blonde poker forum

This is it - the culmination of four days' play, including a marathon last night where the final Nine hung on by their nails for a spot on the televised final, which will be coming to you over the net in the form of EPTLive.  We're here to make sure you don't miss anything, or if your connection sucks, and sometimes we hear some interesting things backstage which the TV doesn't get.  Or you can dip into the action later, if you're having a nap while they play for the €€€€€€:

1 - €1,361,000
2 - €792,000
3 - €455,000
4 - €351,000
5 - €292,000
6 - €227,000
7 - €178,000
8 - €119,000

The players (we're just about to get their photos and bios - TY Pokerstars - up):

Martin Nielsen     Denmark    1229000
Davidi (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255) Kitai (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255)    Belgium    600000
Dren Ukella    Germany    734000
Jason (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) Mercier (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136)    PS Player    USA    526000
Samuel Chartier    Qualifier    Canada    879000
Daniele Mazzia    Italy    359000
Gavin Fintan    Qualifier    Ireland    701000
Sebastian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) Ruthenberg (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739)    PS Player    Germany    1204000

Here are the players along with their seating, chip counts, photos and profiles, courtesy of Pokerstars own crazy but lovable Mad (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2422) Harper (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2422).

Seat 1: Martin Nielsen, 34, Jutland, Denmark -- 1,229,000 chips

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21370&g2_serialNumber=1)

They don't come much more relaxed than Martin Nielsen, the former merchant banker now competing at his second major final table this summer. After earning $120k at the Bellagio in July, Martin resigned from his job of five years, figuring that there was more to life than battling the rat race in London. "I bought a ticket to Indonesia for the autumn," he said. "That's my only plan for this year. But that plan might have to change now." He admits that he's much less experienced at poker than most of the other finalists but has been using some instinctive mathematical knowledge to make solid decisions based purely on odds. It has served him well. He's never appeared flustered and has eased to the final table with a chip-leader's stack of more than a million. "I may have found another job now," he said.

Seat 2: Davidi Kitai, 28, Brussels, Belgium  - 600,000 chips

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21298&g2_serialNumber=1)

Poker pro Davidi made his first impression at EPTs when he made the TV stages of EPT Barcelona last year, eventually finishing 11th for his biggest ever live win: €46,000. His reputation then shifted from ‘solid’ to ‘spectacular’ when he went on to win the $2,000 Pot Limit Hold’em event at  the World Series,  the first Belgian ever to win a coveted WSOP bracelet. He reached his 2nd WSOP final table only a week later.  Davidi perfected his poker skills during a trip to Los Angeles in 2003. He had gone to the States to learn English, but it was Texas Hold’em that he mastered. In 2006 he also took down the Euro Finals of Poker in Paris.

Seat 3:  Dren Ukella, 36, Cologne, Germany  - 734,000

Dren Ukella has been playing poker “forever” and first kicked off with five card draw. A brick builder by trade, Dren was born in Germany but grew up in Kosovo until his family returned to Germany when he was 14. Married with three children, Dren’s biggest cash to date was winning €37,000 in a NLHE tournament in Belgium. Although he has studied the game and read various poker books, he says “I know the other guys are better than me”. If he wins, he plans to take some time off and go on a two-three month vacation with his family.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21374&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 4: Jason (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) Mercier (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136), 21, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, PokerStars player - 526,000 chips

Jason first came to attention at the PokerStars.com EPT Season 4 event in San Remo in April. It was his only second live event and he’d qualified online with PokerStars but – facing one of the toughest final tables in EPT history - he secured a stunning victory worth €869,000. His opposition included Team PokerStars Pro Dario (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=517) Minieri (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=517), William (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=780) Thorson (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=780) and Eric (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1163) Koskas (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1163). He followed up the San Remo triumph with three WSOP cashes in the summer, adding another $50,000 or so to his bank roll – and now seems set to be a dominant force at poker tournaments across the globe. Outside of poker, Jason – who had studied to be a maths teacher before discovering online poker - is a huge basketball fan and coaches the team from his former high school.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21376&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 5: Sam Chartier, 22, Montreal, Canada – PokerStars qualifier  - 879,000 chips

