blonde poker forum

Hello and  ;welcome; to the casino SanRemo as we approach the finale to what has already proved an incredibly exciting tournament.

Many of the big names who entered have fallen by the wayside, but still in the thick of things are American Todd Brunson, double EPT final tablist Johannes Strassmann, and local Italian hero, young prodigy Dario Mineri. The tension is rising as the final table approaches. We will be playing down to the final 9 today so join us for the 15:00 start (Italian time), 14:00 (UK time) and follow the trail leading to EPT glory.

Feel free to ask for updates, requests and photos of your favorite players and we'll do our best to bring these to you.

A full player list and chip count will follow shortly but for now here are the prizes awaiting the 31 players remaining in the competition.

1              € 869,000

2              € 505,000

3              € 287,600

4              € 223,600

5              € 188,500

6              € 140,600

7              € 111,800

8              € 76,700

9-10       € 46,300

11-12     € 28,750

13-14     € 22,400

15-16     € 17,600

17-24     € 16,000

25-32     € 12,800

Here are the remaining 31 players, and their chip counts, courtesy of pokerstars.com

Jason Mercier    684,000
Eric Koskas    596,000
Dario Minieri    595,000
Jonas Klausen    529,000
William Thorson    320,000
Antony Lellouche    282,000
Mike Sowers    275,000
Dag Palovic    275,000
Jan Heitmann    264,000
Johannes Strassman    255,000
Gregory Genovese    247,000
Peter Roche    219,000
Markus Golser    213,000
Mark Flowers    197,000
Isaac Baron    181,000
Marcus Bower             173,000
Andreas Larsson    152,000
Todd Brunson    144,000
Terje Augdal    139,000
Julian Parmann    138,000
Felipe Ramos    129,000
Stefan Raffay    124,000
Ezio Guagliata    123,000
Mads Wissing Andersen    120,000
Henrik Brockmann    119,000
Christian Bonde    106,000
Bart Wetsteijn    101,000
Paul Alterman    86,000
Marco Della Monica    69,000
Ville Nyman    61,000
Marcello Terracciano    57,000

We have a Brit still going strong,Paul Alterman from North London/Luton card-room!


p.s everyone watch for the EPT Live feed on this board this afternoon, two threads with high and medium quality feeds for you to enjoy whilst the updates are on

Lovely stuff!..Dario will obviously win this thing, me thinks.

...or spew pretty hard.

I'll take:

Mike Sowers
Mark Flowers
Isaac Baron

gogogo etc.

I'll take Dario Minieri, Markus Golser, Jan Heitmann.

Jason Mercier    684,000

Good to see someone with that surname left in a comp at the business end for a change ;)

 ;iagree;   i agree with you, those 3 ftw   ;iagree;

Alright, one of my favourites finally made the money in an tournament! Do you think it would be possible to post a picture of high stakes norwegian Terje Augdal? He's the guy who won a 280K pot 3 months after his 18th birthday.
Would be grateful since there are basically no pictures of him on the internet.

Thanks and keep up the good work!

lol, thanks Jan. :D

sod the brits. ;)
Go menlooooooooo

I missed some of the earlier thread yesterday - was expecting Roberto to show strongly but he seemed to go down as quick as he went up.

So how would you counterattack an unreadable uber aggressive Dario?

You could just do what Antony Lellouche did yesterday, continually against him and hope he doesn't find a hand. And then when he does, you find a bigger one.

Hello San Rem, Hello updaters !

Good Job Yesterday !

I, my picks for today are :
Eric Koskas
Dario Minieri
Antony Lellouche
Markus Golser
Mark Flowers
Todd Brunson
Paul Alterman

That could be a nice final table isn't it ?

Superb updates Floppy & JC

I reckon William Thorson will win this.

Already? Well I guess we're done for the day then.

Yeah..it's all downhill from here ;)

lol, in the past tense.

are you not both working the webcam live feed today, which one of you has got the live commentary job?

Go on Pauly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The live feed is now up.

Go here for the low quality feed: http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=32582.0

Go here for the high quality feed: http://blondepoker.com/forum/index.php?topic=32581.0

