Any player can win a poker tournament in any number of circumstances. An individual can sometimes go on the biggest rush of their life and make all the right decisions at all the pivotal moments; another can just get lucky time and again. But sometimes, every now and then, the result just seems obvious - and today was one of those days.

The Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier was never going to lose this high roller tournament and he didn't. The $433,500 first prize is one thing, the way people will look at him from now on is something else entirely.

"It feels great," said ElkY shortly after the last hand. "Last year's main event was bigger but this means a lot. The field was so prestigious and I played very well against good players. This will be a great memory for me."

Nobody ever doubted ElkY's ability, known by that nickname since his professional gaming days in South Korea. His record in the EPT is among the very best, starting two years ago in Copenhagen when he went into the heads up with an overwhelming lead only to blow it. It was a mistake he was determined never to make again.

A year later this same Bahamian venue was his playground, winning the PCA main event for $2 million. Then came his WPT success at the Bellagio in October that cemented his reputation as the genuine article in a game where many falsely make that claim.

The final of the $25,000 high roller event started with an all-star cast, a table studded with bracelet winners and world superstars, featuring the likes of Humberto Brenes and fellow WSOP champions Eli Elezra, Scott Seiver and Daniel Alaei.

But when it came to the crunch, none could get anywhere near the Frenchman from London via South Korea and Team PokerStars Pro.

You can read updates on all the action throughout the day, including eliminations, key double ups and the intricacies of in between. But for now it's time to celebrate one of the game's most prolific talents, one that reassures you that poker will continue to have its heroes for at least a generation to come.

Keep on rolling
The last of the high rollers
Level 12 and 13 updates
Level 15 updates
Level 16 updates
Level 17 and 18 updates

The final result:

1st - Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - France - $433,500
2nd - Will Molson - Canada - $228,000
3rd - Scott Seiver - United States - $137,000
4th - Liya Gerasimova - Russia - $91,300
5th - Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - Costa Rica - $70,800
6th - Eli Elezra - United States - $68,500
7th - Daniel Alaei - United States - $57,000
8th - Nick Schulman - United States - $45,700

Watch PCA 09: ElkY wins the High Roller Event on PokerStars.tv

You can follow all the action from start to finish on EPTLive with expert commentary and analysis all the way through and highlights will be updated here throughout the day. Click refresh for the latest real-time updates. Levels are 60 minutes long and we play down to a winner. We're now into level 17 with blinds of 10,000-20,000 with a running ante of 2,000.

9.44pm: Team PokerStars Pro ElkY Grospellier wins the $25K High Roller event.
Full details to follow.

9.43pm: Will Molson from Canada is eliminated in second place for $228,000
It only took one hand but after ElkY made it 72,000 pre-flop Molson moved in and was called immediately. A-J for ElkY, K-T for Molson. The flop did nothing, Q-6-2, but the turn, an ace, gave Molson a straight possibility. Only a hack would help him, not the six that hit the river. It was all over. Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier wins the PCA High Roller event.

9.31pm: Play restarts
Heads up play begins with blinds unchanged at 15,000-30,000 with a 3,000 ante.

9.25pm: Short break
Play pauses for a few minutes as the stage is set for the final two players.

9.20pm: Heads up chip counts
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 2.049,000
Will Molson - 331,000

9.19pm: Scott Seiver from the United States is eliminated in third place for $137,000.
Seiver had to move sooner or later and pushed in with T-9 only to be called by ElkY holding A-8. The board ran out K-K-7-A-x, giving ElkY all he needed to take an overwhelming advantage into the heads up play. This might not last long.

9.15pm: More chip counts
Scott Seiver - 262,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 1,733,000
Will Molson - 385,000

9.14pm: Relentless
ElkY is keeping up the pressure, raising and forcing Molton and Seiver out of pots.

Typical behaviour from the Frenchman, as Gus Hansen explains...

Watch PCA 09: Gus Hansen on ElkY on PokerStars.tv

9.10pm: Latest chip counts
Scott Seiver - 313,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 1,631,000
Will Molson - 436,000

9.05pm: Into level 18
Blinds have gone up now to 15,000-30,000 with a running 3,000.

9.04pm: More from ElkY
ElkY's march towards a high roller title continues, winning another pot of close to 200,000, showing pocket deuces on a board of 4c-Ad-5d-Kd-3c, rivering a wheel.

