blonde poker forum

Welcome back to the day where we do it all again! Yes, it's groundhog day as another 250+ players go at it in search of that £1 million guaranteed first prize. We'll (attempt) to start once more at 1.30pm, see you there.

Last night's chip counts.

Mohammed   Jaber   101500
Max   Pescatori   99300
Liya   Gerasimova   97400
Sorel   Mizzi   94300
Carter   Gill   81600
Walid   Rizkallah   73500
Gus   Hansen   72800
Michael   Martin   72200
Jeffrey   Hakim   62600
Ian   Frazer   60700
Erik   Friberg   58400
Joseph   Elpayaa   57100
Priyan   Demel   54500
Ali   Sarkeshik   54300
Soren   Blanner   53500
Ramin   Henke   52900
Eric   Liu   52300
Arnaud   Mattern   51800
Theodoros   Aidonopoulos   51400
Scott   Montgomery   51300
Darrin   Flint   50300
Raphael   Kampshoff   46800
Victoria   Coren   46700
Guillaume   De La Gorce   45500
David   Benyamine   44800
Beth   Shak   44400
Mohammed   Zahour   44100
Phidias   Georgiou   42700
Georges   Moussa   42700
Ran   Azor   41400
Vanessa   Rousso   40300
Neil   Suarez   40100
Gicquel   Youn   39200
Pascal   Perrault   38900
Marcello   Marigliano   37500
Steffen   Rasmussen   36900
Michael   Watson   34200
Daniel   Albright   33700
Peter   Smurfit   32900
Robert   Firestone   32700
Mark   Deacon   30600
Franklin   Diaz   26200
James   Reid   25800
Andrew   Rees   25700
Pier   Ruscalla   25000
Denes   Kalo   24500
Andre   Johnstone   24000
Paul   Dack   23900
Oscar   Schweinbarth   23500
Tim   Witte   23100
Anthony   Cascarino   22900
Sondre   Horgmo   22700
Kathy   Liebert   22700
Robert   Willis   22700
Christian   Grundtvig   22400
Frode   Gjesdal   22300
Jerzy   Hajdamowicz   21900
Isaac   Haxton   21400
Alexander   Kravchenko   21300
Joseph   Mouawad   21100
Allan   Baekke   20900
Davor   Lanini   20600
Fuad   Serhan   20600
Charles   Berreby   20400
Bruno   Martin   20400
Justin   Truesdell   19900
Alexia   Portal   18400
Florant   Aubert   17800
Brian   Green   16800
Alexander   Jung   16800
Yevgeniy   Timoshenko   15200
Pawel   Chmiel   14900
Nicholas   Levi   14600
Jeff   Kimber   14500
Edward   Holden   14300
Rumit   Somaiya   12400
Victor   Ramdin   7900

Happy Birthday Roberto Romanello

Gd luck to Roberto and his brother Nikki

 Jc Jd Jh Th Ts

gogogo Pabloooooo

+1

Pablo ? ;whistle;

Paul Foltyn.

ok thank you.

you are welcome sir

Guys, Do you know if there are some Blondeites who play today ?

Pablooooo

I meant... is there other blondeites ?  :D

hey, anyone knows if Stuart Rutter is playing today, or if he played yesterday, or not playing at all?

To borrow from Inspector Gadget, "Wowzers!"

It's absolutely teaming here, the list of alternatives is longer than a Tikay train-story and includes lots of those who busted the WSOPE last night including Johnny Lodden, Soren Kongsgaard and Chris Moorman. Perhaps there's never going to be more of the American pros on the EPT circuit than at this event today and certainly it's proved a scheduling success.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21571&g2_serialNumber=1)

Julian Thew is part of a tough looking table which includes Micky Wernick, EPT Barcelona winner Sebastian Ruthenberg and Roberto Romanello. Thewy and the Welshman were already involved in a chunky 4k pot with Julian betting 2,000 on an Ahrt Js 4h flop. Romanello mucked and Thewy showed him the old bullets...  ;snoopy'sguns;

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21585&g2_serialNumber=1)

Boris Becker has made the trip here, I love the guy on the left's reaction to the mixture of ginger beard and blonde hair.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21573&g2_serialNumber=1)

Danny Ryan and Praz Bansi are part of what looks an interesting table, Ryan admitting about not being too bothered about missing the WSOPE.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21577&g2_serialNumber=1)

Of course, then it gets interesting when the empty 1 seat turns up...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21579&g2_serialNumber=1)

The Chris Bruce/Mike McDonald Table practice their model poses.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21581&g2_serialNumber=1)

Paul Foltyn, looking up blonde on his iPhone and wondering who the hell is Pablo...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21583&g2_serialNumber=1)

good luck to all blondes in this today

Hi guys!

An early perusal of the tables reveals some incredibly tough line ups out there.