Bart Wetsteijn    101,000   T4 S8   Holland
Dario Minieri    595,000   T4 S7   Italy
Stefan Raffay    124,000   T4 S6   Denmark
Paul Alterman    87,000   T4 S5   UK
Antony Lellouche    282,000   T4 S4   France
Dag Palovic    264,000   T4 S3   Slovakia
Terje Augdal    139,000   T4 S2   Norway
Henrik Brockmann    119,000   T4 S1   Germany
Felipe Ramos    129,000   T3 S8   Brazil
Marcus Bower             173,000   T3 S7   US
Johannes Strassman    255,000   T3 S6   Germany
Mark Flowers    197,000   T3 S5   US
Jan Heitmann    255,000   T3 S4   Germany
Jonas Klausen    589,000   T3 S3   Denmark
Ville Nyman    61,000   T3 S2   Finland
Todd Brunson    144,000   T3 S1   US
Julian Parmann    138,000   T2 S8   US
Marcello Terracciano    57,000   T2 S7   Italy
Peter Roche    219,000   T2 S6   Ireland
Marco Della Monica    69,000   T2 S5   Italy
Gregory Genovese    247,000   T2 S4   Italy
Christian Bonde    106,000   T2 S3   Norway
Mads Wissing Andersen    120,000   T2 S2   Denmark
Eric Koskas    596,000   T2 S1   France
William Thorson    320,000   T1 S8   Sweden
Mike Sowers    275,000   T1 S7   US
Markus Golser    213,000   T1 S6   Austria
Andreas Larsson    152,000   T1 S4   Sweden
Ezio Guagliata    123,000   T1 S3   Italy
Jason Mercier    684,000   T1 S2   US
Isaac Baron    181,000   T1 S1   US


Here are the official chip counts, as well as player nationalities, and table distribution.

Table 4 looks like it's the feature table that will be broadcasting on the live feed (local boy Dario Mineri is there OBV!)

We're jsut about ready to shuffle up and deal, so hold onto your hats guys, it could be a whirlwind start!

IMO Johannes Strassmann (aka Jason Bourne) has what it takes to win this EPT. He's a chip disadvantage compared to other favourites like Dario Mineri but I fancy him to use his experience of 2 previous final tables to his advantage.

There you go, my pick Johannes Strassmann.

For some reason I have a sneaky feeling Todd Brunson will win. I don't know why, though I'm pulling for Jan Heitmann.

Can you get a photo of Paul and Rochelle Alterman on here!!

Up the Alties!!

Paul Alterman gets it all in with Qc Qs vs Dario's Kh Kd on the feature table.

6h 7c 2c 9h 3s

And Paul Alterman has gone.

My spider sense is tingling that Todd Brunson will win too floppy -  although it could just be shingles so nevermind!

the feed doesn't seem to be working for me..just a black screen..anything i need to download to get it running?

Don't worry, on the french EPT live I've the same thing... I suppose that they have a sort of problem...

It came on in some crazy language then went off, think its temp busto

It's temporarily down for everyone, so it's not just you and the eptlive site is down also. I'm sure it'll be back up soon.

ah ok then...cus I'm really bored at work :)

Jan Heitmann raises to 20k from the cut-off, Antony Lellouche re-raises to 60k from the button and takes down Jan's suspected LP steal.

My picks

Mike Sowers
Mark Flowers

I don't know if you could see this on the live feed or not but Paul Alterman was the first player out.

On the feature table, Paul shoved his small stack into the middle but ran into Dario holding a big hand.

Paul had Q-Q I believe, Dario K-K and a board devoid of Qs transpired, meaning Paul Alterman is the unlucky first player out in 31st spot, winning €12,800.  He may be disappointed not to go further having reached this stage but a good payday and a good performance for the UK player.

Here is Paul taking his frustration at the cooler out by strangling a bottle of water.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13768&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

Mads Andersen just moved his stack into the middle with 7-7 but again he found a  player behind, Julian Parmann lurking with K-K.

A comprehensive  flop of Kd Jh 8d left Mads drawing to runner runner and it never arrived on the 8h 5c turn and river, meaning Mads is also one of the early casualties...

Mads shakes hands with his executioner as he departs the tournament...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13770&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

We got no feed

There's been the predicted whirlwind start to the comp, with at least five casuaties so far!

Italian player Ezio Guagliata is also one of the early casualties much to the chagrin of the partisan local crowd...

Every time Dario wins a pot, the arena reverberates with the roars of the excited Italian audience. If he reaches the final they may need to re-inforce the windows...

Quite annoying that the EPT-livecast still isn't working. Can you please post a pic of the featured table and Terje Augdal?
thanks in advance.

I agree jpean that would be intresting to watch!

The feed is still down at the moment.

Meanwhile Felipe Ramos has doubled up with Jacks vs Tens on the one of the outer tables.

Jason Mercier was check/raised off a 22k bet 7h Qd 2c by Markus Golser's bet of 60k.

The aggressive, crazy chip monster Eric Koskas continues the tone he set yesterday by sending recently doubled up Julian Parmann crashing to the rail, his 8-8 holding versus the A-9 of Parmann for a whopping 350k+ pot.

Now up to 850k or so, Koskas is continuing to dominate his fellow players...

---

As one big stack in Koskas prospers, Dario is keen to maintain parity and plays out a big pot versus Terje Augdal. Augdal was relatively short stacked and made a move with K-T, only to run into the A-J of Dario...

A King was the first card out to cheers from the watching Norwegian media but an Ace also appeared on the flop giving Dario an advantage that he maintained through the turn and river. His A-J holds and we are down one more player, Terje Augdal.

