Friday, 29th March 2024 07:26
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* 2 of 605 players remaining

12:00am: It’s over!

Click here for a full report of the day. –JS

11.56pm: Urbanovich wins Main Event
Level 32 – Blinds: 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Bernies shoved with Q♦ 7♦ and Urbanovich insta-called with K♠ K♦ . That made him an 88 per cent favourite to win the hand, and the title.

The flop came 7♠ 4♣ 5♠ . The turn the 9♦ . A seven or queen to save Bernies never came. The river was the 9♠ .

The players embraced and an exhausted Bernies stepped aside as Urbanovich celebrated. Remarkable scenes, despite the hour. A full report of Urbanovich’s success will be with you in moments. – SB

11.50pm: Bernies in trouble
Level 32 – Blinds: 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Bernies called from the small blind with K♠ 3♦ which Urbanovich raised to 420,000 with A♥ 6♠ . Bernies then called for a flop of K♣ 2♣ A♦ .

Urbanovich checked and Bernies checked also. That brought a 6♦ on the turn. Urbanovich bet 450,000 this time, into a pot of 890,000. Bernies went to his stack and called for an A♣ on the river, giving Urbanovich a full house.

Urbanovich riffled, then bet 1.4 million. Bernies would be calling with half of his stack if he did so, and did so. A huge pot leaving Bernies with only 13 big blinds. – SB

11.40pm: Urbanovich stretches lead
Level 32 – Blinds: 80,000-160,000 (25,000 ante)

Urbanovich opened with a raise to 350,000 with 7♠ 5♥ which Bernies called. The flop came A♠ 6♣ K♥ . Bernies, with second pair, bet, getting a call from Urbanovich who got a straight draw on the 8♠ turn. Bernies checked to Urbanovich who bet 575,000. Bernies called and the 4♠ came on the river, giving Urbanovich the straight.

Bernies checked again. Urbanovich looked at his cards, then bet big, some 2.25 million. Bernies didn’t fold immediately, but did eventually. 14 million for Urbanovich now, 3.8 million for Bernies. – SB

Urbanovich_EPTDub_HU2.jpg

Urbanovich getting closer
11:10pm: Chip counts at the break
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000-120,000 (ante 20,000)

Players have gone on a 20-minute break. Here’s how they stand:

Dzmitry Urbanovich 12,680,000
Gilles Bernies 5,445,000 –JS

11:05pm: Huge hand swings advantage to Urbanovich
Level 30 – Blinds: 60,000-120,000 (20,000 ante)

Bernies found 6♦ 4♦ in the small blind and, pausing as usual, called. Urbanovich checked his A♣ 3♠ for a flop, which came A♠ A♦ 2♦ . Urbanovich bet another 150,000. Bernies paused, again as usual, and called.
The turn came the 10â™  .

Urbanovich, looking over at Bernies, bet 415,000. Bernies, as usual paused again, then raised to 1.4 million. For his part Urbanovich shifted his weight and then asked to confirm the count. Then came more riffled thought before Urbanovich three-bet to 2.4 million.

Bernies, with a flush draw, weighed up his options. Urbanovich stared over at him and waited. Bernies finally said all in. He was snap called.

A diamond would finish it (barring the three or ten). Bernies had seven outs but didn’t get one. The 10♦ hit the river, making a full house for Urbanovich.

“Nice hand, sir,” said Bernies, seemingly enjoying the moment, seeing the diamond first before realising it was a ten. Urbanovich simply grinned. That was the last hand of the level. – SB

10.54pm: One of those pots that changes very little
Level 30 – Blinds: 60,000-120,000 (20,000 ante)

Bernies, holding 8♣ 7♣ , called from the small blind. That was good for a flop which came 3♣ 8♦ A♠ .
Urbanovich, holding K♦ 6â™  checked, leaving Bernies to bet 275,000 which Urbanovich called for a turn card of the 5♦ . Urbanovich checked again. Bernies checked too for the 9♦ on the river. Urbanovich checked, as did Bernies, which sent the pot to Bernies. — SB

10.44pm: Bernies shoves
Level 30 – Blinds: 60,000-120,000 (20,000 ante)

On a flop of J♦ 2♣ 5♦ both players checked for a 10♣ turn. Urbanovich bet 400,000. Bernies then raised to a million, which Urbanovich called.

The 5♥ came on the river. Urbanovich bet small, another 425,000. Bernies tanked, then announced he was all-in. That prompted Urbanovich to shift in his seat, and then fold, sending the pot to Bernies. – SB

10:24pm: Urbanovich getting frustrated?
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000-120,000 (ante 20,000)

Gilles Bernies was dealt the A♣ Q♦ and made it 300,000 to see a flop. Urbanovich quickly matched it with his A♠ 6♠ .

8♦ 9♣ K♦ came the flop. Urbanovich quickly checked, and it’s clear he’s starting to get a little antsy about the slowness of Bernies’ play. Bernies continued for 275,000 and Urbanovich had to let it go. –JS

10:20pm: Nine milly a piece
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000-120,000 (ante 20,000)

Urbanovich has 9,085,000. Bernies has 9,040,000. It’s neck and neck. –JS

10:10pm: No – wait! Urbanovich back in front
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000-120,000 (ante 10,000)

Dzmitry Urbanovich limped the button with the A♥ 8♣ , Bernies thought and made it 300,000 to play with K♣ 3♠ . Urbanovich made a snappy call.

The flop came the 6♦ 7♠ A♠ and Bernies put out 300,000 again. Urbanovich called with his pair of aces.

The turn was the 2♥ which didn’t help Bernies. It didn’t stop him betting though, and he fired again for 625,000. Urbanovich called very fast.