There was no shortage of talent on show yesterday but even that has been eclipsed by the abundance of ability showcased in today's field. It should prove a very interesting day!

Off to a good start is Micky Wernick, who is at table Thew/ Ruthenberg.

He was seen betting a Queen high board and picking up a call, before the river paired one of the low cards and he faced a 1,600 bet, which he called...

His opponent showed A-Q for TPTK, but Micky had the boots, the bullets, American Airlines, pocket rockets, Aces, call 'em what you will, they were good and he boosts up to 14,000 at this point.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21595&g2_serialNumber=1)

You want more stars?

No problem...

Here we have Norwegian legend Thor Hansen. His list of accomplishments make for impressive reading.

$2.5 million in career winnings, 6th overall in the Scandinavian all-time money winner list, 1st in the Norwegian list, two WSOP bracelets and a lifetime of poker experience make Thor one of the best in the business.


(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21587&g2_serialNumber=1)

So who do you people think will win this ept !!!!!! me i cant even decide if the winner will be over or under 35 years of age

From an old star to a new one.

Some say poker is a young man's game. Well German player Sebastian Ruthenberg is one of the crop of young players to be taking the game by storm.

I spoke to Sebastian shortly after he won a bracelet in the summer, beating Chris Ferguson heads up to claim the title. Back then he was overwhelmed, his english stuttering, his eyes blinking under the glare of the watching poker media's lights, he epitomised the deer caught in the headlights.

Fast forward a few months and Sebastian found himself a winner once again, taking down the Barcelona EPT at a tough final table and suddenly his whole demeanor appeared changed. He was confident, his English was fluent and he looked every part the star oozing confidence as he laughed and joked with the media.

With two such impressive notches carved into his poker CV already, the sky is the limit for the German and he will prove a tough nut to crack for anyone who has to face off against him over the next five days.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21593&g2_serialNumber=1)

As I mentioned there are some brutal tables out there. There's little deadwood in this event as the creme de la creme of the poker world have turned out in force to participate.

The EPT really has grown in stature and although the strong field can be partly attributed to this EPTs proximity to the WSOPE, both geographically and time-wise, the star-studded turnout both here and at EPT Barcelona is surely part of a trend illustrating that the EPT is rapidly becoming the foremost poker tour in the world.

One table that neatly demonstrates the strength of the field is table Barry (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=478) Greenstein (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=478). Joining the bearded high stakes star are blondite Keith "The Camel" Hawkins, who threatened to join the November Nine with a deep run in this year's WSOP Main Event, Devilfish, a man who is often paradoxically introduced by comperes as "The Man Who Needs No Introduction" (surely they should just say nothing then?) and Johannes (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1492) Strassmann (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1492), multiple EPT final tablist and Jason Bourne look-a-like, who is tipped by many to win one sooner or later.

Such a tough line-up, not a lot of value there!

It hasn't stopped Barry (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=478) Greenstein (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=478) being thrilled at the prospect of today's play!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21599&g2_serialNumber=1)

For the dubious amongst you, trust me this is Barry's "I'm having almost as much fun as it is possible to have without actually lying in a bathtub of strawberry Haagen-Daaz with Eva Longoria" face.

Next up here's that man everyone loves to hate. Somehow I luckboxed into finding the perfect angle to catch his be-jewelled knuckles glinting perfectly in the light.

Here is Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott, ex-safe cracker, poker phenomenon and musical maestro. Say no more.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21605&g2_serialNumber=1)

And Keith (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=229) Hawkins (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=229), who almost crowned a successful poker career with a WSOP Main Event final spot. A tough competitor with a heart of gold, will of steel and balls of brass, here's The Camel...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21601&g2_serialNumber=1)

Fossilman Buried

Greg Raymer is OUT! The former WSOP main event winner was very unlucky too...Holding Q-9 he saw a flop of 8-T-J. They don't come much better than that!

He got his stack in against his opponent who held T-J and was in great shape for an early double through till a Jack hit the river to fill his opponent up and send the Fossilman spiralling out of this EPT.

Raymer looked upset, almost to the point of tears but ever the graceful ambassador of poker, he left with his dignity intact while his lucky opponent swept up his stack.

Here he is moments before that fateful hand...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21603&g2_serialNumber=1)

Antonio Estfandiari and David (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=828) Williams (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=828) are playing a game. It's called, "What Erik Thinks."

Basically, the pair come up with questions like how old was the oldest person ever? And then they guess the answer and it's not the person who is correct, no no, it's whoever is closest to what Erik (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=545) Seidel (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=545) says is the answer.