French Canadian Sam has been playing poker for five years and turned pro three years ago. He is great friends with Jason (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) Mercier (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) after meeting him on the first day of EPT San Remo. All Sam’s friends had gone on a trip to Italy so Sam and Jason ended up sharing a room. He said: “I played a side event in San Remo which I won, with Jason railing me all the way. Then I railed him in the main event.” While in San Remo, Sam qualified online for the Season 4 Monte Carlo Grand Final but busted on Day 2. His biggest cash before today was 80th place at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January for $16,000.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21378&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 6: Daniele Mazzia, 33, Imperia, Italy - 359,000 chips

Daniele Mazzia has been playing poker professionally for the last two years and, as a regular competitor in tournaments all over Europe, has a string of notable results to his name.  In July 2007, he took down the Velden Masters event for over €70k and since then has cashed in a further seven events, including first place in the Italian Championship’s $500 NLHE event in October. Daniele is great friends with Italian-speaking pros Claudio (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1757) Rinaldi (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1757) and Alessio (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=784) Isaia (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=784) – the three travel to events together - but his biggest supporter is girlfriend Carla Solinas, also a highly successful poker player.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21372&g2_serialNumber=1)

Seat 7: Fintan Gavin,40 , Galway, Ireland – PokerStars qualifier – 701,000 chips

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21380&g2_serialNumber=1)

Although one of the less well-known faces at today’s final table, Fintan Gavin is no poker novice and works in the industry – as the card room manager at the Eglinto Casino in Galway.  Thanks to his casino duties, Fintan says he doesn’t get  to play as much as he’d like but, having played poker for 30 years and NLHE for six years, he has a wealth of experience to draw on. This is his first EPT but he’s so impressed with the way PokerStars run things that he’s planning to try and qualify for many more. This is his best result to date although he cashed in the Aussie Millions main event last year for AS$ 20,000.

Seat 8: Sebastian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) Ruthenberg (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739), 24, Hamburg, Germany – PokerStars sponsored player - 1,204,000 chips

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21368&g2_serialNumber=1)

Sebastian took up poker while studying IT at college. Six months later, after he graduated, he turned pro and swiftly climbed the levels from 50/$1 to $3/6 Limit, later changing to SNGs and No Limit cash games.  In 2006, he won the German Open in 2006 and was runner-up last year at a WCOOP event as well as coming 3rd in EPT3 Dortmund. This summer he crowned his achievement by winning a WSOP bracelet – in the Seven Card Stud Hi-low event. He is one of seven pros who make up the PokerStars.de ShootingStars team – alongside top players such as Benjamin (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=482) Kang (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=482), Jan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=589) Heitmann (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=589), Johannes Strassman and George (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=556) Danzer (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=556). He starts today as chip leader.

Finton Gavin used to run(poss still does) Irish poker events and they held a regular annual comp at city west in Dublin for a few years getting huge numbers- 200+ for there big buy in games. He's a very accomplished player and a top fella too. Please pass on my regards and wish him luck.

The first interesting hand of the final has played out, and it's a funny one!

Jason Mercier raises it up, only to find Fintan Gavin, the jovial Irishman re-raising him.

Mercier, who doesn't have masses of chips to play with, sighs and goes into think mode. He shakes his head and asks Finton "Will you show?"

Finton is clearly in comical mood and retorts "If you show me yours, I'll consider showing you mine!"

Mercier: "How about I show you mine, you show me yours"

Ultimately, The Irishman agrees to do this and Mercier passes showing Ad 8h. Fintan however shows he has pulled a cheeky steal re-raise, flipping over Ts 6h!!!

There is a ripple of laughter as he clearly got by far the better of the American in this hand!

(http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8258/pwned111za6.jpg)

Ukalla called in odd hand...

In a pot which eventually hit 823k, Dren Ukalla started it all off with an under the gun raise, called by Sam Chartier and Sebastian Ruthenberg.
Flop: Js Jd 7c  Ukalla continued the trend of looking strong by betting out on the flop immediately.  Only Chartier made the call.
Turn:  Qc  Again, Ukalla bets - but it's 106k into a pot which is now pushing half a million - this too gets a call from Chartier.
River:  2s  Ukalla fires a third time, but it's just 72k, an amount which is called, albeit with a frown, by the young Canadian.

Dren Ukalla's hand probably surprised his opponent as much as the commentators who seemed to be happy to give him credit all the way (having played pretty tight) for a hand surpassing the Q-K he showed - to win the pot.

Mazzia moves all-in for 290k...

As Daniel Negreanu in the commentary booth said, "When someone makes this move the poker's over and it's all about finding a hand."