It's sheer carnage!

Live commentary feed in the press room.

Barry Martin says, "We're presenting you with live, uninterrupted coverage of the San Remo EPT, as we just look at the outer tables, there's a big pot brewing with a guy in the stripey shirt and....Oh our pictures gone, we're just going to take a short break, we'll be right back..."

is anybody suprised that the live feed isnt working?? modern technology eh!

We're not allowed to take photos of the feature table at the moment, we might be able to in a bit.

Update on Peter Roche please. A player not to be underestimated. Does not play too many tournaments but is a high stakes cash game regular.

get in there on the sly ldo.

commando floppy ftmfw.

By the way, what do I have to do to get some more of those little gold stars?

hit 50 or 100 posts i think. gogogo.

Hi apologies for the belated response. It was difficult to photograph Terje earlier since he was on the feature TV table but although his exit was bad news for you and him, at least it meant I could get a shot of him!

Every cloud has a silver lining etc ...  ;whistle;

Here he is shortly after his exit.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13772&g2_serialNumber=1)

Also notice TODD BRUNSON who was also recently eliminated although we don't have any details of his exit it was almost simultaneous with Terje's exit.

Good game Todd. Hope you didn't mind me flashing my camera in your face throughout this tournament TOO much...

*****22 players remain after the quickfire start******

is any chipcount avaible ?

FRENCH NEWS!
 
Anthony Lellouche just raised it up and Stefan Raffy re-raised the aggressive Frenchman.

Anthony has been re-raised a few times so far and this time he decided to set Stefan in for his remaining chips...Stefan called.

The frenchman had a big hand this time though in K-K and Stefan looked a bit disgusted that he wasn't at least flipping as he tabled his T-T.

A flop of 5-A-7-Q-4 was good enough for Lellouche and as he had Stefan covered, it means Stefan is OUT, eliminated in 22nd spot for €16,000. Well played by the Danish player. Here he is on the ETP live feed awaiting his fate...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13774&g2_serialNumber=1)

Go 'thony !!!

is Eric always attacking a lot of pots ?

BIG POT!

Lellouche raised, Dario re-raised and now Strassmann SHOVES ALLIN!

Dario had so much in the middle he had to call, although he didn't like it and you could see why as he tabled Q-8.

He had an overcard though as Strassman flipped over J-J...70 30 folks...

6-6-7 came the flop.

"He's got a straight draw!" commented Barry Martin a bit oddly, but a 9 on the turn made it look lilke Barry's strange prophecy might come true...

Any Q T or 5 would seal it for Dario on the river and it came...

...A king.

Oh, no excitement, Strassmann's jacks hold and he is up to 350k. Jason Bourne shows his supremacy once again. Go my pick!

Your updates are better than the commentary of the people doing the EPT live feed...nice going :)

if you said... the french EPT live doens't work I don't know why...

Eric Koskas jsut won't be quiet.

He tangles with Peter Roach now and they see a flop of Qs 6d 4s.

Both of them show committment to the flop and ultimately the chips all go in, Koskas showing 6s 8s for a powerful pair and flush draw whilst Peter showed Ks Js for a bigger flush draw and 2 overs...not THAT much in it...

a 3c came on the turn and....

....a 7c on the river consigns Peter to the rail in 18th spot for € 16,000. Massively chip stacked Koskas now has in excess of ONE MILLION DOLLARS

(http://arbyte.us/blog_archive/2005/11/drevil_million_dollars.jpg)

...er no...i mean...CHIPS! and is easily the chip leader at this point.

Jan Heitman and Dario Mineri just did the tango, Dario with Q-Q and Jan dominated and well behind with A-8.

This was a (http://www.rockyfordmuseum.com/Big_Pot.jpg) indeed at over 500k.

Dario held his baby-face in his hands as he looked pained watching the flop, understandably so as it came Ad 9h 8c to turn fortunes round for Jan, and a 3s turna and Ahrt completed the hand giving Jan a full house to beat unfortunate Dario's 2 pair.

One cheeky little smile from Jan, one rueful glance from Dario at the flop later and we were back in the thick of things...

any idea at all of the chip counts? Specifically Randal Flowers and Isaac Baron?

The gobbos demand chip counts. :(

Hectic stuff in here but no so hectic I can't give you a quick shot of the massage girl we've all come to love this week.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13776&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

***Quick break for a few minutes whilst they re-arrange the tables following THIS event***


Meanwhile, one more elimination, American player Mike Sowers is also OUT in 17th spot, winning €16,000 for his troubles.

16 left, playing down to the final 8 who will make the televised final table, the fur is flying here!

silly son of mine

Ok, I'm back from an extended hiatus abusing hotel owners and I'll get some chip counts for you.

