Devan Tang: One in 100

With about QUARTER-HOUR left at the clock in Level 9, Lori Lagrosas, Operations Manager of PokerStars LIVE Macau, came to visit to her colleagues within the tournament area and offered them a high five. The choice of entries into the HKD$50,000 freezeout at this APPT festival had just ticked to 100--significant particularly for Lagrosas as she had boldly "guaranteed" that the tournament would attract that many players. She hit her guarantee with 1 / 4 of an hour to spare.

So it's that the overall warm-up before tomorrow's main event hits a record high, boding well for a bumper turnout for the week's flagship tournament. When the clock ticked to the tip of the level, representing the top of the late-registration period, there have been still an excellent 100 involved. That created a prize pool of greater than HKD$4.4 million, with the entire prize breakdown to be determined soon.

The young New Zealander Thomas Ward continues to dominate proceedings at this early stage. When he moved tables shortly before the top of Level 9, he needed racks sufficient to hold a stack of about 210,000, that is greater than four times what he started with.

"How good is that this guy?" a table-mate said as Ward found his new seat assignment, half in relief and half in frustration that the table's chips were heading elsewhere. Ward now sits at the same table as Dong Guo, who's in China's top 20 money earners and can be seeking to add to his career total this week.

Speaking of China's rich list, Devan Tang was one of the crucial late registrants to this tournament. Tang lies fourth at the all-time China money list, largely way to four huge scores. In January of this year, Tang picked up USD$1,405,500 for finishing third behind Fedor Holz and David Peters in an ideal high roller tournament in Manila. The five men who finished immediately behind him were Steve O'Dwyer, Phil Ivey, Daniel Colman, Paul Phua and Mike McDonald. He can play tough.

Winfred Yu showed up late to this tournament, but he has already been eliminated. So has Quan Zhou, who currently ends up in APOY leader board. Zhou is becoming a typical at the European Poker Tour too and most recently cashed within the €25,000 high roller on the EPT Grand Final.

But he couldn't get A♣K♥ to overcome Xin Liu's J♦J♥, especially after a J♣ flopped. "Runner runner!" Zhou encouraged the dealer, however the dealer couldn't oblige.

There's still some distance to move for the 57 players who remain at this stage. They'll play another two one-hour levels tonight before returning to play to a winner at 3pm tomorrow.

We'll return an hour previous to that for the commencement of the principle event, and in addition to atone for what's been occurring within the various side events. 

The APPT Macau main event starts Wednesday, May 25 at PokerStars LIVE on the City of Dreams. Full details can be found at the official APPT website or via the PokerStars Macau page.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Asia Pacific Poker Tour]

Win Systems, global technology supplier for the gaming and entertainment industry, welcomes Ioannis Katakis to its team as head of lottery business solutions, spearheading the growth of this business unit within the company.

Ioannis has a Bachelor´s degree in Engineering, a Masters in Electronic and Telecommunication and a PhD in Bio-Engineering. He served as general commercial & strategy director for the Intralot Group for 17 years. During his time in Intralot he developed and proposed the tactic and business opportunities within the global gaming markets to the company’s top management, also serving because the lead in winning management and operation contracts in lots of countries world wide. He established MALTCO Lotteries in Malta (2001), because the operator of the National Lottery of Malta, the primary privatized lottery globally. From 2012 he served as executive CEO of the corporate. On account of his global achievements he was elected in September 2015, member of the PGRI Gaming Industry Hall of Fame.

Dario Zutel, Win Systems’ chairman comments: “Ioannis has an intensive career path within the gaming and lottery industries. His experience and know-how are of significant value for Win Systems, and because our plan is to further develop our lottery business solutions with the intention to satisfy the growing market demands, Ioannis is the very best candidate to assist us do so goal.”

Regarding his incorporation, Ioannis Katakis adds: “It is a brilliant honor for me to go the lottery business solutions of Win Systems. Lotteries are considered essentially the most challenging, competitive and important sector of the gaming business. Our vision is to become probably the most top global providers of Lottery Solutions, according to our innovative technology, expert personnel and global operational know-how.”

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

Pie Five Pizza Co. is the most efficient bet of the day with their newest development partner.  Pie Five Pizza Co. announced a brand new development partnership with existing franchise partners Fred Gustin and Kurt Guttshall of Slice of the Pie, LLC and veteran casino partners Pop’s Shop to take the leading fast casual pizza concept into casinos nationwide.

Nationally recognized restaurateurs, Gustin and Guttshall, currently operate five Pie Five Pizza locations in Mississippi, Tennessee and Alabama including the flagship casino location throughout the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi.  They have three more Pie Five Pizza locations currently in development.  This team also operates 60 Applebee’s locations within the Southeast.

“With our unique oven technology and fresh made-to-order ingredients, Pie Five is an ideal fit for casino guests,” said Kurt Guttshall, Pie Five Pizza franchisee and casino development partner.  “We may be able to create and bake pizzas perfectly in 5 minutes, so it’s only a short break from the gaming tables, and guests will also use their casino comps for payment – we make it easy!”

Pie Five corporate has built a powerful association with veteran casino executives to capitalize in this growing market segment. Whether guests are trying to find a late night meal, dine-in or carry-out, Pie Five Pizza has become a proven leader on this segment.

“Casinos are a natural fit for our business and we have already got a proven business model on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino,” said Randy Gier, CEO of parent company, Rave Restaurant Group, Inc. “Casino guests expect an elevated dining experience and actually appreciate our artisanal, quality pizzas which can be made-to order with unlimited toppings at one great price in exactly 145 seconds.”

At Pie Five, guests can choose between greater than one million combinations of farm fresh ingredients, artisan sauces and handcrafted crust varieties. Pies bake in barely 140 seconds in a custom-designed, state-of-the-art oven. By the point the guest arrives on the register, their hot, bubbly, pizza perfection is set. Guests can add considered one of Pie Five’s freshly tossed handmade salads or a decadent home-baked brownie or cookie pie to their meal.

