blonde poker forum

Play recommences again today at 1.30pm with 70 players remaining and blinds starting at 800/1600/100.

A full list of players counts and seating plan will be coming as soon as we get our grubby mitts on it, and also a confirmed payouts list.

See you then!

Mazhar Nawab   127,000
Stuart (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=419) Fox (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=419)   126,350
Roberto (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=376) Romanello (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=376)   99,825
Patrik Selin   80,675
Neil (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=302) Channing (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=302)   67,525
Sami Yusuf   65,300
Nathan Lee   51,725
Ali Zihni   50,750
Chris Moore   46,750
Robin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=379) Keston (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=379)   43,925
Richard (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=369) Herbert (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=369)   42,550
James Moult   42,100
David Colclough   41,400
John (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=215) Kabbaj (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=215)   37,875
Carlos Walker   36,500
Eughan Odea   33,100
Mickey (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=283) Wernick (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=283)   32,950
Jon Heath   31,175
Ken (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=232) Wong (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=232)   30,875
Dan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=86) Carter (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=86)   28,175
Manuel Palanca   26,450
Horace Harvey   25,575
Dan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=996) Samson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=996)   25,250
Chris (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=73) Sokrati (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=73)   23,675
Surinder (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=422) Sunar (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=422)   23,525
Ketul Nathwani   21,325
Anthony Hardy   20,975
Victoria Coren   18,875
Michael Denton   18,150
Haran Paheerathan   17,450
Alan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=16) Dean (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=16)   16,800
William Martin   13,950
Gary Wilson   12,375
Ian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=173) Frazer (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=173)   11,950
G Shaw   1,375

Van Hoang   127025
Mark Friedman   111850
Richard Wheatley   106950
Rumit (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=389) Somaiya (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=389)   84125
Ashley (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=39) Hayles (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=39)   71700
Ben (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47) Vinson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47)   69375
Liam (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=638) Flood (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=638)   65300
Simon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=402) Zach (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=402)   64800
Lewiss Stevens   51875
Steve Gibbons   47425
Matt Novak   46925
Owen Lock   46550
Paul Webster   46150
Ross (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1231) Boatman (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1231)   44350
Michael (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=665) Muldoon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=665)   42550
Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=91) Barnes (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=91)   42500
Jean-Luc Belin   40925
Michael Ellis   38575
Keith (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=229) Hawkins (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=229)   36600
Martin Bader   32800
Michael (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=279) Greco (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=279)   32275
Sami Mahmoud   31775
John Dwyer   29125
Richard (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=367) Ashby (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=367)   26600
Dan Owston   25925
Mark Bointon   25200
Karl (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=227) Mahrenholz (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=227)   24400
Ben (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=817) Roberts (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=817)   24275
Olegas Kovaleskis   23000
Edward Cahill   22525
Paul (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=331) Moss (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=331)   20050
Kevin Jenkins   19225
Norman Gold   9575

Wahoooooo action straight off the bat.  First hand of the day, Alan Dean with only 16,800 made that push with  Kh Jd only to find Ben Vinson completely dominating him with  Kd Kc.  No miracle board for Alan and he is out in 70th place.

 ******* PRIZE BERAKDOWN *******

1. £197,600
2. £106,900
3. £71,300
4. £53,500
5. £41,600
6. £32,700
7. £23,800
8. £17,800
9. £14,800
10. £8,900
11. £5,900
12. £4,800
13. £4,800
14. £4,800
15. £4,800
16. Bubble boy/girl Entry to Grand Final Next Year

If they made 201 there would have been 18 prizes but were just short with 198 runners.

Dan Owston is OUT after running Kings into Ross (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1231) Boatman (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1231)'s flopped flush with Ts 8s.

Karlos Mahrenholz has departed the building pushing over the top of Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95)'s raise with Ad 9d, only for Dave to make the call with Aspades Kc, the board coming one of those "Hurrah.....Oh bugger." moments: 7s 2h 9s Kh 5d

Stuart (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=419) Fox (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=419) has knocked out Paul Webster with K-T against 9-6 and is having his table broken, which he's glad about due to the fact he did have Maz (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=277) Nawab (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=277)'s equally big stack directly to his left.

