Ever wonder how casino’s, big and small, have the capacity to get the highest name acts in addition to guest-pleasing entertainment like meet and greets with hugely popular TV shows stars? It starts with the casino buyer. And the way do you get to be the number 1 casino buyer within the industry?  Just ask Kell Houston, president, Houston Productions and longtime Raving Consulting partner, Gaming Entertainment. 

His peers and members of the (International Entertainment Buyers Association) voted for Kell in 2012, 2014, 2016 (winners don't seem to be eligible the year after) because the top Casino Buyer of the Year in Nashville last month. He credits this award to, “Giving personal service to every and each client. We create partnerships. We build successful programs. For example, in Oklahoma, we've got created some strong success in casinos that currently don’t have venues for shows, with celebrity appearances/meet-n-greets with stars from Game of Thrones, and Sons of Anarchy. As a company, my goal is to offer unique and prior to the curve ideas, in addition to the standard concerts.”

If you read the testimonials on his website, or chat with lots of his clients, both commercial and tribal, they’ll say that Kell's value lies in is his expertise at providing the best entertainment for his or her casino’s brand, in addition to his uncanny ability to make the precise entertainment choices for his or her demographic. 

Chris C. Archunde, director of marketing, Port Madison Enterprises, shared, “Kell does a really perfect job bringing different genres of entertainment to us.  He isn’t one to only ‘shop properties’ with the similar artists, as some buyers do. He works closely with us to figure out what we’re searching for within our budget and this has allowed us to give new and dynamic entertainers to our market.” 

If you don’t know Kell, you’ll recognize him because the guy who's a head taller than most men and always has a sincere smile on his face. You’ll see him at most every industry trade show, either on a panel or “working the floor.” “Kell was our go-to-guy for our clients for just about 15 years as a result of his integrity and complete knowledge of gaming-specific entertainment. He's also an enormous advocate of tribal gaming and cares deeply for each client he works with,” shared Dennis Conrad, President & Chief Strategist, Raving Consulting. 

Luckily for the industry, Kell’s plans to be a highschool music teacher were waylaid during college, after hearing bands like Blood Sweat and Tears  and Chicago. He realized that he too is usually a horn player in a rock band.….and so his career began in entertainment.  

Growing up in a musical family, his passion for music started at age six with piano lessons. He then started the trombone in 4th grade, and played in band and orchestra all over junior high and highschool. For several years he played around the country; had a few record deals  fizzle out, and was the founding member and manager of a well-liked funk band, Epicentre, within the Pacific Northwest. They ended up being signed with Stevie Wonder’s company and spent a couple of year in La recording with him and playing gigs around Southern California. Kell even recorded on Tower Of Power’s “Back to Oakland” album. 

When life at the road came to an end, he pursued and educated himself at the business side of the music industry. Probably the most companies he worked for before forming Houston Productions was instrumental in introducing Kell to tribal gaming, which was just beginning to come to life. He was capable of use his educational approach in an excessively new marketplace. Kell adds, “Today, Indian Gaming is a $30 billion a year business and my company is on the forefront. We currently work with just about 30 Tribal casinos, buying talent and helping build successful entertainment programs around the country.” 

You name the entertainer, Kell has worked with them. However, probably the most more interesting projects happened as a result of teamwork and the timing. For example, he shared:

“We booked ALICE COOPER on the Little River Casino Resort.  The casino provided a spot for him to rehearse all week for an upcoming tour, and on the end of the week had a sold out concert.

“Just because the group was breaking big, we were capable of get the FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE, at Chinook Winds Casino Resort.  The show was tied right into a Portland radio station and we sold out in 24 hours.

“Back years ago, I had THE DIXIE CHICKS, playing on the Fremont Street Experience in Las Vegas, just as their record skyrocketed. It was just like the Beatles had shown up!”

When asked what he sees for the way forward for casino entertainment, he replied, “Live music will always be around. That have can't be artificially produced. The success of the massive festivals with iconic groups proves some degree. The music of those people will live on, in lots of forms. And skill is everywhere.”

Read More... [Source: Gaming Industry News]

It was another fast-paced, action-filled day within the big ballroom here within the Conrad Hotel & Casino where Day 1B of the Latin American Poker Tour Uruguay Main Event played out. 

Among the players popping out today was two-time LAPT Main Event champion Oscar Alache of Chile who we watched battle through the afternoon session, going bust earlier than the dinner break. That was the last chance to reenter, and so he did, and within the night's final four levels he managed to spin the 20,000-chip starting stack all the method to a number one 177,700, just nudging past Day 1A leader Fabian De La Fuente (176,400) to go back to the largest stack tomorrow.

Oscar Alache with chips (again)

There were 176 entries yesterday, and we expected more to come back out for today's final starting flight. There have been around 100 seated at for the high noon start, and by the primary break they'd already eclipsed yesterday's total, with the sector ultimately growing to 257 entries. Prepare with the Day 1A group -- and adding the five no-shows -- the whole turnout is an excellent 438 entries.

A total of 96 players made it through today to sign up for the 59 who survived yesterday. Joining Alache to form the big-stacked brigade tonight were Javier Venegas (159,200), Gustavo Echeverri (138,000), Matheus Zilberknop (112,100), Amos Ben (112,000), Guillero Garcia (110,900), and Lisandro Gallo (107,100). 

Others making it through included Nacho Barbero (86,500), Andres Korn (84,500), Fabian Chauriye (83,400), Bruno Foster (64,800), and Gabrielle Costa (47,900). Click here for a whole list of end-of-Day-1B chip counts, and scroll below for start-to-finish coverage of all of the action from today. You'll be able to also go here for a combined list of all 155 players coming back for Day 2 and their counts. 

Play resumes tomorrow with Day 2 at 12 noon local time (one hour sooner than ET). Join us then as we'll continue to determine together who'll be the following LAPT champion. Until then, dulces sueños! --MH

LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event Day 1B Updates

12:01pm: Day 1B concludes

The last hands of the day has been dealt, and it indeed looks as if Oscar Alache has seized the end-of-night lead. Recap to come back. --MH

11:56pm: "Dos manos mas"Level 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

The best part of ten levels have played out and with the tournament clock stopped, everyone on this Day 1B flight has two more hands until the tip of the night. -- WOC

11:49pm: Barbero nearly ruins Ruhen after wild riverLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

An entertaining hand just played out on Table 1 involving three Argentinian players -- all sitting in a row -- as they near the decision to forestall the clock and play the night's final hands.

After Marco Zevola opened for 2,200 from the button, Nacho Barbero three-bet to 6,500 from the small blind, then Hector Ruhen called from the massive blind, prompting a fold from Zevola.

The flop came J♣A♣A♠ and both players checked, with Ruhen darting a glance at Barbero and offering a wry grin as he did. The turn was the 2♦ and when Barbero bet 5,200, Ruhen called quickly, more or less shaking his head and chuckling to himself as he did.

The river was the Q♦, and Barbero gathered together a chance of 18,500. Ruhen's head shaking bogged down a bit, then he interestingly pulled together chips to position out a raise. Barbero quickly announced he was all-in for a little bit more, and Ruhen called right away.

Ruhen tabled Q♣Q♥ for queens stuffed with aces, then Barbero showed his hand -- A♥Q♠ for a greater full house! The river had brought the case queen and all of that action, and the pair patted each other's shoulders as now both were shaking their heads and the way the hand had gone.

Barbero is suddenly up with reference to 100,000 while Ruhen slips to lower than 10,000. --MH

11:41pm: Alache looking like king of flightLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

Oscar Alache was a type of late registering gainers after the dinner break and midway throughout the final level of the night, the reigning LAPT Player of the Year picked up another serious addition to his stack. The pre flop action was missed but after a couple of raises, there has been a three-way all-in, with Alache closing the action with a decision of an almost 50,000 chip shove.

That player held Q♥Q♦ and a brief stack, who had as regards to 8,000, held A♣Q♠. Alache had them both in bad shape though, as he turned over K♣K♠.

The K♥9♠7♣ flop kind of sealed the opposite two player's fates and after the turn brought the 5♣, they were drawing dead. Both players tapped the table because the 6♦ completed the board and when the dust settled, Alache was teetering on 180,000.

That's likely going to be good for not just the 1B chip lead but in addition the whole lead heading into Day 2, unless someone can best that figure over the following half-hour. -- WOC

Oscar at the rise

11:29pm: Gallo grows stackLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

After Bernardo Abramovich limped from the cutoff and the small blind called, Lisandro Gallo squeeze-raised to 3,100 from the massive blind, earning calls from both. The flop came 5♣A♣Q♥, and when checked to Gallo fired another bet, ok to earn him the small pot. 

Gallo have been earning pots in Punta for longer than most on this field. We mentioned earlier how Ernesto Panno had participated within the first actual LAPT here in Uruguay (see below, 6:11pm). So, too, did Gallo, who if truth be told made all of it of ways to 3rd place in that event. He'd finish 14th within the LAPT Main in Punta del Este as well, and have been a typical at the tour ever since.

While Abramovich continues to battle with about 38,000, Gallo has grown his stack up over 90,000 now. --MH

11:13pm: Chauriye chipping upLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

Checking in on Fabian Chauriye's table, he just kicked off the night's last level by winning a small hand versus Alexandre Sako. 

Chauriye has chipped up over 90,000 now, while Sako slipped to 35,000. --MH

11:04pm: Last level of the night beginsLevel 10: Blinds 500/1,000, Ante 100

As the Day 1B field nears just 100 players, they start the 10th and final level of the night. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

10	500	1,000	100

11:01pm: Chauriye wins 'classic' flip against FernandezLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

To win poker tournaments, you must win flips and Fabian Chauriye just won a large one against Leo Fernandez. Action was picked up with player opening to 1,600 from early position and after a fold, Fernandez called. The table then folded around to Chauriye, who was within the small blind, and he three-bet to 4,900.

The initial bettor folded and the Team PokerStars Pro inspected Chauriye's stack after which his own. The three-bettor had just below 35,000 behind and after some thought, and a slight shrug of his shoulders, he put all his blue 5,000 value chips into the middle.

It was enough to position Chauriye all-in and the Chilean quickly called, tabling Q♥Q♣. Fernandez held A♣K♦ and the 2 were off to the races. Chauriye held in the course of the J♥6♦5♠ flop and after the 9♦ fell at the turn, Fernandez had just six outs to attain the knockout.

The 6♥ wasn't certainly one of them, meaning Chauriye had survived the classic flip. Because the dealer reduce his stack, he turned to his brother Ricardo, who was at an adjacent table to provide him the excellent news. That he was now playing over 70,000 and back near the highest of the leaderboard, where he stared this present day 1B flight. Leo Fernandez could also be back where he started, with just over a 20,000 chip starting stack. --WOC

10:59pm: Korn collects from CostaLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

A set of community cards showing 3♥6♣2♣4♠Q♦ was enough incentive for Gabrielle Costa to fireside a river bet versus her lone opponent, Andres "Cacho" Korn, as she had A♥Q♥ and had paired up on fifth street. 

But the board was adequate for Korn to call, as he had flopped a collection with 2♦2♠ and still felt adequate about it to stay around. 

Korn's call earned him the pot, and he's up around 60,000 now. Costa slips to 72,000 near the top of Level 9 . --MH

10:49pm: No stopping Venegas eitherLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

If there was on recurring theme throughout just today 1B flight, it's that just one player is authorized to be over the 100,000 chip mark at a time. Marcello Caleres was the primary to wreck that threshold, before the dinner break, and he kept himself above that number during the last two levels.

Heading towards the top of Level 9 though, Caleres has fallen and Javier Venegas has taken his place. Venegas is even peaking for this second starting session, as he's over 125,000, a mark nobody has dared near to this point today.

If Venegas is in a position to continue to build, he could challenge Fabian De La Fuente for clubhouse lead heading into Day 2, as 'FDLF' bagged 176,000 to pace Day 1A's 59 survivors. AN ENTIRE list of yesterday's counts are available at the right sidebar of the PokerStars blog. -- WOC

10:38pm: No stopping ZilberknopLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

Matheus Zilberknop of Brazil is doing well for himself here on Day 1B, having steadily accumulated all day to take a seat some of the group of players with bigger stacks midway through Level 9.

Like many others within the field, Zilberknop comes back to the Conrad after having tasted success here before, in his case having final tabled the BSOP Main Event here in Punta del Este back in June (the only won by Jaime Ateneloff). Zilberknop took eighth in that one out of 786 entries, good for a $9,370 score -- the biggest of his career thus far.

He's got a smaller field to outlast on this tournament, and it keeps shrinking as they're down around 115 Day 1B players at the moment (with 59 having made it through Day 1A). Zilberknop's stack of 85,000 at the moment puts him in good position to make it to tomorrow's Day 2. --MH

10:28pm: Easy translation of 'chip leader'Level 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

It seems as if whenever these English speaking bloggers come to South America, we learn something new and today's Spanish lesson came from Lisandro Gaucho. As we were circling the tournament area, he asked, roughly, "What the chip leader was playing?" to which we shook our head.

We explained that we actually only understand how to reserve "jamon y queso" omelettes and the occasional glass of "agua". He then quickly solved the issue himself, asking "cuantos" and pointing to his stack and the room.

After a moment of thought we realized what he was asking and explained that the most important stack thus far today was just over the 100,000 mark. We then desired to further our journey into the Spanish language and asked, "¿Como se dice 'chip leader'?"

The table checked out one another and laughed, with Gaucho answering, "Eh, 'chip leader'."

Spanish is pretty easy huh? It is also easy to follow all of the chip count updates at the PokerStars Blog, with an entire list of huge stacks coming on the end of this present day 1B session. --WOC

Day 1B continues

10:19pm: Big-stacked BenLevel 9: Blinds 400/800, Ante 100

LAPT Season 6 Player of the Year Amos Ben entered this event late, taking his seat earlier than the dinner break and end of late registration. However, as we just noted before the last break, he's made probably the most of his short while on the tables, and now sits with one of the crucial bigger stacks within the room. 

Just now he reraise-shoved over a short-stack's opening all-in to isolate, then tabled A♥T♥ which had his opponent's A♥T♥ dominated. A runout of 8♥J♠A♣7♥6♠ then reduced the sector by one while pushing Ben up around 90,000. That's twice the typical presently as there are about 120 left from the 257 Day 1B starters. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

9	400	800	100

9:52pm: Yet another break

With Level 8 done, players are off on their last 15-minute break of the night. --MH

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9:48pm: Caleres still leads, a number of creme risingLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

Ben built quickly after dinner

Better late than never and while that applies to players peaking heading into the general break of the night, it is also when most of the current leaderboard entered just today 1B flight. Chip leader Marcello Caleres, who held the highest stack on dinner, was here for the previous few hours however the same can't be said for one of the most most experienced within the field, Amos Ben, Oscar Alache and Leo Fernandez.

Those three came in on both sides of the dinner break and feature quickly gotten to work building their stacks. Ben has seen the most important upswing, as he's now playing the easier a part of 80,000, adding three starting stacks throughout two hours.

Ben is behind a top-five stack, with Gustavo Echeverri, Javier Venegas, Alache and Fernandez right behind him. Pablo Alma and Claudio Moya are within touching distance, behind three stacks and it'll be interesting to peer how these players attack the overall two periods.