And Mercier in the big blind looks at his hand and...CALLS!

Cards on their backs:

Mazzia   :  Ad 2h
Mercier :  Td Ts

Flop: 3d 9h 6h 8h.......

So though Mazzia has missed thus far he picks up a flush draw on the turn...any heart or Ace means he stays in.

And the river is...the Kh!

Sick river means Mazzia is up to 634k, whilst Mercier is now VERY short.

Jason Mercier has had some very bad luck, with just a little rub of the green he would be by far the chip leader, but poker is replete with random fluctuations of luck, and right now Mazzia is the one getting lucky whilst Mercier is the one not getting kicked in the proverbials.

Separated at Birth?

Timmy Mallet

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21372&g2_serialNumber=1)



Daniele Mazzia

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/features/2004/07/timmy_mallett_interview/images/timmy_mallett_270.jpg)

Fintan Gavin calls a Dren Ukalla raise in the big blind, and they see a flop of 2h Td 9h.  Check-check.
Turn:  6d  Fintan brings forward a couple of stacks of yellow 1k chips, then brushes a single chip off a stack and bets it - 95k.  He's quickly called.
River:  They both give up on the whole betting thing and Fintan's Q-9 is apparently good for that pot.  He's gone from dangerously short(est) stack yesterday, to very comfortable today, while the earlier leaders are having a much tougher time of it today.

Next hand, Fintan gives up a small pot to Sebastian Ruthenberg, saying something along the lines of "You're too lucky..."  :)

All-In Bonanza

Mercier moves all-in, there is no resistance and the American picks up the not inconsiderable blinds and antes...

Two hands later...he does it again!

A push preflop from Mercier, and once again he gets it through...more blinds and antes and Mercier is beginning to get himself back into contention.

Canadian Chartier clearly thinks this looks like a great plan of attack and he takes a leaf out of the American's book and shoves in himself.

The move proves effective again, there is no resistance and the Canadian picks up the pot...

Best of luck to Fintan.

Jason Mercier, having shoved pre at least three times already, goes in over the top of a Martin Nielsen min-ish-raise to 82k.  After a think and a count out, Martin calls.

Jason Mercier:  6s 6h
Martin Nielsen: Th Td

Aware that he's going to need a lot of help here, Mercier sits glumly staring intently at the middle of the table:
Flop: Ac Qh 2d
Turn:  6c  And the crowd goes wild!  (At least certain ladies in the press room, who keep getting told to keep it down as behind a curtain we can actually see a sliver of Negreanu doing the commentary in the same room)
River:  2s

Double up to a million again for Jason; telling off for Mad Harper; first sheepish smile crosses Jason's face as luck spins round and smacks him.

After that dramatic hand, here are the way the chip counts stand:

Sebastian Ruthenberg - 1,318,000
Fintan Gavin               - 1,030,000
Jason Mercier             - 1,020,000
Daniel Mazzia              -   770,000
Dren Ukella                -   730,000
Davidi Kitai                 -   505,000
Martin Nielsen            -   440,000
Samuel Chartier          -   405,000

Jason (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) Mercier (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) raises in early position - c.100k.  Short stack Martin Nielsen picks this spot to push in his short stack - which strikes all of us as odd as he has no fold equity and holds Ad 2d...
Call from Jason, holding Th Td.
Flop:  5d 5c Ks
Turn: 2h  Giving him a glimmer more hope
River:  Kc

So that makes Martin Nielsen our 8th place finisher winning €119,000

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21394&g2_serialNumber=1)

ACTION!

Samuel Chartier shoves from late position with Kh Th.... Fintan Gavin gets a count...and then calls with Ac 9h.

The dealer deals out the flop and it comes...7d Jc 2d  Jh 3c.

Both players miss but Fintan's Ace high is good for the pot, meaning...

Samuel Chartier is OUT, eliminated in 7th spot, winning €178,000.

Great game from the Canadian but he loses out to Irishman Fintan Gavin, leaving us six handed and propelling Fintan into 2nd place.

Chip leader to out 1st, wow.

