9.40pm: Ben Wilinofsky wins EPT Berlin (€825,000)
PokerStars online qualifier Ben Wilinofsky has finally converted that early and enormous chip lead into victory here in Berlin. On a flop of 8♠ 5♣ 3♦ Max Heinzelmann check-raised all-in for 4,250,000 and Wilinofsky was put to the test.
“It’s sick, because I’m ahead of some of the hands that you’d do this with,” said Wilinofsky before quietly announcing the call.
Heinzelmann: 9♥ 8♦
Wilinofksy: 7♦ 6♥
The 9♠ turn completed the draw for Wilinofksy but gave full house outs for Heinzelmann, but the J♥ failed to compelete the re-suck. And that completes an epic final table and crowns Ben Wilinofksy as a much-deserved EPT Berlin champion. Huge plaudits also go to Max Heinzelmann who finishes runner-up for €500,000.
GG, WP, goodnight. Full wrap of the day’s action to come. — RD
9.30pm: Wilinofsky chipping away
Ben Wilinofsky is extending his lead after two pot wins. He raised to 400,000 preflop and c-bet on a 10♥ 4♠ A♥ flop. Maximilian Heinzelmann called and check-folded on the flop. The next hand Heinzelmann folded after Wilinofsky three-bet him off his hand preflop. — MC
9.20pm: Final level
I’ve called it, this is the final level of the day. The players have taken their seats and the dealer is shuffling up for the first hand of level 32. — RD
LEVEL UP: BLINDS 100,000-200,000
9.05pm: Break time
The two players are on a break. Here’s how they stand:
Ben Wilinofsky — 17,885,000
Maximilian Heinzelmann — 5,275,000
9.02pm: Five-bet shove
Max Heinzelmann has four-bet twice this heads up and both times he’s been forced to fold to a five-bet shove. Heinzelmann opened to 320,000 and was three-bet to 860,000 by Ben Wilinofsky. Heinzelmann four-bet to 1,910,000 and quickly passed to a shove.
“When have you ever known that to work?” asked Wilinofsky. Well, neither time he’s tried it today anyway. — RD
9pm: Big pot ends in a chop
A pot worth 7,000,000 chips just played out but it ended in an anti climax as both players had the same hand. Ben Wilinofsky raised preflop and bet the flop, turn and river. Maximilian Heinzelmann called preflop and check-called every bet from his Canadian opponent. The final board read Q♦ 4♥ 9♦ 5♥ 2♦ and both players had ace-nine. — MC
8.50pm: Two streets of value enough for Heinzelmann
Maximilian Heinzelmann is back on the right track after winning a pot worth more than 2,000,000 chips. He raised to 320,000 from the button and Ben Wilinofsky called from the big blind. Heinzelmann bet 275,000 on the flop and 550,000 on the turn. Wilinofsky called the two bets before both checked the river when the board read K♥ A♣ 5♣ 10♣ K♦ and the German announced, “Ace-seven”. It was good as Wilinofsky folded. — MC
8.42pm: Heinzelmann keeps fighting
Max Heinzelmann has won some back after firing two streets into a J♦ Q♦ 7♥ 7♠ board; 400,000 on the flop and 785,000 on the turn. Wilinofsky gave up on the hand and Heinzelmann showed the 2♣ . — RD
8.31pm: First all-in
All the hard work Maximilian Heinzelmann has done heads-up so far has been eradicated after he four-bet folded to Ben Wilinofsky. He raised to 320,000 from the button to face a three-bet tot 860,000 from Wilinofsky. The German wasn’t finished as he counted out and slid a 2,025,000 four-bet over the line. He was soon finished with the hand though as Wilinofsky moved all-in. He folded. — MC
8.26pm: The gap closes
Ben Wilinofsky leads by just 13,700,000 to 9,500,000 now. Max Heinzelmann check-called a 420,000 bet on a 6♥ 3♥ 5♥ flop. Both players checked the 8♠ turn before Heinzelmann led the 10♦ river for 1,200,000. Wilinofsky slowly made the call and was shown two-pair with [8][6]. — RD
8.24pm: Action to the river
A first hand that made it to the river just played out but still no show down. Maximilian Heinzelmann raised to 320,000 and Ben Wilinofsky called to see 6♥ 3♠ 5♥ flop. The action went check-check and before Wilinofsky led for 270,00 on the 6♦ turn. Call. The river came 2♠ and it was Heinzelmann who bet this time, for 400,000, and he took the pot as Wilinofsky folded. — MC
8.20pm: One back for Max
Max Heinzelmann has won a three-bet pot back, but still has plenty of catching up to do. Heinzelmann three-bet out of the big blind to 845,000 and was called by Ben Wilinofosky. Both players checked to the 3♣ J♣ 2♣ K♠ turn which the German bet 700,000 into. Pot won. — RD
8.16pm: First blood to Wilinofsky
Ben Wilinofsky has taken the first significant pot of the heads up. Max Heinzelmann opened for 320,000 from the button and was three-bet by the Canadian to 860,000. Heinzelmann made the call but Wilinofosky won the pot by c-betting 975,000 into the K♦ 5♥ 4♥ flop.