There was a variation of this earlier last week when Antonio and Phil (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=710) Laak (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=710) played this as "What Johnny (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=606) Lodden (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=606) thinks." They asked him how long it took Marco (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=855) Traniello (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=855) to do his hair in the morning, Traniello answered but Laak and Estfandiari said, "No, it doesn't matter how long it takes, it only matters how long Johnny thinks it's going to take."

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21621&g2_serialNumber=1)

Is Devilfish sitting infront or behind of the fan?

A bad start for Chris Bruce, who is sharing the felt with 19 year old Canadian superstar Timex and the shark wielding Costa Rican Humberto Brenes.

He lost about 30% of his stack, betting and calling bets over flop, turn and river with pocket Jacks as an overpair, only to find his opponent with Q-Q.

A nasty situation, but Chris was canny enough to avoid terminal damage and with plenty of play left in the stacks and blinds, he will find opportunities to get those chips back with interest at some point.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21617&g2_serialNumber=1)

Devilfish calls a bet on a 4h Ahrt Qs 4d board for around 1,725 before shoving all-in on the 8h river. His opponent sighs and folds, though there's a slight suspicion they were chopping when Devilfish shows Aspades 6h.

Meanwhile on the table of Death, Noah Boeken check calls a Praz Bansi bet on a 9s 7s 4s flop before both players check the 4d turn. On the 8c river, Boeken checks a third time to the Hitsquadder who sizes out a 1,800 bet. Boeken, in his colourful hoodie as ever, makes the call and Praz flips Js Jd. Boeken taps the table and mucks.

Players are now on a 15 minute break.

Can we have a face on picture of the Devilfish please. I've got a bet on at work that he's had some fillers and botox done and I need a recent photo face on please. Ty.

Do/Will you have a complete list of the players involved todey ?

Parker table info please!

Has anyone told Devilfish theres an animal on his head?

chip count for Pabloooo pleeze

Whatever about the 'face on' view...he's looking a bit rough in that profile shot.

any news on the romanello boys please, and someone tell devilfish just to accept hair loss at his age is ok the sweep over makes him look a total knob..oh yeah he is

Sick hand just played out between the most recent EPT winner Sebastian Ruthenberg and  EPT Baden winner Julian Thew.

Following a small raise from Roberto Romanello, Ruthenberg re-popped the Welshman by 1,000 before Julian raised to 3,100.

After a little kerfuffle(Roberto never goes quietly!), Romanello ducked out of the hand and back to Ruthenberg, he took a few moments to assess his options before pushing his stack in...

Given Julian's reputation, this was perhaps an understandable move with the A-K that Ruthenberg held, although his timing was horrendous as Julian had come fully prepared for battle with pocket Aces!!

Little chance of an outdraw, and although a King on the turn offered a sliver of hope to the EPT Barcelona winner, when the river blanked, Julian had accounted for a massive dangerman and moves into what may be the chip lead at this early stage with 25,000+.

Go Julian!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21591&g2_serialNumber=1)

I'm not always at it!

"Chris, I just trebled up," said a smiling with glee Willie Tann.

He saw a Ahrt 8h 3h holding Jh 9h and got it all-in against Ac Kh and 8d 8s avoiding all the potential mishaps that existed to put up as one of the big stacks around at the moment.

Moorman has managed to get in as a last minute alternative, his table looks fun.

Phil Ivey
Noah Boeken
Stephen Kjaerstad
Danny Ryan
Praz Bansi

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21623&g2_serialNumber=1)

Meanwhile Pab isn't doing so well, he bet 600 on a 2s Aspades 5d flop and another 1,300 on the 3d turn but folded for his last 3k or so when his opponent set him in.

In the Red Corner, he's known as the 'Prince Of Poker', prone to calling everyone he knows 'Baby' and occasionally, on $50k HORSE final tables, gets drunk and berates people while trying to incite other players to collude. He's a former winner of the WSOP ME, a man with bling that only Mr T can rival, it's Scottttttttttyyyyyyyy Nguyeeeeeeeeeeen!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21625&g2_serialNumber=1)

"Hey babyee!"

And in the blue corner, he's the wizard of West London, a man who plays poker so puzzlingly that not even he knows what he's doing, what he's holding, what the time is, or where he he lives. He'll confuse the hell out of you, have a 100,000 chips within 10 seconds and then lose it all trying to chase a backdoor gutshot. He's the man who needs no introduction apart from this one, it's Albert 'The Honeyman' Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaapiaaaaaaaaaaaaanooooooooooo!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21627&g2_serialNumber=1)

Let the two titans commence the fighting!

It is doubtful to be honest, if so we'll put it up! Meanwhile, we'll do our best to bring you notable entries and players doing well.

Feel free to request any counts as always for your favourites. One or two Frenchies are coming soon for you Jpean so hold tight!

update on ROBERTO pls, during last break he had about 8.5k

;kev;

First we have Stu Rutter, fresh from cashing in the Barcelona EPT which he was pretty happy about having battled with a shortstack for some time.

