Thursday, 28th March 2024 21:04
Home / Uncategorized / PokerStars Championship Panama: Main Event Final Table live updates

8G2A8379_Kenneth_Smaron_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

10:20pm: Kenny Smaron wins PokerStars Championship Panama Main Event
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

After Smaron moved out to a commanding chip lead, he didn’t look back. Smaron won the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth hands heads up. Finally, on the ninth, Gill tried to make a stand, and it didn’t work.

In the final hand, Gill limped the button, Smaron came back with a raise, and Gill simply shoved all in. Smaron wasted little time calling with K♣ J♣ . Gill had only 10♦ 8♣ . The board ran out Q♣ 9♥ A♣ 9♦ 5♠ , and Smaron had won.

Gill pocketed $217,860. Smaron gets $293,860.

READ A FULL WRAP-UP OF THE FINAL TABLE HERE.

10:10pm Smaron takes a stranglehold
Level 29 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Kenny Smaron now has a large chip lead after winning the first major pot of this heads-up contest. He raised to 250,000 on the button with 10♥ 10♣ and Harpreet Gill looked down at J♠ 10♠ . He put out a three-bet to 800,000 and Smaron decided to four-bet. He made it 1,900,000 total and Gill made the call.

So there was over 3,800,000 in the pot by the time a 3♥ 7♥ 4♥ flop hit the felt. Both players had less than a pot sized bet behind and Gill checked it over to Smaron. The American bet 1,400,000 from a stack of 3,400,000 and Gill had little choice but to fold his hand. Smaron now leads 7,235,000 to 3,745,000. –NW

10:00pm: Heads up: Hand 1-3–Gill draws first blood

Harpreet Gill and Kenny Smaron are in their seats, and Gill draws first blood, winning small pot with king-nine over king deuce. After that, Gill managed to moved out to the chip lead after bluffing Smaron off the best hand. On the next hand, Hill gave Smaron a walk.

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8:48pm: Denis Timofeev eliminated in third place ($161,340)
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

We’re heads-up in Panama, and it’s the start of day chip leader who’s out in third. Kenny Smaron opened to 160,000 with A♣ Kâ™  , and Denis Timofeev woke up with pocket tens in the small blind. He three-bet to 475,000, and action was back on Smaron.

“I think we now where this one is going,” said James Hartigan.

And, what do you know he was right. Smaron four-bet to 1,100,000, Timofeev shoved for 2,910,000, and Smaron called. He had the Russian covered by just 200,000.

A 5♦ 4â™  7â™  flop kept the pair in front as did the 2♣ turn, although Smaron picked up outs. The 3♣ completed Smaron’s straight and Timofeev was eliminated in third place. –NW

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Smaron says goodbye to Denia Timofeev

8G2A8229_Denis_Timofeev_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Consolation

8:40pm: Denis Timofeev doubles through Harpreet Gill
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Just one hand after losing that huge pot to Harpreet Gill (see below), Denis Timofeev got some of his chips back when he doubled through the same adversary.

Gill opened with Q♠ J♦ and called after Timofeev shoved for 1,425,000 with A♣ 6♠ . The 9♣ 10♠ A♦ flop gave Timofeev top pair, but Gill did have an open-ended straight draw. The 2♣ 7♣ turn and river were both blanks and three handed play continues.

After that had Timofeev is back up to 2.9 million while Gill drops to 4.985 million. He’s still the chip leader as Smaron has 3.12 million. –NW

8G2A8159_Denis_Timofeev_Rail_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Timofeev’s rail celebrates his double

8:35pm: Gill takes a huge pot from Timofeev
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

A nice move from Harpreet Gill has seen the Canadian take a huge pot and climb to 6.4 million.

This was a great hand. It was a family pot to the flop, which fell 5♦ 7♣ 10♣ . Timofeev was on the button with 8♣ 4♣ and the action was checked to him. He bet 225,000, Gill called with 7♥ 6♥ and Kenny Smaron folded K♥ 7♦ .

On the 4â™  turn Timofeev bet again, this time it was 675,000 to continue. Gill wasn’t calling though, he raised to 2 million and Timofeev called! The Qâ™  was a brick and Gill moved all-in for 1.48 million. He had Timofeev covered – just — and Timofeev wondered if he was being bluffed, but eventually folded to leave himself with 1.46 million.

Gill showed his hand as he took the pot too. –NW

8:25pm: It’s tight at the top
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

How’s this for even stacks? Kenny Smaron leds with 3,770,000, Harpreet Gill sits in second with 3,645,000 and Denis Timofeev has 3,610,000. There’s barely more than two big blinds before first and worst. –NW

8:21pm: Gill’s turn to take the lead
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

The chip lead is being passed around and it’s Harpreet Gill’s turn to hold the baton right now. Denis Timofeev limped from the small blind with Q♥ 7♣ and Gill checked his option with 9♦ 6♥ .

