Pettersson 10's against KQ suited of Tronde Eidsvig.  He is now on around 135,000.


Noah Boeken just took a big hit and is down to about 35,000, he made an all in call from Daan Ruiter who had 99 and Noah's 77 was in dire straits.  The nines held for Ruiter.


Ludavic takes another scalp this time in the form of Michiel Brummelhuis who had around 180,000 pre hand.  Ludovic Lacay raised with  Qc Qd and got reraised by Brummelhuis and his  9s 9h.   The best hand stook again and

Michiel Brummelhuis is OUT in 18th place.

Incredibly, Johnny Lodden falls short yet again, but as always, he exits like a gentleman with an understanding smile and a sincere handshake.

His assassin this time around was a fellow countryman (or, in this case, countrywoman) as Annette Obrestad finds Pocket Queens just at the right time.

A disappointed look on Lodden's face is emphasised by his revealing of an inferior pair of Tens, a hand that fails to improve on a clinical, no-mess Q-3-2-4-5 rainbow board.

Down to 16 and therefore our final two tables.

Come on cash wizard!!!! The Green Machine!!!

Wait for the Aces baby  Ahrt Aspades

As alluded to in the previous post, the players have indeed been whittled down to two tables, resulting in a redraw.

Chili has the details...

Two things.

1). I'd like to add my endorsement to all those who were complimentary about this Live Update, & blonde Live Updates generally. We are extremely fortunate to have some wonderful Updaters, & I've particularly enjoyed this Update. snoops has been on top form, & Chili is a remarkable addition - a Bubble who can write.......;)

2) At the risk of being accused of over-egging it, blonde Live Updates are free-to-air, & seriously expensive to run, what with wages, flights, hotels, etc, all of which are dwarfed by Chili's drinks bill. The money to pay for these comes largely from rake grenerated by the blonde CardRoom, & our Sponsors. If you guys reading this can play on the blonde Cardroom now & then, it would really help us make ends meet, & invest in better Updating Technology, not to mention pay our crews properly.

There you go, some moral blackmail for ya. ;)

I'll be in Dublin over the weekend, & drinks for the Updaters are on me, though I will have to limit Chili to €50. That's about two rounds by her standards.....

Hi guys,first time user of the forum and very impressed. Can you keep an eye on the dentist ziad kaady? Wandered over to the RDS last night and met his cousin who is over with him from Oregon. He played solid poker for the 4 hours i was there and considering he is an internet qualifier played well at a table with annette and noah. Great updates guys!

its so tilting to be out of this tournament, really wanted to go deep..

Ok here are the final 16.

Table 1

1 Ken Hicks Jr       92,000
2 Daan Ruiter        245,000
3 Tronde   Eidsvig     172,000
4 Casper   Hansen    210,000
5 Ludovic   Lacay     460,000
6 Ziad Kaady     140,000
7 Reuben   Peters   150,000
8 Michael   Durrer   80,000


Table 2

1 Annette (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) Obrestad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902)   510,000
2 Thierry   Van Den Berg   175,000
3 Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) Green (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269)   130,00
4 Reijo Manninen   102,000
5 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)   650,000
6 Ash (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) Hussain (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38)  0
7 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)  75,000
8 Anders Pettersson   100,000

Im afraid Ash (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) Hussain (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) has just gone out and Snoopy is just writing up his exit in 16th just now.

  Perfectly respectable standards... 'bad beat' to limit her!   rotflmfao  Wish we could make our way up to Dublin to look after you lot tomorrow, but doubt it'll happen this time around. 

Ever heard the phrase 'don't shoot the messenger'? Well , hopefully that rings true on the blonde poker forum because, as an avid follower of the British contingent, I am saddened to report that we are down to just one after our plucky shortstack hero, Ash (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) Hussain (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38), finally felt the wrath of the big stacks.

In his defense, Ash did have the best of it, all-in with 5s 5d versus Annette's Ahrt 9d on a Jd Td 2h board, but unfortunately for the cheery Northerner, he didn't quite have enough spondoolies to make his Norwegian foe fold on the Flop. A cruel 9h Turn followed by a non-Five River, and it was all she wrote for Ash whose exciting run draws to a disappointing close.

"I could have gone all-in pre-flop," said Ash in the aftermath, "but I planned to go all-in on the flop instead if it didn't come an Ace."

Meanwhile, Annette is all smiles as she eyes up an EPT title to add to her recent bracelet winning performance.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3361&g2_serialNumber=1)

Not a problem, my good man. In my fish-tainted eyes, he seems like a very capable player indeed. You mention the word 'dentist' - is that just a nickname or is he actually tooth driller? Are you able to share any more details about him that might be of interest?

