This is an archive of previous coverage. Click through for up to date updates.

9:55pm: Mikita Badziakouski bags up Day 1 lead

While the large names made their bids for high spot on the close of play today, it was relative new boy Mikita Badziakouski who beon them to it, bagging up 951,000 at the end of eight levels tonight. 

The Belarussian has four cashes to his name, two of which came here in Monaco. To this point so good for a third, however the opposition isn't exactly light weight. 

Behind Badziakouski are some considerable talents. 

Max Silver made a late charge to bag up 785,000 tonight, while Igor Kurganov finished on 755,000. John Juanda has 744,000 while Ivan Luca gave the impression to have his finishing stack of 660,000 from in regards to the end of level one. 

There were 56 entries today, along with 44 players who between them opted to re-enter 12 times. Some 38 remained on the close. That said, this number could increase by tomorrow with registration open until the beginning of play on Day 2. 

That can be at 12:30pm tomorrow at local time when play resumes. The plan is to play late, or to a last table. There'll be live updates at the PokerStars Blog from begin to finish. Scroll down throughout the updates below to get the entire story from the outlet day. 

For now the super high rollers go searching for Dom Perignon (see entry at 9.25pm), while the €10K high rollers, now of their third day, play directly to a winner tonight. You'll follow live updates of that action by going to our 10K high roller updates page.

That's not the entire. walls were bursting today to make room for almost 1000 players within the FPS Main Event. It was opening day today, with a number of top pros participating. You'll be able to follow live updates from that at the FPS live updates page. 

                                       PLAYER COUNTRY CHIPS

Mikita Badziakouski	Belarus	921,000
Max Silver	United Kingdom	785,000
Igor Kurganov	Russia	755,000
John Juanda	United States	744,000
Ivan Luca	Argentina	660,000
Dario Sammartino	Italy	651,000
Jason Mercier	United States	629,000
Mustapha Kanit	Italy	585,000
Byron Kaverman	United States	534,000
Salman Behbehani	United States	525,000
Ole Schemion	Germany	486,000
Sean Winter	United States	402,000
Bryn Kenney	United States	395,000
Christophe Vogelsang	Germany	369,000
Stanley Choi	Hong Kong	355,000
Paul Newey	United Kingdom	352,000
Raouf Ibrahim	Sweden	344,000
Timothy Adams	United States	342,000
Daniel Dvoress	Canada	337,000
Charlie Carrel	United Kingdom	334,000
Andrew Lichtenberger	United States	334,000
David Peters	United States	295,000
Ali Reza Fatehi	Iran	279,000
Stephen Chidwick	United Kingdom	249,000
Erik Seidel	United States	230,000
Steve O'Dwyer	Ireland	228,000
Sam Greenwood	Canada	227,600
Mike Watson	Canada	217,000
Isaac Haxton	United States	210,000
Fabian Quoss	Germany	194,000
Tobias Reinkemeier	Germany	175,000
Dan Smith	United States	162,000
Dominik Nitsche	Germany	158,000
Mike McDonald	Canada	143,000
Haralabos Voulgaris	Canada	134,000
Dan Shak	United States	110,000
Thomas Muehloecker	Austria	89,000
Daniel Negreanu	Canada	52,000

9.50pm: Behbehani's big scoreLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

What a time to win an enormous pot - right before the tip of the night. Salman Behbehani is loving life.

Igor Kurganov opened, and Raouf Ibrahim and Behbehani both called. Timofey Kuznetsov then shoved for 70,500, which Ibrahim called. Behbehani then re-shoved excessive for 194,500 total. Ibrahim thought for some time and at last made the call.

Their hands may shock you:Kuznetsov - A♥T♥Ibrahim - A♠8♠Behbehani - A♦J♠

The man from Kuwait was ahead, and the board ran out nicely for him: K♠7♠K♥9♥5♣.

With that Behbehani moved as much as his end-of-the-night chip count of 525,000, while Kuznetsov hit the rail. Ibrahim was left with 344,000. --JS

9.40pm: Good call by Vogelsang, although it did take a whileLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

The board showed the 9♦6♦5♣4♠Q♣. There has been 60,000 within the pot. Mustapha Kanit's bet have been raised to 91,000 by Christoph Vogelsang. And that's the reason when Kanit put him all-in.

