Congratulations Joao! Well deserved win!

Next stop: Czech Republic’s capital Prague, on December 9 through 13!

Results
1 - Joao Barbosa - (€367,141)
2 - Nico Behling - (€205,270)
3 - Dario Minieri - (€123,162)
4 - Atanas Gueorguiev - (€87,973)
5 - Arnaud Mattern - (€72,724)
6 - Sergey Shcherbatskiy -(€57,476)
7 - Andrea Benelli - (€45,746)
8 - Ludovic Lacay - (€32,843)
9 - Michael Muheim - (€21,114)

Generating column inches throughout the tournament was Italian dynamo Dario Minieri. Up against one opponent on an 8-8-6-Q board Dario mucked his cards and proceeded to claim that he would give his adversary $1 million if he didn’t have K-Q. Hands were shook and cards were flipped, and, to Minieri’s, horror his opponent showed 8-8 for flopped quads. Dario at least had a chance to make a large dent in his debt, entering the final table as the chip leader and the favorite to take the title.

Chip stacks going into the final table were:

Seat 1: Arnaud Mattern - 238,000
Seat 2: Ludovic Lacay - 296,500
Seat 3: Andrea Benelli - 100,000
Seat 4: Michael Muheim - 89,000
Seat 5: Joao Barbosa - 123,000
Seat 6: Dario Minieri - 359,500
Seat 7: Nico Behling - 343,500
Seat 8: Sergey Shcherbatskiy - 349,000
Seat 9: Atanas Gueorguiev - 186,500

Minieri wasn’t the only recognizable name at the final table, among the last nine were 2007 EPT Prague winner, Arnaud Mattern, looking to become the first ever double EPT title holder, and prolific online star Ludovic Lacay - better known as “Cutsss”. One unknown name was practically guaranteed an extra slice of luck, Portuguese Joao Barbosa turning 26 on the day of the final table. Although, as one of the shorter stacks at the start of play he would perhaps need more than a slice in order to finish in the big money places.

Predictably, the shortest stack was the first to go. Michael Munheim moved all-in over the top of Sergey Shcherbatskiy from the big blind and ran straight into pocket Aces. Munheim’s A-9 was trailing badly and, although a nine on the flop provided a little hope, Shcherbatskiy was never in any serious trouble as he eliminated Munheim in 9th.

Next on the hit-list was French online pro Ludovic Lacay who fell foul of Nico Behling at just the wrong time. Behling was starting to build up some momentum, although his decision to call a re-raise preflop with 8-8 almost got him into trouble. An 8 on the flop meant that it didn’t take long to get all the money in the middle, Ludovic flipping A-A and cursing his luck as he drew to his final two outs. The turn and river failed to oblige the Frenchman and he was out in 8th. Off the back of this victory Behling began to climb away from his opponents, but he couldn’t keep the momentum going and soon slipped back into line.

Despite running riot earlier in the tournament, Minieri had had a quiet final table until he tangled with Andrea Benelli part-way through proceedings. Benelli moved all-in preflop with J-J and was called by Minieri with A-Q hearts, setting up a classic race. An 8c5h4h flop put Minieri on the front foot, and a 3h on the turn meant that Benelli was drawing dead and out of the event.

Sergey Shcherbatskiy had fought for the chip lead earlier in the final table but didn’t manage to make it any further than 6th place. Birthday boy Joao Barbosa called Shcherbatskiy’s all in with Q-Q, giving him a sizable edge over his opponents A-5. Neither an Ace nor a 5 found its way onto the board, with a meaningless straight on the end for Barbosa confirming Shcherbatskiy’s exit in 6th place.

Arnaud Mattern’s dream of making EPT history ended after Barbosa used up a fair chunk of his birthday luck. Mattern put in a raise with 10-10 and Barbosa fired back with a re-raise, holding 8-8. It seemed like Mattern was in a pretty strong position after his over the top all-in was called, but the cards had other ideas. Spiking an eight on the turn put Barbosa in the driving seat, and, missing his two outs on the river, Mattern out in 5th. It might be a while before the former EPT champion wants to see another 8, having lost most of his stack a few hands previously when his A-K was beaten by the A-8 of Atana Gueorguiev thanks to an 8 on the board..