Randal and Isaac are on the TV table now, so in fact you'll get more info from the live feed I think. I'll see if I can nip in before we restart.

A few shots of the outer tables to give you a flavour of the arena in here.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13778&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13780&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13782&g2_serialNumber=1)

....AND the feature table from a distance.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13784&g2_serialNumber=1)

Isaac Baron 269k
Dario Mineri 521k
Jonas Klausen 458k
Jason Mercier 743k
Mark Flowers 152k
Jan Heitman 542k
Henrik Brockman 316k
Dag Palovic 227k

---

Also big is William Thorson who has 900k+ apparently...

Ok full chip counts courtesy of the lovely Sunset and Vine crew.

James Mercier -- 743k
Dag Palovic -- 227k
William Thorson -- 662k
Eric Koskas -- 1,065k
Gregory Genovese -- 940k
Marcus Bower -- 256k
Felipe Ramos -- 120k
Antony Lellouche -- 344k
Jan Heitmann -- 542k
Dario Minineri -- 521k
Jonas Klausen -- 458k
Isaac Baron -- 269k
Randal Flowers -- 152k
Johannes Strassman -- 310k
Henrik Brockmann -- 316k

On a Jc 4h 2c, Jan Heitma.nn moves all-in on top of Dario's 160k bet, Dario calls with Jd 3s, Jan shows 5s 5c. Td on the turn and Dario says "Yes!", another Js on the river and the Italian press go wild!!! Dario nows has over 1 million chips. Jan has about 50k left.

Outer table.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13799&g2_serialNumber=1)

Feature table

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13793&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13795&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13797&g2_serialNumber=1)

Felipe about to moon the camera*

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13801&g2_serialNumber=1)

*Not actually true.

Jan Heitmann moves all-in for about 50k, Henrik Brockmann pushes behind him

Jan: Qh 8c

Henrik: Aspades Js

Board:

Ac 9c 5s 3c 2c

A river that gives Jan up to about 120k.

Felipe Ramos shoves over the top of a Lellouche raise. Lellouche is priced in to call and Felipe yells in delight as his A-K is dominating Lellouche's K-T.

BOARD:

J-9-2-8-8.

No shocks... Felipe throws his cards down in triumphant righteousness and he doubles up off lellouche who still has 220k+.


Felipe from the best angle I could get him...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13805&g2_serialNumber=1)

Here's a shot from earlier where Dario made the good call with top pair. Though blurred I think it captures the moment quite nicely, Dario high fiving the rail whilst a disconsolate Heitman's misery is captured on big screen for all to see...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13807&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

Heitman still short despite his double up shovels it in and gets a call from Dag Palovic.

Heitman can only show a rather weak Kd 4h but he is delighted to find he is actually in front versus Palovic's Jh Qh...

FLOP: 9s 5c 7c

TURN: Qd !!!!!! - (Poor Jan! Only a king can save him now...)

RIVER: 6s . It's not a king, meanning Jan's tournament is over. A great performance, falling just short of the final table...

...Jan Heitman is OUT, eliminated in 16th spot, winning € 17,600.

Good game Jan!

Update of chip counts from the feature table as we enter a short break...

Dario Mineri 967k

Jason Mercier 692k

Jonas Klausen 515k

Dag Palovic 367k

Isaac Baron 280k

Henrik Brockman 257k

Mark Flowers 150k

Anthony Lellouche manages to double up just before the dinner break, with 6-6 vs the A-K of Gregory Genovese.

Edit: Not dinner break yet, my bad.

Barry, (to Brandon Schaefer), "You're sporting a very sexy, French national football shirt there."

Brandon, "Errr, it's actually the Japanese national shirt."

Is there another French guy here ???

I'm not able to see the French EPT live... English, ok !  other languages ok, but not the French one...

Dario raises to 32k, Jason Mercier makes it 106k, Dario repops it to 260k. Jason Mercier passes.

Randall moves-in over the top of Jason's 31k raise. I'm trying to think up some sort of weak 'Talking Heads/(Nothing but) Flowers' puns but I guess I'm on the road to nowhere with that. Mercier folds, looks disgruntled. Fear not Jason!! The wonderful buffet will be with you in an hour or so!

Felipe Ramos raises to 40k and William Thorson  re-raises another 60k to 100k...

Ramos now shoves for 100 or so more. William Thorson looks a bit uncomfortable, saying "I think you might have me...you have 88 or 99?" Ultimately he's getting a good price to call though and he does with Ac Qd and we are all fairly shocked and surprised to find Ramos has chosen Qc 8c to get his chips in!

Thorson is dominating the Brazilian's hand but a flop of 6c Kh 9c Tc gives Ramos a perhaps undeserved flush and a final blank, if slightly ironic Ad on the river is no good, doubling up Ramos and leaving Thorson shaking his head...

Ramos has a small but noisy contingent of Brazilian fans on the rail and they do some salsa dancing on the rail in celebration.