Vogelsang went deep into the tank, for a length of time that will soon be argued. John Juanda eventually called the clock, with the support of Dan Shak, and the ground was called.

"How much time has he had?" they asked. "He's had way an excessive amount of time," replied Juanda. "It was five minutes five minutes ago!" said Shak.

It didn't feel quite that long to us, nevertheless it seems that Vogelsang had also taken greater than two minutes to make his raise earlier within the hand.

With about 20 seconds left on his clock Vogelsang made the decision - and was right. He had the Q♦6♥ for a rivered top pair, which was prior to Kanit's 8♥8♦.

"I had not taken too long," said Vogelsang after the hand, arguing his case.

"We're from two different eras," said Shak. --JS

9:30pm: Five hands left to play

The title says it all.

9.25pm: The drinks are on Haxton. Almost.Level 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Isaac Haxton just ordered a bottle of Dom Perignon and 7 glasses for his table. A generous gesture for sure, especially given Monaco prices. There's just one problem. There's no Dom Perignon behind the bar. Plan scuppered.

"I'll have a beer," said Haxton. Which given the circumstances seemed the one reasonable thing to do. -- SB

9.25pm: Silver's closest to goldLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Right now it's Max Silver leading the pack. He's just busted Justin Bonomo to bring his stack as much as 877,000.

The two got it all-in pre-flop - Silver's Q♦Q♣ against Bonomo's T♠T♥. The board ran out K♠8♦3♥A♠3♣ to eliminate Bonomo. Will he buy back in before the top of the night? Will he buy back in tomorrow? Will he buy back in in any respect? Stay tuned to determine. --JS

Max Silver - before his stack balooned

9.20pm: More re-entriesLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Charlie Carrel, Christoph Vogelsang and Haralabos Voulgaris have all busted and re-entered. Just half an hour of play left at the day. --JS

9pm: Leading into the last levelBlinds: Level 8 - 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

We're into the last level of the day within the Super High Roller with four players currently sooner than the pack.

Ivan Luca - 825,000Mustapha Kanit - 800,000Igor Kurganov - 800,000John Juanda - 750,000

8.56pm: The departedLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

We haven't had too many bust-outs today, and people who did have bought back in for essentially the most part. Since we last spoke we've had three eliminations: Nick Petrangelo, Christoph Vogelsang, and Haralabos Voulgaris.

After Voulgaris busted and said he was going to shop for back in, Mustapaha Kanit will need to have offered to temporary loan him the cash from his PokerStars account, as he handed him his card which all players wish to register with.

Just somewhat old €100K loan then. Baller. --JS

8.42pm: Blinds upLevel 8 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

We're within the last level of the night - just 60 minutes of play left. --JS

8.40pm: Bonomo has the only hand Silver can beatLevel 7 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Daniel Dvoress kicked things off with an open to 10,000, which Max Silver called, as did Justin Bonomo within the big blind. We saw the 8♣Q♠J♠ flop fall and it went check check to Silver, who bet out 26,000. Only Bonomo would match that bet, leading to the Q♥ at the turn. Both checked, and the dealer burned and turned the 9♠ river. Both checked again and when Bonomo turned over his A♣J♣ for a couple of jacks, Silver said: "YOU WILL HAVE the only hand I WILL BE ABLE TO beat." And he did beat it along with his K♥[ks[. Silver's as much as 360,000, while Bonomo is on 182,000. --JS

8.20pm: Choi takes on NegreanuBlinds: Level 7 - 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Sometimes even the most productive player on the planet loses one, as Stanley Choi came upon to his advantage.

Choi opened for 10,000 which Negreanu called at the button. Christoph Vogelsang also referred to as from the massive blind for a flop of 6♦2♦J♥. Vogelsang checked to Choi who bet another 16,000. Negreanu called, leaving Vogelsang to drop out. The turn came A♦

Choi bet another 35,000, which Negreanu called again for a T♦ at the river. Now Choi paused, finally checking. 

"Okay..." said Negreanu, who watched Choi turn over A♠J♦, the diamond proving critical.

Negreanu showed pocket sixes for a flopped set. 