Just prior to the Ash Hussain exit was a Dutch double up (double Dutch, perhaps? - no, that doesn't make sense) which attracted the usual rampage of eager beaver bloggers. With fellow countryman Noah Boeken peering over his shoulder with the beady anticipating eyes of a starving dog eying up a juicy bone, Daan Ruiter sees his Pocket Jacks hold up against Ludovic Lacay's Pocket Tens for a most welcome double up. A pat on the back from Noah after a harmless 8-Q-9-Q-4 board and the Dutch band marches on.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3363&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3365&g2_serialNumber=1)

Someone was asking about American Ziad Kaady.  Who is doing very well and more than holding his own:

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3353&g2_serialNumber=1)


Table Annette
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3357&g2_serialNumber=1)

Table Fashion
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3359&g2_serialNumber=1)

Well played ASH

His cousin gave me a short history. Won his ticket for the event in a 700 runner event online and roped in his cousin for a trip to Dublin. I believe he actually has a dental practice somewhere in Oregon. Apart from that they were expecting to head home on Sunday but that schedule might change with his current run.

Apart from that no other info!

Have to say being over there last night in the RDS i got the feeling they should have re-evaulated spending yesterday and today out there. I think it could have been moved into the Jackpot considering the Merrion are involved as the atmosphere was muted at best. The Industries Hall is way too big for an 8 table event. The €500 omaha side evetn only had around 12 tables in total last night as far as i could see.

Good Luck Mr Barlow

Maybe he's not a happy-go-lucky kind of chap.  So he always looks down in the mouth....

;marks;

A double whammy for Britain as Liverpool's Martin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) Green (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=269) joins Ash (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) Hussain (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=38) on the sidelines. But whilst Ash remains in positive spirits, Martin perhaps will be reflecting on what might have been, his stack momentarily threatening a final table appearance at this year's Dublin EPT. However, with table neighbour Thierry Ven Den Berg standing firm in the face of an all-in, Martin's lifeline as one of the shorter stacks was always going to be in danger of being snapped short.

The hand in question was just moments ago, and involved a traditional battle of the blinds encounter. Making the over-the-top push from the big blind with Aspades 2d, Martin must have known he was in need of divine assistance when small blinder Thierry leaned back on his chair, sighed as he placed his hands behind his head and casually announced call.

Thierry showed 7s 7d and Martin's dropped shoulders and dejected grimace said it all. Both players felt inclined to rise from their seats, but it was the Dutchman who would be back at the felt as the board came a uneventful Jh 9s 6d Qs 4c.

As he complimented his opponent on a good hand, Martin slid his chair to one side and quietly slipped away, his sagging face reflecting both an overwhelming release in tension and the severe devastation of coming so near... yet so far.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3369&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3371&g2_serialNumber=1)

What were the results from the omaha game?

Anders Pettersson the short stack on 43,000 just doubled up courtesy of Thierry Van Den Berg.  It was

Anders  Ahrt 5c
Thierry   Ac Th

A five on the turn gave the spikey haired Swede some more breathing space and Thierry just shrugs and ships over the chips.

Van Den Berg
(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3349&g2_serialNumber=1)

When I departed, Jan Sjavik was the big name in the final 5, but he was shortstacked.

I believe Jeff Kimber made the final too.

Weeeee, just got home and saw Annette is still building her stack.  I told her this morning I was gunna be 4 hours late b4 I got home to sweat her and she told me, "Don't worry, I'm not gunna bust." 

Plz keep more updates on her coming (and pics plz).

Oiii I will have you know that in the 5 days since I have been here, my alcoholic drink tally amounts to 3.....and that was in the first night at the hotel.  Me and Snoops have turned down invitations to Temple Bar, Clubbing last night and numerous meals from lonely poker players.  I have an incling though that tonight I may relax with a vodka or two.  Shocking to be in Dublin and actually work!!! 

Is that 3 per hour or 3 per minute?

There was a Boeken/Black clash as I accrued chip counts, so ecxluding those two players, here is the current line-up:

Kenneth Hicks -- 153,000
Daan Ruiter -- 249,000
Casper Hansen -- 181,000
Ludovic Lacay -- 318,000
Zaid Kaady -- 128,000
Reuben Peters -- 228,000
Michael Durrer -- 152,000

Annette Obrestad -- 456,000
Thierry Van Den Berg -- 335,000
Tronde Eidsvig -- 155,000
Reijo Manninen -- 63,000
Andy Black -- tbc
Noah Boeken -- tbc
Anders Pettersson -- 117,000

I know I'm a little late (since I just got home), but going back to some posts on page 2, I'd like to follow up by saying ty to the Blonde Poker reporters.  You guys are by far the best source for updates on the European events, and I love how you interact with those of us viewing and get us updates on specific players.  Great job and keep up the good work.