8.58pm: ElkY looking unstoppable
Another pot to ElkY holding Q-T on a Q-2-A-8-7 board against Scott Molson.

8.50pm: What the?
Seiver and Molson get to play a hand together without ElkY intruding.

8.39pm: All-in
Seiver moves all-in, which ElkY wasn't keen on, folding.

8.35pm: Updated chip counts
Scott Seiver - 384,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 1,464,000
Will Molson - 532,000

8.32pm: More for the Frenchman
Another pot for ElkY, showing a pair of fives to beat Seiver's ace-high on a board of 7-5-3-6-8.

8.29pm: A swing back to ElkY
A 708,000 pot goes to ElkY courtesy of Scott Seiver, winning with sixes and threes on a board of 6-A-3-Q-8.

8.25pm: Three way chip counts
Scott Seiver - 1,052,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 760,000
Will Molson - 568,000

8.22pm: Liya Gerasimova from Russia, eliminated in fourth place for $91,300
ElkY led out making it 47,000 pre-flop. Liya Gerasimova moved all in before Seiver called. With ElkY out of the way the showdown revealed 8-6 for Gerasimova and aces for Seiver. The flop brought the Russian straight possibilities but none materialised. Down to three.

8.15pm: Molson all in
Molson moves in with A-K and is called by ElkY with pocket fives. Molson isn't going anywhere. The king on the flop, the ace on the turn and king on the river give the Canadian a full house.

8.10pm: Another pot to for ElkY
There's more than 130,000 in the pot when ElkY and Molson see the As-3h-3c flop. Both check for a Kh turn card and ElkY made it 88,000 from the big blind. Molson called to see a Ts on the river. Now ElkY made it 400,000, instantly causing Molson to shake his head. The pot was worth 708,000 and it was everything Molson had to call. Instead he mucked, showing an ace.

8.05pm: Underway
Play begins with Scott Seiver winning the first pot of the level against ElkY.

8pm: A reminder of the chip counts
Scott Seiver - 612,000
Liya Gerasimov - 342,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 969,000
Will Molson - 457,000

7.55pm: We're back
Players are making their way back to the stage. Play should resume shortly.

You can follow all the action from start to finish on EPTLive with expert commentary and analysis all the way through and highlights will be updated here throughout the day. Click refresh for the latest real-time updates. Levels are 60 minutes long and we play down to a winner. We're now into level 16 with blinds of 8,000-16,000 with a running ante of 1,500.

Post last updated at 6.50pm

Earlier today competitors from the high roller event talked to the video blog team about the event and what it means to play...

Watch PCA 09: Some High Rollers give us thier thoughts on PokerStars.tv

6.50pm: Dinner break
ElkY takes the last hand against Will Molson to complete level 16. Players are now on a one hour dinner break. When they return the blinds will increase to 10,000-20,000 with a 2,000 running ante.

6.39pm: Anyone?
It looks like a hand that no one wants to belong to. On a flop of 6h-7h-7d Seiver, ElkY and Gerasimova check and do the same on the Ad turn. On the Jh river Seiver bets 150,000. ElkY gets out but Gerasimova calls showing top two pairs. Seiver though had made a flush with Th-3h taking down the pot.

6.30pm: Latest chip counts with four players remaining...
Scott Seiver - 485,000
Liya Gerasimov - 431,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 897,000
Will Molson - 602,000

6.20pm: Team PokerStars Pro Humberto Brenes of Costa Rica is eliminated in fifth place for $70,800.
Humberto Brenes moves all-in for 95,500 holding K-4. He waits and gets a call from Scott Seiver who has Kh-Th. The chanting begins from the Costa Rican section, calling for a four. Remarkably they get one on a 2h-4s-3s flop. The noise grows even louder as Brenes looks likely to double up but the turn comes 7h giving Seiver a flush draw. The pandemonium is complete when the 3h hits the river, reversing the celebrations and sending Seiver in a victory lap around the table, arms out stretched, joy expressed by a mad scream. Brenes and Seiver embrace but we lose the Team PokerStars Pro.

6.12pm: Eli Elezra of the United States is eliminated in sixth place for $68,500
Elezra moves all in from under-the-gun with pocket fives and is called by Gerasimov with pocket queens. The flop comes 6s-4s-8s giving hope to Elezra but that's the last of it.