"I had you!" he said, laughing, then patted himself at the shoulder. "GREAT THING I DID NOT raise!" -- SB

8pm: Negreanu felted by his old buddy JohnLevel 7 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Back within the mid-to-late nineties, there have been four young hotshots at the poker scene. Their names? Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, John Juanda, and Allen Cunningham. The quartet were good pals, and helped one another get well by discussing strategy.Since then they've all gone directly to big things, but while one in every of them is playing somewhat smaller in this day and age (Cunningham), the opposite three are a few of the highest of high rollers.

Well, Negreanu and Juanda are here today, and were sat next to one another for some time. That is, before Juanda busted Kid Poker.

Juanda opened under the gun to 9,000 and it folded around to D-Negs within the big blind. He called.

The flop fell 6♠5♦8♣ and Negreanu checked, allowing Juanda to c-bet for one more 9,000. Now Negreanu kicked it as much as 21,000, just for Juanda (who had the much bigger stack) to shove. Negreanu snap-called his last 133,000 and we saw their holdings:

Negreanu - 7♠8♥Juanda - J♠J♦

Negreanu had flopped big with top pair and an up-and-down straight draw, while Juanda was still in front together with his overpair. The turn came the 6♣, putting a couple at the board and subsequently taking some outs clear of Daniel. The 7♥ completed the board, and Negreanu's two-pair was weaker than Juanda's, sending him to the cage for a rebuy.

"I'll be back buddy, do not fret about that!" Negreanu said as he dashed off. Meanwhile, Juanda now has 670,000. --JS

7.25pm: Ibrahim bluffs with the most productive of itLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Well that was a stroke of excellent fortune for Raouf Ibrahim. He thought he was looking to push Andrew Lichtenberger off a greater hand; it turned out he had the winner all along.

It started with an open to 7,000 from Byron Kaverman, followed by calls from Ibrahim and Thomas Muehloecker. Lichtenberger then made a squeeze to 40,000, and only Ibrahim would call. The primary three community cards were the 2♦4♦6♣, and Lichtenberger continued for 30,000. Ibrahim then jammed for 157,200 - the 'bluff' - and Lichtenberger snap-called.

Turns out Ibrahim just had the A♠Q♣ for Ace-high, but he was still prior to Lichtenberger's K♦Q♦ for a flush draw. It bricked for Lucky Chewy (Lichtenberger) running out 9♥ J♠ and Ibrahim secured a doubled up. --JS

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7.10pm: Antonius is goneLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

We saw Patrik Antonius getting up out of his seat and slinging his bag over his shoulder. The explanation? All his chips were sitting in front of Byron Kaverman.

Kaverman opened, Igor Kurganov called at the button, and Antonius called from the massive blind. The flop fell the K♠Q♠4♦ and it checked to Kurganov, who led out for 10,500. Antonius then bumped it as much as 27,000, just for Kaverman to install another raise to 45,000. Kurganov got out the way, Antonius jammed for around 100,000 and Kaverman called, putting the cards on their backs.

Antonius had King-Jack, but was trailing the King-Queen on Kaverman. The board was completed with the A♠ and J♦, so Kaverman's bigger two-pair was best. He's as much as around 550,000 now. --JS

6.55pm: Four way flop results in Kurganov shoveBlinds: Level 6 - 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

A flop of 6♣A♦Q♥ and 4 players within the hand.

Byron Kaverman, having his scalp massaged, checked to Igor Kurganov within the hijack who bet 12,000. Raouf Ibrahim was within the bring to an end next to him and called, as did Patrick Antonius at the button. When the action got back to Kaverman, he figured he'd call too.The turn came 7♥.

Kaverman checked again. Kurganov made it 27,000 to play this time, getting a choice from Ibrahim before both Antonius and Kaverman passed, the latter only after a protracted pause.The river came 9♥

Kurganov checked. Ibrahim reached for his chips and bet 60,000.

Kurganov paused. It's on occasions like this that you are never that surprised when a reluctant fold follows. But not this time. Kurganov simply moved all-in.Ibrahim blinked a bit, looked up, after which wiped his face. It's on occasions like this that you are never that surprised when a convinced fold follows. Ibrahim did just that.

