Thursday, 28th March 2024 15:26
Home / Events / PCA 2019: $100K Super High Roller Day 1 live updates

5:40pm: Fresh from break
Level 5 – Blinds 1,000/2,500 (BB ante 2,500)

Some players went outside during the break, others went to Starbucks and some decided to buy in. We’re now up to 40 players.

“Boom! I’m all in,” said Team PokerStars Daniel Negreanu as he took his seat. “Nice to see you guys.”

Negreanu is fresh and ready for level 5. He’s going to need to be sharp too, since no table in this tournament is easy. Negreanu is now seated with Henrik Hecklen, Daniel Dvoress, Bryn Kenney, Koray Aldemir, Matthias Eibinger and Seth Davies.

We’ll keep you updated on the action. –AV

5:16pm: Koon closes out the level strong
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

As we headed into the break Jason Koon clashed with Jean-Noel Thorel and came out the better for it.

Koon opened to 4,500 under the gun and the action folded around to Thorel in the big blind. Thorel made it 25,000 to go and Koon called.

Thorel led for 30,000 on the 9♦Q♣4♦ flop and Koon called. They both checked the 9♠ turn and the Q♦ fell on the river. Thorel checked and Koon thought for about 15 seconds before betting 150,000, chasing Thorel from the hand.

That moves Koon up to 483,000, while Thorel drops to 380,000. –JK

Jason Koon: going strong

5:15pm: Break time counts

The field is now on another 20-minute break. Here’s a look at the biggest stacks at the day’s halfway point. –JS

Nick Petrangelo – 760,000
Koray Aldemir – 420,000
Mikita Badziakouski – 410,000
Chris Hunichen – 370,000
Talal Shakerchi – 360,000

5:10pm: Shak’s back
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Dan Shak rebought and is back for more high roller action. He’s not about to let a busted flush draw and a messy burn and turn ruin his fun here at The Bahamas. –AV

5:05pm: More names for the list
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Not much action to report from the other tables, those being the ones not containing Dan Shak or Koray Aldemir.

We do have some new players to tell you about though. Malaysia’s Michael Soyza is one of the latest arrivals, joined by Italy’s Mustapha Kanit.

France’s Benjamin Pollak has just pulled up a seat too. –JS

5:00pm: A messy burn and turn
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Most burn and turns are simple and drama free.

This one got a bit messy though. Dan Shak had raised to 5,000 from under the gun and Koray Aldemir three-bet to 17,500 from the button. Shak called and the flop came down 4♥K♣T♥.

Aldemir bet 13,000 when checked to and Shak raised to 45,000. Aldemir reraised with a chunk of chips big enough to put Shak all in and Shak called.

“That’s very bad for me,” Shak said after Aldemir showed A♥2♥. Shak had a lower flush draw with 8♥7♥. That’s when things got messy.

The dealer pulled out the turn, the 4♦, but the card underneath it, the 7♦, flipped off the deck for everyone to see.

The dealer put it in the burn pile and dealt the river, the 3♥.

“Are you sure?” Shak asked the dealer. The dealer said he was certain, but Shak said he saw both come out at the same time. Other players said they also saw the 7♦ come out from underneath the 4♦ and it was, in fact, the burn card.

Daniel Dvoress pointed out that it wouldn’t have mattered if the four or seven was the burn card, because the flush would have hit on the river no matter what.

Things really would have been messy, they said, if the flush hadn’t hit. A seven there would’ve saved Shak from a $100,000 elimination.

“Call me again if that happens,” the tournament director said. For now though, the initial call stood and Shak was eliminated. Things got a bit messy, but they could’ve been a lot messier.

Aldemir is now up to about 450,000. –AV

4:45pm: Kempe climbing
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Rainer Kempe just moved a little closer to even for the day in a pot with Mikita Badziakouski.

Kempe opened for 5,000 in the hijack seat and drew calls from Jason Koon (cutoff) and Badziakouski (big blind). Badziakouski checked the 5♣Q♠A♣ flop; Kempe bet 12,000, Koon folded, and Badziakouski called.

Badziakouski check-called another 28,000 on the T♥ turn, bringing the 2♦ on the river. He checked one more time and Kempe used two time bank card before betting 93,000, leaving himself a single 500-denomination chip behind. Badziakouski asked for a count on the bet and used his entire shot clock before tossing his cards into the muck, accidentally exposing the Q♣ in the process.