The PokerStars Blog can be here to bring you all of the action until the baggage pop out after Level 10, with an inventory of the highest stacks provided below. --WOC

Player Chip Count

Marcello Caleres	103,000
Lisandro Gaucho	93,000
Marco Zevola	87,000
Matias Manta	84,000
Amos Ben	81,000
Gustavo Echeverri	79,000
Javier Venegas	76,000
Andres "Cacho" Korn	72,000
Oscar Alache	67,000
Leo Fernandez	65,000
Murillo Gaissler	65,000
Gabriella Costa	63,000
Pablo Alma	61,000
Claudio Moya	61,000

9:36pm: Hard to not believe earnest ErnestoLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

A three-way hand marked by a lot of table talk and laughter made it to the turn with about 8,000 within the pot and the board showing A♠4♥T♠Q♥. 

Suddenly all grew quiet, that queen at the turn appearing to have changed the complexion of items considerably. It checked around to Ernesto Panno who picked out a raffle of 3,500, and his opponents each paused only a beat -- stealing looks on the earnest-looking Ernesto -- before ditching their cards. 

Panno then tabled his hand -- 5♦5♥ (!) -- and that got the table talk started again. Panno has about 25,000 presently. --MH

9:30pm: Federico Roberto's five-bet wins game of 'Chicken'Level 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

Usually, hands that do not visit a flop aren't exactly reportable but a five-bet changes the location drastically. Federico Roberto just forced a fold after putting in place the fifth raise, to transport himself over the chip average.

Action was picked up with Fabian Chauriye opening within the cutoff and Roberto responded with a three-bet to 3,400 from the button. The blinds folded and Chauriye slid out 8,100, for a four-bet, a move that sent his opponent into the tank.

Roberto gave the impression of he was going to fold, shuffling his cards for as regards to a minute and a half before returning them underneath one in every of his small denomination chips. He then verbalized "15,000" and put out three neat stacks of yellow 1,000 value chips to total that amount.

Chauriye flicked his headphones from his ear and asked for confirmation, before taking a visit to the tank himself. After another minute of thought from Chauriye, he let his hand go and Roberto was taking within the pot with no need to even see three community cards. --WOC

9:19pm: 438 is the numberLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

We've just gotten the word -- 438 entries is the official total for this event, counting the 176 Day 1A entries, the 257 on Day 1B, and five no-shows. Prize pool information coming afterward! --MH

9:06pm: Fun with FernandezLevel 8: Blinds 300/600, Ante 75

Earlier today we saw a humorous hand play out between German Fernandez Schemini of Uruguay and Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez. 

The hand had reached the river, with a king the primary community card and an ace having bookended the board on fifth street. After a Fernandez check, Schemini had bet into the pot and with a large number of exasperation Fernandez finally folding, showing a king as he did. Schemini then cheekily showed his hand -- a bluff with a few medium cards -- and Fernandez held his head in one of those half-genuine, half-joking dismay.

The table laughed in response, and while time has passed the mood has remained fairly light there post-dinner. At present things turned a bit of more serious, though, in a multi-way pot involving Fernandez, Schimini, and Fabian Chauriye.

After a Chauriye open from under the gun to 1,500, five players called including Fernandez within the hijack seat and Schimini within the big blind. The flop put an ace and a king at the board again, and came single-suited -- 8♦A♦K♦. It folded around to Fernandez who fired 2,100, then everyone folded back to Chauriye who studied deeply for just about a minute before letting his hand go.

When Fernandez mucked face down, declining to turn his hand, Chauriye grunted in disappointment. Then the pair engaged in conversation and the grins returned, Fernandez's hiding whether he'd bluffed or not.

Leo smiling, not showing

Fernandez has about 25,000 right now, Schemini about 35,000, and Chauriye remains to be sitting comfortably with over 60,000. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

8	300	600	75

8:53pm: No days off for Carlos CaiLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Players that bagged during yesterday's Day 1A flight got an off day before the starting flights combine tomorrow but some players did not want to overlook any of the LAPT9 Uruguay action. Carlos Cai was one in every of them and he made his time worth it, as he claimed the $200 PL Omaha title just after the dinner break concluded.

Cai picked up some hardware before Day 2

With one win under his belt already, Cai could pose a threat so as to add to his LAPT9 haul tomorrow. He'll return for tomorrow's Day 2 session below the chip average but with a workable 30 big blind stack, Cai could be a contender. --WOC

8:40pm: Straight flush catapults AlacheLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

"Now?"

So asked the dealer (in Spanish) of a few players holding up proceedings briefly to take photos with their phones. What were they snapping? It was the board and two hands -- the aftermath of an all-in involving two-time LAPT champion Oscar Alache.

We noted how Alache have been eliminated just previous to the dinner break, and as expected he bought back in only before the chance to reenter was taken away. After chipping up a bit, he got another huge boost at present after knocking out an opponent.

That picture-worthy board was 3♦J♥7♦9♥Q♥, with the losing A♦A♠ on one side and Alache's winner at the other -- K♥T♥ for a straight flush. 

That brings Alache as much as around 65,000 now, suddenly on the subject of twice the common stack within the room. --MH

8:27pm: Table 1 is on 'Nacho Time'Level 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Playing both live and online, like Nacho Barbero did yesterday, is superb for the player that may be doing it. He's seemingly always going to have a hand or decision, especially when multi-tabling online. For the opposite players on the table, it could not be as great when Barbero pays more attention to the virtual felt than the hand that may be right in front of him.

Barbero just played a pot against Marco Zevola, with that action opening with a 1,200 chip raise from the latter. Barbero, who was the following player to act, three-bet to 3,000 and while the table folded, Barbero seemed like he could care less. He was busy swiping and tapping his iPad, finally picking his head as much as see that Zevola had called and already checked the J♣T♥7♦ flop.

The multi-tabler quickly tapped the table as well, seeming more excited by a hand that was playing out at the screen in front of him. The K♣ brought another check from Zevola, this time with slightly more force to perhaps nudge the Argentine right into a quicker turn decision.

Barbero got his online clicks and faucets out of ways before throwing out 3,400 and after some thought, Zevola called. The 5♥ completed the board and Zevola gave another heavy fist to the table. Barbero was on his own time though, as he was facing an all-in on his screen. He clicked call and the cards ran around the screen, followed by the PokerStars 'Knockout!' banner, signifying a successful elimination.

There was no reaction from Barbero but there has been a 5,500 chip bet, eventually, and after a couple of seconds, Zevola mucked and the table readied themselves for the following hand. While he was stacking 35,000 chips, Barbero ordered a coffee from the waitress and went back to clicking, eyes fixed at the colorful screen in front of him... --WOC

8:19pm: Venegas vaults himself into contentionLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Before the dinner break, we reported a majority of the players that were above three starting stacks and thru the hole section of Level 7, Javier Venegas has pushed himself into that category. The Argentine is now behind with regards to 73,000, that is still only second best at his Day 1B table.

That's because Gabriella Costa still holds the chip lead in that lineup and should you remember, a fortunate river, check the 4:04 PM update below, saved her tournament life against Venegas. Those two have both come again from earlier short stacks and they will attempt to continue to chip up, while staying out of every other's way for now, during the remainder of this 1B session. --WOC

8:09pm: Ateneloff outLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

Among the early post-dinner knockouts is Uruguay's "Godfather of Poker," Jaime Ateneloff, who couldn't spin his short stack back up after battling gamely the previous couple of levels. --MH

8:02pm: What the massive board saysLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

The big board has now settled at 257 entries -- which put with yesterday's 176 would mean 433 altogether -- but they'll must undergo and finalize that total before a prize pool will come. 

Right now we're taking a look at 160 players still left from the Day 1B field. And we will be able to say evidently that number won't be getting any larger, because the ability to reenter went away with the closing of late registration. --MH

7:58pm: Back from dinner, field frozen, official numbers coming soonLevel 7: Blinds 250/500, Ante 50

We're back from the Day 1B dinner break and that suggests that this LAPT9 Uruguay Main Event field is frozen. While the board reads just over 250 players for this second and final starting flight, we're still waiting at the official number from the tournament staff.

When the player count is confirmed, we'll bring you that information, in addition to the relevant prize pool information in addition. Those figures won't come into play until tomorrow's Day 2 session but players will definitely need to know what they're competing for here in Punta de Este. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

7	250	500	50

6:40pm: Dinner break

Having reached the top of Level 6, players at the moment are off on a 75-minute dinner break. Once they return they'll play four more one-hour levels before calling it an evening. --MH

Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.

6:35pm: Caleres controls chip lead, handful over three stacksLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

We're only some minutes from the top of Level 6, because of this the leaderboard is beginning to come along side greater than half this 1B flight within the books. Because it stands, Marcello Caleres, who earlier cracked pocket kings and aces, is controlling the chip lead with just over 100,000.

He's the one player working greater than six-figures but there are a handful of players with over three starting stacks. Marco Zevola is one in all them, meaning he'll head into the post-dinner element of play for the second one day in a row with a top stack.

Zevola wasn't capable of survive last night but 83,000 should put him capable of succeed on his second attempt. Gabriella Costa was short stacked earlier but is now behind 78,000 and a South American multi-national four-some is hovering slightly below 70,000 to round out the highest stacks.

A complete list of these counts is equipped below. -- WOC

Player Chip Count

Marcello Caleres	105,000
Marco Zevola	83,000
Gabriella Costa	78,000
Fabian Chauriye	68,000
Matias Manta	67,000
Armando Espinosa	66,000
Bruno Foster	64,000

6:33pm: Costa climbingLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

In a three-way pot Jaime Ateneloff bet the T♦4♦Q♣ flop and only Gabrielle Costa called. Then after the 2♣ turn Ateneloff checked, Costa said she was all-in, and Ateneloff needed to let his hand go.

With the dinner break near, Costa is now up around 70,000 while Ateneloff has slipped under 10,000. --MH

6:27pm: No false alarm this time, Fernandez joins lateLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Earlier, there has been an imposter among just today 1B field, as we thought that we spotted Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez. That was not the case, although the back of the unknown player's head looked like the one we stumbled upon at a central table.

That's where the actual Leo Fernandez has begun his 1B run, sitting a couple of seats to the proper of where reigning LAPT Player of the Year Oscar Alache once sat. He's been eliminated and with just over 20 minutes from the dinner break, that implies Fernandez and Alache must be near the 20,000 chip starting stack when late registration closes at the beginning of Level 7.

In his own words, Leo "fought, fought, fought" yesterday, hitting the rail within the final level before the baggage came out, so he's hoping for a more successful LAPT9 Uruguay bout today. -- WOC

6:18pm: Caleres cracks kings and aces, moves over 100,000Level 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Yesterday, no person broke the 100,000 chip mark until almost an hour and a half after the dinner break but today, midway through Level 6, Marcello Caleres has already eclipsed that threshold. Caleres just cracked pocket kings and pocket aces with pocket tens and while the action was missed, the cards were picked up at their back with Caleres holding his two opponents in a strangle hold.

The chips got in on the T♠9♥6♠ flop, with the player with K♥K♦ and A♠A♦ both covered by the large stacked Caleres. After the 8♣ came at the turn, Caleres needed to fade just four cards at the river and he did, with the brick of bricks, the 2♥ completing the board.

When the dust settled, a player to Caleres' right made the belief that his neighbor was the brand new chip leader and we're here to inform you that that may be definitely the case. Caleres is top of the charts by a good amount and a whole list of the leaders might be posted before the approaching dinner break. -- WOC

6:11pm: Panno back in PuntaLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Uruguay is found in southeast South America, along the Atlantic coast. The rustic is bordered by big Brazil to the northeast, with Argentina curling across the remainder of it at the country's west side.

It's unsurprising, then, to search out a large number of Argentinians in Punta del Este for these events. Nor was it surprising to look one in all them -- Ernesto Panno -- coming back again this year. Panno came to the first actual LAPT Uruguay back in 2008, and keeps coming back. 

Panno's best finish here was during Season 3 when he took ninth. He also has many cashes elsewhere -- including many in his native Argentina -- in addition to some WSOP scores including one within the biggest Main Event ever back in 2006.

Panno has about 30,000, and a plan to continue playing this event so long as he can. After which likely more in Uruguay besides. --MH

Panno plays a mano

6:02pm: At the railLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

We've lost a couple of more players here as they push in the course of the halfway mark of Level 6, among them Gaston "Barto" Belluscio.

The big board shows 230 entries up to now today, though the full is probably going higher. --MH

5:51pm: Verbs about MoyaLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Standing. Thinking. Brooding, really. Then, finally... calling.

That was Claudio Moya today after a fifth-street card completed a board T♣2♠2♥6♦Q♦. Thereafter he was leaning, looking, seeing an opponent table 6♠5♦, then turning over his own J♥T♠.

Next Moya was pivoting, stepping away, returning, and sitting. 

Now he's stacking. And we're counting -- about 60,000 chips. --MH

5:45pm: A COUPLE OF checking in at the competitionLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

Over the last half hour, a couple of players that successfully navigated yesterday's Day 1A flight has been spotted walking in the course of the tournament area. They earned themselves an afternoon off after bagging chips but Brazil's Victor Teixeira, Argentina's Carlitos Cai and Paraguay's Pedro Aldave are checking in on today's competition.

There will not be much to look just yet, as there may be still the simpler a part of four and a half hours remaining in Day 1B, so their best bet is to follow along at the PokerStars Blog. We'll be tracking this field until the top of the night and before the 1B dinner break, that's on the subject of 45 minutes away, we'll bring you an inventory of the highest stacks within the room. -- WOC

5:36pm: Last level before dinnerLevel 6: Blinds 200/400, Ante 50

They push onward into Level 6 with no break, the last one-hour level before the 75-minute dinner break arrives. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

6	200	400	50

5:33pm: Ateneloff drops a fewLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

Near the top of Level 5, Jaime Ateneloff found himself in a three-way pot at the river with the board showing T♠6♥J♥6♠7♦. After a check and bet of 7,500, he thought for a little while before finally digging out calling chips. The player in between folded, the bettor showed 9♣8♦ for a straight, and Ateneloff let his hand go.

The 85-year-old Urugayan -- known by many because the "Godfather of Uruguayan poker" -- is back off to about 12,000 now. --MH

5:20pm: Quads are overkill for VitolaLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

The action at Franco Bochina's table continued into the very next hand, as Fernando Vitola opened to 2,000 from under the gun. A BRIEF stack then shoved for just over 7,000 after a couple of folds and once the table passed around to Bochina, who was within the big, he appeared like he had a choice on his hands.

Eventually, he elected to fold and he was glad he did, as Vitola quickly called the all-in before tabling J♣J♠. His opponent held 9♥9♦ and was drawing to only two immediate outs.

After the Q♣J♦6♦ flop, he was kind of drawing dead and after the Q♣ turn fell, he was. Only for good measure, or overkill from the fast stack's perspective, Vitola improved to quads at the river, because the J♥ completed the board.

Everyone loves quads it doesn't matter what stage of a tournament they get them and Vitola should be loving how his Day 1B session goes thus far, as he's near 40,000. -- WOC

5:16pm: Bochina boats as much as stay aliveLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

Midway through Level 5, a large pot developed at an outer table and while one player held the nuts at the flop, he seemed hesitant to commit a majority of his stack against Franco Bochina. Maybe that's because he knew what was approaching the river, with the action picked up on a board of K♦T♠9♥.

A player within the blinds checked before Bochina bet 1,800, only to peer another opponent, who was at the button, call. The player within the blinds then sprung into action, check-raising to 6,800. Bochina quickly replied with a shove, as he moved all-in for 17,600.