He's right down to 190,000. Kurganov meanwhile more as much as greater than 500,000. - SB

6.50pm: Carrel's fighting backLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Charlie Carrel is making strides to rebuild his stack and get it up above the start line again. Daniel Dvoress opened a pot to 7,000 and Carrel three-bet to 21,500 from the large blind. The dealer spread a flop of A♣Q♦6♣ and it went check check, so the 8♦ was put down at the turn. Carrel led for 25,000 and Dvoress matched it, taking us to the 7♦ at the river. Both checked and Carrel took it down together with his A♥5♥, moving him as much as 170,000. Dvoress, meanwhile, is left with 182,000. --JS

6.40pm: Couple's onlyLevel 5 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

It's a lovey dovey affair at the tournament floor at this time as poker's power couples Igor Kurganov and Liv Boeree, and Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier and Natasha Barbour, are all stood around talking. Only the lads are playing on this one, meaning Igor and Jason are keeping a detailed eye on their tables in order that they don't miss a hand. --JS

6.30pm: Chidwick's second bullet isn't going to planLevel 6 - Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

He's in for 2 bullets right now, but Stephen Chidwick's second attempt at this tournament isn't going too well either.

On a board of 7♥7♣T♠2♦8♠ and with a hefty pot within the middle, Chidwick bet 80,000 just for Dario Sammartino to jam all-in (Sammartino covered the Brit). He thought for ages but eventually folded, leaving himself 95,000 behind. Sammartino is as much as 450,000 now. --JS

6.10pm: Latest from Ali Reza FatehiBlinds: Level 5 - 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Mike Watson opened for 6,000 and which Ali Reza Fatehi called from the large blind. They saw a flop:6♦4♥T♦

Both players checked for a 8♣ turn card. This time Fatehi made a lumpy raise (made of all colours of chip) of 11,500. Watson called it for a 9♦ at the river after which led the betting, making it 20,000.Fatehi confirmed the quantity after which made a type of fast call, as though his hand desired to make the decision before his brain realised what he was doing. Watson flipped over A♥7♠, which beat whatever Fatehi held.

Regardless, Fatehi still has quite a lot of chips, still on around 400,000. Watson moves as much as 190.000. - SB

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6pm: Winter furrowedBlinds: Level 5 - 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

A bet of 6,500 from Sean Winter and a deeply furrowed brow as he looked over on the pink hair of Justin Bonomo. You'd have thought it couldn't get any longer furrowed, but somehow it did when Bonomo raised to 16,500. The blinds folded and the action reached Winter again.

He decided to maintain it simple, raising again to 75,000 this time. Bonomo got the message and folded, Winter's brow returning to normal. - SB

5.50pm: Chidwick's back, but we've lost ShakLevel 5 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

At the similar time that Stephen Chidwick was taking his freshly bought seat - his second bullet - Dan Shak was making his way out the tournament area.

Shak had got his A♣J♦ all-in against Dario Sammartino's A♥A♠ and although the J♠6♦A♦ will need to have looked nice to him at first, he was actually crushed and the 4♣ and 7♥ turn and river were no help.

However, after I was on my way out the room I saw Shak with a brand new receipt in his hand, so he's indubitably back within the action already. --JS

5.30pm: Ibrahim came here to playLevel 5 - Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Ali Reza Fatehi is not the only somewhat-unfamiliar man splashing chips around on this super high roller. Raouf Ibrahim is doing his justifiable share too.

In one hand I just caught, he opened to 5,000 and Patrik Antonius called. It got to Thomas Muehloecker and he made it 20,500 to play, which only Ibrahim would call.

The flop came the 4♣2♥5♦ and Ibrahim led out for 24,000. Again he was met by a raise from Muehloecker, this time to 60,000, but he had a solution (or so he thought) - another raise to 120,000.

Muehloecker looked a bit of confused by the press back but still didn't take too long to shove all-in for 178,200 total. Ibrahim made a frustrated fold to depart him with 92,000, while Muehloecker is as much as 322,000 now. --JS

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5:10pm: O'Dwyer shoves on McDonaldBlinds: Level 4 - 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

A flop of 7♣9♠2♠ and a primary glimpse, albeit short, of Daniel Negreanu in action. 

