October 2006 Archives

Editor's note: I did not make it to the European Poker Tour event in Dublin, a fact that was more than a little disappointing. I have several friends in Ireland and even more on the EPT circuit. Missing out on the fun was unfortunate. Late last night, as the sun was about to rise in Ireland, Lee Jones got in touch with me. He was sitting in the poker room in Dublin. The EPT event was long over, but Lee still had to host the final table of the PokerStars Sunday Million. While he waited, he caught sight of another game--this one live in more than one sense of the word--still going on in the poker room. Rather than try to sell the scene myself, I'll offer you Lee's first-hand description. Enjoy.

The Load-Out

by Lee Jones

Now the seats are all empty
Let the roadies take the stage
Pack it up and tear it down
Theyre the first to come and last to leave
Working for that minimum wage
--Jackson Browne



The EPT Dublin event is over. Roland De Wolfe has been crowned king--taking down (essentially) the 550K Euro first prize. The press has bunked off, to reconvene in Copenhagen. The EPT crew is crash-bang disassembling the TV set, and even John Duthie has gone to bed.

Hotel staffers are stacking up the chairs that, just 12 hours ago, were filled with the butts of poker players from all over the world. This is the "Load Out" scene that Jackson Browne sings about. But in one corner of the room, the quiet buzz of chips continues. And in the midst of that buzz sit two world-famous poker players: Greg Raymer and Chris Moneymaker.



The interviews are over, the overhead lights and video cameras are off. But sometimes, even for world champion poker players, it comes down to 7-8 guys sitting around a table playing pot-limit Omaha. Nobody is asking for autographs; our Team PokerStars guys are just two players at the PLO table competing with everybody else for the money.

His name may have been dizney1984, but he proved he wasn't Mickey Mouse-ing around. In a $1.4 million Sunday Million battle that lasted nearly eleven hours, Denmark's dizney1984 took home more than $180,000 for his first place finish. Final table results are below.

PokerStars Sunday Million Results
(Results based on three-way deal that left $40,000 for first place)

1. dizney1984 (Denmark) $183,116.00
2. beset7 (United States) $141,284.00
3. tomba26 (Germany) $139,859.00
4. KA@tntech (United States) $65,029.75
5. whaassuuppp (United States) $53,611.25
6. html (Norway) $43,167.50
7. Bruski9 (United Kingdom) $34,116.25
8. supernova9 (Canada) $25,065.00
9. AndersFriden (United States) $16,710.00

I'm happy, and it's not just the Guinness. I don't know Roland de Wolfe at all, but I kept bumping into him today, and when I did we'd share brief friendly chats. Every time I met him I'd will him to win a little more. Now he's just brought his winner's bottle of champagne into the Press Room, to give it to us guys, with a bashful comment, "Before I was a half decent poker player, I was a really bad journalist."

A couple of times I ran into Roland today he commented on his luck. And today he put seven of the eight final table players out. So, yes, he hit hands that held up at just the right times. And in one of these hands he was behind and still won... Yet it seems obvious that de Wolfe is a player who deserves to win an event of this kind. I think you have to be more than just a 'lucky player' to be the first ever player to win both EPT and WPT events.

Roland de Wolfe is a very good player, and a very good player who got lucky, maybe... You can give a bad player some luck, and they stand a chance of winning an event like this, but give a good player some luck and they will walk it. It felt like Roland walked away with first prize today. With never a scare, he took a prize of €554,300, with this seeming pure logic, like this is how poker is supposed to be. Well, isn't it a poker 'law' that the best players will always win in the end? Well Roland did. and I'm glad of that. And not least because he's modest about this, not least because he's a guy who thought of those who were working when he did it.

So how did Roland win, and who did he beat..?

We lost Patrick Bueno first, shortstacked at the start of play, forced to make a move before the blinds took him. It was a calculated gamble, re-raising the most agressive player at the table with an all-in bet. Unluckily for him William Thorsten had a little something to call with, plus plenty of chips to gamble with. Patrick held just K7. William, correctly judged that he was ahead with AJ. Before the game Patrick said, "I might not be aggressive enough". Well, the move that sealed his fate was agressive. It didn't pay off for the Frenchman, but I hope he won't re-evaluate his whole poker style based on it.

Next out was Nick Slade. Another player caught making a move at the wrong time. He re-raised Roland de Wolfe, and chose a time when Roland had a hand. AQ for Roland, Nick with just J-9. The best hand won, so Nick exited EPT Dublin, telling all who'd listen, "I thought he had nothing. I really thought he had nothing..."

Rob Yong next to go. He must have that bittersweet feeling of going out on a bad beat. He was all-in with AK, so there'll be no berating himself for bad play, but the poker gods sent Roland de Wolfe with an AJ to beat him. This chatty Brit plans to open a new poker club soon, perhaps he could organise some bad-beat-free poker venue? I expect it would be a hit...

George McKeever next out. A well known Irish player, his best result before today a 7th place finish in WSOP. Funny to think that such a result today would make him a millionaire... In 1999 it made him $125,775. In EPT Dublin he did a little better, made €112,710. Not much action from George on the final table, he started as one of the shortstacks, and never really did more than survive. His pre-flop all-in found Roland de Wolfe with 88. And Roland eliminated his 3rd player of the day.

Gavin Simms is most often found playing winning poker at a private members club game, attended by media types. TV people, and poker players who don't have much clue. Gavin proved he can also play against players who have lots of clues. He held his own in this tough game, before going out 4th in a 50/50 with Roland de Wolfe. Yes, Roland de Wolfe again...

William Thorson is a brat of a player. The kind of player that no one wants at their table. Just in case he's reading, I mean this as a complement... He plays a lot of hands, and the bad thing is he'd play yours when you really don't want him too... He's everyone's worst nightmare at the table, because he wants to win the chips in every hand, he's a poker bully who'll want to club your subtle tight-agressive play to a pulp. He's fearless, yes... But sometimes fearlessness can lead to arrogance, and lack of caution... I think William's a great player, a great player to watch also, that's for sure. He lost almost his whole stack on a bad beat, lets not forget that. Without that we have a heads up match between Roland and William - and that would be some poker battle...

David Tavernier was heads up with Roland instead. This French doctor the 'dark horse' of the final table. He always played confident poker, he made 'moves' at just the right times. Only in the ende he went out with Queen high, against Roland de Wolfe's trip fives. His comment, "Quite a few bluffs worked really well. Until the end..."

I expect Roland de Wolf made quite a few bluffs, they all worked. He told me, "Every time I've been behind I've come out on top. You need to get lucky in a tournament, the lucky ones will always win..." He said that, but I don't believe him. It's refreshing that he's so modest, yet I think he deserved a win in EPT Dublin. Maybe the Poker Gods smiled on him a little? Well I think he earned their favour too... And he earned the favour of the press as well - with a gift of a few bottles of champagne. I'm happy that this nice guy of poker won. This nice guy who's also one of the best players I've seen play. And that's not just a bottle of winners Champagne talking...

Final table payouts:
1st Rolande de Wolfe €554,300
2nd David Tavernier €314,120
3rd William Thorson €184,780
4th Gavin Simms €138,580
5th George McKeever €112,710
6th Rob Yong €88,690
7th Nick Slade €70,210
8th Patrick Bueno €51,740

Roland with the bottle of champagne he gave to the Press Room.

11.39pm -- We have a winner...

The pot is raised pre-flop. David and Roland check a 3 5 A flop. The turn's another 5. Roland bets 70,000. David considers, then he raises to 250,000. Roland calls. The river is a 9. Roland bets 250,000. David moves all-in. Roland quickly calls. David shows QJ, a complete bluff. Roland had 5 4 and trip fives.

The final board

Roland de Wolf wins EPT Dublin. He's presented with the trophy and a bottle of champagne. Surely that should be Guinness..? Final table report will follow soon.


Roland de Wolf with his trophy

11.12pm -- Chipcounts:

David Tavernier 1,340,000
Roland de Wolfe 2,550,000




10.53pm -- William has very few chips left after the hand against David, now he calls on the small blind. Roland makes it 350,000 to play. William calls all-in. He shows AT. Roland has 77. The cards dealt are J 2 9 Q. William is still losing, but has more outs now for a straight... The river is a 6. William Thorson out 3rd. He wins €184,780. It's heads up between Roland de Wolf and David Tavernier.


Roland de Wolf

10.40pm -- Frenchman David Tavernier has just doubled through against William Thorson, winning a monster pot of over 500,000. Chips went in on the flop of 8-10-Q, and a 7 on the turn saw David move all in, facing an instant call from William. The Swede had J-9 for the flopped straight, and David had Q-8 for two pair, needing a miracle to survive. It arrived in the shape another 8, giving him the full house. William is down to 160,000 or so.

10.45pm -- Latest chipcounts:

Roland de Wolfe 1,989,000
William Thorson 1,228,000
David Tavernier 680,000

Blinds are 30,000/60,000 with a running ante of 6,000

10.41pm -- Latest news from the Regency Hotel press room...


Mmmm, Guinness...

10.38pm -- Players back after a short break. In an unraised pot Roland and William see a flop of 10 5 6. William bets, Roland folds... I could report plenty of similar hands, but I'll spare you.