-------------

We may be experiencing more casualties than an episode of Chicago Hope, but there have also been the odd double-up, one of those falling at the hands of yesterday's grinder of the day Paul Moss.

Perhaps sensing weakness from the initial raiser, Fatmarra made a timely push with A-9, only to be called by a welcomingly inferior A-8. Loverly jubberly.

Kevin Jenkins has just been cabbaged, his all-in with K-Q running into the Poket Cowboys of John (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=215) Kabbaj (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=215) and receiving no further assistance.

Meanwhile, Karl (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=227) Mahrenholz (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=227) has bitten the dust, although we don't have the details.

-----------

They were counting out the stacks as I departed, but it looks as though Paul Webster is down to the felt after his all-in with A-Q on a Jack high Flop was correctly called by Martin Bader's K-J. Due to their seating positions, I can only assume that Bader called pre-flop, before sticking to his guns on the Flop. Bader was duly rewarded with a blank turn and river for a welcome double up.

Maz Nowab never shy of action, knocks out Haran Paheerathan.  All in preflop:

Haran  Aspades 9s
Maz   Ahrt Qd

AQ holds for about 20k extra over to Maz Nowab.

-----------------------------------------

Dan Carter has entered the building finally and only lost about 4k in blinds.  "It's ok, only one steal for me!" enthuses Dan.


-----------------------------------------


Michael Ellis has doubled up through Rumit Somaiya.  Ellis, no messing about went all in from late possition with  Qd Qh.  With Rumit in the cut off - he announces all in too with  Js Jh though.  Ellis had 42,200 so a double for him and Rumit down to about 40k himself.

Ian Frazer with only 13,200 on a flop of  6h Th 6d  goes all in and gets a call from Maz Nowab.  Maz hitting the flop again with  Ks Td and Frazer just in desparate mode with only  Aspades Jh.   An Ace on the turn though gives Frazer that much needed double up and Maz gives over about 15,000 that he can afford to lose anyway.

Richard Ashby is shaking his head saying things are not good on 15k but he is still smiling so he didn't depress me.


Channing looking a bit more sullen though having "done 50k already!"


Overnight chip leader Van Hoang raised to 5k preflop and Dave Colclough smooth called.  The flop came:

 6h Ac 5d

Van made a 10k bet only for Dave C to min raise to 20k.  Van (who was uber aggressive all yesterday with constant reraises) min raised again to 40k.  Dave having none of it went all in, probably for only another 30k.  Van had a small dwell, shook his head and passed!  Nice scoop for Dave off the loose cannon of the tournament.

Anthony Hardy is OUT. On a Flop of 5h 3c Jd, he was all-in with Qs 4c, but called by Dave Barnes' 8d 5d which hit a 7c on the River. Oooh Betty!

Chris Sokrati is OUT, an utg push with Ahrt Qd had Keith Hawkins pushing behind him with 9c 9s.

Board:

9h 3h 8d Js 5h

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6106&g2_serialNumber=1)

Dan Carter has finally arrived, and immediately knocked out a short stack button pusher (who held A-3) with Eights.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6104&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/scrp/1102~Sum-41-Posters.jpg) 41 (http://www.gma.org/surfing/satellites/clocks.gif). It's all about (http://www.union.unimelb.edu.au/unionshop/catalog/images/tie_unilogo_white_b.jpg) (http://flashgordon.ws/images/ming_main1.jpg)the merciless.

Ben Vinson limps with Aces, and Matt Novak pushes Kings and is obviously called

(http://www.fsu.edu/~speccoll/kapow/kapow_webpage/logo.jpg)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6116&g2_serialNumber=1)

Ben looks to be close to being chip leader now.

Vicky Coren is OUT. Aspades 9s, she got boiled by Kabbaj who had Aces in the big blind.

Mark Friedman looks to be carrying on in the same vein as he was at the start of play yesterday.  Knocking out more players, this time a very short Mark Bointon.  Friedman raised in early poss with  Ad Ks and his neighbour with only 13k pushed with  8h 8s.