On the 5♦ 10♥ 7♣ flop Timofeev bet 80,000 and Gill called. The J♥ fell on the turn. Timofeev decided to check, Gill bet 130,000, and Timofeev called. On the 3♦ river, Gill bet 325,000 when checked to and he took the pot. –NW

8:11pm: Timofeev pulls off a great bluff, takes the chip lead
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Kenny Smaron was in charge of this final table. Not anymore. He opened to 250,000 with A♠ J♠ and Denis Timofeev defended from the big blind with 5♦ 4♦ . The 9♠ J♦ Q♦ flop had something for both players and Timofeev called a bet of 255,000.

On the 10â™  turn Smaron bet 435,000 and again Timofeev called. The 6♣ fell on the river and Smaron slowed down. He checked to Timofeev, and the Russian had just over a pot sized bet left. He elected to bet about a third of the pot though, firing out 775,000. Smaron didn’t like it and he quickly mucked the best hand.

After that pot Timofeev has 4,090,000, Smaron is down to 3,735,000 and Harpreet Gill has 3,200,000. It’s anyone’s tournament right now. –NW

NEIL8094_Denis_Timofeev_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Smile, Denis

8:03pm: Gill gets one right
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Harpreet Gill has made a number of hero calls today. Unfortunately for him, he’s got most of them wrong. He just got one right.

It was a limped family pot and the flop fell K♦ Q♣ 3â™  . Denis Timofeev had the worst hand of the three but he did have position. He bet 100,000 holding 6♣ 5♣ and both Gill and Smaron called. The Q♥ turn checked through, and the 4♦ filled out the board. Gill checked with A♥ 3♣ , and Smaron decided to take a stab for 330,000 with J♦ 9♣ . Gill looked him up and he’s now up to 3,360,000. –NW

7:51pm: Timofeev doubles
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Kenny Smaron opened to 160,000 with Aâ™  7♦ . Denis Timofeev got it all in for 1.4 million with A♥ 9â™  . Smaron made the call, and though he had a lot of opportunities to chop, missed all over the place and shipped the double up to the Russian. –BW

7:51pm: Smaron ships it
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Denis Timofeev has dropped down to around 1,450,000 and it made him a target for Kenny Smaron. He had pocket deuces and simply shipped all-in from the small blind. With only seven-high Timofeev couldn’t call.

On the next hand though Timofeev picked up pocket aces in the small blind and Kenny Smaron raised it up from the button with J♥ 3♣ . Timofeev put in a three-bet and he took the pot down. –NW

7:37pm: “I’ve got him crushed!”
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Kenny Smaron was sitting with a huge chip lead over his two opponents and decided to open shove with A♥ 3♥ . Denis Timofeev folded, but Harpreet Gill woke up with pocket sixes in the big blind. He had around 1.5 million in front of him, so (after briefly conferring with his rail…), he made the call. “I’ve got him crushed!” Gill announced. He ended up running out four spades for a flush and the win. Smaron made sure Gill knew it was bad form to talk with anyone before making his decision. Meanwhile, Gill moved up to more than three million. –BW

8G2A8117_Harpreet_Gill_Kenneth_Smaron_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

7:33pm: Current chip counts
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Name Country Chips
Kenneth Smaron USA 7,655,000
Denis Timofeev Russia 1,970,000
Harpreet Gill Canada 1,400,000
Jonathan Abdellatif Belgium 0
Robin Wozniczek Germany 0
Anthony Diotte Canada 0

7:28pm: Smaron flops a flush
Level 28 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

We’ve seen Harpreet Gill bet the turn reasonably often if the pre-flop aggressor checks the flop. Perhaps that was going through Kenny Smaron’s mind when he checked a 3♥ 5♥ 8♥ flop. Smaron held K♥ J♥ so was laying a trap.

Unfortunately for him Gill didn’t have much of anything with Q♦ 7â™  and he check-folded to a delayed c-bet on the Kâ™  turn. –NW

7:18pm: Back from break

The three remaining players have return from their break and have another level before going to dinner break.–BW

6:58pm: Break time

Here are the chips at the break.