6.05pm: ElkY the boss
ElkY checks a Ts-8h-Qd flop behind Gerasimov's check but bets the Kh turn, pushing the Russian off the hand.

5.55pm: First hand of the level
Play continues in the new level with Eli Elezra betting 55,000 on a board of 5d-Ts-4d-6h only for Molson to re-raise all-in for 274,500, pushing him off the pot.

You can follow all the action from start to finish on EPTLive with expert commentary and analysis all the way through and highlights will be updated here throughout the day. Click refresh for the latest real-time updates. Levels are 60 minutes long and we play down to a winner. We're now into level 15 with blinds of 6,000-12,000 with a running ante of 1,500.

5.50pm: End of the level
In the last hand of the level Seiver wins a pot from Molson worth nearly 300,000, leaving hte chip counts as follows...

Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 160,000
Scott Seiver - 457,000
Liya Gerasimov - 350,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 844,000
Will Molson - 382,000
Eli Elezra - 221,000

5.35pm: Pot of 300 plus
Scott Seiver makes it 31,000 and whilst everyone moves out of the way ElkY calls for a flop of 7d-9c-Jd. Both check for a turn card 2d. Seiver checks to Elky who made it 44,500. Seiver called for a river card 9s. Now Seiver bet 80,000 which ElkY called, but he couldn't beat Seiver's K-J for a pot worth 338,000.

5.26pm: An ElkY fold
On a flop of Qd-7c-2c both Elky and Seiver check for a 3c on the turn. ElkY makes it 16,500 and Seiver calls for a river card Ks. ElkY checked before Seiver made a big bet of 75,000, forcing ElkY to fold.

5.19pm: Long pause
On a flop of Tc-Jc-3s both Elezra and Brenes check for a 9s turn. Now Elezra moves all in and it's 146,000 to call. Elezra walks over to Brenes to cut off any performance, arm around his shoulder in good fun. "I know you've got a hand so let's not..." Brenes is deep in thought though and stays there for a few minutes before folding.

5.10pm: Pot to Molson
With four to the flop of 4d-5d-Ah ElkY checked from the small blind as did Molson in the big. Seiver made it 23,500 and the action was folded back to Molson who called for a Kd on the turn. Molson checked, allowing Seiver to make it 35,500. Molson then announced all-in making it a no-brainer for Seiver to pass.

5.02pm: Brenes all-in
Humberto Brenes moves in and is called by ElkY. It's pocket nines for Brenes against the fours of ElkY. No improvement on the flop and Brenes doubles up, much to his and his fans delight.

4.55pm: Massive hand
On a flop of 2d-Ts-Qh Humberto Brenes made it 25,000 from the big blind and ElkY called. The turn brought a 4s and Brenes this time made it 60,000. ElkY then re-raised to 188,000 making Brenes turn serious. After a pause he performed a dramatic all-in. ElkY flipped over pocket tens for a set, beating the set of deuces Brenes showed. The river came 8d doubling up the Frenchman into a massive lead - now up to 1,164,000 while Brenes has a little more than 100,000.

4.50pm: Molson and Elezra face off
Elezra takes a pot from Will Molson with a river bet holding K-Q for a pair of queens. Molson mucked his hand.

4.45pm: We're back
Play resumes after the break.

You can follow all the action from start to finish on EPTLive with expert commentary and analysis all the way through and highlights will be updated here throughout the day. Click refresh for the latest real-time updates. Levels are 60 minutes long and we play down to a winner. We have 15 minutes more to play with blinds at 3,000-6,000 with a 500 running ante before they increase to 4,000-8,000.

Post last updated at 4.30pm

4.30pm: Short break
There's a break in the action after Alaei's elimination. The chip counts are as follows...

Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 691,500
Scott Seiver - 330,000
Liya Gerasimov - 399,000
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 556,500
Will Molson - 276,500
Eli Elezra - 171,500

4.24pm: Daniel Alaei of the United States is eliminated in seventh place for $57,000
Gerasimova bet pre-flop to 30,500 and Daniel Alaei moved all-in. It was folded back to Gerasimov who called showing Ad-Js. For the second time Alaei showed pocket kings against the Russian. The flop came Qs-4h-8d and the turn came Tc to give Gerasimova more outs. She needed a nine, king or an ace and it was the latter which hit the river, sending Alaei out.