10.25pm -- Play is ultra-cautious, nothing happening here. The only news is that PokerStars has bought everyone in the press room free beer and crisps. And that's good news.


Ah, Guinness...

9.40pm -- Not much action to report, but here are chipcounts from the final 3:

Roland de Wolfe 2,400,000
William Thorson 800,000
David Tavernier 720,000

9.21pm -- Gavin raised pre-flop to 120,000. Roland re-raises another 280,000. Gavin looks kind of shocked, but called all-in. J7 for Gavin, 66 for Roland. A 6 is the first card dealt, a set for Roland, little hope for Gavin. We're down to 3 players now. Gavin 4th for €138,580.


Gavin Simms out in 4th place.

9.17pm -- Roland raises to 120,000. David goes all-in. Roland calls an we see cards. (About time too.) A7 for David, K6 for Roland. The board of 2 Q 5 4 T ensures a double up for the French doctor, he's now on over 700,000.


David Tavernier

9.14pm -- Latest chipcounts:

William Thorson 832,000
Gavin Simms 484,000
Roland De Wolfe 2,213,000
David Tavernier 368,000

8.48pm -- There really is very little to report here, no big showdowns, few chips changing hands. Whilst there's not much going on, should I tell you a half-interesting fact about EPT qualification? David Tavernier was one of 13 players to qualify for EPT Dublin through our 'Last Chance' satellites. PokerStars tournament team now and then run these extra qualifiers, once the last scheduled satellite has run. Don't count on it however - they only ever magic these up if there are plenty of seats left in an event. Anyway, my half-interest fact? Well, of the 13 PokerStars players who qualified in this way, with just a few days to prepare, 4 made the money in Dublin. Yes, 4! (Told you it was half-interesting!)

These players were:

David Tavernier - still playing
Finnur Hrafnsson - 10th 31,410
Marcel Baran - 11th 25,870
Simon Ehne - 18th 11,090

Ok, back to watching George, Roland, David and William fold...

8.15pm -- George McKeever raises all-in. Roland de Wolf asks for a count. It's 27,000 chips to him. He calls. George shows KQ. Roland 88. The board brings nothing for George, who goes out 5th. He chats to Willie Tann beside the table for a while, 2 senior citizens of the poker world, I'm sure they've seen a pair beat overcards countless times before... George wins €112,710.


George McKeever


Our final 5 return to play.

8.00pm -- Players are back now. I saw one of the final table players eating in the break, he looked eager to get back to play, Roland de Wolfed it down...

7.00pm -- Players are on an hour long dinner break now. Hopefully by the time we return the technical problems with Blogger.com will be resolved.

6.51pm -- We've lost another player here. England's Rob Yong all-in with AK, he's called by Roland de Wolf who holds AJ. A horrible river card, a jack, puts Rob out of EPT Dublin.


Our 6th place finisher Rob Yong. He takes home €88,690

6.46pm -- No significant hands for a while now. William just goes all-in, he has a big stack of chips. He mutters, "If I raise you re-raise me." He shows AQ.

6.15pm -- Lee Jones gives the crowd some chipcounts for their pleasure:
Rob Yong (England) 450,000
William Thorson (Sweden) 550,000
George McKeever (Ireland) 450,000
Gavin Simms (England) 450,000
Roland De Wolfe (England) 1,200,000
David Tavernier (France) 650,000


William Thorson

6.10pm -- William has stacked his chips carefully into a tall pyramid design. Roland jokes about throwing something at them and knocking them over. William re-stacks the chips...

6.06pm -- Another hand in which William and Roland tangle, Roland winning a pot from him yet again. I missed the details but the interesting bit was at the end of the hand when William looked peeved and called Roland a 'fish'.

5.48pm -- Another player doubles up. George goes all-in holding AK, Rob Yong calls with QQ. A King on the flop sees George smile at his double up, or 'double through' as Lee Jones announces it.

5.40pm -- Players are on a 10 minute break. When play resumes blinds will be 10,000/20,000 with a 2,000 ante.

Current chip counts...

Rob Yong 560,000
William Thorson 600,000
George McKeever 180,000
Gavin Simms 384,000
Roland De Wolfe 1,146,000
David Tavernier 880,000

5.25pm -- Gavin Simms has just doubled up through Roland de Wolfe. His A-Q held up against Roland's 10-J, a Q on the river confirming it. He is now on more than 300,000.

5.10pm -- A big pot between the busiest players at the table, Roland and William. Three players see a flop - A 2 6 rainbow. It checks to De Wolf who bets 70,000. William calls. The turn is a Queen. William checks. Roland bets again, 140,000 this time. William calls again. The river is a 10. William checks once again. Roland thinks for a while, then bets 350,000. William mucks and Roland takes the 670,000 pot.


Roland de Wolfe

4.49pm -- Nick Slade is out, busted by Roland de Wolfe. Roland raised it up with A-Q, and Nick moved all in over the top with only J-9, thinking Roland was bluffing. A quick call from Roland and we saw the flop Q-A-9, great for Roland and some hope for Nick. But the turn and river did not bring the magical 9 and Nick leaves his seat muttering: "I really thought he had nothing." We are down to six players.


Nick Slade out 7th for €70,210

4.40pm -- Rob Yong doubles up against Roland de Wolfe and now sits on about 450,000. Roland made it 40,000 with Q-Q, Rob re-raised all in with A-K. The flop of J-5-9 was no help for Rob, but a K on the turn and 6 river saw the chips heading his way.

4.25pm -- Roland makes it 40,000, saying he's "not going to pass this one". George moves all in for 143,000 more from the small blind - and Roland passes. George is playing steady and waiting for his spot.

4.14pm -- William raises (again) Patrick Bueno re-raises announcing, "all-in." William immediately says, "I call." Patrick with 71,000 chips. William has A J. Patrick K 7. The board brings a Jack for William, nothing for Patrick. We've lost our first player. Patrick Bueno is out 8th. He says, "Au revoir," as he walks away to collect his €51,740.


Patrick Bueno who was 8th

4.02pm -- Rob Yong raises. William Thorson re-raises all-in. Rob thinks, and folds saying, "I think that's the last time I'm going to pass to him."

3.48pm -- William, Roland and David see a flop. It's 5 9 3 with two diamonds. David bets 50,000 which is re-raised to 100,000 by William. Roland folds before David announces 'all-in'. William mucks also.

3.34pm -- A raise all-in in the second hand. Nick Slade all-in. All fold. Nick showed Ace Queen.

3.29pm -- Tournament Director Thomas Kremser has just announced the players names, to applause from the crowd. The final is now underway.

3:19pm -- We're a little late starting the tournament, but the players have now taken their seats. Unfortunately we're having a few technical issues with our blogging program which means there might be a delay in updates being posted to the web. The technical description for this is 'screwy software.' I've tried all sorts of fixes, the best so far is swearing at my computer. It doesn't help at all, but it makes me feel a little better.

Here are profiles of our final table players, thanks to Mad Harper.

Seat 1. Rob Yong (UK) - 365,000 chips
Rob Yong, 34, used to be a blackjack player but got barred because his "system" was too effective. He took up poker three years and is the founder of the new Dusk Till Dawn poker club, due to open in Nottingham next year. Former recruitment consultant Rob said: "My lack of patience is my weakness, but I can be fearless with necessary." He picked up £23,300 after coming 2nd in the Midlands Meltdown in Wallsall in June.

Seat 2. William Thorson (Sweden) - 773,500 chips
William Thorson, 23, from Gothenburg, started playing at home with his parents. His father Olof, a horse-trainer, is also a highly successful player and has cashed at the WSOP. William is already a well-known and formidable player and one of the most successful online players in the world, playing the highest no limit games available. He came 13th in this year’s World Series of Poker for a $907,128 payout. His main concern today is Roland who describes as "sickly aggressive".

Seat 3. Nick Slade (UK) - 269,000 chips
Nick Slade, 43, a acquisitions broker from Preston, has only been playing poker for ten months but is already enjoying enormous success, making four final tables in four different countries in the last three months. He came 3rd in the Bellagio Cup II in July for a #41,000 payout. A former semi-pro golfer, he had to give up because of family commitments but believes the concentration skills he learned on the fairway are helping in him four-day poker tourneys.

Seat 4. Gavin Simms (UK) - 442,000 chips
Londoner Gavin, 36, learned his poker skills at the PokerStars’s fun Century Club monthly tournaments and, according to tournament director Conrad Brunner, he is by far the most successful graduate of the event. His biggest win to date was $44,000 after coming 59th in the $25,000 WPT Classic in April – a spectacular feat from the London stockbroker who outlasted some of the best players in the world. He said: "I’m either suicidally reckless or overcautious but this week I’ve managed to self-destruct". He may a dark horse for this event; Noah Boeken says "No one ever knows what he has."

Seat 5. David Tavernier (France) - 360,500 chips
PokerStars qualifier David 'Davethebest' Tavernier nearly didn't even make it to Dublin. He missed his first flight by 5 minutes and his second flight was cancelled. He finally sat down at the Regency 90 minutes late. However, the late start doesn’t seem to have harmed his play and the same thing happened to Patrick Antonius who won in Baden last year. Anaesthetist David, 50, has been playing poker for over 30 years - online, in home games and the occasional tournament. Married with four children, he lives in Paris and is a regular on PokerStars.

