blonde poker forum

;hello; and welcome as you join us for the third gripping installment of the Norwegian Championships here at Dusk till Dawn.

The 79 players who survived yesterday will join up with those who made it through day 1a as they search for the magic combination of raises, folds and calls that will bring them closer to the title.

Heading the charge for the Brits are Julian Thew of course, looking to add to his already highly prestigious list of accomplishments with yet another success. Stephen Kirk is also well in contention to throw a cat amongst the Norwegian pigeons but both will have to fend their way past Øystein Halland, who at this moment is our chip leader.

Anything can happen in what shold prove yet another exciting day of poker. Join us as we approach the 3 pm start to see what happens!

Hello again, its Rupinder Bedi wife Shelley, just to warn you im watching again!!!   Hope its a good one & look forward to your updates :)

Well hes out now anyway!!!! bummer, so good luck to everyone else xx

So it has started then?
 

I know that as a general trend, the beginning of a Day Two is usually pretty hectic.  This is not an exception here, just an extreme example... 16 players are already out - that's one every two minutes. 

Here are a couple of them I saw, or heard about, just as a kind of sampler of the elimination frenzy, like when you get a tiny scoop of ice cream for free or a little piece of cheese or something on a stick...

Neil Henshaw is a goner - he said, "I played three hands.  Lost three hands."  Probably the most crucial one involved Qs Qd which called a shorter stack's 12k push, but his opponent's Ac Kc got there and dropped him to the felt area.

Also Martin Kalleberg saw his final chips raced away with 2s 2c vs. Qd Jc.
Flop:  4d 6s Ad
Turn: Ac
River: 6h

Two pair, Queen kicker, kicks Martin to the rail.

Also gone in last five mins: 

134   Stephen Best
135   Rupinder Bedi
136   Tommy Birkelund
137   Tore Olaussen
138   Neil Henshaw
139   James Keys
140   Ivar Kleive Voll
141   Knut Magne Whist
142   Efraimsen Oyvind
143   Knut Arild Vollstad
144   Mike Dao
145   Øyvind Løff
146   Kenneth Strandli

Sorry George2 - your man is one of the eliminatees - - The Cat currently tableside - he might have caught it...

Tense moment for Chris Bruce just now.... I saw him staring at a flop of 5d Qd 8d and at Bjørnar Koss, who'd bet 6k.  Eventually he decisively moved all in - covering his opponent, but not by much.  A lenghthy dwell ensued, during which I managed to watch two more people exit and the dealer change on the table... but Koss folded and gave Bruce another nudge upwards in chips.

It is usual to have a whirlwind start to the day when you reach this stage of the tournament, but this is one of the busiest I have ever seen, with multiple players looking to s*** or bust as the colloquialism goes.

One massive pot just involved multiple allins.

The carnage was initiated by a short-stacked shove from Kristian Heimstad. He found a bigger stack behind him in Pal Kristiansen attempted to isolate the raise by shoving allin also, only to be called for most of his stack by Thomas Wullum behind! WOW!

Before the cards were on their backs, speculation was rife amongst the table -

(which includes Dave Smith who is back in the thick of things with his black suit/hat/yellow flower combo and Stephen "King of the Brits" Kirk)

- as to what hands would be revealed. Various hands were mooted but the facts became apparent as Heimstad flipped 6-6, Kristiansen showed his "isolation" had been with ACES, whilst Wullum flipped A-K...

Onto the flop, which came 8d 2c Kc 7h and.......2s.

3 way the aces had held, meaning Kristiansen received a juicy triple up, Wullum was left short and Heimstad was OUT! He took his elimination in the good grace and spirit that has been the hallmark of the Norwegians' play in this tournament.

Here is Heimstad, departing the table...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16797&g2_serialNumber=1)

A glum Hullum is left short...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16799&g2_serialNumber=1)

Kristiansen can barely contain a cackle as his stack soars upwards imperiously...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16801&g2_serialNumber=1)

Can just make out a pink hat on the live feed table and thought for a sec it was a norkage opportunity until I took a closer look  >:(

Remaining players and their configuration at the tables, thanks DTD!