So we see the back of Sam Chartier.  ::)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21396&g2_serialNumber=1)

But it looks like he intends to support mate Jason Mercier, and took his defeat with good grace.  He might be a Mercier fan, but Martin Nielsen wasn't so positive - it was his Tens which were beaten by Jason's Sixes, and the words, "very lucky," came from the possibly ever-so-slightly-tilted Dane.  Almost every one of the players has outdrawn someone, some in more cringeworthy fashion than others, and as Chartier pointed out, the structure of the event has ended up making it hard to play, when the chipped-up now only have c.20bb.  It often ends up like this - superslow to start, ending up with preflop shoving on the FT - but it has to end today, and the Management have already rolled the blinds back once.  No perfect recipe for tournaments, clearly.

A few more shoves, Mazzia followed by Kitai meet no resistance.

The late nights and long days of poker we have seen int he last two days mean that the average stack to blind ratio has shrivelled up till the shorties don't have lots of play and shoving has become their only weapon.

This does seem to suggest the final will be relatively short-lived, although I may be tempting fate by saying that!

---

While we wait for the real fireworks to kick off and 2 of the big stacks to tangle, here are some shots of Barcelona myself and Jen took earlier.

It really looks fantastic in the sunshine. Enjoy!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21382&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21384&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21386&g2_serialNumber=1)

****We are just on a short break****

In the meantime, changing tack for just a moment.

Jason Mercier may be a fine poker player but he has courted controversy with his chip stacking and his clothing choices.

I personally like the way he stacks his chips as it makes it easier to count, and I don't have a problem with the way he dresses.

I DO think however, he is the long lost brother of short lived Simpson's character Poochy.

Seperated at birth??? What do you think?

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21246&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://www.jrj-socrates.com/Cartoon%20Pics/Fox/Simpsons/Poochy_300.gif)

And we have some Belgium on Italian action!

Mazzia and Kitai go to war preflop. With Kitai all-in and most of Mazzia's chips in the middle, Davidi needs to hit or he will be OUT.

Mazzia: 7-7
Kitai : Aspades Ks

With a million+ pot brewing, the dealer lays them out.

The flop comes: Jc 2c Jh...A good flop for Mazzia, his pocket pair stays in the lead...

TURN: Ahrt! The belgium leaps ahead. Mazzia looks upset and needs to hit a seven on the river...

RIVER: 5h. No luck for the Italian. He loses a big flip and is now very short whilst the bracelet winner from the summer is up to over a million!

(http://www.nyc-tkts.com/images/MammaMia.bmp)

Pictured:  Davidi (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255) Kitai (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21398&g2_serialNumber=1)

Down to the felt, Mazzia is all in pre the very next hand.  Sebastian Ruthenberg makes the call, as does big blind Jason Mercier.
They check down a board of 3c Qd 2c 9c 6h, and we don't catch the cards, and hear a whisper of "King High" which seems to be good for a triple through for the Italian from a grain to a whole bowl of rice.

After a lull in getting it in, Mazzia finds a spot to shove with Ahrt 8c - unfortunately he's looked up by the dominating Ac Kd of Davidi Kitai.
Flop:  6c Qc 7c  Looking grim for Mazzia... now his Eight cant be a club...
Turn: Qs
River:  6h

;kc;

 Out of jail, a relieved Mazzia takes his seat again.

Fintan Gavin may not have featured in many of the big all-in pots, but the Irishman has been quietly and effectively building up his chip stack, sitting in 2nd place at the moment and not having to show down a hand too often so far.

He may be one of the lower profile players remaining in the tournament at the moment, but he has proved himself to be at the very least a competent player, and at his heights he can be very inventive as he showed with the T-6 bluff steal re-raise versus Mercier earlier.

No need to pull off his most famous  move just yet, but as the blinds raise, later on we may be treated to the Irishman's speciality finishing manoeuvre yet.

Here's one he made earlier....

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21380&g2_serialNumber=1)

AND HE DOES IT AGAIN!

Daniele Mazzia gives it another go with Qh Tc - his all-in is called by Kitai again with Tens.

Flop:  Jh 9h 9c
Turn: 3s
River:  Oh yes, the 8c.  The momentarily subdued Italian railers get excited once again as their man gets out of jail one more time, nicely giving Kitai a double luck-slap in the process.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21402&g2_serialNumber=1)

Mazzia's certainly been the luckiest of the final 6 so far. Here are the new standings, with Irishman Fintan Gavin now leading the way in sensational fashion!

Fintan Gavin 1,548,000
Sebastian Ruthenberg 1,518,000
Davidi Kitai 971,000
Jason Mercier   945,000
Dren Ukella 651,000
Danielle Mazzia 600,000

Gavin's had it go all his own way so far, but Kitai feels its time to put a stop to the Irishman's reign of terror, re-raising his min raise another 100k or so.