Here he is, happy to have just doubled with Thorson left nursing his wounds in the background...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13817&g2_serialNumber=1)

no news about Markus Golser ???

Jonas Klausen and Mark "Randall" Flowers have just clashed heads...

Seeing a raise from Dag Palovic and re-raise from jonas in front of him, Flowers now SHOVED allin...

Jonas tanked for millenia now, picking up his chips shuffling them, shaking his head, more shuffling, thinking, staring, checking of cards, small pause whilst the watching press shaved the enormous beards they had grown in this period and a couple of ice ages later HE CALLS!

Mark had to have a big hand here and indeed he turned K-K whilst the source of Jonas' difficulties became apparent as he showed Q-Q.

7h Th 7c 7h Jh came the flop meaning Mark has doubled through to over 500k and Jonas is now short on 130k or so...

Short now, Jonas shovels it in in EP and instantly Jason Mercier moves in behind him.

Jonas shows Jc Qc and is relieved that Isaac has Ahrt Ks rather than Aces , Kings or Queens...

---

The flop came Qd 9h 4h much to the joy of the watching Danish media who cheer their hero on...a 5h on the turn makes it interesting as Jason picks up the nut flush draw to go with his overcards and the river is....


...5d.

No good so Jonas outdraws his way to a double up and is on 250k+ now and far from out of things.

He went out a while ago in a threeway pot vs Dag Palovic and another player.

William Thorson raises to 26k and Antony Lellouche calls from the big blind but folds on the turn of a Kc 8c 4h 5h to a 30k bet from the Swedish pro.

Strassman raises to 30k, Eric Koskas calls, they check a 7s 6c 3d flop before Strassman checks the 4c turn, the Frenchman takes the opportunity to take a shot at the pot, which he takes down with a 45k bet. He then shows Jc Tc. Strassman straight away scribbles the hand history into a very dapper notebook.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13819&g2_serialNumber=1)

Gregory Genovese limps and Antony Lellouche cannot resist punishing him by raising to isolate and firing out 65k on the 7s 4s 8d board, the Italian folds and Antony throws out Ts 2h.

Bart Wetselijn raises to 36k and Eric Koskas calls from the big blind.

3c 6d 4s

Bart moves in and Eric quickly calls with 5s 3h, Bart can only show Ac 9s,

Jh

6s

Bart is OUT.

Big pot for Dag Palovic, all-in preflop with Ahrt Kc against Dario Minineri Jd Js.

Flop:

Jh Ac Aspades!!!!

A house for Dario and Trips for Dag.

Turn:

Ks

And now Dag is ahead!

River:

9d

Sadly we couldn't get the case Jack for a topsy turvy finish to the hand.

Dag and Dario both are now around the 750k mark.

Isaac 'WestmenloAA' Baron button raises with 6h 6c, and finds himself set-in by Jonas Klausen, he makes the call, but he's in bad shape against 9d 9s.

5c 8d 6d Jd 3c

A lucky double-up for the internet pro.

Raised pot between Dag and Isaac.

9h 3d 3c

Dag checks, Isaac bets 60k, Dag raises to 190k, Isaac calls.

9d

Quick check from Dag, Isaac checks behind.

4h

Dag bets 100k, (1/5th of the pot), Isaac calls, Dag shows Q-J high. Isaac wins with Tens and now has 800k.

Very bizarre 20% of the pot river bluff there from Dag.

Felipe Ramos just made a minor little dent in Koskas' stack. He raised from late position to 48k and was flat called instantly by Koskas in the big blind, who began eyeing him up aggressively.

The flop came Kd Ks Kh.

Koskas led out for 40k, Felipe called.

TURN: 7d.

Check from Koskas, check behind...

RIVER: 5h.

Koskas bets out 60k, which Felipe calls.

2-2 for Koskas and a suprisingly passively played A-A for Felipe is good for the pot...

"If you go allin I CALLLLLL" says Eric all wide-eyed and you totally and utterly beleive him...

The tables have swapped, and now you guys can totally enjoy the craziness that is Eric Koskas on the feature table... :)

Did they say on eptlive that Randal busted someone?  Any details?

Strassmann just moved over the top of a Lellouche raise and Lellouche was priced in to call he felt so did so with 9s 4s.

Strassmann's Jd Jh was in good shape and stayed that way on a 6d Qd 6c Qh 9h flop. Up to 300k or so after getting short...

Cum on Menlo!!!!!!!!!

Don't believe everything you see on tv! lol

Just kidding, I asked a couple of people about this and they weren't aware of it, so I think maybe it was a slip up.

Chris is jsut picking up some chip counts I think so we should find out how Randall's doing in a minute...

Chip counts from the feature table here...