Badziakouski is still on 400,000, while Kempe climbs to 195,000. –JK

Rainer Kempe is headed back to even

4:30pm: BK vs. BK
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Two of our newest arrivals just played a small pot with each other. Bryn Kenney opened for 5,500 in the hijack seat and Byron Kaverman called in the big blind. They both checked the 4♦J♠8♥ flop and 6♦ turn, and Kaverman did the same on the K♦ river. Then Kenney bet 12,000 and Kaverman folded.

Kaverman has 225,000. Kenney has 265,000. And my notes have two players abbreviated “BK.” –JK

4:28pm: Greenwood gets a big one off Peters
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

David Peters is down to 60,000 after losing a big pot to Sam Greenwood.

Peters started the hand off with a raise to 3,500 from the hijack. Greenwood called from the button and Sean Winter did the same from the big blind. The flop came Q♠J♥2♦ and Greenwood bet 4,000 when checked to .

Winter folded, Peters called and the 7♦ came on the turn. Action checked to Greenwood again and this time he bet 25,000. Peters called and the 6♠ completed the board. Peters checked again and Greenwood used a time bank card before betting 120,000.

Peters called and mucked after Greenwood showed J♣J♦ for a set of jacks.

The level went up and Peters raised to 4,500 the following hand. Greenwood reraised to 11,500 and then Peters moved all-in for 55,000 when action folded back around to him.

Greenwood let it go and Peters is sitting with 60,000 while Greenwood is up to about 300,000. –AV

Greenwood, of the “Sam” variety

4:23pm: Huge pot for Haxton vs Huni
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Isaac Haxton’s stack has so far been on the decline. But in one hand he’s turned it all around.

Chris Hunichen opened to 4,000 under the gun and Haxton three-bet to 13,500 in the hijack when it folded to him. Back to Hunichen, he made the call.

The dealer spread an 8♦7♥8♥ flop, and Hunichen checked. Haxton chose a small size – 7,000 – and that was called to bring the 7♣ turn.

It checked to Haxton once again, and he wasn’t slowing down. Haxton fired 30,000 this street and Hunichen didn’t budge.

The 4♣ completed the board, and Haxton emptied the clip for 85,000 when checked to. Hunichen called quickly, but mucked when Haxton flipped 6♠7♠ for sevens full.

He’s up to 317,000 now, while Hunichen is still up over starting stack with 300,000. –JS

4:15pm: Scratch Nitsche
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (BB ante 2,000)

Dominik Nitsche won’t have a comeback story today unless he fires another bullet, gets short, and then rebuilds his stack from there. He just got the last of his chips in with 9-7 and couldn’t make a hand to stick around. –JK

4pm: Igor on the upswing
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Igor Kurganov is back in business after an interesting hand.

Jason Koon opened the betting for 3,500 under the gun and Christoph Vogelsang called in the lojack seat. The action folded to Kurganov in the small blind; he used a time bank card before re-raising to 11,500, about a quarter of his remaining chips. Koon then four-bet to 25,000, putting the action back to Vogelsang, who five-bet to 38,500. Back to Kurganov, he moved in for 44,000 total and Koon quickly folded to leave the other two heads-up:

Vogelsang: J♦J♥
Kurganov: K♦K♣

The board ran out T♦2♣7â™ K♥Tâ™ , giving Kurganov kings full of tens and a 115,000-chip stack as Vogelsang slipped to 200,000. Koon said after the hand that he had T-T, which would’ve given him quads to knock Kurganov out had he stayed in. –JK

It’s a scene, man

3:59pm: Adams gets a few
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Timothy Adams took down a small pot and is almost back at the 100,000 mark.

Byron Kaverman started that pot with a raise to 4,000 from middle position. Action folded to Timothy Adams on the cutoff and he three-bet to 12,000.

The blinds and button got out of the way but Kaverman called. The flop came J♦A♠9♦ and Adams bet 6,500. Kaverman called and both players checked after the 2♥ came on the turn. The river brought the K♦ and both players checked again.