Read More... [Source: Featured Products]

^

Spring time has broken out for many of our players. Unless you reside in Canada like four players who made today's $50,000 Battle of Planets monthly triple shootout freeroll final table. Despite a couple of days of "Spring" weather, ice remains to be showing on some lakes with snowbanks prevalent while driving in the course of the cities. The drab weather didn't bother a kind of Canadians as dthorne04 lead the way in the course of the icy 589 player field to win $12,000.00

Ten minutes before the 2 hour mark the general initial round table would wind its last hand down. With the blinds at 200/400 ante 25 and Bankyard holding a 5,337 to 5,163 chip lead over Chipsy36, Bankyard would raise from the button to 860 total. Chipsy36 looking down at [Kh][Ts] shoved as Bankyard complied with a decision holding [9d][As]. The flop clobbered with Bankyard's ace [7h][Ad][7d] leaving Chipsy36 to simply a runner-runner straight or trips combo to win. Two kings later [Kd] and [Kc] Chipsy36 would take down the 10,326 chip pot and gather the scraps from the following hand as a stunned Bankyard exited in 82nd place giving our remaining 81 players no less than $195.00 each.

34offsuitJR had a thirst for some cash today, finishing off table nine in last than an hour with the aforementioned Chipsy36 taking place during heads up play to earn the primary seat on the final table. Canada would continue to fill the table (34offsuitJR) because the North American country took home four of the primary five seats.

Down to 2 tables two players from Hungary (p€troceli and SZERENCSFIA) would duke it out on table four and p€troceli winning the consideration to symbolize Hungary on the final table. As Kirill Juma and ross997 would only last one hand longer on table two. With the blinds at 150.300 ante 25 Kirill Juma holding 2,903 chips to ross997's 10,597 would face a bullying button raise to 4,350. With a suited king [Kd][3d] Kirill Juma decided it was go time and called as ross997 showed [Js][Td]. A 10 in the course of the [Qd] [Th] [2h] [8s] [4h] flop was all that was had to commence the overall table below:

Seat 1: dthorne04 (1500 in chips)
Seat 2: ross997 (1500 in chips)
Seat 3: AB Poker 12 (1500 in chips)
Seat 4: p€troceli (1500 in chips)
Seat 5: kanskje123 (1500 in chips)
Seat 6: nickyshu (1500 in chips)
Seat 7: Gabiru01 (1500 in chips)
Seat 8: dirty.brasil (1500 in chips)
Seat 9: 34offsuitJR (1500 in chips)

First in, first out

The 10/20 level would go away quickly because the players usually use this time to feel out their tablemates for a fast chop of the sizable amount of free cash at this table. Instead we might get two quick eliminations after the blinds moved up. The primary hand of the 15/30 blind level saw 34offsuitJR at the wrong side of a cooler. 34offsuitJR would limp in from middle position as p€troceli made it 90 total as kanskje123 and 34offsuitJR both called. p€troceli led out for 150 at the [2c][8d][As] flop as kanskje123 folded but 34offsuitJR dialed it as much as 450 chips. Holding a collection of eights [8h][8s] p€troceli shoved as 334offsuitJR quickly called with a suite of ducks [2d][2h]. One out became no outs because the [Ac] turn and [4h] river shut down 34offsuitJR finishing in ninth place ($775.00).

Fast start

Just two hands later a second cooler would end someone's Battle of the Planets freeroll. kanskje123 would open to 150 from middle position as Gabiru01 made it 350 from the large blind. kanskje123's aces [As][Ac] went for max value by pushing 1,040 chips as Gabiru01 made the decision for less holding jacks [Js][Jc]. An ace within the door [Ah] [4d] [6h] [4s] [2h] and Gabiru01 was not more taking home $1,200.00 in eighth place.

Three-way excitement

Mid-way in the course of the 50/100 blind level Gabiru01, nickyshu, and ross997 decided to collect their chips into the center for a 4,730 chip pot. Watch below as aces go down, but nobody leaves:

RSS readers please click through to view video

ross997: [5s][5d]
nickyshu: [As][Ah]
Gabiru01: [8h][8d]

Three pairs and ross997 covered the table, but it surely can be Gabiru01 finding a connection to the [Qd] [8s] [2c] [Qs] [7d] board to assert 4,270 chips from the primary pot, as nickyshu stayed alive snagging 460 from the side pot as all seven players hit the five minute break soon afterwards.

Ross erased

After losing the three-way all-in, ross997 never recovered. With the blinds as much as 75/150 dthorne04 open shove from the button as a short-stacked ross997 made the decision for less holding just 935 chips within the small blind. Pocket sevens [7c][7h] for ross997 racing against the [9h][Qd] for dthorne04. It seemed like the sevens would hold after a wheel began to appear at the [4d] [2s] [3s] [5h] board. But a [9c] river ended ross997's night in seventh place ($1,700.00).

Rise from cracked aces

The other player who lost in that pivotal three-way hand, nickyshu, made essentially the most of these leftover chips received from the cracked aces. After staying within the game, nickyshu got all for another three-way pot, this time shoving with 745 chips holding big slick [Ad][Kh], slightly greater than AB Poker 12's 725 chip shove with [Ac][7s]. Gabiru01 joined the party calling all bets holding [Qs]. Not needed but, nickyshu connected at the [Ah] [3d] [Kd] [7h] [3s] board to assemble 2,365 chips as AB Poker 12 was the odd person out in sixth place ($2,200.00).

COOKIE MONSTER WANTS YOUR CHIPS!

NOM NOM NOM NOM. dthorne04's Cookie Monster avatar went on the lookout for more chips and located some in p€troceli's stack that didn't even have to be dipped in milk. With the blinds holding at 75/150 dthorne04 limped in from the small blind and p€troceli checked the choice to peer a [4s][Ac][Qc] flop. Cookie Monster led out for 155 chips and p€troceli matched it with a choice. [Tc] at the turn and dthorne04 bet again this time for 305 chips as p€troceli made a opt for the pot and shoved for 1,350 chips. Having hit a flush at the turn [8c][3c] dthorne04 quickly called as p€troceli's [7h][Jc] needed another club at the river. [3d] was not it as p€troceli took home $2,735.00 in fifth place.

More chips for the blue one

Cookie monster was not satisfied with only one helping of chips and went on the lookout for more. Because the blinds moved as much as 100/200 dirty.brasil tossed in a shove from the button for 2,170 chips as dthorne04 within the small blind re-shoved for 5,475 chips. nickyshu stayed quiet as dthorne04 showed pocket queens [Qh][Qs] leading dirty.brasil's [6h][Ac]. Despite a six at the door [6s] [Tc] [9c] [5c] [7h] dirty.brasil's stack was cleaned out in fourth place ($3,350.00).

