Friday, 29th March 2024 15:50
Home / Uncategorized / EPT13 Malta: Pierre Neuville leads €10K High Roller final table, featuring Jorgensen, Carrel and Jedlicka

So many bosses, such limited chips. At the beginning of play today you’d have been hard pressed to pick who’d make it to the final eight; it’s not even worth guessing in these High Rollers – just about everyone has the talent. So let’s keep this intro short and sweet; 2015 WSOP November Niner Pierre Neuville holds the chip lead for what’s sure to be a great final table tomorrow. The Belgian won a huge pot at the end of the night to take his stack up to 1.695 million, while the average stack is 900,000.

EPT13MALT_Pierre Neuville_8329_JulesPochy2.jpg

Great day for Neuville

Before we get to the other magnificent seven, lets cover the money side of things. Entry was still open until the start of play today and that meant it was a little while until we had our field size and prize pool confirmed. In the end we had 144 total entries (115 unique), and that created a prize pool worth €1,396,800. There would be 20 players making the money, with a min-cash worth €18,160. But nobody wants to just min-cash; everyone here wanted to win the €335,200 first place prize.

There were plenty that didn’t even come close. Pratyush Buddiga, Adrian Mateos, Sam Greenwood, Davidi Kitai, Ole Schemion, Steve O’Dwyer, and €25K High Roller winner David Yan are just a few of the many beasts who busted early on today. While they exited, others prospered; the lesser-known Alexander Iversson and Armando Collado both developed big stacks after a couple of levels and increased them throughout the day. And when we got down to 21 players, Collado would be involved in what we called “one of the craziest bubble hands the PokerStars Blog has ever witnessed.”

You can read the whole hand update by scrolling down to 9:58pm, but here’s the jist: chip leader Iversson opened and was called by Collado and the tiny stack of Christophe Larquemin, who had just 2.5 big blinds behind after the call. The flop came J25 and Ivarsson continued, which Collado called, while Larquemin folded. Then, after the K turn, Ivarsson fired another bullet, only for Collado to jam for 206,000 – 20 big blinds – and he was called.

EPT13MALT_Bubble_8520_JulesPochy.jpg

A bubble to remember

Collado had just the A2 for bottom pair, while Ivarsson had the K9 for top pair and flush draw. The latter held up and Collado left with nothing. Larquemin probably couldn’t believe his luck, he cashed and actually doubled a few times after that before exiting in 12th. Prior to that other big names we lost included Ben Heath in 17th, Stephen Chidwick in 15th, Cate Hall in 11th and Philipp Gruissem in 10th.

There were nine left as we entered the last level of the night, and Team Pro Theo Jorgensen held the chip lead. He got most of his chips after busting both Alexander Iversson (13th) and Farid Jattin (14th) with pocket kings against Jattin’s queens and Iversson’s ace-king. The cowboys held. You can check out all the prize pool and payouts so far here.

Hari Bercovici (9th) was our last casualty of the night, and that left us with eight remaining going into tomorrow, where they’ll play down to a winner. Here’s how they stack up:

Name Country Status Chips
Pierre Neuville Belgium   1,695,000
Cristian Egues Spain Live satellite winner 1,515,000
Liviu Ignat Romania   1,012,000
Theo Jorgensen Denmark Team PokerStars Pro 982,000
Michael Kane UK Live satellite winner 810,000
Stefan Jedlicka Austria   443,000
Charlie Carrel UK   410,000
Kilian Kramer Germany   334,000

And here’s what they’re playing for:

1st: €335,200
2nd: €228,400
3rd: €150,850
4th: €124,330
5th: €99,870
6th: €78,220
7th: €58,670
8th: €43,300

They’re an accomplished bunch. You’ll all be familiar with Charlie Carrel by now, his latest cash coming on Monday night where he chopped the €10K single day for €170,000. And Stefan Jedlicka too; he’s had an amazing performance here in Malta, cashing in the IPT Main Event, then winning the €2K IPT High Roller for €89,039, then finishing third in another €2K for €35,600.

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Carrel’s on fire here in Malta

EPT13MALT_Stefan Jedlicka_8574_JulesPochy.jpg

As is Stefan Jedlicka

But we also have a guy here with just $7,600 in live cashes to his name. Cristian Euges from Spain won a live satellite to get in this thing, and he’s now guaranteed his biggest ever live cash.

Can the Team Pro take it down? Will Charlie Carrel secure another three-figure score? Can Pierre Neuville show these young kids a thing or two? Will Cristian Euges’ first big cash come with a trophy? Play resumes at 12:30pm so make sure you join us here on the PokerStars Blog for all the live updates. Until then, ciao! –JS

Day 2 coverage:

1:15am: Done for the day
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

There was no major action in the last 15 minutes, which means the final eight players will return tomorrow at 12:30pm and play to a winner. A full wrap of the day’s play, including overnight chip counts will follow shortly. –NW

1am: Huge pot for Pierre Neuville as he takes the chip lead
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Late in the day the chip lead has changed hands with Pierre Neuville winning a huge pot to jump into first place. It was Theo Jorgensen who got proceedings underway, he opened to 32,000 and picked up calls from Neuville and Cristian Egues.

A Q38 flop hit the felt and three checks followed. On the 8 turn Egues bet 60,000 and Jorgensen said: “I call that bluff,” and was reminded it was a mulit-way pot. His speech play didn’t deter Neuville from sticking around and the three of them saw the 2 complete the board.

Both players checked to Neuville who bet 140,000, call from Egues and then raise from Jorgensen! He bumped it to 500,000. After about 30 seconds Neuville said: “I call,” and Egues needed some time before he folded. Jorgensen turned over Q9 but Neuville had 98 for trip eights and took the pot.

He’s up to 1,520,000, Egues drops to 1,375,000 and Jorgensen is down to 1,075,000. –NW

EPT13MALT_Theo Jorgensen_8595_JulesPochy.jpg

Jorgensen regrets

12:45am: Charlie Carrel doubles through Pierre Neuville
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

This was a small blinds versus big blind affair with Neuville shoving from the small blind and Carrel calling from the big for his last 175,000. The Belgian had A3d] while Carrel had A4. A chop seemed most likley, but while the 546 flop gave Carrel a pair, Neuville had a straight and flush draws to eliminate Carrel.

He missed all the outs though as the 5 turn and 10 river kept Carrel in front. He’s up to 366,000 and Neuville is down to 700,000. –NW

12:35am: Hari Bercovici elimianted in ninth place (€33,540)
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Having been short stacked throughout it’s no surprise that Hari Bercovici is the player to fall in ninth. He three-bet all-in for 130,000 and Kilian Kramer, who had opened to 35,000, called the extra.

Bercovici: QQ
Kramer: KK

The Israeli had walked into one of the few hands that could beat him and he didn’t suck out as the board came 83649. –NW

12:30am: Final table re-draw
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Here’s how the final nine line-up:

1 – Cristian Egues – 1,640,000
2 – Michael Kane – 845,000
3 – Liviu Ignat – 1,190,000
4 – Theo Jorgensen – 1,810,000
5 – Hari Bercovici – 130,000
6 – Pierre Neuville – 910,000
7 – Charlie Carrel – 185,000
8 – Kilian Kramer – 265,000
9 – Stefan Jedlicka – 262,000

12:20am: Another double knockout! Cate Hall 11th (€27,940), Philipp Gruissem 10th(€27,940)
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)
We’re down to the unofficial final table of nine due to another double bustout. It was Philipp Gruissem who got the action started, he raised to 35,000 from a stack of around 220,000, Cate Hall was next to act, she shoved for about 185,000 and when it got to Cristian Egues he re-raised all-in. “I’ve got a hand I can’t fold,” said Gruissem and he called all-in.

Gruissem: AK
Hall: AQ
Egues: 88

The 877 flop was pretty conclusive and the 3 turn and K river couldn’t save either player. After that hand Egues is up to 1,640,000 and they’ll now be a re-draw of the final nine players. –NW

12:09am: Last level
Level 20 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Unless we lose five players before the next hour is up, there’s just 60 minutes left of play tonight. –JS

12:08am: Kane takes from Ignat
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Liviu Ignat opened under the gun and Hari Becovici called, as did Michael Kane in the small blind. They saw a Q67 flop and it checked to Ignat who continued for 32,000, but Kane came along. The turn was the 6 and Kane check-called a 58,000 bet. Finally the river was the K and both checked. Kane showed the AJ for the nut flush and took down the pot, to bring his stack up to 890,000. –JS

12:05am: Christophe Larquemin next to fall in 12th (€24,440)
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

We’re down to 11 now after Christophe Larquemin got his chips in good but it wasn’t meant to be. Michael Kane made it 27,000 to go and Liviu Ignat called on the button. Larquemin also called from the small blind and the flop came down 642. Larquemin did the old ‘stop-and-go’ move and shoved 127,000 straight away, Kane folded but Ignat called.