Kaverman showed K♥Qâ™  for a pair of kings but Adams had a pair of aces with A♣T♥. Kaverman dipped to about 210,000 while Adams is closing in on the six-figure mark with about 95,000. –AV

3:52pm: Nitsche comeback begins
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Dominik Nitsche’s stack is short. Very short. Just 17,500 from his 250K starting chips.

He’s forging a comeback though, one chip at a time. This small win from Christoph Vogelsang certainly helps.

Vogelsang opened to 3,500 and Nitsche was his only caller out of the big blind. The two went to a Q♦8♠J♥ flop, on which Nitsche check-called 2,500.

The Aâ™  hit the turn and both checked, taking them to the 9♦ river. Nitsche had just 11,500 behind, looked back at his cards, and checked a final time. Vogelsang decided he’d had enough.

Nitsche rolled over J♦5♥ for a pair of jacks. “That’s good,” announced Vogelsang, taking Nitsche back to 24,000. –JS

Dom’s down but not out

3:45pm: A quick one for Mikita
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Mikita Badziakouski just grabbed a nice little pot without much effort.

New arrival Alex Foxen opened the action for 3,500 under the gun and Badziakouski called in the lojack seat. The action folded to the big blind, where Christoph Vogelsang took about 20 seconds before re-raising to 21,000. That cleared Foxen out of the way, but Badziakouski called.

The flop came Jâ™ J♦2♣ and Vogelsang checked. Badziakouski bet 15,000 and took down the pot. He moves up to 405,000, while Vogelsang slips to 260,000. –JK

3:39pm: Chidwick orders some chips
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Stephen Chidwick just won a huge pot from Sean Winter to send him up to 420,000.

There was a 6♠9♠6♦T♣Q♥ board already out there, plus a pot of around 100,000. Winter checked and Chidwick fired 75,000 on the button.

Winter used up two time banks, and still wasn’t sure. He looked behind to the tournament clock, and then bounced three 25K chips off the felt to call.

Chidwick rolled over A♦A♠. Winter mucked.

“I didn’t want to call!” he told the table.

It was at this point Winter, and the rest of the table, got some good news. This tournament was providing the players with complimentary food and drink.

“All the cookies you can eat,” said Justin Bonomo.

We think Chidwick’s fine with chips though. He’s got heaps now, while Winter’s down to 140,000. –JS

Chidwick: chips over cookies, always

3:32pm: New matchups, new clashes
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Once again, the new table is a mishmash from the old tables.

Matthias Eibinger and Daniel Dvoress are two players that got moved to the new table and they quickly got into a hand.

Dvoress raised to 4,000 from the hijack and Eibinger three-bet to 18,000 when action folded to his small blind. Dvoress called and the flop came down A♠3♦7♣. Eibinger bet 13,000, Dvoress called and a 5♦ came on the turn.

Eibinger checked this time and Dvoress bet 40,000. Eibinger let him have this one. Eibinger is still standing (sitting?) strong with about 450,000 while Dvoress is at about 280,000. –AV

3:25pm: Kempe takes from Nitsche
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

Dominik Nitsche’s bad start to the day keeps on going. He called from the big blind after Rainer Kempe raised to 4,000 from the hijack seat, bringing a flop of Tâ™ T♣8♣. Nitsche checked, Kempe made it 6,500, and then Nitsche raised to 15,000. Kempe thought for a brief moment and then called.

Nitsche fired 11,000 on the 6â™  turn — about a quarter of his remaining stack — and Kempe called again. Nitsche looked ready to fire the rest of his chips on the K♣ river but decided against it. Then he folded to Kempe’s 100,000-chip bet.

Nitsche is down to 29,500 now, while Kempe climbs to 393,000. –JK

3:15pm: New arrivals
Level 3 – Blinds 1,000/1,500 (BB ante 1,500)

They’re now opening a fifth table, and that can only mean more players.

So who has entered throughout the break?

Two we can spot are Andras Nemeth (known online as “probirs”), and Sean Winter. Byron Kaverman and Christoph Vogelsang are also playing, having entered during Level 2. –JS

2:50pm: Break it up
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Players are now on their first 20-minute break of the day.

2:47pm: Cortes collects from Aldemir
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Koray Aldemir lost a chunk of change before the break.

