This is an archive of Levels 11-16 of the 2016 PCA $25K High Roller. Click here to continue to updates from Day 2, Levels 17-21.

6:43pm: Dinner break

Players at the moment are on a 75-minute dinner break. Play will continue at 7.55pm with 36 players remaining. The highest 31 finish within the money. Sean Winter leads with 840,000. Find the entire chip counts here.

6:42pm: Zaichenko chips upLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (1,000 ante)

"Time on table one," shouted the dealer and a member of floor staff arrived to inform Georgios Zisimopoulos that he had one minute to choose. He was heads-up against Andrey Zaichenko however the pot were four-way at one point.

Pre-flop it was Zisimopoulos who was the aggressor. He raised to 13,000, Zaichenko called as did Pablo Melogno (small blind) and Andrew Chen (big blind). At the 4♣9♦6♥ flop Melogno led for 17,000, Zisimopoulos raised to 38,000 and Zaichenko then re-raised to 65,000.

That removed Melogno and Chen, but Zisimopoulos called. Both players then checked the 2♦ turn and the T♥ fell at the river. After Zisimopoulos checked, Zaichenko bet 50,000 and that is where Zisimopoulos's tanking began.

As the time ticked down on his allotted minute he seemed no towards a choice. He mucked his hand with one second remaining. -NW

6:40pm: Shorty vs Shorty actionLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

Neither Nicolas Yunis nor John Krpan had many chips. Now one among them has none. Krpan jammed with pocket Jacks and Yunis called with A♠T♥. An Ace at the flop sent Krpan to the exit and crowned Yunis with a still-troubling 85,000 stack. 36 remain now. - RJ

6:35pm: Laxxin' and chillin'Level 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

Joshua Beckley doesn't appear to be suffering from the approaching $47k bubble - he's just ordered a lager. Because the can of local lager Sands sat in front of him, so did a 15,000 pre-flop raise. One player who wasn't quite so relaxed was Ben Heath. He desired to get aggro. Heath made it 52,000 and, after an extended pause, Beckley eventually folded.

After that tiny setback Beckley continues to be doing better than COMFORTABLE WITH 550,000. And a beer, do not forget that part. - RJ

6:30pm: Kornuth continues to climbLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (1,000 ante)

Chance Kornuth is as much as 870,000 after win a pot post-flop against Dario Sammartino.

Tyler Patterson couldn't have known what he'd started when he opened to 13,000 from the hijack. His bet was called by Kornuth (bring to an end) just for Sammartino to three-bet to 48,000 from the large blind. That removed Patterson, but Kornuth wanted a count. Having received on he made the call.

A 5♦8♦7♠ flop hit the felt and Sammartino gave up the betting lead. Kornuth bet 50,000 and Sammartino smooth called. At the 6♦ turn Kornuth bet again, this time the wager was 104,000. It was enough to eliminate Sammartino. He's all the way down to 350,000 whilst Kornuth is now as much as 870,000. --NW

Chance Kornuth

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6:25pm: Chips for Chen after doubling through MateosLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (500 ante)

Andrew Chen just earned a double-up through Adrian Mateos after you have the last of his stack in behind Q♥Q♦ and just needing to vanish five community cards versus Mateos's 7♦7♥. The J♦T♣J♥K♣4♦ proved amenable for Chen, and he now has 165,000. Mateos has 292,000, only a few big blinds shy of the typical at the present time. - MH

6:20pm: It's beginning to get squeakyLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

38 players remain and 31 gets paid. Will probably be tough to take for seven players on this field to play for almost two full days and go home $25k (or $50k in the event that they rebought) lighter of pocket. A min-cash is worth $47,520 so it is very much worth hanging around for. - RJ

6:15pm: Mateos shoves the riverLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (1,000 ante)

A curious pot just played out that involved Adrian Mateos, Brendon Rubie and Jonathan Jaffe. It was a kind of that you just desperately need to see reach showdown.

The action was started by Jonathan Jaffe. He raised to 15,000 from early position, Mateos called at the button and Rubie installed the additional 9,000 from the large blind. The T♦9♦7♥ flop appeared like it needed to have hit someone, but all three players checked.

There was no such passive play at the 5♣ turn. Rubie bet 26,000, Jaffe folded and Mateos smooth called. The 6♦ river completed flush and straight draws. Rubie bet 54,000 and Mateos now went deep into the tank.

He stayed there for approximately five minutes after which he announced that he was all-in. Rubie, who had about 200,000 back, soon mucked his hand. Pot to Mateos. -NW

6:10pm: Kings vs QueensLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

Tom Hall had the Kings and Jared Jaffe had the Queens. The easier hand stayed in front at the 4♣3♦6♣4♥7♦ board and Hall doubles to 285,000. Jaffe drops to a still-healthy 375,000. - RJ

6:05pm: Rettenmaier ousts AndressLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (500 ante)

John Andress open-raised all in for his last 40,500 from under the gun and the table folded around to Marvin Rettenmaier within the big blind who called.

Andress tabled A♦9♥ while Rettenmaier showed 5♣5♦. The board rolled out 2♠3♠2♥, then 8♦, then 5♥, and Andress wished the table luck before departing.

Down to 38 players now. Rettenmaier has 221,000. - MH

6:02pm: Foxen catcherLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

Greg Merson have been an image of poise and menace within the field today. He's just knocked out William Foxen to extend his blooming chip stack some more.

Merson raised the button to 13,000 and Foxen jammed from the massive blind for 59,500. It was just lower than ten big blinds and, after doing the maths, Merson concluded that he was getting the best price to name with 9♥8♥. He was up against 5♣5♠ so it was an excellent call.

The A♠8♦4♥ flop spelled the tip for Foxen and he didn't hit a Five at the turn or river to ensure his doom. Merson moves as much as 500,000 and can be a significant component on this tournament from here to the finish. - RJ

6:00pm: McDonald takes it at the ChenLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (500 ante)

Mike McDonald was all in with a below average stack with K♣2♣ versus Andrew Chen who held A♣8♠, and after the community cards came 5♣5♦4♣4♦7♠, Chen's hand was best and McDonald hit the rail. Chen has about 170,000 now. - MH

5:55pm: Big pot for RubieLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

Brendon Rubie won a live satellite into this event and he just won a big pot against Pablo Melogno to spice up his probabilities of an important ROI. The action before the river is unknown, but there has been around 130,000 within the pot by this point and the finished board was 7♠7♣5♦8♥Q♠. The Australian had bet 69,500 and his Uruguayan opponent was within the tank and faced with a call for roughly half his stack.

A minute or so passed wherein Melogno - who was to the direct left of Rubie - talked to Rubie and suggested a couple of hands he thought the Australian may have. After another minute or so he called and Rubie turned over K♦7♦. Melogno looked disgusted that Rubie will have a seven here and did a few wild hand gestures to that effect. He's now well and actually within the danger zone. -NW

5:50pm: The Francisco kid is outLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000 - 6,000 (1,000 ante)

Francisco Candamo shoved with Q♥7♥ and was called by Nicolas Yunis's A♣9♣. Ace-high remained the most productive hand after the flop, turn and river were dealt, meaning that Candamo is eliminated in 43rd place. Yunis now has 230,000. - RJ

5:45pm: Level 16 beginsLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000-6,000 (500 ante)

The big board shows 44 players remain -- that's 13 off the money -- because the new level starts. After this level, individuals who remain might be taking a 75-minute dinner break. - MH

5:45pm: Hook hooks LoosliLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)

Charles Hook, Jr. has just eliminated Sylvain Loosli. We only had an opportunity to witness the last moments of Loosli's tournament which involved Hook shoving the river with the board showing 8♣5♠2♦2♣6♣, Loosli calling off after which appearing to muck kings after Hook tabled Q♣7♣ for a rivered flush.

Hook is as much as 440,000 now as they near the tip of Level 15. - MH

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5:40pm: A trio of hands with Sean WinterLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500 - 5,000 (500 ante)

Sean Winter is having a very good day within the High Roller, building his stack from 186,000 the entire way as much as 600,000. I just witnessed three hands at his table - Winter isn't within the mood for folding right now.

1) William Foxen checked to Winter on a T♣4♥T♦2♥ board. Winter bet 16,000 and took it down.2) Kyle Frey raised pre-flop to 12,500 and Winter three-bet to 32,000. Winter took it down.3) Daniel Alaei was the following player to step up and challenge Winter, who going for a hat trick. Winter raised to 12,500 and both Alaei and Greg Merson called from out of the blinds. The flop was 8♥4♠3♣ - Alaei and Merson checked it and Winter bet 12,000. Alaei finally put a stop to the Winter roadshow by check-raising all in to win. Alaei moved as much as 160,000 but this table could be very much within the hands of Sean Winter for now. - RJ

5:35pm: Eyeing Sammartino's stacksLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)

Jared Jaffee is sitting around the table from Dario Sammartino. Today he was eyeballing Sammartino's stack, that is something numerous us was doing given how much it has increased all afternoon.

As Jaffee noted, Sammartino has not just been challenging to play against today, but his stacks are only a bit of challenging to count for the reason that the tall stacks sitting in front of him have become taller. None are quite the similar height, either, all a little bit above or below 40 chips high.

Two are of blue chips (worth 5K each), four-and-a-half are yellow (worth 1K), and one-and-a-half pink (500). It looks as if about 645,000 altogether, which puts him just behind Kornuth on the moment

Meanwhile Jaffee and others keep eyeing those stacks. And contemplating how you can whittle into them somehow. - MH

5:30pm: Komarov takes one from BeckleyLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)

The pre-flop action is unknown but Josh Beckley, who finished runner-up on the 2015 WSOP Main Event, bet 11,500 on a J♠4♠Q♣ flop. His lone opponent was Alexandr Komarov and he smooth called.

On the K♠ turn Komarov (big blind) checked and Beckley (button) did likewise. Then they watched because the 9♦ fell at the river. Komarov checked for a 3rd time, Beckley bet 21,500 and Komarov snap called. The yankee showed K♥7♥ but lost out to the T♣9♠ of Komarov. -NW

5:25pm: Loosli shoves on ChartierLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)

Sylvain Loosli is calling so as to add a plain old high roller title to the Super High Roller title he won in Barcelona in August. He'd dropped to about 50% of the common stack, but just got some back in a hand against Sam Chartier.

The Frenchman opened to 11,500 from early position. Chartier three-bet to 29,000 and Loosli then moved all in. Chartier didn't even bother getting a count before mucking his hand. Loosli is as much as 130,000 after winning that hand. --NW

5:15pm: Baron overthrownLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500 - 5,000 (500 ante)

We just reported that Isaac Baron had five big blinds. Now he has none. - RJ

5:10pm: Smaron's seat barrenLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)

The knockouts continue as Kenneth Smaron recently lost the last of his stack to James Calderaro. Calderaro has 155,000, that is about two-thirds of the typical stack at this time. - MH

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5:05pm: Not an even day for the BaronLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500 - 5,000 (500 ante)

According to Michael Kamran, Isaac Baron have been running pretty bad today and it just got even worse. Baron shoved with Queens and was called by John Krpan. Usually getting all of it in pre-flop with pocket Queens goes to see just fine for you, but not when your opponent happens to have Kings.

Krpan's Kings held up and he doubles to 100,000. Meanwhile, the once high flying Baron has one foot out of the door. He has 27,000, which equates to simply over five big blinds. - RJ

5:00pm: Beckley eliminates PahujaLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000 - 4,000 (500 ante)

I missed the pre-flop action, but on a 6♦4♣2♦ flop Mukul Pahuja got his remaining 125,000 in with T♦T♠. He was pipped by Josh Beckley who held J♠J♥. The A♥ turn and 2♠ river didn't save Pahuja and he's out.

50 players remain, 31 receives a commission. -NW

4:55pm: Adrian Mateos doubles upLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000 - 4,000 (500 ante)

EPT11 Grand Final winner Adrian Mateos is as much as around 350,000 after doubling up through Jonathan Jaffe.

The latter raised to 12,000 from under-the-gun and collected calls from Andrew Chen (under-the-gun+1), Mateos (hijack) and Pablo Melogno (big blind). So it was four-way to a 7♥A♥9♣ flop, Jaffe c-bet 25,000, Chen called and Mateos then moved all-in for 133,500.

That removed Melogno sharpish, but Jaffe wanted a count. He got one, thought for slightly and moved all-in. Fold from Chen.

Mateos: 9♥8♥Jaffe: K♥T♥

Mateos had flopped best but he did not want to make a flush. The J♠ turn was an action card because it gave Jaffe more outs. The T♠ river hit his hand, nevertheless it made Mateos a straight. He breathed a sigh of relief. -NW

4:50pm: Shakerchi hits the bricksLevel 15 - Blinds 2,000 - 4,000 (500 ante)

Marvin Rettenmaier has just eliminated Talal Shakerchi from the tournament, leaving us with 53 players. Mad Marvin is as much as 180,000. - RJ

4:46pm: Level 15 beginsLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500-5,000 (500 ante)

Players have returned and cards are within the air for Level 15. They'll play two more one-hour levels, then will come the Day 2 dinner break. - MH

4:31pm: Jaffee and Sammartino split oneLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

With the board showing J♦Q♦T♥, Jared Jaffee checked from the small blind, Tom Hall checked from nearby, then Dario Sammartino bet 14,000 from middle position. Jaffee then check-raised to 36,000, and both Hall and Sammartino called, bringing the pot up over 150,000.

The turn brought the 4♣ and it checked the entire way around, then when the A♣ came on fifth street, Jaffee set out a column of chips as a big gamble of 71,000. Hall stepped aside, but Sammartino called. Jaffee had K♦5♦ while Sammartino showed K♠8♠, meaning both had Broadway and chopped the pot. - MH

4:30pm: O'Dwyer oustedLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

Just before the belief of Level 14, $50K Single-Day High Roller champ Steve O'Dwyer was eliminated, ending his hopes for a second high roller trophy this festival. There are actually 55 players remaining. - MH

4:25pm: Foxen survives versus ShakerchiLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

In the last hand before the break, Talal Shakerchi opened for 9,000 from middle position and it folded around to William Foxen within the small blind. Acting with deliberation as usual, Foxen took his time before finally pushing all in for his last 56,000 or so. It folded back to Shakerchi who thought for some time himself before calling.