11   1   Alan Stearn
11   2   Erik Kindlien
11   3   Ørjan Skommo
11   4   Øyvind Frigaard
11   5   Stig Rune Kveen
11   6   Øyvind Sæter
11   7   Andrew Shepherd
11   8   Henrik B. Meidell
11   9   Michael Greco
12   1   Frank Porturas
12   2   Stein Hansen
12   3   Ole Morten Melby
12   4   Trond Sundby
12   5   Alf- Eirik Klinge
12   6   Ian Frazer
12   7   Bjørn Andre Kildalen
12   8   Geir Lian
12   9   Stig Moen
13   1   Jorgen Jessen
13   2   Stian Bruheim
13   3   Morten Langbraten
13   4   Morten Lokken
13   5   Peter Lars Micael Lindstrom
13   6   Karl Inge Skogholt
13   7   Jon Somby
13   8   Nam Phu Pham
13   9   Brede Sandkjernan
14   1   Erik Borkvik
14   2   Kai Danilo Paulsen
14   3   Gary Christopher
14   4   Ole Johan Knudsen
14   5   Andreas Berge
14   6   Peter Brusdal
14   7   Peter Conduit
14   8   Rolf Galåsen
14   9   Waheed Ashraf
15   2   Arne Kristian Falkenhaug
15   3   Per Johnny Nygård
15   4   Billy Ngo
15   5   Øystein Halland
15   6   Thor Hjertenes
15   7   Bent Skammersrund
15   8   Kai Marius Klein
15   9   Ken-vidar Sara
21   1   Jan Erik Hoff
21   2   Robin Reed
21   3   Mark Docherty
21   4   Magnus Skumsnes
21   5   Joachim Lundgård Thorkildsen
21   6   Simen Derås Jacobsen
21   8   Mazhar Latif
21   9   Benjamin Carpenter
22   1   Carsten Syvertsen
22   2   Tage Skare
22   4   Ole-mats Moskvil
22   5   Edvard Hatle
22   6   Timm Stokke
22   7   Hans Christian Skjonstad
22   8   Øyvind Larsen
22   9   Roger Johannesen
23   1   Per-arne Lundekvam
23   2   Jim Jakobsen
23   3   Sondre Sagstuen
23   4   John Dubland
23   5   Frode Hoel
23   6   Jan Olav Sjavik
23   7   Kim-ove Hagerup
23   9   Thomas A. Middelthon
25   1   Andre Hansen
25   2   Odd Eivind Ulvund Balgaard
25   4   Julian Thew
25   5   Platten Daniel
25   6   Tommy Fineide
25   7   Daniel Rudd
25   8   Brian Rundhaug
25   9   Mads Aamot
31   1   Sven Hugo Vian
31   2   Petter Hammer
31   3   Ove Balsnes
31   4   Jan Roger Larsen
31   5   Linda Kristin Suhr
31   7   Thore Andre Nordbø
31   8   Barlien Sondre
31   9   Kristoffer Ustad
32   1   Thomas Thorkildsen
32   2   Vegard Nygaard
32   3   Kim Rud Pedersen
32   4   Svein Arnesen
32   5   Jarle Aasen
32   7   Kjetil Skau
32   8   Jostien Petterson
32   9   Donal Norton
33   1   Erling Voje
33   2   Martin Gudvangen
33   3   Thomas Olavsrud
33   4   Tage Almark
33   5   Michael Mccool
33   7   Paul Gourlay
33   8   Stig Thomassen
33   9   Roy Salminen
34   1   Håvard Holder
34   2   Steffen Kongelf
34   3   Martin Rasch
34   4   Bjørnar Koss
34   5   Trevor Reardon
34   6   Thomas Gundersen
34   7   Christopher Bruce
34   8   Marcus Pettersson
34   9   Bjørn Andre Hovden
35   1   Stephen Kirk
35   2   Pål Knudsen
35   3   Daniel Steine
35   4   David Smith
35   5   Pal Kristiansen
35   6   Ylva Thorsrud
35   7   Thomas Wullum
35   8   Marius Grotan
35   9   Noel Hayes

You sure about M Greco still being in ? if so he has been cloned as he is sat here in London at the recording studios playing cash.

Obv.. not real cash, here , shovel dig etc.

My tips to win/go deep/do Norway proud:

Julian Thew (not the last one, obv)
Jan Sjavik
BA Kildalen

My tip to definitely not make Day Three:

Michael Greco.   He hasn't bothered to turn up today, despite having 16k (now whittled to under 8k).  Gives new meaning to, "You have to be in it to win it."  Caught some railers/staff/busted guys wistfully staring at this sad but still definitely in stack, with "What a waste," written all over their faces.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16803&g2_serialNumber=1)

Ahh.. he has just explained.

Nope, it's this guy - who made all fashion awards here at blonde for this event pointless.  Here he is again, with Stein, living the dream.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16805&g2_serialNumber=1)

OMG those trousers look like the snakes bollox...............cuse my french!

It's not been a good afternoon for Norwegian poker players wearing garish dayglo Riot Rider T-shirts.  There are actually two players wearing this exact T-shirt, amazingly.  One now, to be fair, after this guy gets his coat having been eliminated by Thomas Middelthon (pictured stacking post bust).

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16807&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16809&g2_serialNumber=1)

The other Riot Rider - Marius Grotan - just got knocked downwards in chips too... I saw a hand from the flop where Pål Knudsen had checked to him and he'd bet 5,500.
The flop was:  7s 9d Qs.  Knudsen quickly called.
Turn:  Ad  Now Knudsen bet out 10k.  A much slower call from Grotan.
River:  Qc  Instaallin from Knudsen, at which he finally got a pass...showing Qh Tc Knudsen picked up about a third of Grotan's stack.