Ignat – KQ
Larquemin – 99

The nines were ahead, but the 8 river gave Ignat a flush and the 9 set-giving river changed nothing as to who won. Ignat has 1.3 million now. –JS

11:55pm: Double knockout! Farid Jattin eliminated in 14th (€22,340) and Alexander Ivarsson out in 13th (€24,440)
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

“I gave him the option to shove or fold and he chose the latter,” said Theo Jorgensen matter of factly to Philipp Gruissem when the German looked at Jorgensen stacking a mound of chips.

The Team PokerStars Pro is up to a massive 1,750,000 after taking out two players in the same hand. The action was started by Alexander Ivarsson, who raised to 27,000 from under-the-gun, Farid Jattin then shoved for 79,000 from under-the-gun+1 and Jorgensen min-raised to 131,000.

It folded back round to Ivarsson and he shoved for around 450,000. “Yes, let’s go,” said Jorgensen who snap called and showed KK. It was a cooler as Ivarsson held AK and Jattin QQ.

It was all over on the turn of a 365K4 board and Jorgensen is now the clear chip leader. By virtue of having more chips to start the hand, Ivarsson finished 13th and was awarded the higher payout. –NW

11:43pm: Chatty Carrel
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel is the opposite of the British stereotype, he’s outgoing, chatty and a fun presence at the poker table. He just played a pot against Cristian Egues which involved some great table talk between the two.

Stefan Jedlicka was the catalyst, he raised to 26,000 from the button, Egues called out of the small blind and Carrel called from the big. The JK9 flop was checked through and the 6 fell on the turn. Egues led for 40,000, Carrel made it 80,000, Jedlicka folded and Carrel called.

On the J river Egues led for 100,000 and this is where the table talk began.

“I’ve got a very good hand,” began Carrel. “You seem confident, though, what do you think I have?” he probed. “You’re not going to get anything from me,” replied Egues.

“This is going to take a minute,” continued Carrel. Philipp Gruissem took this a cue to get up from the table and stretch his legs. ‘Will you show if I fold?” asked Carrel. His opponent replied negatively. “Show one?”

“No, I won’t show,” replied Egues.
“Oh man, that makes me want to call even more. Where are you from?” asked Carrel.
“Spain, the Basque country,” explained Egues.
“Oh fuck, what can I do?” joked Carrel playing on the reputation that Spanish players are seen as loose. “I have a king by the way,” he added.

A bit more time passed with Carrel, who had 290,000 back, really torn as to what to do. “You just seem so comfortable,” he said and then mucked his hand. Egues turned over 108 for a busted straight draw and Carrel genuinely applauded his opponent’s play. After that hand, the Spaniard is up to 1,150,000. –NW

11:43pm: Jedlicka doubles too
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Stefan Jedlicka just shoved for 115,000 from the big blind over the top of Cate Hall’s 28,000 cutoff open and she called. It was her KQ against Jedlicka’s A3 and the ace would pair on the 58AJ7 board. Hall’s down to 289,000 now, while Jedlicka has 250,000. –JS

11:35pm: Huge double for Ignat through Iversson
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Wow, the tables have really turned here and the man who has led for much of the way, Alexander Iversson, now finds himself with a less than average stack.

Picking up the action on a 937 flop, Liviu Ignat checked and Iversson made a 40,000 bet which was called. But things really got interesting on the 8 turn. Ignat checked again and this time Iversson made it 115,000. Ignat then shoved for 451,000 and Iversson was a little taken aback. He made the call though.

Iversson – A9
Ignat – 56

Iversson had flopped top pair but Ignat had turned a straight and was 100% to win the hand. The J river meant nothing and Ignat now has roughly 1.1 million while Iversson drops to 432,000. –JS

EPT13MALT_Liviu Ignat_8447_JulesPochy.jpg

Ignat ignited

11:28pm: Carrel slips below average
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel and Philipp Gruissem have been sat next to each other for much of the latter stages of this tournament and have been bouncing around different topics of conversation. “I’ve got your voice as my inner monologue at the moment,” said Carrel to Gruissem. “Oh no, I’m below average for the first time today,” continued Carrel in a German accent, which if we’re being kind wasn’t the best. “I can’t do it out loud but in my head it’s pretty funny,” he added.

The conversatin stopped because Carrel got involved in a pot. Pierre Neuville was the pre-flop aggressor, he opened to 30,000 and Cristian Egues (small blind) and Carrel both called. On the 942 flop Neuville bet 36,000, Egues smooth called and Carrel then raised to what looked like 115,000. Neuville folded but Egues moved all-in, which prompted a snap fold from Carrel. “You were the one I was worried about, nice hand,” said Carrel. –NW

He’s down to around 350,000 while Egues is up to 850,000. –NW

11:18pm: Chidwick’s out in 15th (€22,340)
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

Stevie444 didn’t last long after the dinner break. Cate Hall was on the button and made it 30,000 to go and Stephen Chidwick defended his big blind. The flop fell 4A8 and Chidwick check-called a 20,000 c-bet, followed by the 7 turn. He checked once more and Hall moved all-in, which Chidwick called. He was behind with the Q4 for a pair of fours against Hall’s A2 and the 10 river changed nothing. Hall is up to 495,000 after that one. –JS

Thumbnail image for EPT13MALT_Stephen Chidwick_8395_JulesPochy.jpg

Another cash for Chidwick

11:12pm: Theo back on top
Level 19 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

The final 15 players are back in their seats and will play another two levels or until six remain, whichever occurs first. Trust us when we say they’ll play two more levels. Leading the way right now is Theo Jorgensen. The Team PokerStars Pro is back on top and is the only player with more than one million.

Name Country Status Chips
Theo Jorgensen Denmark Team PokerStars Pro 1,116,000
Alexander Ivarsson Sweden Live satellite winner 924,000
Michael Kane UK Live satellite winner 794,000
Pierre Neuville Belgium   740,000
Cristian Egues Spain Live satellite winner 680,000
Liviu Ignat Romania   553,000
Charlie Carrel UK   499,000
Caitlin Hall USA   380,000
Hari Bercovici Israel Live satellite winner 320,000
Stefan Jedlicka Austria   270,000
Farid Jattin Colombia   238,000
Kilian Kramer Germany   226,000
Philipp Gruissem Germany   219,000
Christophe Larquemin France   142,000
Stephen Chidwick UK   101,000

10:52pm: Back in 20

The final 15 have gone on a 20-minute break. –JS

10:51pm: Three important bits from before the break
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

1. Christophe Larquemin has doubled up again. He shoved for 64,000 over Kilian Kramer’s 25,000 open with the 88 and was called by Kramer’s A5. The board ran out Q98610.

2. There was a huge pot between Pierre Neuville and Philipp Gruissem. It started with a 27,000 open the Belgian which was three-bet by Gruissem on the button to 62,000. Neuville called and the flop came 235. It checked to the German and he continued for 55,000, and once again that was called.

The turn was the J and both opted to check taking us to the 6 river. Neuville checked once more, and that prompted a bit from Gruissem – 125,000. Neuville wasn’t done though; he then raised again! He made it 264,000 knowing that Gruissem had just 219,000 behind.

“I know you’re a bit crazy Pierre otherwise I would have folded a long time ago. But I know you’re a bit crazy,” said Gruissem. “This is so annoying. Would you fold if I bet the turn?”

Neuville just stared at him, smiling and giggling. Gruissem folded and dropped to 219,000, while Neuville is up to 740,000.

3. Another big hand took place on the other table. Alexander Iversson made it 25,000 on the button and Michael Kane defended his big blind. They saw a 5AQ flop and Kane check-called a 25,000 bet. The turn was the 9 and this time Kane check-called 70,000. Finally the river was the J and Kane checked a final time. Iversson fired a third bullet worth 175,000 and after a few minutes of thinking Kane made the call.