That Alaei made it this far was down to an extraordinary poker talent, demonstrated yesterday in an incredible hand against Eli Elezra in which Alaei folded pocket kings pre-flop to what would turn out to be Elezra's aces. Alaei and Elezra talked to us about the hand...

Watch PCA 09: Alaei and Elezra on a big lay down from Day 2 on PokerStars.tv

4.22pm: Elezra makes a move
Elezra moves in from the small blind. ElkY asked for a count, having bet pre-flop but instead fold an ace.

4.15pm: All in call
Gerasimova moved all-in and Alaei re-raised all in with pocket kings. Gerasimov showed Ah-8s and hit a miracle board, Ac-8c-4d-6c-2c. It makes Alaei the short stack.

4.10pm: Checking and calling
On a flop of 5h-8c-5c Seiver checks from the small blind before Alaei bet to 32,000. Seiver called. Both checked the Kd turn and the 4s river. Seiver showed A-J to take it down.

4.05pm: Latest chip counts
Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 686,500
Scott Seiver - 286,000
Liya Gerasimov - 153,500
Daniel Alaei - 283,500
Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 582,000
Will Molson - 300,500
Eli Elezra - 133,000

3.55pm: Nick Schulman of the United States eliminated in eighth place for $45,700.
Schulman arrived as the short stack and becomes the first to leave, shoving behind a Seiver bet and called ElkY's re-raise. The Frenchman called with pocket tens to Schulman's As-Js which didn't improve.

3.50pm: Gerasimov makes her move
Liya Gerasimova moves all-in and is called by ElkY but for the second time today both players have the same hand, A-K. A split pot.

3.47pm: Latest chip counts
Seat 1 - Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 640,500
Seat 2 - Scott Seiver - 317,000
Seat 3 - Nick Schulman - 84,000
Seat 4 - Liya Gerasimov - 143,500
Seat 5 - Daniel Alaei - 314,500
Seat 6 - Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 457,000
Seat 7 - Will Molson - 320,500
Seat 8 - Eli Elezra - 148,000

3.45pm: Brenes in control
Humberto Brenes is dominating the table, or maybe it's the shark, with some well timed raises to take down sizeable pots; the latest from Scott Seiver.

3.35pm: Shark attack
Humberto Brenes pushes ElkY off a pot with a move holding 9-2 off. Cue shark for the rubdown.

3.24pm: All in
Alaei bet and Schulman moved all-in. Alaei called but both players showed A-K, splitting the pot.

3.13pm: More for Elezra
Gerasimova bet pre-flop which Elezra called. On a flop of 2h-7c-Td Elezra moved all in, ending the hand right there.

3.10pm: Time for a Molson
Will Molson re-raises ElkY for the second time, taking the pot.

3.05pm: Checking
Brenes takes a pot against Alaei that's checked all the way. With four spades on the board Brenes showed a fifth.

2.55pm: Current chip counts
Seat 1 - Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 472,000
Seat 2 - Scott Seiver - 417,000
Seat 3 - Nick Schulman - 107,000
Seat 4 - Liya Gerasimov - 187,500
Seat 5 - Daniel Alaei - 247,000
Seat 6 - Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 595,500
Seat 7 - Will Molson - 226,000
Seat 8 - Eli Elezra - 173,000

2.50pm: Pay up
On the next hand ElkY makes it 18,500 and it's folded to Elezra who moves all in for 79,500. ElkY calls and shows his 6-3 off-suit to Elezra's pocket kings. ElkY was counting out what he owed even before the board brought a third king for Elezra.

2.45pm: New chip leader
On a flop of 6h-Tc-Kd Elezra bets 17,500 from the big blind and ElkY called. The turn came 5d and Elezra bet out again, 27,000 which ElkY called. Then the river card, Th, which Elezra bet 47,500 on. ElkY thought for a while and raised to 122,000. Now Elezra was in the tank, eventually calling but mucking his hand to ElkY's A-T. The Team PokerStars Pro is now chip leader with 675,000.

2.40pm: First go
Will Molson plays his first pot of the day but it doesn't last long, calling an ElkY bet from the small blind in the big for a flop of Qd-8d-6h. ElkY bet, Molson passed.

2.30pm: The Brenes dance
Humberto Brenes puts on a show when winning a pot against Eli Elezra who he happily accuses of bluffing. It takes Brenes to 485,000 and the chip lead.