Friedman actually made broadway straight and added to his already big stack.  I was chatting to this Canadian at the end of play last night and he revealed that he is only over in the UK for his sisters birthday which is tomorrow.  So of course I asked what his sister will say if he made the final tomorrow instead of her party, but of course she will be alright, "with a percentage naturally" says Friedman.  He will have to buy another suitcase to take the dosh back to Canada on Monday if he wins the near £200K but I guess that would not be a worry to him....

Certainly sir, he's out. Queens v Mark Friedman's Aces. T-J-5-8-2 board.

----------

Mickey (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=283) Wernick (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=283) is a goooooooooooooooona. He was only down to a few k at the time, and inevitably found two callers in the blinds when he made his move. a 2-2-T Flop later and it was pretty much all over for the Worm, the big blind checking down his T-2 all the way. Mickey did pick up a flush draw on the turn, but to no avail.

Another shortstack Richard Ashby is OUT - His A10 was called by J 7 due it only being another 4k to call.  The J hit and Ashby has gone up in smoke.

-----------

Nottingham's Jim Moult raised it up to 5k and got a re raise from Martin Bader to 12k.  Jim didn't hesitate to go all in then for another 25,800.  Bader counted out the 25,800 but left it HIS side of the line, whilst looking at the 30k he would have left if he made the call and lost.  He stopped off in dwell city via think tank town before making the pass, Jim survives and takes the extra chips gladly.

Ian Frazer doubled through Dave Colclough with A-K vs K-K spiking the vital Ace on the flop. He took this all in his stride in a gentlemanly manner...well there was a bit of loud shouting, hand-clapping and swearing. Suffice to say he's never going to win quietest player of the year.

And then a few hands later...

Ian Frazer doubled through Dave Colclough with A-K vs K-K spiking the vital Ace on the flop. He took this all in his stride in a gentlemanly manner...well there was a bit of loud shouting, hand-clapping and swearing. Suffice to say he's never going to win quietest player of the year.

Just before the break, Michael (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=665) Muldoon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=665) doubled through Van Hoang with A-J vs A-T.

----------

William Martin rises from his chair in anticipation, his all-in having being called in double quick time by a rather more laid back Keith Hawkins. As Keith showed 9c 9h, Martin was understandably relieved to learn that his Jh Th was braced for a coinflip. Barely able to look at the felt, Martin will have been going bananas inside as the Flop brought a welcome Td Aspades 5h, although he remained tense, quietly chanting "No Nine, no Nine" as the Turn and Rive brought a harmless 6c and Kh.

A gentle punch of the air later and Martin was back in his seat. The Camel meanwhile didn't look best pleased and probably has the hump.

Big pot between Roberto Romanello and Stuart Fox

Roberto raises to 9,000 from the hijack, Stuart makes it 33,000 from the cut-off and Roberto calls.

Flop:

2s 4c 3s

Check check,

Turn:

4h

Check check.

River:

8d

Robert checks and Foxy moves all-in. Roberto, "That's a horrendous bet..." and then shaking his head passes.

Foxy shows Ahrt Jc.

Could you call on the river with A-K or even A-Q?

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6134&g2_serialNumber=1)