Another deuce landed on the river – the 2♣ . Bernies now checked and Urbanovich instantly bet 475,000. Bernies then made a hero call with king high! Urbanovich is back in front.

Dzmitry Urbanovich is playing 9,465,000 to Bernies’ 8,660,000. –JS

10:02pm: Bernies edges ahead
Level 30 – Blinds: 60,000-120,000 (20,000 ante)

Urbanovich opened for 260,000 with Q♠ 8♣ . Bernies called from the big blind with K♦ 7♣ for a flop of 7♦ 4♥ 6♠ .

Bernies bet 275,000 which Urbanovich called for the 6♥ on the turn. Bernies bet another 475,000. Urbanovich, slouched to one side and with his head leaning on his hand, responded with a raise to 1.15 million. Bernies paused, for a long time actually, then re-raised, three-betting to 2.2 million. Urbanovich folded. – SB

Bernies – 10.1 million
Urbanovich – 7.9 million

10:00pm: Bernies back even again
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

Tremendous stuff here from Gilles Bernies, who has just got the absolute maximum from a marginal spot against this trickiest of opponents.

Urbanovich defended pre-flop with 9♠ 7♣ and they went to a flop of 9♥ Q♦ 3♦ , which Urbanovich checked. Bernies, with Q♠ 4♦ in the hole, bet his top pair. He made it 225,000 and Urbanovich called with his middle pair.

The 5♣ appeared on the turn and they went through the same pattern. Urbanovich checked, Bernies bet 475,000 and Urbanovich called again.

The 3♣ came on the river and now things changed. Urbanovich bet 350,000. Most people expected Bernies to call, but few thought he had a raise in his locker here. But he did. He made it 1.5 million to play and Urbanovich called.

That puts the chip counts about even again. –HS

9:55pm: Bernies slow plays the ladies
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000-120,000 (ante 20,000)

Dzmitry Urbanovich opened to 260,000 with 6♦ 5♦ and Bernies looked down at the Q♠ Q♥ . He opted not to three bet, and made the call.

The flop came the 8♠ 7♣ 10♦ ., which left Bernies in front but gave Urbanovich a straight draw. Both checked surprisingly, and we saw the A♣ on the turn. Now Dzmitry started betting.

He put out 425,000 on a semi-bluff clearly trying to rep something with that ace, but Bernies made a quick call.

The 7♦ landed on the river, missing Urbanovich. However, when Bernies checked Urbanovich bet out 625,000. The call came quick and Bernies took it down.

Gilles Bernies 6,480,000
Dzmitry Urbanovich 11,650,000 –JS

9:45pm: A nice one for Urbanovich moves him further ahead
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000-120,000 (ante 20,000)

Dzmitry Urbanovich opened to 260,000 with the 10â™  9â™  and Bernies three bet up to 750,000 with a pair of red fives. Urbanovich called in position and we went to the flop.

It came the 2♣ 9♣ 8♦ , giving top pair to the Pole and two overcards to Bernies’ pair. Bernies still led though for 775,000 and Urbanovich made a quick call.

The turn was the 6♥ which gave both players gut shots. However, Bernies’ was useless as any seven would give Urbanovich a higher straight. Both checked though.

It came the 6♣ on the turn, which gave both two pair and brought three clubs for a possible flush that one could rep. Urbanovich checked and now Bernies led for 2,100,000.

Urbanovich made a great call, and moved up to 12,900,000, while Bernies drops to 5,225,000. –JS

9pm: Dinner break chip counts

The players are now on a 30-minute dinner break and the stacks are as follows:

Dzmitry Urbanovich: 9,255,000 (77 big blinds)
Gilles Bernies: 8,870,000 (73 big blinds)

There’s barely anything in this crazy heads-up battle, play will restart at 21.30 GMT. —NW

8:52pm: No deal
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

Gilles Bernies just raised the idea of making a deal. But as James Hartigan correctly stated on EPT Live: “I assume that Mr. Urbanovich does not want to entertain any conversations on making a deal.” –JS

8:50pm: Quack quack quack boosts Bernies’ stack
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

Another hand, another action filled pot to tell you about.

Pre-flop Gilles Bernies opened to 250,000 with 2♥ 2♣ and Urbanovich defended with K♦ 3♦ . On the A♦ 9♣ 6♣ flop Bernies c-bet 350,000 and Urbanovich check-called. The 2♦ turn was the ultimate action card. It gave Bernies a set and Urbanovich the nut flush draw. Bet of 600,000 from Bernies, call from Urbanovich.

The 10♥ river kept Bernies in the lead and when Urbanovich checked to him the German bet 1,100,000. There was no insta-fold from the Pole instead he capped his cards and began to think. “When he tanks it’s usually for a reason,” they said in the EPT commentary booth.

Urbanovich thought for a few minutes and then called with just king high. “He must have put him on a busted draw!” The stacks are closer now, Bernies is up to 8,370,000 and Urbanovich is down to 9,765,000. -NW

8:30pm: Gilles Bernies doubles up
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

“What a couple of crazy hands,” said James Hartigan as we had another big pot right after the huge Dzmitry Urbanovich double. This time it was Gilles `Bernies who got the double though…

He opened with A♥ 8♦ , Urbanovich three-bet with A♠ J♠ , Bernies moved all in for 3,075,000 and Urbanovich snapped him off.

The Pole had a 71% chance to win the tournament but Bernies hit the 8â™  5♦ 9â™  flop to take the lead. Even though he’d flopped best Urbanovich had 12 outs and 48% equity. Neither the 8♣ turn or Q♣ river completed the draw though and Bernies got some back.