It turned out to be a “great call”, according to Theo Jorgensen who stuck around to watch, as Kane had the KQ and his one pair of queens was best against Iversson’s 10J. Kane now has 794,000, and Iversson dips to 924,000. –JS

10:45pm: Chmielewski out, Neuville all but triples up
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Left with just 15 big blinds Marcin Chmielewski shoved all-in from early posiition for 148,000, Pierre Neuville then re-raised all-in for 170,000 and action paused at Cristian Egues. He got counts and then called, he had both players well covered.

Egues: AQ
Chmielewski: 88
Neuville: AA

The A67 flop all but sealed the deal for Neuville, he needn’t have worried about an outdraw as the 6 sealed the deal and the 4 fell on the river. So Chmielewski exits in 16th, Neuville’s up to around 500,000, while Egues is down to 610,000. –NW

EPT13_malta_high_roller_day2_marcin_chmielewski.jpg

Marcin Chmielewski

10:35pm: Farid Jattin doubles up
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

The action folded to Alexander Ivarsson in the small blind and he shoved for an effective 130,000. Farid Jattin looked at his cards and snap called. He had picked the perfect time to find AA and Ivarsson showed Q8. A 5101076 board meant Jattin doubled.

10:30pm: Hari Bercovici doubles twice in a row
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Two hands, two doubles. Easy game for Hari Bercovici. In the first he shoved from the button for 75,000 with K4 and Stephen Chidwick re-raised all-in with A10 to put him at risk. The JKJ98 board meant Bercovici surived and Chidwick dropped to 85,000.

On the next hand Marcin Chmielewski opened to 25,000, Bercovici shoved for 167,000 and the Pole called the all-in.

Bercovici: QQ
Chmielewski: JJ

The better pair held up as the board ran 26K4Q. Suddenly Bercovici has a stack of nearly 40 big blinds, while Chmielewski is down to 150,000. –NW

10:28pm: Final two tables
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Seat Table 1 Table 2
1 Stephen Chidwick Alexander Ivarsson
2 Pierre Neuville Farid Jattin
3 Stefan Jedlicka Theo Jorgensen
4 Cristian Egues Michael Kane
5 Marcin Chmielewski Kilian Kramer
6 Philipp Gruissem Liviu Ignat
7 Caitlin Hall Christophe Larquemin
8 Hari Bercovici Charlie Carrel

10:25pm: Ivarsson eliminates Heath; 16 players left
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

It took less than 15 minutes to go from 20 to 16 with Ben Heath the player out in 17th which means there’s now a complete redraw of the final 16 players.

In the hand in question Alexander Ivarsson opened to 25,000, Heath three-bet to 84,000 from the big blind, Ivarsson shoved all-in and Heath called all-in for 298,000. He had pocket jacks and was racing against Ivarsson’s AQ.

The 10QQKh]3 board meant Ivarsson chips up to 1,300,000 and Heath exits in 17th. The two table re-draw is coming shortly. –NW

EPT13_malta_high_roller_day2_ben_heath.jpg

Heath – out in 17th

10:23pm: Another one bites the dust; Jyri Merivirta gone in 18th (€18,160)
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Another quick exit in an unremarkable hand. Michael Kane open-shoved for 110,000 and it folded around to Jyri Merivirta in the small blind who called off his 100,000 stack. He had the 66 against the A2, but an ace on the flop of the 510A108 board knocked him out. Kane has 225,000 now. –JS

10:16pm: Carrel balances it out
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel has moved to Alexander Ivarsson’s table to balance things out. 18 players remain. –JS

10:15pm: Mikalai Vaskaboinikau gone in 19th (€18,160)
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Whoa, they’re flying out the door now. Alexander Ivarsson opened to 25,000 on the button and Mikalai Vaskaboinikau defended his big blind. The flop came 926 and he then shoved for his remaining 35,000 and Ivarsson called.

Vaskaboinikau – 87
Ivarsson – K2

It was an up-and-down straight draw against the pair, and the deuces held up after the A and 3 completed the board. Ivarsson increased to 970,000. –JS

10:13pm: Gleb Tremzin first out in the money (20th – €18,160)
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Gleb Tremzin moved all-in for 141,000 only for Cate Hall to re-shove with the bigger stack. The two got heads-up and the cards were flipped: 55 for Tremzin against Hall’s 99. A five didn’t show up and Tremzin was outta here. Hall is up to 430,000. –JS

EPT13_malta_high_roller_day2_gleb_tremzin.jpg

Tremzin has cashed, but has crashed out

10:10pm: Two doubles for Larquemin
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Christophe Larquemin was basically gifted a money position in this tournament, and he’s making the most of it by doubling up twice. First off he got his 24,000 in against Alexander Ivarsson’s A10 with the J8 and flopped gin on the 8J89A board, then he was all-in with the A10 against Marcin Chmielewski’s 88 and it looked like he was all but out on the 9Q8 flop. However the J turn gave him a straight and the A river changed nothing. He’s up to 135,000 now. –JS

9:58pm: Armando Collado bubbles; Larquemin survives with 2.5 big blinds
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

This is one of the craziest bubble hands the PokerStars Blog has ever witnessed. Strap in, this is a good one. Alexander Ivarsson opened to 25,000 from under-the-gun, one seat along Armando Collado called and Christophe Larquemin called from the big blind. The Frenchman had just 25,000 left at this point so the call represented half his stack.

On the J25 flop Ivarsson bet 40,000, Collado called and Larquemin decided to fold, leaving himself with just 2.5 big blinds. The turn was the K and this is where things got crazy. Ivarsson bet again, this time 60,000 and Collado then counted up his chips and began stroking a big tower of them while he decided on his next move. That move would be to shove for 206,000 and when Ivarsson got a count he called.

Collado: A2 – for bottom pair
Ivarsson: K9 – for top pair and a flush draw

The players from the other tables had gathered around the table to watch and the Q completed the board to eliminate Collado and burst the bubble. It’s safe to say that Larquemin is the happiest man in the room right now. –NW

EPT13MALT_Bubble_8520_JulesPochy.jpg

Crowds gather to watch bubble burst

9:53pm: Blinds are up
Level 18 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

As are the rules, the blinds can only go up once on the bubble period which means we’ll be playing 5K/10K until we lose a player. –JS

9:49pm: Carrel and Gruissem at it again
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel opened to 20,000 from mid-position and his only caller was the man to his left, Philipp Gruissem. They saw three cards hit the felt: 279. Carrel continued for 30,000 only for Gruissem to carefully (and slowly) raise it up to 65,000. Carrel made the call.

The 10 on the turn could have been a bit of a scare card as it completed flushes and straight draws. Both checked and the river came the A. Carrel checked a final time and Gruissem quickly checked behind. Carrel immediately flipped over his AA and Gruissem mucked, which brings Carrel up to 560,000. –JS

9:38pm: Piotr Franczak out in 22nd; bubble time
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

The 21 remaining players are now on the bubble and it’s Piotr Franczak who’s been eliminated. He doubled up with queens against the tens of Stefan Jedlicka to climb to around 140,000 but a few hands later he lost those chips to Theo Jorgensen.

The Dane opened with AK and snap called when Franczak shoved from the big blind with Q10. The 28J58 board didn’t improve Franczak and he wished the players good luck before leaving. –NW

9:28pm: Stephensen runs into Gruissem’s rockets to bust
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Bad timing from Felix Stephensen. After opening to 18,000 he then faced a three-bet to 40,000 from Philipp Gruissem, who was putting his newly-acquired chips to work. Stephensen then shoved after a minute or so thinking time and Gruissem peeled his hand up to show the AA for an obvious snap-call.

Stephensen had a good hand too but the 1010 would need to improve. They got no help from the K536A board and he left in 22nd. We’re now on the soft bubble. –JS

9:20pm: Jensen out in 24th
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Well, he was the shortest stack coming back after dinner, so I guess the money would have been on him being the first to leave. Cristian Egues made it 21,000 to go on the button and Jensen jammed from the big blind for 66,000, which was called.It was the K8 for the Dane against the A7, but the 74610A runout brought no help. Jensen said his goodbyes, and Egues moved up to 810,000. –JS

EPT13MALT_Frederik Jensen_8456_JulesPochy.jpg

Deep run in the Main, deep run here for Jensen

9:15pm: Gruissem’s time to double
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

On the previous hand, Philipp Gruissem had three-bet shoved from the small blind and forced Charlie Carrel to surrender the chips he’d invested. On the next hand it folded to Gruissem on the button and he moved all-in, Stefan Jedlicka folded the small blind but Piotr Franczak snap called from the big blind. “Oh shit,” said Gruissem, showing 22. It could’ve been way worse as Franczak held A9.