1   1   101   Roberto (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=376) Romanello (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=376)   89500
1   2   508   Stuart (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=419) Fox (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=419)   126300
1   3   103   William Martin   34400
1   4   403   Chris Moore   29200
1   5   707   James Moult   63000
1   6   502   Martin Bader   54800
1   7   406   Richard (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=369) Herbert (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=369)   49800
1   8   108   Ben (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47) Vinson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47)   165100
1   9   109   Keith (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=229) Hawkins (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=229)   38100
2   1   201   John Dwyer   52700
2   2   202   Sami Yusef   49400
2   3   203   Dan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=996) Samson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=996)   37800
2   4   605   Michael (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=279) Greco (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=279)   33900
2   5   205   Steve Gibbons   52200
2   7   606   Ross Boatman   84000
2   8   208   Ken (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=232) Wong (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=232)   77200
2   9   402   Nathan Lee   65800
3   1   301   Mark Friedman   227800
3   2   705   Olegas Kovaleskis   37800
3   3   303   Sami Mahmoud   12500
3   4   304   Neil (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=302) Channing (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=302)   35200
3   5   305   Lewiss Stevens   51800
3   6   308   Rumit Somiyaya   49300
3   7   307   Paul Smallwood   37600
3   8   503   Richard Wheatley   97700
3   9   505   Paul (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=331) Moss (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=331)   89600
7   1   701   Ali Zihni   32400
7   2   702   Patrik Selin   14300
7   3   703   Ketu Nathwani   50100
7   4   704   Surinder (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=422) Sunar (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=422)   26600
7   5   603   Owen Lock   62800
7   6   706   Simon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=402) Zach (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=402)   138200
7   7   509   Mazhar Nawab   103400
7   8   708   Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=91) Barnes (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=91)   46200
7   9   407   Carlos Walker   47900
8   1   506   Ali Sarkeshik   22900
8   2   802   Van Hoang   53300
8   3   803   Dave (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95) Colclough (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=95)   46600
8   4   408   Ian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=173) Frazer (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=173)   163200
8   5   805   Michael (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=665) Muldoon (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=665)   95600
8   6   806   John (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=215) Kabbaj (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=215)   69500
8   7   404   Horace Harvey   30900
8   8   609   Liam (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=638) Flood (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=638)   106200
8   9   309   Dan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=86) Carter (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=86)   16500

On table Channing, extreme low stack Sami Mahmoud moved in with only 6,300.  Channing just made the call from the cut off which resulted in Paul Smallwood moving all in from the big blind.  It was a push of about 33,500 which Channing called rather quickly.  So 3 players on their backs and we see these beauties:

Channing   Th Jh
Sami   Qs 9c
Smallwood   Ad Kh

The board came out   3c 5d 6h 7d 8c

to triple up the shortie Sami Mahmoud and Smallwood had Channing JUST covered to take his chips and knock him OUT with Ace high!!!!

Ali Zihni has finally left shortstackville and moved to er... middlestackville after two crucial hands. After doubling up off Simon Zach with a simple Ace Queen versus Jacks confrontation (Queen on the Flop), he then got jiggy with Owen Lock on a 2c 6s Ahrt 4c board. I believe Ali smooth called a 3k bet from Owen on the Flop, but come the Turn, it went check from Owen, 6k from Ali, 17k from Owen and all-in from Ali. As Chili would say, Owen took a trip to think tank town and gave his seemingly edgy opponent the full staredown. After Dave Barnes had called the clock impatiently, Owen eventually decided to begrudgingly fling his cards in the muck.

Ross Boatman knocked out duf duffer Michael Greco with his AQ walking all over Greco's Q4 preflop.

Roberto Romanello knocked out Martin Bader.

Dan Carter gets moved next to Jim Moult with about 26k left and jokingly says, "the only reason I'm still in is probably because I've not been dealt Aces, Kings, Queens or Jacks!" I turn around and watch Maz Nawab add at least another 35k to his stack busting Horace Harvey with Aces against Queens.

I turn back around and it's Dan's big blind and he's all in with Aces! Against Jim Moult's Kings. But Jim spikes his King to win a 75k pot and Dan is out.

Speaking of Aces, Ben Vinson just knocked out Richard Herbert with them against Nines. The latter leaving the building muttering under his breath.

Ali Sarkeshik is OUT. "I've only looked at one card," claims Ali as his pre-flop raise is re-raised by Ross Boatman's Pocket Tens. Assuming it was the Ace of spades, the other card was the Nine of Spades which Ali revealed after making the obligatory call. However, it wasn't to be as the board came a non-Ace finding 3h Td 7s 2s Kd to give the thespian trip Tens.