His fortunes haven't been so good here though. He lost a chunk of his stack with Aces, passing on a dangerous looking J-9-8-7 board, feeling it was too dangerous to take his one pair any further on.

So not the best of starts, but he still has 6,750 chips with which to mount a comeback.

He was kind enough to pose for a photo, although given his ropey start, the smile seemed understandably perhaps a tad forced. Good luck Stu!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21629&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

Next up we have Neil Channing, who made 2 cashes at the recent WSOPE, including a 4th place in the £1,500 NLHE event. He added these 2 to the 7, yes SEVEN, cashes he made at the WSOP in Vegas.

9 cashes is something special and the man who bears a passing resemblance to the joker, but has proved his excellence time and again in poker, is currently on around his starting stack at the moment.

Here he is enjoying a glass of wine whilst entertaining a tablemate with his usual incessant stream of banter...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21631&g2_serialNumber=1)

Is that Hurley from Lost that Neil (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=302) Channing (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=302) is talking too?  ;)

Here is the man, snappier than a crocodile walking through a field of mousetraps, Paul (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=334) Parker (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=334).

Paul always wears something eye catching, today picking out a subdued-by-his-standards black silk suit with grey shirt combination. It's the little details that elevate Paul into sartorial elegance though and the merest protrusion of a blue handkerchief from his breast pocket just adds a soupçon of chic that transforms the ensemble.

Paul has had a good start to the day, up to 14,000, despite being at a tough table with both Hervad Khan and Steve Chidwick in attendance.

I had a little chat with Paul who found it amazing that with the credit crunch bringing the financial world to its knees 550+ players can still stump up over five big ones to play a little game of cards.

"Incredible!" was the much edited opinion of our verbose, well dressed hero.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21633&g2_serialNumber=1)

do you know if maz nawab got in plz.

I bigged him up big-stylie. But Albert Sapiano is out! He'd disappeared from the table and I heard a tannoy announcement for him at the cash tables.

Joining Albert on the rail is the EPT Dortmund winner of last year, Mike McDonald who'll be back off to the farm after his Qh Qs was no good against Ac Ad on a 7c 9d 9s 8c 8h board.

As promised, here are the Frenchies for you Jpean.

Conveniently seated next to each other, I give you Bertrand "Elky" Grospellier and Almira (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1924) Skripchenko (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1924).

Elky is the better known of the two, the ex-gamer having taken down the EPT in the Caribbean for one of the biggest payouts in poker history $2,000,000 exactly.

Today, he has not fared so well, though his day was brightened somewhat by a re-assuring hug from his attractive French neighbour, Winamax member Almira (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1924) Skripchenko (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1924).

Almira is of Russian descent originally, having emigrated in the 90s, before reaching her adopted home of France. Ranked in the top 10 female chess players in the world, she is a formidable opponent at the felt, and has already worked her stack up to 15,000.

Look at her effect on Elky though.

Feeling down and blue, he looks glumly down and Almira sees an opportunity to comfort a tourtured soul with a re-assuring hug.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21637&g2_serialNumber=1)

And, as if by magic, suddenly the spring is back in Elky's step, the day seems bright, birds are probably singing in the air (though it's impossible to tell in the Vic's windowless confines) and all is rosy once more.

I can do it! I CAN!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21639&g2_serialNumber=1)

Could you try to take Almira's phone number for me ? ;angel;

Are the member of the Team Winamax as numerous as at Barcelona ?

You should be careful about getting involved with chess players in my opinion Jpean.

All they want to do is watch pawn all day.

no way duuuuuuuuuude, i think its the lead singer of the magic numbers

Harvad Khan and Steve Chidwick at table Parker, not looking as dapper but dangerous nonetheless.

Steve up to 17k or so at this point.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21641&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

Quick note that the chip leader appears to be close between Willie Tann who has 45k or so and Julian Thew who also has a similar amount!

Wowzer!

sigh

Provided he's still in when I am next close to table Channing I'll get a face on shot to settle it once and for all.

For what it's worth, I reckon he has a bit of the look of blonde's own Bainn to him.

I didn't know anything about her, and I made a quick research on google and I'vefound that her complete name was Almira (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1924) Skripchenko (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1924)-Lautier, she added her husband(:'()'s name to her own name

I've also find that she was not from Russia. She won the Russian championship of chess but she's from Moldavia.

 (if all that can be usefull for Blondepedia)

With Julian thew being on 45k, does this mean he has some of robertos chips? updates on roberto pls

Julian just doubled Roberto up to about 20k, I think Julian had Q-T on a K-Q-T board against Roberto's K-J who turned a J. Or it might have been a K-J-T board, either way Roberto won the hand just before the break. Thewy on 35k, Roberto on 20k.