Gavin makes the call, but when the flop falls Kd 6d Jc and Kitai leads for 160,00, Fintan has been slapped down by the Belgium and he folds to leave the lank-haired Winamax player to sweep in the pot...

Great updates guys thanks.

I really hope Fintan takes it down. We'd hopefully see a lot more of him on the circuit, he's a great character. I just hope they don't sell Guiness in barcelona..

Fintan Gavin consolidates his chip advantage to the tune of 2 million chips, after taking on another big stack (Davidi (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255) Kitai (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255))...
Kitai called Gavin's preflop raise, and then checked the 3s 4s 2s flop.  Fintan Gavin bet 200k, and got a quick call. 
Turn:  Tc  Check to the Irishman one more time, and this time it was 400k at Davidi...if he'd had something large now is when the Clash of the Titans would have commenced - but after a stare and a brief think, he passed, handing Fintan a healthy lead.

Dren shoves from the small blind and Mercier finds K-Q, figures to be well ahead of the shortstacked German's range and makes the call!

Dren has pocket deuces so they're off to the races...

Flop Ac 3s 4s...A great flop for Dren as Mercier has missed and he now has a gutshot draw...

TURN: 2d ! A set for Dren as Mercier's bad run of winning coinflips continues and the river is...

The 2c ! Quads for Dren!

He takes the pot down to cheers from his railing fans whilst Mercier looks like he wants to throw up as he loses yet another race!

Here's how that hand has affected the counts:

Fintan Gavin 2,018,000
Sebastian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) Ruthenberg (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) 1,411,000
Davidi (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255) Kitai (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1255)   848,000
Dren Ukella 880,000
Danielle Mazzia 571,000
Jason (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) Mercier (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=2136) 449,000

Pictured: Dren Ukalla

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21400&g2_serialNumber=1)

GOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO FINTAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Fintan Gavin -- 2,533,000

Sebastian Ruthenberg -- 1,522,000
Dren Ukalla -- 943,000
Davidi Kitai -- 862,000
Daniele Mazzia -- 572,000

There you gogogogo Laxie.

 ;D  Cheers Chicka!

Fintan is actually sitting in a bad seat for live photography, so here's a shot from one of the TVs here, as he considers making that call of the all-in.  It's a ONE HOUR DINNER BREAK... so we may be able to grab the man himself for a quick snap or some comments.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21404&g2_serialNumber=1)

Hi jen, It's Paul Bracken here, Can you please if given a chance wish fintan good luck from me... He is a co founder of the IPt (Irish Poker Your) which he started about 5 years ago and he ran an extremely successful tour for a number of years. He done a lot for poker in Ireland and deserves this success...... He is very well known on the poker circuit and scene in Ireland and is very popular aswell... thanks jen..

DessertWatch please ;D

We have an all-in!

Gavin raises, Dren re-raises all-in and a resigned Gavin feels he has to call the shortstacked German....

Gavin shows Ks Ts
Dren: A-K

So the German has the Irishman dominated but his tournament life is on the line. 835k pot in the offing...

The flop falls: 7s 8h 9c It's a good flop for Gavin, giving him a straight draw and extra outs to bust the German.


TURN: 8c Fintan still needs a Jack, Six or Ten on the river to win, the dealer deals the river which is...

The 5c!

No bad beat for Dren and Fintan doubles him up to 850k or so. That was just a little nip out of the Irishman's stack though and he's still in good shape.

There's some interesting sculpture and modern art round Barcelona.

Just as a small break from the poker here are some shots we took earlier of some of these structures.

First we have rainbow man. Thus named, not because he looks like an amalgam of Zippy , Bungle and George, but because of his multicoloured appearance.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21388&g2_serialNumber=1)

This is a particular favourite of Jen. The balancing ball almost defying gravity...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21390&g2_serialNumber=1)

And the place where all the action is taking place. The Gran Casino, the temporary home of 400 poker players and 100 press...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21392&g2_serialNumber=1)

I went on a hunt for Bad Candy today, during a break of course, and came back with these gems:

The Vidal Dipper - like pepperami, but made of corn syrup and strawberry flavoured chemicals.  I think.  The one on the left looks about to commit some kind of act of cannibaliam:
(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21408&g2_serialNumber=1)