Heads-up in a hurry

On the very next hand dthorne04 would look to make it three eliminations in a row after min-raising from the button and Gabiru01 shoved from the large blind for 1,450 chips total. dthorne04 made the decision with [As][Tc] needing to outrun the [Qs][Jh] of Gabiru01. Top two pair at the [Ad] [Th] [5d] [2s] [4h] board was greater than plenty to knock out Gabiru01 in third place ($4,500.00).

No chat, just business and $12K please

Much just like the entire final table, the chat box stayed dead silent as no discuss chopping up the rest $19,500.00 at the table came into the play. There has been not numerous time to speak as heads-up play was over in nine minutes flat. Because the blinds moved as much as 125/250 ante 25 and dthorne04 holding a 8,035 to 5,465 chip lead, both players liked the [3d][Td][9c] flop to finish the tournament. Watch below for the conclusion:

RSS readers please click through to view video

Top pair-good kicker [Kc][Ts] for nickyshu was ok for a three-bet shove. And top two pair [Th][9s] was greater than adequate for a decision . Two blanks later [8s] and [4d] dthorne04 walked away with the remainder of nickyshu's chips and $12,000.00 after winning the March Battle of the Planets triple shootout freeroll!

$50,000 Battle of the Planets triple shootout freeroll results (03-31-13):

Players entered: 589
Places paid: 81
Buy-in: Earned ticket
Prize pool: $50,000.00
First Place: $12,000.00

1. dthorne04 (Canada) $12,000.00
2. nickyshu (China) $7,500.00
3. Gabiru01 (Brazil) $4,500.00
4. dirty.brasil (Canada) $3,350.00
5. p€troceli (Hungary) $2,735.00
6. AB Poker 12 (Canada) $2,200.00
7. ross997 (UK) $1,700.00
8. kanskje123 (Norway) $1,200.00
9. 34offsuitJR (Canada) $775.00

David Aydt is a contract contributor

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: Battle of the Planets]

EVERI

www.everi.com

Southern Gaming Summit booth #: 808

Everi Powers the Casino Floor.

Everi is uniquely positioned because the casino industry’s only single source provider of strong payments solutions, vital intelligence offerings, and attractive gaming machines that power the casino floor. The corporate is pleased to exhibit on the 2016 Southern Gaming Summit, the region’s leading gaming industry tradeshow, and plans to illustrate several products that help power the casino floor.

Everi will showcase several gaming titles including its high-performing Jackpot Inferno at the sophisticated, eye-catching Core HDX cabinet. Jackpot Inferno features unique bonus opportunities and includes Jackpot Jump, which causes the previously locked-in progressive award to leap one tier higher. Another game to appear for is Bonus Attack, the primary Core HDX-exclusive title to add Everi Bet, the bet configuration system that provides casino operators the ability to optimize the gaming floor for optimum returns.

As the casino industry’s first vendor to succeed in full end-to-end EMV compliance with all its financial transaction devices, platforms, and systems, Everi is ready to assist casinos meet EMV regulatory guidelines with a whole portfolio of payments solutions. In addition, Everi Compliance offers an impressive suite of goods which are the gaming industry’s surest for anti-money laundering (AML) compliance, allowing casinos to simply meet Title 31 requirements. 

For more information, please stop by Everi’s Southern Gaming Summit booth (#808) or visit www.everi.com.

AGS

www.playags.com

Gold Dragon Red Dragon

A Fierce Factor, PowerXStream game featuring two monstrous fire-breathing dragons, AGS’ Gold Dragon Red Dragoncombines the paranormal intrigue of the Chinese dragon with the quest for golden fortune. Building off AGS’ popular Legend of the White Buffalo theme, Gold Dragon Red Dragon takes players on a high-volatility adventure for explosive wins. A scatter-initiated bonus thrills players when Bonus symbols appear on reels two through four during both the bottom game and the Free Spins Bonus. The game’s PowerXStream feature intrigues players with 576 how one can win, and its Fierce Factor increases anticipation with higher payouts as players increase their bets. Streaming Stacks within the base game add to the exhilaration as players hope that a full stack of high-paying or Wild symbols appear at the middle reels announcing the upper payout. Finally, a Free Spins Bonus lights up the sport when players trigger a minimum of one Bonus symbol on reels two through four, with no less than eight free spins awarded and as much as 128 free spins possible. With its sleek graphics, enchanting sounds and gripping play mechanics, this five-reel, 1 cent game is bound to enrapture your players and breathe fire directly to your casino floor.

IGT

www.igt.com

Southern Gaming Summit booth #: 704

New Slot Products

International Game Technology PLC (IGT) has recently released two new video slot machines:

99 Richesis a culturally enriched, Asian-themed Class III game housed at the company’s CrystalDual hardware solution, and joins IGT’s popular MultiWay game family, which offers 243 how you can win. Developed for high-volatility gameplay and progressive jackpots, the brand new title offers a Pick Bonus that may randomly be triggered after any win of 99 credits. On this bonus round, players select symbols to figure out which of the four progressive levels will trigger an award. Igniting more how one can win, the colourful game theme includes a free games bonus that removes all minor symbols creating better odds of triggering the progressive pick bonus.

Riverboat Riches Bingois a five-reel, Class II custom bingo theme inspired by the maths of the player-favorite IGT game, Prowling Panther. The category II title may also be deployed on a number of leading IGT hardware solutions, including the G23-series and the universal slant cabinets. Designed for top volatility gameplay, Riverboat Riches is supplied with the company’s exclusive MultiWay Xtra configuration, which removes paylines and gives players 720 how one can win when select symbols line up in adjacent reels. For big-win opportunities, players can navigate through an exhilarating free games bonus that includes stacked multipliers. 

Read More... [Source: Hot Games]

9:45pm: Goodbye Season 5, hello Season 6Level 33 - Blinds 125,000/250,000 (25,000 ante)

I hope you've enjoyed our coverage of Season 5 of the UKIPT, which started all of the long ago in January 2015. There isn't long to attend for Season 6 because it kicks of in London in April. The primary event of Season 6 happens at PokerStars LIVE! on the Hippodrome Casino between April 5th-10th. The principle Event is a £770 buy-in, but satellites from just £1.10 will start running on PokerStars this Thursday.

We'll be announcing more information about Season 6 so control the UKIPT Website and @UKIPT on Twitter for details of that.