The German opened to 10,000 only for Spain’s Jesus Cortes to three-bet to 10,000 out of the big blind. Aldemir called to see a 5â™ 4♥4♣ flop, on which Cortes continued for 8,000. Aldemir then raised it up to 23,000, and Cortes went nowhere.

The 5♣ hit the turn, double pairing the board. Cortes now checked and Aldemir fired 22,000. That didn’t shake off Cortes though. He called to see the Q♦ river, and both checked it.

Cortes rolled over J♥J♦ for an overpair to the board, and Aldemir mucked, shaking his head.

He’s down to 164,000, while Cortes is now on 300,000. –JS

2:45pm: Tough rivers for Mateos
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

There was about 45,000 in the pot and a 6♥Q♦A♣6♠9♣ board on the table. Mateos was on the button and Stephen Chidwick had just checked. Mateos bet 33,000 and Chidwick moved all-in for 197,500.

Mateos thought, used up a time bank card and thought a bit more. He looked pained and folded, which did little to alleviate his pained look.

The next hand didn’t help either.

Sam Greenwood started that hand with a raise to 2,500 from middle position. Talal Shakerchi called from the cutoff and Adrian Mateos three-bet to 14,000 from the cutoff.

The flop came 3♦J♥5♣ and Mateos bet 15,000 when checked to. Greenwood folded, Shakerchi called and the 2♦ came on the turn. Both players checked and the 9♣ completed the board. Shakerchi bet 32,000 and this time Mateos thought for two time bank cards.

The decision was the same though: fold.

Mateos dipped to 165,000 while Shakerchi is up to about 300,000. –AV

2:38pm: Quads for Petrangelo
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Nick Petrangelo is movin’ on up — at Luc Greenwood’s expense — after making quads.

Petrangelo opened for 2,500 under the gun and Greenwood called in the cutoff, bringing a T♥4♥A♠ flop. Petrangelo led for 2,500 and Greenwood called.

Petrangelo checked the 8♣ turn, prompting Greenwood to bet 8,500. Petrangelo then raised to 40,000 and Greenwood called. Petrangelo used a time bank card before betting 30,500 on the A♦ river; Greenwood also used one before calling, but he mucked when Petrangelo showed A♣A♥ for quad aces.

That win moves Petrangelo up to 300,000. Greenwood dips to 155,000. –JK

2:35pm: Hecklen hacks a chunk of change off Eibinger
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Matthias Eibinger and Henrik Hecklen went at it.

This time there was about 18,000 in the pot and a 8♦2♦6♣ flop on the board. Eibinger checked from middle position and Hecklen bet 7,000 from the hijack.

Eibinger raised to 20,000 and Hecklen called, bringing a K♣ on the turn. Eibinger checked again and this time Hecklen fired off 18,500. Eibinger called and the river brought the 6♥. There was another check and another bet. Hecklen made it 58,000 and Eibinger thought, used a time bank card and thought some more.

Then he called.

Hecklen showed A♥K♥ and Eibinger mucked. Hecklen is now up to about 325,000 while Eibinger dipped to 210,000. –AV

2:30pm: The best kept secret in Super High Rollers
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

A player who busted the PSPC final table immediately entered this $100K, yet we couldn’t tell you due to the half-hour delay on the live stream.

But now we can reveal the truth:

Talal Shakerchi is in, investing a fifth of his $509K cash. –JS

2:25pm: Kempe clips Kurganov
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

The sole rep of the PokerStars red spade, Igor Kurganov, opened to 3,000 from the hijack. Immediately on his left sits Rainer Kempe, and the German three-bet it up to 11,000. Back to Kurganov, he called.

The flop fell 9♥T♠8♥ and it checked to the raiser. Kempe opted not to c-bet though, so the dealer burned and turned the Q♦. This time Kempe led for 15,000 when it checked to him, but Kurganov stuck around.

The 5â™  river completed the board and it checked to Kempe once more. He took his time before firing 40,000, which Kurganov thought about before calling.

Kempe flipped A♥J♦ for a straight, and Kurganov could only muck. He’s down to 190,000 now, while Kempe’s off to a great start with 320,000. –JS

2:15pm: O’Dwyer all set after busting Lehne
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Kathy Lehne cashed in this event three years ago. Unfortunately for her, if she wants to do the same this year she’ll have to use her option to re-enter because Steve O’Dwyer just took her entire stack.