Name Country Chips
Kenneth Smaron USA 6,685,000
Denis Timofeev Russia 2,200,000
Harpreet Gill Canada 2,095,000

6:51pm: A showdown!
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Finally a showdown! The pot began with a raise from Denis Timofeev on the button with Kâ™  3â™  . Kenny Smaron defended the big blind with 7♦ 5♣ , and the two players saw a K♦ 8â™  8♥ . Both players checked, and the 7â™  rolled off on the turn. Smaron bet 125,000 and Timofeev smooth called. The 6♦ fell on fifth street, Smaron fired again: 215,000 was the bet, and Timofeev looked him up. That pot was a great boost to the Russian. He’s now up to 2,670,000 while Smaron is down to 6,280,000. –NW

6:45pm: Very few flops, no drops
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Still no real action to report. There have been very few post-flop pots and those that have made it as far as the flop or turn have usually been simple bet and take hands. Harpreet Gill is being chipped away at and he’s down to around 2,000,000 now. –NW

6:35pm: Small pot poker
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Since that huge double up for Harpreet Gill there have been no pots of note. Nonetheless Denis Timofeev has bounced back to 1,915,000, Gill has dropped a little to 2,470,000, and Kenny Smaron continues to have more than half the chips in play with a stack of 6,595,000. –NW

6:25pm: A flip gives Gill a massive fillip
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

A huge flip between Harpreet Gill and Denis Timofeev went the way of the Canadian, and it’s now Timofeev who finds himself the shortest of the three remaining players.

Gill was first to act, and he shoved for 1,555,000 with 6â™  6♣ , Timofeev looked down at A♣ Kâ™  he re-raised all-in to isolate and Kenny Smaron folded. The 4♥ 3â™  2â™  7♦ 10♥ stayed low and kept Gill in the lead. He’s up to 3,170,000 while Timofeev is down to 1,590,000. –NW

Name Country Chips
Kenneth Smaron USA 6,220,000
Harpreet Gill Canada 3,170,000
Denis Timofeev Russia 1,590,000

6:10pm: Family pot
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

There haven’t been many family pots during three-handed play, but we just got a rare three-way party. Kenny Smaron’s raise to 135,000 with A♣ 3♣ was called by Denis Timofeev with K♥ 9♦ and Harpreet Gill with Q♥ 2♦ .

The 6♥ 10♣ 3♦ flop missed everyone, and a c-bet from Smaron got the job done. –NW

5:55pm: You can’t kill Gill
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Another all-in for Harpreet Gill and another double up. He three-bet shoved for 1,020,000 with Aâ™  Q♣ and Kenny Smaron, who’d raised with A♦ 9â™  , made the call.

The 8♣ 6♣ 9♣ flop gave Smaron the lead, but this was still almost a coin-flip as Gill still had a 46% chance of winning the hand. He missed the 3♦ turn, but connected squarely with the J♣ river to double up. With 2,100,000 Gill is right back in this. –NW

5:40pm: Gill has a mill again
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Harpreet Gill is back above one million again after getting a shove through. He had pocket threes and three-bet shoved over the top of a Kenny Smaron open. Smaron had 10♦ 9♥ and quickly released his hand. Gill is up to 1,080,000 (18 big blinds). –NW

5:35pm: Current chips
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Name Country Chips
Kenneth Smaron USA 7,420,000
Denis Timofeev Russia 2,775,000
Harpreet Gill Canada 785,000
Jonathan Abdellatif Belgium 0
Robin Wozniczek Germany 0
Anthony Diotte Canada 0

5:25pm: Smaron gives it all three barrels
Level 27 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Another intriguing pot between Denis Timofeev and Kenny Smaron just played out, but this time Timofeev couldn’t find the correct river call.

Smaron was the aggressor throughout. He made it 130,000 to play from the button, and both opponents called out of the blinds. On the 5♥ 10♦ K♦ flop Smaron continued for 215,000 and Timofeev was the only caller. On the 7♠ turn Smaron fired again.This time it was 435,000 for Timofeev to stay in the hand, and again he called.

The 5♣ river paired the board and there was no slowing down from Smaron. He bet 775,000 holding Qâ™  6â™  – just queen high – and now Timofeev had a tough decision. He called down with Q♣ 10♣ , but his hand was rapidly shrinking in value in the face of this aggression. Timofeev took so much time to make a decision that the clock was called and Timofeev elected to muck his cards.

After that hand Smaron is up to 7,370,000 and Timofeev is down to 2,775,000. –NW

NEIL8039_Kenneth_Smaron_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Kenny Smaron

5:08pm: Breaktime

The final three are headed to the second 20-minute break of the day.