A full recap of the overall table may be posted shortly, thanks again from everyone at PokerStars for following our coverage of the UKIPT.

9:35pm: Vladas Tamasauskas wins UKIPT5 Dublin and €176,900; Dave Pollock second (€107,010)Level 33 - Blinds 125,000/250,000 (25,000 ante)

It's all over the place and Vladas Tamasauskas is the UKIPT5 Dublin champion. At the final hand the 21-year-old raised to 550,000 with T♥5♦ and Dave Pollock flat called with A♠4♣. The Lithuanian made trips at the 9♠5♠5♣ flop, Pollock checked, Tamasauskas bet 500,000 and Pollock check-raised all-in for 5,500,000. Tamasauskas snap called!

The 8♣ turn meant Pollock was drawing dead and the meaningless 2♠ completed the board.

Vladas Tamasauskas - the general UKIPT champion of Season 5

9:25pm: Pollock gets Tamasauskas off the most efficient hand againLevel 33 - Blinds 125,000/250,000 (25,000 ante)

Yet again Dave Pollock has run a bluff that has got Vladas Tamasauskas to put down the most productive hand. The Lithuanian found a large hand at the button and raised it up with Q♦Q♣ and Pollock decided to defend with 9♣3♥.

On the 3♠A♣8♥ flop Tamasauskas bet 400,000, Pollock check-raised to 1,000,000 total and Tamasauskas smooth called.

On the T♣ turn Pollock continued selling the tale that he was strong, he bet another million leaving himself 2,200,000 back. If he was selling then Tamasuaskas was buying as he let his hand go.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 18,475,000David Pollock, 6,350,000

9:18pm: Pollock back within the danger zoneLevel 33 - Blinds 125,000/250,000 (25,000 ante)

After losing a few pots and the blinds having gone up, Dave Pollock is right down to 19 big blinds.

9:13pm: Level upLevel 33 - Blinds 125,000/250,000 (25,000 ante)

9:12pm: Pollock as much as 6.5MLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Fair play to Dave Pollock he raised with junk and had the stones to bet like he had it. He opened to 625,000 with 8♣3♦ and Vladas Tamasauskas smooth called with K♥8♦.

On the A♣K♠5♠ flop Pollock continue for 500,000 and Tamasauskas stuck across the. 9♠ turn checked through and a fourth spade - the 2♠ - completed the board. The Lithuanian checked and Pollock moved all-in for 3,675,000. It was an overbet because the total pot was now 5,975,000.

Tamasauskas went deep into the take and thought for 3 and a half minutes before folding. It's now 94 big blinds for him and 29 big blinds for Pollock.

9:05pm: Pollock at the upLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Dave Pollock has clawed some back and is as much as 5,280,000. He's still a way behind Vladas Tamasauskas who has 19,700,000. The blinds are going up in about five minutes though.

9:02pm: Frozen kidney chips in playTwenty-five million (in value) chips can take in a large number of room on a poker table so the 500,000 value chips was introduced. "Graphical" Nick from EPTLive has named them "Frozen Kidney."

8:57pm: No big clashes yetLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

It's as you were on this heads up battle. No major chip movement yet because the players are taking the chance to size one another up. We have seen one three-bet shove from Dave Pollock nevertheless it went uncalled.

8:47pm: Play resumesOne thousand players have busted and just two remain. They're back of their seats and continuing level 32. Can Dave Pollock amount an ideal comeback? Stay tuned to seek out out.

7:28pm: Dinner breakThe remaining two players are taking a 75-minute dinner before coming back and playing for the trophy. Here's how they stack up:

Vladas Tamasauskas, 21,425,000Dave Pollock, 3,580,000

7:25pm: Mark Reilly eliminated in third place (€75,230)Level 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Reilly - third place

Aces cracked have taken us to heads-up here in Dublin and Mark Reilly won't forget this hand in a while.

Vladas Tamasauskas limped from the button with J♦T♥ and called when Mark Reilly three-bet to 575,000 with A♥A♦. The J♣T♣7♦ flop meant Tamasauskas took the lead. "He's never getting clear of this," said James Hartigan within the booth and he'd been proved right.

Reilly actually checked, Tamasauskas bet 550,000, Reilly check-raised, Tamasauskas set the Irishman in and Reilly called off the extra.

He had outs and collected some more at the Q♦ turn, the T♠ river gave Tamasauskas an entire house and eliminated Mark Reilly in third.

7:18pm: Dave Pollock doubles through Vladas TamasauskasLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Dave Pollock was right down to just over 10 big blinds when he took a stand with 7♦7♣. He shoved from the small blind and Vladas Tamasauskas looked down at A♠K♥ and made the decision to place Pollock at risk.

The 6♣6♥J♣3♥2♥ board kept the Irishman in front and he doubled to 4,205,000.

7:12pm: Chip countsLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Vladas Tamasauskas has an enormous chip lead now. That is how the general three stack up:

Vladas Tamasauskas, 17,645,000 (88 big blinds)Mark Reilly, 4,615,000 (23 big blinds)Dave Pollock, 2,565,000 (12 big blinds)

7:10pm: Adalsteinn Karlsson eliminated in fourth place (€56,470)Level 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Adalsteinn Karlsson started the day as chip leader but has did not end it that way after he busted in fourth place.

The action folded around to the 2015 Icelandic Poker Champion and he moved all in for his final 1,070,000 with Q♥8♦. Vladas Tamasauskas looked down at 8♥8♠ and snap called.

Karlsson - third place

Karlsson was in terrible shape however the Q♠7♠6♣ flipped the chances on their heads. Tamasauskas knew an eight was unlikely but not impossible and so it proved because the turn fell because the 8♣ to peer him retake the lead with a collection. Karlson needed a queen however the 5♠ came at the river and Tamasauskas' lead grew even further.

7pm: Tamasauskas stretches his chip leadLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Dave Pollock is taking a battering by the hands of Vladas Tamasauskas and the Lithuanian now has over 60% of the chips in play.

Tamasauskas opened to 480,000 from under-the-gun with A♥3♠ and Pollock defended from the large blind with A♦7♣.

The 8♦3♥9♠ flop was checked through and although the A♠ gave the look of a fair card for Pollock we knew it was probably the most worst within the deck for the Irishman. He check-called of venture of 475,000 from Tamasauskas and the 3♦ completed the board.