Lehne opened the action for 6,000 on the button and O’Dwyer re-raised to 24,000 in the small blind. Almost immediately Lehne bumped the bet to 61,000; O’Dwyer thought for about 15 seconds and then called.

O’Dwyer check-called 50,000 on the Aâ™ 9♣7♥ flop, bringing the 7♣ on the turn. He checked again and insta-called with 9♥9♦ for nines full of sevens when Lehne jammed for her last 130,000 or so. Lehne still had two outs with her A♦K♥, but the Q♥ river wasn’t one of them. Lehne headed for the exit as O’Dwyer stacked up to 460,000. –JK

Short day for Lehne

2:10pm: Seeing double
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

The players on Sam Greenwood’s former table were probably thrilled to see him get moved. The bad news is he’s been replaced by his twin brother Luc.

We’ve also now got Rainer Kempe, Steffen Sontheimer, Daniel Dvoress, Chris Hunichen, Jason Koon, Stephen Chidwick, and 2018’s winningest player Justin Bonomo (runner-up in this event last year) in the field. –JS

2:05pm: Big action, then nothing
Level 2 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

This one was pretty interesting, but we didn’t get close to a showdown.

Adrian Mateos opened for 2,500 in the lojack seat and Matthias Eibinger called in the small blind. Nothing too interesting so far, you’re probably thinking. Well, then Henrik Hecklen made it 16,000 from the big blind and Mateos called. Slightly more interesting, to be sure, but this is where things spiced up. Eibinger used a time bank card and then bumped the bet further to 45,000. Hecklen called and Mateos folded.

Eibinger was first to act on the Q♥J♥2♦ flop and used most of his clock before announcing a bet of 43,000. Hecklen insta-folded and all that action was for naught — at least for everyone else but Eibinger. He’s now on 330,000 to Hecklen’s 240,000. –JK

1:55pm: Reraisey Davies
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Seth Davies had a pair of re-raises. He won one, but not the other.

Dominik Nitsche started the first hand off with a raise to 2,500 from under the gun. Rainer Kempe called from middle position and David Peters did the same from the cutoff. Davies was on the button and three-bet it up to 13,000.

Nitsche folded and the other two called, bringing a 2♦J♦K♠ flop. Davies bet 11,000 when checked to and it was good enough to take down the pot.

Seth Davies with the reraise

Kempe then opened to 3,000 from under the gun a bit later and Stephen Chidwick called. Davies was on the hijack and reraised to 15,000. Both players called and the three of them went to the J♥A♠9♣ flop.

Davies bet 12,000 when checked to and only Kempe called. They both checked the 5â™  on the turn and the 2♣ completed the board. Kempe fired off a big bet: 81,000. Davies folded and went back to about starting stack while Kempe is up to about 285,000. –AV

1:50pm: Who knows with Hecklen
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

As the world of Super High Roller study and solver solutions becomes more and more sophisticated, we’re seeing bet sizes you’d rarely see, say, ten years ago.

Take this hand for example. Henrik Hecklen had opened from early position and Timothy Adams called from the small blind. Adams check-called 3,500 on the A♥7♥3♥ flop, then check-called 7,000 on the K♠ turn.

Things got real interesting on the 5♣ river. It didn’t seem to change too much on the board, but when Adams checked again, Hecklen led for 55,000 into a pot of only around 25,000. That’s more than 200 per cent pot, y’know.

We’d love to know what Hecklen was doing this with. Alas, Adams folded so we’ll keep guessing for now. –JS

1:43pm: Nitsche’s stack sliced by Thorel
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

This is most likely the biggest pot that’s been played so far today. You wouldn’t have known it as the rest of the table kept up their small talk while Jean-Noel Thorel cut Dominik Nitsche’s stack down to size.

Thorel opened for 2,500 in the lojack seat and was the only caller after Dominik Nitsche re-raised to 10,000 in the cutoff. Thorel check-called 15,000 on the 4♥5♣9♠ flop and another 40,000 on the 3♠ turn before leading for 75,000 on the T♦ river.