5:05pm: Smaron won’t be bluffed
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

Denis Timofeev may be able to bluff Harpreet Gill, but he might want to do less of it in Kenny Smaron’s direction. Timofeev came in for a raise to 110,000 and got a call from Smaron in the big blind. Timofeev had 5♣ 6â™  to Smaron’s Jâ™  10â™  . Smaron check-called 125,000 on a flop of Q♥ 10♥ 2♣ , and then both players checked through the 8♣ turn. Then when the Aâ™  hit on the river, Smaron checked and Timofeev decided to bluff at it for 400,000. Smaron though for just a moment before snapping Timofeev off and building his stack to nearly 6.4 million, more than half the chips in play. –BW

4:56pm: Bluff wins for Timofeev
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

More for Denis Timofeev now, this time coming from Harpreet Gill. Timofeev ended up bluffing on the river with the worst hand, but Gill wasn’t able to call.

Gill found 5♠ 5♦ and raised to 150,000. Timofeev called with 7♣ 6s] in the big blind.

The flop brought options for Timofeev and it was packed with scare cards for Gill. It was the 8♣ K♥ 9♦ . Gill tickled 150,000 at it, but Timofeev called.

They both checked the J♥ turn, which was another scare card. Then the Q♣ completed the board and Timofeev scented weakness. He bet 600,000 and Gill quickly scooted. — HS

8G2A7982_Denis_Timofeev_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Denis Timofeev

4:51pm: Nut flush for Timofeev
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

Denis Timofeev had ducked below the parapet during recent skirmishes, but he has just found A♥ K♦ and came in for a raise to 110,000. Kenny Smaron, in the big blind, picked up A♦ 9♣ and called, which took them to all the action of a 9♥ 4♥ 10♥ flop.

Smaron checked and Timofeev bet 125,000 with his draw. Smaron called with his top pair. Then the 8♥ appeared on the turn.

Smaron checked again, but was able to find a fairly swift fold when Timofeev bet 255,000. Timofeev still has a part to play here.– HS

4:44pm: Action flop
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

How did this pot not get bigger? Kenny Smaron picked up pocket jacks on the button, he raised it up, and Harpreet Gill decided with 7â™  2â™  . Well you know what they say: “One man’s seven-deuce is another man’s aces.”

The J♦ 3♠ 4♠ connected nicely with both holdings but neither player bet. On the 3♥ turn Smaron improved to a full house, but it was Gill who did the betting for him. The Canadian player bet 175,000, and Smaron just called. The 2♣ river meant Gill improved to a pair, and he led for 225,000. Smaron raised it up to 900,000, and Gill went into the tank.

“I think I’m good,” he said as he continued to riffle chips. He took over three minutes to come to a decision but he finally folded. –NW

4:29pm: Jonathan Abdellatif eliminated in fourth place ($119,480)
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

We’re down to the final three here in Panama, and we lost one of the last two Europeans in the field. The action was started by Kenny Smaron. He raised to 125,000 from the button, and Jonathan Abdellatif called from the big blind.

A A♦ 5♥ 4♦ flop hit the felt, Abdellatif checked, and Smaron bet 100,000. Abdellatif check-raised all-in and Smaron snap-called.

Abdellatif: J♦ 10♦
Smaron: A♠ 7♥

It was a flush draw against top pair, and neither the 8♣ turn or 8♥ river improved Abdellatif. He exited in third. Smaron now has 6,035,000 which equates to 55% of the chips in play. -NW

NEIL7978_Jonathan_Abdellatif_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Jonathan Abdellatif

4:18pm: Gill doesn’t believe Smaron (Spoiler: He should have)
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

A massive pot just played out between Kenny Smaron and Harpreet Gill. Smaron opened to 120,000 with J♣ 4♣ and got a call out of the blinds from Gill with 10♣ 9♥ . On the 9♣ 7♣ J♦ flop, Gill check-called a 100,000 bet from Smaron. Then, when the turn came out as the Jâ™  , Gill quickly decided to lead for 100,000. Smaron was having none of it and raised to 340,000. Gill decided to make the call. The river was the 7♦ . Gill checked again and let Smaron bet 655,000. Gill said aloud that he couldn’t beat a jack, couldn’t beat a seven, and couldn’t beat an overpair. Nevertheless, he couldn’t find a fold. His mistake cost him big and put Smaron up near the 5 million mark. Gill was left with 2.15 million. –BW

4:08pm: Gill’s quads send him top
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

Another big swing here in favour of Harpreet Gill, who has overcome that small loss to Kenny Smaron by taking close to a million from Jonathan Abdellatif. He had quad aces too, just to make it even sweater.

Abdellatif started it with a raise to 125,000 from the button. Gill found A♠ 2♥ in the small blind and called.

The flop was good for Gill and dangerous for Abdellatif. It came 6♦ Q♠ A♥ . They both checked.

The A♦ was great for Gill. He hadn’t bet an ace earlier, so now there was every reason for Abdellatif not to believe he had one now. He bet 325,000 and Abdellatif called.