Here's another one of those pictures which perfectly sums up the total imbalance of happiness when one player wins a large pot off another.  On the left, we have the Winner, Erik Kindlien, unable to resist a little chuckle as he scoops up a large number of Ørjan Skommo's chips.  Here's how he did it:

The board was standing Jc Js Jd...3d...8s, and Kindlien had bet 12k, about the pot, on the river.  Skommo went through the whole range of head in hands, sighing, frowning, staring (in a most unScandinavian manner) before calling.  "Sorry." said Kindlien, as he flipped Jh Td for quads, while his opponent muttered something about a cold deck, presumably mucking a high pair.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16823&g2_serialNumber=1)

Final tablist at the Irish Open and all round (that is NOT a reference to his spherical head!) popular figure Kai Paulsen is waiting patiently to find some good spots at the moment, with a stack of 40k...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16811&g2_serialNumber=1)

One of the chip leaders and a player who thusfar has passed under our radar but is doing just dandy with over 100k is the namesake of the english ex-middleweight boxer Robin Reed. His stack certainly carries a big punch and he'll be looking to issue a few knockouts today.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16821&g2_serialNumber=1)

Here we have neighbours Ian Frazer (not currently conscious, having been propped up in seat and left to doze until the buffet break) and BA Kildalen.  When I approached the table, BA stage whispered, "Look!  I'm sat next to Ian Frazer! Ian Frazer!  He's famous...do you know him?"
"How do you spell that?"  I answered.
"E..E..N.." he helped.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16825&g2_serialNumber=1)

Updated List of the Fallen:

105   Karl Inge Skogholt
106   Edvard Hatle
107   Per-arne Lundekvam
108   Donal Norton
109   Carsten Syvertsen
110   John Dubland
111   Andre Hansen
112   Trevor Reardon
113   Waheed Ashraf
114   Øyvind Frigaard
115   Benjamin Carpenter
116   Hans Christian Skjonstad
117   Brian Rundhaug
118   Roy Salminen
119   Jacob Mandal
120   Bjorn August Lindback
121   Bjørnar Thomassen
122   Therse Andersen
123   Trond Nordbø
124   Glenn Anders Karlsen
125   Sam Trickett
126   Lars Heldal Bakkevig
127   Jarle Utne
128   Allan Dyrstad
129   Simen Roligheten
130   Paul Newman

Rocket man news please

MULTIPLE ELIMINATIONS!


Sadly current holder of hoody of the day, also known less famously as Ove Balsnes, has bitten the dust, a victim of tablemate Simen Derås Jacobsen. Jacobsen's T-T on a T high flop was more than adequate to defeat Balsnes shove with 2 overcards so sadly the man with wings attached to his cartoon superhero hoody has bitten the dust (RICK- I haven't had a chance to find out where this came from yet but I'll see if I can grab him at some point !)

Here he is drowning his sorrows shortly after his elimination...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16817&g2_serialNumber=1)


and one more shot of his awesome winged hoody...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16813&g2_serialNumber=1)


Jacobsen was in no mood to slow down either, raising preflop and then deciding he was getting the odds to call Benjamin Carpenter's shortstacked push with his K-5. Carpenter had the dominant 6-6, but a King on the turn turned the tables dramatically, consigning one more scandinavian to the rail, and adding to Jacobsen's ever growing list of victims.

The latest man to fall to Jacobsen, Benjamin Carpenter...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16819&g2_serialNumber=1)

And the current table terminator himself, Simen Derås Jacobsen

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16815&g2_serialNumber=1)

Paul Gourlay is OUT...

He said, succinctly, "Not good," as I approached his table, and indeed his stack looked suspiciously like it might be under 10k at that time.  He got involved in a fourway limped pot in the big blind, which checked aaaaallllll the way down until the board read:  5h Qd 7h...4c...9c
At this point, he took a stand, shoving on the river, instacalled further down the table.  At the instacall, he instamucked, letting Matey's Ahrt 9d take his final chips.

"I wait till he hits," he sighs.  Never one to let himself off the hook, he adds as he takes his leave, "I've been playing like an absolute twat all day." 

Ease up on yourself, Paul - it's now the *****************BUFFET BREAK****************** for an hour and they have that awesome chocolate cake making a second, and very welcome, appearance.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16827&g2_serialNumber=1)

Doh... Ty anyway jen

Good luck to the remaining Brits. Lets hope at least one dodges all those Scandi bullets to make the final!

Off topic , but i thought hoodies were not to be worn at DTD ?

Great updates guys , always a joy to read  :)