Nitsche thought for a good 20 seconds before throwing in the chips for a call, then raised his eyebrows in surprise when Thorel turned over 9♥8♥. The German couldn’t beat that and dropped to 77,000, while Thorel is now on around 375,000. –JK

JNT on the upswing

1:40pm: Peters picks one off Badziakouski, Kurganov arrives
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

After losing a chunk of chips to Mikita Badziakouski, David Peters won some back. Peters started that hand off with a raise to 2,500 from the cutoff and Badziakouski called from the small blind. Dominik Nitsche was in the big blind and went along for the ride as well.

All three players checked the T♥4♥4â™  board and then the turn brought a few things. It brought the J♦ and Team PokerStars Pro Igor Kurganov, who took his seat to Nitsche’s left.

There was also a bet. Peters bet 2,500 when action checked to him and only Badziakouski called. The 6♦ completed the board and Peters bet 13,500. Badziakouski thought, called and then mucked after Peters showed A♣J♠ for a pair of jacks.

The pot put Peters up to 185,000 while Badziakouski is back to about starting stack. –AV

1:30pm: Champions’ row
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

I’ll tell you up front: there’s not much action in this hand. So why am I reporting it? Because two of last month’s high roller champions from EPT Prague played in it.

Henrik Hecklen opened for 2,500 under the gun and Matthias Eibinger, who’d just arrived at the table, caleld in the big blind. Then they both checked the A♣K♣8♣ flop and 2♦ turn. Eibinger then check-folded to Hecklen’s 3,500-chip bet on the 9♥ river.

We’ll probably see plenty of action between these two given that they’re seated next to one another. Just not in this hand. –JK

1:25pm: Rough start continues for Peters
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Having already lost a healthy pot to Timothy Adams, David Peters’ tournament has continued its rough start.

With a 6♥8♦T♠3♠ board already out, Peters check-called a 11,500 bet from Mikita Badziakouski to see the Q♠ river. Peters checked, and when Badziakouski fired 24,000 Peters used up two time banks before making the call.

He saw the bad news when Badziakouski showed Aâ™ Kâ™  for the nut flush. Peters mucked and is down to 150,000 now, while Badziakouski increases to 280,000. –JS

No panic from Peters

1:22pm: Growing field
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

We’re up to 23 players and the number of tables has increased by 50 percent. Kathy Lehne, Stephen Chidwick and Steve O’Dwyer have all sat down and we now have three tables going.

The new table took players from the others and includes Isaac Haton, Timothy Adams, Nick Petrangelo, Henrik Hecklen and Adrian Mateos. It’s a table we’d love to watch, but be terrified to play at. –AV

You don’t want to sit with Adrian Mateos

1:17pm: Adams takes one from Badziakouski
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

As you might have guessed from the headline, Tim Adams just picked up a nice little pot from Mikita Badziakouski.

Adams opened for 2,500 in the lojack seat and was called by Badziakouski (small blind) and Dominik Nitsche (big blind). All three checked the A♣5♦K♠ flop and Badziakouski and Nitsche did the same on the 8♠ turn. That prompted Adams to bet 7,000, which only Badziakouski called.

The river was the A♦ and Badziakouski checked once more. Adams thought for 20 seconds and then bet 20,000. Badziakouski used most of his clock and eventually called, though he didn’t look too happy about it. His instincts were right in that regard: Adams had Aâ™ 2â™  for trip aces. –JK

1:12pm: Adams gets value from Peters
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Timothy Adams just took down a decent pot against David Peters, getting plenty of value in the process.

After Adams opened the cutoff, Peters three-bet to 8,500 on the button and Adams called to see a 9♠K♠J♥ flop. It went check check to the Q♥ turn, and Adams took over the betting, leading big for 19,500. Call.

The T♦ river put a straight on the board and Adams continued, sizing down to 18,000. Peters used up his shot clock before tossing in a call.

Adams flipped A♥T♥, showing he’d turned the nut straight. He’s up to 300,000, while Peters drops to 200,000. —JS

1:07pm: Ripping up time
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Seth Davies is in the mood to raise it up today — but only after there are some cards on the board.

Davies just called from the big blind after Dominik Nitsche raised to 2,500 in the hijack seat. He checked the 7♦9♣Q♥ flop and Nitsche bet 4,000. Then Davies made it 14,000 to go and Nitsche snap-folded. –JK

1:05pm: Thorel starting as he means to go on
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

You don’t normally see too much blog-worthy action in the opening levels of most tournaments. But this is a Super High Roller.