The river was even more exceptional. It was the A♣ , the case ace. Gill thumped 500,000 over the line and Abdellatif wasn’t able to get away from his queen. He called, and that put Gill up beyond 3 million and into the chip lead again. — HS

4:03pm: Smaron’s sip sees him slip into the lead
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

We’ll stop banging on about the chip lead changing hands soon, we promise, but it’s now Kenny Smaron who’s got the rock. He raised it up with 9♣ 8♥ and picked up calls from Denis Timofeev and Harpreet Gill.

Smaron connected with the 8♠ 7♣ 4♠ flop, and he came out firing. His bet of 190,000 was called by Gill who had A♠ 6♦ . He had a couple of draws working for him. The 6♣ paired Gill. He checked, and Smaron did likewise. The 9♥ improved Smaron to two-pair, but it was, perhaps, an unwanted improvement as it put four to a straight on board.

Gill elected to lead and Smaron needed some time. He took a sip of water and leaned back in his chair. He then leaned back forward and made the call. He saw the good news when Gill turned his hand over and that put boosts him to 3,480,000. –NW

3:57pm: Aggression pays off for Gill
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

Harpreet Gill is the chip leader. Yep you read that right. He took the lead by winning a pot with the same hand as his opponent, showing that aggressive poker is winning poker. His rival in the hand was Jonathan Abdellatif. The Belgian raised to 125,000 from UTG with A♠ Q♠ and called after Gill had three-bet to 425,000 from the button with A♣ Q♣ .

Abdellatif called, and a 10♥ 3♣ 2♥ flop rolled off. Abdellatif then check-folded to a c-bet of 500,000. With that hand Gill took the chip lead, and it means that all four of the remaining players have now held the chip lead at some point today. –NW

NEIL7996_Harpreet_Gill_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Harpreet Gill

3:53pm: Sensible betting, sensible folding
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

In a pattern set late last night, all of these players are prepared to get their chips in, despite how deep they are. They’re all making some pretty good decisions too, be that to bet or fold.

In a recent pot, Jonathan Abdellatif raised with A♦ 9♦ on the button and Harpreet Gill called in small blind with A♥ 7♠ , which persuaded Kenny Smaron, in the big blind, to see a flop with his 8♥ 6♠ .

Smaron actually connected with the 3♠ 9♥ 6♥ flop, but not as much as Abdellatif. After a couple of checks, the latter put 190,000 forward. Smaron only called.

The 3♥ on the turn ostensibly changed little, but Smaron now picked up a flush draw to go with his middle pair. Abdellatif bombed again, however, for 345,000. After about a minute of consideration, Smaron folded. — HS

8G2A7942_Final_Table_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

4:46pm: Current chips
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

Name Country Chips
Kenneth Smaron USA 3,135,000
Denis Timofeev Russia 2,885,000
Harpreet Gill Canada 2,690,000
Jonathan Abdellatif Belgium 2,270,000
Robin Wozniczek Germany 0
Anthony Diotte Canada 0

4:45pm: Four betting
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

Kenny Smaron opened to 120,000 from under the gun and Denis Timofeev three-bet his button, making it 325,000 to play. Smaron came right back with a four-bet, making it 820,000.

They weren’t exactly at the top their ranges. Smaron’s A♦ 3♥ was better than Timofeev’s K♦ 10â™  but they were both repping better. — HS

4:44: More for Gill
Level 26 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

The first hand of the new level was much same as the last hand from the previous level in that Harpreet Gill took it down.

He raised to 100,000 from UTG with A♥ 8♥ , Denis Timofeev just called from the small blind with A♦ Q♠ , and that bought Jonathan Abdellatif in from the big blind with 3♠ 2♠ . Gill flopped the nuts on K♥ 7♥ Q♥ , and the action checked round. The J♥ turn looked like an action killer and again all three players checked.

The 5♦ fell on the river, and with no other way to win the pot Abdellatif bet 335,000. Gill slid out two towers of 25K chips – a raise to one million – and both players folded. Gill is now third in chips. –NW

3:17pm: 20-minute break

And with that big hand, we’re now on a 20-minute break.–BW

3:16pm: Gill doubles
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Harpreet Gil has finally got the double up he’s been craving, and he’s up to 2,150,000 as a result. It came at the expense of Denis Timofeev, although the Russian player is still the chip leader. Timofeev opened to 80,000 from UTG with 10â™  9♥ , Gill three-bet to 270,000 with K♥ K♦ , and Timofeev made the call.