CHIP COUNTS COURTESY OF DTD


Barlien Sondre   31   8   202800
Erik Borkvik   14   1   165300
Joachim Lundgård Thorkildsen   21   5   145000
Timm Stokke   22   6   142800
Julian Thew   33   9   125900
Tage Almark   33   4   123100
Thomas A. Middelthon   23   9   122000
Magnus Skumsnes   21   4   121000
Øystein Halland   15   5   119500
Marcus Pettersson   34   8   119000
Daniel Steine   31   6   105000
Robin Reed   21   2   101400
Tommy Fineide   22   3   101200
Pål Knudsen   11   4   97800
Martin Gudvangen   33   2   96400
Kim Rud Pedersen   32   3   92100
Jim Jakobsen   23   2   89900
Arne Kristian Falkenhaug   15   2   87700
Kjetil Skau   32   7   83500
Ian Frazer   12   6   81100
Roger Johannesen   22   9   81000
Geir Lian   12   8   78200
Stig Rune Kveen   11   5   76600
Bjørnar Koss   14   9   74500
Michael Mccool   33   5   73100
Ole Johan Knudsen   14   4   69500
Kai Danilo Paulsen   14   2   67300
Morten Langbraten   32   9   66600
Peter Conduit   14   7   64400
Frode Hoel   23   5   63400
Frank Porturas   12   1   63100
Jostien Petterson   32   8   62900
Jan Olav Sjavik   23   6   61300
Thomas Olavsrud   33   3   60200
Odd Eivind Ulvund Balgaard   32   6   59700
Bent Skammersrund   15   7   55900
Christopher Bruce   34   7   55300
Svein Arnesen   32   4   55100
Kim-ove Hagerup   23   7   51300
Daniel Rudd   15   1   51100
Mads Aamot   23   8   50900
Platten Daniel   33   6   50500
Håvard Holder   34   1   49700
Jan Erik Hoff   21   1   48900
Rolf Galåsen   14   8   47600
Jon Somby   22   5   44400
Thomas Wullum   22   1   42200
Thomas Thorkildsen   32   1   41200
Erik Kindlien   11   2   40300
Andrew Shepherd   11   7   40100
Stig Thomassen   33   8   39100
Bjørn Andre Kildalen   12   7   37600
Tage Skare   22   2   36600
Pal Kristiansen   21   9   36300
Kristoffer Ustad   31   9   35400
Ylva Thorsrud   21   7   34100
Simen Derås Jacobsen   21   6   33000
Thomas Gundersen   34   6   32700
Stein Hansen   12   2   32700
Bjørn Andre Hovden   34   9   32500
Billy Ngo   15   4   31500
Peter Brusdal   14   6   31400
Linda Kristin Suhr   31   5   31200
Stig Moen   12   9   31200
Stian Bruheim   33   7   31200
Petter Hammer   31   2   29900
Brede Sandkjernan   14   5   29800
Mazhar Latif   21   8   28900
Vegard Nygaard   32   2   28800
Sondre Sagstuen   23   3   27400
Øyvind Sæter   11   6   27300
David Smith   34   5   26500
Marius Grotan   22   7   26400
Mark Docherty   21   3   26400
Peter Lars Micael Lindstrom   23   1   26200
Trond Sundby   12   4   24800
Thor Hjertenes   15   6   24600
Kai Marius Klein   15   8   23100
Øyvind Larsen   22   8   22300
Alf- Eirik Klinge   12   5   22200
Henrik B. Meidell   11   8   22000
Ove Balsnes   31   3   21600
Alan Stearn   11   1   20800
Ørjan Skommo   11   3   19500
Thore Andre Nordbø   31   7   18600
Jorgen Jessen   34   4   18300
Martin Rasch   34   3   17200
Per Johnny Nygård   15   3   16600
Noel Hayes   23   4   12600
Jarle Aasen   32   5   11000
Steffen Kongelf   34   2   10000
Sven Hugo Vian   31   1   9100

Equally matched in skill and agility...who will win?!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16829&g2_serialNumber=1)

I think hoodies have always been permitted, but t-shirts and trainers have not, well not until this week.

Hi Rupinder here not the mrs!

I shot off quite quickly- didn't want to get tempted by the cash whilst steaming.

Down to 19k- Scandie who'd shoved last two hands raises from UTG to 3600 I look down at  Ahrt Ac on the button and go all in. He calls for his last 12k. He flips  8s 8c

Board  Ts 7s 6h 4d 5c

Then shoved my last 5.5k into two short stacks with  Qs 4c BB wakes up with  Ad Jd

Ace high board- drawing dead on the turn.

Just wanted to say what a fantastic tournament and an awesome structure. Best thing about DTD- a ten minute break MEANS 10 mins not 10 mins then another 5 to 10 while everyone gets seated

whoever wins this torny,these norwegians all think they are gus,well let me tell you in 2 or 3yrs,unless they change there style they will only win very few torneys...............they will all be skint

Hi George!  Thanks for posting... I agree wholeheartedly with your praise of the timeliness and efficiency of everything here at DTD.  Our job is so easy Kev could do it.  Oops, he and Ginger have just arrived.  Good luck parallel updaters!

whats the point of having a dress code if they dont enforce it?

Usually I think they do - I came to play a month or so ago and had to change my scruffy shoes.  It's sort of hard to turn away 500 Norwegians in hoodies and trainers though when they've flown over just to play here/spend all their winnings in the bar.

im sure ive seen t  shirts worn in the 300 pound monthly comps

Many cash games running yet might come down early?

Nice Norwegian Blogger Busted:

Yiva Thorsrud got her stack all in with Ad Jc vs. the Kc Qh of her rhs neighbour Simen Derås Jacobsen.

Flop: Ks rag rag
Turn:  Qd
River:  Ahrt   Too little too late and she hits the rail.  I hope she doesn't have to get straight on her laptop. 

Always.  This week has been nonstop - any time you arrive you'll get a game.  Plus there was just an announcement that someone called Knut was sitting at table 62 by himself waiting for a challenger at £5/£10 Heads Up...

BA Kildalen doubles up, off mystery "Englishman"...  Whenever someone makes a weird play, BA always assumes they are English - precisely the opposite reaction to the UK players.  But this is especially weird, and not sure who the villain (or hero, depending on how you look at it) is so here's what I know...

MysteryMatey raises preflop.  Over to BA in the blind, who looks down and sees an Ace.  "I don't look at the other card.  I just push all in.  He calls.  I squeeeeze - at first I thought it was a Seven...no, it was a Three.  But he had called me with 2c 4c."  A short while later and he can breathe more easily.  Through his mouth, apparently.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16831&g2_serialNumber=1)

Billy Ngo (pictured during the buffet break, rather than currently) told us that due to the lack of reportage on him, people were supposing his demise.  Not so!  He's on around 35k, about what he started the day with.  It's not like he hasn't been active - he got up to the dizzy heights of 75k within two levels, and then lost back all his profit raising utg with Aspades Ks and finding a Matey with Jh Jc shoving and holding up.  Oh well - ever the optimist he says, "It's like I got a level for free."