By this point Barbosa had built up a formidable stack and set about putting it to good use. He rode his luck once more, calling an all-in with K-Q on a K-4-3 board, against the A-K of Guerguiev. WIth only three outs on the river the miracle Queen arrived, saved Barbosa a good chunk of his stack and eliminated Guerguiev in 4th.

The remaining three players fought it out for some time before the next knock-out blow was struck. When it came, it fell against final table favorite Dario Minieri, who’s strong finishs in this event confirms his place as one of Europe’s finest young talents. It was Barbosa again on elimination duties, calling Minieri’s all-in with 9-9. Not needing any luck this time around, Barbosa came out on top after the board completely missing both players.

Thanks to his consistently deadly play Barbosa took a substantial chip lead into the heads up contest. Despite this advantage a tight, tense, contest unfolded and it would be some time before a champion was crowned. On the final hand Nico Behling raised preflop with J-7 of spades and Barbosa re-raised with A-10 hearts. Behling made the fatal all-in push and, after some deliberation, Barbosa made the call. An Ace on the flop put Barbosa in a commanding position, and it was one he did not relinquish - taking home the title and the €367,141 first place prize.

Full Final Table Cashes:

1. João Barbosa - Portugal - 367,140
2. Nico Behling - Germany - 205,270
3. Dario Minieri - Italy - 123,162
4. Atanas Gueorguiev - Bulgaria - 87,973
5. Arnaud Mattern - France - 72,724
6. Sergey Shcherbatskiy - Russia - 57,476
7. Andrea Benelli - Italy - 45,745
8. Ludovic Lacay - France - 32,843
9. Michael Muheim -  Switzerland - 21,114

World Cup of Poker V

The World Cup of Poker is back. The planet’s most fiercely contested team event returns to [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url], giving you the chance to represent your country and qualify for the live Final, which will be filmed for TV. The event will be held as part of the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Caribbean Adventure (PCA) in The Bahamas, January 5-10, 2009.

The World Cup of Poker V will see players from all around the world compete for national pride, bragging rights, and $290,000 in cash prizes! The top nine teams will win money, and $100,000 will go to the Champions, which equates to $20,000 per team member.

For more information, please visit [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url].

EPT Warsaw Final Table Good To Go!

You can take your pick of the stories on day three at the EPT Warsaw. A Team [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Pro makes the final table? A former champion on course to win an historic double? A [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] “steps” qualifier looking to turn $7.50 into a fortune? All that and more on a third day that is now washed, chopped and dished up; 24 players down to nine, in a little less than five hours.

In terms of excitement there was little to rival the diminutive Dario Minieri, perhaps the most incendiary player in the game today, who within minutes of the start had begun an unprejudiced campaign of carnage towards anyone in his way, sending three players to the rail within the first half an hour.

More information is available on the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] blog.

 EPT Prague Approaches
With Season 5 of the European Poker Tour well under way, it is worth noting that EPT Prague is now on the horizon. The action will head to the Czech Republic on December 9 where some of Europe’s finest poker players will be out in full force to take their shot at bringing down some big poker action. You can join them by qualifying through our satellites which are running NOW. Qualify today for your chance at an enormous purse!

More information is available at the EPT website.

Qualify for the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Caribbean Adventure 2009 now!
Qualifiers for the first major poker event of 2009 are running now - the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Caribbean Adventure (PCA)! You can play for a prize package worth s14,300 in our cash and FPP qualifiers, starting at penny stakes. Steps tourneys are also available. Also, for the first time ever, [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] is offering you the chance to buy-in direct using cash already in your [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Account. For full details of how you can buy in to this event and the rules for doing so, please visit [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url].

Over 100 players have won seats to the Budapest open via online poker site [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url].  Several Team [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] pros will also be making an apperance.  Amongst those are names like Marcin Horecki, Katja Thater, Noah Boeken aka “Exclusive,” Victoria Coren, Luca Pagano, Bertrand Grospellier aka “ElkY,” William Thorson, Alex Kravchenko, and Dario Minieri.  Also, Valdemar Kwaysser of Hungary, winner of the 2008 Latin American Poker Tour Costa Rica event.