The player at the button folded and after he counted down his 30,000 chip stack, the check-raiser called to look Bochina table 9♦9♣. After a couple of moments, the player turned over Q♠J♣, for a flopped straight and that drew a couple of looks from players across the table.

Bochina was right next to his opponent, so he couldn't look him directly within the eyes but it's good to tell the in peril player was slightly annoyed on the apparent slow roll. The 7♦ fell at the turn but Bochina boated up at the river, because the T♦ paired and completed the board.

The losing player didn't say a word but his body language made it seem like he was never too comfortable playing that gigantic of a pot, despite having the most efficient of it when the chips went in. Bochina was likely never going anywhere, so it was an unavoidable spot and he's now playing over double starting, with 42,000. -- WOC

5:04pm: Alache steps asideLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

Oscar Alache found himself in a preflop battle along with his neighbor at the left, ultimately reaching some extent where after an Alache three-bet his opponent pushed all-in with the 8,000 or so he had behind.

That prompted the two-time LAPT champion to reevaluate the situation, looking first at his own stack, then eyeing the tournament clock for several seconds with a glance that suggested he was considering how far-off they're to late registration ending and the reentry option going away.

At last Alache folded, preserving his stack of just about 20,000 -- incidentally, exactly what he'd get again should he not survive previous to dinner, and then (in the beginning of Level 7) there's no more reentering. --MH

4:49pm: An Echeverri excellent handLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

With the board showing 2♣T♥3♥3♠3♦ and around 10,000 within the center, Gustavo Echeverri fired a raffle of 5,000 and was capable of earn a call, and then he tabled his hand -- 5♦3♣ for runner-runner quads. His opponent showed his T♦9♣ -- a thwarted full house -- and Echeverri collected the pot.

The Costa Rican is up around 45,000 now. --MH

4:40pm: Will the true Leo Fernandez, please stand upLevel 5: Blinds 150/400, Ante 50

A trip across the tournament area after the second one break of the day revealed that Team PokerStars Pro Leo Fernandez had joined the action, until we got a bit closer. The back of the player's head matched; long, dark hair covered by a baseball cap, in addition to the hip, casual selection of outerwear.

¿Leo? Nope, false alarm.

As we rotated across the table though, not such a lot. It was an imposter, perhaps Fernandez's stunt double or long lost relative. Alas, no Leo just yet, meaning we'll keep our eyes out for him over the following two levels before late registration closes. -- WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

5	150	300	50

4:20pm: Let's take a break

Four levels down, six to go, and QUARTER-HOUR to consider all of it. Smoke 'em for those who got 'em. --MH

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4:15pm: Maintaining with the 'featured players'Level 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Just as we did yesterday, heading into the second one break of the day, we're updating the PokerStars Blog followers with counts of the players we've featured to this point today. SOME OF THESE counts represent players near the highest of the leaderboard and once that list starts to take a more defined shape, we'll begin to incorporate some new names.

As of right now, it's Fabian Chauriye on the top, a position he found himself early in Day 1A. Unfortunately for the Chilean, he wasn't capable of keep going and was bounced midway during the day. He'll be hoping for better this time around, along side Bruno Foster.

He's fired a couple of bullets today but may well be breaking even, for the chips he's paid for, if he's capable of continue to climb. Cowboy Gustavo Echeverri is sitting strong with over two starting stacks, with Marco Zevola right below that threshold.

An updated have a look at the 'featured stacks' is equipped below and we'll add to that list over the following two levels as more big stacks emerge. -- WOC

Player Chip Count

Fabian Chauriye	57,000
Bruno Foster	53,000
Rodrigo Garrido	42,000
Gustavo Echeverri	41,000
Marco Zevola	37,000
Murilo Gaissler	32,000
Bernardo Abramovich	31,000
Andres "Cacho" Korn	22,000
Nacho Barbero	18,000
Gabriella Costa	16,000

4:14pm: Moya back for moreLevel 5: Blinds 150/300, Ante 25

The Chilean Claudio Moya have been battling away as we move into the latter a part of the afternoon. Moya is asking to enroll in the exclusive two-time LAPT Main Event champions club after having won LAPT8 Peru last year.

He followed that triumph with a 19th-place showing here in Punta del Este within the LAPT8 Uruguay Main Event, the third time he's made the highest 20 in them.

Moya is low on chips present, but above average in experience surviving deep in these. --MH

4:12pm: Foster forces a fold and his way up the chartsLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Bruno Foster's Day 1B exploits has been well documented over the process the primary four levels. He was bounced early after which saw another bullet miss the objective nevertheless it looks as if the third is operating like a charm.

Foster was just occupied with potentially the most important pot of the day, after he shoved the activate a board of 5♥5♣2♣9♥. The Brazilian's shove was for just over 19,500 and with 31,000 within the pot, the winner of the hand would likely find themselves on the top of the leaderboard.

Alas, after with reference to two minutes of thought, Foster's opponent folded and conceded the pot. He wasn't complaining though, as he then stacked up just over 50,000, almost breaking even at the chips he's paid for today. -- WOC

4:10pm: Gaissler getting alongLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

With about 8,000 within the middle and the board showing A♠J♥3♥3♦3♣, Murilo Gaissler watched his opponent check, then he fired a chance of about half the pot in an try to win what was within the middle. That's when his opponent check-raised all-in, starting up all of his chips in one column.

The reraise was with a grimy"" stack -- i.e., chips of various denominations were mixed haphazardly -- though it wasn't too hard to eyeball it and notice the bet was for approximately 15,000. It evidently was a filthy spot, too, from Gaissler's expression, and after thinking for approximately a half-minute he let his hand go.

This is Gaissler's first ever LAPT event, in truth. He traveled here on a poker-centric trip, playing some in Montevideo before heading over for the festival. The primary almost-four levels have gone reasonably well for him thus far, as he sits with slightly over 30,000. --MH 

So far, so good for Gaissler

4:04pm: Costa catches river to outlive three-way all-inLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Gabrielle Costa just chopped a pot with both her and an opponent holding full houses and some minutes later, she was involved again, although with the worst hand of 3 all-ins. The pre flop action was missed however the cards were picked up on their back, with Costa at risk, holding 8♥8♦.

Javier Venegas had both players covered and the most productive of it, with J♣J♠ and there has been a brief stack, who was all-in for just over 4,100, holding T♣T♦. After the T♥2♣2♠ flop, the quick stack had shot into the lead but with Costa's effective stack sitting just around 15,000, the side pot was more valuable to Venegas.

It appeared like it might be his after the 5♦ fell at the turn but once the 8♠ completed the board, he was left wondering how he could get unlucky in two spots. Costa had a unique expression, all smiles, as she was saved by the river and back over the starting stack heading towards the last quarter of Level 4.

When the dust settled, the fast stack had tripled to a workable 15,000 and Venegas was left because the low man out of the three, with just 7,000. -- WOC

3:52pm: Nacho continues the fightLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Nacho Barbero played Day 1A, and began with everyone else here on Day 1B. Then he found himself back on the cashier's desk as Level 4 proceeded, buying back in again to check out to spin up that starting stack.

He's wearing the ideal cap to symbolize someone persevering amid challenges. --MH

Player: Barbero, N.Playing style: fight-aggressive

3:36pm: Costa only collects halfLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

Just now it appeared as if Gabrielle Costa could be about to win a large pot and earn a lift to her stack, because the board showed J♠6♠6♣J♣3♥ and he or she was tabling J♦9♦. But her opponent, Javier "El Soldador" Venegas, had Q♠J♥ for a similar full house, and the pair chopped up what was within the middle.

Costa remains to be sitting at about 20,000 -- that is, the stack with which she started. Meanwhile Venegas is up around 35,000. --MH

3:22pm: Teetering on 200Level 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

We're 1 / 4 of how through Level 4 and because it stands, just below 200 players have entered into just today 1B flight. That's greater than came out yesterday, with the pace of entrants still set to eclipse 250, remember Sergio Prado's breakfast prediction, by day's end.

While a few of those entries have come from players trying again, and again, and again, in some cases, a few of the faces in Day 1B has been fresh ones. With some players having multiple bullets invested, a growing field could incentivize them to continue to fire, especially if the prize pool continues to ballon. -- WOC

3:09pm: More side events to maintain festival rollingLevel 4: Blinds 100/200, Ante 25

While the Evento Principal moves into it's forth level of Day 1B, the side event schedule may be getting started for the weekend. Yesterday, two Spades were awarded, with Damian Kutner claiming the $200 PL Omaha title.

The second 'Spade' went to Damian Kutner

Two more trophies are up for grabs today, including a $200 PL Omaha Hi/Lo event, that started at 2 PM, and a $600 NL Hold'em Turbo event, which begins later tonight at 6 PM. Again, the PokerStars Blog won't be providing updates or coverage of those events but we'll always give the winners their deserving share of blog love.

A complete LAPT9 Uruguay schedule are available at the LAPT website here. --WOC

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

4	100	200	25

3:01pm: Bruno knocked down, gets up againLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

As the day's third level was nearing its close, we saw Bruno Foster losing the last of his stack -- and the last of his third buy-in into this event (counting one from yesterday). Pocket sixes proved his undoing in this one, and as he glided by our table he had a two-word comment to share regarding what had happened.

"Mais uma!"

That's Portuguese for "one more," which in this day and age we took to be potentially ambiguous. Was he mentioning how he'd lost yet another entry, or was he indicating an intention to fireplace again?

A few moments later we knew the solution -- the latter. Foster is back at it, hoping he will not have to go to the cashier's desk anymore today. --MH

Bruised-but-not-beaten Bruno

2:49pm: Vaeza rolls inLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

Over at one of the crucial tables at the side of the ballroom is a well dressed man in his early 60s, sporting silver headphones and tapping his fingers in rhythm in front of his still modest-sized stack of chips. On closer inspection, we recall who he's -- Adolfo Vaeza of Montevideo, remembered to these us who follow the tournament circuit for a brief string of successful high roller performances many years back.

Vaeza runs a construction company and has only travelled occasionally outside of Uruguay for poker. But if he has, he's done well.

After picking up certainly one of his first career tournament cashes within the LAPT Main Event in Punta del Este during Season 2 (when he finished 17th), Vaeza took trips to Monaco, London, and the Bahamas, within the latter two locations finishing fifth within the £20,000 EPT6 Grand Final High Roller, then third within the $25K PCA High Roller in 2010 -- two cashes worth around $450K USD total. 

He continued to make the cash in tournaments thereafter, including in additional EPT events. But he's also continued to play here in Punta del Este where he's earned smaller cashes. Most recently he won a small BSOP event here on the Conrad (in June).

We'll see if the development company owner can build a stack here today and come back to a different final table. --MH

Vaeza at work on an indoor project

2:38pm: River saves Elicio RomaoLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

A poker hand isn't over until the river, so premature celebrations leave players some room to place their proverbial foot of their mouth when their fates quickly change after the last card is dealt. Elicio Romao's opponent just gave a fist pump at the turn but after the river, Romao was doubling up, much to the displeasure of his opponent.

Action was picked up with a player leading out for 2,100 from early position on a board of A♣K♦3♦. Another player called before Romao raised all-in, for 9,300 total. Immediately, a 3rd unknown player re-shoved, along with his stack weighing in at 16,900.

The flop bettor and caller quickly folded and Romao gave the impression of he was in decent shape to double, as he held A♥3♦ to his opponent's A♦Q♥. That was, until the K♠ came at the turn, voiding Romao's flopped two pair. His opponent gave a fist pump but just as he recoiled, the 3♥ spiked at the river, to revive order and provides Romao an entire house.

There was no fanfare or celebration from Romao, because he's seen immense success across South America and Europe during the last few years. He'll now be in search of another deep LAPT run, after doubling to simply over 32,000 midway through Level 3. --WOC

No celebration for Romao at the river

2:26pm: Field updateLevel 3: Blinds 100/200

The tournament clock is showing 174 entries thus far here on Day 1B, although we all know the true number is greater than that during. other words, with nearly four levels plus the dinner break left to move in late registration, they've already exceeded the 176 entries of yesterday's first Day 1 flight. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

3	100	200	0

2:04pm: Break time

Having reached the top of Level 2, players at the moment are off on their first 15-minute break of the day. --MH

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1:53pm: Friendly pokerLevel 2: Blinds 75/150

We're seeing an excellent collection of limped pots here within the early going, including a six-way one at present because the second level of the day nears its close.

Just now came another involving Gaston "Barto" Belluscio within the small blind versus his neighbor within the big who checked his option. The pair then checked down the board, split the pot as both had ten-high, and shook hands when it was all said and done.

All very amiable, though we do not expect such friendly poker to continue too deeply into the afternoon once the antes kick in and blinds increase. --MH

1:45pm: Cuidado de los colores...Level 2: Blinds 75/150

Yesterday, we saw a misclick win Oscar Alache a large early pot and another just played out with only a few minutes left in Level 2 of today's session. A player meant to boost to 300 from under the gun but in preference to putting out three black 100 value chips, he threw out three blue 5,000 value chips.

Action is binding with none verbal declaration, so "quince mil" stood because the amount to name. Rafael Bravo appeared like he desired to capitalize on his opponent's apparent mistake and after a couple of folds, and a few laughs coming from Andres Korn, Bravo announced himself "all-in".

He had just over 17,000 and after the remainder of the table passed, the misclicker called and tabled T♥T♠. While his raise was likely much, much larger than he intended, he still had an excellent hand, something Bravo won't has been expecting.

Bravo held 4♣4♥ and after the board ran out clean for some of the best pocket pair, Bravo was eliminated previous to the primary break of the day. The misclicker stacked his newly won chips and Korn ran down the action for a Emiliano Alcaide, who was at the rail. Alcaide simply said, "Woah." and everybody will definitely be double checking the colour in their raises from now on...-- WOC

1:32pm: Enter EcheverriLevel 2: Blinds 75/150

Gustavo Echeverri sticks out in any crowd. The gray-haired Costa Rican has turned up occasionally at various LAPT events over the years, most recently final tabling the High Roller at LAPT9 Panama. His cool, tan cowboy hat makes him easy to identify when looking over the heads of the now 140-plus players in action through the second level of Day 1B.

Echeverri was a part of the Costa Rican poker scene for a while, and in reality has the respect of getting had a tournament named after him. Back in June 2002 probably the most events within the Linda Johnson Celebrity Challenge series that played out within the Casino Europa in San Jose. Echeverri joined the likes of Daniel Negreanu, Humberto Brenes, Scotty Nguyen, and Howard "Tahoe" Andrew being so honored.

The event was a singular one -- a $10 limit hold'em event (that's right, just ten bucks). Nevertheless it had unlimited rebuys and a $20K guarantee, and actually ended up sporting nearly a $50K prize pool with almost $20K going to the first-place finisher. 

Who was the winner? None rather than 2002 WSOP champion Robert Varkonyi, only a few weeks far from his Main Event triumph -- his first cash after winning the primary. No shinola! --MH

An EcheVERRI interesting story

1:18pm: Aussie, Aussie, Argentine?Level 2: Blinds 75/150

Bernardo Abramovich is from Argentina but for today's Day 1B flight, and we do not know why, he's rocking some Australian-themed sunglasses. That got us thinking, has an Australian ever made it to the LAPT winner's circle?