On the 8♥ Qâ™  10♣ flop, Gill committed 500,000 of his remaining 770,000, Timofeev set him in, and Gill called off the rest. Gill was a 68% favourite to win the hand, and that increased to 80% on the 5â™  turn. The Q♣ river kept him in front, and he doubled. –NW

NEIL7915_Harpreet_Gill_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Gill on camera

3:04pm: Gill gets it in again
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Give it to Harpreet Gill, he’s picking up chips when he needs them. After Denis Timofeev came in for a raise form the button with queen-nine, Jonathan Abdellatif called with the same hand in the small blind. Gill had jacks in the big blind, got it in, and took down the pot. –BW

3:03pm: Smaron up to second
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

The first shots of yesterday’s Timofeev and Samron rivalry are starting to appear. The two clashed in a three-bet pot that went all the way to the river. Smaron raised to 85,000 from the button with Aâ™  Jâ™  , Timofeev three-bet to 260,000 from the small blind with Q♥ 8♥ and Smaron made the call.

Timofeev flopped best on 8♣ 10♣ 3♠ . He checked the action to Smaron, and Smaron checked behind. Smaron took the lead on the J♦ turn, and when Timofeev checked again, Smaron bet 280,000. Call from Timofeev.

The 2♥ fell on the river, and after Timofeev checked again, Smaron bet 690,000 and took the pot. He’s up to 2,930,000, while Timofeev is down to 4,700,000. –NW

3:00pm: Other results

While we’re focused on the Main Event right now, we can’t ignore all the people who have won some spades over the past two weeks here. Check out our PokerStars Championship Panama side event results page here.

2:57pm: Gill gets it in
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Harpreet Gill has been hovering around the 20-25 big blind mark for most of this final table, and as a result a lot of the hands he’s played have been all-in or fold. After Jonathan Abdellatif opened to 100,000 from UTG, Gill looked down at A♣ Q♣ and was faced with a decision for his final 780,000. He elected to shove, and although Abdellatif thought for a decent amount of time about calling, he ultimately folded, and Gill took the pot. –NW

3:54pm: Timofeev straightens out Abdellatif
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

On the hand immediately after the elimination of Robin Wozniczek, in which Jonathan Abdellatif profited when a four made him a straight, Abdellatif ended up losing a decent sized pot to Denis Timofeev in very similar circumstances.

It was blind versus blind and Timofeev limped from the small with 10♠ 8♠ . Abdellatif found 9♠ 9♦ in the big blind and raised, making it 140,000. Timofeev called.

The flop brought the 7♣ 5♣ 6♠ and Timofeev checked. Abdellatif bet 175,000 and Timofeev called.

The turn was that four. It was the 4♦ , making Timofeev’s straight, and he led 275,000. Abdellatif called. That meant they saw the 10♦ on the river.
Timofeev bet again. This time it was for 550,000 and Abdellatif called again.

Timofeev scooped a pot of more than 1 million and soared to 5.15 million. Abdellatif, his closest challenger, has 2.53 million. — HS

2:45pm: Robin Wozniczek eliminated in fifth place ($88,480)
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

This is a bad beat story that Robin Wozniczek will be telling to his friends when he returns to Germany. It was Jonathan Abdellatif who eliminated him in the following hand. The Belgian opened 9♥ 7♥ from UTG. Wozniczek called out of the small blind with K♥ 6♥ , and Denis Timofeev stuck around from the big with A♦ 3♣ .

The 5♥ 3♥ 6♣ flop meant both Abdellatif and Wozniczek flopped flush draws. The action checked to the pre-flop aggressor who bet 160,000. Back on Wozniczek, he check-raised to 380,000, Timofeev folded, Abdellatif shoved, and Wozniczek called all-in for 1,590,000 total.

The German was a 62% favourite to win the hand, and those odds increased on the J♣ turn. However, the 4â™  river meant Abdellatif rivered a straight to win the pot and eliminate Wozniczek. The $88,480 he collects is an excellent return considering he qualified for $700. –NW

8G2A7904_Robin_Wozniczek_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Robin Wozniczek says goodbye

2:26pm: Wozniczek continues to slide
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Robin Wozniczek’s stack continues to take a battering, and Jonathan Abdellatif is the latest to profit. The German PokerStars Qualifier raised from the cutoff with A♣ 7â™  and Abdellatif defended from the small blind with K♥ Jâ™  .

He flopped best on J♣ 2♥ 8♦ and check-called a bet of 125,000. Wozniczek fired a further 175,000 on the 10♦ turn and another 300,000 on the K♣ river. Abdellatif called him every step of the way and wanted to see Wozniczek’s hand at showdown. He then turned over his own holding to take the pot.

After that hand Abdellatif is up to 2,135,000 and Wozniczek is down to 2,010,000. –NW

2:24pm: Timofeev’s minimum with boat
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Denis Timofeev rivered a full house in a pot against Jonathan Abdellatif, but he won only about 210,000, plus blinds and antes. It made sense given how it played.