Not sure what these are, but again made by the Vidal corporation.  Says 'Relle nolas' on the front, look diseased.  Make JC act stupid.  Forgive him, he's high on sugar.
(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21406&g2_serialNumber=1)
(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21410&g2_serialNumber=1)

Daniele Mazzia gets Sebastian Ruthenberg to lay down preflop after moving all in over his raise...

then

Fintan Gavin raises to 160k preflop, called by Sebastian Ruthenberg.
Flop:  8c Kh Qh  Fintan bets out 185k; call.
Turn: 2c  Now Fintan announces all in, shooting Ruthenberg a look and then waiting... he runs a hand through ihs hair, scratches his cheek, looks all over the place and is still smiling although looking a bit nervous, as Sebastian says, "Wow," leans back in his chair, forward again, and... ... shows a King, mucking his hand.  Fintan also shows a King as he rakes in another pot - last time he played a pot like this he showed an absolute bluff, so you never can tell.

Numbers at the top:

Fintan Gavin -- 2,168,000
Davidi Kitai -- 1,247,000
Daniele Mazzia -- 1,148,000
The others on under a million.  The blinds at 30/60 when they're also five-handed won't be making it easy for Ukalla and Ruthenberg now...

WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

 ;mexicanwave; ;mexicanwave;

Fintan Gavin raises to 165,000 and is called by Dren in the big blind.

The flop comes 9c Th 2h...

Dren checks and Gavin bets out 200k, Dren immediately pulls his stacks together and announces all-in, pushing them over the line...

Fintan doesn't take long to call with Q-9, and is rewarded for the call as Dren can only show Ahrt 4h for a flush draw...

It's a race but Fintan has the edge versus the German's draw...

TURN: 7c No heart yet for Dren means Fintan is now a big favourite and just needs to fade an Ace or a heart on the river, which comes...

RIVER: Td!

2 pair for Fintan is good for the pot, but we lose the German player...

Dren Ukella is OUT, eliminated in 5th place, winning €292,000.

That hand leaves us four handed for the title, with Fintan holding a sizeable chip lead over the other three players...

Here are the chip counts as the players just take a short break to recover their wits.

2,987,000 Fintan Gavin
1,265,000 Davidi Kitai
1,104,000 Daniele Mazzia
796,000 Sebastian Ruthenberg.

The Irishman taking this EPT by storm is the story of Barcelona so far. He was one of the least fancied by most before the final table played out, but you have to admire the way the Irishman has set about his task, making the right calls and the right bluffs at the right times.

He'll be tough to stop now, though with the high blinds the players won't be hanging around in their efforts to topple Gavin from the top of the tree.

As we move ever closer to determining the champion, here is a reminder of the remaining prizes for our valiant combatants:

1 - €1,361,000
2 - €792,000
3 - €455,000
4 - €351,000

In the break we've just had, we finally had a chance to pass Fintan Gavin your good luck messages.  It was good he got a break after that hand, so the adrenaline can settle - he said, "I didn't like it, but I felt I should call."

You also may not recognise him now that his grey baggy T-shirt has been replaced (like when Clark Kent becomes superman) with a Barcelona shirt and suit jacket :)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21412&g2_serialNumber=1)

It transpires that Fintan's mates were watching the coverage in his club, and saw that he'd made it through all three days, got in a cab, went straight to the airport, and flew over to rail him.  There may or may not have been sleep involved in the last 48 hours.  Whatever the state of them, they're ready to give Fintan an ovation at the drop of a hat, even just to keep his spirits up during the breaks.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21414&g2_serialNumber=1)

Spotted having a consultation with Anthony Lellouche and presumably the rest of Team Winamax, Davidi Kitai soaks up their advice and support avidly, clearly hanging on their every word.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21418&g2_serialNumber=1)

One more time - in close-up:  Kitai on screensaver.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21416&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://outofthebloo.com/blog/images/negotiatingtable.jpg)

The negotiating table - empty after it looks like some consultation between the four remaining players has not yet reached a satisfactory conclusion.  You never know though, deals could be struck at a later date.  It's a lot of €€€€€.

I just heard on EPT Live that they try to make a deal, refused by Daniele Mazzia.

Do you know which deal it was ?

No, these things are traditionally private affairs and we haven't been made privy to the details this time.

Boo!

They certainly aren't playing scared money though. Kitai shows this by raising it up from the small blind on Mazzia's big blind, Mazzia shoving all-in over the top instantly!