He’s up to 6,170,000 whilst Urbanovich is down to 11,960,000. –NW

8:40pm: One-way traffic as Urbanovich doubles again
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

“You have to admire the endeavor,” said Matt Broughton in the commentary booth as Gilles Bernies decided to three-bet out of position with 4♦ 2â™  . He’d made it 475,000 to go and Dzmitry Urbanovich, who had already put 225,000 in with 8â™  5â™  , called the extra.

The 8♥ Jâ™  Kâ™  flop was all Urbanovich but Bernies didn’t slow down. The German bet 625,000 and this time it was Urbanovich’s turn to tank over a decision. The conclusion he arrived at was to raise to 1,475,000 million total. Bernies tanked for an age with just four high. Surely a fold was coming, but no, he moved all-in! Snap call from Urbanovich.

The 7♣ turn left Bernies drawing dead and Urbanovich is up to 15,040,000 whilst Bernies is down to 3,085,000.

“Dzmitry Urbanovich is now the monster favourite,” said James Hartigan. “He’s got the chips, he’s got the skills and his opponent must be feeling so deflated.”

The players are due to take a break in 16 minutes, but will we get that far? –NW

8:30pm: More for Urbanovich
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

Shortly after Dzmitry Urbanovich doubled up It looked like we had the prospect of another big on our hands. Whilst that didn’t transpire the pot did go to Urbanovich. The Pole was dealt A♣ 6♣ and raised it up to 225,000 and Bernies just called with Kâ™  J♣ .

On the Aâ™  Q♥ Q♣ flop Urbanovich bet small, just 100,000 and Bernies smooth called. The Jâ™  turn improved Bernies’ hand and he called a further 225,000. The 7â™  river was checked through and Urbanovich showed the winner to take the pot. –NW

8:20pm: Huge double up for Urbanovich
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

“That’s a decent flop,” said Lex Veldhuis in the commentary booth as the J♥ 7♦ 8♦ board had connected rather nicely with Dzmitry Urbanovich’s 10â™  9♣ . The Pole was in the big blind and checked it to Gilles Bernies. The German held K♦ 8â™  and having connected himself bet out for 200,000.

Urbanovich thought for a while and then check-raised to 550,000 total. Call from Bernies. The 7♣ fell on the turn. “That’s a great turn card for Urbanovich,” said Veldhuis. “It doesn’t change anything and if he didn’t believe him on the flop he’s not going to believe him now.”

Good read Lex as Urbanovich bet 915,000 and Bernies called. Urbanovich had 92% equity at this point and it increased to 100% on the 5♣ river. Urbanovich stacked his chips and moved the 1,785,000 he had left over the betting line.

Bernies got a count and cut out the calling chips from his stack and called! Full double up for Urbanovich then who’s up to 7,720,000, Bernies meanwhile is down to 10,905,000. –NW

8:15pm: Back to where we were
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

Three pots in a row have gone the way of Gilles Bernies meaning we’re almost back to where we were when heads-up play began. It’s back and forth so far. –NW

8pm: First blood to Urbanovich
Level 30 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (20,000 ante)

The first showdown pot of the heads-up contest has gone to Dzmitry Urbanovich. He limped the button with 10♥ 2♥ and Gilles Bernies checked his option with Q♥ 7♦ .

Urbanovich flopped top pair on 5♦ 10♦ 4♥ and he c-bet 100,000. Call from Bernies. Both players checked the 8â™  turn and the 7♥ river made Bernies a pair of his own. The German check-called a bet of 185,000 and mucked when he saw Urbanovich’s hand.

On the next hand Bernies opened to 250,000 with Qâ™  9♣ and called when Urbanovich three-bet to 650,000 with A♣ 10♣ . On the 10â™  2â™  7♦ flop Urbanovich fired out 625,000 and Bernies folded. So Urbanovich has pinched a million back as he’s up to 4,340,000, whilst Bernies is down to 13,795,000. –NW

7:55pm: Heads-up play begins
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

“It’s an honour for me to play with you,” Bernies just told Urbanovich.

Bernies_Urbanovich_EPTDub_HU.jpg

The players are back and heads-up play has begun. –NW

7:45pm: Heads-up chip counts
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

When heads-up play begins they’ll be 180 big blinds in play, the majority of those are with Gilles Bernies.

Dzmitry Urbanovich: 3,285,000 (32 big blinds)
Gilles Bernies: 14,840,000 (148 big blinds)

7:40pm: Kully Sidhu eliminated in third place (€250,300)
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

It seems exits are like London buses as we’ve just had two in as many hands. The crowd had only just got their breath back from the Patrick Clarke exit when we lost Kully Sidhu in third. Gilles Bernies open shoved with 5♥ 5♣ and after peaking down at A♥ 6♥ Sidhu called all in for 1,970,000 total.

It was a race but the pair held strong on the 7â™  Jâ™  4♥ 2♣ 2â™  board to send the Brit out in third. The two remaining players have now taken a 10-minute break. –NW

Gilles_Bernies_EPTDub_FT.jpg

Bernies sees he’s won the hand…
Bernies_Sidhu_EPTDub_FT.jpg

…and Kully Sidhu says goodbye
7:35pm: Patrick Clarke eliminated in fourth place (€193,650)
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

From the button Gilles Bernies looked down at another big hand, Q♥ Q♠ to be precise, and he took a while to come to a decision, so much so that Kully Sidhu called the clock. As he did that Bernies raised to 225,000 and after Dzmitry Urbanovich folded the small blind, Patrick Clarke moved all in from the big blind for 2,015,000 with A♣ 2♦ . Bernies snap called.