Kwaysser won’t be the only Hungarian representing the rising number of skilled poker players for the country.  He will be joined by other Hungarian pros Richard Toth, Csaba Toth, and Denes Kalo, who finished second in both of last season’s EPT Baden and the EPT Grand Final.  Kalo ranks in the top ten of tournament earnings in EPT history.

Another interesting race will be taking place for Bertrand Grospellier, better known as “ElkY.”  Grospellier, with winnings in past January’s EPT’s [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Caribbean Adventure and the WPT Fest al Lago championship in Las Vegas, will be competing for not only the top slot in many of the Player of the Year races, but also for the title of the EPT all-time money list.  Making the final table and finishing strong puts Grospellier at great odds of catching up to the current title holder, Glen Chorny.  Grospellier has already proven his talent and skill in many ways, and this feat would prove it once again.  Only two other players, Gavin Griffin and Roland de Wolfe, have been able to take down both the WPT and EPT titles as Grospellier has.

Ruthenberg took out second-place Fintan Gavin, a [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] qualifier from Ireland, in what turned out to be a short heads-up battle.  Gavin took away a nice €792,000 for his efforts.

The field was not an easy one and was studded with all kinds of noteworthy names.  Team [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] Pros [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Daniel-Negreanu.html]Daniel Negreanu[/url], [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Greg-Raymer.html]Greg Raymer[/url], Vanessa Rousso and Chad Brown, who placed 34th, all showed their game.  The Swedish NHL player Mats Sundin and Spanish tennis player Sergi Bruguera, both athlete legends, also tried their luck on the felt for the first time at the EPT.

Ruthenberg has made quite the name for himself.  In June, he won the 2008 WSOP $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low World Championship, taking home the bracelet and $328,762.  Earlier this year, Ruthenberg also joined the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] ShootingStars Team.  Since winning the 2006 German Open, Ruthenberg has been on quite the run, as his live tournament winnings now total over $2.8 million as of 2008.

Here’s the standings of the final two tables:
01 Sebastian Ruthenberg (Germany) €1,361,000
02 Fintan Gavin (Ireland) €792,000
03 Davidi Kitai (Belgium) €455,000
04 Daniele Mazzia (Italy) €351,000
05 Dren Ukella (Germany) €292,000
06 Jason Mercier (USA) €227,800
07 Samuel Chartier (Canada) €178,000
08 Martin Nielsen (Denmark) €119,000
09 Mikael Lundell (Unknown) €74,400
10 Salvatore Pengue (Italy) €74,400
11 Jonas Klausen (Denmark) €49,600
12 Beniamino Speroni (Italy) €49,600
13 Mark Flowers (USA) €27,200
14 Jonas Molander (Sweden) €37,200
15 Stephen Chidwick (UK) €37,200
16 Claudio Cecci (Italy) €29,700
17 Voitto Rintala (Finland) €24,700
18 Steven Weusten (Netherlands) €24,700

This season, nine tournaments will make up the EPT versus the 11 that composed Season 4. The Grand Final will take place in the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Monte-Carlo.html]Monte Carlo[/url] Bay Hotel & Resort in Monaco starting April 28. England, Poland, Czech Republic, France, Denmark, Germany, and Italy are the other seven countries hosting the events. Though the Season 5 schedule is yet subject to change, it is as follows:

Casino Barcelona in Barcelona, Spain - September 10-14, 2008

Victoria Casino in London, England - October 1-5, 2008

Hyatt Regency in Warsaw, Poland - November 15-19, 2008

Hilton Hotel in Prague, Czech Republic - December 9-13, 2008

Barrière Casino in Deauville, France - January 20-24, 2009

Casino Copenhagen in Copenhagen, Denmark - February 17-21, 2009

Casino Hohensyburg in Dortmund, Germany - March 10-14, 2009

San Remo in San Remo, Italy - April 18-23, 2009

[url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Monte-Carlo.html]Monte Carlo[/url] Bay Hotel & Resort in [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Monte-Carlo.html]Monte Carlo[/url], Monaco - April 28-May 3, 2009

Popularity of the European Poker Tour has grown dramatically from Season 1 in 2003. Season 4 has a prize pool of €38,248, 788 with 5,902 players. This year, the prize pool should be even bigger.