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16833&g2_serialNumber=1)

any news on goldenbollox? Not seen any updates from him today even though hes still near the top of the chip counts

How are Sam Trickett and Chris Bruce getting on?

hi jen   do u know how many runners they have tonights omaha   thanks

(http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ii2NCVkunTfCPM:http://www.ricesigns.com/real_pictures/tractor_signs.jpg)

Yes mate, apologies for this. I have some Thewy information which my recalcitrant computer crashing prevented me from putting up but without further ado, here's the latest THEWS...

Mr McCo*l (name has been partially blanked to prevent identification) raised it up to 9.5k from the cut-off, only to find the small blind re-raise to 18k...Julian Thew was in the big blind and now pumped it up to 40k.

The initial raiser now passed and the small blind had a little think.

After a very short pause M*ck M**ool called the clock on the small blind and he raised the smallish remainder of his stack pretty quickly, unsurprisingly as he held K-K.

Julian tapped the table to say "NH" as he could only table A-Q.

His fortunes improved dramatically though on a As 7s 9d and  julian was in great shape to take down what was a monster 90-100k pot, but a Kd on the turn proved Julian doesn't always run good and a blank 8c on the river finished things off.

An interesting hand that looks to have knocked Julian down to 80k or so...but controversial also as Julian felt that *i*k *cco*l had called the clock rather quickly there and was not 100% happy about this...

The photos form this hand seem to have been lost in the ether as my comp crashed but I'll put them up if they re-appear.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/SqueezeSponge.jpg/225px-SqueezeSponge.jpg)

I spot a 20k pot preflop, and sidle over to find that it's a fourway raised pot on a table which seems to have changed its entire lineup within the space of two levels. 
All of them check out the flop in a nonchalant "Hmm, so that's how it is," sort of way: 4s 6d Th

Pal Kristiansen checks, Robin Reed bets 8,500 now.  He's flat called by neighbour Mark Docherty, only to find Marcus Petterson upping it instantly to 25k.  Passes all round with the minimum of tank time.  Petterson grins slightly, while being begged to "show your pocket Sixes.." and in fact shows everyone the Jc instead.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16835&g2_serialNumber=1)

Sam is OUT, I'm afraid. A casualty fo the early carnage, he was out in 125th spot...

Just off to check on Chris.

---

We are now down to 75 players. We are playing down to the money this evening ( or 2am - whichever comes first) With 54 spots paid I know what my money will be on given the heavy attritional rate so far.

The Ian Frazer (now awake) vs. BA Kildalen saga trundles on... with Frazer first taking a good chunk off his Norwegian neighbour with, er, 2-4 (they seem to love to play this particular hand against him).  BA held K-J and bet the Jack-high flop, called by Frazer.  The turn brought a third club, and a "bad check behind" from BA.  So on the 2 river he paid off Frazer's 8k bet.  He subsequently won, however, an all-in-pre blind on blind race with 5d 5c (somehow) vs. Frazer's Ad 8h, dodging lots of stuff on a board that ended up being Kd Qc 2d Jc 6d.

Elsewhere, lucky short stack mover inner on the cutoff Marius Grotan found the small blind waking up with Qh Qd.  Not looking great for his Ad 6h.  But it was the good old Sixes, two of them, which popped out and kept him in the tournament.

No such luck for Pink Cowboy Snakeskin Dude, whom I spotted on his mobile phone in the corridor, looking very OUT indeed.  The final table will be at least 60% less colourful now, whatever happens.

Please say hi to Julian from PaPaYoYo and the Watch following things from deepest Kildare. Now that the yoyo has dropped we shall expect an amazing comeback

Chris Bruce was quietly raking in a pot as I arrived and seemed to have 55k or so...

As I watched the very next hand he called an allin push from his next door neighbour for a chunk or his stack.

Chris flipped A-K, his neighbour showed J-J and the race was on!

A small scandinavian scowl breached the face of his opponent as an Aspades 5s 2c flop catapulted Chris firmly into the lead and he didn't relinquish this advantage as a Kh and 9c turn and river sealed the victory.

Going well at the moment with 80k+ here is Chris...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16837&g2_serialNumber=1)

Lovely pot for Kai Danilo Paulsen, who must be living right (or be the tough player he's suggested he was at the Irish Open etc.)... a bit of both manifest in this particular hand...

Paulsen raises to 5,500 preflop, called only by big blind Pål Knudsen. 
Flop: 4d 9h 9s  Check to Kai, who bets 6k immediately, with a splashy-pot sort of call.  Accidental, of course.  All good.
Turn: Qs  Check.  Check behind.
River: 4s  Check a third time, and Paulsen now nonchalantly tosses in two 5k chips and is paid off immediately, only showing the Qd 9d.  And just the hint of a smile crossing his otherwise spectacularly impassive countenance.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16845&g2_serialNumber=1)

Julian's table just witnessed a biggish hand...

After there was a limp in early position, this snowballed into a limp-fest with 3 limpers behind, including Billy Ngo and Julian THew completing from the small blind. Round to Dave Smith in the BB, he shoved it allin for 35k more or so, only to find one of the limpers re-raising allin to isolate him.