As we feared, Pab is busto, haven't seen him around for a bit, but perhaps he'll post when he gets a moment.

thankyou, great updates

Barry Greenstein looks, of the Americans, to be the one doing the best so far today. He just eliminated an opponent, holding Jd Td on a 6s Aspades Kd Qc board which was when the chips went in against his opponents Kh Qh which couldn't fill up on the 7d river. Greenstein has circa 30k in chips now which is pretty strong at this stage.

Thanks for that. Snoopy's worried you're after his job though.

Be careful not to upset the beagle. Behold how he takes his anger out on a recalcitrant notepad!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21643&g2_serialNumber=1)

(http://img47.xooimage.com/files/f/0/c/funny-kid-tells-joke-to-dog-6b3395.jpg)

i run so bad yet bok so good.  sorry Pab.

Apparently at the time of her move from Moldova, it was part of the Russian Federation. It declared its independence from the USSR in 1991.

Obviously this is all off the top of my head.

;whistle;

Same hairdresser as Boris Becker too...

Joining the list of the recently departed are the poor souls of Andy Black, David "Chino" Rheem and Daniel Alaei.

Hanging in just is Phil Ivey who recently doubled his shortstack through to 4k or so with Aces...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21609&g2_serialNumber=1)

Just while the players are on a short hiatus, here are some more shots of the action.

Noah Boeken and Praz Bansi.

Praz has been up and down today, his stack fluctuating wildly but he appears to have settled on around the 18k mark now, which is a pretty good return for the first four levels...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21607&g2_serialNumber=1)

Roland De Wolfe has surprisingly not been his usual variance-junky self and appears to have just over 11,000 at this point...

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21613&g2_serialNumber=1)

Speaking of which Boris has just busted. I know this because his little German entourage of minders have now left the playing area. Earlier I'd tried walk past them all and squeeze through a tiny space and said jokingly, "Gah, it's like a little German outpost here."

One of them turned to me with a serious look on his face and said, "It is just the first step."

Double Hitsquadder Assassination News Now:

First, Stephen Kjaestad on the button with Aces, Praz Bansi in the big blind with Kings. 12k stack dusted off in seconds.

Second Karl Mahrenholz raises the button with Jacks, big blind has Kings. Bye bye Karl.

In case you ever needed a reminder how brutal poker can be.

so fkn sick, Praz is going to take down the 20k high rollers later this week.

any news on Chaz or Jim?

Moorman is short having doubled the easy on the eye German Full Tilt Pro Sandra L (I can't spell her last name).

Moorman raises to 800, she makes it 1,600. Moorman calls. (Otherwise this hand would be really pointless)

Ts 7s 6d

Moorman check/calls 1,300

4d

She moves in for 1,575 and Moorman calls with 9d 7d. Sandra turns over Ad Ac and fades the river. Moorman I think didn't know how much she had left during the hand.

Chaz had 6.5k last time I saw him at the start of the level, I've not seen Jim Kerrigan today tbh.

wtf, when did sklansky start updating?

Stu Rutter is really short after having set over set with fives vs eights on a K-8-5 board. "When will it end?" he asked.

Meanwhile he did tell me about the biggest cooler ever.

(http://www.oasismontana.com/newsltr/2007-11/Images/5-Bliz4.jpg)

Yes, that big.

Apparently it's an unraised pot which gets to the river reading A-K-8-8-5 between three players, when all the chips go in.

Player 1: A-A
Player 2: K-K
Player 3: 8-8!!!

And that's not all, the identity of Mr QUUUAAAAAAAAAADS?

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21653&g2_serialNumber=1)

Teddy Sheringham!

Can I please have a pic of Isabelle Mercier,
Good Job as usual,
Thanks

Ok we have Ramzi Jellassi, the young Swedish pro on 9k or so...

Ramzi was last heard urging a player to show a bluff when he made an uncalled bet. His request fell on deaf ears so he turned to one of the rail behind, saying "Tell me what he had! I'll give you €500!"

Despite the hefty reward, it appeared no one either had the information or was willing to divulge it.

Nice to see he's having fun anyway!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21657&g2_serialNumber=1)

Following on that Sheringham cooler hand, here is the ex-premiership footballer looking happy with his lot, although possibly a few chips lighter with 40k or so at this point, still likely to be up with the chip leaders....

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21659&g2_serialNumber=1)

Well done to teddy sherringham !!!! the aces and kings wont slow play again

Next up we have a focused Stephen (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1501) Chidwick (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1501), on 16,000 or so.

Stephen had a deep run int the Barcelona EPT, falling just short of the final table and glory. He is perhaps best known as stevie4444, the online version of himself acheiving fame for some impressive results, including winning 101 WSOP packages (yes you heard right, the same number as Dalmatians in the famous film) during the summer - over a million dollars worth of prizes!