Simon Zach is sat in front of someone else's stack, ok just kidding he currently on around 260k

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6144&g2_serialNumber=1)


Another massive hand for Ben Vinson, in another - limp with Aces encounter - this time his victim was Michael Muldoon.  So Ben limps for 4k, Muldoon makes it 13k more.  Ben told him he was only limp raising and he stayed true to form and made it 28k to go.  Muldoon actually was not on the table when Ben made this play previously with Aces, he moves all in with  Ahrt Qh.  Another ace on the board sealed it for Ben and sent Muldoon OUT. He has so many chips now he may need someone to stack them for them:

It would appear as though Ben has taken your advice with a pinch of salt (whatever the hell that means), as he's just doubled up shortstacker Owen Lock. Lock pushed from early position, only to be called one seat down by Vinson. On their backs time, and Lock was in good shape with Jacks v A-J and looking good for survival on the 8h 4h 9h Flop. Although the Td Turn produced split pot possibilities, they failed to emerge on the harmless 4d River.

------------

He may be a top tip for this event, but the Mouth of the West Roberto Romanello has taken a hit courtesy of Sami Mahmoud, raising from under-the-gun and being forced to call the extra few k with Mahmoud going all-in behind him.

Mahmoud = Aspades Jh

Romanello = Th Ts

Board = 3c Ac 8c Qs 9c

Romanello down to about 65k, although it's difficult to tell because he stacks his chips in unpredictable amounts. "It's a stroke he likes to pull, so he can make his stack seem smaller when he announces all-in," claims railer and fellow Welshman Martyn Cavanagh.

Jim Moult doubles up after raising with A-6 and Ben Vinson setting him in with 5h 4h. Jim hit trip sixes on the 6-4-3-6-8 board.

We have only just got down to 3 tables now courtesy of Liam Flood's 55 being busted by Carlos Walker's AK.  Liam moved in for 36,900 and Carlos had big slick in the small blind.  The board came out

 7c Kd Th Jc Qd

to send Liam Flood OUT.

We're now on a break til around 6.30pm.

I am have to hold my hands up for this MESS UP.  I stated here that Friedman was a Canadian on holiday visiting his sisiter - errrrrrrrrrrrrm  FRIEDMAN is an AMERICAN living in England and I confused him with a completely separate guy that was on his table last night.  Ooops, Im not all crap though because Friedman thought the said guy was American NOT Canadian.  We did locate the Canadian and he is currently playing a cash game 3 tables away from the comp!!!!! He can make the party after all...

This is the smug, mischevious look of man who ended the session well, Mr Camel first doubling up against Mark Friedman with A-7 versus 4-5 all-in pre-flop on an A-9-T-8-6 board. On the very next hand, Friedman raised it up again, only for Keith to push all-in for the second consecutive time. Friedman folded and was shown a cheeky K-9 off. In the end it was Friedman who was spitting rather than the Camel.

2   1   508   Stuart Fox   183500
2   2   202   Sami Yusef   124500
2   3   303   Sami Mahmoud   57500
2   4   509   Mazhar Nawab   168100
2   5   803   Dave Colclough   143000
2   6   606   Michael Ellis   108900
2   7   207   Ross Boatman   107800
2   8   208   Ken Wong   72000
2   9   806   John Kabbaj   102600
3   2   301   Mark Friedman   194300
3   3   705   Olegas Kovaleskis   100600
3   4   109   Keith Hawkins   70700
3   5   205   Steve Gibbons   43200
3   6   603   Owen Lock   31300
3   7   608   Rumit Somaiya   73500
3   8   307   Paul Smallwood   23200
3   9   503   Richard Wheatley   56600
3   10   505   Paul Moss   126600
7   1   701   Ali Zihni   65800
7   2   408   Ian Frazer   129700
7   3   101   Roberto Romanello   49200
7   5   707   James Moult   122900
7   6   706   Simon Zach   229100
7   7   108   Ben Vinson   270700
7   8   708   Dave Barnes   86600
7   9   407   Carlos Walker   143300

Gonna sound like a (http://www.fotosearch.com/comp/phd/PHD302/OS40024.JPG)

Ben (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47) Vinson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47) limped with Aces, and got Roberto (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=376) Romanello (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=376) to push with K-T on an Eight high flop, trapping him.

Vinson over 300k and Romanello OUT.