The 9♣ 5♥ Q♣ flop meant Clarke was drawing thin. The 7♣ turn meant Clarke had a flush draw to hit, but he missed it on the 2â™  river. Gilles Bernies is now up to 12,850,000 and has extended his chip lead still further. –NW

Patrick_Clarke_EPTDub_FT.jpg

Patrick Clarke hits the rail in 4th
7:30pm: Urbanovich shoves on Sidhu
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

Kully Sidhu opened to 255,000 on the button with the A♥ 4♣ and it folded to Urbanovich in the big blind. He announced “I’m all in” with the A♣ 7♦ and Sidhu would be the one at risk if he called. However, he let it go. –JS

Kully Sidhu 1,850,000
Dzmitry Urbanovich 3,360,000

7:25pm: Urbanovich chips up
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

“You did it to yourself buddy” said Team Pro Online’s Lex Veldhuis when Patrick Clarke found himself facing a tricky river decision. Let’s rewind.

Dzmitry Urbanovich limped from the small blind with A♥ 9♦ and Patrick Clarke checked his option with 2♠ 2♥ .

On the 3♦ 7♣ K♠ flop Urbanovich instantly bet 100,000 and Clarke smooth called. There was no betting on the J♣ turn and Urbanovich then took the lead on the A♦ river. He bet 325,000 into the pot and Clarke went into the tank.

He stayed there for a couple of minutes – during which Veldhuis made his comment – and he couldn’t get away from it as eventually he made the call and saw the bad news. -NW

Dzmitry Urbanovich, 3,004,000
Patrick Clarke, 2,300,000

7:21pm: Kully calls the clock and speeds up the action
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

Gilles Bernies limped the small blind with K♥ 7♠ and Urbanovich checked with the 8♣ 6♠ . The flop came 4♦ 3♣ Q♦ and while Bernies was thinking (and breathing heavily, as he has been all tournament) Kully Sidhu called the clock. Bernies instantly then checked, Urbanovich instantly bet 125,000, and Bernies instantly folded.

Calling the clock works then, eh. –JS

7:14pm: Bernies continues to bulldoze
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

From the button Patrick Clarke opened to 225,000, Kully Sidhu came along from the small blind with Qâ™  9♦ and Gilles Bernies then shoved from the big blind with 6♦ 6â™  . Both opponent’s quickly folded and Bernies picked up yet more chips. –NW

7:07pm: Back in action
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

The four players are back from break and the cards are in the air. –JS

6:50pm: Shallowing out as blinds go up
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000-100,000 (ante 10,000)

That was the last hand of the level, and things are really shallowing out now in Dublin. Obviously Gilles Bernies is still doing OK, but, when they return from this 20-minute break, the rest of the players will all have sub 30 big-blind stacks. — HS

Name Country Chips
Gilles Bernies Germany 10,355,000
Kuljinder Sidhu UK 2,865,000
Patrick Clarke Ireland 2,715,000
Dzmitry Urbanovich Poland 2,555,000
Iliodoros Kamatakis Greece 0
Rhys Jones UK 0

gilles_bernies_ept12_dublin_guinness.jpg

Gilles Bernies
 

6:45pm: Clarke’s semi-bluff gets through
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

With the 7♠ 6♣ on the button, Patrick Clarke made it 200,000 to go. It folded to Gilles Bernies in the big blind and he made the call with the Q♥ 8♣ .

The two saw the 4â™  8♦ 9â™  flop – giving Clarke an up-and-down straight draw and Bernies a pair of eights. Bernies now led for 225,000 only for Clarke to shove for 2,010,000.

Bernies weighed up his options, reaching for chips while staring at Clarke – searching for a read. Clarke stared right back.

patrick_clarke_ept12_day6_break.jpg

Patrick Clarke
 

There was a little forward motion to putting chips in the pot from Bernies which made Stapes and Matt on EPT Live groan a little, but in the end it was decided it was an upward motion rather than forward. Bernies folded, and Clarke took it down. –JS

6:35pm: Bernies’ sneaky limp
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

No, I’m not talking about a sneaky limp like Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects.

What happened was Kully Sidhu limped on the button with K♥ 3♥ , and Bernies limped too in the small blind. Thing is, he had a huge hand in Q♥ Q♣ .

It worked though; Urbanovich made it 300,000 from the big blind, before Bernies bumped it to 900,000. Urbanovich let it go and the winner of this pot was the usual suspect – Gilles Bernies. –JS

6:30pm: Small pots only for Urbanovich
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

Action folded to Dzmitry Urbanovich in the small blind and he opted to raise with his 6♣ 6♠ . Patrick Clarke defended his big blind with Q♦ 9♣ and they both checked a flop of 8♠ A♠ 7♣ .

Given that that flop wasn’t that interesting, the 8♥ turn couldn’t really help anyone either. But Urbanovich bet it anyway and Clarke folded. — HS

6:25pm: Straight forward for Bernies
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

Gilles Bernies limped the small blind with J♠ 9♠ and Urbanovich checked his option with 8♣ 7♦ .

The flop had potential. It came the 7♠ A♥ 10♥ , giving Bernies a gutshot and Urbanovich bottom pair. Bernies checked his draw and Urbanovich checked back.

The J♦ turn was an action card. It paired Bernies but now it was Urbanovich with the gutshot plus his pair. Bernies bet 200,000; Urbanovich called.

To the river. It came the 8â™  , giving Bernies the straight and improving Urbanovich to two pair. The bet was 225,000 and Urbanovich made the call. Bernies took it down.

Gilles Bernies 10,400,000 (130 big blinds)
Dzxmitry Urbanovich 2,400,000 (30 big blinds) –JS

6:20pm: Sidhu sets trap for Urbanovich; Urbanovich just about wriggles away
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

There are some big pairs appearing now, and none bigger than Kully Sidhu’s A♦ A♣ with which he just won a pot against Dzmitry Urbanovich. Urbanovich opened from under the gun, raising 200,000. Action folded to Sidhu in the small blind and he opted to get cute, just calling those aces.