Entry into the EPT is encouraged through playing [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] satellites. Buy-ins for the satellites begin at $2.22 or FPPs can be used. Last season, 1,682 players qualified from [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url]. The Season 4 [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Monte-Carlo.html]Monte Carlo[/url] Grand Final winner, Glen Chorny, won his seat through [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url].

If you do not already have an account with [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url], click on the link. This could be your chance to play in the Season 5 European Poker Tour.

Glen Chorny: 3,613,000
Isaac Baron: 2,853,000
Valeriy Ilikyan: 1,396,000
Michael Martin: 1,320,000
Maxime Villemure: 1,206,000
Denes Kalo: 1,119,000
Luca Pagano: 688,000
Antonio Esfandiari: 501,000

This was quite obviously a tough final table. Issac Baron is quite possibly one of the best players in the entire world, known online as westmenloAA. He has crushed cash games and tournaments for quite some time now. Michael Martin is no slouch himself, he’s known as Martine23 online, and has owned cash games as well. Luca Pagano is a [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]Poker Stars[/url] pro, and Antonio Esfandiari is a well-known live tournament pro, who’s been on the circuit for quite a while. The chip leader coming in, Glen Chorny, is known online as Choron, but hasn’t had quite that much success as of yet.

Also, here were the final table payouts.

1. $3,198,500
2. $1,866,790
3. $1,132,107
4. $932,692
5. $666,606
6. $533,601
7. $400,590
8. $266,004

Unfortunately, the liveliest player at the table busted out first. Esfandiari got it in with A8 vs. Luca Pagano’s AJ. The flop was gin for Luca, as it came down TQK to flop him the stone cold nuts. Esfandiari never caught the Jack for the chop, and was out 8th, for $266,604.

With the blinds up to 15k/30k, with a 3k ante, the chips were flying hard and often. Valeriy Ilikyan had taken some hits, and found AQ, which looked amazing. Unfortunately, Michael Martin had AK, which held to finish off Ilikyan. He didn’t go home emptied handed, leaving with $400,590. Down to 6 players within fourty hands, here were the stack sizes, still during 15k/30k, 3k ante.

Glen Chorny 3,503,000
Isaac ‘westmenloAA’ Baron 3,238,000
Luca Pagano 1,895,000
Michael Martin 1,751,000
Maxime Villemure 1,452,000
Denes Kalo 928,000

Denes Kalo was in last, with 928k, but by no means was he in any danger. [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Monte-Carlo.html]Monte Carlo[/url] features an amazing structure, as can be seen. By the time the blinds had hit 20k/40k, with a 4k ante, a new chip leader arose.

Luca Pagano raised it up to 110k pre flop, and was called by Glen Chorny and Issac Baron. On a 924 flop with two diamonds, Pagano bet 210k, and was called by only Chorny. The turn was the 4 of spades, which prompted a bigger bet out of Pagano this time, 500k, which Chorny called. The river was the Q of hearts, to which Pagano only bet 400k this time, and once again Chorny called. Chorny held 66, which was good until the river, as Pagano had the KQ of diamonds, good for two overcards and a flush draw on the flop. With that monstrous pot, he became the new chip leader. But that was short lived, of course. Just a few hands later, Villemure got it in with AK vs. Pagano’s JJ, and Villemure became the newest chip leader at the final table.

With the blinds still at 20k/40k, 4k ante, Chorny limped on the button. Baron completed in the small blind, and Kalo checked the big blind. The flop came down 76A, all clubs, and all three men checked. The turn was another 7, and Baron bet 100k. Kalo called, and Chorny raised another 200k on top. Baron called, and Kalo folded. The river was an 8, and Baron check called another 300k. Glen Chorny showed K9 of clubs for the flopped nut flush, and Baron, in a great show of restraint, had lost the minimum with JT of clubs. Quite the amazing hand, which caused another huge swing in chips at this final table, as they neared the 100 hand mark. Here were the stacks as they went into 25k/50k, 5k ante.