Foxen: 8♠8♥Shakerchi: A♥7♥

The board came 5♥5♣7♣9♥Q♠, and Foxen's eights held. "Sweaty turn," he remarked, noting the flush and straight draws Shakerchi had with one card to come.

Foxen goes to damage with 123,000, while Shakerchi is all the way down to 19,000. - MH

4:20pm: Limping back in fashionLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000 - 4,000 (500 ante)

You won't see too many players limping into pots in a $25,000 tournament but that's just what Nicolas Yunis did a couple of minutes ago - and it ended in him doubling up.

Yunis limped from early position, Heath completed from the small blind after which Mukul Pahuja put an end to this limping nonsense by raising to 20,000. It was here that Yunis's plan became clear as he shoved excessive for around 110,000 total. Heath scrammed but Pahuja called with pocket Nines. They were racing against Yunis's A♦J♥.

Pahuja was technically still within the lead at the 4♦K♦Q♥ flop but Yunis had a bajillion outs. One among them came in at the turn because the T♣ gave him a straight. Muhuja was drawing dead and needed to pay the person his money.

Mahuja drops to 170k and Yunis is as much as 200k. He's also brought limping back into fashion. - RJ

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4:15pm: Chip leader at the moveLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

From under-the-gun Nick Maimone raised to 10,000 just for Chance Kornuth to three-bet to 24,700 from middle position. It folded back to Maimone and he wasn't scared to stand off against the chip leader out of position.

Neither player bet the A♦4♦J♣ flop and the T♥ fell at the turn. Bet of 19,000 from Maimone, call from Kornuth. The 3♦ completed the board and both players checked it down. Maimone showed A♣9♣ and Kornuth said: "You're good," before turning over A♠9♠ for the chop.

That will be the last hand at that table as we're all the way down to 56 players and the table was broken, "I AM NOT going to lie, this table's been pretty good to me," said Kornuth. His new seat assignment was favourable too. He's been moved to a table where just one player has an above average stack (the typical is 200,000). That player is Sam Chartier and Kornuth is on his direct left. -- NW

4:10pm: The fours awakenLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

With the board showing 6♦J♦4♠ and about 30,000 within the middle, Andre Akkari led for 11,500, Connor Drinan raised to 26,000, and Akkari called. Both players checked the T♥ turn, then the 8♥ fell on fifth street. Akkari checked, and when Drinan slid out a big gamble of 35,000, Akkari called without hesitation.

Drinan had A♣J♠ for jacks while Akkari had flopped a collection with 4♦4♣. The Team PokerStars Pro is as much as 272,000 while Drinan has about 90,000. - MH

4:00pm: Heath ascends the cliffLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000 - 4,000 (500 ante)

UK player Ben Heath just took out Finland's Jyri Merivirta after hitting a two-outer within the 200,000 chip pot. Heath had called a raise from Nicolas Yunis when Merivirta shoved for 89,000. Yunis got out of how but Heath called. His pocket Nines were in huge trouble against Merivirta's Jacks.

Heath's troubles turned the wrong way up at the turn when a Nine hit. Suddenly Merivirta was knocked out and Heath was as much as 370,000. - RJ

3:55pm: Kornuth continues to crushLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

Chance Kornuth is wielding his chip leading stack like an axe and just took down a pot with a pre-flop five bet.

He opened the action from middle position, raising to 9,000. Next to behave was Tom Hall and he three-bet to 24,000. This pot was percolating nicely and William Foxen decided he wanted in to boot. He cold four-bet to 54,200 total from the cut-off and action folded back to Kornuth.

He wasn't done with the hand either and slid out a five-bet of 109,000 total and one at a time Hall and Foxen folded. -NW

3:50pm: Start-of-day leader Johns fallsLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

Start-of-day leader Dustin Johns was eliminated not quite halfway during the day's fourth level, with Dario Sammartino taking the last of his chips.

Johns was all in before the flop with 6♠6♦ and hoping to carry versus Sammartino's A♦K♠, and the 4♠5♥5♠ worked adequately for him that effort. However the A♠ turn was a fly within the ointment, and after the 7♠ river he wished the table good luck as he departed.

Sammartino now has 368,000. There are 59 players remaining. - MH

3:45pm: Maimone hits river, eliminates SointulaLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

Jani Sointula is the most recent player to be kicked out of the High Roller, ousted in a multi-way hand involving Nick Maimone.

Maimone raised from early position and got a few callers, including a short-stacked Sointula playing from the small blind. The flop came 5♦8♦A♣ and after Sointula checked, Maimone continued for 7,500. It folded back to Sointula who check-raised all in for 16,600, and Maimone called.

Sointula had A♠3♦ for aces while Maimone had T♦7♦ for a flush draw. The turn was the J♣ and was good for Sointula, however the river was the Q♦ to present Maimone the flush and end Sointula's day.

Maimone now has 275,000. - RJ/MH

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3:40pm: Richard Seymour sacked out of the tournamentLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

A little while ago we reported that NFL legend Richard Seymour was right down to not up to 20 big blinds after losing a large pot to Alex Lynskey. He's just been eliminated from the tournament in unfortunate circumstances. Lynskey who did the hatchet job.

In the hand in question Chance Kornuth raised from under-the-gun, Lynskey called from the small blind and Seymour came along from the massive blind. The flop fell 3♥Q♠T♦, Kornuth c-bet 7,200 and both Lynskey and Seymour stuck around.

The 9♠ popped out at the turn. Lynskey checked it to Seymour but he was done checking. He bet 16,000, that removed Kornuth but Lynskey was going nowhere. After about 15 seconds he announced all-in and Seymour, who had about 64,000 total, instantly called.

"King-jack?" said Lynskey to Seymour and that was indeed what the previous Patriots and Raiders defensive tackle had. Lynskey showed Q♦T♣ meaning he still had outs. Certainly one of those, the Q♥ fell at the river and the table gasped.

Seymour took it really well and gathered his belongings up before exiting the tournament. -NW

3:35pm: Level 14 begins, blinds/antes increase despite Kamran proposalLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000-4,000 (500 ante)

"Can we vote to scale back the blinds next level?" asked Michael Kamran with a smile as Level 13 ticked all the way down to its conclusion. "RETURN to 1,200/2,400?"

The others chuckled, and the clock flipped over to Level 14 and as always happens the blinds and antes went up, not down. There are 65 players remaining. - MH

3:30pm: Krpan collects, Hunichen hurtingLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500-3,000 (400 ante)

In the last hand of the level, Daniel Alaei raised after which Chris Hunichen pushed all in from late position for approximately 36,000. John Krpan then called all in from the small blind for somewhat less, and the massive blind and Alaei tossed away his cards.

"Did you fold this kind of"? asked Hunichen of Alaei, pointing to the K♠T♥ he'd tabled. Alaei didn't affirm or deny, but Krpan showed he had a few the cards Hunichen was regarding as he had T♦T♠. The board came 4♣3♦7♦8♠J♠, and Krpan survived while Hunichen is now right down to only a few big blinds. - MH

3.25pm: Beckley bounces VogelsangLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500-3,000 (400 ante)

Christoph Vogelsang was in for 2 entries on this one, and he just lost the last of his second stack not long after losing that recent hand to Ben Heath.

2015 World Series of Poker Main Event runner-up Joshua Beckley was the player managing to secure Vogelsang's remaining chips. Beckley now has 191,000. - MH

3:20pm: Heath puts the hurt on VogelsangLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500-3,000 (400 ante)

A pot between Christoph Vogelsang and Ben Heath reached the turn of a [3][9][[9][5] board. Heath had bet 21,200 and Vogelsang was within the strategy of making the decision. The 5♦ fell at the river and Vogelsang checked the action to Heath.

The British player didn't take too long to fireside out of venture of 44,800. Vogelsang then began certainly one of his trademark tanks. It was over half his stack to name so it wasn't exactly an easy decision. Still, he considered it long enough for Jyri Merivirta to name the clock.

As the ground arrived Vogelsang pushed forward the chips to name so there has been little need to read him his rights. Heath showed A♥9♥ and Vogelsang said, "nice hand," as he mucked. -NW

3:15pm: Seymour on fourth and longLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500 - 3,000 (400 ante)

Richard Seymour is battling away against the very best players on the earth and you may say he's doing well simply to make it midway through Day 2 of the High Roller. The NFL legend's journey might be on borrowed time now after he lost a large pot to Alex Lynskey a couple of moments ago.

Lynskey bet 27,500 at the river of a A♦2♦5♠3♠J♥ board. Seymour confidently called but mucked when Lynskey showed A♥2♠. Seymour has lower than twenty big blinds on 55,000. Lynskey is doing significantly better with 210,000. - RJ

3:10pm: Aces over kings help O'DwyerLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500-3,000 (400 ante)

Steve O'Dwyer and Andrey Zaichenko just got keen on a preflop raising battle that started slowly then ended abruptly with a rapid all-in-and-call, followed by a "Wow!" from Zaichenko.

Zaichenko had tabled K♥K♣, and the cause of his final comment was plain to peer when one checked out the cards O'Dwyer had -- A♦A♠.

The board ran out A♥2♣7♣8♥Q♦, meaning Zaichenko was already drawing dead by the turn. He isn't dead within the tournament, though, as Zaichenko still has about 110,000. Meanwhile O'Dwyer is now as much as 130,000. --MH

3:05pm: Salman falls after Chance encounterLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500-3,000 (400 ante)

Chance Kornuth, third-place finisher within the 2015 PCA Main Event, is smiling again here within the poker site on the Atlantis. He's been accumulating all day and has just added still more to his stack after knocking out Salman Behbehani.

Kornuth is as much as 546,000 now, having pushed into first position within the counts with 72 players left. - MH

3:00pm: Andre Akkari hits the trebleLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500 - 3,000 (400 ante)

Andre Akkari have been short-stacked all day and shoving with impunity. Dependent on what he held, Akkari's timing was either great or terrible because he never gave the look to be called. That every one changed a moment ago and now Akkari is as much as the spectacular heights of 130,000 after trebling up.

He jammed. Mike Leah called it off after which fellow shortie Piotr Franczak called too.

Akkari: J♠J♣Leah: 7♥7♦Franczak: K♥Q♦

It was removed from easy for Akkari to win the pot and the board perceived to change who was the favorite on every street. Akkari kept a skinny grasp at the pot after the A♥6♠T♠ flop. Then Franczak jumped in front at the Q♥ turn. Poor Mike Leah was the one guy overlooked within the cold at this point. Finally the K♠ river was bingo for Akkari as he hit Broadway.

That river card sent Franczak out of the tournament but Leah remains to be doing well with 245,000. - RJ

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2:50pm: Carrel's chips corraled by MateosLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500-3,000 (400 ante)

Charlie Carrel's tournament run has come to an end here through the early stages of Level 13 after losing the last of his short stack. Carrel, who won the EPT11 Grand Final High Roller in Monte Carlo, was felted by the winner of that very same festival's Main Event, Adrian Mateos.

Mateos now has just over 80,000. - MH

2:45pm: He just won't dieLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500 - 3,000 (400 ante)

They say the number thirteen is unlucky for some. That obviously doesn't include Steve O'Dywer. Seconds once we moved into Level 13, he just doubled through Nick Maimone. O'Dwyer jammed his remaining 25,000 with 3♥3♣ and was called by Maimone and his K♣5♠.

A King flashed at the flop and the dream looked over for O'Dwyer, but because the dealer spread the opposite two flop cards to expose a Three, suddenly he was back within the game. There have been no runner-runner shenanigans at the turn or river and O'Dwyer now sits with 54,000. Maimone remains to be above the typical with 240,000. - RJ

2:40pm: Seymour tackling the shorts stacks wellLevel 13 - Blinds 1,500 - 3,000 (400 ante)

Richard Seymour is transformed his stack previously half hour. He was right down to 30,000 a short time ago but now has 170,000, his most up-to-date success being when he knocked out Amit Makhija with ace-king. -SB

2:25pm: Play resumes

We're now into level 13 with blinds of 1,500 - 3,000 with a 400 ante.

2:10pm: End of the level

Level 12 has ended and players are actually on a fifteen minute break. There are 81 players remaining.

2:05pm: Champing on the bitLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

In the wake of winning back-to-back WSOP bracelets in 2012 many within the poker world lauded Greg Merson because the best currently playing the game.

He's looking to add much more credibility to that statement here within the High Roller, and just won a tight pot to take him as much as 345,000.

Merson raised to 5,600 and was called by Nicolas Yunis within the big blind. They checked the flop but, with the board reading 9♥4♠J♦5♣, Yunis bet 11,000. Merson called. Yunis then bet 17,000 at the 6♦ river and Merson called again pretty quickly. Yunis could only display 7♦6♥ for a couple of Sixes, meaning Merson's A♦9♠ won the pot.

It was another example of Merson extracting the utmost value from his opponent. He's won huge tournaments before - can he do it here again on the PCA? - RJ

2:00pm: Chip leaderLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

Among the leaders at this time are Faraz Jaka (440,000), Jonathan Jaffee (400,000) and Chance Kornuth (330,000). For the entire chip counts, including a listing of the eliminations today, CLICK HERE.

1:50pm: Hall of fameLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

UK pro Tom Hall just did what few other have done before him; win a pot versus Steve O'Dwyer. The $50k High Roller champ opened to 6,000 and Hall three-bet to 16,200 at the button. O'Dwyer called and checked the 5♥4♣8♣ flop. Hall bet 19,000 to take it down and join an elite club all on the same time.

O'Dwyer is rocking away on 110,000 but he's going to must go on a tight run to catch the soaring Hall. He's got 266,000. - RJ

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1:45pm: Numbers

There were 225 entries to the $25,000 High Roller event, along with 173 unique players and 52 re-entries.

Day 1 entries: 214 (170 unique players + 44 re-entries)Day 2 entries: 11 (3 new players + 8 re-entries)

Prize pool: $5,400,000Places paid: 31First prize: $1,142,100

1:40pm: Zinno is zappedLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

Anthony Zinno was short-stacked when the rest of his chips went into the center. First, Will Failla took a shot at getting those precious Z-chips by isolating with a raise to 14,000. Failla's plan failed when the action got to Mike Leah at the button. He pushed out a big stack of blue 5,000 chips that indicated a re-raise. Failla threw his hand away as Leah flipped over pocket Nines and Zinno revealed A♦K♦.