Pollock checked again and Tamasauskas bet 1,480,000 - about two thirds of the pot - and Pollock went into the tank. "Am I supplying you with more free chips?" he wondered out loud. He thought hard and long but ultimately couldn't escape from it and made the call.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 15,350,000Dave Pollock, 3,290,000

7:02pm: Pollock gets the bluff throughLevel 32 - Blinds 100,000/200,000 (25,000 ante)

Dave Pollock has stopped the rot by taking a few pots. In a hand against Mark Reilly, he opened to 425,000 from under-the-gun with 2♣2♥ and Reilly called with 7♠3♠. He flopped best because the first three community cards were: T♥3♦5♣.

Pollock c-bet 425,000 and Reilly called. The turn was the K♠ however it didn't slow Pollock down, he bet 625,000 and got Reilly off the most productive hand.

6:49pm: Huge pot for TamasauskasLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

We have fireworks! With the volume of giant hands we have seen today it was a question of when, and never if, this pot was going to happen.

On the button Tamasauskas looked down at two red aces and opened to 340,000, Mark Reilly then three-bet to 1,000,000 straight with K♣J♥ and Dave Pollock then cold four-bet to 2,200,000.

That's for the reason that Irishman had an actual hand, A♠Q♥ to be precise. Now back on Tamasauskas he took a while before moving all-in for 6,020,000 total. Reilly swiftly folded and now Pollock asked for a count. When he learnt how much it was he set free a few profanities and said: "I'm probably going to must call this."

Defining hand for Tamasauskas?

He took some more time, after which decided to name. We had an enormous 13,120,000 chip pot on our hands here and the 6♥6♣Q♠ flop gave Pollock some additional outs. The 8♠ turn and 3♦ river kept Tamasauskas in front and we'd just have seen the defining pot of this tournament.

Pollock was understandably somewhat flustered after that hand and after playing yet one more hand he decided to take a self-imposed break and nip outside for a cigarette.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 13,120,000Dave Pollock, 4,520,000

6:40pm: Raise-fold from KarlssonLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

Despite being within the danger zone with just 12 big blinds, Adalsteinn Karlsson just manged to raise-fold a hand. He raised to 355,000 at the button with 6♠5♠ but released his hand when Vladas Tamasauskas re-raised to 780,000.

6:26pm: Reilly as much as secondLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

Mark Reilly just won a blind on blind pot against Vladas Tamasauskas to climb to second within the chip counts. Pre-flop it was Tamasauskas who was the aggressor, he raised it to 480,000 from the small blind with J♦2♣ and Reilly defended with A♣9♣.

Tamasauskas flopped best at the J♣K♥3♦ flop but gave up the betting lead, Reilly fired out 525,000 and Tamasauskas smooth called.

The A♥ turn put Reilly within the lead but both players checked and the 8♣ completed the board. Having called with the most efficient hand, Tamasauskas now led with the worst hand, he bet 840,000 and Reilly got a count before calling.

That pot has seen Reilly and Tamasauskas trade positions within the chip counts, with Reilly now as much as second.

Mark Reilly, 7,270,000Vladas Tamasauskas, 6,410,000

6:19pm: Pollock pulls off a large bluffLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

Wow! Dave Pollock just pulled off a stone bluff and got it through.

Vladas Tamasauskas opened from under-the-gun with 9♣8♦, Pollock called from the small blind with 5♠3♠ and Karlsson flat called with Q♥T♣ from the massive blind.

There was something for everybody - except for Pollock - at the K♠T♦9♥ flop. It checked through to the 4♣ turn, Pollock checked, Karlsson bet 500,000, Tamasauskas folded and Pollock then check-raised to 1,225,000 total. "WHAT'S GOING ON"? wondered Joe Stapleton. "To be fair he's picked a great time to do it as Karlsson's got a hand he can fold," and fold he did! Pot to Pollock.

Dave Pollock, 9,310,000Vladas Tamasauskas, 8,455,000Mark Reilly, 5,385,000Adalsteinn Karlsson, 1,675,000

6:08pm: Somehow the pot stays smallLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

We're undecided how this pot didn't inflate to a larger size but kudos to Mark Reilly for creating a disciplined call after which a disciplined fold.

Vladas Tamasauskas raised to 340,000 from under-the-gun with A♠K♣ and Reilly looked down at A♥Q♠ at the button. A LARGE NUMBER OF players would automatically three-bet here but Reilly just smooth called and that bought Adalsteinn Karlsson in from the large blind with A♦6♠.

On the 7♠5♣J♠ flop Tamasauskas c-bet and both players folded.

6pm: Pollock takes the chip leadLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)

A couple of hits to the stack of Vladas Tamasauskas has seen Dave Pollock take a slender chip lead.

After the Lithuanian lost a pot to Mark Reilly, he was straight back into the action when he called from the massive blind with 8♣6♠ after Pollock raised from the small blind with A♥J♥.

They both hit the 8♠J♦J♠ flop however the action checked through to the 9♣ turn. At this juncture Pollock bet 700,000 and Tamasauskas folded.

Oh, hello chip lead!

Dave Pollock, 8,070,000Vladas Tamasauskas, 7,870,000

5:48pm: Play resumesLevel 31 - Blinds 80,000/160,000 (20,000 ante)The four players are back of their seats and cards are being dealt.

5:28pm: Second break of the dayThe players, and their chips, can be back in 20 minutes.

Name Country Status Chips

Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	10,855,000
Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	6,970,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		4,800,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	2,380,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	0
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		0
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		0
Marc Foggin	UK		0

5:23pm: Karlsson and Tamasauskas clash againLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

The story of this final table up to now have been the repeated clashes in big pots between Adalsteinn Karlsson and Vladas Tamasauskas they usually just played another chunky pot. Tamasauskas opened to 255,000 from under-the-gun with J♦8♥ and called when Karlsson three-bet to 550,000 with A♣7♠ from the large blind.

At the 6♠K♥2♣ flop Karlsson c-bet 600,000 and Tamasauskas floated in position. On the 2♠ turn Karlsson checked and he folded when Tamasauskas bet 720,000.

5:15pm: Chip counts four handedLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Name Country Status Chips

Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	9,985,000
Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	6,340,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		4,840,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	3,660,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	0
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		0
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		0
Marc Foggin	UK		0

5:10pm: Samuel Vousden eliminated in fifth place (€43,440)Level 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Action folded to Vladas Tamasauskas within the small blind and he set Samuel Vousden all-in for the Finn's last 1,260,000. Vousden looked down at Q♦8♦ and made the call.