The flop was an absolute rollercoaster with the 9 appearing first, then the A and finally the 2 as Gruissem lost the lead and then regained it. The 6 turn and 8 river kept him in front and he doubled up. He was all-in for 147,000 and is up to around 310,000, while Franczak slips to 66,000. –NW

9:05pm: Bercovici gets a double
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Liviu Ignat opened to 18,000 in the cutoff only for Hari Bercovici to jam for 72,000 total from the small blind. Action back on Ignat, he must have felt priced in as he called with the 48, which was in real bad shape against the 88. The board ran out K2A98 and Bercovici got the full double, while Ignat dropped to 450,000. –JS

8:55pm: Jorgensen up to over a million
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Theo Jorgensen is the first player to break the million chip mark, and he did it by winning a big pot against Farid Jattin. The latter opened to 19,000 and Jorgensen, who had position, smooth called. Jattin then went on to check-call bets of 25,000, 55,000 and 200,000 on the 72A104 board. Jorgensen showed A2 at showdown and Jattin mucked. The Dane is up to 1,060,000, while Jattin drops to 140,000. –NW

8:40pm: Jorgensen leads the final 24
Level 17 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Theo Jorgensen leads the final 24 players, he’s just ahead of Cristian Egues. The Dane has missed his flight and told us that he’d be annoyed should he also miss out on the money. “I think I’m a pretty solid favourite to cash though,” he told us with a smirk.

EPT13MALT_Theo Jorgensen_8463_JulesPochy.jpg

Jorgensen leads the pack

Indeed he’s in a great position but the same can’t be said of his fellow countryman Frederik Jensen, Jyri Merivirta, Hari Bercovici or Philipp Gruissem. The German is looking to snap a streak of bubbles in high roller events. He was tenth in the €25,000 High Roller (eight paid) and will be hoping history doesn’t repeat itself here in Malta.

Name Country Status Chips
Theo Jorgensen Denmark Team PokerStars Pro 682,000
Cristian Egues Spain Live satellite winner 670,000
Liviu Ignat Romania   525,000
Alexander Ivarsson Sweden Live satellite winner 463,000
Farid Jattin Colombia   456,000
Charlie Carrel UK   439,000
Marcin Chmielewski Poland   378,000
Stefan Jedlicka Austria   353,000
Caitlin Hall USA   319,000
Kilian Kramer Germany   312,000
Ben Heath UK   300,000
Christophe Larquemin France   270,000
Stephen Chidwick UK   231,000
Armando Collado Nicaragua   228,000
Gleb Tremzin Russia   227,000
Felix Stephensen Norway   205,000
Piotr Franczak Poland   204,000
Michael Kane UK Live satellite winner 182,000
Pierre Neuville Belgium   165,000
Mikalai Vaskaboinikau Belarus   160,000
Philipp Gruissem Germany   114,000
Hari Bercovici Israel Live satellite winner 106,000
Jyri Merivirta Finland   78,000
Frederik Jensen Denmark   72,000

7:25pm: Dinner break

All 24 players made it through the 40 minutes of play since the redraw, and now they’re off on a 75-minute dinner break. Back around 8:40pm when we’ll begin to see who among this group makes it to the top 20 and the cash. –MH

7:25pm: Hall gets the double in last pre-dinner hand
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Kilian Kramer made it 13,000 from under the gun plus one and it folded around to Hari Bercovici in the small blind. He made the call, as did Cate Hall in the big blind. The flop came 596 and it checked to Hall who led out for 18,000. Only Kramer would call to see the Q turn and Hall continued for 27,000. Kramer then put her all-in and she made the call.

Hall – Q9
Kramer – A8

Kramer was semi-bluffing with just a gutshot and the 3 river meant Hall’s two pair were good. She doubled to 319,000, while Kramer drops to 312,000. –JS

7:20pm: Franczak gets a jam through
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

From late position Piotr Franczak opened to 15,000 and Farid Jattin smooth-called. On the 955 flop Franczak fired out a bet of 25,000 and Jattin stuck around.

The 2 fell on the turn and Franczak moved all-in for 118,000 total. Jattin tanked for over two minutes — he had a stack of 470,000 — but ultimately he folded. Pot to Franczak. –NW

7:15pm: Chidwick folds to Neuville, then doubles Hall
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Stephen Chidwick’s stack is on the slide again after two less than profitable hands versus Pierre Neuville and Cate Hall.

Chidwick opened to 12,000 from middle position and Neuville called from the big blind. The flop fell 1047 and Chidwick’s 11,000 c-bet was check-raised up 30,000 by the Belgian. Chidwick called but couldn’t do the same on the Q turn when Neuville shoved for 74,000.

The very next hand, Chidwick raised to 11,000 and called after Hall moved all-in for 69,000 from the small blind.

Hall: AJ
Chidwick: 33

The board ran 67JQ7 to make Hall two pair. –MC

7:10pm: Heath adds a few from Chmielewski
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Ben Heath made it 14,000 to go under the gun and his only caller was Marcin Chmielewski on the button. That meant Heath was first to act after the K49 flop and he continued for 18,000. The Pole came along.

We saw the 2 on the turn and Heath fired another bullet, worth 44,000. That was just too much for Chmielewski who let his hand go, and dipped to 430,000. Heath has around 340,000 now. –JS

EPT13MALT_Ben Heath_8480_JulesPochy.jpg

Heath’s on the up

7pm: Jedlicka shoves on Franczak
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

It’s been a pretty pedestrian last 15 minutes of play since the redraw, but Stefan Jedlicka just raised the action a notch or two when he took a pot against Piotr Franczak.

The Austrian player raised to 13,000 from the cutoff and Franczak then three-bet to 40,000 from the button. Next to act was Farid Jattin. He seemed interested and took a look at Franczak’s stack (210,000) and thought for over a minute before folding.

Back on Jedlicka, it didn’t take him too long to move all-in and Franczak folded instantly. He’s down to 210,000. –NW

6:50pm: Neuville gets tricky
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Liviu Ignat made it 17,000 to play and it folded to Pierre Neuville in the big blind. He defended and the duo saw the dealer lay a KQ7 flop. There’d be no betting on this street, though.

The turn was the 5 and now Neuville counted out his chips. He had 71,000, and then he made a bet of 50,000 –more than the pot, and one that left him just 21,000 behind. Ignat thought for a couple of minutes before letting his hand go. –JS

6:45pm: Full redraw at 24
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

A look at where the final 24 are seated. Remember, only the top 20 make the cash. –MC

Seat Table 1 Table 2 Table 3
1 Jyri Merivirta Charlie Carrel Alexander Ivarsson
2 Stephen Chidwick Philipp Gruissem Armando Collado Lanuza
3 Liviu Ignat Stefan Jedlicka Marcin Chmielewski
4 Gleb Tremzin Piotr Franczak Mikalai Vaskaboinikau
5 Hari Bercovici Farid Jattin Cristian Oroitz Egues Juanena
6 Caitlin Hall Michael Kane Ben Heath
7 Pierre Neuville Felix Stephensen Frederik Jensen
8 Kilian Kramer Theo Jorgensen Christophe Larquemin

6:40pm: Panek and Grochulski depart; down to 24
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Two quick-fire exits mean we’re down to the final 24.

First to go was Tomasz Panek, he shoved from under-the-gun for 80,000 with AQ and Christophe Larquemin looked him up with QQ. The J10428 flop meant Larquemin held up and climbs to 286,000.

Next to go was Grzegorz Grochulski, he raised from under-the-gun and Farid Jattin called from the small blind. The action on the 1056 flop went, check, bet, call. The A fell on the turn, Grochulski jammed for 80,000 with A9 and Jattin snap called with pocket fives. The inconsequential 2 completed the board.

After that hand Jattin is up to 470,000. A short pause now as they redraw for the final three tables. –NW

6:35pm: Ivarrson not invincible
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

This might be the only pot this blogger has seen Alexander Ivarsson lose. He opened to 15,000 in the cutoff and got a call from the big blind of Gleb Tremzin.

The flop fell 265 and Tremzin checked, letting Ivarrson continue for 15,000 once more. Tremzin then three-bet to 42,000 and got a call.