2.20pm: Team Pro pot
ElkY and Brenes tangle in a pot on a king high flop. Both show a king to chop the pot.

2.16pm: First all in
The first all in comes from short stack Nick Schulman. Eli Elezra thought about it for a while but passed, as did the original raises Scott Seiver.

2.12pm: First big hand of the day
A big hand early on with Gerasimova making it 16,000 pre-flop, getting a call from ElkY in the small blind. The flop came Tc-Th-9s which both check for a 5s on the turn which ElkY bets at 22,500 at. Gerasimova raises to 62,000 which ElkY calls for a 7c river card. It's now a 166,000 pot but both check the river, ElkY showing Ac-Qh for the pot. He's up to 438,500.

2.05pm: First pot
The first hand is won by Daniel Alaei who re-raises behind a Brenes raise and a Seiver call.

2.01pm: Play begins.
It'll be worth the wait. It's non-stop from here on.

1.55pm: Introductions
Players are being introduced to the crowds. Cards are almost in the air...

1.50pm: Patience is a virtue
The last of the final finishing touches are nearly done. It can only be minutes now... we can hear the riffle of chips...

1.30pm: Finishing touches
There's always a glitch to iron out. Play is about to begin with blinds at 3,000-6,000 with a running 500.

1.20pm: Nearly ready
After some delays to the start players are arriving at the table and should be dealt cards within a few minutes.

Players have done their interviews, pre-flight checks and are wired into the final table, sparkling with blues and greens, ready to play. There are never enough pictures to be taken, but once the bank of photographers are done play will commence. In the meantime here's a few more details about today's finalists...

Seat 1 - Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - Costa Rica - 423,500

Known as the Godfather of Costa Rican Poker, Brenes is a popular face on the poker scene with an illustrious career in the game. Brenes has over fifty WSOP cashes as well as millions in tournament winnings to his name. A shark enthusiast, Brenes is rarely seen now without his toy shark card protector and wide grin. He starts second in chips today.

Seat 2 - Scott "gunning4you" Seiver - United States - 449,500

Seiver has bracelets in $5k NLHE WSOP event in 2008 and is extremely well known online who plays all the big buy-in live tournaments and middle to high stakes no limit cash games online. He starts today as tournament chip leader.

Seat 3 - Nick Schulman - United States - 99,500 chips
From New York, Schulman was in his early twenties when he won WPT Foxwoods in 2006. Known as TheTakeover online, he has over $3.3million in tournament winnings. Has recorded three further major final tables including 6th in the WSOP $5K no limit hold'em in 2007. He starts today as the short stack.

Seat 4 - Liya Gerasimova - Russia - 259,000
Making her first final table appearance at an EPT or High Roller event, she played the high roller in London but has better her performance there with a cash finish here. From Russia, Gerasimova will be railed by her boyfriend, Ivan Demidov, the PokerStars Six member who finished second in last year's World Series Main event. Gerasimova starts sixth in chips.

Seat 5 - Daniel Alaei - United States - 209,500

Alaei is a high stakes poker player, often seen been on the High Stakes Poker TV series. In 2006 he won the $5k No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball WSOP event, made even more remarkable by the fact he had never played the game before he sat down and had only had a run through with a friend. From the Bay Area, Alaei made the fold of the tournament when he laid down kings to Eli Elezra's aces yesterday. Alaei starts 7th in chips.

Seat 6 - Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - France - 358,000

The Team PokerStars Pro is a formidable internet player before switching to live poker, having turned to the game after a successful gaming career in South Korea. One of the few players to be known simply by his nickname, ElkY took full honours by winning the PCA last year in the Bahamas, a first EPT victory that followed a second place in Copenhagen the year before. ElkY starts today third in chips.

Seat 7 - Will Molson - Canada - 270,500

The Canadian is making his first final table appearance in only his second ever live event. Well versed in the arts of 50-100 up to 100-200 no limit cash games on PokerStars, the 21-year-old is currently a student in Halifax, Nova Scotia, studying for his Bachelor of Arts. Known as Molswi47 on PokerStars busted from the PCA main event late on day one but starts today's final fifth in chips.