He was behind to the A♦7♦ of Tamasauskas though and didn't also have diamonds working for him. The 2♦5♠K♣6♠2♣ run out couldn't save him and we're right down to four on the final table.

Vousden - fifth place

Adalsteinn Karlsson asked the others in the event that they desired to have a look at numbers, but Tamasauskas said he desired to play on and that was that.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 9,985,000Samuel Vousden, 0

5:05pm: Tamasauskas shoves on VousdenLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Samuel Vousden is all the way down to 10 big blinds once you have shoved on by Vladas Tamasauskas and folding the most efficient hand. The latter opened to 255,000 from under-the-gun with 8♥7♠ and Vousden called with Q♣J♣.

The 9♥K♣6♥ flop gave Tamasauskas an open-ended straight draw but after a little bit tank time he checked the action to Vousden. The Finn bet 205,000 right into a pot of 790,000, leaving himself with about 1,300,000 back. After about 10 seconds Tamasauskas announced he was all in and Vousden immediately folded.

4:55pm: Reilly finds another big pairLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

It's something to get dealt big hands, it's another entirely to pick out them up when another person has a rather worse hand. Mark Reilly has found himself in that situation with the most productive of it once or twice today.

On this occasion Dave Pollock opened to 325,000 from under-the-gun with A♠T♠, Adalsteinn Karlsson smooth called with A♥J♣ just for Reilly to search out Q♥Q♦ within the big blind.

He slid out a three-bet to 2,000,000 straight and both his opponent's folded.

4:48pm: Vousden shovesLevel 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Samuel Vousden is the shortest stack in this day and age and he just moved all-in with K♣]Q♦ for 1,180,000 and collected the blinds and antes uncontested.

4:43pm: Chip count roller-coaster of a day!Level 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Name Country Status Chips

Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	8,140,000
Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	8,005,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		4,490,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	2,490,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	1,700,000
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		0
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		0
Marc Foggin	UK		0

4:37pm: Quentin Dellis eliminated in sixth place (€31,880)Level 30 - Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Dellis - sixth place

They say you want a little bit luck to win a poker tournament and luck deserted Quentin Dellis when he needed it the most.

Action folded to Vladas Tamasauskas within the small blind and he set Dellis all-in for an efficient 1,760,000. Dellis took a snappy take a look at his cards and called all-in.

Dellis: 8♥8♣Tamasauskas: K♠3♣

The T♦K♠J♥ flop gave Tamasauskas the lead and the Belgian didn't hit the T♣ turn or 6♥ river and exited in sixth place.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 8,140,000Quentin Dellis, 0

4:32pm: Jelcides Monteiro eliminated in seventh place (€23,520)Level 29 - Blinds 50,00-100,000 (10,000 ante)

Monteiro - seventh place

"So pretty!" muttered chip leader Dave Pollock within the big blind after he checked out his A♦Q♦ hand.

Jelcides Monteiro had moved all in from early position with A♠5♣ and was looking ahead to his Irish opponent to determine. The shove was for 1,670,000 and Pollock realised he needed to call before he did.

The board ran 9♦3♥Q♠A♣8♥ to pair Pollock's kicker, after which there have been six.

4:28pm: Vladas Tamasauskas doubles through Adalsteinn KarlssonLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

It's the Vladas Tamasauskas and Adalsteinn Karlsson show at the present time and it was the Lithuanian's turn to double up this time.

He three-bet shoved for 2,730,000 with pocket threes after Karlsson had opened with A♠T♣. When it folded back to Karlsson he got a count after which called.

"I didn't think we'd see Vladas Tamasauskas in peril any time soon," said James Hartigan but he had to win this classic (ish) race to circumvent going out in seventh. He managed to try this because the 5♣7♥5♦8♦Q♣ board kept him in front.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 5,500,000Adalsteinn Karlsson, 2,920,000

4:23pm: Adalsteinn Karlsson doubles through Vladas Tamasauskas againLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

A great value check from Adalsteinn Karlsson has seen him double up again and he's now back as much as second in chips, whilst Vladas Tamasauskas is right down to 27 big blinds.

The Icelander opened to 210,000 with A♥T♥, Vladas Tamasauskas smooth called at the button with K♣Q♣ and Samuel Vousden defended his big blind with 8♣7♠.

On the A♠2♣4♦ flop Karlsson bet 275,000 and Tamasauskas was the one caller. Karlsson improved to two-pair at the T♣ turn nevertheless it was also the very best turn card for Tamasauskas who now had a straight and flush draw. Karlsson bet small, 350,000 and Tamasauskas smooth called again.

So Karlsson now had just not up to a pot sized bet back and at the 6♦ river he checked the action to Tamasauskas. The Lithuanian set Karlsson all-in and he took fewer than five seconds to call.

After that hand Karlsson is as much as 5,650,000 and Tamasauskas is all the way down to 2,730,000.

4:20pm: Chips ahoy!Level 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Name Country Status Chips

Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	6,335,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	5,650,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		4,710,000
Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	2,730,000
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		1,890,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	1,890,000
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		1,690,000
Marc Foggin	UK		0

4:15pm: Adalsteinn Karlsson doubles through Vladas TamasauskasLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

"Always a sweat," said Adalsteinn Karlsson after he dodged the river to double up through Vladas Tamasauskas, who's now not the chip leader.

The Icelander moved all-in for 1,280,000 from the button with A♠9♥ and Tamasauskas made the decision from the massive blind with A♦7♦.

The T♦5♠T♥ flop kept Karlsson in front but unfolded some chopportunities, the 4♦ turn gave Tamasauskas a flush draw however the 8♠ river was a blank and Karlsson doubled up.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 5,630,000Adalsteinn Karlsson, 2,680,000

Domination elation for Karlsson

4:05pm: Now Reilly five-bet shoves!Level 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

From the cutoff Samuel Vousden opened to 220,000 with A♥8♦, to his immediate left Mark Reilly picked up another big pocket pair. Having recently shoved all-in with pocket tens, he now had J♥J♠. He slid out a three-bet of 575,000 and action passed back to Vousden.

The Finn wasn't finished together with his hand though and after asking Reilly how much he started the hand with (2.6M) he four-bet to 1,050,000. There has been no snap shove from Reilly, instead he took a while to think during the hand before he did indeed move all-in. Vousden immediately folded.

