The news from Camp Thorson is not good. The Team PokerStars Pro William is among the first to fall on day 1b, getting his chips in with pocket jacks on a low flop of clubs against pocket queens. You can predict the rest; the Swede's day over before it really had chance to start.
"It's ok" said Thorson. "At least it wasn't a bad beat."
Then there's Dario Minieri...
According to the magic of Google, Renaissance Italians are credited with inventing modern accounting and after watching Team PokerStars Pro Minieri for a few minutes he may be the modern poker equivalent. He plays with the simple tenet in mind that in order to win you need all the chips, so best start getting them now.
Catch Minieri at the right moment and it's like watching one of those freak moments in nature where you see something truly spectacular, like the northern lights or a Cubs pennant. Maybe it's magic. Or maybe it's just that Minieri can't stop himself.
This flash happened in a series of hands played out of position out of position, one after the other. Acting first seems to give Minieri the advantage, inflicting the fear on opponents who suddenly have a decision to make. He bet big on a flop of 8♠-6♦-2♣ to kick off his latest surge, seeing off Dan Bitsch from a hand and showing a harmless J♠-7♥ with an obvious degree of cheek.
Team PokerStars Pro Dario Minieri
It's not just that he bets regularly, it's the way he bets, as if how the chips get in holds as much weight as the value of his hand, dropping chips in from arms length or with both hands and without any delay. That was the treatment Peter Turmezey got in seat two, shortly before giving up on the hand.
Then an under-the-gun plus one move, a bet of 275 from the Team Pro. Francesco Cortese came in for the ride as did two others. Minieri re-checked his cards, making sure the safety was off before firing out 425 two-handed on a flop of 6♠-3♦-6♣. The chips weren't out there for long, Minieri grabbing them back after a group fold.
He folded the button and the cut off, favouring instead the renaissance of early position betting. This isn't stuff you can learn, you can only watch and try to spot the moment he pulls the rabbit out of the hat.
He's up on the day as they reach the first break.
In a unrelated matter, Gus Hansen has yet to arrive...