The turn came the 10 and Tremzin shoved for 146,000. Ivarsson had a decision but in the end he’d fold. –JS

6:30pm: Chidwick wakes up with a double-up
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Stephen Chidwick has been relatively quiet for him today, but what’s a man supposed to do when you have a LAG, chip-leading Swede to your left? Cooler him is what.

Chidwick opened to 12,000 off the button and then jammed for 167,000 after Alexander Ivarsson three-bet to 32,000 from the small blind. Call.

Ivarsson: AQ
Chidwick: AK

The board ran 7JJ45 to see the big-slick hold. –MC

EPT13MALT_Stephen Chidwick_8395_JulesPochy.jpg

Chidwick chips up

6:25pm: Ignat dents Franczak
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

We caught the end of a big hand between Liviu Ignat and Piotr Franczak. There was 50,000 in the middle by the two players reached the turn of a 71045 board. Ignat (big blind) bet 34,000 and Franczak (UTG) called. The river was the 8 and Ignat bet again. This time he fired out 85,000 and Franczak tank-called.

The Romanian rolled over K3 for the turned flush and Franczak mucked. He’s down to 225,000 while Ignat is up to 510,000. –NW

6:25pm: Even more-sen for Jorgensen
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Excuse the poor headline but the important thing is we tell you that Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen is up to 760,000 now.

His latest chip infusion came in a hand against Stefan Jedlicka, who made it 12,500 on the button. Jorgensen three-bet to 36,000 from the big blind and got a call to see the Q66 flop. Both checked and the turn came the 8. Jorgensen led out for 25,000 and took it down. –JS

EPT13MALT_Theo Jorgensen_8315_JulesPochy.jpg

King Theo the 1st

6:20pm: Jorgensen stretches clear
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen has stretched clear of the field on 690,000 after he eliminated Alexander Lakhov in a cooler.

Jorgensen opened to 12,000 and made a quick call after Lakhov three-bet all-in for 160,000 from the next seat.

Jorgensen: QQ
Lakhov: JJ

The board ran A10457 to safely see the queens home. –MC

6:15pm: New level; 26 remain
Level 16 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Blinds bigger. Antes, too. Bubble closer. Stay tuned! –MH

6:10pm: Neuville plays with chips, gets Gruissem to fold
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

“It’s no coincidence he made the WSOP November Nine,” said Charlie Carrel after this one, and we have to say he might have a point. You see, it folded to Pierre Neuville in the small blind and he just completed to 5,000. Philipp Gruissem then raised it to 12,000 and Neuville just started riffling his chips. He hadn’t announced a reraise or anything, but Gruissem mucked his hand. –JS

EPT13MALT_Pierre Neuville_8329_JulesPochy.jpg

Respect for the power of Pierre

6:05pm: No way back for Zhao
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Action folded around to Dong Zhao on the button and he opened shoved for 72,000. Next to act was Christophe Larquemin he called the all-in and the big blind folded.

Zhao: K9
Larquemin: KK

The 6569Q board meant the cowboys held up. The stacks were very close, but Zhao was left with 2,500. Unsurprisingly he failed to spin it up and was out a couple of hands later. –NW

6:05pm: Share the aces around will you Table 2!
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

More aces at Table 2 and more preflop all-in showdowns. No double-up this time, though, as Roman Korenev hit the rail after running into an opponent’s rockets two hands in a row. In this case, he and Charlie Carrel got the chips in preflop.

Koronev: 99
Carrel: AA

The board ran JQ1045 to make Carrel a flush. As soon as the turn was dealt Koronev leapt out of his seat and made a hasty exit.

“He was in a hurry to leave!” commented Farid Jattin, but one can’t blame the Russian for wanting to get of here fast after running onto aces twice to bust just a table or so off the money. Carrel, meanwhile, moved up to 315,000. –MC

6pm: Finger busts to Jattin
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

From the hijack Farid Jattin opened to 11,500 and it passed to Martin Finger, who was on the button. The German shoved for 101,500 and Jattin tank-called.

Finger: 108
Jattin: KQ

The KJ467 board didn’t save Finger and he’s out. Just 28 remain — eight off the cash. –NW

5:55pm: Ivarsson’s dominance continues; hits miracle river to bust Veghinas
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

A three-bet pot had already been built between chip leader Alexander Ivarsson and Sebastian Veghinas — who you may remember from the Barcelona equivalent of this tournament where he stood out for his loud, playful, occasionally brash table talk — by the time the 998 flop landed.

Veghinas put out a bet of 30,000 and Ivarsson moved all-in. The Romanian got him to put in the 30,000 and then asked the dealer to spread the pot so he could get a better idea of his pot odds with 94,000 behind. He looked up to the ceiling as he did his maths and then made the call, and what a call it was.

Veghinas – AK
Ivarsson – QJ

Ivarsson had just queen-high with a gutshot, so it had to be a queen, jack or ten on the river. The 10 landed and Veghinas quietly made his exit, while Ivarsson gave a silent fist bump. He’s up to 681,000 now. –JS

5:50pm: Third time lucky for Hall
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Aces may be the best starting hand in hold’em but that doesn’t mean squat if you can’t get them to hold. Cate Hall has already suffered that pain twice today, but thankfully for her she didn’t score an unwanted hat-trick.

She shoved for 52,500 with AA and Roman Korenev, who had opened to 11,000, called the extra with KJ. A 583 board hit the felt. “I don’t even want to know how this is going to happen,” said Charlie Carrel. The 10 turn meant Hall had a lock on the hand and the J completed the board.

So Hall’s up to around 115,000 while Korenev is down to 65,000. –NW

5:50pm: Kisacikoglu loses race to Jedlicka
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Orpen Kisacikoglu is the latest to bust. He opened to 11,000 and faced a three-bet to 27,500 from Stefan Jedlicka on his left. Back on Kisacikoglu, he shoved for 162,000 total and Jedlicka made the call.

Kisacikoglu – AK
Jedlicka – 88

There’d be no help for the man from Turkey on the 5910Q2 runout and he made his exit.

“Good luck guys,” he said to Charlie Carrel and Ben Heath who were stood up behind him, half-watching the hand and half-discussing the sick hand in which Ben Heath cracked Oleg Titov’s pocket aces (see just below, 5:45pm).

“Oh, GG,” replied Carrel. “Are you playing tomorrow?” Carrel asked, referring to one of the many turbos that are running on the last day of the festival. Kisacikoglu confirmed he would be.

EPT13MALT_Orpen Kisacikoglu_8332_JulesPochy.jpg

Orpen out

Meanwhile, Jedlicka is up to 354,000 now. –JS

5:45pm: Heath charging up the counts
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Ben Heath was getting short earlier, but he just eliminated Oleg Titov to see his stack grow to a near chip-leading 530,000. We missed the action but the chips went in on a 62K flop.

Heath: A2 for a pair and flush draw
Titov: AA for the pair

The board ran out 24 to make Heath trips, but Titov had obviously been anti-sweating diamonds and had thought he’d doubled. He took it well when it was pointed out and then predicted Heath will win the event. –MC

EPT13MALT_Ben Heath_8360_JulesPochy.jpg

Heath on a heater

5:40pm: Merivirta cracks aces
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Jyri Merivirta was all-in for his final 87,000 with 88, and the Pole was in bad shape against Stefan Jedlicka’s AA.

The 54J flop kept Jedlicka in the lead, but the 8 turn meant Merivirta turned a set to take the lead. The 2 river kept the shorter stack in the lead and he doubled up. After that hand Jedlicka drops to 138,000. –NW

5:35pm: Finger makes another move, ends up doubling Carrel
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

It’s not been a good level so far for Martin Finger. As he said in the last reported hand with him, he’s making some moves, problem is they’re not working out.

Charlie Carrel made min-raised to 10,000 and Farid Jattin called on the button, as did Finger from the big blind. The flop fell 1079 and Finger checked, letting Carrel continue for 20,000. Jattin folded, and Finger asked for a count. Carrel didn’t say anything but stacked his chips in a way that made it easy to identify his remaining chips — 75,500. Finger then slid in a stack of 80,000 which was essentially an all-in.

“Hmmmmm…” said Carrel, as he slid off his headphones. He rested his head in the palm of his hand and stared at Finger then back at the board. “There are just too many…”

He trailed off because he had made the call, but it’s safe to assume he was about to say there were just too many draws out there. He was right, as his K10 for top pair was ahead of Finger’s QJ up-and-down straight draw.