Everyone else ran away shrieking, leaving Dave and Tage Almark to battle it out.

"Bad time to squeeze!" announced Dave sagely as he showed a weakish Ks Jd to Tage's dominating big slick Ac Kd.

The flop came Tc 7c Td and a Jc moved Dave into the lead...

RIVER: 4c ... "YES" shouted Dave, happy to have survived this encounter, only to have it pointed out to him that Tage had in fact made the nut flush with that card..."Sorry young man didn't see that" said Dave as he departed.

Here he is shortly after that hand about to squirt Julian with his flower...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16841&g2_serialNumber=1)

And Dave Smith's executioner, Tage Almark.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16843&g2_serialNumber=1)

Here are the remaining players as we stand...

11   1   Daniel Rudd
11   2   Erik Kindlien
11   3   Ørjan Skommo
11   4   Pål Knudsen
11   5   Stig Rune Kveen
11   6   Rolf Galåsen
11   7   Andrew Shepherd
11   8   Kai Danilo Paulsen
11   9   Steffen Kongelf
12   1   Frank Porturas
12   2   Stein Hansen
12   3   Martin Rasch
12   4   Peter Brusdal
12   5   Joachim Lundgård Thorkildsen
12   6   Ian Frazer
12   7   Bjørn Andre Kildalen
12   8   Geir Lian
12   9   Stig Moen
21   1   Jan Erik Hoff
21   2   Robin Reed
21   3   Mark Docherty
21   4   Magnus Skumsnes
21   5   Bent Skammersrund
21   6   Simen Derås Jacobsen
21   7   Marcus Pettersson
21   9   Pal Kristiansen
22   1   Thomas Wullum
22   2   Tage Skare
22   3   Tommy Fineide
22   4   Bjørn Andre Hovden
22   5   Christopher Bruce
22   6   Timm Stokke
22   7   Ole Johan Knudsen
22   8   Øyvind Larsen
22   9   Roger Johannesen
23   1   Peter Lars Micael Lindstrom
23   2   Jim Jakobsen
23   3   Sondre Sagstuen
23   5   Frode Hoel
23   6   Jan Olav Sjavik
23   7   Kim-ove Hagerup
23   8   Brede Sandkjernan
23   9   Thomas A. Middelthon
31   1   Sven Hugo Vian
31   2   Petter Hammer
31   3   Ove Balsnes
31   4   Håvard Holder
31   5   Arne Kristian Falkenhaug
31   6   Daniel Steine
31   7   Thore Andre Nordbø
31   8   Barlien Sondre
31   9   Kristoffer Ustad
32   1   Thomas Thorkildsen
32   2   Vegard Nygaard
32   3   Øystein Halland
32   4   Svein Arnesen
32   5   Erik Borkvik
32   6   Odd Eivind Ulvund Balgaard
32   7   Kjetil Skau
32   8   Jostien Petterson
32   9   Morten Langbraten
33   1   Bjørnar Koss
33   2   Martin Gudvangen
33   3   Thomas Olavsrud
33   4   Tage Almark
33   5   Michael Mccool
33   6   Platten Daniel
33   7   Billy Ngo
33   8   Stig Thomassen
33   9   Julian Thew

Evening update fans, as Jen mentioned,myself and Ginger are here at DTD to witness the massed throngs of Norwegians ... the place is buzzing, but I have warned the staff here that this week will be a walk in the park compared to all of us blondes descending on the place next weekend ;)

nice plan kev get in there early and bribe the dealers b4 the bash

No need mate ... us defending champions can rely on skill and ability ;)

We were convinced for a goodly proportion of Day One that Robin Reed (pictured) must be a sneaky Brit flying under the radar.  But no - his story is a Norwegian one, and pretty interesting for that.  Apparently he's a recent (perhaps talking months rather than years) convert to poker, and tournament NLHE after getting sucked into the vortex of Norwegian gamblers that is Johnny Lodden's house.  He moved in there a non-player, sort of didn't surface for a few months while discovering, practising, and playing the game, and is now more than holding his own against his countrymen in a format they've made their own in recent years.  I guess if you move into a house full of Scandie poker players, it's going to either drive you crazy fast or set you on a very steep learning curve...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16847&g2_serialNumber=1)

Thank god you have arrived.............grab the camera its time to do the NAS proud m8...............
 ;slavedriver;

I jsut had a chat with Julian about how today has panned out...

"Not the best session for me!" he said as he has seen his stack cut from 120k at the start right down to 50k.

Apart from that A-Q K-K hand earlier which he lost, he also lost a big pot where he raised it up with Ah 7h, found the BB re-raising to 13k and decided this was an opportune moment to set the BB in for 45k or so...EVENTUALLY the BB made what was a very brave call with A-T, much to Juliana's chagrin and it held up.

"The marginal situations haven't gone my way today but with 50k, I'm still in there..." Good luck Julian.

---

I noticed Chris Bruce raking in another pot as I passed his table and he seems to be going about his business in a quiet but very effective way at the moment.

I also saw M**k Mc*ool re-raising a player on a K-8-x high flop, his opponent dwelling before passing what he claimed was Q-Q. Mick showed him J-8. Mi** is going well at the moment with an increasingly large tower of chips that looks to be over 100k...