We’ve had some fun hands right off the bat, although this one wasn’t so fun for Nick Petrangelo. Picking up the action on a Jâ™ 6â™ 2♦ flop, Petrangelo checked from the big blind position to Jean-Noel Thorel on the button. He led for 3,000 and Petrangelo stuck around.

The 3♥ hit the turn and Petrangelo check-called a 5,500 bet, taking them to the 3♦ river, pairing the board.

Petrangelo checked a final time, and used up his entire shot clock before check-calling 10,000. Thorel rolled over J♦J♥ for a full house. That revelation got a few chuckles from the table at Petrangelo’s expense. –JS

Nick Petrangelo pays it off

1pm: A bit of action
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Isaac Haxton and Adrian Mateos are seated right next to each other and decided to start feeling things out early on.

Haxton raised to 2,500 from under the gun and Adrian Mateos called from the button. Gregory Jensen called from the big blind and the three players went to the 3♦8♠T♠ flop. Haxton bet 3,000 when checked to and Mateo raised it up to 11,000.

Jensen got out of the way and a T♦ came on the turn. Haxton checked this time and Mateos fired a 23,000 bet. Haxton folded and Mateos won the first bout.

More clashes between these two powerhouses, who have more than $40 million in combined live tournament earnings, is guaranteed. –AV

12:55pm: Let’s play some poker
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (BB ante 1,000)

Every tournament has to start somewhere. Today’s event started with this hand between David Peters and Seth Davies.

The action folded to Peters in the small blind, where he called. Davies checked in the big blind to see a T♠5♠2♦ flop, which both players checked. Peters then led for 2,500 on the 6♥ turn, only to fold when Davies raised to 8,500.

Consider the seal broken. –JK

12:50pm: And they’re off!

The clock is now ticking, and you know what that means: cards are in the air.

A few more names for your Super High Roller list: Adrian Mateos, Mikita Badziakouski, David Peters, Gregory Jensen, and 2009 WSOP Main Event winner Joe Cada are in the field. –JS

12:45pm: Fashionably late

We’re still waiting for things to get going. In the meantime, a few more players have arrived: Nick Petrangelo, Seth Davies, Dominik Nitshce and Jean-Noel Thorel. –JS

12:30pm: In they come

The players are about to take their seats. A few we’ve seen hovering around the tournament area include Isaac Haxton, Timothy Adams and Sam Greenwood. –JS

11:15am: Five days in and we’re just getting started

The addition of the tremendously successful and inspiring PokerStars Players Championship to the PCA schedule means we’ve already brought you four days of live coverage. You lucky things.

Super High Roller action kicks off at 12:30pm

And yet we’re just getting started. Today sees the $100K Super High Roller kick off, and in previous years this is where our coverage usually begins. But this PCA hasn’t been like the others so far. Anyone who’s anyone has made the journey to Paradise Island, and there are Super High Rollers aplenty just waiting to pull up a seat at this stop’s biggest buy-in event.

Last year it was Cary Katz who got the cream, outlasting a 48-entry field (including 12 re-entries) to kick his 2018 right with a $1.49 million score. He defeated Justin Bonomo heads-up, and we all know how his 2018 went. He won just over a million bucks for second, kickstarting the most phenomenal year poker has ever seen ($25.4 million when all was said and done).

Cary Katz: 2018 champ

You never know who may turn up for this one. One thing’s for sure though: the cream of the poker crop will be in the mix.

Play kicks off at 12:30pm. The plan today is to play eight levels, so we should be done around 9:45pm. Here’s all you need to know. –JS

PCA $100K SUPER HIGH ROLLER
Buy-in: $100K (unlimited re-entries until the start of Day 2)
Starting stack: 250,000
Levels: 60 minutes throughout
Shot-clock: 30 seconds (each player will receive 6 time bank cards)


Download the PokerStars LIVE! app with all tournament information. Available for IOS and Android.

PokerStars Blog reporting team for the $100K Super High Roller: Jason Kirk, Jack Stanton, and Alex Villegas. Photography by Carlos Monti and Neil Stoddart.

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