Steve Gibbons will doing the funky gibbon from the rail now after being the one elimination in a three man pot which saw two men, including himself, all-in pre-flop. The other chap holding his testicles and praying to the Poker Gods was Paul Smallwood - his shortstack had crossed the line with Qh Js, behind, but in good shape against Gibbon's Ac 8c. However, there was also another player in the pot, big stacker Mark Friedman, his final call with 8h 8d being almost obligatory.

But, as Jimmy Greaves once said (although maybe not in reference to poker), it's a funny old game, and after the board came Qs 7s 3h 3s 6h, the man in third jumped into 1st to take what was in front of him leaving Friedman to snap up the side pot.

In the aftermath, a disgruntled Paul Moss confessed to holding A-Q.

Olegas Kovaleskis is next to hit the rail, although in slightly more squeamish circumstances than prior exits. This time round it was the dreaded cowboys being de-saddled, Mark Friedman's A-J rivering an Ace to send the Londoner packing.

----------

American Mark Freidman has an odd style. Whenever he plays a hand, he suddenly adopts this cocoon like position as others make their decisions. When the Flop comes out, he glances up, makes his move, then returns his hands to his head. Maybe he needs some sunglasses or he's got a constant headache or something, but either way, it's very bizarre.

The last hand I witnessed him adopt this unusual posture was against Keith Hawkins, the Camel raising it up to 20k after Friedman had limped. It was checky, checky on a 4s Ac 2d 6d Jc board with Keith's bet on the River with Kh Kc being instacalled by Friedman's 9c 6c.

He has not blown up, in fact he has added a great deal more chips to his towers.  Stuart raised to 30k with  Ac Qc and Maz Nowab pulled the big move on him and moved all in with  Aspades 9s.  Stuart dwelled for a long while and nearly nearly passed, we all thought if Maz had more chips then Stuart would have passed but who are we to step into Stuarts mind?  So he makes the call and a Queen seals the deal to send Maz Nowab OUT.

Dave Colclough lost an absolute monster pot after Sami Yusuf button raised and Dave set him in, eventually Sami called for his whole stack:

Dave:

Ahrt Kc

Sami:

Jd Jh

Board:

Tc Qh 3d 6c Ts

Dave is down to around 40k, Sami Yusuf over 250k.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6160&g2_serialNumber=1)

Sami Yusuf continued to accumulate chips in a hand soon after against Stuart Fox after the latter made up the small blind and then bet 8k and 20k on the flop and turn of a Kh 9d 6d 6h 3h before both checked the river and Yusuf's Kd 2h was good.

Carlos Walker has got a double through moving all-in with Kd Jd against Ian Frazer's Q-J. Carlos flopped a flush and that was that. (Thanks to Dena who wrote this all down for me, sign her up as an updater?)

Paul Moss has knocked out Andy Fordham-lookalike Richard Wheatley.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6158&g2_serialNumber=1)


Finally here's the remaining 3 tables, the TV crews need access for the bubble players, so we're on the outside...For now...

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6162&g2_serialNumber=1)

They're at it like the clappers down there at the moment, Rumit (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=389) Somaiya (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=389) the next player to feel the wrath of a the dreaded coinflip. His opponent almost folded pre-flop, in fact, as Rumit pushed over the top with Pocket Sevens. It wasn't that much more to Mike (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=287) Ellis (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=287), maybe just double what he'd already raised, but he eventually made the call with Ad 9s, relieved to see he was in a 50-50 confrontation.

The Flop came a relatively safe 4d Td 2h, but the Turn was rather clinical, a 9d giving Rumit just one miracle out which failed to emerge on the Qd River.

Jim Moult just went all in for about 73,000 with AQ and came up with another hand from the card machine Vinson, this time a lowly KK.  But an Ace first card out has boosted Jim's stack to about 170,000.

------------------------

Then very shortly afterwards, Vinson knocked out Ian Frazer.  Frazer being a bit low made the move with Q9 and was called by the AK of Vinson.  No improvement for Frazer and he is OUT in 20th.