Seat 6. Patrick Bueno (France) - 140,000 chips
The 40-year-old Parisian has been playing poker for eight years and has made several final tables in both European and the USA. The construction company boss says poker is "not my job, it’s my passion". He is married with three children including eldest son Benjamin who is cheering him on today from the rails. He said: "I can sit and wait for ever for my chance but my weakness is I’m probably not aggressive enough."

Seat 7. George McKeever (Ireland) - 194,000 chips
Friends say Irishman George McKeever looks like Father Christmas - and plays like Scrooge. That may be a bit harsh judging by his results over the years. His highlight was a superb 7th in the World Series of Poker main event in 1999 for $125,775, but it was no fluke as he has a long list of tournament successes behind him. The 72-year-old cashed last month in the London EPT, where he also final tabled in 2004, and is currently 6th in the All Ireland All Time Money List, with $674,334. He has a fearsome reputation in cash games too.

Seat 8. Roland de Wolfe (UK) - 1,352,500 chips
Londoner Roland de Wolfe, 27, had enjoyed several modest cashes before bursting on to the big poker stage by winning the WPT Paris last year, collecting $599,600. More success followed and in April this year he came 3rd in the WPT Five-Star World Poker Classic in Las Vegas for another bumper payout of $1,025,205. Roland, a fanatical Arsenal fan, is also no stranger to the EPT, finishing 20th in Barcelona last month. Before turning pro, he used to work for gambling magazine Inside Edge.

Our final table players. Standing: Roland de Wolfe, Patrick Bueno, George McKeever, William Thorson, Gavin Simms, Nick Slade. Seated: David Tavernier, Rob Yung.

I met Roland De Wolfe as I waited for a taxi yesterday. He wanted to talk poker. "Did you see that hand?" "Did you see it when I hit a ten on the river?" "Not sure I should have called that one..." He reminded me of a schoolboy who'd scored a hat trick and put his school team in the final of the cup. He wanted to relive every kick of the game. Only this was a poker game, so it didn't involve any kicking. I've been to some home games where it is a possibility, but of course the EPT is a respectable kind of poker tournament.

Roland must be the favourite to win today, he has a lot of chips, he's a great player, and he just scored a hat trick for his school team. Ok, the hat trick bit didn't actually happen...

I only met this one final table player, as I waited for my taxi last night, but I'm sure they all must be as focused on their poker as he was. Thinking, breathing, poker, poker, poker, just like Roland. It's the final today, and there's a cup to win too. Am I supposed to pick a team? I must admit I have a soft spot for French doctor, David Tavernier. I've been following him throughout the event. This PokerStars qualifier arrived late when he missed his plane, and thought that could be somehow lucky, as it was for Patrick Antonius. He won in Baden after being blinded away a few levels.

I've also seen a lot of William Thorson, and I liked what I saw. I've seen him dominate his table. With a lot of chips I know he can be a poker bully. However bullies sometimes get their comeuppance, when their victim's decide to fight back...

I guess there's little point in further speculation about who'll win or lose today... Cards and chips will decide it all soon enough. And I'll be watching, and cheering, and maybe even swearing, at each and every kick of this game. Or I would be if there was any kicking. As I said, this is a respectable kind of poker tournament.

Might look better if it were filled with Guinness?

Final table chips:
Roland De Wolfe (UK) - 1,352,500
William Thorson (Sweden) 773,500
Gavin Simms (UK) 442,000
Rob Yong (Ireland) 365,000
David Tavernier (France) 360,500
Nick Slade (UK) 269,000
George McKeever (Ireland) 194,000
Patrick Bueno (France) 140,000


The money shot...
Prizes today:
1st €554,300
2nd €314,120
3rd €184,780
4th €138,580
5th €112,710
6th €88,690
7th €70,210
8th €51,740

Play begins at 3pm. More news from EPT Dublin soon...

We now have our final table of 8. Rob Yong, William Thorson, Nick Slade, Gavin Simms, David Tavernier, Patrick Bueno, George McKeever and Roland De Wolfe will all return tomorrow at 3pm local time. It promises to be an exciting final table, Roland De Wolfe and Wiliam Thorson are aggressive, interesting players to watch. PokerStars qualifier David Tavernier is my outside bet to win, not least because Marketing guy Conrad met a French player who told him, 'He's very good.'

It's been an enjoyable day of poker. A tough one too, with lots to report. I ran into Ara Melikian and his friend Sherwin in the bar earlier, and I know it's been an even tougher day for those two. Every player wants to reach the final table, smart players want to get there to win. Tournament poker is a strange game. I sometimes wonder if the 'high' of winning is worth the disappointment of the many times you'll miss out. I thought of this when I saw Ara and Sherwin in the bar. Were they celebrating a cash finish, or drowning sorrows that this wasn't a bigger prize? I didn't ask.

I'm pretty sure Ara enjoyed his EPT experience, it has to be about the dream. Tournament players have more in their heads than hand odds and reading skills, they have an enthusiastic, optimistic, ambitious, arrogant, strange, kind of brain malfunction, that makes each and every one of them sit down and believe that they will be the one who can beat hundreds to win. And I like that.

And what I like too is watching these tournament-crazy fight it out, until there is one enthusiastic, optimistic, ambitious, arrogant, player who is right about it all -who does win. In a room full of dreams there'll be one who proves this isn't crazy at all. Because we'll look at him or her and want to be them, and part of that tournament brain-malfunction-thing is that we see them and forget the rest, we just want it all the more. I know I do. I'll watch the final table tomorrow and dream about my next tournament, and the important thing with tournament-crazy-brain is that loving that dream is happiness enough.

I hope you'll be back to read more at 3pm tomorrow. If you can't play in the EPT, I hope I'll help you dream of it a little.

Willie Tann goes all-in. There have been many all-ins that have seen 8 players fold, but this one is different. This time the all-in finds a call. Roland De Wolfe is the caller, he shows AK. Willie can only manage AJ.

The board is 9 K 4 8... and Willie's drawing dead.

A lot of people had hoped this wily tournament pro would reach the final table, but it was not to be. We have our final table of 8, and we'll be back at 3pm tomorrow.

It's all gone quiet at our last table. Patrick just went all-in and doubled up with 9 9, taking chips from Roland De Wolf.

Lee Jones is calling the hands in expert style, quickly calculating the odds at the turn of every card.

Lee calls hands

The £500 tournament here is a very tough game, many EPT stars wanting more tournament action entered this friendly freezeout. Marcel Luske has a huge chiplead at the final table. The bar area is busy too, but I won't be heading there until we lose another player...


Marcel Luske at the other final table

We have nine players left, seated at one table, and when we lose one more we'll declare our 'final table'. These eight players will return to play on Sunday at 3pm. Here's the chip counts of the nine players at the quasi-final table...

1 Rob Young 588,000
2 William Thorsen 1,300,000
3 Nick Slade 232,000
4 Gavin Sims 292,000
5 David Tavernier 433,000
6 Patrick Bueno 132,000
7 George McKeever 161,000
8 Willie Tann 168,000
9 Roland De Wolfe 888,000

Down to one table now. Only 9 players left... Iclandic PokerStars qualifier Finnur Hrafnsson was here in his first major tournament, he told me earlier that he was proud to be the first Icelandic player to cash in an EPT event. He might well consider himself lucky to be here, his first PokerStars satellite was a 'Last Chance' game that led him to EPT Dublin.

Finnur was set all-in by William Thorsen's on the small blind. Finnur found 5 5 in the big blind, and needed to make a stand. Thorsen turned over Q 9. A Queen was the first card out. Finnur picked up a flush draw, and a little hope, but no diamond came to save him. Finnur finishes 10th and takes €31,410 home to Iceland. He says he'll spend it on more EPT satellite buy-ins.

Luca Pagano has been busted in 13th place after running his A-J into Willie Tann's K-K. Willie had raised to 45,000, Luca moved all in over the top with his remaining 115,000, and Willie called quick as a flash. Nothing helped Luca on the flop and turn, and a J on the river just rubbed salt into the wounds. On went the Ferrari leather jacket, and Luca was off.

It was a good show by our Team PokerStars player from Italy, who takes home €20,330 for his efforts.

The next shortstack seems to be going all-in quicker than we can type up the last one's demise. Marcel Baren just out with KQ, Rob Young found AT, and with no help on the board, the PokerStars qualifier was out in 11th place for €25,870.

It looks like we're going to reach our final 8 as quick as you'd call an all-in bet when you find AA. Well, perhaps that's exaggerating, but we have lost 3 players in less than half an hour. Paul Telstud was out first. He was all-in pre-flop with 44. Nick Slade called with 88 to put him out.

Vinnie McNamie was gone next. All-in pre-flop with KJ he was beaten by Roland De Wolfe who held A5.

Conor Doyle was then eliminated by Luca Pagano, who called blind, and saw a flop with Willie Tann also in the hand. The flop was 9 8 5. Luca bet out with his 9 6 and Willie folded. Connor held 7 4 and Luca sent the Irish player home with €20,330.