Maxime Villemure - 3,580,000
Glen Chorny - 2,810,000
Isaac Baron - 2,095,000
Michael Martin - 1,950,000
Luca Pagano - 1,295,000
Denes Kalo - 1,100,000

After a few hands of chipping up, Denes Kalo made it 2.5x, 125k to go. Luca Pagano shoved in with a now shorter stack, and was called. Luca’s AJ was way behind Denes Kalo’s QQ. Nothing rolled out for the [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]Poker Stars[/url] pro, and he was out in 5th, for $533,601. Just a few hands later, another big showdown occurred. Chorny made a raise on the button to 125k. and was called by only Martin, in the big blind. The flop rolled out 67T, Martin checked to Chorny, who bet 225k. Martin raised to 675k, and Chorny put him in for the rest of his chips. Martin called, and flipped over QT. Much to his dismay, Chorny had him in a bad spot with JJ. The turn A was no help, as well as the river 2. Michael Martin finished in 5th place, for $666,606.

The remaining four players switched chips around for quite awhile, leading into 30k/60k, 6k ante. Here were the stacks.

Isaac Baron - 3,830,000
Denes Kalo - 3,435,000
Glen Chorny - 3,310,000
Maxime Villemure - 2,255,000

No one out of the remaining four had any sort of pressure on them, as despite being the short stack, Villemure had nearly 40 big blinds. No double ups occurred during this level, but during 40k/80k 10k ante, things got very interesting. Issac Baron and Maxime Villmure got all their chips in, with Baron holding 88, and Villemure holding QQ. Baron couldn’t get lucky, and the two players switched places, with Baron becoming the short stack, and Villemure becoming the chip leader. Just a few hands later, Baron doubled up with Q3, doubling through Kalo, who held AT. After all the exchanging of chips, here’s how the final four looked.

Glen Chorny - 3,765,000
Maxime Villemure - 3,590,000
Denes Kalo - 3,115,000
Isaac Baron - 2,065,000

Just a few hands later, Issac made it 220k to go, and was called by only Glen Chorny. On a 762 flop with two spades, Chorny led at it for 335k. Issac went into the tank, and eventually shoved all in. Chorny called him instantly, as Chorny had slowplayed aces. Issac was in a lot of trouble, as he held just AQ hi, but with the Ace of spades. The turn threw out the 9 of spades, which gave Issac a ton of hope. The river was the King of clubs, putting Issac out of the event. He left with $932,692, in fourth place.

After this, a long grind ensued, with the players staying very tight, as they ventured into 60k/120k, with a 10k ante. The lull at the final table was destined to end at some point, and it did in a big way. In quite the sick hand, Chorny and Villemure reached the end of a hand, where the board read TA4J9, with no flush. The pot was only about 600k, but both men got their chips in. Villemure flipped over Q8 for the straight, but Chorny flipped up KQ for the nuts, sending Villemure home in sick fashion, in third place. Villemure played a great final table, and took home $1,132,107. Chorny was in the driver’s seat, with a massive chip lead at this point. He held 11,360,000 to Kalo’s 1,265,000, for a huge lead.

Heads up play lasted but two hands. Kalo got it in with KQ against Chorny’s A5, with Chorny holding a slight lead. The flop came down AQ6, keep Chorny in the lead. The turn was a six, lowering Kalo’s outs, and the river was a ten, giving Chorny the win, and eliminating Kalo in 2nd place. Kalo made $1,866,790 for his finish. Chorny played a solid final table, and definitely ran well. In doing so, he beat out an extremely strong field, and won $3,198,500, a positively huge cash.

Notables Freddie Deeb and Raymond Rahme both went out early in 30th and 27th respectively. An interesting story was Vincent Secher who was still in the tournament on day four but had been camping to save money. When [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] heard about this though, they put him up in the hotel where the tournament was being held. He did not make it to the final group, finishing in 13th after showing up in his bathrobe with a [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]PokerStars[/url] logo to show his appreciation.

It was a roller coaster day for one-time chip leader Antonio Esfandiari, who played in a strange hand with Stig Top Rasmussen where he limped with queens and lost a good portion of his stack when Rasmussen spiked an ace on the turn. Esfandiari kept playing solid though and in the final 10 with about 700,000 chips.