He was in a 3 handed pot and checked to Steve O'Dwyer who bet 10,000. Mike McDonald stared at O'Dwyer, called, which forced a fold from Negreanu. 

The turn came Q♥. O'Dwyer bet 20,000 this time. Again, McDonald stared, then called, for a J♥ river card. O'Dwyer checked. McDonald, just a seat away, checked out him and bet 30,000. Would that be enough? O'Dwyer paused for a while before he announced "all-in". 

McDonald flinched. It might be all-in to name and while he thought for several minutes he couldn't discover a adequate reason to call. He passed, dropping right down to 65,000. O'Dwyer meanwhile is as much as 300,000. - SB

5pm: Chidwick fallsLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (200 ante)

Stephen Chidwick is our first man to be eliminated. On a flop of A♣2♦K♠, Nick Petrangelo checked to him and he bet 12,000. Patrik Antonius called, as did Petrangelo, and all three saw the T♥ land. Petrangelo checked again, and Chidwick continued for 30,000. That got Antonius out the way, but Petrangelo went nowhere. He called and the 2♣ hit the river. Petrangelo checked a 3rd time and Chidwick jammed for 94,900. The decision came quickly and the chips slid Petrangelo's way as his Q♠J♠ straight was best. Chidwick could only muster the Q♠T♠ for a couple of tens, and thanks to that he hit the rail.

Will he return for a second bullet? --JS

4.55pm: No introductions neededLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (200 ante)

I have five more new entries to bring you- and they are all doozies.

Let's start with arguably the most important name in poker - Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu. He certainly made an entrance - "Give me chips!" he jokingly bellowed to the tournament directors, turning hundreds of heads playing within the France Poker Series his way.

Then we've one of the vital hottest players right now, bro - Mustapaha Kanit, winner of EPT12 Dublin's €25K.

Joining them are high roller regulars Thomas Muehloecker, Winfred Yu and Tobias Reinkenmeier.

Who will occur next? My money's on Bryn Kenney, who I COULD have seen lingering across the building. Place your bets and stay tuned! --JS

4:40pm: Introducing Ali Reza Fatehi, essentially the most Super of super high rollersBlinds: Level 4 - 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Ali Reza Fatehi came here to play, to not get a lesson from any professional. 

The man from Iran just played six hands of super high stakes poker with the type of aplomb that may be beyond consideration for many - including those we think to peer on the final table in Saturday. Fatehi won't get to enroll in them there, but when he can't then he'll be content to debris with their heads along the way. 

I got to his table with a flop dealt J♣A♣8♠. There will have been other hands before, I WILL NOT be certain that of that, but this was the primary hand of the six.

There were four players within the pot, including Fatehi at the button. The action was checked to him and he bet, 6,800. Ole Schemion within the big blind will be the only player to call, and did so for a turn card J♥.

Fatehi appears not yet to have found his preferred way of betting. After Schemion checked Fatehi assembled 8,800 right into a tower and plunged it forward in a protracted line. Schemion, unimpressed, tossed in a chip to indicate the call, then added the adaptation a chip at a time. 

The river came 2♥ and Schemion checked again. Fatehi went straight to his chips. There has been no push this time, but there has been a raffle of 26,000. 

Schemion couldn't countenance folding, but was slow to name. When he did Fatehi showed 5♠2♠ for a heroic bottom pair. Schemion turned over A♥7♣ to take the pot and move as much as greater than 300,000.

But Fatehi had more chips than that, plenty to play with. Any suggestion that he would chill to lick his wounds after an encounter with a player of Schemion stature, were quickly put to bed. I mean, who was this Schemion anyway?

In the following hand Fatehi bet 3,000 from the bring to a halt until he was told the minimum bet was 3,200. Schemion, smelling blood, re-raised to force a fold. 

Fatehi, just like the man who doesn't know when he's beaten, raised the following pot from middle position, making it 4,000 this time (to be sure). Schemion was now at the button, and raised again, to 15,500 this time. This was interesting. How would Fatehi handle this? Well, with the aplomb I DISCUSSED earlier. 