Very sick and he's clearly a talented player worth watching.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21661&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

It's been slow steady progress for the genial American Danny (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1624) Ryan (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=1624), aka The_D_RY, so far. He has around 15,000 at the moment.

Danny has threatened to take several EPT titles, without ever being able to apply the finishing touches but with his patient, but aggressive game, this perhaps could be the one...

He's sat next to Paul Parker, who despite having been moved round some very tough tables has been on the up all day, now sitting with 20,000 or so!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21663&g2_serialNumber=1)

Com, gooo Teddy!!!!

Update on Mr Paul Parker.

Paul sent me a text saying Ivey just got a gift and is now on av stack

Moorman raises preflop and Phil Ivey calls from the big blind.

2d Ahrt 3c

Ivey checks, Moorman bets 1,300. Ivey makes it 3,000. Moorman calls.

9s

Ivey checks, Moorman bets 3,300. Ivey passes right at the moment I take the photo.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21667&g2_serialNumber=1)

Moorman tells me had Qc 7c, "The board is so dry, what can he have on the flop?"

At that point, this table of doom broke and the players went their seperate ways, Ivey to Channing's table, Moorman to Thewy's table.

Moorman then managed to double through Ivey, A-Q > A-K before making the above bluff.

Devilfish though, has been knocked out. A-K into Jacks. Jim Kerrigan has also gone, Tens into Kings while last Hitsquadder standing, Chaz has just 3.5k.

Read above flushy. Paul's on 20k ish, or was 10 minutes ago.

Then we have none other than Mr Ivey.

Phil had turned his microstack into 8k or so, before he knocked out German Sandra L who called her stack off on the turn of a A-9-4-3 with T-9, only for Ivey to show down A-J and watch the river blank to ship him the pot and knock Sandra out.

Here he is sweeping up that pot dispassionately.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21665&g2_serialNumber=1)

Then this hand happened...with Ivey raising to 700 from early position, it was folded round to the player in the small blind who shipped it in for 6,750.

Ivey's chips made scorch marks on the felt with A-K, and he was crushing his opponent who had unwisely shoved with A-Q.

The flop fell A-6-T, the turn a 7 and Ivey looked all set to finally wield a decent stack before a spiked Queen on the river fell to deliver a cruel beat.

Knocked back to 4k by that hand, it's back to pushbot shoving till he gets a stack for Ivey I guess!

Hope after this bluff, Chris said "In Your Eye-vy!"

How comes u have reportd differently, one saying moormans AQ beating iveys AK, and another saying someones AQ beating AK??

Please tell Chris Bruce, I hope I dont see him on Saturday,  & please wish him luck

Neil Channing looks a tad fed up at the moment. He only has 7k or so, and was heard gently complaining about the structure...

"People say these are deep-stacked events but they're not really. 10,000 is nothing in chips these days, people raise so much preflop, it's a preflop game. I far prefer being able to play poker down the streets, taking players apart piece by piece as you can in cash games."

I gave Neil what I hoped were some words of encouragement, reminding him how he was in a similar disconsolate state at one stage of the WSOPE £1,500 event, where he eventually finished in 4th spot for a nice £44k score.

"Yeah, i know but at least with that event, it knows what it is...it's a smaller buy-in event with less chips whereas this is masquerading as a deepstacked event when in reality, it's not at all! Sorry about the whinging, I shouldn't complain really!"

I got the feeling Neil was just a tad frustrated, but the Irish Open winner is well capable of posing a threat to the title if he manages to double his chips and play his A game...

Yes it was Chris. I was just told a nebulous someone had doubled through Ivey.

Definitely Chris though!

Jonas Molander has eliminated Tony Bloom just on the stroke of the dinner break with Kings against Queens.

***********************45 minute dinner break************************

As an old timer,and not playing as much as i used to,i dont know moorman,but ive got to say his move with the queen 7 was gutsy,i also noted he mad some simular moves down the empire,so i can only admire him ------- well done buddy

hi can you tell me how Roberto romanello brother Nicky doing and any chance of a pic

Hes quite handy!
http://www.moorman1.com/ (http://www.moorman1.com/)

yeh, never got going flopped a set early put lost to winamx guys gut shot, made a few mistakes and made some 2nd best hands, dissapointing really but nevermend

gl once again to moorman

Stu Rutter looks like he was another gonna just before the dinner break. Play has now restarted.

Can we have a parker table update plz

Enjoying the updates

Good job guys Ahrt Ad Ac Aspades

Davidi Kitai is running almost empty after unsuccessfully racing Ac Kh against the 9s 9h of the big blind, while at the same table Ludovic Lacay is up to around 70k.