With 11 players left the tournament officials ruled the tournament was taking too long and play would continue until the end of the current level. Joe Hachem was looking to become the second triple crown winner after Gavin Griffin but ended up being taken out in 11th after an all-in hand with CardPlayer’s Online Player of the Year, Issac “westmenloAA” Baron. The final 10 are:

Glenn Chorny — 3,370,000
Isaac Baron — 2,365,000
Michael Martin — 1,570,000
Maxime Villemure — 1,220,000
Denes Kalo — 957,000
Antonio Esfandiari — 735,000
Luca Pagano — 705,000
Valeriy Ilikyan — 650,000
Stig Top Rasmussen — 590,000
Henrik Gwinner — 466,000

They will be competing tomorrow for the 3.2 million dollar first prize.

In the biggest poker tournament to be ever held in Italy, each contestant paid €5,000 to enter, with the prize pool totaling over €3,200,000.

Online wonderkid and local favorite, Dario Minieri, entered the final table with the chip lead and was tipped by many to take the title. However, it was Mercier, who entered the final table in second position, who ended up controlling the table, where he single-handedly eliminated all of the final five players himself on the way to the title.

In a crucial hand, with just three players left, Minieri was dealt pocket Queens and raised to 100,000, Mercier looked down at A - 4 both of diamonds and reraised to 340,000 which Minieri called. The flop came 7(Hearts), 2 (Diamonds), and 8 (Diamonds). Mercier checked his flush draw, and Minieri bet 400,000, which followed Mercier shoving all-in having Minieri covered. Minieri called immediately with his overpair, needing to avoid a Diamond card on the turn and river. The turn came a 4 (Hearts), pairing up Mercier, giving him even more outs. Ultimately Mercier hit his flush with a 2 (Diamonds) coming on the river, sending Minieri crashing out in third.

The final hand of the tournament ended up in a classic coin flip situation, where both were all-in preflop, with Mercier holding K-Q against Lellouche’s pocket sevens. The board dealt Q-A-4-8-2, which paired up Mercier’s Queen, handing him a cheque for €869,000 ($1,350,000 USD) and automatic entrance into the EPT Grand Final in [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/Monte-Carlo.html]Monte Carlo[/url].

EPT San Remo Top 8

1. Jason Mercier- €869,000
2. Antony Lellouche- €505,000
3. Dario Minieri- €287,000
4. Eric Koskas- €223,600
5. Gregory Genovese- €188,500
6. William Thorson- €140,600
7. Dag Palovic- €111,800
8. Marcus Bower- €76,700=700

Of course, with eight spots left, there was a great chance that some of these players wouldn’t make the final table. Klausen busted in 12th, as his 66 couldn’t hold off Issac Baron’s J8 suited. Issac then ran his 77 into Dag Palovic’s KK some time after, and then ran A9 into Dario Minieri’s AQ, busting in 11th. Finally, Flowers got into the biggest pot of the tournament with AK vs. Minieri’s JJ, covering Minieri. Flowers never got there, and was crippled. He then ran 33 into Palovic, who held KK against. Palovic flopped a set, and took Flowers out in 9th.

After [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]Poker Stars[/url] qualifier Johannes Strassman was eliminated in 9th place, the final table was set. Here were the stacks going into the final table:

Dario Minieri 1,782,000
Jason Mercier 1,442,000
Anthony Lellouche 1,137,000
Gregory Genovese 686,000
William Thorson 528,000
Eric Koskas 507,000
Dag Palovic 505,000
Marcus Bower 277,000

Much to the delight of the Italian fans, Dario would be heading into the final table as the chip leader. Would he be able to keep up his dominance that he had over the first three days of the tournament? Here’s what the eight men would be playing for.

1st: $1,340,867
2nd: $779,215
3rd: $443,767
4th: $345,015
5th: $290,855
6th: $216,946
7th: $172,507
8th: $118,348

This stood to be a very interesting final table as there is some history between Dario Mineri and Eric Koskas. Both players have a ton of experience with one another, doing battle regularly in the $5k Heads-Up matches on [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]Poker Stars[/url]. As I’ve said, Koskas is known as moumouth online. He’s gained a bit of infamy over the past year, as he is down nearly $700k playing sit n’ goes. Luckily enough for him, anything better than second place would erase that. Mirroring the day before, the action was fast paced today. Who would last in San Remo?