The turn was the 9 and the river the 3, and Carrel doubled to 187,000 while Finger dropped to 147,500. –JS

5:30pm: Don’t mess with Theo
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Theo Jorgensen’s won a boxing match before — mess with him at your peril. Stefan Jedlicka tried just that and is 188,000 chips poorer as a result.

Jedlicka opened the pot with a 10,500 raise from first position. The Team PokerStars Pro was two seats along and three-bet to 27,000. Jedlicka called and checked over a 539 flop that was c-bet for 25,000. Jedlicka called that, too, but had different plans for the 7 turn. After Jorgensen bet 50,000 he check-raised to 137,000 but had to admit defeat and fold once his Danish opponent jammed for 255,000. Jedlicka dropped to 210,000. –MC

5:25pm: Heath eliminates Yan
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

There will be no back-to-back high roller titles for David Yan as he’s just been eliminated in 35th place. In his final hand, Roman Korenev opened from middle position, Yan shoved for 103,000, Ben Heath re-raised all-in and everyone else folded.

Yan: 99
Heath: AK

The window card was the K and it didn’t get any better for Yan as the board ran 10K58, Heath is up to around 440,000. –NW

EPT13MALT_David Yan_8284_JulesPochy.jpg

Yan down

5:25pm: Moving Finger
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

When it got to Martin Finger in the small blind there had been no action in front of him. He glanced over to Pierre Neuville on his left in the big blind and decided just to limp. The Belgian then casually tossed out an additional 12,000, bringing the bet up to 17,000, and Finger then raised it up to 40,000. Neuville shoved and Finger instantly folded.

Afterwards, he cracked a little smile. “I made a move,” he told his tablemates, several of whom started to giggle. “I made a move.” –JS

5:20pm: Ivarssson in control
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

We’ve got some freshly counted stacks to share with you as play gets going again. Alexander Ivarsson has reassumed control of things here after losing the lead for a short while to Cristian Egues and Armando Collado earlier. Here’s a look at the top 10 at the moment, and be sure to keep watch on the chip counts page as we’ll be keeping it updated as we go. –MH

Name Country Status Chips
Alexander Ivarsson Sweden Live satellite winner 558,000
Cristian Egues Spain Live satellite winner 493,000
Stefan Jedlicka Austria   391,000
Theo Jorgensen Denmark Team PokerStars Pro 357,000
Piotr Franczak Poland   348,000
Gleb Tremzin Russia   341,500
Liviu Ignat Romania   310,000
Ben Heath UK   310,000
Farid Jattin USA   290,000
Martin Finger Germany   280,000

EPT13MALT_chip raise_8369_JulesPochy.jpg

5:15pm: Play resumes; 35 left
Level 15 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Players are back. Two more one-hour levels, then will come a dinner break. –MH

4:55pm: Let’s take a break

With 35 left — 15 off the cash — they’re off on another 20-minute break. Stay tuned — we’ll have complete counts from everyone for you on the other side. –MH


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4:55pm: More for Ivarsson
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

In a hand that extended well into the break, Alexander Ivarsson won a sizeable pot against Piotr Franczak.

The exact preflop bet sizing is unknown, but it was a three-bet pot with Ivarsson having position.

On the K64 flop, Ivarsson bet 30,000 and Franczak called. The 9 turn was checked through and the 4 completed the board. Franczak bet 65,000 and Ivarsson tank-called.

“Ace high,” said Franczak, showing AJ, Ivarsson had made a nice call with 98 and is up to 558,000, while Franczak is down to 348,000. –NW

4:55pm: Big double-up for Heath, courtesy of Yan
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

We just had ourselves a good ol’ fashioned war, of the preflop raising variety. It started with David Yan making it 8,000 in the cutoff. Ben Heath was on the button and three-bet to 23,500, which Yan then four-bet to 45,500. Heath insta-shoved for 140,000 total and Yan made the call.

Yan – AK
Heath – 55

The flop and turn were nice and low for Heath’s hand — 2473. The river was a face card, but it was the Q and that won it for the Brit, who now has around 290,000 while Yan drops to roughly 120,000. –JS

4:50pm: There are still Kids in the Hall
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Cate Hall has doubled from an uber-short stack to a regular taxi-short stack.

Charlie Carrel raised to 8,000 from under the gun and called after Hall three-bet all-in for 18,800 from the cutoff.

Carrel: 44
Hall: 89

The board ran 5Q258 to pair Hall’s eight on the river. –MC

EPT13MALT_Cate Hall_8339_JulesPochy.jpg

Hall hangs in

4:45pm: Yan’s turn to take one
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Win this event and it’ll be double-high roller glory for David Yan in Malta, as he’s already won the €25K High Roller here. He’s got a long way to go to cash, let alone win it, but a recent pot did his chances of both no harm at all.

He defended his big blind to a cutoff raise from Stefan Jedlicka and the two of them saw an A82 flop hit the felt. The Austrian c-bet 7,500 and Yan smooth called. The 4 turn was where the action heated up with Jedlicka betting again, this time 22,000 and Yan check-raising to 63,000. Although Jedlicka got a count he never really looked like calling, and he ceded the pot to Yan.

The New Zealander is up to 265,000 after that hand, while Jedlicka drops to 320,000. –NW

4:45pm: Ignat felts O’Dwyer and Metaal
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

It’s double-elimination time. First it folded to Steve O’Dwyer in the hijack and he shoved for 38,000. Then Govert Metaal reshoved for around 82,000. Liviu Ignat was in the small blind and he announced call, the big blind folded and the cards were on their backs:

Ignat – AQ
Metaal – A9
O’Dwyer – A10

Three aces, but Ignat had the best kicker and it would end up winning him the pot as the board ran out K2J24. Both gents made their exits while Ignat stacked up roughly 329,000. –JS

EPT13MALT_Govert Metaal_8344_JulesPochy.jpg

Metaal felted

4:40pm: Schemion falls to Carrel
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

With little over the starting stack, Ole Schemion shoved for 57,000 when it folded to him. Charlie Carrel then re-shoved for around 70,000 and everyone else folded.

Schemion – KJ
Carrel – AJ

It was domination nation as they’d say on EPT Live. The 6A10 flop paired Carrel, but did give Schemion some gutshot outs. However, the A turn and 9 river didn’t improve the German’s hand and he made his exit one fist bump at a time. Carrel is up to around 134,000 now. –JS

EPT13MALT_Charlie Carrel_Ole Schemion_8313_JulesPochy.jpg

Schemion and his eventual vanquisher Carrel from earlier in the day

4:35pm: Set the trap, fall into the trap
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

That’s just what happened to Cate Hall. She set a trap with aces, but ended up feeding Pierre Neuville a double-up.

Felix Stephensen opened to 8,500 from under the gun and was called by Hall from two seats along, then Neuville called as well from the cutoff. The flop spread 268 and the action was checked to Neuville who moved all-in for 48,000. Stephensen folded, but Hall snap-called and opened AA.

It was a nice play, but her Belgian opponent had flopped a set with 66 and survived the 210 turn and river. Hall is deep in it now with 27,500 remaining. –MC

4:30pm: No back-to-back for Drinan
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Back in August, Connor Drinan won the equivalent of this event at EPT Barcelona, but he just lost a race to bust this one. Gleb Tremzin was the man who got him, the Russian opened to 10,000 from the hijack, Drinan made it 27,500 on the button, Tremzin set the American all-in and Drinan quickly called.

Tremzin: AK
Drinan: JJ

“Jacks are no good in this tournament,” joked Tremzin, but he was right as the KA946 board favoured him and eliminated Drinan. After that hand he’s up to 280,000. –NW

EPT13MALT_Conor Drinan_8345_JulesPochy.jpg

Drinan done in

4:25pm: Two in a row for the Team Pro
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Theo Jorgensen, the only PokerStars Team Pro who entered this event, has just won consecutive pots to bring his stack over the 40-big blind mark.

In the first he opened to 8,500 in the cutoff and got calls from Hari Bercovici in the small blind and Jyri Merivirta from the big. The three saw a 48J flop and it checked to Jorgensen, but there would be no c-bet.

That meant we went to the turn and it was a fourth club in the 6. Everyone checked again to the 9 river. Now Bercovici took a stab for 16,000 which got rid of Merivirta but didn’t shake off Jorgensen. He called, but we never saw his hand as Bercovici mucked instantly.