-------------------------------

Giving Ben Vinson a break from the action, Simon Zach knocked out Ali Zihni with AQ v 88 on a board of K 7 10 6 J.

Info coming in thick and fast now, we are not actually allowed in between the tables so we have to scrabble with other bloggers for the exact information.  Anyhow, we know that Dave Colclough doubled through Sami Mahmoud with 88 against AJ and is now on about 100k.

----------------------

On the other table, David Barnes is on the critical list with only about 40,000 so he goes all in after a raise of 26k from Vinson.  Vinson calls the extra 11,800, and on their backs:

Barnes AK
Vinson K10

Board   Q J 4 Q 3

Barnes upto 80,000.

Our remaining tables:

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6170&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6172&g2_serialNumber=1)

I had a brief conversation with Jim Moult (Bookiebasher), who is finding it difficult with big stacks Ben Vinson and Simon Zach to his left, making it tough to purloin the blinds. He managed one double up through Ben much earlier (previously reported as being through Mark Friedman, sorry). He raised Ad 6d and Ben called with 4h 3h, the flop being 6c 4d 3d and all the money going in before Jim spiked another six on the turn.

Sami Mahmoud is OUT in 18th place after his Eights were no good against Dave Colclough's Aces. We're now on the prize-bubble in that 17th gets nothing but 16th gets an entry into next years' Grand Final.

Paul Moss, Dave Colclough and Stuart Fox see a K-T-8 rainbow flop, Moss checks, DC bets 20k and Foxy announces all-in, Paul Moss thinks for a LONG time before passing, and Dave passes quickly afterwards.

Shock exit news now...

Just as we were about to go to break, infact about 30 seconds before the end, Stuart Fox & Mark Friedman get involved in a pot and not for the first time lately.  Both of them having large stacks, Friedman raised to 30k and Stuart reraised to 101,000 ontop.  Friedman didn't take that much longer to announce "make it 202,000"  having about 100 or so left behind.  Stuart said all in rather quickly and Friedman called being as it wasn't a great deal more.  Everyone watching i'm sure were all waiting to see AA v KK's, instead we saw

Stuart   Ahrt Qd
Friedman   Ac Kh

The flop came a promising for Stuart:

 Ts 8d 9s  then  Ad   2s

So Friedman had Stuart covered and is now absolutely monster stack with 656,000, his nearest rival on the table only has 127,000!!!!!

Bad news for Jim Moult, he just made a good call with A-Q from the big blind against Kabbaj's all-in push with er... ahem... K-3. King on the Flop pretty much sealed the deal leaving Moult with 170k in chips.

Even worse news for bookiebasher - Jim Moult.  Sami Yusef makes a raise to 30k, Jim makes it 90k and Sami moves all in.  Jim calls with QQ but ho hum Sami had the bullets.  Beat Jim down to only 27,000.

With 16 players left we are on the kinda bubble in that the next out will get a £3,000 seat in next years Grand Final.  The next 15 will get:

1. £197,600
2. £106,900
3. £71,300
4. £53,500
5. £41,600
6. £32,700
7. £23,800
8. £17,800
9. £14,800
10. £8,900
11. £5,900
12. £4,800
13. £4,800
14. £4,800
15. £4,800

And Jim Moult goes out to Sami Yusuf. It was passed around to Sami who put Jim in with Ahrt Ks, Jim turned over the Td and then....depressingly....the Ac.

The board bricked out and Jim went from almost chipleader to OUT in 16th place in the space of just over half an hour. Although he gets a slight consolation getting a free seat to next years final to soothe some of the pain.

Poker is depressingly brutal sometimes.

(http://www.blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=6194&g2_serialNumber=1)

Ross Boatman has doubled up in fortunate fashion, all-in with A-2 versus the A8 of Mark Freidman, the Hendonmobber spiked a 2 on a 2-K-K-5-K board.

David Barnes doubles up courtesty of Simon Zach he had AK v KK and hit an A first card.

-----------------------

Keith Hawkins on a very low stack of 25k made his stand with  Ahrt 4h but found Simon Zach with  Qd Qh.  The board did nothing for Keith in:

9s Kd Qc 5c Qs

So Keith is out in 15th place.