This week has been the first time I have had the privilege of watching Annette at work.  I have to say how mightily impressed I am of her table presence and scary factor in a hand.  How can someone so wee and diddy be so menacing?  In one hand yesterday against Tronde Eidsvig, he had moved all in on the end and it appeared Annette had made the decision to pass but just to make sure she put Tronde through the mill, no insta pass here.  She picked up a tiny edge of her cards and glanced at Tronde, let go, went for chips - anything she could do to gauge a reaction.  Impressive stuff, how did she master these things so soon from her bedroom?

Hip young Flying Dutchman protege Noah Boeken has been sent packing. The man who helped him fill his suitcase was the charismatic Andy Black, whose  Ac Jd in the small blind had big blinder Noah Boeken's Ad Ts in dire straits. Noah pleaded for a Ten on the Flop, but it came Js 7d 3s 6h 9s to make Noah do the walk of life back to Holland.

He does get some money for nothing though...

be great if 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) can win this.

it says a lot also that annette and andy are deep as they are both super agressive and make things happen as opposed to waiting for things to happen. GL to both

She's a student of the game and a VERY FAST learner.  She's read up a lot on physical tells and has really become better at reading people through her growing expertise of live playing.  As for her presence, she's one of the sweetest girls you'll ever meet, but as you said, she's just extremely intimidating at the table.  I think it has something to do w/ her almost robotic looking motions and her never-changing facial expressions.  Throw this in w/ one of the greatest minds for the game you'll ever see, and you'll realize her potential in this game is unlimited.

any updates on Andys stack?

That sums her up perfectly. Her head & upper body never seem to move a millimetre, her arms move robotically, but under those huge shades, you sense she is watching everything. Seriously scary. And yet, off-table, butter would not melt in her mouth. Top Lady, with many years of blissfully happy pokering ahead, a £million in her lucy, a WSOP Bangle, & a 5 year Betfair Passport. Can't be bad.

Talking of Annette just by chance, a fascinating hand developed between Annette & 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).  Annette makes a raise of 16,000 preflop, called by Andy.  The flop was:

 3h 3d  Jd

Andy checks to Annette who bets 32,000.  Turn

 Th  Andy again checks and Annette bets 28,000.  Andy thinks for a while, talks to Annette, tries to get something from her but no chance.  Annette is absolutely motionless.  You cant see her eyes, her hands are cupping her cards, she will not speak.  Andy eventually forcefully announces call.  The river:

  Qc  Andy checks again, again "robotically" (thanks jslaso) places 50,500 chips in front of her. Andy doesnt hesitate to call and Annette quickly reveals

 Js Jh for the flopped house.

A momentary silence from 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) as 125,000 of his chips are shippped to Annette (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) Obrestad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902), the silence doesn't last long as Andy says "I hit the straight" somewhat winded.  Personally, I don't see Andy rivering a straight here, his body language was saying not, but today I am just the reporter.....

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3373&g2_serialNumber=1)

Me neither.   its more likely IMO that Andy had a busted flush. 
You have to love the way that Annette has bet here, she just seems to bet enough to keep her man in the pot.  Alot of the times in these situations it seems as if some people can't wait to get all their chips in the middle.

Who do the updaters think will win from here on in?

I am edging towards Annette now tbh, she seems to be playing faultless poker and has also managed to get a wee bit of luck on a few occasions add that together and you got a winner.

If you believe that, I have some farmland in Australia for sale.

Annette is en route for another big victory in live poker history !!

u go girl :)

I actually dont like Annette's bet sizing in that hand tbh.

Theres gonna be a monster pot between her and Andy soon though, ill be surprised if they both make the FT
1 million pot coming soon methinks......

In what was a rather uneventful table in which Casper and Ludovic were leading the way in the blind stealing stakes, American Kenneth Hicks Junior has fallen at the Dutch hands of Daan Ruiter in 13th place.

Raising it up from the small blind with 8d 8h, Kenneth was quickly called by Ruiter leading to a rare 2h Ac 4d Flop.

As expected, Kenneth made a continuation bet, to the sum of 22k, but, again, was swiftly smooth called by Ruiter.

Upon seeing the Qd Turn, Kenneth opted to change his battle plan and check to see what Ruiter would do.

Whether this was a surprise or not, Ruiter pushed all-in leaving Kenneth with a difficult decision for all his chips, the total of which must have been around the 90k mark.