Mark Reilly, 3,820,000Samuel Vousden, 2,060,000

3:57pm: Reilly four-bet shovesLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Quentin Dellis hasn't got out of line in any respect today but he had the misfortune to run right into a hand the primary time he opted to three-bet slightly light.

Vladas Tamasauskas opened to 220,000 from under-the-gun with J♥T♦ and Dellis elected to three-bet to 570,000 at the button with Q♠J♠. He had the dominating hand, but not for long as Mark Reilly awoke with pocket tens within the big blind.

The Irishman had a stack of 1,715,000 and took a while before moving all-in. There then followed a snappy fold from Tamasauskas but Dellis went deep into the tank for 3 and a half minutes. He had 2,640,000 behind so the decision can be for over 50% of his chips. Eventually he folded though and he and Reilly are almost level in chips now.

Quentin Dellis, 2,640,000Mark Reilly, 2,575,000

3:40pm: Two in a row for MonteiroLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Jelcides Monteiro came into this final table because the short stack but he's now as much as fifth in chips and a I DON'T BELIEVE he's needed to showdown a hand yet.

He's picked up two pots early on in level 28. Within the first he raised with A♥2♠ from the cut-off, Quentin Dellis folded K♣Q♥ within the small blind but Samuel Vousden stuck around with T♥8♣. A c-bet from Monteiro at the A♦9♣T♦ flop was enough to earn him the pot.

Then he picked up T♠T♥ and three-bet after Adalsteinn Karlsson had opened with A♥3♥. The Icelander folded his hand and Monteiro moves as much as 2,120,000.

3:27pm: Play resumesLevel 29 - Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

The remaining seven players are back of their seats for level 29, here's how they stack up:

Name Country Status Chips

Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	7,265,000
Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	7,005,000
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		3,280,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	2,705,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	1,760,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		1,515,000
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		1,295,000
Marc Foggin	UK		0

3:05pm: Big pot in advance of the breakLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

The remainder of the players missed a large pot as this one played out because the break started.

Vladas Tamasauskas opened to 180,000 from under-the-gun with J♠T♠ and called when Samuel Vousden three-bet to 525,000 from the cutoff with Q♣9♣.

The Q♠9♥6♦ flop hit both players, "Some more cash goes into this pot," said Joe Stapleton. It didn't at the flop though as both players checked and the T♦ fell on fourth street. Together with his pair and straight draw Tamasauskas bet 670,000 and Vousden smooth called.

The K♥ at the river gave Tamasauskas the most efficient hand, but both players checked the river and the Lithuanian won the last hand of the extent.

Great end to the level for Tamasauskas

The players are actually on a 20-minute break.

3pm: Vousden gets some backLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Samuel Vousden stopped his recent slide way to a straight and and opponent - Quentin Dellis - bluffing in to him.

Dellis completed 6♣4♠ and Vousden checked his option with jack-nine. Both players checked the K♣Q♥Q♣ flop before Dellis led at the T♠ turn after which bet 250,000 (into 440,000) at the 5♠ river. Vousden raised to 800,000 along with his straight and Dellis folded after some tanking.

Chips after that hand:

Name Country Status Chips

Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	6,740,000
Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	4,760,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	4,300,000
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		3,325,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	2,240,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		1,815,000
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		1,745,000
Marc Foggin	UK		0

2:45pm: Monteiro picking up potsLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Jelcides Monteiro has moved out of the 'danger zone' after picking up a couple of pots. Interestingly when he three-bet with ace-queen he didn't three-bet all in. It was enough to get Vladas Tamasauskas to put down ace-jack though.

Jelcides Monteiro, 1,760,000

2:40: Twitter is with you Adalsteinn!Level 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Adalsteinn Karlsson came in because the chip leader but had a hard first hour, but he's got great support on Twitter:

2:35pm: Vousden bluffs the riverLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

A really interesting three-way pot just played out which ended with Dave Pollock facing a very tough river decision.

The hand started with Samuel Vousden raising to 150,000 with 9♦8♠, Dave Pollock called from the small blind with Q♦T♠ and Adalsteinn Karlsson came along from the large blind with 9♣8♦.

On the T♥9♠3♣ flop Karlsson led for 285,000 and both players made the decision. At the 4♦ turn it was Pollock's turn to lead, he bet 300,000 and only Vousden called. So on two post-flop streets we'd had two different players take the betting lead and neither of them were the pre-flop aggressor!

The river was the J♥ and Pollock elected to test it over to Vousden. The Finn took a while after which slid out a corpulent bet of 1,375,000. "This bet is admittedly designed to get Pollock to fold a ten," said Joe Stapleton within the commentary booth.

Pollock went into the tank and said: "YOU CANNOT have king-queen," after which tanked some more. Eventually he called and when Vousden opened his hand the Irishman saw that he was good.

Dave Pollock, 6,970,000Samuel Vousden, 4,180,000

2:27pm: Two in a row for MonteiroLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Jelclides Monteiro is the clear short stack now, and he's shoved twice in a row. He's got both through uncontested and is now as much as 12 big blinds.

2:20pm: Marc Foggin eliminated in eighth place (€ 16,840)Level 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Marc Foggin - eighth place

The theme of huge hands clashing at this final table has continued and this time it ended in an elimination.

From under-the-gun Marc Foggin raised with A♥K♦, this was the primary hand the Geordie had played on the final table. That did not stop Samuel Vousden three-betting with J♠J♦ from under-the-gun+2. He made it 440,000 to move and although Mark Reilly - with A♠9♦ - and Vladas Tamasauskas - with K♠7♠ - looked interested, they both folded.

With action back on Foggin, who had 24 big blinds back, he took his time before moving all in and after you have a count, Vousden called. Although this was a standard flip, as a result of an ace and a king being folded Vousden was actually a 65%-35% favourite to win the hand.

The board ran Q♠6♠8♦8♣T♣ and Foggin is the primary man out on the final table, whilst Vousden is now the chip leader.

Samuel Vousden, 6,315,000Marc Foggin, 0

2:08pm: Level up. Chip countsLevel 28 - Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Name Country Status Chips

Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	4,875,000
Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	4,275,000
Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	4,125,000
Quentin Dellis	Belgium		4,000,000
Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	2,965,000
Marc Foggin	UK		2,070,000
Mark Reilly	Ireland		1,830,000
Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		785,000

2:05pm: Mark Reilly doubles through Adalsteinn KarlssonLevel 27 - Blinds 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

It's been a nightmare begin to the overall table for Adalsteinn Karlsson as he just doubled up Mark Reilly. But, as you will see below there isn't so much he could do about it.