Eric Koskas  - 847k
Anthony Lellouch - 771k
Felipe Ramos - 558k
William Thorston - 556k
Johannes Strassmann - 391k
Gregory Genovese - 371k
Marcus Bower - 312k

Koskas just made a big re-raise against brazilian Felipe Ramos.

Ramos had stuck 135k of his stack into the middle with 400k behind...

As he tanks for a bit, he jokes with Eric suggesting that he might have had a hand this time and ultimately....PASSES!

Eric flips over 9d Td and smiles to himself ina  glow of self contentment...His style may be exceptionally unorthodox but absolutely NO-ONE has managed to nail him down yet and with over a million chips he is an ever growing threat to take down the competition...

Yes, he knocked out Henrik Brockmann with Kings against Ace Queen on a K-4-7-T-Q board. Pure guestimate on our part, we put him on around 900k, perhaps even more.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13821&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13823&g2_serialNumber=1)

Meanwhile Isaac Baron has doubled up Jason Mercier. Mercier raised from the cut-off, Baron re-raised with A-J from the big blind but Mercier shoved and Baron was forced to make the call and found himself behind A-K. A blank board and Baron lost around 300k to Mercier in that coup.

Jonas Klausen just doubled up with A-5 after Dag Palovic limped called his shove with 4-4. Klausen hit both his hole cards to stay in, now on 180k

Ts 7h Ad 2c

Lellouche and Strassman have checked the flop, and Lellouche check/calls the German's 45k bet on the turn.

3h

Lellouche checks, Strassman bets 135k, Lellouche gives him a good ol' Gallic stare-down and then folds.

Just watching the live feed and Eric Koskas looks unhinged but if he wins coins flips could run over them. Its a rollercoaster table, Thorson looks to be hibernating which seems to be a good play.

Antony fires out 45k on a 3h Qc 8h 3-way limped pot from the small blind and Felipe Marcos calls from the big blind. Eric Koskas, who had limped, folds.

5c

Antony fires 100k, Felipe calls.

3s

Antony bets 200k, Felipe calls.

Antony shows Q-8 for top two, Felipe mucks, Daniel Negreanu says he thought Felipe had Q-7, because he saw a 7s mucked.

Antony now has almost 1 million in chips. Felipe has around 100k left.

Lellouche raises to 48k, Felipe Ramos moves in for 90k, Antony calls.

Lellouche shows 7d 7c, Felipe has 6c 6h

Js Ts 9h 4c Qd

Felipe Ramos is OUT in 13th place winning €22,400.

We're now on a 1 hour dinner break. When we come back we'll play down to 8 players.

I think it's the good moment... I've not done it yet today...



 ;popcorn; ;popcorn; ;popcorn; ;popcorn; ;popcorn;

********WE ARE NOW ON A ONE HOUR DINNER BREAK**********

Sad I didn't get up early enough to wish Jan Heitmann luck while still actually in - commiserations, then!

Minieri vs. Koskas for interesting TV... Enjoy your well-earned break, updaters.

A little dessertwatch ? it could excite some girls, isn't it Jen & Dana ? ;D

AHHHHH French EPT live works at last ! :D

Current chip counts as we resume from the break...

Isaac Baron 339k
Jason Mercier 896k
Dag Palovic 341k
William Thorson 492k
Eric Koskas 1109k
Gregory Genovese 329k
Jonas Klausen 147k
"Randall" Flowers 945k
Johannes Strassmann 538k
Marcus Bower   276k
Anthony Lellouche 1007k
Dario Mineri 560k       

Well, we're back and already there's been some action.

Fresh from the break Isaac Baron raises from the cut off, only to find the short-stacked Jonas Klausen moving in from the BB. With Klausen so short, he's getting a good price to call and does so, even though he only holds Js 8s.

He's flipping though as Jonas flips over 6-6.

FLOP: 2s 4s 9c - great flop for Baron - he's now the slim favourite with 2 overs and a flush draw...

TURN: Qs! Flush pops in on the turn, leaving the Dane drawing dead and banished to the rail.

Jonas Klausen is OUT, eliminated in 12th spot, winning € 28,750.

Good game sir.

As soon as Floppy returns with the camera I'll give you a dessert update. Dinner was a little rushed today but I can guarentee you the dessert watch today is pretty spectacular, definitely worth waiting for...

Booo for Jan Heitmann busting out. But joy for the desserts! Bring it on!

Isaac Baron knocks out the short-stacked Jonas Klausen with Js 8s vs 6d 6c, turning a flush.

Dario raises to 55k from the cut-off, Randal Flowers raises to 200k from the small blind. Dario insta-folds.

Dario raises to 55k, takes the blinds.

Jason raises to 55k, takes the blinds.

Dag raises to 55k, Isaac Baron asks to see how much he has left, and then moves all-in, Dario and Randal fold as Dag is already lifting his Kh Ks ready to call instantly. Isaac shows 7h 7s.

Flop:

7c 2d 2c

Dag, "Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." Isaac sits impassively.