The answer, no. In fact, only to Australians hasn't ever even made the general table of an LAPT Main Event, although we're not sure what number of have competed at the tour. Despite the fact that he could also be flying the "defaced Blue Ensign" flag on his sunglasses, he's Argentinian through and through, meaning he's hoping to become the 10th Argentine to ever claim an LAPT title.

Some Aussie flair for Argentina's Abramovich

Argentinians have probably the most wins at the LAPT, with Chile and Brazil tied for second with 6 victories each. The U.S. has 4 titles, good for 4th best all-time and Peru, with 3 wins, round out the top-five. --WOC

1:04pm: Barbero, Zevola in search of better luckLevel 2: Blinds 75/150

The return of players from yesterday's Day 1A flight has continued into Level 2, as Nacho Barbero has just entered and brought his seat at an outer table. While Barbero is the cream of the crop at the LAPT, with two Main Event victories to his name, the Argentine never broke into the highest of the leaderboard.

Marco Zevola did though, peaking after the dinner break, only to fall late before the flight wrapped up. Barbero, Zevola and all of the revenants from yesterday's opening starting session will hope for some better luck today, as this may be their last chance to make Day 2. --WOC

Ze return of Zevola

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

2	75	150	0

12:51pm: Costa at the LAPT stageLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Last night Gabrielle Costa won a satellite and because of this is sitting among those comprising the Day 1B field. Costa has collected plenty of cashes over recent years -- mostly in her native Brazil -- but is here in search of her first one in an LAPT event.

Costa has numerous experience at the big stage as well, both figuratively and literally. She's had success in beauty pageants, among her triumphs being elected Miss Amazonas in 2008. She's also represented Amazonas in poker, being a part of the state's team within the Brazil Team Championship.

For individuals who haven't heard about it, poker really is regarded as a sport in Brazil, and every year the rustic stages a championship for which all 18 states send teams. Costa was a part of the squad before -- as has her twin sister, if truth be told -- and in 2014 helped lead the team to a comeback victory within the championship.

Costa, card player

Costa has gotten interested by several hands in this first level, but still sits with with reference to the starting stack of 20,000. We'll keep an eye fixed to peer how she does in her quest so as to add a poker crown to the others she's collected. --MH

12:43pm: Already over century mark, how big will 1B get?Level 1: Blinds 50/100

During the PokerStars Blog team's pre-1B breakfast, we did what bloggers do, make predictions. After 176 players came out for yesterday's 1A flight, Brazil's Sergio Prado said that he wouldn't be surprised if as regards to 250 players came out for today's session.

Prado would know, as he's worked every LAPT event since Season 1 and obviously knows his way across the South American tournament scene. With over 100 players already seated for today's 1B flight, something that did not happen until Level 3 yesterday, Prado is calling good on his prediction thus far.

No matter how big or small, the PokerStars Blog will continue to maintain you posted in this field's growth until late registration is over. That will not be until after the post-Level 6 dinner break, meaning there may be quite a lot of time to hit that 250 player prediction... --WOC

12:37pm: Foster, Alache briefly togetherLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

We were going to report that maybe two of the largest names on this Day 1B flight, Bruno Foster and reigning LAPT Player of the Year Oscar Alache, were seated next to one another on Table 4. That was, until the latter sent the previous to the rail midway through this opening 60-minute period.

Action was picked up on a board of 6♣5♥2♦ and after a player checked from the blinds, Foster checked to boot. Alache, who had position on his two opponents, bet 2,000 and after the unknown player called, Foster went all-in fro 5,675.

Alache quickly called and the opposite player folded after with regards to two minutes of thought, with Foster admitting he "only had a six". He showed 7♣6♠ and Alache was more healthy with 7♦7♥. The 4♣ gave Foster additional outs to a straight but he couldn't get there, because the 4♦ completed the board and confirmed his elimination.

While Alache took within the pot, to transport him up near 30,000, Foster quickly exited the tournament area, only to go back a couple of minutes later with a brand new seating assignment. He's now back with a whole starting stack, hoping that the third time is the charm, after falling late in yesterday's 1A session. -- WOC

12:29pm: Garrido gets hereLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Rodrigo Garrido has joined us here at the beginning of Day 1B, increasing both the number and quality of the field.

Hailing from Santa Catarina, Brazil, Garrido is a well-known figure at the LAPT, particularly when it stops in Brazil where he's cashed in Main Events on multiple occasions. He's also a celebrity of the Brazilian Series of Poker where he's one of the most tour's all time top performers, winning the BSOP Player of the Year in 2014. He's also an apprehension online, where as "rportaleoni" he's won numerous titles including the Sunday Million (also during 2014).

We'll add the Brazilian to our list of "ones to observe" here on Day 1B. --MH

Rodrigo-go-go

12:18pm: Early action chips up Rodrigo CellaLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Yesterday's Day 1A flight got off to a slow start with regards to action but that is not the case today. A central table already saw it's first all-in and double up, with Rodrigo Cella quickly increasing his stack against Diego Justo. Action was picked up with Justo opening to 225 the cutoff on the five-handed table, with Cella three-betting to 875 from the button.

Javier Zaldo was within the small blind and after some thought, he called, only to look Justo four-bet to 2,325 when it got back to him. Both Cella and Zaldo called to look the K♥T♣5♥ flop and after the small blind checked, the pre flop aggressor bet 3,300.

Cella called presently and Zaldo released his hand to send two players to the turn. The 7♥ fell and Justo kept his lead within the hand, with a gamble of 4,000. Cella didn't waste any time throwing out two blue 5,000 value chips, verbalizing his raise of "9,000". Justo called the raise after which checked after the Q♠ completed the board.

Cella installed his final 3,825, meaning he was all-in within the first dozen minutes of Level 1. With such a lot within the pot already, Justo couldn't bring himself to fold, calling only to be shown the nuts. Cella tabled A♥9♥ and while he took within the massive early pot, Justo and Zaldo mentioned their holdings. The previous claimed to hit a set, while Zaldo said he held "damas", which might have rivered a set.

Regardless of what the opposite two players held, Cella, is now working double the starting stack with just a quarter of the hole period within the books. Oddly enough, he's seated where Sergio Luis Pego was when he got off to a white hot start in yesterday's Day 1A flight. If only the opposite two players knew that Cella was within the early hot seat. --WOC

12:15pm: Buenos días (again)Level 1: Blinds 50/100

There are already 15 tables in action -- most short-handed, some with regards to full -- that is considerably greater than we saw yesterday in the beginning of the primary level. While that will present a contrast, there is something familiar about today's start-of-day field as well, as several players who busted on Friday are back again to take another crack at it today.

Jaime Ateneloff, Ricardo Chauriye, Fabian Chauriye, Marco Zevola, and Andres "Cacho" Korn are among those we saw bust yesterday who've returned today. --MH

Welcome back, Cacho!

12:03pm: Shuffle up and dealLevel 1: Blinds 50/100

Players are of their seats and the primary hands of Day 1B are being dealt. The starting stack is 20,000. --MH

LEVEL SMALL BLIND BIG BLIND ANTE

1	50	100	0

11:20am: Day 1B is close at hand

Welcome back to the Conrad Hotel & Casino, located in Punta del Este where the the second one and final Day 1 flight of the LAPT Uruguay Main Event can be getting underway about 40 minutes from now. 

The Conrad is a pleasing place to return for those visiting this resort destination. A few of the other sights not removed from our location is the famous Monumento al Ahogado, a.k.a. the Monument to the Drowned, located at Brava Beach. Or, because it is more referred to as -- "The Hand."

"Come back in a little... at the moment I'm in a large hand!"

The Chilean artist Mario Irarrázabal created this uncanny work some three decades back, making the four fingers and thumb out of concrete, plastic, metal mesh, and steel reinforcements. It's meant as a warning to swimmers, and definitely does give the impression of a last, desperate wave of somebody about to sink below the surface.

Of those popping out for today's Day 1B, some will inevitably see their stacks sink and LAPT title dreams drown, but others will sail on through, riding the waves into tomorrow's Day 2. As was the case yesterday, today's schedule requires 10 one-hour levels, with late registration and unlimited reentries available throughout the beginning of Level 7 -- that is, just after the completion of the 75-minute dinner break with a view to come after Level 6. 

For some time on Friday it looked as if last year's LAPT Uruguay Main Event champion, Mario Lopez, could be bagging up the chip lead at night's end. But his fellow Argentinian Fabian De Le Fuente passed him by before the last level completed, finishing with a number one stack of 176,400 that becomes the objective for Day 1B players to check out to compare.  

A total of 59 made it through yesterday's first Day 1 flight out of a field of 176 entries (click here for a glance in any respect Day 1A chip counts). We predict a couple of more entries than that today on this $1,500 buy-in event, and can discover together just how big the sector and prize pool may be -- in addition to how much the champion may be getting.  

We'll be here all day and night again with updates, chip counts, photos, and more -- including the entire big hands we will be able to find -- from the Conrad ballroom. Stick close! --MH

Ready to embark by yourself poker adventure? Join PokerStars and start your journey. Click here to get an account.

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at LAPT9 Uruguay: Will O'Connor and Martin Harris. Photos by Carlos Monti. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Latin American Poker Tour]

So many bosses, such limited chips. At first of play today you'd has been hard pressed to select who'd make it to the overall eight; it isn't even worth guessing in these High Rollers - on the subject of everyone has the talent. So let's keep this intro short and sweet; 2015 WSOP November Niner Pierre Neuville holds the chip lead for what's certain to be a super final table tomorrow. The Belgian won an enormous pot on the end of the night to take his stack as much as 1.695 million, while the common stack is 900,000.

Great day for Neuville

Before we get to the opposite magnificent seven, lets cover the cash side of items. Entry was still open until the beginning of play today and that meant it was a short while until we had our field size and prize pool confirmed. Finally we had 144 total entries (115 unique), and that created a prize pool worth €1,396,800. There could be 20 players making the money, with a min-cash worth €18,160. But nobody desires to just min-cash; everyone here desired to win the €335,200 first place prize.

There were plenty that did not even come close. Pratyush Buddiga, Adrian Mateos, Sam Greenwood, Davidi Kitai, Ole Schemion, Steve O'Dwyer, and €25K High Roller winner David Yan are only among the many beasts who busted early on today. While they exited, others prospered; the lesser-known Alexander Iversson and Armando Collado both developed big stacks after a few levels and increased them within the day. And once we set out to 21 players, Collado can be considering what we called "one of the vital craziest bubble hands the PokerStars Blog has ever witnessed."

You can read the entire hand update by scrolling right down to 9:58pm, but here's the jist: chip leader Iversson opened and was called by Collado and the tiny stack of Christophe Larquemin, who had just 2.5 big blinds behind after the decision. The flop came J♣2♦5♣ and Ivarsson continued, which Collado called, while Larquemin folded. Then, after the K♦ turn, Ivarsson fired another bullet, just for Collado to jam for 206,000 - 20 big blinds - and he was called.

A bubble to remember

Collado had just the A♥2♥ for bottom pair, while Ivarsson had the K♣9♣ for prime pair and flush draw. The latter held up and Collado left with nothing. Larquemin probably couldn't believe his luck, he cashed and in fact doubled a couple of times after that before exiting in 12th. Previous to that other big names we lost included Ben Heath in 17th, Stephen Chidwick in 15th, Cate Hall in 11th and Philipp Gruissem in 10th.

There were nine left as we entered the last level of the night, and Team Pro Theo Jorgensen held the chip lead. He got most of his chips after busting both Alexander Iversson (13th) and Farid Jattin (14th) with pocket kings against Jattin's queens and Iversson's ace-king. The cowboys held. You'll take a look at all of the prize pool and payouts thus far here.

Hari Bercovici (9th) was our last casualty of the night, and that left us with eight remaining going into tomorrow, where they'll play right down to a winner. Here's how they stack up:

Name Country Status Chips

Pierre Neuville	Belgium		1,695,000
Cristian Egues	Spain	Live satellite winner	1,515,000
Liviu Ignat	Romania		1,012,000
Theo Jorgensen	Denmark	Team PokerStars Pro	982,000
Michael Kane	UK	Live satellite winner	810,000
Stefan Jedlicka	Austria		443,000
Charlie Carrel	UK		410,000
Kilian Kramer	Germany		334,000

And here is what they're playing for:

1st: €335,2002nd: €228,4003rd: €150,8504th: €124,3305th: €99,8706th: €78,2207th: €58,6708th: €43,300

They're an accomplished bunch. You'll all be acquainted with Charlie Carrel by now, his latest cash approaching Monday night where he chopped the €10K single day for €170,000. And Stefan Jedlicka too; he's had an ideal performance here in Malta, cashing within the IPT Main Event, then winning the €2K IPT High Roller for €89,039, then finishing third in another €2K for €35,600.

Carrel's on fire here in Malta

As is Stefan Jedlicka

But we even have a guy here with just $7,600 in live cashes to his name. Cristian Euges from Spain won a live satellite to get on this thing, and he's now guaranteed his biggest ever live cash.

Can the Team Pro take it down? Will Charlie Carrel secure another three-figure score? Can Pierre Neuville show these young kids a specific thing or two? Will Cristian Euges' first big cash include a trophy? Play resumes at 12:30pm so be sure to join us here at the PokerStars Blog for all of the live updates. Until then, ciao! --JS

1:15am: Done for the dayLevel 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

There was no major action within the last 15 minutes, because of this the general eight players will return tomorrow at 12:30pm and play to a winner. AN ENTIRE wrap of the day's play, including overnight chip counts will follow shortly. --NW

1am: Huge pot for Pierre Neuville as he is taking the chip leadLevel 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Late within the day the chip lead has changed hands with Pierre Neuville winning an enormous pot to leap into first place. It was Theo Jorgensen who got proceedings underway, he opened to 32,000 and collected calls from Neuville and Cristian Egues.

A Q♣3♠8♦ flop hit the felt and 3 checks followed. At the 8♠ turn Egues bet 60,000 and Jorgensen said: "I call that bluff," and was reminded it was a mulit-way pot. His speech play didn't deter Neuville from sticking around and the 3 of them saw the 2♣ complete the board.

Both players checked to Neuville who bet 140,000, call from Egues after which raise from Jorgensen! He bumped it to 500,000. After about 30 seconds Neuville said: "I call," and Egues needed a while before he folded. Jorgensen turned over Q♠9♠ but Neuville had 9♣8♣ for trip eights and took the pot.

He's as much as 1,520,000, Egues drops to 1,375,000 and Jorgensen is all the way down to 1,075,000. --NW

Jorgensen regrets

12:45am: Charlie Carrel doubles through Pierre NeuvilleLevel 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

This was a small blinds versus big blind affair with Neuville shoving from the small blind and Carrel calling from the massive for his last 175,000. The Belgian had A♥3d] while Carrel had A♦4♠. A chop seemed most likley, but while the 5♥4♥6♥ flop gave Carrel a pair, Neuville had a straight and flush draws to eliminate Carrel.

He missed all of the outs though because the 5♦ turn and T♣ river kept Carrel in front. He's as much as 366,000 and Neuville is right down to 700,000. --NW

12:35am: Hari Bercovici elimianted in ninth place (€33,540)Level 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Having been short stacked throughout it's no surprise that Hari Bercovici is the player to fall in ninth. He three-bet all-in for 130,000 and Kilian Kramer, who had opened to 35,000, called the extra.