Wilinofsky leads 17,000,000 to 6,100,000. — RD
8.12pm: The quiet concentration of Wilinofsky
Ben Wilinofsky had been talking non-stop since the heads-up duel started. He was just silent for a minute though as he had a hand to think about. Maximilian Heinzelmann raised to 320,000 and the now mute Canadian three-bet to 860,000. It did the job as Heinzelmann folded. — MC
8.05pm: Action’s started
The heads up has begun with someone somewhat surprising lack of action given how aggressive the pair have been throughout this final table. — RD
8pm: Back from break
The players are back in their seats. Ben Wilinofsky is approaching a three to one chip lead.
6.45pm: Dinner break
Off to dinner for one hour.
6.41pm: Vadzim Kursevich eliminated in third place, earning €300,000
The EPT Berlin main event is heads-up after the elimination of Vadzim Kursevich in third place.
In a slow burner of a hand, Kursevich opened for 370,000 from the small blind which Ben Wilinofsky called for a flop of J♣ K♠ Q♠ . Kursevich bet another 450,000 which Wilinofsky considered before raising to 1,125,000. Now it was Kursevich’s turn to think. He did. He moved all-in. Wilinofsky called, making it a 9,700,000 pot.
10♥ 9♥ for Wilinofsky
A♦ K♣ for Kursevich.
Wilinofsky had flopped the straight while Kursevich needed a ten for the straight. The turn came 6♠ , the river A♣ .
Wilinofsky, looking remarkably more serious than he was earlier, now has more than 16,000,000 chips with which to take on Maximilian Heinzelmann for the EPT Berlin title. – SB
6.30pm: Kursevich wins huge flip
Vadzim Kursevich has just won a massive flip with A♠ 10♦ to Ben Wilinofsky’s K♣ J♣ to stay alive and bring all three remaining players close to one another.
Kursevich open-shoved the button for 2,545,000 and put Wilinofsky to a tough decision. The Canadian moved all-in and Max Heinzelmann moved out the way. Kursevich banged top pair on the 10♠ 4♦ 8♦ flop and Wilinofsky failed to catch up.
That brings Kursevich up to 5,240,000, Wilinofsky down to 10,340,000. Heinzelmann sits on 7,430,000. — RD
6.20pm: Martin Jacobson out in fourth place
The latest chapter of Martin Jacobson’s amazing year on the EPT has come to a close in fourth place.
Jacobson opened the pot before Maximilian Heinzelmann shoved. Jacobson called in a flash showing A♥ K♦ against the German’s 6♠ 6♦ .
The board ran 5♠ 5♦ 3♠ 2♠ 7♣ . Jacobson shook hands with Heinzelmann who just ended the Sweden’s quest to win a first title after finishing second twice this season alone. Heinzelmann up to around 7,480,000 chips. Jacobson out, earning €230,000. – SB
6.15pm: Jacobson shoving
Max Heinzelmann opened from the cut-off and was shoved on by Martin Jacobson from the button. The Swede took the pot and continued his run towards a third second place finish of this EPT season. — RD
6.05pm: Jacobson caught squeezing?
An interesting hand just played out that had all four players committing chips pre-flop. Ben Wilinofsky opened the pot with a raise and was flat called by Maximilian Heinzelmann before Martin Jacobson three-bet from the small blind. Vadzim Kursevich was in the big blind and stared down Jacobson before moving all-in.
The next hand Jacobson’s play couldn’t be exploited as he open shoved and got no takers. — MC
5.55pm: Mette out
Martin Jacobson opened for 240,000 in early position before Armin Metter moved all-in for 2,175,000 in the small blind. Ben Wilinofsky paused and after checking numbers announced that he was all-in too, eliciting an immediate fold form Jacobson.