Kc

Dag, "YES YES YES!!!!"

Qs

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13825&g2_serialNumber=1)

"Yes!!! I'm going to win this tournament, two times, two times against full houses."

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13827&g2_serialNumber=1)

(At this point, I half expect him to do an Alan Cumming impression from GoldenEye, "I am invincible!!!"). Isaac is crippled.

The next hand is bizarre, Dag is more interested in stacking his chips than anything else. Isaac folds, Dario raises and takes the blinds, but Dag has only put out two 5k chips in the big blind, instead of 4, (definitely not on purpose, no doubt he's wrapped up in elation). No-one else spots this apart from me and one of the guys from Pokernews, but no-one does anything, hope that 10k doesn't make a difference.

1 time randall

can you guys get Randal's bust-out hand please?  :( :( :(

thank you. :)

Arnaud Mattern just popped by, obviously had some knowledge of Dag Palovic from the EPT Prague final table. "I did think when I played against him he was Hollywooding it a lot [in Prague], but he actually has huge visual tells. I bet top pair with a flush draw big on the turn and he took a huge deep breath and looked a little scared, he was openingly showing he wasn't that strong. The other players should be able to rip him apart."

Yeah, Rod is just typing it all up now.

Where is dessert? I demand dessert!

WOWOW, so much action no time even for dessert watch!

Okie-dokie.

Randall Flowers lost a big pot in a J-J v A-K coup versus Dario. Finding himself now much shorter, he took a gamble, getting his chips in preflop with 3-3, only to find Dag Palovic had yet ONE MORE big hand in K-K!

A flop of  K 7 5 left Flowers in big trouble, drawing to runner runner a 4 on the turn opened up a small chance of a gutshot but the 2 on the river sealed Flowers' fate and the young American was banished to the rail by the screaming, shouting and generally rather happy Palovic...

Here we have Flowers just after his elimination.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13829&g2_serialNumber=1)

One rueful look back at the table as he wonders what might have been...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13831&g2_serialNumber=1)

BUT it's all over, meaning...

Mark "Randall" Flowers is OUT, eliminated in 10th spot, winning € 46,300

Great performance from the young American player, who has carried himself well all through the comp and I'm sure we'll see him back soon...

I did say it ! ;D

A happy Dag Palovic seals his win with a punch as he reduces the field to 9 players with that knockout!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13833&g2_serialNumber=1)

Hope Dag Palovic gets busted for his over the top celebrations when he takes a player out!!

Dario makes a big re-raise versus William Thorson. Thorson has put a lot of chips in but after a long dwell and some banter from Dario he ultimately folds and Dario rushes off to high five the rail. His palms must be getting sore by now!!!!



Eric now raises it up, Jason re-raises to 120k and Eric now makes about a min re-raise to 200k....Jason.... FLAT CALLS!

With 500k in the pot, they see a flop of T- 7- 5.

Jason checks and Eric checks behind also...

TURN: 8h

Jason now moves in for 500k, roughly a pot size bet. Eric studies him for some time but ultimately he doesn't like it and throws his hand away...

BIG POT for Jason, who joins the elite millionaires club with over 1,000,000 chips...

Jason raises it up to 60k and Dario puts in a chunky re-raise against the new millionaire.

Jason doesn't take long to decide he's not interested in tangling with the scarf wearing Italian just yet and throws his hand away...

Dario's big stack appears to be putting the fear of god into the other players...

---

A quick shot of Dario as he picks up his chips to join the final table...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13835&g2_serialNumber=1)

So am I not getting any dessert? I've been so good, I ate all my vegetables.

 :'(

William Thorson moves allin and is INSTA-CALLED by Anthony Lellouche!

Is this it? Is this the final hand of the day?

Let's see them cards guys!

WILLIAM THORSTON K-J

ANTHONY LELLOUCHE A-Q

So the Frenchman has the edge but it's not a massive advantage and a flop of

Jd 6d Js completed reverses the balance of power, tilting the scales massively in favour of Thorson and a turn of 5s and river of 4c completes the hand, meaning William doubles up to roughly 400k and back in it once more...

The games continues...

Apologies for lack of dessert watch, I promise you it's coming and my god your mouth is going to water, but the action means we just don't have time at the moment.

Here's a picture of a cat to entertain you in the meanwhile...

(http://icanhascheezburger.wordpress.com/files/2007/12/funny-pictures-cat-furniture.jpg)

Final Table shots:

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13841&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13843&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13845&g2_serialNumber=1)

Marcus Bower re-raises over Dag Palovic's 72k for around 125k more, but that's incidental since he only has 35k behind this. Dag sets him in with Qh Jd, Marcus calls with 9d 9h

2s Ahrt 8s 7h 6c

Another shorty doubles up and we're still here.

Jason raised to 61k, Marcus Bower makes it 200k more. Marcus wins.