Timofeev opened to 80,000 from the cutoff with 3♠ 3♥ and Abdellatif three-bet to 210,000 on the button. He had A♠ 4♣ . Timofeev called.

The flop came 8♥ K♥ 9â™  and they both checked. Then they both checked the 9♦ turn. And they both also checked the 9♥ river. Timofeev’s boat was good, but no need to be betting there. — HS

2:21pm: Ace-jack proving good for Smaron
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Another pot for Kenny Smaron as the former chip leader continues to rebuid his stack. Denis Timofeev held J♦ 9♠ , and he raised it up from UTG. Smaron called with A♦ J♣ from the small blind, and Robin Wozniczek came along from the big with A♣ 6♠ .

The K♥ J♥ 3♣ flop checked through, but Smaron bet 135,000 on the A♥ turn. His opponents were now drawing dead to a chop, but Wonziczek wasn’t to know that. He called, and Timofeev released his hand. The 9♥ river was the fourth heart on board and it was checked to showdown with Smaron’s hand proving the winner. –NW

2:11pm: Timofeev back into the lead
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

More blind-on-blind action here featuring Denis Timofeev and Jonathan Abdellatif, but this time Timofeev prevailed.

Timofeev opened the small blind, making it 120,000 to go. He had A♠ Q♣ . Abdellatif had 6♦ 2♦ and chose to call with his suited three-gapper.

Abdellatif was “rewarded” with a flop of K♣ Q♦ 8♦ , which gave him options, and he got to see another card for free when they both checked. Then the 7♥ fell on the turn.

Timofeev now made his delayed continuation bet. It was 175,000 and Abdellatif called. The 3♥ fell on the river and Timofeev continued the aggressive line. He bet 275,000.

Abdellatif could likely eliminate “call” from his options here, and did not go crazy with any foolish raise. He folded, and that put Timofeev back into the chip-lead with 3.5 million.

He added some more on the next hand too when, finding J♠ J♦ , he saw Kenny Smaron raise to 85,000 ahead of him. Timofeev three-bet to 235,000 and action folded back to Smaron. He had 7♥ 7♦ but found an excellent fold.

Timofeev now has more than 3.6 million. — HS

NEIL7899_Denis_Timofeev_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Denis Timofeev

2:03pm: Smaron value bets the river, collects
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

A raise from Kenny Smaron with A♣ J♠ was called by Robin Wozniczek and Denis Timofeev. The J♣ A♦ 3♣ flop was favourable for Smaron, and his bet of 125,000 was called by Wozniczek who held A♥ 2♠ .

Both players checked the 9♣ turn and the 9♦ river paired the board. Again Wozniczek checked the action to Smaron. He bet 330,000 and Wozniczek snap called. After that hand Smaron is up to 2,110,000 and Wozniczek is down to 3,180,000. –NW

2:01pm: Smaron shoves
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

From the button Jonathan Abdellatif opened to 85,000 with 10♦ 9♣ and Kenneth Smaron called from the big blind with Q♣ 3♣ . He flopped two-pair on the 4♦ Q♥ 3â™  flop and check-called Abdellatif’s 65,000 c-bet.

The Kâ™  fell on the turn and Abdellatif didn’t slow down. He bet 80,000 and folded when Smaron check-raised all-in for 800,000. –NW

1:55pm: Abdellatif takes two
Level 25 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Jonathan Abdellatif just took back-to-back pots from Denis Timofeev, both times smothering the flop when the two of them were left to it by the other three.

On the first occasion, Timofeev opened his small blind with K♣ 8♥ and Abdellatif called the 100,000 question with 7♦ 8♣ . There was plenty for Abdellatif to like about the 9♣ 6â™  9♥ flop and, after Timofeev checked, Abdellatif’s bet of 130,000 took it down.

On the next hand, Timofeev raised to 85,000 on the button with K♥ 4♠ and Abdellatif called in the small blind with A♠ 3♠ . Then the under-represented ace loved the A♥ A♦ K♣ flop, but both players checked, taking them to the 6♣ on the turn.

Timofeev still had precious little but bet 100,000 anyway. Abdellatif called.

The J♣ came on the river, and that was probably the best card for Timofeev. It wasn’t going to win him the pot, but it ensured that both of them now checked. Abdellatif won again, but smaller than he might have hoped. — HS

1:48pm: Wozniczek takes the chip lead
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

It’s all change at the top. Not because Denis Timofeev lost any chips, but because Robin Wozniczek has won some. He three-bet to 205,000 with A♥ Q♦ out of the small blind after Kenny Smaron had opened the button with 8♣ 7♣ .