Karlsson raised to 150,000 with A♣K♥, Vladas Tamasauskas, smooth called with A♥T♥ and Reilly then moved all-in for 785,000 with 9♠9♦. Back on Karlsson he re-raised to isolate and Tamasauskas let his hand go.

This classic race actually wasn't as both Smauel Vousden and Tamasauskas folded an ace meaning Reilly was a 60-40 favourite. The 3♥T♦3♣Q♥6♠ board kept him in front and he doubled to around 1,800,000.

Reilly got the beginning he wanted

Adalsteinn Karlsson, 2,970,000Mark Reilly, 1,800,000

1:57pm: Karlsson and Tamasauskas clash againLevel 27 - Blinds 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

Seconds out round two! Two hands when they clashed in a large pot Adalsteinn Karlsson and Vladas Tamasauskas played another pot against one another. The Icelander looked down at 9♠9♥ and raised it up 150,000 from under-the-gun+2, Tamasauskas three-bet to 395,000 and Karlsson smooth called.

On the Q♦J♦J♥ flop Karlsson elected to steer for 475,000 and after a temporary dwell Tamasauskas folded.

1:54pm: Aces for TamasauskasLevel 27 - Blinds 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

Big hands and large pots within the opening couple of minutes of this final table. Adalsteinn Karlsson picked up 8♠8♦ (bring to an end) and raised to 150,000. Tamasauskas found A♦A♣ within the small blind and three-bet to 440,000, Foggin folded A♥7♥ big blind. Karlsson, smooth calls.

K♣5♦6♣ "Pretty sweet flop for Tamasauskas," said Joe Stapleton within the booth. Tamasauskas bet 385,000 and Karlsson made the decision. "He's really calling hoping his opponent shuts down," opined Stapleton. The 4♥ fell at the turn giving Karlsson a gutshot straight draw, Tamasauskas bet 880,000 and Karlsson gave it up. After just three hands the beginning of day chip leader is now fifth in chips, whilst Tamasauskas is the chip leader.

Vladas Tamasauskas, 5,450,000Adalsteinn Karlsson, 3,215,000

1:47pm: First pot to VousdenLevel 27 - Blinds 30,000/60,000 (10,000 ante)

The first pot has gone to Samuel Vousden, the Finnish pro flopping a full-house no less.

He opened to 150,000 from the hijack with K♥Q♥ and collected calls from Adalsteinn Karlsson and Jelcides Monteiro within the blinds.

The Q♣K♠Q♠ flop was a doozy for Vousden, he bet 150,000, Karlsson stuck around with 5♠5♥ but Monteiro, who had 7♥6♥, got out of the way.

A 650,000 bet from Vousden at the 6♦ turn was enough to wwithin the pot. He's now second in chips.

1:40pm: Shuffle up and deal!Level 27 - Blinds 30,00-60,000 (10,000 ante)

Cards are in the air for the season-ending finale. There are only over 20 minutes left of level 27. The primary player out will receive €16,840 - let's do this!

1:10pm: Final table player profilesLevel 27 - Blinds 30,000-60,000 (10,000 ante)

Which certainly one of our finalists is meant to be in Las Vegas for a friend's birthday presently? While you are looking forward to the action to kick off, discover who and a complete lot more about all our finalists by clicking here.

12:45pm: UKIPT Season 5 set for thrilling finaleLevel 27 - Blinds 30,000-60,000 (10,000 ante)

Today we bring the curtain down on Season 5 of the UKIPT, but it surely won't be going quietly. The general table of the overall event of Season 5 will play out at the EPT Live TV table, with cards up coverage on a one hour delay.

In real life the action is already under way as play was as a result of start at 12.30pm, you will have to wait to 1.30pm to get moving pictures but in addition to reading about it here you'll watch it within the following places:

PokerStars.tvYouTubeFacebookTwitch

And you will get inquisitive about the conversation by contacting @PokerStarsBlog and @EPTLive on Twitter.

A reminder that the winner of this event will pick up €176,900 and when play starts Adalsteinn Karlsson is within the box seat, although it is very close on the top because the chip counts below show:

Seat Name Country Status Chips

Seat 1	Mark Reilly	Ireland		845,000
Seat 2	Dave Pollock	Ireland	PokerStars qualifier	4,335,000
Seat 3	Adalsteinn Karlsson	Iceland	PokerStars player	4,420,000
Seat 4	Jelcides Monteiro	Luxembourg		1,025,000
Seat 5	Vladas Tamasauskas	Lithuania	PokerStars player	4,255,000
Seat 6	Marc Foggin	UK		2,220,000
Seat 7	Quentin Dellis	Belgium		4,150,000
Seat 8	Samuel Vousden	Finland	PokerStars player	3,675,000

The elite eight

And a reminder of what is left to play for:

POS NAME COUNTRY STATUS PRIZE DEAL

1				€ 176,900
2				€ 107,010
3				€ 75,230
4				€ 56,470
5				€ 43,440
6				€ 31,880
7				€ 23,520
8				€ 16,840

Live coverage will begin at 13.30 GMT, see you then.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at the UKIPT5 Dublin Main Event: Marc Convey and Nick Wright. Photography by Mickey May. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: UKIPT]

PokerStars is headed to Russia, and you can now go along for the rise.

PokerStars has just introduced the Russian Poker Tour. The RPT already has its sights set on Moscow and St. Petersburg and it'll provide you with an opportunity to win your seat.

January 25-February 1, PokerStars will host its first Russian Poker Tour event in St. Petersburg. A COUPLE OF weeks later, it's directly to Moscow.

In recent years, we've seen one of the vital world's best players pop out of Russia, most notably Team PokerStars Pro Alexander Kravchecnko and World Series runner up Ivan Demidov. As of this moment, the 2 men have won extra money playing poker than every other Russians.

PokerStars has already kicked off satellites for the RPT. Winners get an $8,000 package that covers the buy-in, hotel, and travel cash. You'll be able to qualifiy for as low as $2.22 or 111 Frequent Player Points. One can find the satelllites under Events-Special within the PokerStars tournament lobby.

For more information, visit the Russian Poker Tour page at PokerStars.com.

See you in St. Petersburg!

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