*****************************************20 MIN BREAK********************************************

We're down to just 60 players...the end of the day is truly already in sight as the plan is to play to 54 (where the money starts).  If you've forgotten about the money, then here it is, the payout list:

1st    £70,362
2nd    £39,836
3rd    £24,897
4th    £17,320
5th    £14,072
6th    £9,742
7th    £7,577
8th    £5,412
9th    £4,330
10th    £3,031
11th    £3,031
12th    £3,031
13th    £3,031
14th    £2,165
15th    £2,165
16th    £2,165
17th    £2,165
18th    £2,165

19th to 27th    £1,500
28th to 36th    £1,250
37th to 45th    £1,000
46th to 54th    £750

I'm afraid Julian has fallen by the wayside and is OUT. No details, I'll find out what happened when I catch up with him.

60 players left, 6 more eliminations and we will have our final 54 players which will bring a close to today's activities...

Myself and Jen are off to catch the action. Back soon!

Tumbling head first towards the bubble, here's the exit of one of those nearly-theres... Daniel Rudd, like so...

He raised preflop to 6,300, called by big blind Pål Knudsen.
Flop:  5d 4c 2c  Check; check
Turn: Ac  Check to Rudd who bet 7k.  Knudsen called.
River: Tc  Now Knudsen bet out 10k.  After a deliberate self count, an impassive Rudd moved all in for around 40k total.  Into a big dwell, Knudsen thought and twitched and flashed his cards to some dudes on the rail behind him (not a word said by any of them, though).  Eventually he shouted, "Call!"  and was rewarded with a muck by Rudd who just quietly exited while Knudsen raked in a big pot and shouted what sounded like, "Hey HO Hey, Yes!  Yes! Bambambam!"  In fact, that's exactly what he said, with some hand clapping and table slapping for good measure.  Pictured, looking calmer than he was.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16849&g2_serialNumber=1)

We approach the finish with no signs of the frnatic action abating.

First off, we had Erik Borkvik riaisng to 6.5k from middle position. A shortstack re-raised allin and Erik was priced in to call with his K-J. The shortstack was in good shape to double up with Q-Q and this continued with a flop of Aspades 3s 5d.

A killer blow was delat on the turn though as the Kc fell and an irrelevant Th on the river meant we lose one more combatant as the number of runners falls to 57...

---

I also found out about Julian's exit hand...

He raised it up with 6s 6c and was called in one spot. The flop came Ks Qs 5s and both players checked. The turn was the 2d and Julian checked once more only to find his opponent betting 12k. Julian now check raised allin for 40k or so....long dwell from his opponent who finally called with 7d 7c, no spade.

A very brave call and a spade-less, 6-less river meant that Julian's tournament was over!!

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_yJ_86fqX5k imo

55 players remain now meaning its

(http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en/e/e6/Soap_Bubble_-_foliage_background_-_iridescent_colours_-_Traquair_040801.jpg)

- time folks!

my next x wife is there in the background. NAS alert- come on kev get us some pics of the lovely valet.......large JD in it if you can get a pic of her blowing me a kiss ;)

Rolf Galåsen is the player who finished 56th to precipitate the bubble, his K-8 shove with a shortstack failing to outdraw the A-K of his opponent Steffen Kongelf...

Here is nearly man Rolf, watching events with johnny Lodden, shortly after his exit.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16851&g2_serialNumber=1)

The torture of the bubble has been lessened slightly with the news that Expekt.com, sponsors of the event, will provide free entry to next year's event to any norwegian who finishes on the bubble. This announcement was met with a massive round of applause from the ever effusive band of norwegians drinking and playing.

Not to be outdone, Simon Trumper just announced that DTD will kindly buy any home-grown bubbler into the 300£ DTD event. His announcment was met with considerably more hushed tones from the British contingent, perhaps as only 4 of the remaining 55 players are from the UK! Nonetheless there was a respectful if muted ripple of applause at DTD's generosity.

The bubble continues...

Despite it being hand-for-hand currently, I've managed to watch no fewer than three called all-ins play out, but each time the short stack doubled up.  Once it was a very short 7k shove from Joachim Lundgård Thorkildsen, called blind by big blind Robin Reed (blinds are 1,200/2,400)....
Thorkildsen:  Aspades Qc
Reed:  6s 7s
Though Reed had an up'n'down straight draw on the turn, he missed his outs on the river and the game continued.
_______________________________________________________________

Meanwhile Øyvind Larsen doubled up in a much more adamant way after shoving pre for 25,500 with Jh Jc and being called by bb Bjørn Andre Hovden with Ahrt Qh.  Only quads for the Jacks by the end as the board came 2s Kd 3h Jd Js.

LOL at Floppy's video... that's definitely what the bubble needs.  Actually I think there are a good number of these still in...

What a mental day!!! Wouldn't it be wise to play on today rather than call everyone back again tomorrow? Any reason why DTD wouldn't do this?

apparently very bad etiquette from this guy. danny boy is not happy. somehow the guy has made a call wiv  9d 7c and started to scream and shout in his face

Pål Knudsen just raised it up form the cut off, only to find the relatively shortstacked, and one of the few remaining Brits Andrew Shepherd re-raising allin from the BB for 30k more...

"Bubble Simon bubble!!!" said Andrew enthusiastically, "I don't careI get a seat in the £300 event anyway!"