A reminder of players out already:

14 Conor Doyle (Ireland)
15 Vinnie McNamie
16 Paul Telstud (France)
17 Roy Brindley (Ireland)
18 Simon Ehne (Sweden)
19 Jonas Helness (Norway)
20 Pat O'Callaghan (Ireland)
21 Kevin Vreeswijk (Holland)
22 Karin Lundgren (Sweden)
23 Ray Coburn (USA)
24 Kashi Kambiz (Sweden)

Here's Chipcounts from the final 16. On the televised table are:

Gavin Simms 149,000
Nick Slade 308,000
Willie Tann 129,000
Connor Doyle 60,000
Luca Pagano 147,000
William Thorsson 697,000
Paul Telstud 30,000
Finnur Hrafnsson 190,000

The other table:

Patrik Bueno 90,000
Roland de Wolfe 840,000
Rob Young 225,000
George McEever 150,000
David Tavernier 378,000
Christoffer Stahl 185,000
Marcel Baran 675,000
Vinnie McNamar 98,000

Finnur Hrafnsson


Marcel Baran

by Simon Young

Two more of our PokerStars qualifiers are going great guns as just 16 players remain here in Dublin. Icelandic Finnur Hrafnsson and Germany's Marcel Baran have piled on the chips in a frenetic hour or so of poker.

They both took huge pots off Jonas Helness, the chip leader at the start of the day. First Marcel took a sizeable nibble of the Swede's stack, then just a couple of hands later Finnur moved in for the kill. He now sits on about 240,000, with Marcel on about the same.

The PokerStars pair shared the same table, tangling with each other once or twice, but the remaining two tables are now being re-drawn as we head down to the one, final table of eight for tomorrow.


Simon Ehne

Not so lucky was fellow PokerStars qualifier Simon Ehne, from Sweden. He was eliminated in 18th place after tangling fatefully with Roland de Wolfe. It was folded round to Roland, who limped in with 10-10 from the small blind. Simon checked with 6-2 and was delighted to see a flop of 6-4-4. All the chips went in, and nothing changed on the turn or river to keep all Simon's chips from Roland's clutches.

With 16 remaining, PokerStars is well represented, particularly with Luca Pagano looking more assured as the night goes on.

PokerStars Ray Coburn is out in 24th place. He moved in with AQ and Paul Telstud called with 88. An 8 on the flop ended Ray's second Dublin EPT. He's been in the money twice here, but will be disappointed not to improve on last year's 14th place finish.

We've lost another couple of players. Kambiz Kashi out 23rd. Pat O’Callaghan out next. Pat goes all in with KT. Vinny McNamee calls with AQ and puts him out.

David Tavernier, playing on the televised table, has just doubled up. The French doctor flopped quad 4s, and was well ahead of countryman Paul Telstud who held AK.

David Tavernier, on the press room TV

Ara Melikian was shortstacked and needed to make a move. He moved in with 9 3. Roland De Wolf took him on with A 8. Roland's ace was enough to put Ara out. He'll take €7,390 back to New York.

There are now 24 players left and they're re-drawing for seats. Team PokerStars Luca Pagano is still playing, as are Roland De Wolf, Willie Tann and Roy Brindley. Five remaining players are PokerStars qualifiers. Here's their names, and a little bit about them.

Finnur Hrafnsson - Large, Icelandic, grey top.
Ray Coburn - Eats sweets, used to have green hair, 14th in Dublin last year.
Simon Ehne - Swedish, must be a good player, stripy top.
Marcel Baran - Long hair, lot of chips.
David Tavernier - Doctor, got here late, 'Davethebest'.

Here's the players in the money spots so far:

25th Ara Melikian
26th Marc Goodwin
27th Magnus Jakobsson
28th Walter Alecci
29th Rune Nikolaisen
30th Adrian Walshe
31st David Clayton
32nd Johnny Lodden

And a reminder of what the remaining players are in this for:

1st €554,300
2nd €314,120
3rd €184,780
4th €138,580
5th €112,710
6th €88,690
7th €70,210
8th €51,740
9-10th €31,410
11-12th €25,870
13-14th €20,330
15-16th €14,780
17-24th €11,090
25-32nd €7,390

Luca Pagano: leave my pizza alone

by Simon Young

Team PokerStars' Luca Pagano has been making steady, if unspectacular progress all day. He started with a respectable 49,000, and has built gradually without putting himself in a great deal of peril.

Now up to the 72,000 mark he had a great chance to double up, leaving him much more comfortable in his smart PokerStars shirt. He was in the small blind and looked down to find J-J - an appealing sight at this stage of a tournament.

The action folded around to Pat O'Callaghan, from Ireland, on the button, who raised to 40,000. Luca, sensing blood like a Roman gangster whose pizza had been stolen, moved all in for the kill, requiring 32,000 more from O'Callaghan. After a dwell for a moment or two, he called. Luca turned over first - the J-J - and O'Callaghan was not too pleased when he revealed his A-J.

Luca looked good, and the flop of 5-10-7 seemed to present no problems. But the turn of an and 8 and a 9 river made them both the jack high straight. Luca was not happy at having to split the spoils of such a monster pot, but he is a cool enough player to not let him affect him. O'Callaghan knew he had got lucky.

The luck of the Irish, eh? In Pat's case, yes. Not so Roy "The Boy" Brindley - another home favourite - who just won a huge pot, doubling through against Roland de Wolfe, with the best hand. All the money flew in before the flop, Roy with Q-Q and Roland A-K. The flop of A-Q-2 secured the spoils, the K turn made it interesting, but the 7 river was meaningless. Roy is now up to 150,000.

Jonas Helness 140,000
Chrristoffer Stahle 330,000
Roland De Wolfe 380,000
William Thorsson 405,000
Willie Tann 205,000
Luca Pagano 100,000
Ray Coburn 83,000
Ara Melekian 47,000
Roy Brindley 115,000
Karin Lungren 55,000
Nick Slade 330,00
Marc Goodwin 100,00

Willie Tann and William Thorsson

PokerStars qualifiers Ray Corbin and Ara Melikian are shorter stacks now, but both just won significant pots. Ara just doubled up. He was in middle position holding AA. Everyone folds to him, he goes all-in. He gets called by a big stack willing to take a gamble on J 10. The Aces hold up. Ara now on 47,000.

In a hand between Ray Coburn and William Thorsen, Thorsen raises, Ray goes all-in for 25,000 more. William folds. Ray now on 83,000.

30 players are left, blinds now 3000, 6000. I'll bring you chipcounts soon.

Roland De Wolfe with a mountain of chips...


Ray Coburn with a molehill...

There was no cagey play on the bubble of this tournament. Two players went out in quick succession. This left the 32 remaining players cheering as it was announced that they were taking home a bundle of Euros. Or even a shiny EPT suitcase full of Euro notes if they win.

A big hand between Andy Black and William Thorsen. Thorsen limped with 99 under the gun, Andy raised on the small blind with his AK. Thorsen called. The flop was A 8 9. A set for Thorsen. More betting. The turn is another Ace. Hard for Andy to get away from this one... A shout of 'all-in' and on the river there's a chipcount, both players had a lot of chips, but Thorsen had a few more. Andy Black is out in 34th place.

As Andy walks away shaking his head there's a shout of 'all-in' from the televised table. Patrick White is our bubble player, out in 33rd place when his AQ was beaten by Johnny Lodden's KT made a straight.

A few hands later and Johnny Lodden is out. He flopped a full house 3s full of 9s. Johnny held 33 and Nick Slade held 66. The chips went in on a 3 9 9 Flop. Lodden was all-in, and looking good. But the turn was an Ace, the river a cruel 9.

The board that sealed Andy Black's fate.

A few hands after the dinner break and Marcel Baran finds AA in the small blind. Another big hand lurked in the big blind. Dave Clayton was unlucky to find KK. I missed how all the chips went in the middle, but Marcel, from Frankfurt, won a huge pot. He's now on 240,000 chips.

37 players remain now, with Roland De Wolfe our chipleader. Blinds stand at 2,000/4,000 with a 400 ante. We're nearly 'in the money' with 32 players paid.

40 players left now, and they've just gone on an hour dinner break. Before they left we gathered some more fresh chipcounts from the tourney floor.

Roland de Wolfe 375,000
Willie Tan 260,000
Andy Black 198,000
Simon Ehme 150,000
Marcel Baran 125,000
Ray Coburn 39,000
Ara Melikian 55,000
Luca Pagano 47,000
David Tavernier 187,000
Finnur Hrafnsson 40,000

Ade Adebayo is out, and the tournament room will be a little quieter without him, but also a little duller without his lively presence. I didn't see the details of the hand but understand Ade had 99 and was called by a player with KJ who hit two pair. Also missing in action: Neil Channing, Andreas Hagen, Paul Testud, and Pascal Perrault.

Neil Channing: Gone, but not forgotten

On the televised table Andy Black goes all-in. He's quickly called by William Thorsen who turns over his KK. Andy groans, he holds 99. The cards are dealt 10c 5h 2h. Lee Jones, calling the card on the televised table says, "Andy has a 9 of hearts, he needs a 9 or running hearts to stay in.'

The turn, Kh.

William has trip Kings, but Andy needs one more heart.

The river... Ah. Andy Black doubles up.

"Well played Sir," Thorsten says.

"I was sitting there thinking I was playing real bad. So I decided to play worse," was Andy's comment.

"I'm an absolute muppet. Goodness me."