They saw a flop of 8♥ 8♠ 6♠ and Sidhu check-raised, up to 350,000 after Urbanovich fell into his trap. Urbanovich called. The turn was the J♥ and Sidhu took a long time before moving out 650,000.

Urbanovich is a smart cookie. He folded, but his opponent now stacked up 2.805 million. — HS

6:05pm: Urbanovich hits the flop
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

Patrick Clarke opened to 200,000 with a pretty holding – the Aâ™  Q♣ . It folded to Dzmitry Urbanovich and he couldn’t have called quicker with the K♣ 10♣ .

K♠ 10♥ 3♠ came the flop, and Urbanovich opted to check his two pair. Clarke put out a c-bet of 225,000 with his gutshot, but then faced a raise to 685,000 from the EPT Player of the Year.

Clarke gave it up, and Urbanovich raked in the chips. –JS

5:55pm: One for the Irishman
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

Patrick Clarke made it 200,000 to go under the gun with A♥ J♥ and it folded around to Kully Sidhu on the button. He three bet to A♠ 2♣ to 435,000, Gilles Bernies gave up his big blind, and Clarke asked Sidhu for a count. They both had almost identical stacks, but Clarke had Sidhu covered by just 130,000.

After two minutes Clarke shoved, and Sidhu folded. Clarke’s up to 3.34 million. –JS

8G2A8366_EPT12DUB_Patrick_Clarke_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Patrick Clarke
 

5:45pm: Another one for Bernies, at Urbanovich’s expense
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

The shortest stack at the table belongs to Dzmitry Urbanovich, but he’s by no means in the danger zone. He’s remaining active, opening the Jâ™  9♣ from under the gun to 180,000.

Patrick Clarke then made the call on the button with the 5♥ 5♦ , and Gilles Bernies also called from the big blind with the A♠ 3♠ .

The flop didn’t really hit any player. It came 10♥ 2â™  K♦ , meaning Clarke’s fives were still ahead, while giving Urbanovich a gutshot. He continued for 235,000 and Clarke folded the best hand. Bernies had just ace high but took control of the betting lead with a raise to 605,000. Urbanovich couldn’t continue and gave it up.

Gilles Bernies moves up to 9.59 million, while Urbanovich slips to 3.21 million. –JS

5:35pm: An orbit
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

The last four hands have played out like this:

1. Blind vs blind, Kully Sidhu made it 200,000 to go with J♣ 4♣ and the new chip-leader Gilles Bernies three bet to 525,000 with Q♦ 10♣ . Sidhu folded.

2. Patrick Clarke opened to 200,000 with 9♣ 6♣ and Dzmitry Urbanovich woke up with pocket jacks in the big blind. He three bet to 580,000 and took it down.

3. Gilles Bernies opened the button with K♣ 7♠ and both Urbanovich and Patrick Clarke folded their blinds.

4. Bernies opened under-the-gun with A♥ K♦ and Patrick Clarke three bet from the small blind with 9â™  8â™  to 550,000. Sidhu gave up his big blind, before Bernies shoved and Clarke snap-folded. –JS

5:25pm: Huge double for Bernies through Urbanovich
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

After Gilles Bernies limped the small blind with a monster four-handed – the Aâ™  Qâ™  – Dzmitry Urbanovich woke up in the big blind with 8â™  8♥ . He made it 300,000 to go, and Bernies started thinking.

Bernies pulled out a stack of black 100,000 chips and counted out a three-bet to 905,000. Urbanovich glanced over at Bernies and shoved. He had Bernies covered so the German was in a tough spot, but he went for it. He was all in.

There was 7,950,000 in the middle. If Bernies won, he’d be our chip leader. If Urbanovich won, well – it’s safe to say he’d be incredibly tough to beat from here on.

The K♣ 7♣ 5â™  flop kept Urbanovich in the lead, but the A♥ hit the river and Bernies’ rail erupted. It wasn’t over yet though; there were still two eights left in the deck.

8G2A8397_EPT12DUB_Gilles_Bernies_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Gilles Bernies is all in
 

8G2A8417_EPT12DUB_Gilles_Bernies_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Gilles Bernies: Jubilant
 

The river was the Jâ™  . Bernies doubles, Urbanovich loses a big one.

Gilles Bernies 7,950,000
Dzmitry Urbanovich 3,330,000 –JS

5:20pm: Level up
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

That hand, in which Urbanovich won with his deuces, was the last of level 28. We’re skipping straight into Level 29 now, where blinds are 40,000-80,000 (10,000 ante). — HS

5:15pm: Bernies floats down the river with Urbanovich and his ducks
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

With the smallest of pairs, Dzmitry Urbanovich opened to 150,000 under the gun with 2♦ 2♣ . It folded to Bernies in the big who called with the K♠ Q♥ . Urbanovich gave a glance which looked like frustration.

The flop was loaded with bullets – A♥ 5â™  A♦ . The German checked and the 20-year-old Polish wizard continued for 125,000 with the ducks. Bernies decided to float.

Yet another ace (the A♣ ) arrived on the turn and Bernies checked. Urbanovich now put out a bet of 255,000 and Bernies called once more.

The 3♥ came on the river and it went check check. The aces-full-of-deuces won it for Urbanovich.