Seat 8 - Eli Elezra - United States - 355,500

A famous high stakes poker player Elezra, originally from Israel, won his first WSOP bracelet in 2007 in the $3K Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Split-8 or Better and won as much in side bets along the way as in prize money. Plays in the big game alongside the likes of Doyle Brunson, Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu and Gus Hansen and is also a successful business man in Las Vegas. Today he starts fourth in chips.

If you stuck with it through to the end of the high roller event last night you'll know what preceded today's final was fifteen hours of timeless poker, culminating early this morning with the elimination of Bill Edler, a gentleman through to the end, who shook hands with his opponents and left with nothing, the money and glory going to those he was leaving behind.

That's all in the past. Today those Edler walked away from return hoping to become the new champion and stride into the glare of public adulation, collecting a first prize of $433,500 and a few nods of recognition along the way.

Here's how players will line up today...

Seat 1 - Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 423,500
Seat 2 - Scott Seiver - 449,500
Seat 3 - Nick Schulman - 99,500
Seat 4 - Liya Gerasimov - 259,000
Seat 5 - Daniel Alaei - 209,500
Seat 6 - Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 358,000
Seat 7 - Will Molson - 270,500
Seat 8 - Eli Elezra - 355,500

From a list bursting with recognisable faces, two Team PokerStars Pros stand out. Last year Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier got himself some attention by winning $2 million here at the PCA. This year he is in good position to make the same headlines again in the high roller in a climate that suits him. Then there is Humberto Brenes, who was possibly the last player to register for the event yesterday, but who outlasted 40 others and is in a strong chip position to do some damage.

On a table chock full of bracelet winners - Eli Elezra, Daniel Alaei and Scott Seiver - this will be no ordinary final. You can follow all the action on the PokerStars blog and watch every hand for yourself on EPTLive when the unparalleled coverage begins at 12 noon ET.

Here's what they're playing for...

1st - $433,500
2nd - $228,000
3rd - $137,000
4th - $91,300
5th - $70,800
6th - $68,500
7th - $57,000
8th - $45,700

The final table is in place. With ten minutes to go before 3am the decisive hand played out, a bubble hand that was ultimately worth more than $45,000 to someone.

Bill Edler had been moving in from time to time, hoping to gain the momentum he needed to kick-start a campaign that had left him the short stack for several levels. "I hate it," he'd said earlier. "It's not poker".

Crippled as he was, he was still around when play was whittled down to one table. But the blinds were big and Edler was running out of time. So when Eli Elezra made it 14,000 pre-flop Edler decided now was the time, and pushed all-in, stacking his chips in a way that made them easy for any caller to count. The price was 53,000 and the action was folded back to Elezra.

"Do you want me to call?" asked Elezra.

"No," was the straight-faced reply.

"I think Nick Schulman wants me to call," joked Elezra, referring to the next short-stacked player.

By now everyone had stood to watch, leaving just Edler and Elezra at the table. Done with counting out his stack Elezra dropped in his call. Chips went everywhere and the rail descended. Edler had been caught moving with a heroic 6c-4d to Elezra's Kh-Jc. The flop gave Edler outs, falling 5s-3h-As, but the Ts turn and Ac river gave him nothing more. Edler was out, gone after shaking the hand of every one of his opponents.

"I had to call buddy," said Elezra, "I'm sorry Bill."

Those left had made the money and a 15 hour day had come to an end. The final table, tomorrow at noon, awaits. It will feature two Team PokerStars Pros in ElkY and Humberto Brenes, who only registered to play at the last moment, as well as the players below, each in pursuit of a high-roller crown.

You can catch every hand on EPTLive with coverage starting at around 12 noon ET, as well as additional features here on the PokerStars blog.

Here's how they'll line up:

Seat 1 - Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 423,500
Seat 2 - Scott Seiver - 449,500
Seat 3 - Nick Schulman - 99,500
Seat 4 - Liya Gerasimov - 259,000
Seat 5 - Daniel Alaei - 209,500
Seat 6 - Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier - Team PokerStars Pro - 358,000
Seat 7 - Will Molson - 270,500
Seat 8 - Eli Elezra - 355,500

It was a long day but as high-roller events have regularly proven, one worth sticking out. For a recap on all of today's high roller events, including news of Daniel Negreanu's late exit and the likes of Dario Minieri, Greg Raymer and Joe Hachem, check out the links below:

Strap yourself in
Early forays
See you on the beach?
Chips at the break
One down, 47 to go
A page turner
Ferguson falls to Hachem
Into level six
Boom boom gone
Chips for dinner
Flames and flameouts
Tables of death
Clash of the Titans
No Mercier at the break
Ten to go
Closing in
Caught in a trap
A touch of class from Daniel Alaei
The post mortem of a hand

A season of EPTs means watching thousands of hands but among them only a few ever stand out. The running theme at the end of level 11, as players mill around waiting for chips to be coloured up, is what will probably be known from now on as the "Alaei fold." Press and players want to talk about it, the type of hand you hear about but rarely see.

