Play on the final is underway. We’re in level 21 with blinds at 6,000-12,000 (1,000 ante).
This post contains the latest action from the level, and will also include approximate chip counts throughout play. The official counts, taken at the end of each level, are on the chip count page.
6.40pm: Chip counts at the dinner break
Joao Barbosa — 1,140,000
Dario Minieri — 267,000
Nico Behling — 707,000
6.38pm: End of the level
We’ve reached the dinner break. Play will resume in one hour.
6.30pm: Battle of the blinds
In a battle of the blinds between Joao Barbosa and Dario Minieri for a flop of 6h-5d-8c. Barbosa makes it 21,000 which Minieri raises to 78,000. Barbosa announces “all-in” and gets a pretty quick fold from Minieri as the dinner break approaches.
6.15pm: Behling bouncing back
In an unraised battle of the blinds, Dario Minieri and Nico Behling see a scary flop of Ah-10s-As. They both check it, then Minieri bets 14,000 on the 2c turn, which Behling calls. The river is the 7s and after Minieri checks, Behling bets 40,000 and Minieri calls. “Flush,” says Behling and shows 9-4s. “Super good,” says Minieri.
6.12pm: Behling all-in.
Barbosa made it 34,000 from the button pre-flop which was called by Behling for a flop of 8h-Ac-2c. Behling then led the betting, making it 45,000 which Barbosa called. Another bet, 60,000 this time from Behling on the 2d turn. Again Barbosa called, taking it to the river, a 6d. Now Behling moved all in, another 151,000. Barbosa was not long in calling, but was only able to show Js-8s to Behling’s Ad-9c, good to double him up.
6.05pm: Three-handed chip counts
Joao Barbosa – 1,620,000
Dario Minieri – 320,000
Nico Behling – 275,000
5.55pm: I think the word is “sick”
Atanas Gueorguiev, PokerStars qualifier from Bulgaria, eliminated in fourth place earning €87,973
Joao Barbosa is on a hot streak and when you’re hot, you’re hot. Atanas Gueorguiev raises from one off the button and Barbosa flat calls. The flop comes 3c-4s-Kd and Barbosa tickles 35,000 at it. Gueorguiev doesn’t hang around before announcing that he’s all in and Barbosa is equally sharp in calling. Gueorguiev’s A-K is miles ahead of Barbosa’s K-Q and the 9h on the turn doesn’t change that. But there are two outs left in the deck and one of the queens – hearts, for the record – rivers to send the final PokerStars qualifier in the field back to Sofia. He’ll take €87,973 – and one shocking bad-beat story with him.
5.52pm: Arnaud Mattern of France, eliminated in fifth place for €72,724.
It started with a 36K Arnaud Mattern bet from the small blind but the hand finished with his elimination, ending hopes of a first double-winner. Barbosa then raised, 92K total and it wasn’t long before the chip were in the middle. Eights for Barbosa, tens for Mattern. The flop missed both but Barbosa caught an eight on the turn, doing well to suppress a huge cry of relief. Mattern had his coat though and was soon on the rail.
Arnaud Mattern
5.40pm: Chip counts at the start of level 21
Arnaud Mattern – 340,000
Joao Barbosa – 755,000
Dario Minieri – 495,000
Nico Behling – 300,000
Atanas Gueorguiev – 265,000
***
Arnaud Mattern spoke to the video blog team about his hopes for the final. you can find more from Arnaud and hundreds of others at PokerStars.tv.
Watch EPT Warsaw 08: Interview with Arnaud Mattern Final Table on PokerStars.tv