When Schemion bet the A♠7♠2♠ flop, making it 14,000 to play, Fatehi announced "raise". Not more pushing towers over, he was certain this time and put 36,000 within the middle. Schemion, checked out his cards again, then folded. 

Buoyed up Fatehi opened the following hand for 3,200. Christophe Vogelsang, hardly capable of contain a laugh, came in with the decision within the big blind. The flop came A♥3♦7♦. Vogelsang checked and Fatehi, with lightning speed, put a tower of chips worth 4,800 within the middle. Then he pushed it over. 

Vogelsang folded. 

Daniel Dvoress got the simpler of Fatehi within the next hand, opening at the button for 4,800 (called), after which bet 5,000 at the 8♥Q♣4♣ flop (called). Both checked the Q♠ turn card for an A♦ at the river. Fatehi took a swing at it, betting 12,000. When Dvoress called Fatehi found that his 7♦5♣ was no good against Dvoress's K♦4♦.

None of which put him off the following hand, nor any of the others so that you can follow today. Our task now could be to take a seat back, watch, and revel in Ali Reza Fatehi while he lasts. -- SB

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4.20pm: More names arriveLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (200 ante)

Isaac Haxton, not up to half an hour after busting the €10K single re-entry high roller in 14th for €30,720, has now taken his seat here within the super high roller.

Joining him is Stanley Choi, who sits at no.1 on China's all-time money list.

And last but not least is the legend, John Juanda. With greater than $18 million in tournament earnings and a win within the EPT12 Barcelona main event, Juanda is bound to make some noise here today. --JS

4pm: Watson's tankLevel 4 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (200 ante)

While Mike Watson tanked for greater than five minutes, Ole Schemion - the person who was putting him to the test - didn't stare away once.

But let's rewind a little bit. On a flop of 5♥4♣8♥, Schemion checked and Watson bet 3,000, which was called. The dealer burned and turned the A♦ and now Schemion led for 5,000, which Watson called. The river was the T♥ and Schemion put out a gamble (I missed the precise amount) but it's safe to mention it was less than 10,000 as Watson raised to 25,000. Schemion then came back excessive for 100,000 and here's where the tanking started.

Watson shook his head a couple of times throughout his thought process, but eventually laid it down. --JS

3.30pm: Luca's getting greedy nowLevel 3 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

Let another person have their blog spotlight moment, will you Ivan? It's getting silly.

Ivan Luca has much more chips in front of him now. Steve O'Dwyer opened to 4,400 and Luca called from the large blind, taking us to a 6♣Q♠8♥ flop. It went check-bet 5,500-call and the T♣ landed at the turn. Luca checked another time and O'Dwyer led for 12,000, only to stand a raise to 37,000. He called, and the river was the 2♠. Luca paused for a minute before finally putting out of venture of 90,000. O'Dwyer took his time in making the call, but he was forced to muck when Luca revealed his 9♥7♣ for turned straight. He's as much as 650,000 now - a huge chip lead - while O'Dwyer is right down to 106,000. --JS

3.10pm: Up and down for CarrelLevel 3 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

What a topsy turvy day it has been for Charlie Carrel. He'd lost half his stack as we told you earlier, but since then his stack was fluctuating wildly.

First he doubled up. He made it 4,000 to move and it folded to Sean Winter within the big blind who made it 12,000. Then Carrel four-bet to 31,000, Winter jammed, and Carrel snapped.

Carrel - K♦K♥Winter - A♦K♠

Winter would wish an ace to fall but there have been no rockets at the 3♣7♣4♥Q♣6♦ board. Carrel doubled to 279,000 while Winter sat with 170,000.

A few hands later though and Carrel had somehow found himself back with little over 130,000. He was looking to make something happen though; Max Silver opened to 4,000, David Peters three-bet to 15,000, and Carrel four-bet to 31,000. It folded back to Silver who then five-bet to 60,000, and Carrel needed to give it up. He has roughly 100,000 now, while Silver is playing 285,000. --JS

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2.50pm: Seidel's defenceLevel 2 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