Smaron called and the two players saw a 9♦ 5♦ 3♣ flop hit the felt. Wozniczek slowed down. He checked to Smaron, and the American decided to bet his gutshot draw. He fired out 165,000 and after a bit of a dwell up Wozniczek check-raised all-in. Smaron released his hand with the minimum of fuss. After that had Wozniczek is up to 3,785,000 and Smaron is down to 965,000. –NW

NEIL7893_Robin_Wozniczek_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

Robin Wozniczek

1:40pm: Gill shoves again
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Denis Timofeev opened with Qâ™  9â™  from under the gun and action passed to Harpreet Gill on the button. He looked down at pocket eights and had a decision. His decision was to shove for 690,000 and he took down the pot. –NW

1:33pm: Gill gets one through
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Harpreet Gill is the short stack at the table, and we just saw the Canadian shove for the first time at this final table. He had 7♣ 7â™  on the button, and he moved in for 660,000. Neither blind had a hand to call with though, and he picked up the pot uncontested. –NW

1:28pm: Suited cards all over
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

The proliferation of suited cards continues at the final table, with Robin Wozniczek picking up 7♥ 8♥ on the next hand. He raised from the button and picked up blinds and antes.

On the next deal, Kenny Smaron found A♣ 8♣ and raised to 70,000 from under the gun. He got through everyone except Denis Timofeev, who found K♦ J♠ on the button. Timofeev called.

The flop connected with Timofeev. It came K♦ 7♣ 5♦ and that allowed Timofeev to call a c-bet from Smaron. Smaron slowed to a check after the Q♥ turn and then he folded after Timofeev bet 225,000. –HS

1:20pm: Abdellatif over Timofeev
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

When you can see the hole cards you can get to wondering how certain pots stayed as small as they did. A recent hand between Jonathan Abdellatif and Denis Timofeev is a good example of this. The Belgian raised from UTG with A♥ J♥ and Timofeev called from the big blind with 9♥ 7♥ .

The 8♥ K♥ J♣ flop looked, therefore, like it might get Timofeev into a spot of bother given he had a gutshot straight draw to go with his flush draw. Abdellatif had him bang to rights though. He bet 90,000 on the flop, and Timofeev smooth called. The Belgian’s hand got even better on the A♣ turn, but both players checked to the 4♦ river. Timofeev took a stab at the pot for 75,000 but he instantly folded when Abdellatif raised to 400,000. –NW

1:15pm: Anthony Diotte eliminated in sixth place ($65,520)
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

On the third hand of play we had our first flop and our first elimination. Robin Wozniczek opened to 70,000 from UTG and Anthony Diotte then shoved from the big blind with A♥ J♣ . It was 450,000 total to Wozniczek and he took only a few seconds before flicking in the call.

The 8♦ 2♥ 5â™  flop left Diotte with just 1% equity and he was drawing dead when the A♣ turned. He was already shaking hands with his opponents by the time the 8â™  completed the board. He departs, while Wozniczek is up to 3,350,000. –NW

8G2A7885_Anthony_Diotte_PCP2017_Neil Stoddart.jpg

1:10pm: First pot to Gill
Level 24 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Harpreet Gill didn’t have to work very hard to win the first pot of the day. He was in the big blind and received a walk. He showed Aâ™  J♦ as he took the pot. –NW

1:05pm: Alright. Let’s do this

The live stream is up and running. We’re here to report on it all. Play is now underway. –BW

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11:40am: Starting soon…sort of

In about 20 minutes, the final six players of the first PokerStars Championship Panama Main Event will sit down to determine just exactly who will be the first champion of this Championship. But…because it’s on a live stream with cards up, it’s going to be on a delay. To avoid spoilers, we’ll be reporting in time with the stream.

Leading the field at this hour is Russia’s Denis Timofeev who stormed back at the end of last night to take the chip lead.

Here’s how they stack up right now.

Name Country Chips
Denis Timofeev Russia 3,905,000
Robin Wozniczek Germany 2,870,000
Kenneth Smaron USA 1,855,000
Jonathan Abdellatif Belgium 1,155,000
Harpreet Gill Canada 735,000
Anthony Diotte Canada 465,000

Deni_Timofeev_leader.jpg

Chip leader Denis Timofeev

While you’re waiting, check out these High Roller stories from late last night:

PokerStars Championship Panama: O’Dwyer leads the High Roller final five

Runner runner Greenwood

Mystery tea and multiple Argentinians

The PokerStars Championship Panama Main Event live reporting team is Howard Swains, Brad Willis, and Nick Wright. Photography by Neil Stoddart.

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