After rubbing his forehead in confusion, huffing and puffing gently to himself and offering his neighbour and quick suspicious glance, Kenneth decided that his middling pair was in front and announced call.

However, to his chagrin, Ruiter confidently flipped over Ad 4s meaning that Kenneth was drawing to two outs.

A blank 2c on the River and it was all over for our across-the-pond vistor who becomes the latest casualty of this fast-paced Day 3.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3375&g2_serialNumber=1)

For no other reason that to titillate our male viewes (hey, at least I'm honest!), here's a quick snap of one of the better looking dealers here in Dublin.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3377&g2_serialNumber=1)

Another exit to speak about, a little way into Level 19.  Ziad Kaady found himself low on about 70,000 and pushed preflop with KQ, he was called by Michael Durrer with AK.  So Kaady eliminated in 12th place.

We are a little into level 19
blinds 4,000 / 8,000   1,000ante
average 301,400
11 players remain

Here's a final picture of the now departed Kenneth Hicks Jnr. Notice the casual, laid-back approach of our easy-to-identify-as-American of Kenneth - no shades, no ipod, no nothing. He doesn't even look bothered, just sitting there legs spread, arms folded, patiently waiting in his shorts and sports shirt as if out for a morning stroll rather than playing for half a million in Euros. Nothing would fluster this chap. In contrast, the Scandinavians are all business, poker stare firmly plastered across their face, upright posture and Terminator shades shadowing a menacing stare. Bizarrely, I'm not sure which type of image frightens me the most.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3379&g2_serialNumber=1)

Black could've had the straight holding 9d 8d, Kd 9d or less likely Ad Kd, I can only think he had one of those two or maybe Ad Td or Ad Qd.

lololol  1 of those 2 or 1 of those 4 ??

11 players left

Dann Ruitter        500,000
Trond Erik Eidsvig     158,000
Casper Hansen        220,000
Ludovic Lacay        225,000
Rueben Peters        150,000
Michael Durrer       256,000
Annette (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) Obrestad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902)     520,000
Thierry Van Den Berg    355,000
Reijo Manninen     170,000
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)        490,000
Anders Pettersson     180,000

Incredible achievement by Thierry Van Der Berg if he makes back to back EPT Final Tables. He'll be the dutch Ian Cox.

Trond Erik Eidsvig has doubled up courtesy of a depleted 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) who has slipped back a few steps to 320k.

All-in on the Flop.

Tronde = Qd 9d

Andy = 4c 4d

Board = 2s Kd 3d Qs 6h

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3381&g2_serialNumber=1)

Whilst Reuben Peter's fold to a 24k to 108k re-raise from Daan Ruiter in the big blind might not be the most thrilling of hands, what is slightly intriguing is the fact that Reuben's shirt appears to be inside out.

Superstition or an early morning faux pas? Hmm.

Talking of superstition, it was revealed earlier that Andy Black's once lost thunderbolt card protector was actually retrieved last night by Thomas Kremser who kindly took it back to his hotel with him for safe keeping.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3383&g2_serialNumber=1)

wow meltdown in progress yet again

I arrived at the table of Ludovic Lacay when he called the all in of Daan Ruitter AK with 44, a King came on the river to give the 330,000 pot to Durrer and leave Lacay with just over 100,000.   The next hand Lacay is all in with A10 against Ruitter's JJ, a Jack on the river was irrelevant though knocking out Ludovic Lacay in 11th place.

Plz tell Andy to save whatever he has left for Annette.

R they 10-handed or 2 tables of 5?

just home,
great updates, ul ash & martin.
looks nice a nice early finish for you....hic

Another amazing hand involving Andy Black and sb bb confrontation.  Manninen raised from the small blind with  Kh Qs and Andy called the extra with  Ks 5s.  The flop was

 8c Kd 2s  then sadly I went to the all in of Lacay.  I returned to find the turn was

 8s  and all the money of Manninen was in the middle.  I'm sorry I cannot say who put the chips in first, but either way Manninen's tournament was on the line and Andy Black was left with only 100,000 left behind.

The cards were on their backs and the pointless  7h on the river meant Manninen doubled to over 300,000 and Andy left nursing a small small stack.

"I must be the sickest player in the world," confesses 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) much to the amusement, and agreement, of the onlooking crowd.

Seemingly in familiar blow-up mode that has plagued him in a handful of tournaments, 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) makes what looks like an inevitable tilt raise to 21k from the cut-off and is called by Anders Pettersson on the button and Tronde Eidsvig in the big, the small blind's Annette (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) Obrestad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) resisting the cut price and taking a back seat.