Gilles Bernies 3,970,000
Dzmitry Urbanovich 7,300,000 — JS

5:10pm: Same hand, one winner
Level 29 – Blinds 40,000-80,000 (ante 10,000)

Kully Sidhu opened to 160,000 under the gun with the A♣ 4♥ which was three-bet by Patrick Clarke from the big blind with the same hand (albeit different suits, obviously). He made it 460,000 with the A♥ 4♣ and got a fold from Sidhu. –JS

5:05pm: Bernies finds aces, gets minimum
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

On the very next hand after his double up, Kuljinder Sidhu opened to 150,000 from the button with Q♦ Jâ™  and Gilles Bernies, in the big blind, woke up with A♥ A♣ . He three-bet to about 360,000 but Sidhu did not fancy it any more. Bernies did not get paid. — HS

5pm: Sidhu secures the double up through Bernies
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

It was folded around to Kully Sidhu in the small blind and he made it 175,000 to play with the A♦ 5♦ . Gilles Bernies was the in the big blind and he also woke up with a suited ace – the A♥ 2♥ . Bernies made the call.

The 3♥ 9♦ A♣ flop paired both players, with Sidhu out in front despite plenty of chop possibilities. Interestingly, both players checked.

Our final table dealer put down the 7â™  on the turn and now Sidhu led for 260,000. Bernies would call again, and the 5â™  on the river would mean there was no chop – Sidhu now had two pair.

The Brit shoved for 1,475,000 and Bernies had a big decision. He’d still have 4.45 million if he called and was beat – and that’s exactly what happened.

Sidhu now has 3.7 million after that double up. –JS

4:55pm: Level end break come early
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

The gremlins have been crushed and the good guys soldier on. Play is under way again. — HS

4:35pm: Level end break come early
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

They are taking the end-of-level break early allowing them to fix the gremlins. We’ll come back and play the last 20 minutes of Level 28 and then go straight into Level 29. — HS

4:30pm: Gremlins
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

There’s been a few technical issues and they are now taking an unscheduled break. The best kind. — HS

4:20pm: Kamatakis is gone in 5th; Bernies gets stronger
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Iliodoros Kamatakis made it 150,000 to go from under the gun with Kâ™  9â™  , and Gilles Bernies was the sole caller from the cutoff with Aâ™  Q♦ . The 5♦ Qâ™  9♥ flop gave both a piece – top pair for Bernies and middle pair for Kamatakis. The Greek twitcher continued for 275,000, and Bernies made a three bet to 650,000.

About ten seconds later Kamatakis shoved for 1.6 million total, and Bernies paused while he waited for a count. It was 950,000 more and he made the call with a three to one chance of busting Kamatakis.

The 3♥ turn was a blank. So we waited for the river.

Another three – the 3♦ – arrived, and we lost Ilios Kamatakis in fifth place. He’ll take home a handsome prize of €152,600.

Gilles Bernies now has 5,830,000. –JS

4:15pm: Clarke rivers the straight
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Dzmitry Urbanovich limped the small blind with 5♠ 2♣ and Patrick Clarke checked the big with A♦ 6♠ . The 10♦ 7♠ 5♦ flop paired Urbanovich and he bet 75,000, but Clarke stuck around.

The turn was the 9♣ , giving Clarke a gutshot, but both checked. The 8♥ made Clarke the straight, Urbanovich checked, and a bet of 325,000 won it for Clarke. –JS

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Patrick Clarke
 

4:10pm: Kamatakis komin’ atcha
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Iliodoros Kamatakis just spent some time observing that he has been card dead at this final table so far. However, on the very next hand he found a perfect spot and doubled up with pocket tens against Kully Sidhu’s nines.

It was actually slightly more than a double up because Patrick Clarke opened, with K♥ J♦ , making it 150,000. Sidhu, one seat around, raised to 380,000 and then Kamatakis discovered 10♥ 10♣ in his hand and moved his stack of 740,000 forward.

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Iliodoros Kamatakis all in
 

Clarke folded, but Sidhu had too much invested.

The board ran 2♣ A♣ 8♦ 10♦ 9♥ . Sidhu was drawing dead on the turn, so hitting his nine on the end was meaningless.

Kamatakis now has about 1.8 million and Sidhu just slightly more than 2 million. — HS

4:05pm: Another Urbanovich three bet
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Gilles Bernies opened K♥ Q♦ from the cut off to 150,000 and Dzmitry Urbanovich – as he so often does – three bet to 375,000 with Qâ™  J♣ . Patrick Clarke then folded his own queen jack off, Kully Sidhu folded an ace and a six, and it was back on Bernies. Urbanovich’s bet got through. –JS

3:55pm: Urbanovich is Clarke’s new foe
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Patrick Clarke opened under the gun with A♥ J♥ for 140,000 and Dzmitry Urbanovich called with 6♦ 5♥ from the big blind. Urbanovich flopped two pair on the 6♠ 5♦ 3♣ and led for 250,000, which was enough to win.

Then in the next pot, Urbanovich opened from the small blind with Q♥ 8â™  and Clarke called from the big with Jâ™  10♣ . It certainly was an action flop – the 8♦ 9♦ 8♣ gave Urbanovich trips and Clarke an up-and-down straight draw. Urbanovich continued for 250,000 and Clarke called, taking us to the 3♥ turn. It was a bit of a brick, and both checked. The 6♥ river was another brick for Clarke. Urbanovich bet and took it down again. –JS

3:50pm: Randy Lew nails it
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Comparatively speaking, this wasn’t a huge hand, but Team Online’s Randy “nanonoko” Lew, a guest on EPT Live at the moment, predicted every last step of action 100 percent accurately. It was great.

Dzmitry Urbanovich started things when he raised to 150,000 from the cutoff with A♠ J♦ . Iliodoros Kamatakis defended his big blind with 9♣ 7♣ and that took them to a flop of A♣ Q♥ K♣ . Kamatakis checked his flush draw, but Urbanovich bet his top pair. It was 135,000 and Kamatakis called.