Kitai looks unhappy but doesn't want to call the extra 600k so throws his hand away...

Double move-in from Daniele Mazzia now - the first time he moved in over Davidi Kitai who thought for a while and then passed.
The second time he moved in over Davidi Kitai (sense a pattern?) but this time he put his chips over the line.
Davidi:  Th Tc just pipping
Daniele:  9s 9c

Flop:  6s 5s 3d  (Already the press expect, perhaps, a spade or two)
Turn: Kd
River:  Qs

And no!  As near as felted, Mazzia remains in the game but has a stack so short it's barely visible...

Pretty much necessarily, Daniele Mazzia is all in next hand, called in two spots, and checked to the river.
The board comes out 3d 5s 6s Ac 8s and while the river probably looked more than promising to the Italian, seeing as he held Q-8 for two pair, it was actually his downfall as Sebastian Ruthenberg tabled J-9 for the straight sending Daniele Mazzia out in 4th place for €351,000.

Jen, the flop was QJT... you wrote the previous hand flop  ;)

Davidi sees a flop of Jc 9d 6h with Fintan. He checks to the Irishman who bets out 100,000. Call from Davidi...

The turn is the 7c and the Belgium checks again, only for Fintan to bet out 200,000. Davidi sighs and folds, leaving Fintan to sweep up the pot, showing J-9 for top two!

That has definitely been one of Gavin's strengths on the final table, his unpredictibility. No one has been able to tell when he's bluffing or when he has a hand, which he has used well to his advantage.

The board was Qh Th Jd Ac 8s.

LOL, isnt that the whole concept? trying to ensure no one knows when you are bluffing or when you have a real hand? bugger me if i'm wrong...lol

(http://www.bostonmagazine.com/blogs/boston/wp-content/uploads/Boston/0907BostonDaily/steamroller.jpg)

Yes, dark horse Fintan Gavin has been giving them all a run for their money - just now the term I heard bandied about the commentary was 'steamroller.'  His lead is formidable threehanded, and the other two need to double up in a hurry to have any chance of catching him now.

Fintan Gavin -- 4,235,000
Davidi Kitai -- 1,095,000
Sebastian Ruthenberg -- 985,000

Sebastian Ruthenberg hasn't given up yet - having moved in preflop repeatedly, he finally found Fintan Gavin with a hand he was prepared to call a shove with:
Gavin:  Aspades 7h
Ruthenberg:  Td Tc

The board came Aceless and with no tense draws, and a relieved Ruthenberg lives to fight another level. 

First hand after the break, and Sebastian Ruthenberg gets it all in against Davidi Kitai.  The crowd can barely believe it - 0 to 60 in one hand.. but they both flip A-Q and with no flushy outdraws, they chop that one up.  The crowd cheer anyway.

Davidi Kitai steps it up, taking on chip leader Fintan Gavin - first up he called a Gavin raise preflop, checked a Ac Qs 8h flop but then bet out 180k on the Kh turn which was enough to win him the pot.

The very next hand, the same two players saw a flop of 9s 4c 6s, and a quick bet of 200k from Gavin was just as speedily check-raised by Kitai to 800k.  Pass.  The Irishman's chip lead has been eroded somewhat...

even if he's not the chip leader, David Kitai seems to have a psychological advantage just after the break... Are you ok with that updaters ??

The blinds have got extremely high now - 50k 100k( apologies for our clock, it is malfunctioning as it has never had to reach this level) and there is a ridiculous amount in the pot preflop every time.

A lot of the postflop play has gone out of the game as it only takes a minor move to commit you to the pot now, so the battle for the title will be about who can best adjust to these shortstacked conditions (and of course get lucky!)

Gavin and Ruthenberg see a flop of 7d 8c 8s...

Gavin leads for 240k...

Sebastian...CALLS.

The turn is the 3c

CHECK from Gavin, CHECK from Sebastian...

RIVER 2s

Gavin check, Ruthenberg bets 220k and Gavin check-raises to 600k...

Sebastian looks confused BUT he calls as he has a 7 for two pair and Gavin taps the table to signify a good call and mucks.

A great pot for Sebastian makes him chip leader now. Amazing, he was shortstacked a moment ago but with the big blinds, it can turn quickly around and that is what has happened...

Still aggressive having lost over half his stack, Fintan Gavin raises the button straight away, but folds when Sebastian Ruthenberg, now the CL with 3 million, puts him all in.