Bercovici: Q♥Q♠Kramer: K♣K♦

The Israeli had walked into some of the few hands that might beat him and he didn't suck out because the board came 8♣3♦6♣4♠9♠. --NW

12:30am: Final table re-drawLevel 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Here's how the overall nine line-up:

1 - Cristian Egues - 1,640,0002 - Michael Kane - 845,0003 - Liviu Ignat - 1,190,0004 - Theo Jorgensen - 1,810,0005 - Hari Bercovici - 130,0006 - Pierre Neuville - 910,0007 - Charlie Carrel - 185,0008 - Kilian Kramer - 265,0009 - Stefan Jedlicka - 262,000

12:20am: Another double knockout! Cate Hall 11th (€27,940), Philipp Gruissem 10th(€27,940)Level 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)We're all the way down to the unofficial final table of nine as a result of another double bustout. It was Philipp Gruissem who got the action started, he raised to 35,000 from a stack of around 220,000, Cate Hall was next to act, she shoved for roughly 185,000 and when it got to Cristian Egues he re-raised all-in. "I HAVE a hand I WILL NOT fold," said Gruissem and he called all-in.

Gruissem: A♦K♦Hall: A♥Q♦Egues: 8♣8♦

The 8♠7♣7♠ flop was pretty conclusive and the 3♠ turn and K♣ river couldn't save either player. After that hand Egues is as much as 1,640,000 and they're going to now be a re-draw of the overall nine players. --NW

12:09am: Last levelLevel 20 - Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Unless we lose five players before the following hour is up, there's just 60 minutes left of play tonight. --JS

12:08am: Kane takes from IgnatLevel 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Liviu Ignat opened under the gun and Hari Becovici called, as did Michael Kane within the small blind. They saw a Q♣6♣7♦ flop and it checked to Ignat who continued for 32,000, but Kane came along. The turn was the 6♠ and Kane check-called a 58,000 bet. Finally the river was the K♣ and both checked. Kane showed the A♣J♣ for the nut flush and took down the pot, to bring his stack as much as 890,000. --JS

12:05am: Christophe Larquemin next to fall in 12th (€24,440)Level 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

We're all the way down to 11 now after Christophe Larquemin got his chips in good but it surely wasn't meant to be. Michael Kane made it 27,000 to head and Liviu Ignat called at the button. Larquemin also known as from the small blind and the flop came down 6♥4♥2♣. Larquemin did the old 'stop-and-go' move and shoved 127,000 straight away, Kane folded but Ignat called.

Ignat - K♥Q♥Larquemin - 9♥9♣

The nines were ahead, however the 8♥ river gave Ignat a flush and the 9♠ set-giving river changed nothing as to who won. Ignat has 1.3 million now. --JS

11:55pm: Double knockout! Farid Jattin eliminated in 14th (€22,340) and Alexander Ivarsson out in 13th (€24,440)Level 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

"I gave him the choice to shove or fold and he chose the latter," said Theo Jorgensen matter of factly to Philipp Gruissem when the German checked out Jorgensen stacking a mound of chips.

The Team PokerStars Pro is as much as an immense 1,750,000 after disposing of two players within the same hand. The action was started by Alexander Ivarsson, who raised to 27,000 from under-the-gun, Farid Jattin then shoved for 79,000 from under-the-gun+1 and Jorgensen min-raised to 131,000.

It folded back round to Ivarsson and he shoved for around 450,000. "Yes, let's go," said Jorgensen who snap called and showed K♥K♠. It was a cooler as Ivarsson held A♦K♣ and Jattin Q♠Q♣.

It was in all places at the turn of a 3♣6♠5♠K♦4♥ board and Jorgensen is now the clear chip leader. By virtue of getting more chips to start out the hand, Ivarsson finished 13th and was awarded the upper payout. --NW

11:43pm: Chatty CarrelLevel 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel is the other of the British stereotype, he's outgoing, chatty and a fun presence on the poker table. He just played a pot against Cristian Egues which involved some great table talk between the two.

Stefan Jedlicka was the catalyst, he raised to 26,000 from the button, Egues called out of the small blind and Carrel called from the massive. The J♦K♥9♣ flop was checked through and the 6♠ fell at the turn. Egues led for 40,000, Carrel made it 80,000, Jedlicka folded and Carrel called.

On the J♥ river Egues led for 100,000 and that is where the table talk began.

"I've got an excellent hand," began Carrel. "You seem confident, though, what do you're thinking that I'VE"? he probed. "YOU ARE NOT going to get anything from me," replied Egues.

"This goes to take a minute," continued Carrel. Philipp Gruissem took this a cue to rise up from the table and stretch his legs. 'Will you show if I fold?" asked Carrel. His opponent replied negatively. "Show one?"

"No, I won't show," replied Egues."Oh man, that makes me need to call much more. Where are you from?" asked Carrel."Spain, the Basque country," explained Egues."Oh fuck, what am i able to do?" joked Carrel playing at the reputation that Spanish players are seen as loose. "I'VE a king by the way," he added.

A bit more time passed with Carrel, who had 290,000 back, really torn as to what to do. "YOU SIMPLY seem so comfortable," he said after which mucked his hand. Egues turned over T♥8♥ for a busted straight draw and Carrel genuinely applauded his opponent's play. After that hand, the Spaniard is as much as 1,150,000. --NW

11:43pm: Jedlicka doubles tooLevel 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Stefan Jedlicka just shoved for 115,000 from the massive blind excessive of Cate Hall's 28,000 cutoff open and he or she called. It was her K♥Q♦ against Jedlicka's A♥3♥ and the ace would pair at the 5♣8♠A♣J♥7♠ board. Hall's all the way down to 289,000 now, while Jedlicka has 250,000. --JS

11:35pm: Huge double for Ignat through IverssonLevel 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Wow, the tables have really turned here and the person who has led for far of the way, Alexander Iversson, now finds himself with a not up to average stack.

Picking up the action on a 9♠3♥7♥ flop, Liviu Ignat checked and Iversson made a 40,000 bet which was called. But things really got interesting at the 8♠ turn. Ignat checked again and this time Iversson made it 115,000. Ignat then shoved for 451,000 and Iversson was a little bit greatly surprised. He made the decision though.

Iversson - A♠9♦Ignat - 5♦6♣

Iversson had flopped top pair but Ignat had turned a straight and was 100% to win the hand. The J♠ river meant nothing and Ignat now has roughly 1.1 million while Iversson drops to 432,000. --JS

Ignat ignited

11:28pm: Carrel slips below averageLevel 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel and Philipp Gruissem was sat next to one another for a lot of the latter stages of this tournament and feature been bouncing around different topics of conversation. "I HAVE your voice as my inner monologue on the moment," said Carrel to Gruissem. "Oh no, I'm below average for the primary time today," continued Carrel in a German accent, which if we're being kind wasn't the most efficient. "I CANNOT do it out loud but in my head it's pretty funny," he added.

The conversatin stopped because Carrel got keen on a pot. Pierre Neuville was the pre-flop aggressor, he opened to 30,000 and Cristian Egues (small blind) and Carrel both called. At the 9♥4♥2♠ flop Neuville bet 36,000, Egues smooth called and Carrel then raised to what gave the impression of 115,000. Neuville folded but Egues moved all-in, which prompted a snap fold from Carrel. "You were the only I USED TO BE worried about, nice hand," said Carrel. --NW

He's right down to around 350,000 while Egues is as much as 850,000. --NW

11:18pm: Chidwick's out in 15th (€22,340)Level 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Stevie444 didn't last long after the dinner break. Cate Hall was at the button and made it 30,000 to head and Stephen Chidwick defended his big blind. The flop fell 4♣A♦8♦ and Chidwick check-called a 20,000 c-bet, followed by the 7♥ turn. He checked all over again and Hall moved all-in, which Chidwick called. He was behind with the Q♦4♦ for a couple of fours against Hall's A♠2♠ and the T♠ river changed nothing. Hall is as much as 495,000 after that one. --JS

Another cash for Chidwick

11:12pm: Theo back on topLevel 19 - Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

The final 15 players are back of their seats and can play another two levels or until six remain, whichever occurs first. Trust us after we say they'll play two more levels. Leading the best way presently is Theo Jorgensen. The Team PokerStars Pro is back on top and is the one player with a couple of million.

Name Country Status Chips

Theo Jorgensen	Denmark	Team PokerStars Pro	1,116,000
Alexander Ivarsson	Sweden	Live satellite winner	924,000
Michael Kane	UK	Live satellite winner	794,000
Pierre Neuville	Belgium		740,000
Cristian Egues	Spain	Live satellite winner	680,000
Liviu Ignat	Romania		553,000
Charlie Carrel	UK		499,000
Caitlin Hall	USA		380,000
Hari Bercovici	Israel	Live satellite winner	320,000
Stefan Jedlicka	Austria		270,000
Farid Jattin	Colombia		238,000
Kilian Kramer	Germany		226,000
Philipp Gruissem	Germany		219,000
Christophe Larquemin	France		142,000
Stephen Chidwick	UK		101,000

10:52pm: Back in 20

The final 15 have gone on a 20-minute break. --JS

10:51pm: Three important bits from before the breakLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

1. Christophe Larquemin has doubled up again. He shoved for 64,000 over Kilian Kramer's 25,000 open with the 8♦8♣ and was called by Kramer's A♣5♦. The board ran out Q♥9♥8♠6♥T♣.

2. There has been an enormous pot between Pierre Neuville and Philipp Gruissem. It started with a 27,000 open the Belgian which was three-bet by Gruissem at the button to 62,000. Neuville called and the flop came 2♥3♣5♦. It checked to the German and he continued for 55,000, and again that was called.

The turn was the J♠ and both opted to test taking us to the 6♣ river. Neuville checked once more, and that prompted a bit of from Gruissem - 125,000. Neuville wasn't done though; he then raised again! He made it 264,000 knowing that Gruissem had just 219,000 behind.

"I know you are a bit crazy Pierre otherwise I MIGHT have folded a very long time ago. But I DO KNOW you are a bit crazy," said Gruissem. "THAT IS so annoying. Would you fold if I bet the turn?"

Neuville just stared at him, smiling and giggling. Gruissem folded and dropped to 219,000, while Neuville is as much as 740,000.

3. Another big hand came about at the other table. Alexander Iversson made it 25,000 at the button and Michael Kane defended his big blind. They saw a 5♠A♠Q♦ flop and Kane check-called a 25,000 bet. The turn was the 9♦ and this time Kane check-called 70,000. Finally the river was the J♣ and Kane checked a last time. Iversson fired a 3rd bullet worth 175,000 and after a couple of minutes of thinking Kane made the call.

It turned out to be a really perfect" call", in line with Theo Jorgensen who stuck around to watch, as Kane had the K♣Q♥ and his one pair of queens was best against Iversson's T♠J♦. Kane now has 794,000, and Iversson dips to 924,000. --JS

10:45pm: Chmielewski out, Neuville all but triples upLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Left with just 15 big blinds Marcin Chmielewski shoved all-in from early posiition for 148,000, Pierre Neuville then re-raised all-in for 170,000 and action paused at Cristian Egues. He got counts after which called, he had both players well covered.

Egues: A♦Q♦Chmielewski: 8♥8♣Neuville: A♣A♠

The A♥6♠7♠ flop all but sealed the deal for Neuville, he needn't have worried about an outdraw because the 6♣ sealed the deal and the 4♣ fell at the river. So Chmielewski exits in 16th, Neuville's as much as around 500,000, while Egues is all the way down to 610,000. --NW

Marcin Chmielewski

10:35pm: Farid Jattin doubles upLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

The action folded to Alexander Ivarsson within the small blind and he shoved for an efficient 130,000. Farid Jattin checked out his cards and snap called. He had picked the easiest time to search out A♣A♠ and Ivarsson showed Q♣8♠. A 5♠T♣T♠7♠6♦ board meant Jattin doubled.

10:30pm: Hari Bercovici doubles twice in a rowLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Two hands, two doubles. Easy game for Hari Bercovici. Within the first he shoved from the button for 75,000 with K♥4♣ and Stephen Chidwick re-raised all-in with A♣T♣ to position him in peril. The J♣K♦J♠9♠8♦ board meant Bercovici surived and Chidwick dropped to 85,000.

On the following hand Marcin Chmielewski opened to 25,000, Bercovici shoved for 167,000 and the Pole called the all-in.

Bercovici: Q♣Q♥Chmielewski: J♣J♦

The better pair held up because the board ran 2♦6♣K♣4♦Q♠. Suddenly Bercovici has a stack of nearly 40 big blinds, while Chmielewski is right down to 150,000. --NW

10:28pm: Final two tablesLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Seat Table 1 Table 2

1	Stephen Chidwick	Alexander Ivarsson
2	Pierre Neuville	Farid Jattin
3	Stefan Jedlicka	Theo Jorgensen
4	Cristian Egues	Michael Kane
5	Marcin Chmielewski	Kilian Kramer
6	Philipp Gruissem	Liviu Ignat
7	Caitlin Hall	Christophe Larquemin
8	Hari Bercovici	Charlie Carrel

10:25pm: Ivarsson eliminates Heath; 16 players leftLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

It took lower than QUARTER-HOUR to move from 20 to 16 with Ben Heath the player out in 17th because of this there's now a whole redraw of the overall 16 players.

In the hand in question Alexander Ivarsson opened to 25,000, Heath three-bet to 84,000 from the massive blind, Ivarsson shoved all-in and Heath called all-in for 298,000. He had pocket jacks and was racing against Ivarsson's A♣Q♣.

The T♣Q♠Q♥Kh]3♥ board meant Ivarsson chips as much as 1,300,000 and Heath exits in 17th. The 2 table re-draw is coming shortly. --NW

Heath - out in 17th

10:23pm: Another one bites the dust; Jyri Merivirta gone in 18th (€18,160)Level 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Another quick exit in an unremarkable hand. Michael Kane open-shoved for 110,000 and it folded around to Jyri Merivirta within the small blind who called off his 100,000 stack. He had the 6♦6♥ against the A♠2♠, but an ace at the flop of the 5♦T♠A♣T♥8♦ board knocked him out. Kane has 225,000 now. --JS

10:16pm: Carrel balances it outLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel has moved to Alexander Ivarsson's table to balance things out. 18 players remain. --JS

10:15pm: Mikalai Vaskaboinikau gone in 19th (€18,160)Level 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Whoa, they're flying out the door now. Alexander Ivarsson opened to 25,000 at the button and Mikalai Vaskaboinikau defended his big blind. The flop came 9♣2♠6♦ and he then shoved for his remaining 35,000 and Ivarsson called.

Vaskaboinikau - 8♥7♠Ivarsson - K♣2♣

It was an up-and-down straight draw against the pair, and the deuces held up after the A♣ and 3♠ completed the board. Ivarsson increased to 970,000. --JS

10:13pm: Gleb Tremzin first out within the money (20th - €18,160)Level 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Gleb Tremzin moved all-in for 141,000 just for Cate Hall to re-shove with the larger stack. The 2 got heads-up and the cards were flipped: 5♠5♥ for Tremzin against Hall's 9♦9♣. A five didn't take place and Tremzin was outta here. Hall is as much as 430,000. --JS

Tremzin has cashed, but has crashed out

10:10pm: Two doubles for LarqueminLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Christophe Larquemin was basically gifted a money position on this tournament, and he's taking advantage of it by doubling up twice. First of all he got his 24,000 in against Alexander Ivarsson's A♥T♥ with the J♦8♦ and flopped gin at the 8♣J♣8♠9♠A♠ board, then he was all-in with the A♣T♣ against Marcin Chmielewski's 8♥8♠ and it seemed like he was all but out at the 9♥Q♦8♦ flop. But the J♦ turn gave him a straight and the A♠ river changed nothing. He's as much as 135,000 now. --JS

9:58pm: Armando Collado bubbles; Larquemin survives with 2.5 big blindsLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

This is among the craziest bubble hands the PokerStars Blog has ever witnessed. Strap in, this can be a good one. Alexander Ivarsson opened to 25,000 from under-the-gun, one seat along Armando Collado called and Christophe Larquemin called from the massive blind. The Frenchman had just 25,000 left at this point so the decision represented half his stack.