The K♦ on the turn was a miss for Kamatakis but a scare card for Urbanovich, and they both checked, and that took them to the 4♠ on the river. Lew said that Kamatakis was going to have to bet his missed draw and the Greek player did just that. He fired 175,000.

“But you’re going to lose this hand, I’ll tell you that much,” Lew said, just as Urbanovich called, confirming that loss for Kamatakis. His stack is now down to around about a million. That’s the shortest in the room. — HS

3:45pm: Sidhu shoves for 40 bigs, puts Urbanovich to the test
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Dzmitry Urbanovich opened to 150,000 with A♥ 3♦ but met a three bet from Kully Sidhy to 375,000, who was holding the A♦ J♥ . Urbanovich made the call and both players hit their ace on the 4♣ Q♠ A♣ flop.

Interestingly, Sidhu decided just to shove for 2.3 million or almost 40 big blinds – a huge over bet to the pot. With 5.48 million behind Urbanovich could afford to make the call, but it certainly put the usually-speedy player to the test.

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Dzmitry Urbanovich goes into the tank
 

He went in the tank for more than three minutes but eventually made the correct fold.

Kully Sidhu 3,130,000
Dzmitry Urbanovich 5,480,000 –JS

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Kuljinder Sidhu shoving
 

3:38pm: Bernies continues upward movement
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Kully Sidhu opened to 145,000 from under the gun and it folded around to Gilles Bernies on the button. Sidhu had A♥ 7♣ and Bernies 4♠ 4♣ .

With that newly increased stack, Bernies three-bet to 400,000. And that was enough to push both blinds, and Sidhu, out of the pot. — HS

3:35pm: Clarke rivered by Bernies, slips to third
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

This was an interesting hand which showed the power a wet board can have in keeping a cap on the action.

It began with an under-the-gun open to 140,000 from Patrick Clarke with K♠ 10♣ , which was called by Gilles Bernies from the small blind with K♥ Q♠ .

The flop came 5♦ 10â™  K♦ – giving Bernies top pair but Clarke top two – and Bernies check-called a bet of 175,000 from Clarke, before the 4♦ landed on the turn. It went check check and the Q♣ hit the turn – creating a very wet board with flushes and straight both huge possibilities. Bernies had now taken the lead with a bigger two pair but still decided to check, allowing Clarke to put out a bet of 425,000. Bernies decided he was ahead, and correctly made the call.

That pushes Bernies into second place, while Clarke slips to third.

Gilles Bernies 4,100,000
Patrick Clarke 3,870,000 –JS

3:25pm: Yet another Sidhu/Clarke pot
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Here we go again. Patrick Clarke limped the small blind with 10♣ 7♦ and Kully Sidhu checked the big with K♦ 5♥ . The flop had something for both players; 6♦ 4♣ 7♥ have Clarke top pair and Sidhu an up-and-down straight draw. Both checked.

The turn came the K♥ , giving Sidhu the lead, and Clarke now checked. Sidhu led for 130,000, Clarke called and we went to the river. It was the Jâ™  , Clarke checked once more and Sidhu now put out a value bet of 275,000. He’d get Clarke to call and Sidhu chips up nicely.

Patrick Clarke 4,390,000
Kully Sidhu 3,010,000

(They played the next hand too, but you knew that already.) –JS

3:20pm: Restart
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

Off they go again. The small blind is now the size of an tournament-starting chip stack. — HS

3pm: Break time
Level 28 – Blinds 30,000-60,000 (ante 10,000)

And with that, they’ll take their first break of the day. Stacks, going into Level 28, are as follows:

Name Country Chips
Dzmitry Urbanovich Poland 6,000,000
Patrick Clarke Ireland 4,860,000
Gilles Bernies Germany 3,350,000
Kuljinder Sidhu UK 2,505,000
Iliodoros Kamatakis Greece 1,410,000
Rhys Jones UK 0

2:58pm: EPT newbie bests EPT Player of the Year
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Gilles Bernies, who is playing in his first ever EPT event, just took a nice little pot from EPT Player of the Year Dzmitry Urbanovich, without ever needing to see a community card.

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Newbie: Gilles Bernies
 

The German opened to 125,000 on the button with the A♥ 4♠ , but was met by an instant three bet to 350,000 from Urbanovich holding K♥ J♠ out of the small blind. Patrick Clarke folded his big blind, and it was back on Bernies.

Bernies thought for a minute or so, taking his now trademark deep breaths, and calmly made a four bet to 975,000. Urbanovich decided to give it up, so ship that pot to Bernies. –JS

2:55pm: Kings out twice in a row
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Gilles Bernies and Iliodoros Kamatakis both found pocket kings in consecutive hands, but neither picked up a customer pre-flop. Bernies got a few more than Kamatakis because Patrick Clarke had opened already in his hand, a bet that was called by Kamatakis. Bernies’ three-bet got them both out.

Kamatakis open-raised when found kings and everyone else folded. — HS

2:50pm: The Clarke and Sidhu show
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

It’s all about Patrick Clarke and Kully Sidhu right now.

In this hand – the third instalment in this developing rivalry – Patrick Clarke opened on the button to 115,000 with the 10♥ 7♣ , and Sidhu made the call from small blind with the Aâ™  4♦ . Ilios Kamatakis folded the big and it was two (the same two) to the flop.

It came 7♦ A♣ A♥ and Sidhu checked, resulting in a 125,000 c-bet from Clarke. Sidhu called.

The Q♣ landed on the turn and it went check check, taking us to the 2♥ river. Now Sidhu led for 400,000 with his trip aces. Clarke thought for a minute and made the call with his pair of sevens. He saw the bad news, and Sidhu wins this round.