---

Fintan Gavin limps on the small blind; check from bb Ruthenberg.
Flop: Jc 3c 6c  Fintan bets out 200k, and takes a few back...

---

Sebastian Ruthenberg moves in on the button, and Kitai takes him on, calling in the small blind.

4c 4h for Sebastian vs. Ad Qd

Flop: 6h 7h Js
Turn: Kc
River: 2d

And with that lack of hit, Davidi Kitai is eliminated in 3rd place, winning €455,000

There was a bit of concern earlier about the possibility of the briefcase of cash awaiting our lucky winner being stolen...

Here at blonde, we believe in justice and fairness at all times, so myself and Jen were only too happy to volunteer to protect the money.

Let's see them get past security NOW!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21429&g2_serialNumber=1)

Flushy getting revenge?

So with that elimination of summer bracelet winner Davidi Kitai, we are left heads up with Sebastian Ruthenberg, who also has a bracelet from the summer, battling Irish jack-in-the-box Fintan Gavin.

He has a big chip lead at the moment:

Sebastian Ruthenberg : 5,050,000
Fintan Gavin               : 1,180,000

It will be hard for the Irishman to come back from here, and with just over 10 big blinds, heads up I think we can expect him to be moving and shaking pretty soon...

Here he is, fresh from the table, interviewed for Pokernews and finally smiling as the French press swarm around him immediately afterwards...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21430&g2_serialNumber=1)

Incidentally on that last big coinflip, Fintan Gavin passed A-Q from the big blind.

With two players all-in before him and only holding a shortstack, that would be an understandable move in normal circumstances, but allegedly the players have cut a deal, which makes the fold a bit stranger.

In the end, it worked out well as he would have been knocked out too when he missed and now he has a shot at toppling Ruthenberg heads up...

is it over, just heard Sebastian won it?

And indeed, it doesn't take long for Gavin to make his move.

He shoves from the small blind, but Ruthenberg looks down...and CALLS!

Cards on their back, this could be it!

Ruthenberg shows Kc 9c, figuring King high would be good against Gavin's range, but he may have felt a shiver go down his spine when Gavin flipped the mighty 7c 4h!!!

The flop falls 2h Ac 7h!

Amazing! Gavin races into the lead with a pair, but it's too early to celebrate yet and the two players watch the flop intently...

The turn is the Kh!

It see-saws round and now Sebastian is in the driving seat, although the heart means than the Irishman has a flush draw to get out of jail with.

Needing a heart, seven or four on the river to stay alive, Fintan Gavin watches the dealer deal...the 9d!

It's ALL OVER!!

Sebastian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) Ruthenberg (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) takes the pot down with two pair, meaning...

Fintan Gavin is the runner up of EPT Barcelona, officically collecting €792,000 but

Sebastian (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) Ruthenberg (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=739) is the WINNER of EPT Barcelona, taking home a whopping €1,361,000.

Congratulations to Sebastian, who follows up his bracelet at the series with an EPT title, catapulting into the upper echelon of poker players at such a young age.

;letsparty; ;letsparty; ;charmaine; ;charmaine;   :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:;letsparty; ;letsparty; ;letsparty;

Runner up Fintan Gavin, fresh from telling a gullible Mad Harper that he went out "With Aces.  I had Aces, he had K-9.  Hit two pair.  Cracked, they were."  She bought it for at least five minutes.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21432&g2_serialNumber=1)

And the winner - Sebastian Ruthenberg, presented with the coveted EPT trophy and a suitcase literally crammed with cash.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21434&g2_serialNumber=1)

well done Fintan, great show buddy.... hopefully see you in London now next week and finally get that 200euro you've owed me for four years.... MARVELLOUS

thanks for the coverage updaters.  ;applause;

Congrats to the winner and see ya the next EPT

Well played Fintan. Great result.

 ;hattip;  Thanks for a great few days of updates.

                     Neves.

Sebastian Rutherberg is a great guy to be the first winner of this year's EPT. He almost won Dortmund a couple of years back and went deep in Warsaw last year. Although I guess he's pretty fierce on the table, he's quite shy and nervous off it, as well as suffering from a stutter. Either him, Kitai or Mercier are the champions that I suspect Stars would've have wanted.

How was Jason out?

My computer decided it was done for the night when they were down to 3.  Gutted.  Well done Fintan!!!   ;applause; ;hattip;

What a great picture of him haha