Jorgsensen was up to 150,000 after that one, but he took down the next pot, too. Georgios Zisimopoulos opened to 8,000 and Jorgensen three-bet to 25,000 and took it down. –JS

EPT13MALT_Theo Jorgensen_8323_JulesPochy.jpg

Theo in thought

4:25pm: Big pot for Franczak
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

On single cards the fortunes of players in this high roller can turn, and this was clearly illustrated just now in a hand between Piotr Franczak and Steve O’Dwyer.

The Polish player raised to 10,000 from under the gun, O’Dwyer called on the button, then Govert Meetal came along from the big blind.

On the 8104 flop Franczak bet 15,000 and O’Dwyer was the only caller. The 6 fell on fourth street, Franczak slowed down as he checked the action to O’Dwyer. The Irishman bet 27,000 and Franczak called. The 9 completed the board and curiously Franczak went back to being the aggressor. He fired out a bet of 60,000, and O’Dwyer got a count and then called.

“Straight,” said Franczak and he opened A7 to reveal he’d hit his gutshot on the river. O’Dwyer flipped 88 to show that the Pole had hit a four-outer to win the pot. After that hand Franczak is up to 297,000 while O’Dwyer is down to around 50,000. –NW

4:20pm: 40 left, 20 cash
Level 14: Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

They’re down to just 40 players now, all neatly rebalanced around five 8-handed tables. For 20 of them their futures include visits to the cashier, while the other 20 will be exiting without cashing. –MH

4:15pm: Finger flicks Kozlov away
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Martin Kozlov wasn’t able to double for a second hand this last hour. There was no waiting until the river as all his chips went in preflop.

Finger had opened from the cutoff and Kozlov jammed from the small blind. Call.

Kozlov: 55
Finger: AJ

The board ran KK9QJ to pair Finger’s jack to move him up to 340,000. –MC

EPT13MALT_Martin Finger_8337_JulesPochy.jpg

Finger pointed in the right direction

4:10pm: Ivarsson again challenges for lead
Level 14 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

The action folded to Poland’s Piotr Franczak on the button and he made a big opening raise. The amount was 17,500 — more than four times the big blind — and after Stephen Chidwick folded the small blind the action was on overnight chip leader Alexander Ivarsson. He made a three-bet to 42,000, and Franczak called to see a flop.

It fell 26J and Ivarsson continued, this time for a little less at 32,000. Franczak called again and the turn came the 7. Ivarsson didn’t slow down making it 60,000, and that was enough to get Franczak to give up. He drops to 193,000, while Ivarsson has neared what leader Cristian Egues has with a massive stack of 522,000. –JS

4pm: Classic race goes to Israel
Level 14: Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Hari Bercovici and Georgios Zisimopoulos went to war preflop and all the chips ended up in the middle. The former was the all-in player with 76,500.

Bercovici: AK
Zisimopoulos: QQ

The board ran 6A856 to pair the ace of Bercovici. Zisimopoulos dropped to 205,000. –MC

3:55pm: Let’s raise the stakes
Level 14: Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

With 42 left, they march on into Level 14. –MH

3:50pm: Egues elevates above the pack
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

“That’s the first time I’ve gotten lucky.”

So said Cristian Egues just now to Philipp Gruissem following a hand in which Egues knocked out Preben Stokkan.

The hand began with a Egues open from the button to 7,000, called by Stokkan from the small blind. The flop rolled out K108, Stokkan checked, Egues bet 10,000, Stokkan made it 25,000, Egues shoved, and Stokkan called.

Stokkan had king-queen and the edge against Egues’s king-jack, and the case king coming on the turn didn’t change that. But a jack on the end did, giving Egues a full house and sending Stokkan out.

“You have a lot now,” continued Gruissem. “How much?”

“Near five?” guessed Egues. A closer look shows he has closer to 545,000. Lucky or no, Egues is leading with 42 left. –MH

3:45pm: Banivecic suffers Panek attack
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Tomasz Panek has reduced the field by one more to 43 after ousting Vlado Banicevic.

Banivecic was all-in with a short stack with KQ against Panek’s AK, and after a 2J3K8 runout Banivecic is out.

Panek is at 225,000 now. –MH

3:40pm: Stephensen laughs in the face of position
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Felix Stephensen had dropped just below 200k, but he won a pot out of position, and without showdown, to rise to 215,000.

The Norwegian Poker champion raised to 7,100 from under the gun and called after Farid Jattin three-bet to 15,000 from the nesxt seat. The flop fanned 7QQ and Jattin continued for 13,500. Stephensen check-called before both players checked the K turn. The board completed with the 10 and Jattin faced a 45,000 bet that he couldn’t call and dropped to 157,000. –MC

3:35pm: Top stacks
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Wondering who are the toppermost of the chippermost with 44 players left? Look no further:

Armando Collado — 365,000
Alexander Ivarsson — 330,000
Cristian Egues — 330,000
Georgios Zisimopoulos — 305,000
Dong Zhao — 265,000

Martin Finger is lingering just below this list with about 240,000. –MH

3:30pm: Chidwick stacks Kitai
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

We just mentioned how Davidi Kitai was short and looking for spots to double-up. Just now he tried again, committing his stack of just over 40,000 with 88 and needing to hold against the AK of Stephen Chidwick sitting to his left.

The 7J4 flop appeared benign for Kitai.

The Q turn wasn’t a problem either.

But the 10 river caused Kitai to sit up quickly in his seat, that card filling a Broadway straight for his neighbor. He wished the table well before departing, and Chidwick is now playing 224,000. –MH

EPT13MALT_Davidi Kitai_8301_JulesPochy.jpg

Kitai cut down

3:25pm: Fives holds for Heath
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Ben Heath has managed to win a race to double up through EPT13 Malta 25K champion David Yan. The latter raised and then called after Heath three-bet all-in for 55,000 from the next seat.

Yan: A8
Heath: 55

The board ran 232QJ to see the fives hold. Yan dropped to 225,000. –MC

3:20pm: Kitai, Hall looking to make upward moves
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

With 45 players left, they’re still 25 off the cash, meaning the short stacks will need to do some work in order to improve their statuses and advance to the money and perhaps beyond.

Davidi Kitai just now pushed his short stack all-in, getting no callers and continuing with about 40,000 thereafter. Soon after at a neighboring table it was Cate Hall doing the same, also claiming the blinds and antes to continue with about 60,000. –MH

3:10pm: Tough to fold top pair
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

“Tough to fold this hand!” said Felix Stephensen to no one in particular after he faced an all-in from Martin Kozlov.

The two players were heads up to the river of a 5A7Q3 board. Around 40,000 lay in the middle and Stephensen checked from the big blind to face Kozlov’s 25,500 all-in move from the hijack. He called with A9 and dropped to 207,000 after it was no good against Kozlov’s AJ. –MC

EPT13MALT_Felix Stevensen_8277_JulesPochy.jpg

Felix not folding

3:10pm: Collado collects with queens
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Armando Collado is now up to 435,000 and looking as though he’s overtaken the chip lead, thanks in part to his having won another nice pot, this one versus Simon Mattsson.

It was a flip in which Collado had QQ against Mattson’s AK, and the board came in Collado’s favor to end Mattson’s run.

“The ladies like me,” said Collado, as he’s now stacking 435,000. –MH

EPT13MALT_Armando Collado_8342_JulesPochy.jpg

Collado cruising

3pm: Ignat knocks out Newey
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

On the first hand back from the break, Liviu Ignat opened for 7,500 from under the gun and it folded around to Paul Newey who shoved his short stack of 35,000 or so all-in from the button. The blinds stepped aside, and Ignat snap-called.

Ignat had QQ and the big edge over Newey’s JJ, and five cards later — K929Q — Newey exited. Ignat is up around 195,000 now. –MH

2:55pm: Play resumes; 49 remain
Level 13: Blinds 1,500/3,000 (400 ante)

Players are back and cards in the air again. With 49 left, that means less than half of those remaining will be among the 20 to cash. –MH

2:30pm: Break time

With the big board showing just 49 players left, the first 20-minute break of the day has arrived. –MH


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2:20pm: Bustouts continue, from Agerskov to Zayonts
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Both Rasmus Agerskov and Alexander Zayonts have been eliminated as the day’s second level nears its close, the pair falling in a single hand versus Dong Zhao.

Preflop action saw Zhao open, Agerskov flat-call, then Zayonts jam a short stack from the small blind. That led to a rejam and call and a three-way pile-up in which Agerskov had AQ, Zayonts ace-nine, and Zhao KQ.