On the J♣2♦5♣ flop Ivarsson bet 40,000, Collado called and Larquemin decided to fold, leaving himself with just 2.5 big blinds. The turn was the K♦ and that is where things got crazy. Ivarsson bet again, this time 60,000 and Collado then counted up his chips and started stroking a large tower of them while he selected his next move. That move can be to shove for 206,000 and when Ivarsson got a count he called.

Collado: A♥2♥ - for bottom pairIvarsson: K♣9♣ - for prime pair and a flush draw

The players from the opposite tables had gathered across the table to observe and the Q♦ completed the board to eliminate Collado and burst the bubble. It's safe to mention that Larquemin is the happiest man within the room at this time. --NW

Crowds gather to look at bubble burst

9:53pm: Blinds are upLevel 18 - Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

As are the rules, the blinds can only go up once at the bubble period because of this we'll be playing 5K/10K until we lose a player. --JS

9:49pm: Carrel and Gruissem at it againLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel opened to 20,000 from mid-position and his only caller was the person to his left, Philipp Gruissem. They saw three cards hit the felt: 2♠7♣9♣. Carrel continued for 30,000 just for Gruissem to rigorously (and slowly) raise it as much as 65,000. Carrel made the call.

The T♣ at the turn might have been somewhat a scare card because it completed flushes and straight draws. Both checked and the river came the A♥. Carrel checked a last time and Gruissem quickly checked behind. Carrel immediately flipped over his A♦A♠ and Gruissem mucked, which brings Carrel as much as 560,000. --JS

9:38pm: Piotr Franczak out in 22nd; bubble timeLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

The 21 remaining players at the moment are at the bubble and it's Piotr Franczak who's been eliminated. He doubled up with queens against the tens of Stefan Jedlicka to climb to around 140,000 but a couple of hands later he lost those chips to Theo Jorgensen.

The Dane opened with A♠K♣ and snap called when Franczak shoved from the large blind with Q♦T♥. The 2♦8♣J♣5♥8♦ board didn't improve Franczak and he wished the players good luck before leaving. --NW

9:28pm: Stephensen runs into Gruissem's rockets to bustLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Bad timing from Felix Stephensen. After opening to 18,000 he then faced a three-bet to 40,000 from Philipp Gruissem, who was putting his newly-acquired chips to work. Stephensen then shoved after a minute or so thinking time and Gruissem peeled his hand as much as show the A♥A♣ for an obvious snap-call.

Stephensen had a fair hand too however the T♣T♦ would have to improve. They got no help from the K♥5♠3♦6♣A♠ board and he left in 22nd. We're now at the soft bubble. --JS

9:20pm: Jensen out in 24thLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Well, he was the shortest stack coming back after dinner, so I SUPPOSE the cash would was on him being the primary to depart. Cristian Egues made it 21,000 to move at the button and Jensen jammed from the large blind for 66,000, which was called.It was the K♠8♥ for the Dane against the A♠7♥, however the 7♠4♠6♥T♦A♥ runout brought no help. Jensen said his goodbyes, and Egues moved as much as 810,000. --JS

Deep run within the Main, deep run here for Jensen

9:15pm: Gruissem's time to doubleLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

On the former hand, Philipp Gruissem had three-bet shoved from the small blind and compelled Charlie Carrel to give up the chips he'd invested. At the next hand it folded to Gruissem at the button and he moved all-in, Stefan Jedlicka folded the small blind but Piotr Franczak snap called from the large blind. "Oh shit," said Gruissem, showing 2♦2♠. It could've been way worse as Franczak held A♦9♥.

The flop was an absolute rollercoaster with the 9♠ appearing first, then the A♦ and at last the 2♣ as Gruissem lost the lead after which regained it. The 6♣ turn and 8♥ river kept him in front and he doubled up. He was all-in for 147,000 and is as much as around 310,000, while Franczak slips to 66,000. --NW

9:05pm: Bercovici gets a doubleLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Liviu Ignat opened to 18,000 within the cutoff just for Hari Bercovici to jam for 72,000 total from the small blind. Action back on Ignat, he will need to have felt priced in as he called with the 4♠8♠, which was in real bad shape against the 8♥8♦. The board ran out K♦2♠A♠9♣8♣ and Bercovici got the entire double, while Ignat dropped to 450,000. --JS

8:55pm: Jorgensen as much as over a millionLevel 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Theo Jorgensen is the primary player to damage the million chip mark, and he did it by winning a large pot against Farid Jattin. The latter opened to 19,000 and Jorgensen, who had position, smooth called. Jattin then went directly to check-call bets of 25,000, 55,000 and 200,000 at the 7♦2♣A♠T♣4♠ board. Jorgensen showed A♦2♦ at showdown and Jattin mucked. The Dane is as much as 1,060,000, while Jattin drops to 140,000. --NW

8:40pm: Jorgensen leads the overall 24Level 17 - Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Theo Jorgensen leads the overall 24 players, he's just sooner than Cristian Egues. The Dane has missed his flight and told us that he'd be annoyed should he also fail to see the cash. "I BELIEVE I'm a gorgeous solid favourite to cash though," he told us with a smirk.

Jorgensen leads the pack

Indeed he's in an ideal position however the same cannot be said of his fellow countryman Frederik Jensen, Jyri Merivirta, Hari Bercovici or Philipp Gruissem. The German is asking to snap a streak of bubbles in high roller events. He was tenth within the €25,000 High Roller (eight paid) and can be hoping history doesn't repeat itself here in Malta.

Name Country Status Chips

Theo Jorgensen	Denmark	Team PokerStars Pro	682,000
Cristian Egues	Spain	Live satellite winner	670,000
Liviu Ignat	Romania		525,000
Alexander Ivarsson	Sweden	Live satellite winner	463,000
Farid Jattin	Colombia		456,000
Charlie Carrel	UK		439,000
Marcin Chmielewski	Poland		378,000
Stefan Jedlicka	Austria		353,000
Caitlin Hall	USA		319,000
Kilian Kramer	Germany		312,000
Ben Heath	UK		300,000
Christophe Larquemin	France		270,000
Stephen Chidwick	UK		231,000
Armando Collado	Nicaragua		228,000
Gleb Tremzin	Russia		227,000
Felix Stephensen	Norway		205,000
Piotr Franczak	Poland		204,000
Michael Kane	UK	Live satellite winner	182,000
Pierre Neuville	Belgium		165,000
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau	Belarus		160,000
Philipp Gruissem	Germany		114,000
Hari Bercovici	Israel	Live satellite winner	106,000
Jyri Merivirta	Finland		78,000
Frederik Jensen	Denmark		72,000

7:25pm: Dinner break

All 24 players made it during the 40 minutes of play for the reason that redraw, and now they're off on a 75-minute dinner break. Back around 8:40pm when we'll start to see who among this group makes it to the highest 20 and the money. --MH

7:25pm: Hall gets the double in last pre-dinner handLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Kilian Kramer made it 13,000 from under the gun plus one and it folded around to Hari Bercovici within the small blind. He made the call, as did Cate Hall within the big blind. The flop came 5♦9♥6♦ and it checked to Hall who led out for 18,000. Only Kramer would call to peer the Q♦ turn and Hall continued for 27,000. Kramer then put her all-in and he or she made the call.

Hall - Q♠9♦Kramer - A♦8♥

Kramer was semi-bluffing with only a gutshot and the 3♥ river meant Hall's two pair were good. She doubled to 319,000, while Kramer drops to 312,000. --JS

7:20pm: Franczak gets a jam throughLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

From late position Piotr Franczak opened to 15,000 and Farid Jattin smooth-called. At the 9♣5♥5♦ flop Franczak fired out a chance of 25,000 and Jattin stuck around.

The 2♥ fell at the turn and Franczak moved all-in for 118,000 total. Jattin tanked for over two minutes -- he had a stack of 470,000 -- but ultimately he folded. Pot to Franczak. --NW

7:15pm: Chidwick folds to Neuville, then doubles HallLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Stephen Chidwick's stack is at the slide again after two not up to profitable hands versus Pierre Neuville and Cate Hall.

Chidwick opened to 12,000 from middle position and Neuville called from the massive blind. The flop fell T♠4♠7♠ and Chidwick's 11,000 c-bet was check-raised up 30,000 by the Belgian. Chidwick called but couldn't do the similar at the Q♦ turn when Neuville shoved for 74,000.

The very next hand, Chidwick raised to 11,000 and called after Hall moved all-in for 69,000 from the small blind.

Hall: A♠J♥Chidwick: 3♦3♠

The board ran 6♥7♣J♣Q♥7♠ to make Hall two pair. --MC

7:10pm: Heath adds a couple of from ChmielewskiLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Ben Heath made it 14,000 to move under the gun and his only caller was Marcin Chmielewski at the button. That meant Heath was first to behave after the K♥4♥9♣ flop and he continued for 18,000. The Pole came along.

We saw the 2♥ at the turn and Heath fired another bullet, worth 44,000. That was simply too much for Chmielewski who let his hand go, and dipped to 430,000. Heath has around 340,000 now. --JS

Heath's at the up

7pm: Jedlicka shoves on FranczakLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

It's been a horny pedestrian last QUARTER-HOUR of play because the redraw, but Stefan Jedlicka just raised the action a notch or two when he took a pot against Piotr Franczak.

The Austrian player raised to 13,000 from the cutoff and Franczak then three-bet to 40,000 from the button. Next to behave was Farid Jattin. He seemed interested and took a glance at Franczak's stack (210,000) and thought for over a minute before folding.

Back on Jedlicka, it didn't take him too long to transport all-in and Franczak folded instantly. He's right down to 210,000. --NW

6:50pm: Neuville gets trickyLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Liviu Ignat made it 17,000 to play and it folded to Pierre Neuville within the big blind. He defended and the duo saw the dealer lay a K♠Q♥7♦ flop. There'd be no betting in this street, though.

The turn was the 5♠ and now Neuville counted out his chips. He had 71,000, after which he made a big gamble of 50,000 --more than the pot, and one who left him just 21,000 behind. Ignat thought for a few minutes before letting his hand go. --JS

6:45pm: Full redraw at 24Level 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

A take a look at where the overall 24 are seated. Remember, only the highest 20 make the money. --MC

Seat Table 1 Table 2 Table 3

1	Jyri Merivirta	Charlie Carrel	Alexander Ivarsson
2	Stephen Chidwick	Philipp Gruissem	Armando Collado Lanuza
3	Liviu Ignat	Stefan Jedlicka	Marcin Chmielewski
4	Gleb Tremzin	Piotr Franczak	Mikalai Vaskaboinikau
5	Hari Bercovici	Farid Jattin	Cristian Oroitz Egues Juanena
6	Caitlin Hall	Michael Kane	Ben Heath
7	Pierre Neuville	Felix Stephensen	Frederik Jensen
8	Kilian Kramer	Theo Jorgensen	Christophe Larquemin

6:40pm: Panek and Grochulski depart; right down to 24Level 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Two quick-fire exits mean we're all the way down to the general 24.

First to move was Tomasz Panek, he shoved from under-the-gun for 80,000 with A♥Q♠ and Christophe Larquemin looked him up with Q♦Q♣. The J♦T♥4♠2♠8♣ flop meant Larquemin held up and climbs to 286,000.

Next to head was Grzegorz Grochulski, he raised from under-the-gun and Farid Jattin called from the small blind. The action at the T♣5♣6♠ flop went, check, bet, call. The A♠ fell at the turn, Grochulski jammed for 80,000 with A♥9♣ and Jattin snap called with pocket fives. The inconsequential 2♦ completed the board.

After that hand Jattin is as much as 470,000. A BRIEF pause now as they redraw for the overall three tables. --NW

6:35pm: Ivarrson not invincibleLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

This could be the one pot this blogger has seen Alexander Ivarsson lose. He opened to 15,000 within the cutoff and got a choice from the large blind of Gleb Tremzin.

The flop fell 2♣6♥5♦ and Tremzin checked, letting Ivarrson continue for 15,000 yet again. Tremzin then three-bet to 42,000 and got a call.

The turn came the T♥ and Tremzin shoved for 146,000. Ivarsson had a choice but in spite of everything he'd fold. --JS

6:30pm: Chidwick wakes up with a double-upLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Stephen Chidwick have been relatively quiet for him today, but what's a person presupposed to do if you have a LAG, chip-leading Swede for your left? Cooler him is what.

Chidwick opened to 12,000 off the button after which jammed for 167,000 after Alexander Ivarsson three-bet to 32,000 from the small blind. Call.

Ivarsson: A♥Q♦Chidwick: A♠K♠

The board ran 7♦J♥J♦4♣5♥ to look the big-slick hold. --MC

Chidwick chips up

6:25pm: Ignat dents FranczakLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

We caught the top of a large hand between Liviu Ignat and Piotr Franczak. There has been 50,000 within the middle by the 2 players reached the turn of a 7♣T♥4♣5♣ board. Ignat (big blind) bet 34,000 and Franczak (UTG) called. The river was the 8♦ and Ignat bet again. This time he fired out 85,000 and Franczak tank-called.

The Romanian rolled over K♣3♣ for the turned flush and Franczak mucked. He's all the way down to 225,000 while Ignat is as much as 510,000. --NW

6:25pm: Even more-sen for JorgensenLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Excuse the poor headline however the important thing is we let you know that Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen is as much as 760,000 now.

His latest chip infusion came in a hand against Stefan Jedlicka, who made it 12,500 at the button. Jorgensen three-bet to 36,000 from the large blind and got a choice to peer the Q♥6♥6♠ flop. Both checked and the turn came the 8♣. Jorgensen led out for 25,000 and took it down. --JS

King Theo the 1st

6:20pm: Jorgensen stretches clearLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen has stretched away from the sector on 690,000 after he eliminated Alexander Lakhov in a cooler.

Jorgensen opened to 12,000 and made a fast call after Lakhov three-bet all-in for 160,000 from the following seat.

Jorgensen: Q♦Q♠Lakhov: J♣J♦

The board ran A♥T♦4♥5♥7♣ to soundly see the queens home. --MC

6:15pm: New level; 26 remainLevel 16 - Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Blinds bigger. Antes, too. Bubble closer. Stay tuned! --MH

6:10pm: Neuville plays with chips, gets Gruissem to foldLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

"It's no coincidence he made the WSOP November Nine," said Charlie Carrel after this one, and we need to say he might need some degree. You see, it folded to Pierre Neuville within the small blind and he just completed to 5,000. Philipp Gruissem then raised it to 12,000 and Neuville just started riffling his chips. He hadn't announced a reraise or anything, but Gruissem mucked his hand. --JS

Respect for the ability of Pierre

6:05pm: No long ago for ZhaoLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Action folded around to Dong Zhao at the button and he opened shoved for 72,000. Next to behave was Christophe Larquemin he called the all-in and the massive blind folded.