Leah stated he's never won an all in versus Zinno before. He has now. The board ran out Queen-high and Zinno was gone. Leah moves as much as 245,000. - RJ

1:30pm: Schemion outLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

Ole Schemion is out. On a flop of 7♣Q♣8♥ he shoved for his last 34,000. Jarred Jaffee was in middle position and called with Q♠Q♦. When Schemion saw that he knew his tournament was over, and his T♠Q♥ was easily beaten by the J♦[and K♥ river. - SB

1:25pm: What are the chances?Level 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

It's funny how often this occurs. See when you agree by the top of the hand. Andre Akkari started the action by raising, Iaron Lightbourne three-bet after which Alexander Lynskey jammed all-in at the button. Akkari quickly folded and Lightbourne called off all of his chips with A♥K♠. Lynskey had J♣J♠ so the race was on.

The hand is all very standard to this point. The board? Not such a lot. It ran out 4♣5♦6♣7♠8♣ to offer both players a straight and chop it up. As I said above, what are the possibilities? Answers on a postcard please. - RJ

1.20pm: Mandavia outLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

Ankush Mandavia is out. Former world champion Greg Merson sent him to the rail. After Mandavia opened for 14,000 in middle position with pocket queens, Merson raised to 30,500 form the button. After a bit thought Mandavia moved all-in, at which point Merson snap called with pocket aces. The board changed nothing. Merson now as much as 300,000. - SB

1:15pm: Take an opportunity on meLevel 12 - Blinds 1,200 - 2,400 (300 ante)

There has been numerous eliminations here up to now today but, of the 95 players remaining, there aren't many bigger stacks within the room than Chance Kornuth right now.

The American finished 3rd within the PCA Main Event in 2015. This year he's as much as 266,000 within the $25k High Roller and can be trying to hit another final table here on Paradise Island. - RJ

1:05pm: Explaining a huge noiseLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

When there's the sound of players laughing and cheering so loudly that even the commentators on EPTLive mention it, you simply comprehend it should be something worth running over to the table for. On this instance it was Michael Kamran busting Andy Andrejevic in brutal fashion.

Kamran had called Andrejevic's shove with pocket twos, only to seek out the yank was holding aces. To not be deterred, Kamran got out his camera phone and began recording the entire thing because the table, led by the booming tones of Noah Schwartz, played along. It was looking anti-climactic until the river when a Deuce plopped down.

The table (and the encompassing tables too) erupted with whooping and shouting. Poor Andy Andrejevic could do nothing but look on in shock. - RJ

1:05pm: Winner to get $1.1 millionLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

The prize pool was announced. Full details to follow but 31 places might be paid, with $1,142,100 for the winner tomorrow. A min cash is worth $47,000. - SB

1:00pm: Bad timing for TimexLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Mike McDonald just got caught along with his hand within the cookie jar versus Ben Heath. McDonald had the betting lead at the 2♥2♠9♣ flop and bet 5,500 when checked to. Heath called. The 6♠ turn prompted Heath to test again. This time McDonald stuck him all in, but if he was instantly called he knew it was trouble.

Heath had slow-played pocket Aces to perfection and McDonald was drawing dead with A♥T♦. Heath moves as much as 65,000 and McDonald all the way down to 45,000. Maybe it is time he got a brand new watch... - RJ

12.50pm: Ung's Kings forced to abdicateLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Senh Ung is out, sent to the rail by Andre Akkari. Ung had found pocket kings so was ahead against Akkari's jack-eight. But Ung made an "Owww" noise at the flop, that paired Akkari's eight and gave him a straight draw, then a louder "Owww!" when a 3rd eight arrived at the turn. Kings well and really dethroned, and Akkari back as much as 43,000. - SB

12:45pm: Jetten poweredLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Peter Jetten just got a 120,000 double-up through Davidi Kitai. Jetten opened the button to 5k and Kitai jammed on him from the large blind. Kitai had the covering stack and can be left with 48,000 if he was called and lost.

That's exactly what happened. Jetten called with A♠T♠ and it was a fair call because Kitai had pocket Sevens. An Ace at the flop was adequate for Jetten. - RJ

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12.40pm: More eliminationsLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Joining those at the rail are Gleb Remzin, Isaac Haxton, Jason Mercier, Daniel Dvoress, Tom Lutz and Francois Billard. - SB

12.35pm: Not playing but not outLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Half an hour into Day 2 and Adrian Mateos isn't yet at his seat. He started the day with 58,000. - SB

12.30pm: Beast silencedLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Ryan 'The Beast' Riess is the newest player to hit the exit doors after losing a hand to Kenny Smaron. He now has 140,000.

Riess, who only bought into the development at the beginning of Day 2, was certainly one of a lot of WSOP Main Event champions on this tournament. He joins Joe McKeehen, Greg Merson and Joe Cada. - RJ

12:25pm: New arrivalsLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Eight players re-entered originally of Day 2. They are:

Isaac HaxtonAgshin RasulovCharlie CarrelDarren EliasKevin MacPheeJames CalderaroPiotr FranczakTom Lutz

In addition three players entered for the primary time previous to the beginning. They are:

Ryan RiessJyri MerivirtaJason Koon

12:20pm: Steve O'Dwyer is in demandLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Noah Schwartz comes into Day 2 with probably the most shortest stacks within the room. He has 20,600, or simply over ten big blinds.

However, something else has caught his eye on the table where he's seated with Isaac Haxton and Steve O'Dwyer.

"Where do I AM GETTING a type of"? said Schwartz, pointing at a plasticine Steve O'Dwyer doll that Haxton (and others) was using as a lucky charm all week. O'Dwyer - the true one, not the inanimate object - was quick to pass at the information to Schwartz, who was relieved to listen to they cost only $35.

"I'm so happy at this time! I'm down $2m the past two week but I'm getting a doll!" You win some, you lose some. - RJ

12.15pm: More eliminationsLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

As well as Negreanu, JC Alvarado and Scott Seiver are a number of the first to leave today. - SB

12.10pm: Negreanu exits earlyLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Cards are actually within the air for Day 2 of the $25k High Roller and one of the most first casualties of the day is Team PokerStars Pro Daniel Negreanu.

He entered the day with not up to ten big blinds and couldn't spin it up. Table Negreanu, which also includes Kevin MacPhee, could be tons of quieter any more. - RJ

12:00pm: Play startsLevel 11 - Blinds 1,000 - 2,000 (300 ante)

Players are back and cards are within the air.

11.30am: High rollers back for day 2

Registration remains to be open, so there's no official seat draw for Day 2 of the $25K High Roller. But we will be able to let you know that last night Dustin Johns bagged up the chip lead with 298,100. Nevertheless it was tight on the top, with Robert Gorodetsky (294,900), Brian Tae-Hyun Yoon (294,000), and Jared Jaffee (293,600) close behind. The whole list of Day 1 chip counts are available HERE.

Want to be here next year? Join PokerStars and begin your journey. Click here to get an account.

Take a glance on the official website of the PCA, with tournament schedule, videos, news, blogs and accommodation details for the Atlantis Resort within the Bahamas.

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

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the $100,000 Super High Roller: Stephen Bartley, Martin Harris, Ross Jarvis, and Nick Wright. Photos by Joe Giron and Carlos Monti.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: PokerStars Caribbean Adventure]

If you, like many, wonder whatever happened to poker of yesteryear, the type with trash-talking, ridiculously bloated over-bet pots, and happy-to-cash amateurs, this was an afternoon to observe the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure. Maybe it was the reduced Main Event buy-in. Maybe it was simply the fates granting us a nostalgic throwback to the old days. It's hard to mention. Regardless, from the bet-sizing to the banter, today's PCA felt rather like 2005 everywhere again.

It ends, however, back on 2016 form with four of poker's best-known pros within the final six headed into the last day of the primary Event. Topping all of them is Mike "SirWatts" Watson.

Mike Watson

Here's the general six, where they're seated, and the way they stack up for Thursday's final.

Seat 1: Mike Watson (Canada) 6,585,000Seat 2: Vladimir Troyanovskiy (Russia) 5,025,000Seat 3: Randy Kritzer (USA) 2,565,000Seat 4: Tony Gregg (USA) 5,690,000Seat 5: Phillip McAllister (UK) 3,040,000Seat 6: Toby Lewis (UK) 4,665,000

Watson, Troyanovskiy, Gregg, and Lewis need no introduction to poker players. Gregg has made two previous PCA Main Event final tables. Lewis is an EPT champion. Watson is an WPT champion with millions in winnings and two SCOOP titles. Troyanovskiy is an EPT regular and one in every of Russia's biggest poker winners. Any of them could win this and it might surprise no one.

Tony Gregg

Toby Lewis

Vladimir Troyanovskiy

Meanwhile, Phillip McAllister is a 22-year-old grinder from the united kingdom referred to as Grindnation on PokerStars with greater than 1,000,000 bucks in combined live and online winnings. He and Randy Kritzer, a neurosurgeon and recreational player from North Carolina, may have their hands full against the four pros on Thursday.

Randy Kritzer

Phillip McAllister

For all folks that won't see tomorrow, the sport of What Could have been will go on playing for a while. For one-time Main Event final tablist Fabian Ortiz, that game may work on forever.

Today, Ortiz started third in chips but couldn't beat overnight chip leader Pires in any pot of significance. If Ortiz had a hand, Pires was bigger. If Pires was bluffing, he got there anyway. For Ortiz, it was a slow-motion horror show that ended with him getting disemboweled when Pires held an overpair of kings to his own flopped top pair of queens.

Fabian Ortiz

Ortiz's 17th place finish was not the primary of the day (Taylor Paur and Fedor Holz went first), but it surely result in a sequence of bust-outs that went so fast, everyone thought we would be finished by dinner. Fabian Chauriye, Ami Barer, and Stephen Chidwick went one at a time. (ONE CAN FIND all of the payouts here on our 2016 PCA Main Event results page.)

After that, the Brazilians had reason to believe that they had a lock at the final table. Pires, the person folks started calling the Brazilian Jamie Gold, had run roughshod over the sector on last three days of play. Until today, every night since Day 2 had finished with Pires within the lead.

Leonardo Pires

That ended today when Pires imploded over the process a few hours. After extending his result in some extent where he had greater than 25% of the chips in play, Pires lost pot after pot. He didn't play small ball. He made big bets and larger bluffs. It ended when Pires bluffed all-in over and a raise and a choice with 4♣3♥ and bumped into Mike Watson's pair of tens. So it goes.

Pires with a last handshake

Paul Gooley departed within the time it took people to prevent marveling at Pires' meltdown, person who wouldn't be the top of the large blow-ups. Martin McCormick, the day-drinking, hard talking amateur was a polarizing figure on the table.

Yes, I'm chatting with you

After five days of warnings, penalties, and needling, McCormick spent an hour of Day 5 in a spat with Matt Waxman. It hadn't ended when McCormick played a blind-vs-blind hand, indeed blind, to the flop with Ken Demlakian. They checked it through to the turn where Demlakian hit his ace and bet out. McCormick bluffed all in with just a flush draw. He missed, and he was gone.

"I used up all my good luck," McCormick said.

Martin McCormick's quiet(er) exit

After that came the slow game of creating it to the overall table. It finally happened when Matt Waxman shoved A♠7♥ into Mike Watson's A♦Q♥. Watson flopped two queens, made queens filled with aces at the turn, and avoided the chopped pot at the river. Waxman was gone in tenth, and the sector consolidated to the unofficial final table.

Matt Waxman

To come so just about PCA title and fall...that stands out as the toughest beat of all. It happened first to David Eldridge, who managed to double once through Toby Lewis, before losing the following two all-ins against the similar man.

David Eldridge in full pirate "aaargh."

After that it, we lost Timothy Ulmer in 8th, and Aussie Ken Demlakian in seventh to make the overall table of six. We won't fail to note, Demlakian made it this far after quadrupling up a couple of nights ago upon getting his last chips in blind--it was either go big or make his flight the following morning. He now has good enough winnings to pay for that airfare change.

Ken Demlakian

Tim Ulmer

If you want more action before the night ends, we still have ongoing $25,000 High Roller live updates as that tourney winds its way toward a 3rd day. Both it and the primary Event will crown champions on Thursday. Join us then for live updates from starting to end.

Until then, goodnight from the Bahamas.

Ready to qualify for a PokerStars live event? Click here to get a PokerStars account.Brad Willis is the PokerStars Head of Blogging.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: PokerStars Caribbean Adventure]

5.01pm: Break timePlayers at the moment are on a 20-minute break. The rest of the overall table update will happen on a brand new thread here.

4.56pm: Di Carlo finds acesGeorgios Zisimopoulos raised to 360,000 from under-the-gun with 6♣6♥. Nicolini di Carlo made it 875,000 holding A♦A♣ from the small blind and Zisimopoulos made the call.

Di Carlo fired a chance of 675,000 at the 2♣Q♦9♣ flop and Zisimopoulos folded.

4.38pm: Feil shovesMichael Feil raised to 325,000 at the button with 5♦5♣, Frederik Reusch made it 810,000 within the small blind holding A♥6♥. Feil thought for a minute before moving all in for around 4 million, Reusch folded instantly.

4.26pm: di Carlo five-bet bluffsFrederik Reusch opened to 320,000 with K♠J♦ at the button, Nicolini di Carlo made it 855,000 within the small blind with J♠3♠ before Jaroslaw Sikora four-bet to 1.56 million within the big blind with Q♦8♦. Reusch folded but di Carlo tanked for approximately four minutes before he made a small five-bet to 2.3 million. Sikora folded and di Carlo showed the bluff.

"Fantastico!" said the definitely( unbiased) Italian commentary.

4.16pm: Reusch doubles through FeilGeorgios Zisimopoulos opened to 320,000 at the button with Q♣T♣. Michael Feil made the decision within the small blind with 7♦7♥ after which Frederik Reusch moved all in for 2.2 million within the big blind with K♣K♦. Zisimopoulos got a count then folded but Feil made the call.

The board came Q♠2♦6♣J♦3♦ and Reusch doubled as much as 4.8 million while Feil is now the fast stack, he has 4 million.