Last year's super high roller champ Erik Seidel is defending his title, but it isn't been smooth sailing in his first hour or so. In a single hand it folded to Max Altergott within the small blind who called, before Seidel bumped up his big ignorant of 4,200. The Russian called and the flop showed the 4♣4♠5♥. Both checked, taking us to the 4♦ turn. Altergott now led for 6,500, which Seidel called, taking us to a river - the 2♥. Now the bet was 11,900 and Seidel didn't take too long to call, but mucked when Altergott revealed his A♣5♠ for an entire house. Seidel is all the way down to 215,000, while Altergott is now playing 190,000. --JS

2.45pm: The Ivan Luca showLevel 2 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

It's all about Ivan Luca presently. Mike McDonald opened to 3,000 at the button, just for Timothy Adams to three-bet to 9,500 from the small blind. Then Luca counted out raising chips and made it 26,500 to play. Only Adams called and the 2 saw a 2♠5♥6♦ flop fall. Both checked, leading us to the Q♣ turn, and again it went check check. The A♣ completed the board, Adams checked, and Luca went into tank before eventually announcing "48" for a 48,000 bet. Adams let it go and now sits with 205,000, while Luca is playing 540,000. --JS

2.35pm: Luca keeps buildingLevel 2 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

The only man to have double his starting stack is Ivan Luca, but he is not content with that. He opened to 2,400 and it folded around to Steve O'Dwyer who three-bet to 8,100. A four-bet to 32,400 from Luca quickly arrived and when O'Dwyer folded the Argentinian added much more to his chip lead. He's as much as 510,000 now, while O'Dwyer has dipped to 230,000. --JS

2.25pm: Carrel slipping as Winter takes holdLevel 2 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

It hasn't been the most productive opening couple of levels for Charlie Carrel. The person who won last year's €25K high roller here in Monaco is all the way down to half his starting stack already.

David Peters opened to 3,400, Carrel called at the button, and Sean Winter three-bet to 16,300 from the small blind. Peters then let his hand go when it folded to him, but Carrel called.

It came the 7♠6♣2♦ and Winter leaned to have a look at Carrel's remaining chips. "How much are you playing?" he asked. "125,000" came the reply.

A bet of 14,700 would take it down for Winter, who's as much as 275,000 now. --JS

2:15pm: Luca and McDonald clashLevel 2 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)

A big pot featuring Mike McDonald and another new arrival Ivan Luca that reached a river card with 70,000 within the middle.The board read Q♦3♦9♠ 8♠3♣ 

McDonald was at the button and had bet 25,000. Luca, playing from the large blind didn't act quickly, and McDonald was forced to attend. Luca's response was to raise, making it 168,000 to play. 

There was not one of the McDonald stare. Instead he set about working through his options, separating chips into what it might cost to name and what he'd have left. After minutes passed McDonald called. Luca turned over 9♣9♥. McDonald nodding, and mucked. 

Ivan Luca as much as 455,000. McDonald drops all the way down to 65,000. - SB

1.50pm: SLIGHTLY about HaralabobLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

If anyone remembers watching High Stakes Poker back within the day, you'll remember Haralabos Voulgaris, known on Twitter as Haralabob. He was a typical within the big Vegas cash games, but is likely to be best known for being a hugely successful NBA-betting savant. If basketball is your thing, be sure to take a look at The Bill Simmons Podcast, where Voulgaris is a typical and always entertaining guest.

Anyway, Voulgaris is fielding a large number of questions for his curious tablemates about his gambling life, notably from Mike McDonald.

"I heard you once bet all of your net worth on a team to win the NBA Championship," said McDonald.

"Oh yeah, that was a crazy bet for sure," Voulgaris reminisced. --JS

1.40pm: More big namesLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

A flurry of giant names have taken their seats on this event, including last year's champ Erik Seidel, Nick Petrangelo, Mike McDonald, Max Silver, Dominik Nitsche, Sean Winter, and most recently Stephen Chidwick. --JS

1.30pm: Carrel politely asks for helpLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Tables keep getting re-drawn because of arriving players, and one player who was at the move 3 times already is Charlie Carrel.

When arriving at his new table, his new dealer asked how he was.

"Well, I'VE less chips than once I started. It's as much as you to do something positive about it," he said. Not quite sure that's how poker works, Charlie, but would it be easier if it was? --JS

1.25pm: Dvoress gets the most productive of VogelsangLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Daniel Dvoress and Christoph Vogelsang and sat right next to every other, and they've already tangled in a few pots. So far, Dvoress has got the simpler of proceedings.