The 5K7J8 runout favored Zhao, and two more are on the rail. –MH

2:10pm: Queens fail Grimaldi
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

The hand having ended, Cristian Egues looked across the table at Pasquale Grimaldi and offered one of those consolatory “what-can-you-do-that’s-poker” shrugs.

Egues had just knocked out Grimaldi, the latter having committed his stack preflop with QQ versus Egues’s AQ, then watched with dismay the board roll out 7A4A10 to give Egues trip aces and the pot.

The pair each extended fists across the table and bumped them, and Grimaldi nodded to all before departing.

Egues is up to 255,000 now, having more than tripled his stack so far today. There are 55 players remaining. –MH

2pm: Greenwood, Hata, Nevanlinna out
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Sam Greenwood has been eliminated, his pocket eights proving no match for Cristian Egues’s pocket aces.

Aymon Hata and Jussi Nevanlinna are also on the rail as the rest move into the second half of Level 12. –MH

1:50pm: Machon hangs on
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Bartlomiej Machon is still in but short after doubling through Marcin Chmielewski.

Machon was behind before the community cards came, having K10 versus Chmielewski’s AQ. But a 9K6610 runout kept Machon in the game.

Machon is still one of the shortest among the 59 players left, though, with about 35,000. Chmielewski now has 165,000. –MH

1:40pm: Collado catching up to Ivarsson
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Through the first hour of play, start-of-day chip leader Alexander Ivarsson held onto his chip lead as players were eliminated all around him at a rapid clip.

EPT13MALT_Alexander Ivarsson_8288_JulesPochy.jpg

Alexander wearing the A’s cap on Day 2

Ivarsson’s nearest challenger to start the day was Armando Collado who began more than 120,000 back of Ivarsson. Now at the start of the day’s second level, Collado has all but evened things between the two after collecting a decent pot while knocking out Iliodoros Kamatakis.

Collado is up around 375,000 now, which is just about where Ivarsson remains. –MH

1:30pm: Level up
Level 12: Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

With just 63 left now, they move on into Level 12 without a break. –MH

1:25pm: Mateos down to the mat
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Adrian Mateos was one of the leaders late on Day 1, but he’s become one of the eliminated early on Day 2 after a hand versus Roman Korenev near the end of Level 11.

Holding 76, Mateos jammed all-in with the board showing 3849 and was called by Korenev who had AK. Neither had a pair, and the 4 river kept Korenev in front as Mateos hit the rail.

Korenev has about 150,000 now. –MH

1:20pm: Chmielewski collects chips, keeps chair
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

While players are being eliminated all about, Marcin Chmielewski just doubled through Cristian Egues to keep his seat.

Picking up things on the turn with the board showing 452K, Chmielewski led with a half-pot bet of 16,000, Egues made it 35,000 to go, Chmielewski shoved for 74,200 total, and Egues called.

Egues had K9 for top pair, but Chmielewski’s AK also gave him top pair with a better kicker, and after the 10 completed the board he stacked up around 180,000. Egues now has 115,000. –MH

1:15pm: More gone
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Pratyush Buddiga, Przemyslaw Piotrowski, and Marc Macdonnell have all been felted already, as has Morten Mortensen after earning that early double-up through Connor Drinan.

EPT13MALT_Pratyush Buddiga_Charlie Carrel_8265_JulesPochy.jpg

Buddiga bids adieu

They’re already down to 64, meaning 16 have been knocked out in around 40 minutes of play. –MH

1:10pm: Pollak punches out (again)
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Benjamin Pollak has suffered the unique fate of busting a couple of tournaments within an approximately 10-minute stretch.

After taking 14th in the Main Event, he soon found himself in a three-way all-in situation following a 764 flop versus Joris Ruijs and Cristian Egues.

Pollak had AJ and was in bad shape though still drawing live against Joris Ruijs’s 99 and Egues’s 75. But the turn was the 7 to give Egues trips, and after the 4 river he won the hand and both Pollak and Ruijs were eliminated.

EPT13MALT_Benjamin Pollak_8291_JulesPochy.jpg

Benjamin (briefly)

Egues is up around 160,000 now. –MH

1:05pm: Prize pool and payouts
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Let’s talk about the dough. You know, the cheddar, the scratch, the cabbage. Just how much moolah is involved here?

With 144 entries altogether, the prize pool is a cool €1,396,800, to be divided among the top 20 finishers. A min-cash is €18,160, while there’s a big prize of €335,200 for the winner.

Here’s the full payout schedule:

1st: €335,200
2nd: €228,400
3rd: €150,850
4th: €124,330
5th: €99,870
6th: €78,220
7th: €58,670
8th: €43,300
9th: €33,540
10th-11th: €27,940
12th-13th: €24,440
14th-15th: €22,340
16th-17th: €20,250
18th-20th: €18,160

We’ve lost a few more here as the field as already shrunk below 70. Details coming. –MH

12:55pm: First to fall
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Seven new entries to start the day enlarged the field slightly, but the inevitable winnowing has already begun as five players have fallen during the first 20 minutes of play.

Max Silver and Anthony Zinno were both among that initial wave of knockouts, while Koray Aldemir was also felted after losing a hand against Vlado Banicevic. Nick Petrangelo is also out, bringing the field total down to 75. –MH

EPT13MALT_Max Silver_7911_JulesPochy.jpg

Silver sunk

12:45pm: Double doublesen for Morten Mortensen
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Early action here on Day 2 with Morten Mortensen doubling through Connor Drinan.

Arriving to capture the final details, Mortensen was all-in with A10 against Drinan’s 88, and a runout of A3945 favored the Dane. Mortensen’s up around 90,000 now while Drinan slips to 30,000. –MH

EPT13MALT_Morten Mortensen_8144_JulesPochy.jpg

Good start for Mortensen

12:40pm: And Agerskov makes 144
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Just one more late registrant to add to the list below — Rasmus Agerskov — bringing the overall total of entries (including re-entries) to 144, with 80 players at the tables to start the day. –MH

12:35pm: Better late than never
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

With the start of Day 2 comes the end of late registration (or re-entering), and a few players have joined the fun just before the window closed.

It looks like among the newcomers are Jyri Merivirta, Alexander Lakhov, and Jussi Nevanlinna, with Eugene Katchalov also buying back in after busting yesterday.

EPT13MALT_Eugene Katchalov_8279_JulesPochy.jpg

Second try for Katchalov

Meanwhile two players who have recently busted Day 5 of the EPT Malta Main Event have hopped in as well — Benjamin Pollak (in 14th) and Ole Schemion (in 13th).

EPT13MALT_Ole Schemion_8303_JulesPochy.jpg

Schemion glad to be here

We’ll see if anyone got into this one as well at the last moment. –MH

12:30pm: Day 2 begins
Level 11: Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Players are in their seats and Day 2 is underway in the €10K High Roller. –MH

11:30am: High Rollers return for Day 2

Welcome again, friends, to the archipelago of Malta where this morning the skies are blue, the surrounding waters clear and blue, and the wind is whipping up and swirling noisily around the Portomaso Casino here in St. Julian’s in the country’s central region.

EPT13MALT_IMG_5834_JulesPochy-thumb-450x300-302292a.jpg

The skies were blue, the waters too, while the wind blew

Starting at 12:30pm today, action in the €10K High Roller event will be whipping up as well as those who made it through yesterday’s Day 1 — plus any late registrants just prior to the closing of the late regging window when play begins today — will be back at it, all vying for one of the last and most prestigious titles of the EPT Malta festival.

Speaking of whippings, Alexander Iversson delivered several yesterday, scoring a number of knockouts while building a big stack of 379,100.

EPT13MALT_Alexander Ivarsson_8257_JulesPochy.jpg

Ivarsson at night’s end, writing down a big number

That’s more than 120,000 clear of nearest challenger Armando Collado’s 258,300, with Martin Finger, Stephen Chidwick, and Team PokerStars Pro Theo Jorgensen also among the big stacks to begin the day.

A total of 73 made it through Day 1 to today, with a few more of those aforementioned latecomers to be added to begin today as well.

We’ll be back at it as well starting an hour from now with coverage of the €10K High Roller all day and night from the tournament room, with hand updates, chip counts, photos, and more. Come back then and settle in and together we’ll see players racing like the wind toward tomorrow’s finale. –MH


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PokerStars Blog reporting team on the EPT13 Malta High Roller: Nick Wright, Jack Stanton, and Martin Harris. Photography by Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog

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