With Tronde checking in the dark on an Ahrt 4s 2d Flop, Andy announced all-in quicker than a cow in a butchers and swiftly shoveled in his remaining 71k commenting, if I heard correctly, "I'm semi-bluffing" in the process. Anders begrudgingly sidestepped out of the way leaving the decision on the shoulders of a perplexed Tronde, clearly aware of Andy's current state of mind.

Sitting back on his chair and nonchalantly sipping on his bottle of pop, Trond Erik took one look at his more senior opponent and slid a column of brown chips across the felt. In a flash and knowing that he'd successfully coaxed his foe into a call, Black revealed a winning Ad 3c, his reward was an inferior 6h 4c from Tronde. A 9h Turn and 7h River later and Andy was back in business, bowing to the spectators like the showman that he is and declaring, "I was just messing around with that six hundred thousand I f***ed away.

As expected, the big 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)/Annette (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) Obrestad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=902) clash has finally taken place, but instead of it being the big gigantic locking of horns that we initially predicted, the pot was a relatively mild one due to Andy sitting on just 200k in chips.

Raise, all-in, call, like the rattling of a machine gun, Andy made the final action, but soon realised that his Norwegian nemesis had him dominated.

Andy = 3c 3s

Annette = Jh Jd

No help and the former WSOP finalist was left to rue the decisions of prior encounters and reflect on what might have been.

Meanwhile, the remaining players congratulate each other and dream of raising that much-desired piece of Dublin EPT silverware. All 9 will have that exact opportunity come tomorrow's final.

Am I the only one who is impressed, but also slightly confused, by some of snoopys oblique clarksonesque expressions ?

(1) More chips than a potato factory .... well, if it is a potato factory why would there be loads of chips in there - surely a potato factory PRODUCES potatos ???

(2) Faster than a cow in a butchers - how ? all the cows I have seen in butchers are a little past being fast...

I wonder if he has ambitions toward Top Gear...

As I said yesterday, they're all playing for second.  Gooooooooooooooooooooo Anne!!!!!

I'd like to confirm that the cow is a live one, rather than the ones you see hanging from the hooks. Also, chips are made from potatoes, surely?  :P

Great updates Snoops and Chili!  Looking forward to tomorrow now.  In the meantime...fancy a game of scrabble? 

Whilst sitting here scratching my head about Andy Black's 30 mins of tornado play, I have the finalists chip counts and table draw for tomorrow:

1. Thierry Van Den Berg 274,000
2. Daan Ruiter     646,000
3. Reuben Peters     176,000
4. Annette Obrestad     788,000
5. Anders Pettersson     166,000
6. Casper Hansen     360,000
7. Trond Erik Eidsvig     184,000
8. Michael Durrer    247,000
9. Reijo Manninen     480,000

Just to confirm, play is over for today with the remaining 9 players returning at 4pm for tomorrow's final.

End of day chip counts at the foot of the previous page...

image removed

Out of all the updates I've ever done, I must confess that today's outing was the most hectic, chaotic, whirlwindy spin of bedlam that I've ever witnessed, every hand seemingly leading to either a double through, exit, or memorable quote from Mr Black. At times, I wondered if we could keep up, and it was often demoralising to hear Thomas Kremser announcing yet another all-in in the distant background as you frantically tried to report the last three confrontations.

However, although it proved trying, it also made for a fun day, and one that was aided by the unrelenting, fearless aggression from the majority of players involved. Few want to come second here as everyone seems to have their eyes firmly fixed on that Pokerstars.com Dublin EPT title. Who will take it is anyone's guess, and although I appear to be the worst tipster in the entire poker industry ("This will be the year of the Lodden" being a quote I'd prefer to erase), you'd be foolish not to at least tout 19-year old Annette Obrestad as a big favourite at this final table.

We'll have to wait to see if that prediction comes true, but until then, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow's updates which will commence at 4pm (Dublin time). It should be another roller-coaster day, so please do join us. Many thanks for the support.

snoops ;snoopy;

 ;stickaforkinme;

Thanks so much to those that were mega complimentary about the updates today, it really is much appreciated by all of us.  I shall leave you for today with the sponderoons the lucky 9 will be playing for tomorrow.


(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=3387&g2_serialNumber=1)

I would love to see him try to get into the Grosvenor at Luton dressed like that!

Great updates you two.  I bet John Duthie is pulling his not inconsiderable hair out over not having the cameras out there for this event. 

 ;hattip; Fantastic updates.

           thx v much.

So, the final table bubble is not a bubble at all, as 9th gets the same as 8th.

Superb update today guys. Can't believe Lodden and Black blew up again. Annette is golden. I'll be at APAT tomorrow but hope to see Annette beat the random Scandies.