Play has ground down to a halt since the exit of Keith Hawkins. Ben Vinson and Simon Zach are taking it in turn on their table to mercilessly plunder the blinds with the rest of the players on their table offering little resistance.

Ken Wong moves all-in for 140k, Paul Moss with a roughly similar-sized stack calls from the big blind

Ken Wong: Ac 2d

Paul Moss: Ahrt Qd

Board:

Jc 8s Jh 3d Qc

There's a count for Paul Moss and he has 180k and Ken Wong is OUT in 14th place.

1. £197,600
2. £106,900
3. £71,300
4. £53,500
5. £41,600
6. £32,700
7. £23,800
8. £17,800
9. £14,800
10. £8,900
11. £5,900
12. £4,800
13. £4,800 -- Paul Smallwood
14. £4,800 -- Ken Wong
15. £4,800 -- Keith Hawkins
16. Bubble boy/girl Entry to Grand Final Next Year -- Jim Moult

Paul Smallwood is OUT, Simon Zach the terminator after calling Smallwood's all-in along with Carlos Walker.

With Simon betting 50k on the 6-8-8 Flop, Carlos stepped out the way leaving Smallwood to flip over A-J onto the felt.

However, it wasn't looking too rosy for the BBC presenter as Simon had the rather formidable holding of Pocket Sixes to send Smallwood to the rail.

Ross Boatman and Michael Ellis are our short-short stacks with 40k and 60k respectively.

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416VYP7KZHL._AA240_.jpg)

Ross Boatman has doubled through Mark Friedman with Qc 9d versus Kd Tc after Friedman only had to call 27,000 more.

Board:

3s Jh Qs 4s 7s

He's still very short though.

Dave Colclough is OUT. He pushed with Q-6 but was called by Mark Friedman's Kings which triumphed on an A-J-4-6-5 board. Dave OUT in 12th place winning £4,800.

Ross Boatman is OUT in 11th place and wins £4,800 thanks to John Kabbaj's AK not letting his AQ win.

---------------------------

Then on a board of

3h 3s  Td 3d 7h

John Kabbaj shows  Ts 9s
Sami Yusef shows  7s 7d

and wins a big pot to put Yussef upto 500k & Kabbaj with only 150k

In a major flurry of action in the last 20 mins - THAT IS IT!  We are down to the final table of 9.  That unlucky TV bubble boy was John Kabbaj who taking that knock with full house rivered by better full house, he pushed with 5 2 and lo and behold Friedman woke up again with AA and knocked Kabbaj out in 10th for £8,900.

The last few exits have gone like so:

1. £197,600   
2. £106,900   
3. £71,300   
4. £53,500   
5. £41,600   
6. £32,700   
7. £23,800   
8. £17,800   
9. £14,800   
10. £8,900   John Kabbaj
11. £5,900   Ross Boatman
12. £4,800   Dave Colclough
13. £4,800   Paul Smallwood
14. £4,800   Ken Wong
15. £4,800   Keith Hawkins
16. Entry to GF   Jim Moult

Mike (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=287) Ellis (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=287) survives a crucial all-in. Ben (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47) Vinson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=47) was the player who started it all off, raising it up from latish position before being re-raised by Ellis in the blinds. Vinson dwelt up pensively before deciding to take a stab, but quickly found his Aspades Jh in deep trouble against Ellis' Ad Ks.

Board = 7s 5c 3s Kc 8s

Double up for Ellis!

Here's a before and after shot for your visual delight, a bit like the Weighwatchers ones, but with the subject being thin in both pictures.

The Final will start tomorrow at 2pm. We'll see you there. :)

Chip counts to follow.

Final Counts:

Mark Friedman -- 911,300
Sami Yusef -- 544,700
Simon Zach -- 345,500
Ben Vinson -- 292,500
Michael Ellis -- 246,400
Paul Moss -- 201,800 
Dave Barnes -- 195,200 
Carlos Barrera -- 136,900
Owen Lock -- 108,900