Frederik Reusch

4.05pm: Level 32 80,000/160,000 (20,000)The players have moved directly to the fourth level of the day.

3.57pm: Sikora and Zisimopoulos tussleJaroslaw Sikora raised to 255,000 from the cutoff with K♣Q♦ and Georgios Zisimopoulos made it 605,000 at the button with A♦7♥. Sikora came back excessive with a raise to 1.325 million and Zisimopoulos folded instantly.

3.45pm: Feil wins big against SikoraJaroslaw Sikora raised to 255,000 holding 8♠8♣ before Michael Feil made it 600,000 at the button with K♠K♥. Sikora made the decision to look a 4♥5♣9♦ flop.

Sikora checked and Feil decided to test behind. The turn was the 5♥ and Sikora led out for 575,000. Feil caled to look the 3♦ at the river. Sikora bet 975,000 and Feil quickly called.

Sikora showed his eights but immediately tapped the table when Feil turned over kings. Feil has 6.7 million while Sikora is right down to 6 million.

3.36pm: Di Carlo makes huge bluffGeorgios Zisimopoulos had led out for 375,000 at the turn of a 6♣3♠7♣7♦ board against Nicolini di Carlo with 8♠7♠ and the Italian made the decision with A♥K♦. The river was the T♥ and Zisimopoulos fired 525,000 just for di Carlo to make it 2 million. The Greek player thought for approximately 30 seconds then folded, tapping the table.

Michael Feil

3.34pm: Sikora runs right into a wheelBig pot for Michael Feil, he called bets at the flop, turn and over half 1,000,000 at the river of a 5♦2♦4♥4♠7♣ board against Jaroslaw Sikora's T♣T♦. Feil turned over A♣3♠ for a flopped wheel and won a considerable pot.

3.25pm: Zisimopoulos into eight figuresGeorgios Zisimopoulos opened to 260,000 at the button with T♠T♦. Frederik Reusch called within the big blind with A♦J♦. Reusch check-called bets of 180,000, 230,000 and 355,000 at the flop, turn and river of a K♠K♥T♣5♥3♥ only to peer the Greek player's flopped full house. Zisimopoulos now has over 10 million in chips.

3.16pm: Georgi Abuladze eliminated in 6th place (€39,000)Georgi Abuladze moved all in for 1.57 million from under-the-gun and Jaroslaw Sikora made the decision within the small blind.

Abuladze: A♣7♠Sikora: 7♥7♣

The board ran out T♥Q♥4♥J♣8♣ - no help for the Estonian who busted out in 6th place, winning €39,000.

3.04pm: Ezio Nisoli eliminated in 7th place (€29,800)Ezio Nisoli moved all in for his last 420,000 preflop from the button with K♦8♥ and Jaroslaw Sikora made the decision within the small blind with T♦T♣.

The board came J♣5♥Q♣8♠A♥ and Nisoli busted out in 7th place.

Ezio Nisoli

3.02pm: Level up - 60,000/120,000 (20,000)The players are back of their seats.

2.42pm: Break timePlayers are on their first 20-minute break of the day.

2.29pm: Nisoli left really shortEzio Nisoli opened to 250,000 preflop holding A♥9♥ and Jaroslaw Sikora made it 575,000 with A♠J♠. Nisoli called with just around 700,000 back and saw a Q♦3♥4♦ flop, Nisoli checked and Sikora set him within the. Italian folded, he's very short now.

2.13pm: Sikora folds to Reusch's acesJaroslaw Sikora opened to 225,000 from the hijack holding J♠9♠. Frederik Reusch three-bet to 610,000 within the big blind with A♣A♦. Sikora gave it some brief thought after which folded.

2.06pm: Nisoli escapesFrederik Reusch raised to 210,000 at the button with Q♥Q♣ and Ezio Nisoli defended within the big blind with K♦9♠. The flop came Q♠A♠K♠, Nisoli checked and Reusch bet 290,000. Nisoli only had about 1.7 million behind at this point, tanked briefly after which folded.

The trophy they're all playing for

1.59pm: Second barrel solves problemsNicolino di Carlo opened to 200,000 preflop with A♠J♠ and Michael Feil called within the big blind with J♦T♠. The flop was T♥5♠K♣, Feil flopping second pair and di Carlo picked up a gutshot draw for broadway. The German player checked and di Carlo bet 225,000 which Feil called. The 3♥ at the turn didn't change anything and Feil checked again, di Carlo bet 425,000 and Feil thought for approximately a minute before folding.

1.48pm: Level 30 - 50,000/100,000 (10,000)It's time for the second one level of the day.

1.44pm: Di Carlo fires all three streetsNicolino di Carlo opened to 175,000 from under-the-gun with A♦K♥. Frederik Reusch defended within the big blind holding A♥7♥. The flop came 6♥A♣J♠ and Reusch check-called a chance of 160,000. The turn Q♥ gave Reusch a flush draw and di Carlo a straight draw and the German player check-called a 240,000 bet to look the K♣ at the river.

Reusch checked a last time and di Carlo bet 350,000, Reusch folded and the Italian won the pot.

1.32pm: Julian Track eliminated in 8th place (€21,000)Frederik Reusch raised to 175,00 with 8♥8♦ and Julian Track moved in for around 1,000,000 in chips with K♠Q♠. Reusch called and Track was flipping for his tournament life. The 3♦3♥8♠ left Track drawing virtually dead and the 4♥ turna nd 6♥ river sent the EPT champion out in 8th place winning €21,000.

Georgios Zisimopoulos

1.22pm: Huge double for ZisimopoulosMichael Feil raised to 165,000 with K♠T♠ before Julian Track three-bet at the button to 365,000 holding 5♣3♣. Georgios Zisimopoulos then made it 755,000 within the big blind holding A♣A♦. Feil folded but Track opted to transport in and Zisimopoulos couldn't have called quicker if he'd tried.

The 8♣T♣4♥ flop gave Track a flush draw however the 9♥ turn and 5♥ river changed nothing and Track was left with just 955,000. Zisimopoulos doubled to over 8 million and took the chip lead.

1.16pm: All of the acesA crazy first hand! Julian Track opened to 165,000 with A♣A♥ and Frederk Reusch made it 425,000 at the button. Track four-bet to 1,055,000 and Reusch shoved. Track called instantly to create an 8 million chip pot but both showed their aces after which laughed. The board came 7♠Q♥6♣7♣7♦ they usually chopped the pot.

1.10pm: Level 29 - 40,000/80,000 (10,000)And the general table is under way. About 27 minutes are left on this level.

1.03pm: Final table profilesTo learn a little about our finalists, take a look at their profiles here. Play will start shortly.

12.36pm: The overall table on an hour delayThe final table has begun with around 27 minutes left of level 29. It's being shown on an hour delay with hole cards up (Italian commentary only). I'd be following the stream and reporting in time with that. The stream will begin at 1.00pm CET, check back here then for the live updates and you may watch the live stream here.

The IPT Malta finalists

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Italian Poker Tour]

2am: It is all over! Drinan wins!Level 32 - Blinds: 150,000/230,000 (50,000 ante)

Morozovs limped and Drinan checked his option. The flop came T♥6♣4♠ and Drinan checked, letting Morozovs in for a 700,000 bet. Drinan then raised it 1.7 million, just for Morozovs to then four-bet jam all-in for less than slightly lower than what Drinan had. Drinan took one take a look at his cards and called.

Morozovs - T♦J♥Drinan - 6♠4♥

Drinan had hit a large blind special on the most necessary time. His two pair was prior to the only pair, and stayed that way at the K♠ turn and Q♣ river.

Conor Drinan has just won €849,200. A WHOLE wrap of the day could be coming shortly.

For now, goodnight from EPT13 Barcelona. --JS

01:55am: Seven! Seven in a row for DrinanLevel 33 - Blinds: 150,000/300,000 (50,000 ante)

Connor Drinan has scooped the last seven pots. No biggies amongst them but they add up. He's as much as 18,950,000 and Mihails Morozovs is all the way down to 10,600,000. --NW

1:50am: Lucky number sevenLevel 32 - Blinds: 150,000/230,000 (50,000 ante)

Mihails Morozovs limped within the small blind and Conor Drinan checked his option, before checking at midnight. The flop came down A♦5♥2♣ and Morozovs then made it 400,000 to go, just for Drinan to bump it as much as a good 1 million. Morozovs made a quick call.

However, there's where the action died. The turn came the 7♥ and so they both checked. Then the river came the 5♦, and again they both checked.

Drinan showed the T♥7♦ for a couple at the turn, and Morozovs mucked, accidentally showing the K♠ and he did.

"SEVEN!!" shouted Drinan. --JS

01:45am: Levels upon levelsLevel 33 - Blinds: 150,000/300,000 (50,000 ante)

Despite the late hour - and the truth that the EPT Live set is being dismantled because the high rollers play on - there is a few people at the rail in our little corner of the room. Pratyush Buddiga is in Drinan's corner, while Dmitry Yurasov and Andrey Shatilov are among those railing Mihails Morozovs.

Inbetween hands Drinan, addressing the Latvian's rail, a few of whom he's played against so much online, said: "DON'T BELIEVE you're clever I DO KNOW what advice you've given him and i have already readjusted."

Has he? Time will tell, but he won the following three pots. --NW

01:30am: 15-minute breakLevel 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

The players at the moment are on a fifteen minute break.

Mihails Morozovs: 12,350,000Connor Drinan: 17,200,000

1:25am: Almost evenLevel 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

The stacks are almost even now as Mihails Morozovs just won a big pot. Connor Drinan limped the button and called when Morozovs raised it as much as 725,000. Morozovs bet 850,000 at the 9♠J♠5♣ flop and 2,200,000 at the 3♥ turn. Drinan called two streets and both players then checked the flush and straight completing 8♠.

The Latvian showed A♥J♥ and Drinan mucked. It's now 15,050,000 for Drinan and 14,500,000 for Morozovs. --NW

1:15am: Friendly gameLevel 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

Saying sign in silly ways. Tapping the table hard and still announcing 'check'. Checking and betting in the dead of night. Betting 300,000 with king-high at the river and calling with ace-high.

These guys are having fun. You could never know they were actually playing for just about 1 / 4 of 1,000,000 Euros.

There have been no mention of a deal. --JS

1:25am: Taking sidesLevel 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

"Hey Artem, whose side are you on?"

Conor Drinan was calling over to Artem Metalidi who's standing with Mihails Morozovs rail.

He never answered. He just smiled. --JS

01:05am: Drinan stretches his lead againLevel 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

It's now 18,050,000 to Connor Drinan and 11,500,000 to Mihails Morozovs. Drinan got two streets of value with A♥8♥ on a J♥Q♣3♠A♣7♣ board to stretch out into that lead. --NW

1am: Kicking off heads-up in styleLevel 31 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

On a Q♠J♠9♠ flop, Mihails Morozovs made it 300,000 and Conor Drinan bumped it to 900,000. Morozovs then came back excessive for what gave the look of 2.1 million and and Drinan snap-folded, showing the 3♣. Morozovs returned the favour, showing the Q♣.

"Look, I did a bluff, alright? So sue me." --JS

12:58am: Main Event crowns weeping champion MalecLevel 31 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

In probably the greatest EPT Main Event finishes ever, Sebastian Malec has won after qualifying for €27. It was a moment that made him literally weep on stage. It was among the best wins we have seen. Head over to our full wrap as much as see how the overall table played out.

12:55am: Heads up chip countsLevel 31 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

Connor Drinan - 15.375Mihails Morozovs - 14.225

12:50am: Kyle Keranen out in third (€496,440)Level 31 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

It was the first actual hand back from the break that may take us to heads up play.

Mihails Morozovs made it 600,000 at the button and Kyle Keranen jammed for 2.8 million. Conor Drinan gave up the massive blind and Morozovs snap-called.

Morozovs - J♣J♦Keranen - A♥2♥

And discuss an action flop. The dealer spread the J♠7♥K♥, improving Morozovs to a suite but giving Keranen the nut flush draw. The turn was the 6♠ - that modified nothing. And neither did the T♠ river.

Keranen said his goodbyes, and Morozovs now has 14.225 million. --JS

12:40am: Oleksii Khoroshenin eliminated in fourth place (€ 396,700)Level 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

Oleksii Khoroshenin just tanked for nine minutes before making his decision on this hand and you've got to mention he was actually entitled to take his time given the ICM implications and how this hand played out.

Khoroshenin limped the button, Connor Drinan completed from the small blind and Mihails Morozovs checked his option within the big blind. At the K♦A♥8♣ flop Drinan checked dark, Morozovs then checked after having seen the flop and Khoroshenin bet 300,000. Drinan decided to check-raise to 1,000,000 total and Khoroshenin made the call.

The 2♣ fell at the turn, Drinan led for 1,100,000 and Khoroshenin smooth called. There has been now over 5,000,000 within the pot and Khoroshenin had just 3,700,000 back. The 3♦ completed the board and Drinan now moved all-in, he had Khoroshenin covered.

This is where Khoroshenin's time within the tank began. He variously checked out Kyle Kyle Keranen's stack, the yankee had not up to him, about 2,850,000. The Ukrainian then checked out the payouts and still seemed no toward his decision. After nine minutes within the tank he elected to name and Drinan showed A♦K♠, Khoroshenin mucked his hand but because it was an all-in his cards were turned over and lets see that he called with A♦T♥.

Drinan is now the chip leader with 15,675,000. --NW

12:25am: Another double upLevel 32 - Blinds: 125,000/250,000 (50,000 ante)

Players decided to skip the break and continue playing while this hand was going down. After all it turned out to be very interesting indeed.

Mihails Morozovs opened to 550,000 at the button just for Kyle Keranen to transport all-in. He had both Oleksii Khoroshenin (big blind) and Morozovs covered, and Khoroshenin got out the best way quickly. Morozovs then slammed down a choice and we saw the cards:

Morozovs - 7♥7♦Keranen - A♥Q♣

The 4♠J♥K♥ flop gave Keranen a straight draw, so any ten, ace or queen would win it for him and take us to three-handed. But the turn was the 9♠ and river the 8♠. Morozovs doubled to 10.9 million, while Keranen dropped to 3.1 million. --JS

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

32	125,000	250,000	50,000

12:15am: Keranen chipping back upLevel 31 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

It's been a topsy-turvy level for Kyle Keranen but he's won a few pots in a row to construct his stack back up again.