Patrick Clarke 5,040,000
Kully Sidhu 2,520,000 –JS

2:45pm: Sidhu with pre-flop aggression
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Kully Sidhu came off second best in a hand against Patrick Clarke not long ago, but he’s just won some back. That said, he put his life on the line and might have been caught out.

Clarke opened from the small blind and Sidhu three-bet shoved from the big, for 1.66 million. Clarke had Aâ™  10♥ and was ahead of Sidhu’s A♦ 6♦ , but Clarke didn’t know how dominant he was.

He took a while over the decision, but then let it go. Job done for Sidhu. — HS

2:40pm: Urbanovich attacks
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Dzmitry Urbanovich today proved his is mortal: the chip-leader showed up today with a sallow complexion and a need to run to the bathroom every few minutes — he’s sick, and not in a good way. But he still managed to push Iliodoros Kamatakis off a hand, betting on the turn of 2â™  Aâ™  10♦ Q♣ with J♥ 9♦ and getting Kamatakis to fold J♦ 10♣ . — HS

2:35: Clarke gets the best of Sidhu with a cracking call
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Irishman Patrick Clarke and Brit Kully Sidhu are sat next to each other in the centre of this final table, and they seem to be developing something of a rivalry.

Clarke just opened to 110,000 with the 10♥ 10♦ , and Sidhu called on the button with the A♣ 3♣ . The flop came 5♦ K♦ 2♣ giving Sidhu a gutshot, and presenting an overcard to Clarke’s pair. Both opted to check.

The turn was the 2♦ and now Clarke decided to continue for a bet of 115,000. Sidhu called (perhaps floating with a plan on the river) and so we saw one more card.

It was the K♥ , giving both two pair (but Clarke a bigger one), and the Irishman led for 230,000. Sidhu then went into the tank for around two minutes, deciding whether or not to execute his plan. He then put out a raise to 630,000. It didn’t take Clarke too long to call and what a great call it was.

Patrick Clarke 5,800,000
Kully Sidhu 1,680,000 –JS

2:25pm: Sidhu sniffs out weakness and puts pressure on Kamatakis
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Kully Sidhu opened to 110,000 from under the gun with A♠ 6♣ , and was met with a three bet to 310,000 from Ilios Kamatakis with the J♥ 10♥ . It folded back around to Sidhu who shoved almost immediately.

Kamatakis thought for a moment, but decided to keep his 1.72 million and fight another day. Sidhu showed the 6♣ as he raked in the chips. –JS

2:20pm: Clarke unafraid of Sidhu
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Kuljinder Sidhu has been three-betting liberally throughout the week and now, given that we have hole cards on EPT Live, we know the kind of hands he does it with. His range apparently includes 10â™  7♣ . He just did that after an open from Patrick Clarke, but Clarke called and then took it down on the river on a double-paired board. His fours were counterfeited, but he didn’t mind and he sensed weakness from Sidhu. Sidhu folded on the end. — HS

4:15pm: Short stack Jones busts to chip leader Urbanovich
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

It has not taken long for us to lose our first player. As you’d expect, it was the short stack Rhys Jones who got it in and as you’d expect, it was Dzmitry Urbanovich who rakes in even more chips.

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Rhys Jones: Hands in the air
 

Urbanovich opened to 110,000 with the A♣ 10♣ and it folded around to Jones in the big blind. He paused for a moment before deciding to shove with A♠ 9♥ , and Urbanovich made the call.

The flop was crushing for Jones – it came 10â™  2♦ 5♥ . The 9♦ gave him some hope of rivering a set, but the A♦ river just gave him an inferior two pair.

Jones collects €119,450 for his sixth place finish, while Urbanovich is up to nearly 6 million now. –JS

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Rhys Jones out
 

2:05pm: Rhys Jones is playing for more than the title
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

He might be coming in to this final table as the short stack with 740,000, but Rhys Jones has big plans if he should win the EPT Dublin Main Event:

2pm: Off they go
Level 27 – Blinds 25,000-50,000 (ante 5,000)

Away they go. Here are your final six:

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Final table players (l-r): Ilioros Kamatakis, Gilles Bernies, Patrick Clarke, Rhys Jones, Dzmitry Urbanovich, Kuljinder Sidhu
 

1pm: Preparing to crown a champion

It’s 1pm at the Royal Dublin Society and six players remain in the EPT Dublin Main Event, looking for that elusive first prize. Only one (Kuljinder Sidhu) has been at a Main Event final table before, but all eyes are surely on Dzmitry Urbanovich, poker’s most wunderest of wunderkinds.

Urbanovich is approaching the one-year anniversary of his explosive arrival on the global stage (that four-trophy sensation in Malta), so can be complete the most spectacular 12 months with a Main Event title? Only a fool would bet against him. Speaking of which…

Play is getting under way in the tournament room here, but there’s a one-hour security delay so that action can be shown as live on EPT Live with hole cards exposed. No spoilers until then. — HS

Here are the stacks at the beginning of the day. And why not take a look back and how they got them with last night’s wrap.

Name Country Chips
Dzmitry Urbanovich Poland 5,125,000
Patrick Clarke Ireland 4,300,000
Kuljinder Sidhu UK 3,260,000
Gilles Bernies Germany 2,735,000
Iliodoros Kamatakis Greece 1,965,000
Rhys Jones UK 740,000

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Take a look at the official website of the EPT, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for the rest of the season.

Also all the schedule information is on the EPT App, which is available on both Android or IOS.

PokerStars Blog reporting team on the EPT12 Dublin Main Event: JAck Stanton and Howard Swains. His joie de vivre balances my world-weariness to produce a perfect mean. Photography by Neil Stoddart. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog.

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