Vogelsang opened to 2,800 under the gun, and Dvoress was the one caller from the large blind. The flop came the 6♥6♠K♥ and Dvoress checked it to the raiser, who was only so happy to c-bet for 2,300. Dvoress called.

The turn was another six - the 6♦ - and Dvoress checked again. Now the bet from Vogelsang was 5,500 and it was another quick call from the Canadian. The board was completed by the A♥ at the river - a card which both players felt best to test. Dvoress flipped over the T♥T♣ and Vogelsang mucked.

Daniel Dvoress - 262,000Christoph Vogelsang - 235,000 --JS

1:20pm: A shining high roller event on a hillLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

It's that early stage of the super high roller through which players reach the tournament area within the far corner of the tournament room one by one. 

Like light aircraft on the lookout for airfield, they arrive, weaving in the course of the FPS Main Event, circling back around a satellite, after which throughout the single re-entry high roller field, before touching down at one of the vital empty SHR tables. David Peters, then Andrew Lichtenberger, Dominik Nitsche and Max Silver too, although those last two like to hang back, not able to commit just yet. 

Dan Shak also arrives carrying his laptop, not in a bag or anything, but open, in his hand, like someone taking desperate measures to seek out a WiFi signal. 

When they finally take a seat, the analogy switches to a type of greeting session initially of a day-long conference. They sit together and talk politely, studying each other, only missing the white name label with their name in felt tip pen. 

But in spite of two tables there's still room for tactical nuance. 

Dan Smith, probably the most early arrivals, wasn't happy concerning the collection of players at the side lines who he figured were looking forward to an even seat to open up. Putting aside the truth that all of them gave the look of pretty tough seats, staff were already on it, and with the coming of the 17th player the sport paused, the clock stopped, and a re-draw was announced. 

That's where we're for now. Three tables shining within the distance, guiding in additional super high rollers one after the other. No name badge required. - SB

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12:50pm: The tables are filling upLevel 1 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

I say the tables are filling up, but there are just two thus far. Still, we're talking a few €100K buy-in here; the prize pool is already enormous!

Players who're of their seats ruffling chips include EPT11 Grand Final €25K high roller and EPT12 Dublin €10K high roller winner Charlie Carrel; EPT8 Grand Final €100K super high roller winner Justin Bonomo; EPT9 Grand Final main event winner Steve O'Dwyer; EPT9 Barcelona €50K high roller winner Dan Smith; EPT11 Malta €10K high roller winner David Peters; let alone Timothy Adams, Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Christoph Vogelsang, Haralabos Voulgaris, and Paul Newey.

Already steller, it will be one heck of a field when it's fully assembled. --JS

12:10pm: New arrivals

Max Altergott, Igor Kurganov, Salman Behbehani and Sam Greenwood are the registered players thus far. It could not sound like a lot, but that's a winner-takes-all first prize almost as big as that during the one re-entry high roller event that concludes today. That said, more players are at the way. -- SB

11:45am: €100K Super High Roller starts today

Welcome to the outlet day of the €100K Super High Roller, which was the hole event before the €10K Single re-entry High Roller "Warm Up" was added to the schedule. 

What we predict is a regular demonstration of poker at its very best, because the premier players on the planet converge at the Monte Carlo Bay and Resort. The sun is shining, the ocean is calm, the curtains are drawn - conditions are perfect. 

We expect to play eight 60 minute levels today. It is also worth remembering this can be a re-entry tournament, which should raise the eyebrows even higher on those people you recognize who, unfamiliar with the poker world, ask what's so fascinating about some card game anyway. 

Last year this event was won by Erik Seidel after a memorable heads-up to-and-fro against wonder-kid Dzmitry Urbanovich, a finale you'll be able to re-read here. We'll hope for a similar when things wrap up on Saturday. -- SB

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Take a glance on the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for the remainder of the season.

Also all of the schedule information is at the EPT App, that is available on both Android or IOS.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT12 Grand Final: Stephen Bartley and Jack Stanton. Photography by Neil Stoddart. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter:@PokerStarsBlog

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