The first was a family pot wherein Oleksii Khoroshenin was the limper and Keranen the large blind. At the A♦6♠4♥ flop Khoroshenin stabbed on the pot with of venture of 300,000 but folded when Keranen check-raised to 900,000 total.A few hands later Keranen opened to 500,000 from under-the-gun and Connor Drinan called out of the massive blind. The 8♠5♥4♥ flop was checked through and the 4♦ fell at the turn. Drinan led for 700,000, but Keranen wasn't calling, he raised to 1,800,000 and it earned him the pot. He's as much as 8,700,000, Drinan all the way down to 8,200,000. --NW

12:08am: Khoroshenin's out...then back inLevel 30 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

The drama continues to unfold here in our little corner of the room. Oleksii Khoroshenin opened to 400,000 at the button and got callers in Conor Drinan (sb) and Mikhail Morozovs (bb). The trio went to the 9♠2♠8♥ flop and it checked to Khoroshenin. He continued for 400,000 again which shook off Drinan, but Morozovs had other things in mind. He made 1.075 million to play and Khoroshenin brought his hands to his head. He announced all-in and Morozovs snap-called.

"Set?" Khoroshenin asked, but Morozovs shook his head as he turned over the J♥9♥ for high pair. Khoroshenin was ahead with the Q♠Q♦ and looking out good to double, until the J♠ hit the turn.

"Nooo!" he said, but his moans were cut short because the dealer put out the 2♥ river pretty quickly. It paired the board and meant that Khoroshenin's two pair was better. He doubled to 8.3 million, and Morozovs dropped to 7.8 million --JS

11:55pm: That is Drinan's houseLevel 31 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

A big pot just went the best way of Connor Drinan and in consequence he's now right up there with Mihails Morozovs with a stack of virtually 10,000,000. Again it was Kyle Keranen losing chips as, within the hand in question he opened to 400,000 and Drinan called out of the large blind.

Drinan checked dark and a A♦J♦4♥ flop hit the felt. Bet of 400,000 from Keranen, call from Drinan. The Q♦ was the following community card, both players checked and the Q♣ completed the board. Drinan led for 1,100,000 and Keranen paid him off. Drinan rolled over Q♥4♠ for a whole house and it means Keranen is right down to 4,300,000. --NW

Party at Connor's house...bring your individual thing to chew on

11:45pm: More for MorozovsLevel 31 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Mihails Morozovs is as much as around 9,900,900 and has assumed the mantle of chip leader for the primary time. The hand that got him there has been a blind on blind battle against Kyle Keranen, wherein the Latvian raised to 500,000 from the small and Keranen called from the big.

On the 7♦4♣6♦ flop Morozovs fired out a big gamble of 600,000 and Keranen smooth called. He fire a second barrel worth 1,100,000 at the 4♠ turn and it was enough to earn him the pot. --NW

11:32pm: Morozovs applies the pressureLevel 30 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Mikhail Morozovs made it 400,000 to move at the button and got a decision from the massive blind of Oleksii Khoroshenin. They saw a 5♥J♣6♣ flop and both checked to the 9♠ turn. Koroshenin then decided to guide out with a 400,000 stab, which Morozovs called quickly, leading to a river card: the 5♦. Khoroshenin led again for 500,000, but now Morozovs raised it as much as 2.075 million. Khoroshenin went into tank for 2 and a half minutes before the clock was called, and it counted all the way down to around ten seconds before he folded.

Khoroshenin has 4.5 million left, and Morozovs is as much as 8.65 million. --JS

11:20pm: Chip countsLevel 31 - Blinds: 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

The players took a 15-minute break on the end of level 30 but have now returned. That is how they stack up:

Kyle Keranen - 9,425,000Mihails Morozovs - 7,825,000Connor Drinan - 6,825,000Oleksii Khoroshenin - 5,750,000

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

31	100,000	200,000	25,000

11:05pm: Break

The players--who haven't had a break for dinner--are taking a brief break to visit the toilet. They'll be coming back to 100,000-2o0,000 blinds.

11:10pm: Ari Engel out in 5th (€307,900)Level 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (25,000 ante)

Another man down. When it folded to Conor Drinan within the small blind he moved all-in for 3.1 million and Ari Engel snap-called within the big for his 2.9 million. He had the A♠T♣ and that was sooner than Drinan's J♠9♣ - until the K♦Q♦9♥ flop fell. The turn was the 4♥ and river the 5♥ and Engel said his goodbyes. Drinan is as much as 6.1 million now. --JS

10:55pm: Joseph Cheong eliminated in sixth place (€ 233,300)Level 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

Eliminations are like London buses...

Joseph Cheong moved all-in from the small blind for 1,545,00 with J♣2♣ and upon getting a count Connor Drinan called it off with A♣4♥. Drinan barely had him covered but stayed in front at the T♠5♦T♣8♠K♠ board to transport as much as 3,295,000. --NW

10:45pm: Patrick Leonard eliminated in seventh place (€169,700)Level 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

Another big pot involving Patrick Leonard to inform you about and his run on this tournament has come to an end because of a cooler.

He opened to 375,000, Mihails Morozovs three-bet to 1,100,000, Leonard moved all-in and Morozovs snap called. Leonard's all-in was for 3,580,000, Morozovs had 4,010,000.

Leonard: Q♣Q♠Morozovs: K♥K♦

The 6♠K♠T♣ flop was bad for Leonard, the J♠ turn was his gin card though because it gave him maximum outs going to the river. But, the K♣ meant Morozovs made quads to eliminate Leonard. --NW

Patrick Leonard

10:45pm: Leonard pays it off, and is shocked at what he seesLevel 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (25,000 ante)

Patrick Leonard kicked things off with an open to 375,000 and both Mikhail Morozovs and Kyle Keranen called from the blinds. The flop came down J♣K♠T♥ and it didn't inspire any action. It checked around.

The turn got things going; it came the 8♠ and Keranen bet 550,000 after it checked to him. Leonard called pretty quickly, while Morozovs folded.

A 9♦ river landed and now Keranen put out 675,000. Any queen would make a straight, while the spade draw didn't get there. These were all dealing with Leonard's head.

"I flopped top set, that is sick," he said. He then continued to think, seeking to call out possible hands Keranen can have. "Five six of spades?"

A minute of 2 later the clock was called. "King king, so sick," he whispered because the time was counting down. Eventually he got to twenty seconds and he made the decision. What Keranen turned over surprised us all:

7♠6♥.

Keranen had rivered a straight after two running cards. We never Leonard's hand.

Leonard is right down to 3.825, Keranen now has 10.125 million.

BREAKING NEWS: A player has just been eliminated - stay tuned to determine who. Details coming. --JS

10:35pm: Pascal Hartmann eliminated in eighth place (€ 124,400)Level 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

And then there have been seven. Pascal Hartmann moved all-in for 1,300,000 from early position and when it folded to Patrick Leonard within the big blind, he instantly called.

Hartmann: 8♣7♣Leonard: K♦K♣

A J♥6♥A♠3♣7♠ board kept the kings sooner than Hartmann's sevens and he said "Good game guys," as he took his leave. Leonard is back as much as 5,300,000 after scoring that knockout. --NW

10:30pm: Oleksii Khoroshenin bounces backLevel 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

It's win some, lose some for Oleksii Khoroshenin this level. Fortuantely for the Ukrainian, having already undergone the 'lose some phase' he just experienced the flip side of that exact coin.

Connor Drinan min-raised from middle position and Khoroshenin defended his big blind. The 7♣J♦2♥J♣ flop checked through and the J♣ fell on fourth street. The pre-flop aggressor went for a delayed c-bet of 300,000 and Khoroshenin called. At the 7♥ river Khoroshenin led for 585,000 and despite giving it a protracted think Drinan elected to fold. He's all the way down to 2,275,000 and Khoroshenin is as much as 4,400,000. --NW

10:23pm: Keranen and Khoroshenin clashLevel 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (25,000 ante)

Oleksii Khoroshenin opened to 320,000 under the gun and it folded around to Kyle Keranen within the big blind. He matched it, and we were heads as much as the flop.

It fell 6♦9♣T♦ and Keranen checked to the raiser, who checked back. The turn came the 5♦ and now Keranen led out for 400,000. Khoroshenin made a fast call and we were river-bound. The 5♥ paired the board and Keranen asked for a count. 3.015 million.

Then he reached for the black 100k chips.

He lined up a host of them that totaled 2.1 million and slid them over the road. Khoroshenin leaned forward after which got comfortable, leaning on his palm as he stared straight at Keranen. After several minutes staring/thinking someone called the clock, but once the ground arrived he let his hand go. --JS

10:10pm: Pascal Hartmann doubles through Patrick LeonardLevel 30 - Blinds: 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

On the primary hand back from the break there has been an all-in showdown. Patrick Leonard opened to 400,000 holding K♦9♦, Pascal Hartmann shoved for 490,000 with Q♦T♥ from the small blind and Leonard installed the extra.

The 5♦6♥A♣ flop improved neither player, the 6♦ turn gave Leonard a flush draw and left Hartmann with just four outs. He found one, because the Q♣ river gave the German the win. He's as much as 1,260,000 and Leonard is all the way down to 3,800,000. --NW

10:08pm: Chip counts

Name Country Chips

Kyle Keranen	USA	7,585,000
Ari Engel	USA	4,705,000
Patrick Leonard	UK	4,275,000
Oleksii Khoroshenin	Ukraine	3,370,000
Mihails Morozovs	Latvia	3,000,000
Connor Drinan	USA	2,915,000
Joseph Cheong	USA	2,270,000
Pascal Hartmann	Germany	575,000

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

30	80,000	160,000	20,000

9:52pm: You deserve a break today

So do the players. They're out on a 20-minute break.

9:50pm: Another double for CheongLevel 29 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Joseph Cheong's comeback is easily and really on as he just got another double up. He shoved for 860,000 from under-the-gun and Oleksii Khoroshenin gave him a spin from the massive blind. Cheong showed A♦Q♠ and was dominating the A♥5♠ of the Ukrainian.

It got better for him at the 7♥Q♦8♠ flop and he hung on the T♦ turn and 2♦ river. Cheong is as much as 1,940,000 and Khoroshenin is all the way down to 3,630,000. --NW

9:45pm: Engel takes some from LeonardLevel 29 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

An open to 275,000 from Patrick Leonard was called in two spots and he, Ari Engel (button) and Kyle Keranen (big blind) all saw a A♥3♦3♥ flop hit the felt. Action was checked to Engel, he bet 360,000 and Leonard was the one caller. Both players checked the 2♥ turn and 9♣ river with Engel's A♦J♦ besting Leonard's pocket kings at showdown.

Engel climbs to 4,700,000 and Leonard is right down to 4,550,000. --NW

9:44pm: Quiet at the table, noisy everywhere elseLevel 29 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (25,000 ante)

Play has slowed eight-handed, with not much action to report. However, because the rowdy final table of the PokerStars Open has just been moved to the table right next to our final, things have gotten a whole bunch noisier.

So noisy, in fact, that virtually every player left on this one asked for that table to be moved further away, because of arguments about "who gets to maintain the trophy" and a boisterous 20-plus rail.

That request has now been met, and although things have quietened, it is not exactly 'centre court at Wimbledon' quiet in here.

As I'm typing this, persons are yelling on the top their lungs, and likely members of that rail are about to be asked to leave.

We'll keep you updated. Oh yeah, and still not much action to report on the final table. --JS

9:25pm: Quadruple up for CheongLevel 29 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

What's better than a double up? A triple up after all! And higher still than that sweet sweet thing, a quadruple up after all. Joseph Cheong had just 190,000 left and so they went in from the hijack. Patrick Leonard (cutoff), Pascal Hartmann (small blind) and Ari Engel (big blind) all called so it was four-way to a flop.

It fell 9♣8♣6♥, Leonard bet 300,000 and everybody else folded. He showed T♥9♥ and was prior to Cheong's K♥7♠. "Good luck boys," said Cheong because the A♠ hit the turn. He stood up but soon needed to relax down again because the T♣ river made him a straight.

He actually greater than quadrupled up as with the antes he's as much as 920,000. --NW

9:20pm: Cheong crippled as Khoroshenin doubles upLevel 29 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (25,000 ante)

Action folded to Oleksii Khoroshenin within the small blind and he took a peak at his holding. It was adequate to transport all-in for 1.79 million, and Joseph Cheong had a choice. He checked his cards, and made a gorgeous quick call with the A♥5♥. That was trailing Khoroshenin's A♠Q♦.

The Q♣3♣K♥ flop all but ended it. The 3♠ turn and A♦ river changed nothing, and that crippled Cheong all the way down to 320,000 (and he was within the small blind next hand). Khoroshenin is as much as 3.7 million. --JS

9:10pm: All-in and foldLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

It was Connor Drinan's turn to shove, he three-bet jammed excessive of Kyle Keranen's open and waited as Keranen weighed up the verdict. It was 2,440,000 total to the yank and at last he folded. Pot to Drinan. --NW

9pm: Ilkin Amirov out in 9th (€ 95,720); official final tableLevel 29 - Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (25,000 ante)

It didn't take long for us to lose a player and get all the way down to our official final table of eight. Ilkin Amirov open-jammed for 1.97 million and it folded around to Kyle Keranen within the small blind. He asked for a count and in addition got some of the big blind (Oleksii Khoroshenin - 1.3 million) before re-raising all-in. Khoroshenin folded and the 2 hands were flipped:

Amirov - K♣K♦Keranen - A♥Q♣

It was a great place for Amirov to double, however it wasn't meant to be. In cruel fashion, the board ran out 2♥7♥6♠T♥, meaning any heart or ace would do it. The river came the A♦ and that was that. Keranen is as much as 8.9 million now. --JS

Ilkin Amirov

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

29	60,000	120,000	10,000

8:50pm: All quiet after which we get an all-inLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Poker tournaments generally include large swathes of action where not so much happens, punctuated by moments of pleasure and tension when something does. Play since they went nine handed have been pretty low on action, with a variety of Texas Fold'em occurring. After which we had an all-in...

