Gunnar Rabe, PokerStars qualifier from Sweden, has just burst the TV bubble. He knew he was up against it when the final nine sat down around the pseudo final table; his "chip-and-a-chair" good humour hinted at an inclination to get the chips in behind the first decent hand he found.

Gunnar Rabe, shortly before departing in ninth place
(c) Neil Stoddart

And pocket tens wasn't bad, especially when Manfred Hammer called with queen-ten. But the German player made a straight on the turn, and Rabe was gone.

The final eight are now bagging up and heading home for a good night's rest before the fireworks start afresh tomorrow.