Eventually Pal passed Qs 2s and Andrew showed him Ad 8c.

Here is Pal assessing his options and the eager rail wondering if this will be the bubble.(bonus norkage hidden away in the photo...)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16853&g2_serialNumber=1)

And Andrew Shepherd after adding to his stack and continuing to fly the flag for Britain...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16855&g2_serialNumber=1)

hows ian fraser going

Very well...he's one of only five non-Norwegians left, we believe... just getting through the bubble one hand at a time, though...been about 45 mins of it so far.  Pics coming of the Brit survivors after the bubble's over...

A big (slightly strange) hand knocks Martin Rasch down to near the felt - an all in situation occurring where he found himself up against Ad Kd on an Ac Jc 5d flop with only a gutshot or runners to help him, holding Qs Ts.  The turn and river were the 8c and 3d though, which mean that his 16k or so might well be heading over the line any minute...

6 allins so far, six short stacks have survived...

THE BUBBLE continues!

BUT, we have just had an eliminiation!

Jen is out there soaking up the details like an updating sponge and she'll be relating this hand shortly.

And there you have it................

Mr. Bubble is still super short Joachim Lundgård Thorkildsen, who'd already survived one bubble all in, but this time was called when he shoved with Ad Kc by, er, 2s 5d.  I couldn't see quite how short he'd become (again) so that might have been an autocall....

Anyway the flop:  7s 7d 2c
Turn: 7h
River: 3d

So Mr. Thorkildsen breaks an unexpectedly long Scandie bubble and wins entry to next year's Norwegian Open, which he celebrated by drinking some Corona and being hit on the back by about 20 guys on the rail.

Seeing as we've scythed through the field at a rate as alarming as I predicted, it's likely we'll be able to bring you the final chip standings before tomorrow, so we're just hanging around while they bag and tag, and half of them are heading to the Omaha game (which extended its late entry by an hour to accommodate the poker-crazy Norwegians).  But just in case, to cover all bases, I might as well say...


;stickaforkinme;

Oh wait, I promised Britwatch going into Day Three - so here's the full complement (I think - please set me right if you're in, and not from Norway :)    )

Ian Frazer

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16857&g2_serialNumber=1)

Daniel Platten and Billy Ngo

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16859&g2_serialNumber=1)

Chris Bruce

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16861&g2_serialNumber=1)

Can any of them fight through the remaining 54 players to the final?  Find out tomorrow from 3pm...

Also in there battling on for Britain is Andrew Shepherd, short with 27k or so...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=16863&g2_serialNumber=1)

Also Mark Docherty is still in, although very short on 13k or so. Not sure if he is British or Irish, but more likely to homegrown than Norwegian, we're cheering him on whatever!

---

Ok the official final chip counts are in.

These 54 players will return tomorrow at 3pm to play down to the final table. We're going to join the Norwegians for a drink, but we'll see you all back here tomorrow.

Kristoffer Ustad   31   9   285000
Thomas A. Middelthon   23   9   207800
Jim Jakobsen   23   2   205000
Peter Brusdal   12   4   201200
Øystein Halland   32   3   195400
Tage Almark   33   4   190300
Erik Borkvik   32   5   187200
Svein Arnesen   32   4   165000
Pål Knudsen   33   9   155400
Ole Johan Knudsen   32   6   155200
Martin Gudvangen   33   2   148000
Pal Kristiansen   32   8   142900
Bjørnar Koss   33   1   139200
Magnus Skumsnes   23   3   136300
Marcus Pettersson   31   1   131700
Roger Johannesen   22   9   125700
Stig Rune Kveen   23   4   123900
Timm Stokke   22   6   123700
Frank Porturas   12   1   121600
Jan Olav Sjavik   23   6   120600
Ian Frazer   12   6   120300
Kai Danilo Paulsen   31   6   106200
Michael Mccool   33   5   100300
Kjetil Skau   32   7   95900
Bent Skammersrund   31   3   93000
Tage Skare   22   2   90700
Christopher Bruce   22   5   87800
Robin Reed   12   7   78700
Billy Ngo   33   7   72400
Rolf Galåsen   12   2   66800
Stig Thomassen   33   8   66700
Efraimsen Oyvind   31   2   65300
Geir Lian   12   8   62400
Tommy Fineide   22   3   61800
Morten Langbraten   32   9   60700
Håvard Holder   31   4   53000
Barlien Sondre   31   8   50400
Stein Hansen   23   5   49400
Erik Kindlien   23   1   48000
Arne Kristian Falkenhaug   31   5   45900
Steffen Kongelf   12   5   45900
Øyvind Larsen   22   8   42800
Platten Daniel   33   6   39900
Thomas Olavsrud   33   3   39800
Simen Derås Jacobsen   31   7   39700
Thomas Wullum   22   1   31700
Brede Sandkjernan   23   8   29900
Kim-ove Hagerup   23   7   29400
Andrew Shepherd   22   7   27800
Bjørn Andre Hovden   22   4   21600
Martin Rasch   12   3   17200
Mark Docherty   32   1   13200
Stig Moen   12   9   9800
Ørjan Skommo   32   2   5500

For now...

;stickaforkinme;

ian fraser is doing well and i think he could well be a dark horse,i know hes not that well chipped up but if he dont try to play a scandy type ov game and uses his experience i think hes got a great chance