Kyle Keranen made it 200,000 to play from under-the-gun and two seats to his left Ilkin Amirov shoved for 1,570,000 total. It folded back round to Keranen and upon getting a count he went into dwell mode. Would he call? No, he mucked. Nine handed play continues. --NW

8:30pm: Unofficial final table redrawLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

1. Oleksii Khoroshenin - 1.53 million2. Ilkin Amirov - 1.58 million3. Joseph Cheong - 2.3 million4. Patrick Leonard - 6.8 million5. Conor Drinan - 3.21 million6. Pascal Hartmann - 2.3 million7. Ari Engel - 1.78 million8. Mikhail Morozovs - 3.2 million9. Kyle Keranen - 7.3 million

You can work up an appetite which will the chip lead

8:20pm: Olov Jansson eliminated in tenth place (€ 78,550)Level 28 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

The unofficial final table is ready and it's Olov Jansson who's just missed out. Remarkably the Swedish player came 9th on this event last year so has just didn't match that performance. In his final hand Patrick Leonard raised to 225,000 from under-the-gun and Jansson called from the large blind. At the Q♣5♠9♣ flop Leonard c-bet 300,000 and the verdict was on Jansson, who had just 1,050,000 back.

He took his time, such a lot in truth that Oleksii Khoroshenin - who was at the other table - called the clock. Before it reached zero Jansson raised all-in and Leonard called. The Brit showed K♣8♣ for the flush draw and Jansson held A♦9♦ for second paid. The 5♥ turn was a blan k however the 6♣ river filled Leonard's flush to take him to 6,800,000.

There'll now be a brief break why they do a re-draw of the overall nine players. --NW

Olov Jansson

8:10pm: Big double up for LeonardLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/1,00,000 (10,000 ante)

Ilkin Amirov opened to 225,000, which Patrick Leonard then three-bet to 505,000. Amirov shoved. Leonard called. Simple.

Amirov - A♦K♠Leonard - K♦K♣

The board ran out 6♦4♣9♠3♣5♥ and that meant the kings were still good. The hand took Leonard as much as 5.42 million, while Amirov has dropped to 2.1 million. --JS

8pm: Keranen doubles and takes the chip leadLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Kyle Keranen is the brand new chip leader after doubling through Patrick Leonard, who was the incumbent. It was an all-in pre-flop coup with Keranen opening to 200,000 from under-the-gun/hijack and Leonard, who was within the big blind, sliding out a tower of 100K chips equaling 2,000,000.

Keranen had a complete of 2,780,000 behind and after a few minutes thinking time he committed all of them and Leonard quickly called the additional. The yank showed pocket jacks and was prior to Leonard's pocket fours. The Q♠8♣T♦K♦Q♦ board meant the jacks held to propel Keranen as much as 5,680,000 and drop Leonard to 2,720,000. --NW

7:58pm: Amirov doubles through EngelLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/1,00,000 (10,000 ante)

It's been a super began to Level 28 for Ilkin Amirov as he's just found a double up through Ari Engel.

Engel made it 230,000 to move from the small blind and Amirov defended to look the 3♥6♦T♥ flop. Engel installed a 240,000 c-bet and that may get a call.

The 8♥ hit the turn and Engel then announced he was all in, which put Amirov all-in as he had him covered. Amirov snap-called and showed the Q♥4♥, which meant he flopped a flush draw and had hit it at the turn. Engel could only muster the ]J♠9♣ for an open-ended straight draw that was already drawing dead.

Engel dropped to 2.225 million, while Amirov is as much as 3.96 million. --JS

7:50pm: Mihails Morozovs doubles through Oleksii KhorosheninLevel 28 - Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

It was a battle of the eastern Europeans on this one as Ukraine went up against Latvia. Oleksii Khoroshenin got this battle started by raising to 210,000, Mihails Morozovs then jammed for 1,320,000 and Khoroshenin called. Time for showdown:

Khoroshenin: A♦J♠Morozovs: A♠Q♦

The best hand-held up because the board ran 3♦2♠K♣9♥2♣. Morozovs is as much as 2,790,000 while Khoroshenin drops to 1,660,000. --NW

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

28	50,000	100,000	10,000

7:35pm: ChipsLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Here are the newest chip counts.

Patrick Leonard - 5,670,000Ari Engel - 4,805,000Connor Drinan - 4,235,000Joseph Cheong - 3,430,000Oleksii Khoroshenin - 2,990,000Kyle Keranen - 2,600,000Ilkin Amirov - 2,330,000Pascal Hartmann - 1,555,000Olov Jansson - 1,475,000Mihails Morozovs - 1,450,000

Wonder who has the chip lead?

7:25pm: Amirov taking a beatingLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Ilkin Amirov continues to slip down the chip counts as he just lost two pots in a row. Within the first he surrended 175,000 to Kyle Keranen after he opened after which folded to the American's three-bet. The second one made all of it the best way to the river though.

Again Amirov opened and this time Ari Engel defended from the massive blind. The T♦4♥2♦ flop was checked through and the Q♦ fell at the turn. Engel led for 210,000 and Amirov smooth called. The 5♥ rounded off the board and again Engel bet. This time he fired out 425,000 and after a longish dwell Amirov mucked his hand. He's right down to 2,550,000 now. --NW

7:14pm: Engel gets lucky to doubleLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Kyle Keronen was at the button and made it 160,000 to play. Ari Engel then jammed for 2.245 million, and Ilkin Amirov re-jammed excessive. Keronen got out the way in which and the cards were flipped:

Engel - A♣T♣Amirov - A♠Q♦

Amirov was way ahead and stayed there at the 7♦8♠J♣ flop, although Engel had picked up a gutshot. He'd hit it at the 9♣ turn nevertheless it wasn't over yet. Amirov could hit a larger straight if a 10 fell, however it came the 6♥ at the river and Engel doubled as much as 5.06 million, while Amirov dropped to 2.795 million. --JS

Ilkin Amirov

7:12pm: The river changes everythingLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

An open to 160,000 from Pascal Hartmann was met by a three-bet to 425,000 from Oleksii Khoroshenin. Back on Hartmann he moved all-in for 1,275,000 and Khoroshenin started to tank. He stood up and thought of his move before calling.

Hartmann: A♠T♦Khoroshenin: A♦9♠

The K♦7♣8♠J♥8♥ board meant the pot was chopped and Hartmann was denied a very important double up. --NW

6:58pm: Khoroshenin takes some off CheongLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Pascal Hartmann min-opened to 160,000 just for Joseph Cheong to three-bet to 375,000. The cost of poker was about to head up as Oleksii Khoroshenin then cold four-bet to 590,000 and only Cheong called to look an intriguing 4♥4♠4♦ flop.

Cheong checked to the last raiser, who continued for 175,000. That bet was called and the turn came the J♠. Cheong checked once more, but would fold to Khoroshenin's 225,000 turn bet, taking him right down to 2.55 million and Khoroshenin as much as 3.325 million. --JS

6:48pm: Multi-limped potLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

You don't see all that much limping on this High Rollers so this hand was a transformation of pace. Olov Jansson limped under the gun, followed by Patrick Leonard within the cutoff. Kyle Keronen folded his button, but Ari Engel and Ilkin Amirov called and checked from the small and large blinds.

They all went to the K♥7♠J♦ flop and it check across the. 7♣ hit the turn and that prompted Engel to guide out for 110,000, which only Leonard would call. The 2♣ completed the board and both checked all over again; Engel showing the Q♣J♣ for jacks and sevens, Leonard showing K♣Q♥ for kings and sevens. Leonard took it down and continues to be the chip boss presently. --JS

6:35pm: Chop it upLevel 27 - Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

This hand started in level 26 but resulted in level 27, it took some time. Oleksii Khoroshenin opened to 125,000 from cutoff and Pascal Hartmann, who was within the big blind, installed the additional chips required to peer a flop. That flop fell T♣J♣9♦. No person bit and the 2♠ hit the turn. Hartmann elected to lead, he bet 205,000 and Khoroshenin smooth called.

On the 8♠ river Hartmann fired again, this time 290,000 was the bet and Khoroshenin went deep into the tank for plenty of minutes before announcing call. Both players turned over the similar hand - queen-jack - and the pot was chopped. Khoroshenin remains on 2.2 million while Hartmann still has 1,050,000. --NW

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

27	40,000	80,000	10,000

6:25pm: Stuer gone in 11thLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

He's had an incredible EPT13 Barcelona, having made the overall table to the Super High Roller, but Julian Stuer's run on this one has now come to an end. He opened to 125,000 at the button and was called by Patrick Leonard within the big blind. They saw a Q♥T♣J♠ flop and Leonard check-called 210,000, then checked again at the 3♠ turn. Stuer bet 335,000 only to peer Leonard put him all-in.

Stuer was within the tank for quite some time. He'd be very short if he folded and after all decided to make the decision with the Q♦J♣ for 2 pair. However, Leonard had the 9♥8♠ for a straight and the German couldn't hit a whole house at the river.

Leonard is as much as 6 million now and 10 players remain. --JS

Julian Stuer

6:11pm: Tales of tankingLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

Here's something you do not see everyday, a player calling the clock who isn't even on the table in question. Let's back up.

The action was as follows, Ilkin Amirov had raised to 130,000 from the button and Julian Stuer had moved all-in for 1,435,000 from the small blind. Amirov now tanked. He cut out the specified chips from his stack and tanked some more and a few more or even more.

During this time the opposite table had played three hands and Ari Engel figured that was enough. He got up from his table and asked the tournament director to name the clock. Amirov had a minute to behave and before it reached zero he mucked his cards. --NW

Ari Engel

6:10pm: One win, one loss for StuerLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

Julian Stuer kicked off a hand with an open to 125,000, and that was called only by Patrick Leonard within the big blind. They saw an 8♣Q♥4♠ flop and Stuer installed a 155,000 c-bet which was called. The 8♦ turn slowed the German down, who checked to look Leonard bet 200,000. Stuer called. A K♠ river brought a check from both and Stuer took it down with the A♦Q♦ (Leonard mucked).

Then a few hands later Stuer was within the big blind and called a 120,000 button open from Kyle Keronen. The flop came down 5♥9♣5♦ and Stuer checked, letting Keronen in for a 325,000 c-bet. Stuer then raised it to 325,000 and that gave the impression to surprise a couple of people. After a bit of time within the tank, Keronen called.

The turn was the J♠ and Stuer checked yet again. Keronen took back the betting lead with a 300,000 wager, and Stuer threw his hand away. When the dust settled, Stuer had 1.4 million and Keronen had 3.5 million. --JS

6:04pm: TemptationLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

As you'll have seen or heard, the EPT poker tables are pretty ideal. They have got cup holders that rotate out from under the table. All of the cup holders has a USB outlet good for charging your phone during a protracted day on the table.

They also are invitations of types. A MAN could be a bit of more tempted to slide a tall lager in that spot, what for to calm his nerves or sate his thirst when things get tense. Or maybe he may well be tempted to stay his head in his phone to peer the most recent Snapchat updates instead of being attentive to what is going on in front of him. Y

You know, as photographer Carlos Monti called this one...temptation.--BW

5:50pm: Morosovs doubles through EngelLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

Ari Engel opened to 135,000 from the cutoff and it folded to Mikhail Morosovs within the big blind. He shoved for 890,000 and after a minute or two of thinking Engel made the decision with the A♥T♦, prior to Morosovs' K♦J♦. However the K♣5♣5♥ gave Morosovs the lead, and he'd stay in front at the 9♦ turn and 2♦ river. Engel drops to 2.355 million, while Morosovs now has 1.87 million. --JS

5:45pm: Ari Engel doubles through Joseph CheongLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

A big chip swing this as Joseph Cheong, who was the chip leader, just lost a piece of change to Ari Engel.

The former November Niner made it 125,000 to play from the button and Engel moved all-in for 1,585,000 from the small blind. Back on Cheong he asked for a count, considered his options after which called.

Cheong: K♣J♥Engel: A♥8♠

A 6♠9♠K♠7♥A♦ board meant Cheong took the lead at the flop but Engel spiked the river to outlive. He's as much as 3.25 million, Cheong is all the way down to 3.1 million. --NW

5:45pm: Cheeky show from AmirovLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

Patrick Leonard opened to 135,000 at the button and action was on Ilkin Amirov. "How much are you playing?" he asked Leonard. "4.15 million," came the answer. "OK, 400," said Amirov, who raised to 400,000. Leonard folded, showing the A♥ as he did.

"Show one," he pleaded. "I showed one, you show one."

Amirov obliged and let Leonard choose a card - the 2♦. --JS

5:38pm: So near thus far for FerreiraLevel 26 - Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

We've just lost Jean Ferreira from this High Roller. He jammed for 1.28 million within the cutoff with pocket deuces and was called by Ilkin Amirov with pocket tens. The tens held up and Amirov is as much as 4.1 million now. --JS

5:25pm: Anthony Zinno eliminated in 13th place (€ 67,100)Level 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

A huge hand between Anthony Zinno and Patrick Leonard bumped into the break and ended with an all-in and make contact with. Pre-flop Zinno opened to 120,000 and Leonard smooth called at the button. At the K♣8♣4♦ board Zinno checked, Leonard bet 135,000, Zinno check-rasied to 500,000, Leonard clicked it to 875,000, Zinno shoved for 1,760,000 and Leonard, who had just over 2,000,000 called.

Zinno: K♥Q♦Leonard: 8♠8♦

Leonard had flopped a set, however the K♠ turn gave Zinno some hope. It was extinguished at the A♦ river and Leonard now has around 4,150,000.

The 12 remaining players at the moment are on a break. --NW

Patrick Leonard

5:10pm: Jansson dents AmirovLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Ilkin Amirov was the beginning of the day chip leader, but I've barely seen him play a hand today. That every one changed today though as he got taken with a large pot against Olov Jansson.

Pre-flop Amirov raised to 125,000 from the cutoff and Jansson smooth called from the large blind. The T♦A♣T♠ flop checked through and the 5♠ hit the turn. Amirov bet 130,000 and Jansson smooth called.