Mette turned over 2♠ 2♣ , up against Wilinofsky’s A♠ K♣ .
The Canadian has paid off a few double ups today but this time finally got his turn, the board coming 5♦ 4♠ A♦ A♣ A♥ .
Wilinofsky up to 12,945,000 chips. Mette out in fifth place, earning €180,000. — SB
5.45pm: State of play
That last double up by Max Heinzelmann has changed the dynamic.
Seat 1. Max Heinzelmann – 4,910,000
Seat 2. Martin Jacobson – 3,285,000
Seat 3. Vadzim Kursevich – 2,500,000
Seat 4. Armin Mette – 2,555,000
Seat 5. Ben Wilinofsky – 9,880,000
Had Wilinofsky won that pot he would have had close to 15,000,000, and would have stood ready to steamroll this final table. As it stands he is still some way ahead of his closest rival, Heinzelmann, who does have position on the Canadian. — RD
5.42pm: Heinzelmann will settle for a double-up
Maximilian Heinzelmann is up to nearly 5,000,000 chips after doubling through chip leader Ben Wilinofsky. Wilinofsky raised from the button and called when his German opponent shoved from the small blind.
Wilinofsky: K♥ Q♠
Heinzelmann: 3♣ 3♠
The board ran 3♦ 4♠ 10♥ 2♣ K♦ to make Heinzelmann a set on the flop. It’s game back on now as he jumps into second spot in the chip counts. — MC
5.38pm: Wilinofsky wins some more
Ben Wilinofsky just moved up to 12,260,000 in a hand against Vadzim Kursevich who had opened the pot fro 240,000 in early position. Wilinofsky called from the big blind, as did Maximilian Heinzelmann from the small blind for a flop of 2♦ 8♣ 4♥ .
The action was checked to Kursevich who bet 375,000. Wilinofsky called while Heinzelmann stepped aside before the 4♠ turn. That was checked, as was the 6♠ river. Wilinofsky announced ace-high (he had ace-jack) which was enough to top Kursevich, who mucked.
Wilinofsky up to 12,260,000 while Kursevich drops to 2,500,000. – SB
5.30pm: To the flop but no more and then an all-in
PokerStars qualifier Ben Wilinofsky raised from the button and Martin Jacobson defended his big blind to see the K♠ 3♠ 4♥ flop. It wasn’t the sort of flop he was looking for as he quickly check-folded to a c-bet from Wilinofsky.
The next hand Wilinofsky raised to 240,000 but folded to a Armin Mette shove. — MC
5.25pm: Heinzelmann shoves again
Ben Wilinofsky opened for 240,000 and Max Heinzelmann moved over the top all-in, and not for the first time. Heinzelmann has been up and down this final table, he’s certainly not afraid to get his chips in. Wilinofsky passed. — RD
5.15pm: Folding
A slow start to the level. Some pre-flop action but nothing beyond.
5.07pm: Cards in the air
Play restarts with blinds at 60,000-120,000 with a 15,000 ante.
LEVEL UP: BLINDS 60,000-120,000, ANTE 15,000
4.52pm: Another big win for Wilinofsky
On the last hand before the break Ben Wilinofsky raked another big pot away from Vadzim Kursevich.
Kursevich had opened from the button and was called by Wilinofsky in the big blind who led 235,000 into the 10♦ Q♣ 7♥ flop, 425,000 into the 10♣ turn and a huge 975,000 into the 3♠ river. Kursevich tank-folded to drop down to 3,375,000 while Wilinofsky surges ahead, yet again, with 11,500,000.
Fifteen minute break. — RD
4.42pm: Four-bet squeeze
Ben Wilinofsky has just has made a great move to pick up 840,000 after cold four-betting out of the big blind. Max Heinzelmann had opened for 200,000 and had been three-bet by Vadzim Kursevich to 440,000. Wilinofsky came over the top for 1,075,000 and both players passed. Wiliinofsky is up to 10,235,000.