In case anyone wondered where the EPT is being held, it's in Steve Zolotow's left kidney.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21671&g2_serialNumber=1)

For Surprise. :)

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21669&g2_serialNumber=1)

"I tell you, he is so lucky," said Moorman pointing at Julian Thew, "he has aces when I have err...two picture cards."

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21673&g2_serialNumber=1)

This table is looking Brit-dominated with Moorman, Stephen Chidwick, Thewy and Micky Wernick all fairly chipped up. Meanwhile Roberto Romanello is out, though we believe his brother is still in.

Over in the far area, Andrew Teng is doing Daniel's Nutt in. Teng bets the river of a J-J-8-A-3 board and Nutt says, "You win every pot against me."

This doesn't stop him calling and flipping over queens while Teng has done it again with Ahrt 7h.

"I can't beat you!" shouts Nutt in frustration.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21655&g2_serialNumber=2)

Thanks for the pic.

Willie Tann is sitting pretty at the moment, but isn't 100% happy with the way the day went.

"I had lots then lost some, down to 25,000 but I've got it back to 35,000 now..."

I spoke to Willie about his energy reserves and how he was holding up considering he had played the full WSOPE schedule and now straight onto the EPT.

"What keeps you going Willie?"

"I have to win one of them, or it's not worth me playing!" he said with a smile and a twinkle in his eye that suggested he might settle for 2nd or 3rd at a push.

Table Thewy is very interesting with two of the online prodigys Steve Chidwick and Chris Moorman facing off against grizzled cometitor Micky Wernick, live phenomenon Julian Thew and a player I believe is Team Pokerstars pro Marcin Horecki.

Two interesting hands played out as I watched the table.

The first saw Steve Chidwick betting 1,750 on the turn of a 6-3-6-7 board heads up versus Horecki. After some thought Marcin made the call.

The river came a 5 and Steve now led out for 3.5k. Steve is one of those players who the diametric opposite of livewires like Mike Matusow at the table.

Whereas Mike tends to keep up a constant dialogue, telling stories and jokes, giving rubdowns and remaining animated, Steve makes his moves with robotic precision before going into his shell and becoming statuesque until his opponent has acted.

On this occasion Marcin made the call and Steve instantly spun his hand into the muck without even waiting to see what the player had.

A few moments later though Marcin showed him anyway, flipping up just K-9 for King high!

Marcin laughed to himself as he raked in the pot..."Could you beat K-9?" he asked slightly mockingly and Steve issued a terse but decisive "NO" in response...

After this hand, Steve had circa 24,000.

---

Next up we had Thew vs Moomin.

Moomin had raised it up to 1,200 preflop and Julian made the call on the button...

The flop fell Kd 2c 4h and Moomin led for 2,200, only for Julian to raise it up to 4,400. Only a minimum raise to call Moomin did so before checking the 7h turn.

Julian now bet out a hefty 13,000 and after some thought Moomin laid down his hand, looking a little forlorn and perhaps cursing the fact Julian is sitting chipped up, confident and in position on him!

Chris was knocked down to 15,000 after this hand...Poor Moomin!

(http://www.moomin.co.jp/images/index_moomin.gif)



The

After that hand Julian had close to 70,000.

Also at that table is Micky Wernick, who is in less good shape with just 12k to his name.

they call me stacy, they call me jane....thats not my name.......

(http://cache.boston.com/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2008/03/18/1205855411_7282.jpg)

Ok I see where you're going.

12k to micky is like 50k to some players , that man can grind.

Phil Ivey is out, he lost half his stack with 99 vs TT and departed soon after.

Also out is Joe Hachem who made a loose reraise from middle position for half his stack only to find a third raise being put in behind. Hachem was committed and his Ad Th never looked like catching his opponent's Ac Ks on the 2h 5c 6d 5d 7h board. He left the table pretty abruptly, seemingly in a bad mood.

On the plus side, he's stopped saying "One time," and started saying "One more time," instead now.

Chaz still grinding away?

Think he's gone mate, I can't see him anywhere.

Good updates as ever

Thanks

;hattip;  Ditto.

Parker is on 14k, next to a slightly more happy Chris Bruce with 22k.

Meanwhile Stephen Chidwick has doubled up John Dwyer, setting him in with Qs 2c and Dwyer calling with Ahrt 3d, both hit their big card and Dwyer doubled up. Scotty Nguyen has just been added to this table, increasing the 'fun factor' and the 'baby' factor.

90mins not bad people!!

Can i order my next PP update now :D

How is David Williams ? and what about Elky and his nice neighbour ?

Negreanu just finidhed 5th in WSOPE if anyone intersted

Here we have Joe (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=205) Grech (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=205), looking like he's in a spot of bother with just 12k to his name at the moment.

Normally "Maltese" Joe is always ready with a smile and a laugh but right now, he's fighting for his life out there and has no time for such niceties.