Mark Goodwin 180,000
Roland DeWolfe 270,000
Andy Black 100,000
Roy Brindley 70,000
Jonas Helness 140,000
Luca Pagano 87,000
Johnny Lodden 38,000
Christoffer Stahle 140,000
Nick Slade 97,000
Andy Black 100,000
Willie Tann 85,000
William Thorsen 209,000

Roland De Wolfe

45 player remain. Sadly Gerald Lemke is now out. He stood for a long while at his table, checking his cards as soon as they were dealt, often walking away to chat to his Mother on the rail. He found a hand he wanted to play, this was AQ. He was called by a player with A 10. A 10 on the river ended Gerry's run in this, his first live tournament.

At another table two PokerStars players tangled on a 9 high flop. More chips went in on the turn a 3. Marcel Baran said nothing, Ade Bayo said plenty. "You're hitting everything he claimed," as Marcel re-raised him.

He tossed his cards away with disgust, showing King Queen. Marcel still said nothing, but turned over his King Jack. Ade muttered something I can't repeat.

Marcel Baran

by Simon Young

There's an old saying in poker - with a "chip and a chair" you are still very much in with a chance. I know it's a cliche, and normally the poor owner of said chip is launched the wrong way through a tournament's revolving door within minutes, but today it could be true.

Step forward PokerStars qualifier Gerald Lemke, from the U.S, who is possibly about to engineer the greatest comeback since Bobby Ewing returned from the dead in Dallas. With the room average at 70,000 chips, our man was down to just 400 after losing a 7-7 v Q-Q battle with Britain's Stuart Fox.

Gerald Lemke: the coat is on

He had to put 200 of those on the table next hand for the ante, leaving just two 100 chips as a lifeline. No matter, Gerald threw them in with J-7. He hit two pair, scooping the table's goodies, a total of about 2,400.

Still much to do, but next hand he was on the big blind, and pushed all in again without looking at his hand. He was elated to find 9-9, beating off his Q-2 opponent. Now he was up to 5,400. Not content, Gerald went all in again on the next hand, and flopped an eight to match up his K-8, beating Stuart Fox's A-10. This time his stack soared to 15,000.


Happy again, with chips


So, within the space of four hands, Gerald had gone from about 15,000 down to just 400, then back up to 15,000 again!

That boy should buy a lottery ticket.

It's hard to count chips very accurately now that there are many coloured chip mountains everywhere, also bear in mind that we're not allowed close to the TV Table. Blog helper Sam has done great work getting these estimated figures together for you.

Jonas Helness 145,000
Andy Black 150,000
Finnur Hraffson 150,000
Ray Coburn 31,000
Ade Bayo 45,000
Ari Melikian
Paul Telstud 65,000
Roy Brindley 90,000
Luca Pagano 72,000
Marcel Baran 80,000
Simon Ehne 105,000
Roland De Wolfe 200,000
Gerry Lemke 4,000

David Murray just went out, now 63 players remain. Murray was at the TV table, alongside Andy Black, Willie Tann and William Thorsen who was second in chips at the start of play.

David had only 10,000 chips left and went all-in with 88. Fellow PokerStars qualifier Finnur Hraffnsson called with AQ. Finnur hit, and put Murray out. David looked gutted, but is now watching the action, rooting for his friend Eoin Olin, who he says has a decent stack of chips.

The TV Table. David Murray the player with the beard.

We've lost Noah Boeken, I didn't see him go out, but spotted him playing in a cash game. This isn't online poker, you can't do two tables at once. Apparently Noah was all-in with KQ and ran into an AA.

Unfortunately it looks like I won't be bragging in the press room, the player I picked to reach the final table is out. Ramzi Jelassi another one biting the dust.

David Tavernier just doubled up, he button raised to 4,000 and felt he was committed to put the rest of his chips in when he was re-raised by Roy Brindley. He reluctantly showed his 9 10. Roy held AK, but the good doctor won the hand with a healthy-for-him flop of 8 9 10. That left Roy feeling sick. And me wondering how many bad metaphors I can fit into one post of tournament reporting?

David Tavernier

Katja Thater: Where was the last spade?

by Simon Young

Team PokerStars' Katja Thater stood on her chair and tried to suck the winning card out of the dealer's hands. Any spade would have been enough, or any ace. Sitting on about 30,000, she had got into a raising war with Kevin Vreeswijk of Holland, who already had a menacing 130,000 or so chips.

The flop came 6-7-8, with two spades, giving Katja, holding A-J spades, the nut flush draw. She pushed her remaining chips in the middle and was called by Vreeswijk holding the monster K-K. Katja stood, wished, willed, in fact did everything but beg the dealer to come up with the goods.

Sadly the turn was 4 hearts and the river a harmless 3 diamonds. Katja stood for a few moments more, staring in disbelief, before picking up her bag and leaving. So many outs, so little help. The Dutchman, meanwhile, is now up and away with 160,000 or so in chips.

The blinds are now 800-1,600 with a 200 ante. About 65 of the Day Two starters are left after a casualty rate not seen since The Charge of the Light Brigade.

John Duthie just commented that they're 'dropping like flies'. Last time I looked there were 88 players all hoping to avoid the fly-drop problem and reach the final 8 at the end of the day.

Marcel Luske is sadly one of the early casualties, always good to watch the Dutch player, but he went all-in with KQ and failed to beat the guy who called with 88.

Greek PokerStars qualifier Max Trigas is also out. Max was feeling ill, and played like a man who wanted to go home to bed. He went all-in with 30,000 chips and A4. Willie Tann with KK was happy to call. This left Max with just 4,000 chips. He couldn't seem to get rid of them, doubling up a few times, before finally losing all his chips. I guess the other 88 players wouldn't feel too sympathetic as he goes. I hope he's feeling better soon. Perhaps it was something he 8?

Shut up!: Roland de Wolfe silences Bayo

by Simon Young

Ade Bayo has started today as he left off yesterday - very loudly. Famed for defending his big blind and berating anyone foolish enough to try and raise it, Ade has already been on his feet shouting for the whole room to hear.

This time, a player in the small blind raised Ade's precious 1,200 big blind. Quick as a flash, Ade, from London, announced all in. The small blind folded, to which Ade stood up, waved his monster 6-4 and shouted: "See. No one steals my big blind. I will move on anyone who tries to - see, even with this 6-4. Stop thieving from me." It was quite a commotion, and most of the room stopped to watch the Oscar-winning performance.


Marc Goodwin: takes no blind notice of Ade Bayo

One player sitting at Ade's table is Marc Goodwin, the top British pro, who has made more than a million dollars this year alone (and another $500,000 playing Phil Ivey at golf!). Unfortunately, Ade does not know who Marc is, and this may be his downfall. "So what's your name?" he asks Marc. "Are you a pro? Tell you what, on my next big blind we'll both go all in without looking at our cards?"

We wait breathlessly for a round of the table. With Ade on the big blind again, it's folded around to Marc. He looks at his cards, much to Ade's disgust, and puts in a teasing minimum raise of 2,400. Everyone else sensibly gets out of the way. What does Ade do now? HE has not looked at his cards, but instead of raising he calls. The flop is 6-7-9-Q. Marc checks, Ade (still blind) checks. The turn is a rag and both check again. Marc has nothing - Ade takes the first look at his cards, and screams as he sees 8-10 for the straight all along!

Cue another stand up routine: "I love myself," he says as he kisses his own arm. At this point, Roland de Wolfe, sitting on the next table, wanders over to wrap a scarf around Ade's head to get him to shut up. It worked..... for about ten seconds.

Ade is up to about 70,000, but you sense he and Marc Goodwin, who started the day third with more than 90,000, is just waiting to pounce.

Meanwhile France's Pascal Perrault, who started the day the shortest stack of all with just 5,300, stuck everything in the middle with Q-8 diamonds on the very first hand - and was out of the door when called by A-6. An ace on the flop did the damage.

PokerStars players in action today include Team PokerStars Katja Thater and Luca Pagano. Noah 'Exclusive' Boeken is also representing PokerStars today, by my calculations Noah's made going on for $300,000 from his EPT poker to date with 5 cashes.

Of course we'll be following these well known PokerStars players, but here's a reminder of some of the PokerStars players I've written about who now return to play a second day of poker.

Ara Melikian

Ara's an accountant, here with his buddy Sherwin. He's qualified for 3 of the 4 EPT events so far. He tells me he's gone deeper in each EPT event he's played, I hope it's 3rd time lucky for Ara. One of the 'nice guys' of poker, that's for sure.

JJ Juhl

JJ is a Danish TV presenter, and the younger (by 10 minutes) of twin poker players taking part in EPT Dublin. Jacob didn't get through day 1B yesyerday, but I'm sure he'll be here to support his brother. And as they're identical twins would anyone be able to tell if he played a few of JJ's hands?

Ade Bayo

Ade is the loudest, wildest, poker player in the room. Raise his big blind and you're in trouble. He even has poker business cards printed, defining his 'bigblindism' philosophy. He says it's 'similar to Buddhism but less fun.' Not sure if Andy Black will convert?

Ray Coburn

Ray was in the money in Dublin last year, the candy chewing kid from New Jersey had green hair last time he played. I was hoping this year he might dye it black with a bleach white top - pint of Guinnes style. Perhaps Ray's not so keen to be the centre of attention any more, instead he seems focused on this game.