The blinds started at 12k/24k, with a 3k ante today, putting a bit of pressure on Marcus Bower to make a move early in the day. Unfortunately, his only move today was out the door. He got it in with pocket fours against the AJ of diamonds of Anthony Lellouche. The board rolled out 89K7, with no diamonds…but the river Ace sent Bower reeling home in 8th, earning $118,348.

Justa short time later, Dag Palovic was up against Dario Minieri, with both men seeing a 236 flop. Dario checked to Dag, who pushed all in. Minieri called immediately, rolling over pocket threes for a flopped set. Dag was way behind with pocket queens. Dag didn’t get lucky, and he fell to the Italian, leaving in 7th place with $172,507.

Down to six handed play, here were the stacks:

Dario Minieri - 2,406,000
Anthony Lellouche - 1,597,000
Jason Mercier - 1,360,000
William Thorson - 672,000
Eric Koskas - 503,000
Gregory Genovese - 501,000

Dario was starting to pull away, amassing a massive stack. But Lellouche had been playing quite well, as well as Jason Mercier, yet another [url=http://www.flopturnriver.com/reviews/Online-Poker-PokerStars.php]Poker Stars[/url] qualifier. And both would be chip leader if they doubled through Minieri.

With the blinds up to 15k/30k with a 3k ante, William Thorson opened to 85k, and was promptly reraised by Mercier to 225k. He shoved his remaining chips in, and was called by Mercier. Mercier had Thorson in a dominating position, holding AK to Thorson’s AQ of hearts. With a K6K with 0 hearts, Thorson was in serious trouble. The turn ace gave him some chop outs, but alas, no one outer hit, and Thorson was sent packing in 6th, for $216,946.

Just a small time later, Eric Koskas got his chips in with pocket sevens, against Gregory Genovese’s AK. Genovese had chipped up, and had only 179k more than Koskas, so this was quite the important pot for both men. The board came no higher than 9, and Koskas had doubled up with his sevens. He built his stack up to 968k with that pot.

Just a few hands later, Genovese got his short stack in, with Mineri and Mercier in the pot. On an A57 flop, Mercier bet out, getting Minieri out of the pot. Mercier rolled over A3, while Genovese held 9T. No runner runner magic hit, and Genovese was dispatched in 5th, for $290,855.

It was at this point the final table reached breakneck speed. Just a bit after Genovese’s elimination, another huge pot went down. Koskas and Mercier both saw a flop of J65, which both men checked. The turn was an 8, which prompted Koskas to bet 220k, which was called by Mercier. The river brought another 8, and Koskas pushed all in. After a long think, Mercier called. Koskas flipped over T3 for a stone cold bluff, which was beaten by Mercier’s great call, with 95. Koskas busted in 4th, for $345,015.

Mercier had complete control of this final table, and kept it going a few minutes later.

After Dario opened for 100k on the button, Mercier reraised to 340k from the small blind, Lellouche folded, and Minieri called. Mercier checked a 278 flop with two diamonds, which Minieri then bet 200k on. Mercier check shoved on him, and Minieri instacalled, flipping up QQ. Mercier had a boatload of outs with A4 of diamonds. The four of hearts came on the turn, giving him a few more outs. The river was a gutwrenching blow – the three of diamonds. Surprisingly and quickly, Dario was gone. He left in 3rd, with $443,767.

Going into heads-up play, Mercier held a massive lead.

Jason Mercier - 5,647,000
Anthony Lellouche - 1,392,000

Could Lellouche grind back into contention?

Heads-up lasted just two hands, indicative of the final table thus far. Mercier and Lellouche got it all in preflop, with Lellouche holding 77, and Mercier holding KQ. The AQ4 flop put Lellouche way, way behind. The turn 8 was no good, and the river deuce was no help. Lellouche, the runner up, collected $779,215.

Jason Mercier had come into the final table as one of the big stacks, and just built up steam all day. He was rewarded handsomely for his efforts, collecting $1,340,867 for his play.