"When he re-raised I suddenly felt aces." Said Alaei to Bill Edler.

"If he shoves could you fold?" asked Edler.

"That made it a lot easier" said Alaei, but no one believed anything about the hand was easy.

That was level 11, which saw Josh Arieh eliminated when he ran sevens into ElkY's kings. ElkY had also spent time beating up PokerStars qualifier Johan van Till over the last 60 minutes and as the new level started with blinds at 3,000-6,000 with a 500 running ante, van till became the 11th place finisher, his A-T no good against Will Molson's A-J.

Then one of the icons of the event busted. Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu was eliminated, pushing in with A-J only to be called by another Team Pro Humberto Brenes who showed A-9. Brenes caught a nine on the flop and Negreanu was done.

The nine players left now play around one table until there's another elimination. Here's how the line up with their approximate chip counts...

Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 425,000
Bill Edler - 65,000
Scott Seiver - 330,000
Nick Schulman - 140,000
Liya Gerasimova - 225,000
Daniel Alaei - 245,000
ElkY - Team PokerStars Pro - 330,000Will Molson - 280,000
Eli Elezra - 320,000

We play on...

In what could be the fold of the week, Daniel Alaei just mucked kings to Eli Elezra, the two big stacks at the table. With all of the action pre-flop, Daniel Negreanu raised, Elezra made it 26,000 before Alaei re-raised to 70,000. Negreanu folded before Elezra raised again to 171,000. It's late here but there was still enough of a crowd watching as Alaei went into the tank. Elezra continued chewing on the seeds he'd been eating for a level now. Waiting.

When Alaei came out it was to fold two kings face up. A huge move, Elezra showed his repsect to this remarkable fold by showing him two aces. Negreanu made sure everyone knew it was a great play, but the hand spoke for itself.

On the other table Liya Gerasimova just doubled up through Nick Schulman, keeping her tournament hopes afloat. ElkY is also making waves, reaping a big hand against PokerStars qualifier Johan van Till.

Usually the thought of the bubble, the money and a place on a feature table is big deal. But in a high roller event, with players plastered with bracelets, titles and all manner of plaudits you suspect that isn't as big a deal as it might be. Play has noticeably slowed a little since Denis Phillips busted (in back to back hands). Instead the hour has taken hold and no one wants to waste the last 13 hours at the table by leaving now. So we wait.

Josh Arieh's fortunes have changed for the better, adding much needed weight to his stack while Bill Edler remains the short stack. Other highlights include someone mentioning that today is Elvis's birthday. Play continues into level 11.

***

An updated approximate chip count into level 11, at 1.30am ET.

Liya Gerasimova - 125,000
Nick Schulman - 45,000
Josh Arieh - 52,000
ElkY - Team PokerStars Pro - 240,000
Julian van Till - 85,000
Will Molson - 220,000

Bill Edler - 75,000
Scott Seiver - 195,000
Eli Elezra - 270,000
Daniel Alaei - 260,000
Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 260,000
Daniel Negreanu - Team PokerStars Pro - 185,000

It seemed to take only a few blinks but suddenly we're down to 14. Antonio Esfandiari is out, so too PokerStars Six man Ivan Demidov. But with blinds now 1,500-3,000 with a 300 ante things are getting pricey. Dennis Phillips is still taking advantage of the occasion re-raise, tangling regularly with Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu for at least another 50,000. Erik Seidel had fought the rear guard action but has also gone.

Others are moving all-in, but with no takers, as we wait for six more eliminations. Josh Arieh tries it twice just for blinds, then doubles up through Nick Schulman with K-T against J-T. Steve Biliarakis also just departed.