Zhao: K♠9♣Larquemin: K♣K♦

The 6♣5♣6♠9♥Q♦ board meant the cowboys held up. The stacks were very close, but Zhao was left with 2,500. Unsurprisingly he didn't spin it up and was out a few hands later. --NW

6:05pm: Share the aces around will you Table 2!Level 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

More aces at Table 2 and more preflop all-in showdowns. No double-up this time, though, as Roman Korenev hit the rail after running into an opponent's rockets two hands in a row. On this case, he and Charlie Carrel got the chips in preflop.

Koronev: 9♦9♠Carrel: A♥A♦

The board ran J♥Q♥T♥4♥5♣ to make Carrel a flush. Once the turn was dealt Koronev leapt out of his seat and made a hasty exit.

"He was in a rush to depart"! commented Farid Jattin, but one can't blame the Russian for desirous to get of here fast after running onto aces twice to bust only a table or so off the money. Carrel, meanwhile, moved as much as 315,000. --MC

6pm: Finger busts to JattinLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

From the hijack Farid Jattin opened to 11,500 and it passed to Martin Finger, who was at the button. The German shoved for 101,500 and Jattin tank-called.

Finger: T♥8♥Jattin: K♠Q♦

The K♦J♥4♦6♠7♣ board didn't save Finger and he's out. Just 28 remain -- eight off the money. --NW

5:55pm: Ivarsson's dominance continues; hits miracle river to bust VeghinasLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

A three-bet pot had already been built between chip leader Alexander Ivarsson and Sebastian Veghinas -- who you may also remember from the Barcelona equivalent of this tournament where he stood out for his loud, playful, occasionally brash table talk -- by the point the 9♥9♠8♣ flop landed.

Veghinas put out a gamble of 30,000 and Ivarsson moved all-in. The Romanian got him to install the 30,000 after which asked the dealer to spread the pot so he could get a greater idea of his pot odds with 94,000 behind. He looked as much as the ceiling as he did his maths after which made the call, and what a choice it was.

Veghinas - A♦K♦Ivarsson - Q♥J♣

Ivarsson had just queen-high with a gutshot, so it needed to be a queen, jack or ten at the river. The T♦ landed and Veghinas quietly made his exit, while Ivarsson gave a silent fist bump. He's as much as 681,000 now. --JS

5:50pm: Third time lucky for HallLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Aces often is the best starting hand in hold'em but that does not mean squat if you cannot get them to carry. Cate Hall has already suffered that pain twice today, but thankfully for her she didn't score an unwanted hat-trick.

She shoved for 52,500 with A♥A♣ and Roman Korenev, who had opened to 11,000, called the additional with K♣J♥. A 5♥8♣3♣ board hit the felt. "I DO NOT even need to know how that is going to happen," said Charlie Carrel. The T♦ turn meant Hall had a lock at the hand and the J♣ completed the board.

So Hall's as much as around 115,000 while Korenev is right down to 65,000. --NW

5:50pm: Kisacikoglu loses race to JedlickaLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Orpen Kisacikoglu is the most recent to bust. He opened to 11,000 and faced a three-bet to 27,500 from Stefan Jedlicka on his left. Back on Kisacikoglu, he shoved for 162,000 total and Jedlicka made the call.

Kisacikoglu - A♦K♦Jedlicka - 8♠8♦

There'd be no help for the person from Turkey at the 5♠9♦T♠Q♥2♠ runout and he made his exit.

"Good luck guys," he said to Charlie Carrel and Ben Heath who were stood up behind him, half-watching the hand and half-discussing the sick hand during which Ben Heath cracked Oleg Titov's pocket aces (see just below, 5:45pm).

"Oh, GG," replied Carrel. "Are you playing tomorrow?" Carrel asked, regarding probably the most many turbos which are running at the last day of the festival. Kisacikoglu confirmed he would be.

Orpen out

Meanwhile, Jedlicka is as much as 354,000 now. --JS

5:45pm: Heath charging up the countsLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Ben Heath was getting short earlier, but he just eliminated Oleg Titov to peer his stack grow to a near chip-leading 530,000. We missed the action however the chips went in on a 6♦2♣K♦ flop.

Heath: A♦2♦ for a couple and flush drawTitov: A♠A♥ for the pair

The board ran out 2♥4♥ to make Heath trips, but Titov had obviously been anti-sweating diamonds and had thought he'd doubled. He took it well when it was mentioned after which predicted Heath will win the development. --MC

Heath on a heater

5:40pm: Merivirta cracks acesLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Jyri Merivirta was all-in for his final 87,000 with 8♣8♦, and the Pole was in bad shape against Stefan Jedlicka's A♠A♣.

The 5♥4♥J♣ flop kept Jedlicka within the lead, however the 8♥ turn meant Merivirta turned a collection to take the lead. The 2♠ river kept the shorter stack within the lead and he doubled up. After that hand Jedlicka drops to 138,000. --NW

5:35pm: Finger makes another move, finally ends up doubling CarrelLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

It's not been an excellent level up to now for Martin Finger. As he said within the last reported hand with him, he's making some moves, problem is they don't seem to be working out.

Charlie Carrel made min-raised to 10,000 and Farid Jattin called at the button, as did Finger from the large blind. The flop fell T♣7♠9♦ and Finger checked, letting Carrel continue for 20,000. Jattin folded, and Finger asked for a count. Carrel didn't say anything but stacked his chips in some way that made it easy to spot his remaining chips -- 75,500. Finger then slid in a stack of 80,000 which was essentially an all-in.

"Hmmmmm..." said Carrel, as he slid off his headphones. He rested his head within the palm of his hand and stared at Finger then back on the board. "There are only too many..."

He trailed off because he had made the call, but it's safe to imagine he was about to mention there have been simply too many draws available in the market. He was right, as his K♠T♠ for high pair was sooner than Finger's Q♦J♣ up-and-down straight draw.

The turn was the 9♣ and the river the 3♦, and Carrel doubled to 187,000 while Finger dropped to 147,500. --JS

5:30pm: Don't mess with TheoLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Theo Jorgensen's won a boxing match before -- mess with him at your peril. Stefan Jedlicka tried just that and is 188,000 chips poorer as a result.

Jedlicka opened the pot with a 10,500 raise from first position. The Team PokerStars Pro was two seats along and three-bet to 27,000. Jedlicka called and checked over a 5♦3♣9♠ flop that was c-bet for 25,000. Jedlicka called that, too, but had different plans for the 7♣ turn. After Jorgensen bet 50,000 he check-raised to 137,000 but needed to give up and fold once his Danish opponent jammed for 255,000. Jedlicka dropped to 210,000. --MC

5:25pm: Heath eliminates YanLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

There can be no back-to-back high roller titles for David Yan as he's just been eliminated in 35th place. In his final hand, Roman Korenev opened from middle position, Yan shoved for 103,000, Ben Heath re-raised all-in and everybody else folded.

Yan: 9♠9♣Heath: A♠K♣

The window card wbecause the K♣ and it didn't get any better for Yan as the board ran T♣K♦5♦8♠, Heath is as much as around 440,000. --NW

Yan down

5:25pm: Moving FingerLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

When it got to Martin Finger within the small blind there have been no action in front of him. He glanced over to Pierre Neuville on his left within the big blind and decided simply to limp. The Belgian then casually tossed out an extra 12,000, bringing the bet as much as 17,000, and Finger then raised it as much as 40,000. Neuville shoved and Finger instantly folded.

Afterwards, he cracked just a little smile. "I made a move," he told his tablemates, several of whom began to giggle. "I made a move." --JS

5:20pm: Ivarssson in controlLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

We've got some freshly counted stacks to share with you as play gets going again. Alexander Ivarsson has reassumed control of items here after losing the lead for a short time to Cristian Egues and Armando Collado earlier. Here is a take a look at the highest 10 on the moment, and make sure to keep watch at the chip counts page as we'll be keeping it updated as we go. --MH

Name Country Status Chips

Alexander Ivarsson	Sweden	Live satellite winner	558,000
Cristian Egues	Spain	Live satellite winner	493,000
Stefan Jedlicka	Austria		391,000
Theo Jorgensen	Denmark	Team PokerStars Pro	357,000
Piotr Franczak	Poland		348,000
Gleb Tremzin	Russia		341,500
Liviu Ignat	Romania		310,000
Ben Heath	UK		310,000
Farid Jattin	USA		290,000
Martin Finger	Germany		280,000

5:15pm: Play resumes; 35 leftLevel 15 - Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Players are back. Two more one-hour levels, then will come a dinner break. --MH

4:55pm: Let's take a break

With 35 left -- 15 off the money -- they're off on another 20-minute break. Stay tuned -- we'll have complete counts from everyone for you at the other side. --MH

Opening a PokerStars account is straightforward. Click here to get an account in minutes.

4:55pm: More for IvarssonLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

In a hand that extended well into the break, Alexander Ivarsson won a sizeable pot against Piotr Franczak.

The exact preflop bet sizing is unknown, however it was a three-bet pot with Ivarsson having position.

On the K♦6♣4♦ flop, Ivarsson bet 30,000 and Franczak called. The 9♠ turn was checked through and the 4♣ completed the board. Franczak bet 65,000 and Ivarsson tank-called.

"Ace high," said Franczak, showing A♦J♦, Ivarsson had made a pleasant call with 9♣8♣ and is as much as 558,000, while Franczak is all the way down to 348,000. --NW

4:55pm: Big double-up for Heath, courtesy of YanLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

We just had ourselves an excellent ol' fashioned war, of the preflop raising variety. It started with David Yan making it 8,000 within the cutoff. Ben Heath was at the button and three-bet to 23,500, which Yan then four-bet to 45,500. Heath insta-shoved for 140,000 total and Yan made the call.

Yan - A♠K♥Heath - 5♣5♦

The flop and switch were nice and occasional for Heath's hand -- 2♣4♠7♠3♣. The river was a face card, nevertheless it was the Q♥ and that won it for the Brit, who now has around 290,000 while Yan drops to roughly 120,000. --JS

4:50pm: There are still Kids within the HallLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Cate Hall has doubled from an uber-short stack to a typical taxi-short stack.

Charlie Carrel raised to 8,000 from under the gun and called after Hall three-bet all-in for 18,800 from the cutoff.

Carrel: 4♠4♥Hall: 8♠9♥

The board ran 5♥Q♥2♠5♦8♦ to pair Hall's eight at the river. --MC

Hall hangs in

4:45pm: Yan's turn to take oneLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Win this event and it will be double-high roller glory for David Yan in Malta, as he's already won the €25K High Roller here. He's got some distance to visit cash, not to mention win it, but a contemporary pot did his possibilities of both no harm at all.

He defended his big ignorant of a cutoff raise from Stefan Jedlicka and the 2 of them saw an A♥8♣2♥ flop hit the felt. The Austrian c-bet 7,500 and Yan smooth called. The 4♣ turn was where the action heated up with Jedlicka betting again, this time 22,000 and Yan check-raising to 63,000. Although Jedlicka got a count he never really seemed like calling, and he ceded the pot to Yan.

The New Zealander is as much as 265,000 after that hand, while Jedlicka drops to 320,000. --NW

4:45pm: Ignat felts O'Dwyer and MetaalLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

It's double-elimination time. First it folded to Steve O'Dwyer within the hijack and he shoved for 38,000. Then Govert Metaal reshoved for around 82,000. Liviu Ignat was within the small blind and he announced call, the massive blind folded and the cards were on their backs:

Ignat - A♠Q♠Metaal - A♦9♦O'Dwyer - A♥T♣

Three aces, but Ignat had the most productive kicker and it will finally end up winning him the pot because the board ran out K♦2♣J♥2♦4♥. Both gents made their exits while Ignat stacked up roughly 329,000. --JS

Metaal felted

4:40pm: Schemion falls to CarrelLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

With little over the starting stack, Ole Schemion shoved for 57,000 when it folded to him. Charlie Carrel then re-shoved for around 70,000 and everybody else folded.

Schemion - K♣J♥Carrel - A♦J♦

It was domination nation as they'd say on EPT Live. The 6♦A♠T♠ flop paired Carrel, but did give Schemion some gutshot outs. However, the A♥ turn and 9♥ river didn't improve the German's hand and he made his exit one fist bump at a time. Carrel is as much as around 134,000 now. --JS

Schemion and his eventual vanquisher Carrel from earlier within the day

4:35pm: Set the trap, fall into the trapLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

That's just what happened to Cate Hall. She set a trap with aces, but ended up feeding Pierre Neuville a double-up.

Felix Stephensen opened to 8,500 from under the gun and was called by Hall from two seats along, then Neuville called to boot from the cutoff. The flop spread 2♦6♦8♠ and the action was checked to Neuville who moved all-in for 48,000. Stephensen folded, but Hall snap-called and opened A♥A♣.

It was a pleasant play, but her Belgian opponent had flopped a collection with 6♠6♣ and survived the 2♣T♣ turn and river. Hall is deep in it now with 27,500 remaining. --MC

4:30pm: No back-to-back for DrinanLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Back in August, Connor Drinan won the equivalent of this event at EPT Barcelona, but he just lost a race to bust this one. Gleb Tremzin was the person who got him, the Russian opened to 10,000 from the hijack, Drinan made it 27,500 at the button, Tremzin set the yankee all-in and Drinan quickly called.

Tremzin: A♥K♦Drinan: J♣J♠

"Jacks aren't any good on this tournament," joked Tremzin, but he was right because the K♣A♦9♠4♥6♥ board favoured him and eliminated Drinan. After that hand he's as much as 280,000. --NW

Drinan done in

4:25pm: Two in a row for the Team ProLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Theo Jorgensen, the one PokerStars Team Pro who entered this event, has just won consecutive pots to bring his stack over the 40-big blind mark.

In the primary he opened to 8,500 within the cutoff and got calls from Hari Bercovici within the small blind and Jyri Merivirta from the massive. The 3 saw a 4♣8♣J♣ flop and it checked to Jorgensen, but there could be no c-bet.

That meant we went to the turn and it was a fourth club within the 6♣. Everyone checked again to the 9♠ river. Now Bercovici took a stab for 16,000 which removed Merivirta but didn't shake off Jorgensen. He called, but we never saw his hand as Bercovici mucked instantly.

Jorgsensen was as much as 150,000 after that one, but he took down the following pot, too. Georgios Zisimopoulos opened to 8,000 and Jorgensen three-bet to 25,000 and took it down. --JS

Theo in thought

4:25pm: Big pot for FranczakLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

On single cards the fortunes of players on this high roller can turn, and this was clearly illustrated today in a hand between Piotr Franczak and Steve O'Dwyer.

The Polish player raised to 10,000 from under the gun, O'Dwyer called at the button, then Govert Meetal came along from the massive blind.

On the 8♣T♥4♠ flop Franczak bet 15,000 and O'Dwyer was the one caller. The 6♠ fell on fourth street, Franczak bogged down as he checked the action to O'Dwyer. The Irishman bet 27,000 and Franczak called. The 9♣ completed the board and curiously Franczak went back to being the aggressor. He fired out a gamble of 60,000, and O'Dwyer got a count after which called.