Antony raises to 62k, Dario re-raises to 204k, passed back to Antony who folds quickly.

Eric raises to 100k, Jason calls from the small blind.

Tc 6c Qs

Check check.

Ahrt

Jason bets 100k, and Eric calls.

9d

Jason bets 220k, Eric calls quickly. Jason shows K-J for the nuts and wins a big pot.

After a quiet period, suddenly a raise from Johannes (who was short and committed) is re-raised by Marcus Bower to 300k who wanted to make sure   Gregory Genovese didn't get involved. BUT Genovese isn't backing away and gets stuck in, calling allin, and Strassman is way too short to fold sooooo we have a three way allin!!!

If Marcus wins, 2 will be eliminated!

Cards:

Johannes Strassmann Aspades Qs

Marcus Bower - J-J

Gregory Genovese - Ad Kd

VERY BIG POT!

FLOP:  Kc 4h Tc - great flop for Gregory but terrible flop for Bower who is now drawing very thin...

TURN: 7h Bower drawing dead - Strassman to 2 outs...

RIVER: 5d!

It's all over Genovese wins a monster pot and Bower is hurt, but not yet fatally, down to 350k or so...
 
BUT crucially, after making his 3rd EPT final table this means...

Johannes Strassmann is OUT, eliminated in 9th place, winning € 46,300 for yet another excellent EPT performance.

And it also means we have our final 8 players who will return tomorrow to do battle. We'll post up full chip counts of these guys as soon as the official numbers are in but for now, I'll pass the poker side of things over to Floppy who has some final pictures of today's gripping action..

---

In the meantime I will bring you the much anticipated dessert watch...

...In just a few moments...

Thanks for the updates !

Tomorrow, I won't be able to watch updates nor EPT Live before 8 or 9pm... sick !

Have fun all !

End of play...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13847&g2_serialNumber=1)

Some of us need nicotine more than others...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13849&g2_serialNumber=1)

Dessert!  ;kev;

Dessert watch.

SOrry for the delay.

I'll just tell you firstly about the cheesecake. A soft and crumbly biscuit formed the base for a soft, creamy cheese which was smothered with strawberries, all slathered with a sweet, yet slightly tart, thick fruity sauce. Absolutely delicious as you will surely agree from this shot i took of it...






(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13839&g2_serialNumber=1)

...oh whoops I ate it!!!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13851&g2_serialNumber=1)


(http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/128347989344218750ideatyooz.jpg)

---

SORRY, that was unfair.

Chris had some ice-cream. He told me it was velvety and beautiful and whipped from heavenly cream.

Actually he just said "MMMMMMMMMMMM"

Here it is anyway for your delectation and joy...




(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13837&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=13851&g2_serialNumber=1)

You have failed in your mission, Junglecat. I'm very disappointed in you.

 rotflmfao

Gregory Genoveve -- 694,000
William Thorson -- 418,000
Eric Koskas -- 449,000
Jason Mercier -- 1,591,000
Antony Lellouche -- 1,192,000
Dario Minineri -- 1,832,000
Dag Palovic -- 585,00
Marcus Bower -- 278,000

Ok, the final table (with LIVE FEED on BLONDE) will begin tomorrow at 3pm CET, (2pm UK). And a great line-up we have too, Dario, Antony, William Thorson, the crazy Eric and even a Mr Bower who'll no doubt be hoping it's the longest day of his life...

;stickaforkinme;

As no one bothered to report Isaac Baron's Exit in 11th and ive been reading this thread for the last 2 hours waititng to hear how hes doing assuming he was still in  :'(:

2 hours 28 minutes ago | Posted by loganmark
Isaac Baron - 11th PlaceIsaac Baron Eliminated in 11th Place ($44,361)
Just minutes after losing a huge pot to Dag Palovic, Isaac Baron made a stand with A-9 against Dario Minieri's A-Q. Baron couldn't outdraw the Italian superstar and was sent home in 11th place, collecting $44,361 in the process.

Other than that, Great Updates, Thanks Guys.

That quote is from Pokernews. Sorry Horneris, 'twas a bit re-miss, we were aware it had happened but somehow managed to both avoid writing it down.

Just for you though...

Isaac Baronis OUT, eliminated in 11th place, winning €32,500.

Hope you are happy now. You have eaten into my drinking resting time by 10 minutes. My liver thanks you, the rest of me thinks you are a SOB.

JUST JOKING! Thanks for following man, and see you tomorrow!

Great updates many thanks.

nice one
ka am so drunk but i was also loookijg for menlo's bust.

GG MENLO.
guy crushes the fishes, and nice to see a genuinely nice  guy cash (chilled with menlo and co at irish open [obv brag])... only a matter of time till he crushes a major live tourney. such a humble and talented d00d. balllaaa..

nh dario obv.

shipppppppppppppp