Ray Coburn

Ramzi Jelassi

Ramzi seems to qualify for every EPT, he went deep in Baden, and now he's here for the cost of a few FPP. An agressive poker player, I like his style, and I've picked him as one of my candidates in the press room '2 for the final table' game.


Ramzi Jelassi

James Reid

James is from Bedford, England, but originally from Ireland so always plays this Dublin event. He was on the final table in EPT Dublin last year, winning €49,600 for his sixth place. He's a regular in Luton cardroom tourneys, and I've been told he has an 'unpredictable style.'

Ches Denison

Ches is just 19, and here with his Mum. He qualified for just 40 FPP. When he's not playing poker he likes wakeboarding. Apparently that's like snowboarding only on rivers. When not playing poker whilst in Dublin, he likes drinking. He says he'd never been in a bar before he came to Europe.

David Tavernier

Doctor David from France, arrived an hour late for this event, lost a few chips as he was blinded away, and he probably won't be late for the start of day 2. He's here with his wife Christiane. With a User Id like 'Davethebest' I'll expect David to be one of the best in Dublin today. Or maybe he's only the best Dave?

Play is now underway. I'll bring you news of these players, and many more soon.

It's going to be a dull day in Dublin today... Of course I'm talking about the cloudy weather! The poker is going to be far from dull. 109 players return to the Regency Hotel today to play down to 8, ready for the final table on Sunday. Chipleader at start of play is Jonas Helness, with William Thorsson and Marc Goodwin not too far behind.

There are some very exciting table draws, looks like the TV people might be focusing on table 2 at first. There are some very good players who'll be hoping for a double-up soon such as Noah Boeken, Pascal Perrault, Marcel Luske and Padraig Parkinson. There are some interesting players with plenty of chips, such as Roy Brindley, Roland De Wolfe, Paul Telstud, and Andy Black. Perhaps the best thing is if I let you see all this for yourself? Here's chipcounts and table draws:

Table 1
Jonathon Kreisner 26,300
Ramzi Jelassi 43,100
Jonas Helness 117,400
Peter Gould 47,200
Finnur Hrafnsson 22,000
Katja Thater 39,500
Andreas Hagen 56,100
Pascal Perrault 5,300

Table 2
Luca Pagano 49,300
Robert Binelli 13,200
Ray Coburn 25,400
William Thorsson 106,700
David Clayton 61,100
Walter Alecci 41,000
Eoin Olin 47,100
Neil Channing 43,600

Table 3
Marc Friedmann 31,800
George Geary 8,700
Oliver Bosch 22,400
Thomas Heining 8,200
Jon Priston 19,100
Rob Hoopman 34,000
Thomas Fougeron 20,800
Anders Berg 25,800

Table 4
Nichlas Saarisilta 28,400
Sean Donaldson 15,100
Marcel Luske 24,000
Vinny Mcnamee 29,100
Steffen Kongelt 47,500
Tore Lagerborg 42,200
Andreas Vilson 24,700
Nadir Benkahla 29,700

Table 5
Ravi Udayakumar 44,600
George Mckeever 23,800
Robert Taylor 22,200
Simon Nowab 26,800
Michael Rabenseifner 21,600
Roland Xavier 22,700
Age Spets 12,800
Joakim Hammar 66,500

Table 6
David Murray 32,800
Daniel Wadman 19,300
David Atrubin 9,800
Azad Pirooti 50,100
Michael O'Sullivan 21,400
Roland De Wolfe 70,700
David Barnes 25,200
Martin Wendt 37,000

Table 7
Ade Bayo 58,900
Anders Losvik 25,600
Jimmy Dahlquist 35,700
Christopher Swanstrom 16,000
Ian Mctavish 12,800
Marc Goodwin 98,200
Daniel Ryan 19,400
Rune Nikolaisen 38,000

Table 8
Adrian Walshe 16,500
Paddy Mccloskey 45,800
Conor Doyle 69,600
Sasha Rosewood 24,400
Niklas Walgren 32,000
Christoffer Sonesson 12,500
Gavin Simms 39,700
Patrick White 31,800

Table 9
Paul Testud 77,100
Jeppe Juhl 32,700
Magnus Jakobsson 31,500
Hans Eskilsson 64,600
Kambiz Kashi 28,200
Kerry-James Kerrigan 57,500
James Reid 37,200
Kevin Vreeswijk 83,900

Table 10
Roman Makowski 16,500
Ches Denison 27,500
Patric Bueno 46,500
Gerald Lemke 22,300
Jonathan Lewis 35,100
Piero Compagnoni 21,000
Nick Slade 52,600
Ghite Anderson 8,400

Table 11
Julian Grosjean 13,200
Markus Deijfen 11,100
Noah Boeken 10,800
Nick Gibson 29,000
Stuart Fox 69,800
Christoffer Stahle 40,900
Marcel Baran 24,200
Fergal Mckeever 49,200

Table 12
Roi Elmaliah 12,000
Andy Black 69,000
Johan Storakers 7,600
Willie Tann 36,400
David O'Callaghan 14,700
Jeffrey Garza 50,000
Maximilianos Trigas 41,800

Table 13
Padraig Parkinson 12,000
Johnny Lodden 44,900
Rob Young 36,700
Reyaaz Mulla 29,100
Philip Peters 46,700
Simon Ehne 61,700
Pat O'Callaghan 33,000

Table 14
Roy Brindley 71,600
Stuart Rutter 24,000
Ara Melikian 54,800
David Tavernier 18,600
David Pomroy 36,400
John Gough 6,600
Karin Lundgren 54,700

Regency Hotel waiter, while we're waiting for Day 2 play to begin.

65 players bagged their chips at the end of day 1B. They'll join the 51 players of day 1A, and come back to play again tomorrow. Amongst the 'name players' with chips at the end of day 1A are: Marcel Luske, Noah Boekan, Luca Pagano, Peter Gould, Andreas Hagen, Nick Gibson, and Neil Channing. They'll all be back for EPT action on Day 2, joining the likes of Andy Black, Jonas Helness, Katja Thater, Paul Testud and Roy Brindley.

Amongst the PokerStars qualifiers I've blogged about we still have Gerry Lemke, Ara Melikman, Conor Pope, Roman Makowski and Ramzi Jelassi. We also have Ade Bayo. He's just invaded the pressroom, loudly debating the way he's been represented on another blog. I do hope he understands my, 'loudmouthed' line. For the record I think he's a very good, loudmouthed, player. He just claimed he's only worried about his blog reports because he's, 'sensitive and insecure.' Awwww....

More news from EPT Dublin, and both it's sensitive, and sensible, players tomorrow. Play resumes at 2pm local time.

Dave Murray bags his chips


Ara Melikian counts his chips

Average chips 27,800, 72 players remain with blinds now 400/800. Here's some chipcounts:

Finnur Hrafasson 28,000
David Murray 38,000
Ramzi Jelassi 41,000
Roland de Wolfe 47,000
Marcel Luske 42,000
Neil Channing 90,000
Noah Boeken 30,000
Ara Melikman 47,000
Luca Pagano 36,000
Gerry Lemke 20,000
Conor Pope 14,000
Roman Makowski 22,000
Marcel Baran 33,000
Ches Denisen 30,000
Willie Tann 41,000
Ade Bayo 40,000


I asked Ade how many chips he had. "Too many," came a comment from another player. "I got lucky," Ade confessed. "And it couldn't happen to a nicer guy!" He said with a grin.

It was an eventful trip around the tables as I collected chipcounts. I saw Noah Boeken double up with 88 vs KQ. I saw Conor Pope's AA beaten by Ches Denisen's KK (he hit a straight.) And I saw a fuss at Neil Channing and Marcel Luske's table.

Apparently Marcel Luske got committed on the turn, with the board 2 9 K 2. It was a 29,000 pot, and 13,000 more when Marcel was re-raised. Marcel said, "I put him on AK, but I could hit a two, or a King, or a ten."

So Marcel called with his KT. The other player turned over AK. Another 2 on the river and a split plot.

Neil Channing's comment, "He's spooky. I don't want to play with this guy. He called the hand, he called the cards, and it came."

Neil Channing and Marcel Luske, as the pot is divided for the 'spooky' hand.

I just saw Luca Pagano double up with JJ vs 88, and having to sort out a huge pile of chips. I thought it was a big pot until I realised they were mainly green 25 chips. It's hard for us bloggers to bring you accurate chipcounts when there are so many small-value chips about. There's a 10 minute break right now and at the end of this they'll colour up the green chips, and I'll bring you chipcounts of the significant players of the 82 remaining.

Luca is all-in with JJ. Just another dull pair vs overpair all-in situation...

I noticed that Ade Bayo goes a little quieter when he's shortstacked. He's sharing a table with Willie Tann and Neal Channing - another player who likes to chat when he's in a hand. A player on next-to-nothing chips goes all-in with AK. Ade on the big blind is bound to call, and has A 5. He doesn't comment as the AK wins and he loses needed-chips to the all-in player. Neal's comment to the AK player, "You play like a man with no food in the cupboard."