Come on Joe!

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21675&g2_serialNumber=1)

---

Micky Wernick meanwhile is down to the felt after some sort of disaster.

"How many chips you got?" asked new tablemate Scotty (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=874) Nguyen (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=874).

"Let me check..." said Micky, going through the motions of counting up the 15 chips or so in his stack.

"10...20....twenty eight thousand three hundred and ....oh no wait a minute that's two thousand three hundred!"

"It's all good baby...don't worry baby...it don't matter!" offered Scotty, giving Micky a supportive hug. Whether the UK legend drew any solace from the WSOP $50k HORSE winner's words is debatable, but he is soldiering on regardless.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21677&g2_serialNumber=1)

Treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen.

Lies, found him, on 12k. "Grinding" was his forlorn word.

Good news for Moomin fans.

Chris Moorman has worked his small stack into a much bigger one, up to close to 35k now. Good work Chris!

He looks happy about it as he shares a joke with someone off camera.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21679&g2_serialNumber=1)

Ok, so I told him I'd give him credit - it's actually Snoopy who is the source of Moorman's merriment.

Referring to the friendship Moorman struck up with Mike Matusow at the WSOPE, Snoopy asked him how his new friend was.

"Mike Matusow? Oh yeah, he called me the other day!"

No one's sure when the marriage is yet, but Floppy has had a bride's maid dress specially made just in case.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2394/2467284757_0de75a920b.jpg?v=0)


 

Sharing the felt with these reprobates is Irishman John Dwyer, who performed so impressively at the WSOPE, coming in 5th in the £1,500 NLHE event.

He's definitely in short stack territory with 15,000 but if he can work the magic that saw him come so close to WSOP gold, then he'll have a good shot at making it through the day with his hopes intact.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21681&g2_serialNumber=1)

Here is our chip leader, his stack has actually increased to 120k since this photo was taken. I've no idea who he is, but I'm designating him MB1 (Mateyboy 1).

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21683&g2_serialNumber=1)


Lina from Pokerstars, so bored she's taken to chewing on polystyrene cups. True professional.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21685&g2_serialNumber=1)

It's Lina from Pokerstars, I said so.

Sadly for Mickey Wernick fans, the Legend has bitten the dust.

Down to a mere sprinkling of chips, he threw them in the fire hoping for an explosion but sadly only a small fizzle was heard as his remaining chances were combusted.

A tough day for Micky who never really got off the ground, he left with dignity, but perhaps a face a little like this cat's.

(http://middledigit.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/cat.jpg)

Mickey Wernick is out. All in with Ac Kc against Ts Td, a 6s 7s 8s flop didn't look too good, and the nine on the turn sealed it. Super-aggressive Andrew Teng has replaced him on the table, immediately raising Moorman's blind to 2,100. Moorman reraising to 7,300 to take it down. This table really is the centre of attention, and has taken a lot of press interest from people who'd usually have a lot more such as Roland De Wolfe and Jean-Robert Bellande, who are still in this competition.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21689&g2_serialNumber=1)

Marcin Horecki, the team Pokerstars Pro from Poland has just doubled up through Stephen Chidwick, all-in with Kc Kd against 8c 8s on a 2c Jc 6c flop, the 7h and Tc turn and river not really changing everything.

(http://blondepoker.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=21687&g2_serialNumber=1)

Chipleader is Huseyin ''sonofmyr'' Yilmaz, Vic regular.

gogogogogo Chaz, was down to 1k in level 6.

Play has now finished for the day.

As the bell tolls for the end of the level nine and also the day, here are a last few chip counts.

Willie (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=450) Tann (http://www.blondepoker.com/blondepedia/blondepedia_view_player.php?player_id=450) has had an up and down day, that will end somewhat disappointingly for him.

Up to close to 40k at his height, he has finished up with circa 15,000, which will put him in the red zone when he comes back for Day 2.

---

Ramzi Jellassi was on 26k before this hand.

Seeing a turn of J-5-3-9, he check called a 3,000 bet.

The river fell a 4, and Ramzi again quickly checked, onyl for his opponent to bet a suspiciously value-bet looking further 3,000.

Ramzi sighed, looked as though he knew he was probably beat, but called anyway and was shown K-J for his trouble. He nodded his head as if he had known this all along before checking his cards and mucking.

The Swedish star down to 20k...

---

That's pretty much it from us for today guys!

It's been a great day's poker, with some superb play, some big names and huge moves.

We can't wait to pick the baton up tomorrow to see how Day 1's survivors fare against this bunch, but for now ;stickaforkinme;

See you tomorrow 1.30 pm sharp folks!

(http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w299/LightSamus/Forum%20Pictures/Forum%20Cats/ByeLoveYouCat.jpg)

thanks for the updates guys