The next hand Heinzelmann limped from the small blind and Martin Jacobson shoved from the big blind. Heinzelmann passed. Jacobson in third position with 3,300,000. — RD
4.34pm: Wilinofsky gets shoved on again
Martin Jacobson has shoved on Ben Wilinofsky for the second time in two orbits. Last time the shove got through and it worked again. Wilinofsky raised to 200,000 and folded when Jacobson moved all-in for 2,455,000 chips. — MC
4.28pm: Quick one
On a flop of 6♥ 7♥ 8♥ Martin Jacobson and Vadzim Kursevich checked for a turn card 4♦ where Jacobson took the pot with a bet of 285,000. — SB
4.22pm: No post flop confrontation
The play has nitted up after those two swift eliminations as the players get their heads around the new dynamic. And just as soon as I wrote that Martin Jacobson shoved for 1,905,000 over the top of Max Heinzelmann’s 200,000 small blind raise. — RD
4.13pm: Darren Kramer eliminated in sixth place (€140,000)
Darren Kramer was the second player to fall in a short space of time as the structure has really started to catch up with the short stacks.
Vadzim Kursevich raised to 210,000 from the button and called when the man from South Africa moved all-in for 1,330,000 chips.
Kursevich: 7♥ 7♦
Kramer: A♦ 9♣
The board ran 2♦ 7♣ 10♥ 2♥ 5♥ to make a full house for the Belorussian to boost him up to around 5,550,000. Kramer didn’t to anything wrong today, he just found himself on the wrong end of a couple of situations that played themselves. — MC
4.01pm: Joep van den Bijgaart out in seventh place (€100,000)
Joep van den Bijgaart becomes our seventh place finisher, moving in for 540,000, just five big blinds, with A♠ 5♠ form the small blind. Ben Wilinofsky was in the big blind and called with K♦ J♦ .
The pair stood to watch the board come Q♣ J♣ 3♠ K♣ 2♠ . A handshake and Van den Bijgaart was gone, earning €100,000. — SB
4pm: Jacobson pushes
PokerStars qualifier Martin Jacobson was just all-in but found no callers. The pot opened with a 200,000 raise from early position but was folded when the Swede shoved for 1,535,000 from the cut-off.
The shove looked strong as Joep van den Bijgaart is so short (about five big blinds) that Jacobson would have some laddering-ICM-(Independent Chip Model)-type thoughts among his calculations. — MC
3.57pm: You win
Darren Kramer opened under-the-gun for 210,000 and was shoved on by Martin Jacobson for an additional 1,175,000 from the small blind.
You’d expect a pretty instant decision in this spot but Kramer had to take some time before mucking his hand and telling Jacobson: “You win, you win.” Jacobson up to nearly 2,000,000. — RD
3.52pm: Kramer doubles
Darren Kramer is next to move in and next to double up, shoving after a Vadzim Kursevich bet under-the-gun. Kursevich called, making a 1,890,000 pot.
A♣ Q♠ for Kramer, 9♠ 9♣ for Kursevich and a board of 6♠ 10♠ A♥ 3♦ K♣ . – SB
3.50pm: Another one for Kursevich
Vadzim Kursevich taken another pot, albeit a small one. He raised from second position and Maximilian Heinzelmann defended from the big blind. Both checked the flop before Heinzelmann check folded to a 300,000 bet when the board read 7♥ 10♣ J♣ K♣ . — MC
3.45pm: Kursevich all-in
Vadzim Kursevich is back to where he started at the start of the day, moving up to more than 4,000,000 after moving all-in against Ben Wilinofsky.
Kursevich opened for 210,000 which Wilinofsky raised to 465,000. Kursevich went for his chips and moved all-in for 2,270,000. Call.
Kursevich showed A♣ K♥ against Wilinofsky’s J♦ J♣ . They braced for the board.
8♣ 10♥ 6♣ K♣ 9♦
The turn changed the tournament for Kursevich. He doubles. Wilinofsky still good for 8,375,000. – SB
3.42pm: Raise and take
The past three hands have all been won with preflop raises. Two of them went to Vadzim Kursevich after he raised from the small blind and then from the cut-off two hands later. The pot in between went to Maximilian Heinzelmann after his early position raise got through. — MC
3.40pm: First hand back
“It’s a handsome wager, my friend,” said Ben Wilinofsky to Max Heinzelmann.
Wilinofsky had opened to 200,000 from the cut-off and was shoved on by Heinzelmann from the button for 3,000,000. Wilinofsky thought that his hand wasn’t attractive enough and passed his hand. Heinzelmann is up to 3,300,000. — RD
3.35pm: Play restarts
Play continues with blinds at 50,000-100,000 with a 10,000 ante.
Spielbank Casino in Berlin
PokerStars Blog reporting team in Berlin (in order of whatever you want): Marc Convey, Rick Dacey and Stephen Bartley
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