(chip counts are approximate)

Table 1
Denis Phillips - OUT
Bill Edler - 73,000
Scott Seiver - 250,000
Eli Elezra - 280,000
Daniel Alaei - 320,000
Humberto Brenes - 310,000
Daniel Negreanu - 180,000

Table 2
Liya Gerasimova - 120,000
Nick Schulman - 185,000
Josh Arieh - 70,000
ElkY - 150,000
Julian van Till - 140,000
Wil Molsen - 151,000

Stop press: Denis Phillips is out. The PokerStars Six player was eliminated by Scott Seiver who made a flush on the river to Phillip's two pair. 13 remain.

Minutes before the end of the level Bill Edler moved all-in on an ace-high flop. Eli Elezra opted to fold an ace rather than call. That was the last hand before the 15 minute break.

With level nine underway people are starting to question how long this is going to last. By that I mean the players. This will go on, most people think, until eight players remain, and typically this seems to be what the players want. And with blinds now 1,000-2,000 with a 200 ante the cost of living is starting to go up.

Julian van Till moved in, but got no takers, picking up the blinds. Eric Seidel was doing the same a table over, moving in once, then twice without any business.

Two players were destined to leave though, the first being Team PokerStars Pro Joe Hachem. He was eliminated by Nick Schulman in a raising war that pitched Hachem's J-Q against Schulman's A-T. The ten on the turn was enough to see off the former World Champion.

Next it was Isaac Haxton, eliminated in 19th place in a big hand against Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. Haxton had bet 14,000 on a flop of 7h-Qh-3s and Negreanu called for a 5h turn card. This time Haxton moved all in with Ac-9h only for Negreanu to call with pocket sixes, a hand that held to the river, eliminating Haxton and taking his stack to close to the 200,000 mark.

The end of the level and another break. Notable chips counts from some of the remaining players are below. Daniel Alaei, whose tournament hopes were boosted earlier today with a pot against Antonio Esfandiari, holds the chip lead on approximately 195,000, closely followed by Michael Fosco who can thank Jason Mercier for his loot.

In the last hand of the level Antonio Esfandiari moved all in, hoping to induce a call from Alaei who decided against it. Not so for Jason Mercier who busted out on the same hand.

Daniel Alaei - 195,000
Michael Fosco - 170,000
ElkY - Team PokerStars Pro - 141,000
Eli Elezra - 135,000
Daniel Negreanu - Team PokerStars Pro - 128,000
Denis Phillips - PokerStars Six - 122,000
Humberto Brenes - Team PokerStars Pro - 120,000
Steve Biliarakis - 110,000
Isaac Haxton - 90,000
Antonio Esfandiari - 85,000
Julian van Till - 85,000
Joe Hachem - Team PokerStars Pro - 83,000
Jason Mercier - 39,000
Ivan Demidov - PokerStars Six - 25,000
Josh Arieh - 19,000
Eric Seidel - 17,000

When play resumes blinds will be 1,000-2,000 with a running ante of 200. Tournament officials intend to play 12 levels today, although they will stop the action should just eight players remain.

We didn't have to wait for first blood on table three. It started with Denis Phillips limping under-the-gun. Jason Mercier next to him did the same, so did Daniel Negreanu and Isaac Haxton. Fosco and Hansen stayed in from the blinds.

That's six to see the flop of 9h-3c-7c.

Fosco started this time, checking from the small blind. Hansen was in the big. Spreading his chips he led out, 4,600 which Phillips called, as did Mercier before the action was folded back to Hansen. The turn followed, a Qs. Hansen had another look and counted his chips, 16,100 in all, which after a few seconds he pushed in. Perhaps sensing Mercier was still keen, Philips raised to 35,000 total, causing Mercier to make audible noises of regret before folding.

Pocket threes for Phillips, ahead of Hansen's Qh-7h. The Jc on the river helped no one.
"I thought he might have a set" said Hansen, getting up to leave. "I couldn't help myself! I was going to check-fold!"

23 players left.

Phillips wasn't finished getting busy, tangling with Daniel Negreanu a hand or two later. Negreanu made it 3,600 pre-flop which Phillips called for a flop of Ts-2h-5h. Phillips made it 6,500 form the small blind and Negreanu min-raised. "I'm a min raise guy" he said before Phillips called. The turn brought a Ks which both checked. The river was As, which was also checked.

Phillips showed Kd-Td to Negreanu's Ah-3h. Another pot for the PokerStars Six man, who heads towards the chip lead.