I just heard that short-stacked Anthony Holden is out. He's commented that he's had no cards all tournament, and when he finds a hand it doesn't even go his way. He moved all-in with A J. To run into another player with the same hand and split the pot. Then he found JJ and a caller with AK. I don't know about 'no food in cupboards,' I do know Anthony Holden is out.

David Tavernier, the French player with the proud PokerStars User Id 'Davethebest,' nearly didn't make it to Dublin at all. He was 5 minutes late for his flight yesterday. He had another flight arranged for this morning. This was cancelled due to bad weather. He and his wife finally got on a plane and made it to Dublin, but Dave was an hour late. His stack was blinded away for the first level.

I can't help thinking of Patrick Antonius, in a similar set of circumstances he arrived very late for EPT Baden last year. He went on to win the event.

Dave is a Doctor, but poker is an important part of his life. He says he enjoys playing at the Aviation Club de France, and spends around 12 hours a week playing at PokerStars, mainly Omaha and No limit Hold'em cash games at the $5/$10 level. He's also a regular in the Sunday Million. It's almost refreshing to find a player who appears to enjoy poker as just a hobby, with no big dreams of becoming a 'pro'. David's already enjoyed European adventures through his PokerStars play. He qualified for Monte Carlo's EPT Grand Final last year, recently he just missed out on a trip to Baden, finishing 4th in a satellite that awarded 3 seats.

Dave has 3,000 chips at the moment. I'd love to think that 'late means lucky' and that he might 'Do a Patrick Antonius' here at EPT Dublin. Of course I'll let you know...

David Tavernier

107 players remain. It's at that stage of the night where time seems to slow, the tourney's been playing nine hours now, but players won't go home easy. Blinds are now 200 400. When an ante is introduced at the next level I expect things to get lively, at least that's the way it worked on day 1A. Perhaps it's the psychological effects of an ante? A little bit of your stack disappearing every hand might encourage the 'all-in' feeling. Or maybe it's that this time of the night is the Regency Hotel's 'Happy Hour' and a free bar for an hour? Does alcohol loosen the muscles necessary for that crucial all-in manoeuvre?

Tony G's just found his 'all-in' reflex in action. He re-raised on the big blind holding 88. The player on the button thought long and hard, the re-raise was for several thousand chips... He called and showed AJ, to Tony G's disgust.

When an Ace hit the flop Tony got up and started to walk. Other players called him back to the table as the turn was dealt. The board read 2d 7h Ah 3h... So someone pointed wildly at Tony's 8 of hearts. The river was 5d. And Tony G continued his fast-paced journey out of the room.

The player who called with A J felt the need to explain himself. "I don't always play Ace Jack. I might have passed against some other guy..."

Tony G, happy before his exit.

I've just heard Jonas Molander is out. Apparently he was bluffing and ran into a player with 2 pair. Ok.

130 players left now. Here's some chipcounts:

Peter Gould 14,000
Iwan Jones 9,000
Anthony Holden 8,500
Marcel Luske 44,000
Ade Bayo 32,000
Padraig Parkinson 4,500
Willie Tann 15,000
Markus Golser 34,500
Steve Vladar 5,000
Nick Gibson 15,500
Birgitta Johansson 12,500
Ross Boatman 21,800
Patrick Bueno 16,500
Ingemar Backman 22,500
Tony G 14,000
Noah Boeken 6,600
Ramzi Jelassi 50,000
Jan Boubli 4,600
John Magill 11,000
Surinder Sunar 1,000
David Pomroy 27,000
Thomas Fougeron 23,000
Michael Greco 13,000
Roland De Wolfe 26,000
Tony Cascarino 22,000
Luca Pagano 11,000
Anthony Chessa 3,000
Peter Eichhardt 4,000
George McKeever 8,000
Andreas Hagen 21,000
Ara Melikian 38,000
Gerry Lemke 13,000
David Murray 38,000

Dave 'Devilfish Ulliott listed his name as 'Dave Devilfish' on his EPT Dublin registration form. It's a bit confusing. This means I don't know what to call him. I've heard a lot of names used to describe him today.

Devilfish earler accused me of distracting him from his play, apparently he has a strange female-related problem with his blood pressure. I decided it was best to keep well out of his way.

So I could be sure I did nothing to effect his tournament play.

Devilfish was down to 4,000 chips, and moved all-in preflop with 33. John Priston called with A 4. The board of 2 7 5 6 8 gave Priston a straight on the river. Devilfish apparently looked peeved when he went out.

He'd earlier pulled up a chair, suggesting I sit next to him. I declined. I could actually sit in the chair now he's gone. Now I can't do anything to effect his tournament play.

Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott is out.

You know I debated whether I was Jonas Molander's lucky charm, and decided that this was plainly not so? It made me wonder about why I like him. He's a good player to watch. An agressive player, but I'd call his style 'cautious agressive'. As I watched him play a hand I was reminded of my poker tournament epiphany, the little thing that turned me into a winner in the £10 rebuy tournaments I play.

The hand was between Jonas and Roman Makowski, a German FPP qualifier.

I assume Jonas had raised pre-flop and Roman had called, there were 2500-3000 chips in the middle as I reached the table. The flop was 9 9 T rainbow. Roman fingered his chips as the flop was dealt, Jonas leaned over the table to see past the dealer and study his face. Jonas checked. Roman fingered his chips again, I expected him to bet. He didn't.

The turn was a King. Jonas leaned over the table yet again to look at Roman. A carefully posed blank look from the German... Jonas looked at his chips. I expected him to bet. He didn't. Roman thought for a second and then checked, just as Jonas had done before him.

The river was a third 9. Jonas thought yet again, and then he casually tossed a 500 chip into the middle of the table.

Roman looked at the chip. It was kind of an insulting bet. It was almost saying, 'You've got nothing of that, I know that.' Perhaps it was also a bet placed because Roman was wearing a PokerStars shirt? Because you might expect an unknown inernet qualifier to 'fold easy'..? Plus, it was also only 500, not much to lose if the guy had something, or if he had the guts to call with just a little.

I haven't told you my Poker Tourney Epiphany thing yet, have I? It's not much. Perhaps it's obvious. It was simply the decision to look for a way to win each and every hand I played. Maybe that isn't exactly rocket science. Only I enjoyed my poker much more with a 'no quitting any hand until I'm sure I can't win' attitude. You might think it encourages super-aggressive play? A blushing, 'No comment' from me there. But it's not blindly aggressive play, because sometimes you have to accept that winning means 'folding to fight another hand'.

I've just won a few £10 rebuy tournaments, so I'm no Jonas Molander. What do I really know? I just know I liked Jonas Molander's 500 chip bet. I like Jonas Molander's style.

Roman Makowski thought for a while and then he called. Jonas said, "I have the board." He didn't turn his cards over.

I heard someone mutter, "He paid to see your cards." But perhaps Jonas didn't hear?

Roman showed A Q and took the pot. Jonas nodded and mucked his hand. Jonas lost this hand, yes. I just think he looked for a good way to win. Every hand I see him play, I see him look for a good way to win. Watching him I'm reminded of the most important poker lesson I ever learned.

Roman Makowski


Jonas Molander. Just realised there's another reason I like him. Good hair.

142 players remain, here's the chips of notable players:

Keith "The Camel" Hawkins 4,500
Julian Gardner 7,000
Dave Ulliott 11,000
Ramzi Jelassi 26,000
Peter Gould 11,000
Iwan Jones 8,500
Jan Boubli 5,000
Marcel Luske 23,000
Anthony Chessa 10,300
Harry Demetriou 8,000
Christer Johansson 2,000
Michael Grecco 9,000
Ross Boatman 18,000
Jonas Molander 14,000
Patrick Bueno 5,000
Tony Cascarino 15,000
Roland De Wolfe 33,000
Noah Boeken 11,000
Dave Colclough 5,500
Tony G 18,000
Peter Roche 6,000
Thomas Fougeron 22,000
Willie Tann 15,000
Marcus Golser 26,000
Padraig Parkinson 5,000
Steve Vladar 17,000
Nick Gibson 13,000
Birgitta Johansson 12,000
Juha Helppi 9,500
Andreas Hagen 12,500
Neil Channing 26,000
Luca Pagano 14,000
Joe Beevers 8,000
John Magill 10,500
David Pomroy 13,500
Surinder Sunar 6,000
Ingemar Backman 16,000
Ade Bayo 25,000
Ara Melikian 29,000
Conor Pope 8,650
Ramzi Jelassi 36,000
Anders Berg 25,500
Frederik Nielsen 35,500
Finnur Hraffnsson 15,500
David Murray 21,00
Kenny Rundh 21,000
Gerry Lemke 18,700

Henric Olander and Jacob Johl are now out.

Other news from the tables, Ramzi just asked Devilfish if he's an internet qualifier.

PokerStars qualifier David Murray 21,000 chips


Keith "The Camel" Hawkins, will need to make a move soon he has only 4,500 chips.

After a tedious card-free day, Anthony Holden - who is playing for PokerStars - has just had his first moment of happiness. With pocket Kings, he went all-in against a player to his left with A8. An 8 on the flop brought a moment of anxiety but the Kings held up and the Big Deal author has doubled to 14,000.

Anthony Holden

There's a prize pool of €1,847,750. Here's how it'll pay the lucky winners.