"Straight," said Franczak and he opened A♣7♥ to show he'd hit his gutshot at the river. O'Dwyer flipped 8♠8♦ to turn that the Pole had hit a four-outer to win the pot. After that hand Franczak is as much as 297,000 while O'Dwyer is right down to around 50,000. --NW

4:20pm: 40 left, 20 cashLevel 14: Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

They're all the way down to just 40 players now, all neatly rebalanced around five 8-handed tables. For 20 of them their futures include visits to the cashier, while the opposite 20 could be exiting without cashing. --MH

4:15pm: Finger flicks Kozlov awayLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Martin Kozlov wasn't in a position to double for a second hand this last hour. There has been no waiting until the river as all his chips went in preflop.

Finger had opened from the cutoff and Kozlov jammed from the small blind. Call.

Kozlov: 5♥5♦Finger: A♦J♦

The board ran K♥K♠9♦Q♦J♠ to pair Finger's jack to transport him as much as 340,000. --MC

Finger pointed within the right direction

4:10pm: Ivarsson again challenges for leadLevel 14 - Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

The action folded to Poland's Piotr Franczak at the button and he made a giant opening raise. The quantity was 17,500 -- greater than four times the large blind -- and after Stephen Chidwick folded the small blind the action was on overnight chip leader Alexander Ivarsson. He made a three-bet to 42,000, and Franczak called to look a flop.

It fell 2♣6♠J♣ and Ivarsson continued, this time for rather less at 32,000. Franczak called again and the turn came the 7♦. Ivarsson didn't decelerate making it 60,000, and that was enough to get Franczak to surrender. He drops to 193,000, while Ivarsson has neared what leader Cristian Egues has with an enormous stack of 522,000. --JS

4pm: Classic race goes to IsraelLevel 14: Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Hari Bercovici and Georgios Zisimopoulos went to war preflop and all of the chips ended up within the middle. The previous was the all-in player with 76,500.

Bercovici: A♦K♣Zisimopoulos: Q♦Q♠

The board ran 6♥A♣8♦5♥6♣ to pair the ace of Bercovici. Zisimopoulos dropped to 205,000. --MC

3:55pm: Let's raise the stakesLevel 14: Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

With 42 left, they march on into Level 14. --MH

3:50pm: Egues elevates above the packLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

"That's the primary time I've gotten lucky."

So said Cristian Egues today to Philipp Gruissem following a hand wherein Egues knocked out Preben Stokkan.

The hand began with a Egues open from the button to 7,000, called by Stokkan from the small blind. The flop rolled out K♠T♥8♥, Stokkan checked, Egues bet 10,000, Stokkan made it 25,000, Egues shoved, and Stokkan called.

Stokkan had king-queen and the threshold against Egues's king-jack, and the case king approaching the turn didn't change that. But a jack at the end did, giving Egues an entire house and sending Stokkan out.

"You have so much now," continued Gruissem. "How much?"

"Near five?" guessed Egues. A BETTER look shows he has towards 545,000. Lucky or no, Egues is leading with 42 left. --MH

3:45pm: Banivecic suffers Panek attackLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Tomasz Panek has reduced the sector by yet one more to 43 after ousting Vlado Banicevic.

Banivecic was all-in with a brief stack with K♠Q♠ against Panek's A♣K♣, and after a 2♦J♦3♣K♦8♦ runout Banivecic is out.

Panek is at 225,000 now. --MH

3:40pm: Stephensen laughs within the face of positionLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Felix Stephensen had dropped slightly under 200k, but he won a pot out of position, and without showdown, to rise to 215,000.

The Norwegian Poker champion raised to 7,100 from under the gun and called after Farid Jattin three-bet to 15,000 from the nesxt seat. The flop fanned 7♣Q♥Q♣ and Jattin continued for 13,500. Stephensen check-called before both players checked the K♠ turn. The board completed with the T♦ and Jattin faced a 45,000 bet that he couldn't call and dropped to 157,000. --MC

3:35pm: Top stacksLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Wondering who're the toppermost of the chippermost with 44 players left? Look no further:

Armando Collado -- 365,000Alexander Ivarsson -- 330,000Cristian Egues -- 330,000Georgios Zisimopoulos -- 305,000Dong Zhao -- 265,000

Martin Finger is lingering slightly under this list with about 240,000. --MH

3:30pm: Chidwick stacks KitaiLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

We just mentioned how Davidi Kitai was short and searching out spots to double-up. At present he tried again, committing his stack of just over 40,000 with 8♣8♦ and needing to carry against the A♥K♣ of Stephen Chidwick sitting to his left.

The 7♥J♣4♦ flop appeared benign for Kitai.

The Q♠ turn wasn't an issue either.

But the T♣ river caused Kitai to sit up straight quickly in his seat, that card filling a Broadway straight for his neighbor. He wished the table well before departing, and Chidwick is now playing 224,000. --MH

Kitai cut down

3:25pm: Fives holds for HeathLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Ben Heath has managed to win a race to double up through EPT13 Malta 25K champion David Yan. The latter raised after which called after Heath three-bet all-in for 55,000 from the following seat.

Yan: A♣8♣Heath: 5♣5♠

The board ran 2♠3♦2♦Q♥J♦ to look the fives hold. Yan dropped to 225,000. --MC

3:20pm: Kitai, Hall seeking to make upward movesLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

With 45 players left, they're still 25 off the cash, meaning the quick stacks might want to perform a little work with a view to improve their statuses and advance to the cash and maybe beyond.

Davidi Kitai at present pushed his short stack all-in, getting no callers and continuing with about 40,000 thereafter. Soon after at a neighboring table it was Cate Hall doing the same, also claiming the blinds and antes to continue with about 60,000. --MH

3:10pm: Tough to fold top pairLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

"Tough to fold this hand!" said Felix Stephensen to no person particularly after he faced an all-in from Martin Kozlov.

The two players were heads as much as the river of a 5♠A♣7♠Q♦3♣ board. Around 40,000 lay within the middle and Stephensen checked from the massive unaware of face Kozlov's 25,500 all-in move from the hijack. He called with A♥9♦ and dropped to 207,000 after it was no good against Kozlov's A♣J♠. --MC

Felix not folding

3:10pm: Collado collects with queensLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Armando Collado is now as much as 435,000 and looking out as if he's overtaken the chip lead, thanks partly to his having won another nice pot, this one versus Simon Mattsson.

It was a flip wherein Collado had Q♠Q♣ against Mattson's A♣K♠, and the board came in Collado's prefer to end Mattson's run.

"The ladies like me," said Collado, as he's now stacking 435,000. --MH

Collado cruising

3pm: Ignat knocks out NeweyLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

On the primary hand back from the break, Liviu Ignat opened for 7,500 from under the gun and it folded around to Paul Newey who shoved his short stack of 35,000 or so all-in from the button. The blinds stepped aside, and Ignat snap-called.

Ignat had Q♠Q♦ and the massive edge over Newey's J♠J♣, and five cards later -- K♥9♠2♥9♥Q♥ -- Newey exited. Ignat is up around 195,000 now. --MH

2:55pm: Play resumes; 49 remainLevel 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Players are back and cards within the air again. With 49 left, that suggests lower than half those remaining could be some of the 20 to cash. --MH

2:30pm: Break time

With the massive board showing just 49 players left, the primary 20-minute break of the day has arrived. --MH

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2:20pm: Bustouts continue, from Agerskov to ZayontsLevel 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Both Rasmus Agerskov and Alexander Zayonts was eliminated because the day's second level nears its close, the pair falling in one hand versus Dong Zhao.

Preflop action saw Zhao open, Agerskov flat-call, then Zayonts jam a brief stack from the small blind. That resulted in a rejam and contact and a three-way pile-up through which Agerskov had A♠Q♥, Zayonts ace-nine, and Zhao K♠Q♠.

The 5♣K♦7♦J♣8♦ runout favored Zhao, and two more are at the rail. --MH

2:10pm: Queens fail GrimaldiLevel 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

The hand having ended, Cristian Egues looked around the table at Pasquale Grimaldi and offered a type of consolatory "what-can-you-do-that's-poker" shrugs.

Egues had just knocked out Grimaldi, the latter having committed his stack preflop with Q♥Q♣ versus Egues's A♥Q♦, then watched with dismay the board roll out 7♦A♦4♥A♣T♣ to provide Egues trip aces and the pot.

The pair each extended fists around the table and bumped them, and Grimaldi nodded to all before departing.

Egues is as much as 255,000 now, having greater than tripled his stack thus far today. There are 55 players remaining. --MH

2pm: Greenwood, Hata, Nevanlinna outLevel 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Sam Greenwood have been eliminated, his pocket eights proving no match for Cristian Egues's pocket aces.

Aymon Hata and Jussi Nevanlinna also are at the rail because the rest move into the second one 1/2 Level 12. --MH

1:50pm: Machon hangs onLevel 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Bartlomiej Machon remains to be in but short after doubling through Marcin Chmielewski.

Machon was behind before the community cards came, having K♥T♠ versus Chmielewski's A♠Q♣. But a 9♠K♠6♥6♣T♦ runout kept Machon within the game.

Machon remains to be one of the crucial shortest a number of the 59 players left, though, with about 35,000. Chmielewski now has 165,000. --MH

1:40pm: Collado catching as much as IvarssonLevel 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Through the primary hour of play, start-of-day chip leader Alexander Ivarsson held onto his chip lead as players were eliminated throughout him at a rapid clip.

Alexander wearing the A's cap on Day 2

Ivarsson's nearest challenger to start out the day was Armando Collado who began greater than 120,000 back of Ivarsson. Now in the beginning of the day's second level, Collado has all but evened things between the 2 after collecting a good pot while knocking out Iliodoros Kamatakis.

Collado is up around 375,000 now, that's almost about where Ivarsson remains. --MH

1:30pm: Level upLevel 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

With just 63 left now, they move on into Level 12 and not using a break. --MH

1:25pm: Mateos all the way down to the matLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Adrian Mateos was one of the crucial leaders late on Day 1, but he's become one of the vital eliminated early on Day 2 after a hand versus Roman Korenev near the top of Level 11.

Holding 7♥6♦, Mateos jammed all-in with the board showing 3♦8♣4♥9♣ and was called by Korenev who had A♠K♥. Neither had a pair, and the 4♣ river kept Korenev in front as Mateos hit the rail.

Korenev has about 150,000 now. --MH

1:20pm: Chmielewski collects chips, keeps chairLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

While players are being eliminated all about, Marcin Chmielewski just doubled through Cristian Egues to maintain his seat.

Picking up things at the turn with the board showing 4♠5♦2♦K♣, Chmielewski led with a half-pot bet of 16,000, Egues made it 35,000 to go, Chmielewski shoved for 74,200 total, and Egues called.

Egues had K♠9♠ for high pair, but Chmielewski's A♥K♦ also gave him top pair with a greater kicker, and after the T♥ completed the board he stacked up around 180,000. Egues now has 115,000. --MH

1:15pm: More goneLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Pratyush Buddiga, Przemyslaw Piotrowski, and Marc Macdonnell have all been felted already, as has Morten Mortensen after earning that early double-up through Connor Drinan.

Buddiga bids adieu

They're already all the way down to 64, meaning 16 has been knocked out in around 40 minutes of play. --MH

1:10pm: Pollak punches out (again)Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Benjamin Pollak has suffered the original fate of busting a few tournaments within an approximately 10-minute stretch.

After taking 14th typically Event, he soon found himself in a three-way all-in situation following a 7♦6♠4♠ flop versus Joris Ruijs and Cristian Egues.

Pollak had A♣J♥ and was in bad shape though still drawing live against Joris Ruijs's 9♥9♠ and Egues's 7♣5♦. However the turn was the 7♥ to provide Egues trips, and after the 4♥ river he won the hand and both Pollak and Ruijs were eliminated.

Benjamin (briefly)

Egues is up around 160,000 now. --MH

1:05pm: Prize pool and payoutsLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Let's speak about the dough. You know, the cheddar, the scratch, the cabbage. Just how much moolah is involved here?

With 144 entries altogether, the prize pool is a fab €1,396,800, to be divided some of the top 20 finishers. A min-cash is €18,160, while there is a big prize of €335,200 for the winner.

Here's the entire payout schedule:

1st: €335,2002nd: €228,4003rd: €150,8504th: €124,3305th: €99,8706th: €78,2207th: €58,6708th: €43,3009th: €33,54010th-11th: €27,94012th-13th: €24,44014th-15th: €22,34016th-17th: €20,25018th-20th: €18,160

We've lost a couple of more here because the field as already shrunk below 70. Details coming. --MH

12:55pm: First to fallLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Seven new entries to begin the day enlarged the sphere slightly, however the inevitable winnowing has already begun as five players have fallen through the first 20 minutes of play.

Max Silver and Anthony Zinno were both among that initial wave of knockouts, while Koray Aldemir was also felted after losing a hand against Vlado Banicevic. Nick Petrangelo may be out, bringing the sphere total right down to 75. --MH

Silver sunk

12:45pm: Double doublesen for Morten MortensenLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Early action here on Day 2 with Morten Mortensen doubling through Connor Drinan.

Arriving to capture the general details, Mortensen was all-in with A♠T♣ against Drinan's 8♦8♣, and a runout of A♦3♥9♦4♣5♣ favored the Dane. Mortensen's up around 90,000 now while Drinan slips to 30,000. --MH

Good start for Mortensen

12:40pm: And Agerskov makes 144Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Just yet one more late registrant so as to add to the list below -- Rasmus Agerskov -- bringing the entire total of entries (including re-entries) to 144, with 80 players on the tables to begin the day. --MH

12:35pm: Better late than neverLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

With the beginning of Day 2 comes the tip of late registration (or re-entering), and some players have joined the joys in advance of the window closed.

It looks as if a few of the newcomers are Jyri Merivirta, Alexander Lakhov, and Jussi Nevanlinna, with Eugene Katchalov also buying back in after busting yesterday.

Second try for Katchalov

Meanwhile two players who've recently busted Day 5 of the EPT Malta Main Event have hopped in in addition -- Benjamin Pollak (in 14th) and Ole Schemion (in 13th).

Schemion glad to be here

We'll see if anyone got into this one besides on the last moment. --MH

12:30pm: Day 2 beginsLevel 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Players are of their seats and Day 2 is underway within the €10K High Roller. --MH

11:30am: High Rollers return for Day 2

Welcome again, friends, to the archipelago of Malta where this morning the skies are blue, the encompassing waters clear and blue, and the wind is whipping up and swirling noisily across the Portomaso Casino here in St. Julian's within the country's central region.

The skies were blue, the waters too, while the wind blew

Starting at 12:30pm today, action within the €10K High Roller event could be whipping up in addition to individuals who made it through yesterday's Day 1 -- plus any late registrants just previous to the closing of the late regging window when play begins today -- can be back at it, all vying for one of the crucial last and most prestigious titles of the EPT Malta festival.

Speaking of whippings, Alexander Iversson delivered several yesterday, scoring quite a lot of knockouts while building a large stack of 379,100.

Ivarsson at night's end, writing down a large number

That's greater than 120,000 away from nearest challenger Armando Collado's 258,300, with Martin Finger, Stephen Chidwick, and Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen also some of the big stacks to start out the day.

A total of 73 made it through Day 1 to today, with a couple of more of these aforementioned latecomers to be added to start today besides.

We'll be back at it as well starting an hour from now with coverage of the €10K High Roller all day and night from the tournament room, with hand updates, chip counts, photos, and more. Get back then and settle in and together we'll see players racing just like the wind toward tomorrow's finale. --MH

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PokerStars Blog reporting team at the EPT13 Malta High Roller: Nick Wright, Jack Stanton, and Martin Harris. Photography by Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

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