The 4♠ completed the board and Jansson changed tactics, he led for 400,000 and Amirov snap called. Jansson rolled over Q♠J♠ for the rivered flush and Amirov smacked the table, indicating perhaps that he had a 10. After that hand Amirov drops to 2,850,000 and Jansson climbs to 3,000,000. --NW

5:10pm: Your chip leader's strategyLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

5:10pm: Cheong chimesLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Picking up the action on an A♣6♣K♥ flop, Mikhail Morozovs made it 165,000 and that was called by his sole opponent within the pot, Joseph Cheong.

The turn then came the 7♥ and action didn't stop find it irresistible so often does on fourth street. Morozovs led out again, this time for 390,000, and Cheong made the call.

A 9♣ river hit the felt and this time Morozovs checked. Cheong checked it back and showed the A♥3♥, and the highest pair and busted flush draw beat Morozovs' 8♥9♥. Cheong has 4.6 million, and Morozovs is all the way down to 1 million. --JS

4:58pm: Big pot for AmirovLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Jean Ferreira made it 110,000 under the gun and was called by Ilkin Amirov within the utg+1 seat. Everyone else folded except Kyle Keranen, who defended his big blind.

A 3♣8♦K♣ flop was spread and Keranen checked to the raiser. Ferreira then continued for 190,000, and only Amirov called. The turn came the 6♠ and now Ferreira slowed down, check-calling a 260,000 bet from Amirov.

Finally we had the K♥ at the river and both decided to test. Amirov showed the T♣T♦ and that was good as Ferreira mucked. Ferreira has 1.22 million, and Amirov is as much as 3.7 million. --JS

Ilkin Amirov

4:51pm: Frankly my dear, Frank is outLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Germany's Christopher Frank is our latest casualty. After Pascal Hartmann opened to 110,000 under the gun, Frank shoved for 330,000 and when it got back to Hartmann he called with the A♥5♥. Frank was ahead with the 9♦9♥, however the A♠5♣3♦3♥A♦ run out changed things, giving Hartmann a whole house. Frank fell in 14th, and Hartmann has 2.28 million now. --JS

4:45pm: Oleksii Khoroshenin doubles through Christopher FrankLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Down to simply 745,000 Oleksii Khoroshenin open jammed from early position and Christopher Frank called from the massive blind. It was a race, with A♠K♠ for Frank and pocket sevens for Khoroshenin. The J♦T♠5♣9♣2♣ board kept the pair in front and left Frank with just 340,000. --NW

Christopher Frank

4:40pm: The overall 14Level 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Play is back underway and that is what the random re-draw needed to say:

Table 1:

1. Mihails Morozovs - 2,000,0002. Pascal Hartmann - 1,800,0003. Joseph Cheong - 3,930,0004. Christopher Frank - 1,400,0005. Ari Engel - 1,900,0006. Oleksii Khoroshenin - 840,0007. Connor Drinan - 3,500,0008. - Empty -

Table 2:

1. Patrick Leonard - 2,700,0002. Kyle Keranen - 2,100,0003. Jean Ferreira - 1,700,0004. Ilkin Amirov - 2,900,0005. Julian Stuer - 1,700,0006. Anthony Zinno - 1,800,0007. -Empty--8. Olov Jansson - 1,400,000

4:36pm: Keronen gets the double bust-out, eliminating Kitai and SalasLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Wow, it's really non-stop!

Kyle Keronen opened to 100,000 under the gun and Damian Salas jammed for 435,000 from the small blind. Davidi Kitai was within the big blind and he called all-in too for 400,000. Keronen called.

Keronen - A♠K♠Salas - J♠Q♥Kitai - T♦T♠

The dealer spread a 7♥2♣6♦ flop, keeping Kitai in front. However the Q♣ turn changed everything, giving the result in Salas.

But as you already know from the headline, Keronen would win. The K♣ hit the river giving him the most productive pair, sending Kitai out in 16th and Salas out in 15th. Keronen has 2.1 million now. --JS

4:32pm: Goldberg gone in 17th; right down to two tablesLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

From the button Gregory Goldberg shoved for 1,040,000 and Patrick Leonard called the shove from the large blind. Goldberg showed K♣Q♦ and Leonard had pocket jacks. A 9♠5♦A♦T♥9♥ board kept the pair ahead and Leonard is as much as 2,700,000.

With 16 players left its time for a redraw, although there has been a large hand happening at table one also. News on that coming right up.

Gregory Goldberg

4:30pm: All the way down to 17Level 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

The latest to fall is Iliodoros Kamatakis. After Conor Drinan opened to 125,000, Kamatakis shoved for 875,000 and was immediately snap-called. Drinan had pocket aces, Kamatakis had king-jack off, and the aces held, bringing Drinan as much as 3.5 million. --JS

4:25pm: Two more have fallenLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Aaron Lim is out in 20th. Mikhail Morozovs opened to 110,000 and Lim jammed from the small blind with the J♠K♥, which Morozovs snapped off with A♦A♥. The board came 6♥Q♥2♠A♠7♥ and the turned set brought Morozovs as much as 1.625 million, and sent Lim to the cage.

Aaron Lim

Over on another table Kyle Keronen made it 100,00 to play under the gun and was shoved on by Pasquale Grimaldi for 450,000. When it got back to Keronen he called with the A♥Q♠, and that was prior to Grimaldi's A♣J♦. There has been no jack at the board and in any case the queen kicker played. Grimaldi is out in 19th, and Keronen is as much as 1.5 million. --JS

4:20pm: Change of plansLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

The current level wasn't showing at the tournament screen and the players thought it is going to be within the structure and were fascinated with the jump from a 40,000 big unaware of a 60,000 big blind. A HANDY GUIDE A ROUGH check of the structure at the EPT website confirmed that Level 25 should indeed be the 25,000/50,000 ante 5,000 level and it was swiftly inserted back into the structure.

There was also discussion about future levels, and the structure will stay at 60 minute levels until the tip of level 32, where they'll be reduced to 45 minutes. To assist get this tournament finished before Tuesday they've agreed to skip the dinner break. --NW

4:10pm: Straight vs StraightLevel 25 - Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

It was heads-up to a T♥7♥5♣ flop with Mihails Morozovs and Anthony Zinno the 2 active players. Morozovs checked it to Zinno and he elected to take a free card. The Q♣ was also checked through and the 9♦ completed the board. Morozovs bet 110,000, Zinno made it 355,000 and Morozovs quickly called. Zinno showed K♠J♥ for the nut straight, while Morozovs had 8♠6♠ for the ground end of the straight. Zinno as much as 1,900,000 after that hand. --NW

4:07pm: Cheong crushingLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Over the previous couple of hands, Joseph Cheong has extended his chip lead. He now has 4.3 million.

4:07pm: Engel takes some gold from GoldbergLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Picking up the action at the river of a 2♦9♥4♥3♥Q♦ board, Gregory Goldberg put out a 280,000 bet and Ari Engel called. Engel showed the 3♠2♣, and the 2 pair was miles prior to Goldberg's 5♣7♥ for a busted straight and flush draw. --JS

Ari Engel

4:05pm: Much more for CheongLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Oleksii Khoroshenin opened to 110,000 and was instantly three-bet to 230,000 by Olov Jansson to his left at the button. Christopher Frank folded meaning the action was on Joseph Cheong within the big blind, and he desired to raise the stakes even higher. He made a chilly four-bet to 445,000 which shook off Khoroshenin but enticed Jansson to call.

The two saw a K♥4♦2♥ flop, and when Cheong continued for 225,000, Jansson gave it up. --JS

4:01pm: Two in a row for Cheong as he's taking the chip leadLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Joseph Cheong is the brand new chip leader but he's a lucky boy to be in that position. Within the pivotal hand Christopher Frank opened to 90,000 from the cutoff, Cheong three-bet to 240,000 from the button, Frank moved all-in and Cheong called all-in for 1,305,000.

Frank: Q♥Q♦Cheong: A♣J♣

The 3♦2♣A♥ flop gave Cheong the lead and Frank jumped out of his seat and walked clear of the table. He missed the 6♥ turn and 2♠ river however the result remained the similar. Cheong doubled to around 2,700,000 and Frank dropped to 750,000.

A few hands later Cheong opened to 90,000 from under-the-gun and collected calls from Oleksii Khoroshenin (button) and Frank (big blind). At the 2♥Q♣7♥ flop Cheong c-bet 145,000 and Khoroshenin was the one caller. At the Q♥ turn Cheong check-called a gamble of 180,000 and both players checked the K♠ river. Cheong rolled over A♥K♥ to win the hand and he's as much as 3.260,000 while Khoroshenin is right down to 850,000. --NW

3:50pm: Lot. Of. Action.Level 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

It's been non-stop since we redrew for 3 tables. Listed below are three more bust-outs to inform you about.

The first was Natasha Barbour. After Anthony Zinno opened to 120,000 from the hijack, Barbour jammed for 425,000 out of the small blind. "I TRULY should call," Zinno said when it got back to him, and that's the reason exactly what he did.

Zinno - K♠Q♥Barbour - J♣J♥

The A♠K♦8♠ flop put Zinno ahead, and the T♣ turn and A♣ river changed nothing. Barbour finished in 23rd place.

Anthony Zinno

Then, on another table, Rafael Moraes min-raised to 80,000, leaving himself just 20,000 behind. The person to his left, Jean Ferreira, then clicked it back to 130,000, and it folded to Joe Serock. He then shoved for approximately 600,000 and both players called.

Serock - Q♥Q♣Moraes - A♣4♦Ferreira - K♥K♠

The kings held up on after the 4♣8♣7♠8♦6♣ board had run out and it was a double knock out. Moraes finished 22nd, Serock 21st, and Ferreira is as much as 2.1 million now. --JS

Rafael Moraes

3:41pm: Horak's bags are packedLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Jiri Horak has just been eliminated in 24th place. He moved all-in from the small blind when action folded to him for 380,000 and Ilkin Amirov snap-called with good reason. He had the K♠K♣ and that was crushing the K♥2♥ of Horak. He couldn't find any hearts of deuces at the run-out and that was all she wrote. Amirov is as much as 2.56 million now. --JS

Jiri Horak

3:40pm: Cheong and Stuer trade chip stacksLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

It's now Julian Stuer who has over two million and Joseph Cheong who's hovering around 1,500,000 after the 2 of them played a lovely chunky pot. Cheong opened to 90,000 from middle position and called after Stuer raised to 240,000 at the button.

The 9♦7♠J♠ flop checked through and the 9♠ fell at the turn. When he was checked to Stuer bet 250,000 and Cheong smooth called. The Q♠ river saw a return to checking and Stuer showed down K♦J♥ to win the pot, Cheong had pocket sixes. --NW

Julian Stuer

3:30pm: Redraw and chipsLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

TABLE 1

1: Ilkin Amirov - 2.18 million2. Damian Salas - 825,0003. Davidi Kitai - 625,0004. Kyle Keranen - 690,0005. Conor Drinan - 1.88 million6. Iliodoros Kamatakis - 980,0007. Pasquale Grimaldi - 835,0008. Jiri Horak - 505,000

TABLE 2

1. Ari Engel - 1.7 million2. Natasha Barbour - 455,0003. Patrick Leonard - 1.65 million4. Mikhails Morozovs - 1.3 million5. Pascal Hartmann - 1 million6. Aaron Lim - 775,0007. Anthony Zinno - 950,0008. Gregory Goldberg - 1.57 million

TABLE 3

1. Joseph Cheong - 2,005,0002. Rafael Moraes - 100,0003. Jean Ferreira - 1,400,0004. Julian Stuer - 1,575,0005. Oleksii Khoroshenin - 930,0006. Olov Jansson - 1,970,0007. Joe Serock - 625,0008. Christopher Frank - 2,150,000

3:15pm: Duarte done in 25th; re-draw timeLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Jean Ferreira open jammed for 835,000 and it gave the impression to have done the trick of picking up the blinds and antes. That may be until action reached Luiz Duarte, who was within the big blind. He had about 600,000 and after an extended think he wagered all of it with K♠Q♦. Ferreira showed A♣7♦ and held up on a A♦2♠2♥J♣A♠ board. He's as much as 1,410,000 and there'll now be a whole re-draw of the general 24 players. --NW

Luiz Duarte

3:16pm: Bouchard bounced by FrankLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Francis-Nicolas Bouchard was all-in for his last 235,000 with the Q♣8♠ and got a decision from Christopher Frank with the A♠8♠. The board ran out J♠4♥4♠J♣5♣ and the ace kicker with the 2 pair on board was best. Frank has 2.18 million now. --JS

3:12pm: Barbour trebles up, Kitai gets worked upLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

Natasha Barbour was all the way down to 115,000 and moved all-in at the button when it folded to her. Conor Drinan then made the decision from the small blind, and Davidi Kitai fancied seeing a flop too out of the big.

The side pot started with a 150,000 bet lead from Drinan at the 2♣8♣6♠ flop. Kitai called and the turn came the 5♣. Drinan then jammed, and Kitai ended up making what appeared like a tricky fold.

Connor Drinan

Drinan turned over just the K♣4♠ for a flush and gutshot draw, and Barbour was ahead along with her T♠8♥ for prime pair. Kitai saw he was probably ahead - of Drinan a minimum of - and wasn't shy letting people know he threw away the most efficient hand. The river came a blank for Drinan and Barbour trebled as much as around 385,000, Kitai was left with 515,000, and Drinan has 2 million after winning the small side pot. --JS

2:50pm: Barbour loses two at the trotLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

It's not been an ideal begin to the extent for Natasha Barbour as she just lost big back to back pots to slide well and really into the risk zone.

In the primary she opened to 90,000 and called after Connor Drinan had three-bet to 240,000. At the 8♥J♣A♣ flop Drinan c-bet 120,000 and Barbour stuck across the. 2♦ turn was checked through and the K♥ completed the board. Drinan bet again at this juncture, 350,000 to be precise and Barbour called the bet. Drinan showed A♠K♣ and it was good. He moved as much as 2,075,000 and Barbour dropped to 540,000.

On the following hand she was under-the-gun and moved all-in with pocket nines, Davidi Kitai, who had 350,000 exactly, called all-in with pocket jacks and everybody else folded. The T♠6♣4♣3♦6♦ board kept the Belgian in front and left Barbour with under five big blinds. --NW

Natasha Barbour

2:50pm: Kitai doubles againLevel 24 - Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

It folded to Connor Drinan at the button and he moved all-in for an efficient 550,000. Davidi Kitai had just 145,000, he called all-in and Jiri Horak folded from the massive blind. Drinan rolled over A♠T♠ and was racing against Kitai's pocket fives.