1st €554,300
2nd €314,120
3rd €184,780
4th €138,580
5th €112,710
6th €88,690
7th €70,210
8th €51,740
9-10th €31,410
11-12th €25,870
13-14th €20,330
15-16th €14,780
17-24th €11,090
25-32nd €7,390

162 players remain, it's a staggered dinner break here with half the field playing, the other half eating. I overheard a player checking out the half-empty room and saying, "Looks like we can win now, there's not many players."

Ara Melikian with chips to suggest he's playing well, didn't want to go eat. As the other players deserted his table he said, "The cards have been shuffled!" The dealer insisted there was no need to play another hand. I asked Ara if he was hungry, he said he hadn't eaten all day but just wanted to play. Feeling a trifle motherly I told him he'd play better after a good meal. Hopefully that's true, and he won't fill his face, go out first hand after the break, and blame me...

We've lost a couple of notable players. Barney Boatman lost all his chips to Tony G, betting strongly with second pair and a gutshot straight draw, when Tony G had a good draw and hit his straight on the turn.

Former 'Westlife' singer Brian McFadden is also out. He had KK, and got committed to the hand despite agressive betting by Marcus Golser. Marcus had flopped a straight with 7 9 on a 6 8 T J 7 board.

I'll bring you chipcounts soon. As he headed back to play Ade Bayou just gave me some of his poker cards, insisting every poker player should have these, and that they were the next 'big thing.' Here's a bit of one...

WELCOME 2 "BIGBLINDISM" SIR
Similar to Buddhism but less fun!

No time to type it all up. (And I think this guy may well be nuts)

2 reset ur karma chant these magic words:-.....
"I LUV ADEBAYO! HE'S A LUVLY GUY! I WILL NOT RAISE HIS BIGBLIND WITHOUT A PAIR COS HE'S CRAZY!"xx

Ramzi Jelassi has been busy at his table, and just won a big pot with most of the chips going in on a A 9 3 6 board, with Ramzi claiming, "I've got Jack Ten off" as his opponent deliberated. His opponent called, only to face another big bet my Ramzi when the river brought a ten. It was 6,500 to call, and the clock was called as unknown player thought and thought, and then called. Ramzi flashed a pair of threes, to show his flopped set. "First card I've hit in 4 EPTs," Ramzi joked.

Ramzi cashed in Baden a few weeks ago, but will no doubt be hoping to do better than 25th place this time around. A couple of hands later and Ramzi has KK against Petri Pietiela who was all-in with QQ. Petri went out, and Ramzi's now on over 30,000 chips.

Ramzi Jelassi

Greg Raymer lost most of his chips in a hand where his opponent held the nut flush, Greg mucked, and was left in desperate shape with around 700 chips.

He moved all-in in late position, the small blind and big blind could hardly fold. No cards to be shown preflop, there could be further betting between the blind players... And there was. On a flop of Kc 6c 9d the player on the small bets 2,000, the Irish big blind player grumbles, and re-raises. He shows AQ, not even a pair. "If you check, I check," he grumpily tells the small blind player.

You'd think there'd be some hope for Greg? He turns over Ac Td, so not much hope there. Jc on the turn 4s the river...

Raymer smiles and holds out his Ac, with the ten's suit hidden. "Flush!" he claims optimistically. It doesn't work. Greg heads away from the table, leaving the players debating whether you should check down a hand whenever a player's all-in. Greg doesn't share his views.

Greg Raymer all-in

Ram Vaswami had two big hands against fellow Hendon Mobster Ross Boatman. He held QQ when Ross held KK and lost most of his chips. A few hands later shortstacked Ram went all-in with his remaining chips holding 88, Ross called with KJ. A King on the river sent Ram back to Hendon. If he is from Hendon, I'm just assuming he is? And unless he wants to stick around to cheer on his mobster mates? Or play cash games? Anyway, Ram Vaswami is out.

Simon Trumper has also just been eliminated. He held AA, and tangled with Frederik Nielsen on a 5 8 x flop. Nielsen was semi-bluffing and holding 6 7. A 9 on the turn gave Frederik his straight and Trumper was out. I won't speculate about where he went, or what he did when he left the table.

Ram Vaswami and Simon Trumper out.

(That's the simple version.)

Simon Trumper is out.

I just saw a waitress deliver a burger and chips to a hungry player, the dinner break should be within an hour, but I guess he wanted fries now.

I hope you want some pre-dinner break chips too? Here they are. Enjoy!

Michael O Sullivan 22,000
Roland de Wolfe 29,000
Tony Cascarino 12,000
David Barnes 7,000
Tony G 7,000
Noah Boeken 18,000
Barney Boatman 20,000
Kambiz Kashi 3,000
Anthony Holden 7,500
Kevin O'Connell 11,000
Greg Raymer 11,000
Ade Bayo 20,000
Sverre Sundbo 17,000
Brian McFadden 5,000
Padraig Parkinson 11,000
Willie Tann 17,000
Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott 9,100
Iwan Jones 13,500
Marcel Luske 8,500
Simon Trumper 7,000
Luca Pagano 12,000
Harry Demetriou 10,500
Surinder Sunar 7,200
Joe Beevers 9,600
William Thorsten 22,500
Ram Vaswami 11,250
Ross Boatman 10,675
Keith 'The Camel' Hawkins 8,800
Willie Tan 13,000
Ara Melikman 16,000
Jonas Molander 12,000
Gerry Lemke 11,500

An Irish player in a PokerStars T-shirt at Jonas Molander's table heard Gerry and Jonas telling me their chipcounts, he said, "Don't you want to know my chips?"

I said I did, but then he looked at his tiny stack and said, "Nah, I don't want to know." Then he got on with eating his sandwich. Maybe he's eating early, suspecting he'll be heading home before the dinner break?

Shortstacked sandwich guy, Irish journalist, Conor Pope

Gerry Lemke is a 20 year old from Connecticut, he won his seat for just $5 and he's enjoying his first ever trip to Europe. It seems the EPT has made him think about his future, and win or lose here in Dublin he says he's decided to quit his job as a security guard. Gerry's sitting next to Jonas Molander, but doesn't look daunted by playing his first big tourney. And he has gold shades, so looks every inch the part of the young poker pro.

Gerry Lemke

Gerry is quiet, he's willing to let his poker do the talking. Ade Bayou is quite the opposite. I hesitate to use the phrase 'loudmouth' because it sounds a bit rude, but I do like the guy, I've played with him a few times at our local 'Gutshot' cardroom, and he has a mouth, and I'm sure that a scientific gadget could confirm by checking decibels or whatever, whether it was quiet or loud. This non-rude sound-measuring gadget would I'm sure give the verdict 'loud' and not 'quiet'. It is hard to ignore Ade when you play against him, he likes to talk, in fact he likes to shout.


Ade Bayou

I headed across the room to see what all the fuss was about when I heard his voice and saw him waving his arms around. It was a good-natured argument about the defence of blinds.

"Tell that pyscopath don't steal my big blind!" He said. "Don't steal my blind, if you do I'm going to gamble!"

As Ade sat down I could see why he seemed so pleased, he was raking in a huge pot.

He proceeded to smile, and chat and gave the player he'd won these chips from a business card. He showed off his wallet of poker cards, he had 'bad beat cards', 'karma cards', 'defence of the blinds' cards. Bizarrely another player put a slice of lemon on his head, as he continued to discuss these cards, and show them off to the watching poker journalists.


Ade with a lemon on his head

Yes, Ade Bayou is a loudmouthed player, who likes to be the center of attention. I also happen to know that this London pro is a very good poker player. It doesn't really matter whether you're loud at the table, or never say a word. All that matters is winning chips. Ade and Gerry are going about that in very different ways, but I wish both PokerStars qualifiers luck. I hope I get to write about them again at Sunday's final.

Vicky Coren was down to 6,000 chips, she lost a big pot holding a set early in the tournament. She held AA and got 5,000 chips in re-raising pre-flop, the rest heading for the centre of the felt was always going to be a formality. Ewan Jones seemed almost embarassed to call the flop bet, holding an inside straight draw with his 67. Vicky got unlucky with Ewan's straight hitting on the river. Vicky's out.

Joe Beevers, Ross Boatman, Barney Boatman, Noah Boeken, Tomas Brolin, Tony Cascarino, Neil Channing, Tony Chessa, Dave Colclough, Victoria Coren, Roland De Wolfe, Harry Demetriou, Dave Devilfish, Peter Eichhardt, Don Fagan, Tony G, Julian Gardner, Michael Grecco, Pete Haslam, Keith Hawkins, Juha Helppi, Anthony Holden, Jacob Juhl, Marcel Luske, Brian McFadden, Jonas Molander, Ade Bayo, Henric Olander, Luca Pagano, Padraig Parkinson, David Pomroy, Conor Pope, Greg Raymer, Surinder Sunar, Willie Tann, Julian Thew, Simon Trumper, Ram Vaswami.

That's the names I recognised from the Day 1B player list, and I probably missed a few... It seems that anyone who's anyone in the European poker circuit is here today. As well as boy band singers... If you're a FPP qualifier in your first live game you might be wishing you'd got a draw for a 1A seat. Unless you're seated next to Brian McFadden at the boy band table?

Marcel Luske regrets he's playing on Day 1B? Or perhaps it's