A K♥Q♥Q♦3♦9♠ board kept the pocket pair within the lead and Kitai is now back to the relative comfort of nine big blinds. --NW

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

24	20,000	40,000	5,000

2:30pm: Break time

Players are headed to their first 20-minute break of the day.--BW

2:30pm: Snowmen save SerockLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Eights were great for Joe Serock as he held against Luiz Duarte to outlive. The latter opened to 70,000 with A♠T♦ and called after Sercok had shoved for 205,000 total with 8♠8♦. A J♣7♠7♦6♣3♠ board kept the pair in front and dropped Duarte to 480,000. --NW

Luiz Duarte

2:27pm: Double double for LeonardLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Patrick Leonard just went from short-stack to back in it over the gap of 2 hands. Within the first he shoved for 317,000 from the small blind with pocket threes and Julain Stuer called from the massive blind with K♣4♣. The 7♠3♣4♥2♦ run out doubled Leonard and dropped Stuer to around 1,725,000.

On the following hand Connor Drinan opened to 70,000, Davidi Kitai three-bet to 210,000 and Leonard then moved all-in for 664,000. Drinan folded but Kitai checked out his cards again and called.

Leonard: K♦K♥Kitai: Q♦Q♠

The J♥T♥4♥3♦2♦ board boosted Leonard to over 1,400,000 while Kitai was left with just two big blinds. They went in at the next hand and he doubled through Rafael Moraes. --NW

Patrick Leonard

2:25pm: Grimaldi's famous rail cheer him onLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Pasquale Grimaldi was all-in with the 6♠6♥ against Joseph Cheong's A♠Q♦ for 456,000. Grimaldi had most people cheering for him, including Mustapha Kanit, Dario Sammartino, and Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier. Anyway, the sixes held up by the tip of the board and the Romanian doubled up. --JS

2:22pm: Luca busts to JanssonLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Ivan Luca opened to 70,000 from the hijack and faced a three-bet from Olov Jansson at the button to 200,000. The action was on small blind Francis-Nicolas Bouchard and he didn't act for a few minutes. Anthony Zinno has about 20 big blinds and called the clock, just for Bouchard to fold directly after. It's worth noting that on the time of this hand, 28 players were left and there has been about to be a pay-jump.

Anyway, after Bouchard folded it was back to Luca who then did a little bit tanking himself. No less than his resulted in some action though; he jammed for around 700,000 and was called pretty quickly.

Luca - T♥6♥Jansson - 7♥7♦

Luca had four-bet shoved light and would have to hit a 10 or running hearts to outlive. The board ran out 8♦Q♣K♣3♦3♥ and he was sent to the cage in 28th. --JS

2:21pm: Jiri Horak triplesLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

When you shove pre-flop with fewer than eight big blinds, you can not feel too good when both Julian Stuer and Natasha Barbour call. You can, however, feel better when at the [5sd]Q♥A♦ flop, Stuer checks and Barbour bets him out of the pot.

Natasha Barbour

What's more, you need to feel again better whilst you remember you might have 5♣5♠ sitting in front of you.

Indeed, Jiri Horak's set was in great shape against Barber's flopped two pair with ace-queen. He needed to dodge Barbour's few outs, did, and tripled to greater than 700,000.--BW

2:15pm: A TRICKY time to be a shortstackLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

There's never a great time to be a shortstack but if you have got three big stacks in your left it makes life that much tougher. That is the situation Rafael Moraes and Patrick Leonard find themselves in over on table four as they're faced with Julian Stuer, Natasha Barbour and Connor Drinan to their left with a tower of chips.

It's not stopped them shoving though Moraes (once) and Leonard (twice) have requested the triangle previously orbit and all 3 times the shoves went uncontested. Moraes is now as much as 303,000, while Leonard has 360,000. --NW

2:10pm: Tank and fold?Level 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

From late position Damian Salas opened to 70,000 and Kyle Keranen then three-bet to 180,000. Up to now so standard. That is where the hand got weird though. Salas tanked and tanked and tanked. He spent see you later doing in order that the clock was called. Now, from experience I WILL say that during like 99% of cases this kind of situation results in the time ticking all the way down to zero and the following hand being dealt. Not this time. Salas was greater than halfway through his allotted minute when he slid out a raise to 365,000 total, proving this reporter knows squat.

There was no tanking from Keranen, he mucked his cards second later. Next hand dealer! --NW

Kyle Keranen

2:09pm: Double-up for KamatakisLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

It had folded to Iliodoros Kamatakis within the small blind and he open-jammed for 412,000, which was quickly called by Luiz Filho within the big.

Filho - A♠K♠Kamatakis - 2♦2♠

The board ran out 3♣6♦8♣8♥5♣ and the deuces were good. Kamatakis gave a large fist pump and went about stacking his new chips. Filho has 735,000 left after that hand. --JS

2:03pm: Khoroshenin gets frank with FrankLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Picking up the action on a 9♦8♣J♠9♣8♠ board, Christopher Frank bet 260,000 into what was a beautiful hefty pot. Oleksii Khoroshenin then raised it to 600,000, and that pressure was an excessive amount of for the German who folded. Frank is left with 1.15 million, whereas Khoroshenin has 2.12 million. --JS

2:00pm: Eliminations so farLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Here is the list of results from Day 3 up to now. --BW

POS NAME COUNTRY STATUS PRIZE

29	Benjamin Pollak	France		€ 27,800
30	Mike McDonald	Canada		€ 27,800
31	Shan Huang	China		€ 27,800
32	Aliaksei Boika	Belarus		€ 23,790
33	Robin Robin Ylitalo	Sweden		€ 23,790
34	Daniel Erlandsson	Sweden		€ 23,790
35	Georgios Zisimopoulos	Greece		€ 23,790
36	Ryan McEathron	Canada		€ 23,790

1:43pm: Mike McDonald eliminatedLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Down below 350,000, Mike McDonald jammed all of it in from the hijack with Q♠J♦, however it didn't get through. Pasquale Grimaldi had pocket nines within the big blind and snap-called. McDonald couldn't discover a queen or jack and was out in 30th. --BW

1:40pm: Cheong takes chunks from McDonaldLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

On a 9♥6♥Q♥ flop, Mike McDonald check-called a 50,000 bet from Joseph Cheong, they usually went to the turn. It came the 9♣ and now McDonald took the betting lead with a 70,000 stab, but Cheong went nowhere. Finally the river fell the 8♠ and McDonald bet big - 225,000. Cheong instantly moved all-in excessive though, which left the Canadian in a tricky spot. He'd finally end up folding, confused, but Cheong refused to turn a card despite some requests from the table.

McDonald has 350,000, Cheong has 2.08 million. --JS

Joseph Cheong

1:35pm: Kitai gets the double, flops straight flush drawLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

Davidi Kitai was all-in for 373,000 with the Q♣J♣ and was called by Jiri Horak with the 6♥6♠. The pocket pair was still technically in front at the 7♥T♣K♣ flop, but Kitai had flopped as regards to the largest draw going. A straight draw, a flush draw, and a straight flush draw. I DON'T HAVE time to seem up the percentages, but as any queen or jack would also win it for him, the Belgian was actually a favorite despite being behind.

The T♠ turn changed nothing, but Kitai hit his straight with the 9♥ river. He's as much as around 770,000, while Horak drops to only 172,000. --JS

1:31pm: Level upLevel 23 - Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

We're moving directly to the second one level of the day with 15,000/30,000/5,000 blinds and antes. --BW

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

23	15,000	30,000	5,000

1:29pm: Huang frolicked to dryLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

Shan Huang came in for a raise to 55,000 and got a choice from Joseph Cheong. At the 8♣9♣2♠ flop, Huang installed his last 240,000. Cheong made the call.

Huang: J♣J♦Cheong: 9♠T♣

It took only one more card to show the hand across the. turn brought the 9♠ to trip up Cheong. He made nines filled with deuces at the rivern, and Huang was gone in 31st.--BW

Shan Huang

1:26pm: Boika eliminatedLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

Aliaksei Boika have been eliminated in 32nd place. --BW

1:22pm: Quads for MorozovsLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

We didn't catch the pre-flop action, but at the 8♠Q♣7♥ flop Mihails Morozovs had raised Luiz Filho to 200,000, and that got a choice. The turn came the 8♣ and it went check-check, followed by the 2♥ river. Morozovs bet 155,000 after it checked to him and Filho folded.

Morozovs then flipped over his 8♦8♥ quads, both in frustration and because...well, you've just got to turn quads, haven't you?

Morozovs has 1.13 million and Filho has 1.1 million. --JS

Mihails Morozovs

1:10pm: Kamatakis not impressedLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

Sebastian Veghinas is out of this event, but he's still hanging around. He just came visiting to talk to some players, including Iliodoros Kamatakis.

"Don't be so serious!" Veghinas told him. "I DO NOT such as you like this!"

Veghinas then pinched Kamatakis' ear and it didn't seem like the Greek liked it one bit. Why so serious, Sebastian? HOW CONCERNING THE €849,200 FOR FIRST! --JS

1pm: Ylitalo chips go Frank's wayLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

Robin Ylitalo opened to 52,000 and was three-bet to 116,000 by Christopher Frank within the hijack. Action folded back to the Swede who then four-bet jammed for 500,000, and Frank snap-called.

Ylitalo: A♦J♠Frank: K♥K♠

Ylitalo was in trouble and would wish some help from the Poker Gods, but they did not look favourably on him this time. The flop came the K♦7♣3♥, followed by the 8♥ and 3♦. Frank is as much as 1.9 million now, and we're right down to 32. --JS

Robin Ylitalo

12:55pm: All the way down to four tablesLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

We are actually at 32 players on four tables as Daniel Erlandsson and Robin Ylitalo bust in 34th and 33rd respectively. Details forthcoming.--BW

12:48pm: Drinan takes a couple of from LeonardLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

This could be some excellent news for Charlie Carrel, who we heard yesterday could have a small wager with Patrick Leonard over even if either of them could final table this event. Leonard continues to be sitting with a comparatively healthy stack, but he's lost a couple of to Conor Drinan early on.

Leonard opened to 53,000 at the button and Leonard defended his big blind. The 2 saw a 5♠4♣A♣ flop which Drinan checked, allowing Leonard to continue for 44,000. Drinan called.

The turn came the 3♥ and it went check-check to the 8♠ river. Drinan then picked off four green chips - each worth 25k - and dropped them over the felt. The 100,000 was an excessive amount of for Leonard who let his hand go. --JS

12:40pm: Georgios Zisimopoulos eliminatedLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

We only caught the tail end of this one, but regardless, it was the most efficient runout for Georgios Zisimopoulos. His J♣9♣ might need appeared like it is usually good at the 6♣Q♦J♠T♣9♥ board, but Kyle Keranen had K♥Q♠ to eliminate the person from Greece.--BW

12:33pm: McEathron's gone alreadyLevel 22 - Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (4,000 ante)

Tough news for any Ryan McEathron railbirds - word just reached us that he busted his 213,000 stack within the first actual hand of the day! --JS

12:19pm: Day 3 seat draw

Name Country Chips Table Seat

Aliaksei Boika	Belarus	386000	1	1
Pascal Hartmann	Germany	716000	1	3
Anthony Zinno	USA	939000	1	4
Ryan McEathron	Canada	213000	1	5
Olov Jansson	Sweden	437000	1	6
Francis-Nicolas Bouchard	Canada	631000	1	7
Robin Ylitalo	Sweden	486000	1	8
Mike McDonald	Canada	509000	2	1
Damian Salas	Argentina	591000	2	2
Kyle Keranen	USA	766000	2	3
Pasquale Grimaldi	Romania	942000	2	5
Shan Huang	China	595000	2	6
Joseph Cheong	USA	1412000	2	7
Georgios Zisimopoulos	Greece	370000	2	8
Ilkin Amirov	Azerbaijan	1700000	3	1
Ari Engel	USA	1645000	3	2
Jean Ferreira	Canada	1030000	3	4
Benjamin Pollak	France	926000	3	5
Mihails Morozovs	Latvia	950000	3	6
Iliodoros Kamatakis	Greece	150000	3	7
Luiz Duarte Ferreira Filho	USA	1300000	3	8
Davidi Kitai	Belgium	297000	4	1
Samuel Vousden	Finland	632000	4	2
Jiri Horak	Czech Republic	677000	4	3
Rafael Da Silva Moraes	Brazil	601000	4	4
Patrick Leonard	UK	756000	4	5
Julian Stuer	Austria	1500000	4	6
Connor Drinan	USA	1463000	4	8
Gregory Goldberg	USA	678000	5	1
Aaron Lim	Australia	831000	5	2
Oleksii Khoroshenin	Ukraine	1096000	5	3
Daniel Erlandsson	Sweden	275000	5	4
Natasha Barbour	Canada	910000	5	5
Ivan Luca	Argentina	656000	5	6
Christopher Frank	Germany	1355000	5	7
Joseph Serock	USA	1318000	5	8

10:30am: Brew a pot and settle in

The price of running a large tournament is usually looking for time to complete it before the party is over. That is the placement we'll find ourselves in today because the the €10,000 High Roller tries to complete on schedule. The record 591 entries has left us with 31 players left on what's mean to be the overall day of this festival. I, for one, am scheduled to leave Barcelona exactly 24 hours from now. I'll feel lucky to make it.

The High Roller played until as regards to eight hours ago and left with that guy you recognize and love, Ilkin Amirov, on top. He leads a field of 36 that should be a field of 1 by the point everybody goes to sleep. The players might be coming back to 12,000/24,000 blinds, giving the leader 70 big blinds.

Ilkin Amirov

All of that said, the typical stack at this point only has about 35 big blinds, so it is going to go faster than we fear. If the maths holds, we predict to be finished somewhere around midnight.

Grab a seat, get comfortable, and get ready for an entire day of High Roller action.--BW

Take a glance on the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for EPT13 Barcelona and the remainder of the season.

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

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT13 €10K High Roller: Jack Stanton, Nick Wright, and Brad Willis. Photography by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter:@PokerStarsBlog

The view over Barcelona from Montjuic

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