Friday, 29th March 2024 05:46
Home / Uncategorized / EPT13 Malta: €10,000 NLHE Single Re-entry 8 Handed

* Jakub Michalak wins for €178,403 (64 ENTRIES, 20 RE-ENTRIES)
* PAYOUTS

2:14am: This one’s done! Jakub Michalak wins for €178,403!
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

In one of the first hands back after the short break, we have found ourselves a winner.

Jakub Michalak made it 275,000 on the button and Rocco Palumbo shoved. Michalak made the call with the 22 and the ducks would have to hold against the K9.

They did. The board ran out Q66J3 and this tournament was finished after almost 12 hours of play (not including breaks). For his win Jakub Michalak banks €178,403 and resumes his focus on the Main Event tomorrow while Palumbo wins €138,763.

You can find a full report of the tournament here. –JS

EPT13MALT_Event 44_Winner_Jakub Michalak_7540_JulesPochy.jpg

2:08am: Break cut short
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (10,000 ante)

Who needs a 20-minute break when you’re heads up, eh? That’s what these two thought. They’re back at it, and here are the counts:

Jakub Michalak – 5.51 million
Rocco Palumbo – 2.89 million

1:59am: Bad call, amazing call
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Wow, what a couple of hands. First, Rocco Palumbo dropped to just 1.35 million after calling three Jakub Michalak barrels on a K5625 board only to find that Michalak had the K6, but then Palumbo made a truly fantastic call for his tournament.

Michalak just made it 165,000 to go on the button and Palumbo called. The A52 flop was checked to the raiser and Michalak continued for 140,000 which was called. Palumbo would also check-call 345,000 on the 10 turn. Finally the 6 river landed and Michalak jammed when it was checked to him. Palumbo looked frustated and had to figure this one out. “You know I’m shipping any ace pre-flop…” he said.

Finally he made the call and Michalak quickly turned over the KJ for complete air. Palumbo had the 35 for just a pair of fives and that was certainly good.

The two have gone a 20-minute break, so I will too. Be back with official counts shortly. –JS

1:48am: Palumbo takes a hit
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Jakub Michalak opened to 200,000 on the button and Rocco Palumbo defended to see the 845 flop. It went check check and the turn came the A, which Palumbo led out on for 275,000. Michalak called.

The river was the 7 and Palumbo counted out a big stack worth 625,000 and slid it in the middle. Michalak called pretty quickly and showed the 47 for two pair. Palumbo flashed four-five for a lower two pair. –JS

1:42am: Heads up chip counts
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Rocco Palumbo – 4.725 million
Jakub Michalak – 3.625 million

1:36am: Charlie Carrel eliminated in 3rd (€170,754)
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

Two hands later and Charlie Carrel is out. He was all-in for 25,000 automatically from the small blind and Jakub Michalak opened to 175,000. Rocco Palumbo called and the flop fell AA4. Palumbo check-called a 80,000 c-bet and the turn came the 5. Both checked, resulting in the 3 river. Palumbo led out and Michalak folded immediately before a bet size could even be determined. Palumbo showed queen-ten for air, but his air was better than Carrel’s air with the ten-six off suit. –JS

1:30am: Carrel crippled after call
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (10,000 ante)

“It’s close…but in a way, it’s not close…”

Welcome to Charlie Carrel’s thought process after Rocco Palumbo jammed over the top of his 150,000 button open from the small blind (this happened just before the blinds went up). Palumbo said he had a lesser amount but it turned out he had 1.91 million. “You didn’t know you had that many bigs, and yet you went for it really quickly…” said Carrel, thinking out loud.

Eventually he called with the A7 but that was behind Palumbo’s AQ. “OK, bad read!” said Carrel.

The board ran out K2663 and Carrel is crippled with just 20,000 left. Palumbo has around 3.9 million. –JS

1:09am: Michalak doubles through Carrel
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (5,000 ante)

Jakub Michalak made his open to 125,000 on the button (as he has every time), and Charlie Carrel three-bet to 325,000 (rather than the 300,000 he’s raised to every other time). This time, when Rocco Palumbo folded, Michalak shoved for 1.945 million and Carrel called. It was the AK for Michalak and 99 for Carrel, the latter of which was holding on the 8Q6 flop. But the K gave Michalak a bigger pair and the A river increased that lead. Michalak has 4 million, Carrel drops to 2.4 million. –JS

1am: Palumbo making moves
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (5,000 ante)

Jakub Michalak made it 125,000 on the button and Charlie Carrel three-bet to 300,000. Rocco Palumbo then shoved all-in, Michalak folded, and before Carrel got an official count he decided to let it go. –JS

12:50am: ICM chop
Level 18 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Here’s the deal. The three have gone for an ICM chop, meaning they’re all now guaranteed the following:

Player Guaranteed Prize
Charlie Carrel €170,754
Jakub Michalak €160,658
Rocco Palumbo €138,763

They are now playing for €17,475, the trophy, and the glory. –JS

12:35am: Deal talk
Level 18 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Play has been paused while the three players discuss a deal. Charlie Carrel has 3.66 million, Jakub Michalak has 2.905 million, and Rocco Palumbo has 1.735 million. –JS

12:30am: Orpen Kisacikoglu leaves in 4th (€80,250)
Level 18 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

And then there were three. Orpen Kisacikoglu jammed his last 160,000 with 96 and was called by Charlie Carrel with the KQ. The board ran out 83377 and Carrel won with the flush. –JS

EPT13Malta_Orpen Kisacikoglu_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 39.jpg

Orpen Kisacikoglu

12:27am: Scott Seiver busts in 5th (€63,550)
Level 18 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Not much Scott Seiver could do with just 300,000 left. He shoved on the button with JJ over Jakub Michalak’s 110,000 open and the raiser called with the A6. An ace on the turn cut like a knife and sent Seiver out the door. Michalak has 2.9 million now. –JS

12:23am: The crazy final hands of Bahzad Ahadpour, gone in 6th (€49,700)
Level 18 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

What a way to go. “I’m just so tired!” Bahzad Ahadpour kept saying. Well, it’s time for bed.

First, he doubled up Jakub Michalak. Then he doubled up Rocco Palumbo; Palumbo opened, Ahadpour three-bet and Palumbo called. The flop fell QK3 and Ahadpour shoved with his A10, only for Palumbo to call with the AQ. The 10 and K completed the board, and Ahadpour dropped to just under 500,000, while Palumbo shot to 2.23 million.

Then Ahadpour open shoved and was called by Scott Seiver with the A10. “I’m just so tired, I need to go,” said Ahadpour, showing the 108. However, he wasn’t going just yet. The 268Q5 board gave him a pair and a double, while Seiver then dropped to 550,000.

Then finally he was all-in with the 85 against Michalak’s 55 on an 8510 flop. A bit of bad luck, sure, but Ahadpour wasn’t dissapointed when was eliminated. Heck, he even got a round of applause from the table and the rail! Meanwhile, Michalak has 2.4 million now. –JS

12:08am: Ahadpour’s not even looking!
Level 18 – Blinds 25,000/50,000 (5,000 ante)

Bahzad Ahadpour opened to 100,000 under the gun and it folded to Charlie Carrel in the big blind who called. The flop came 667 and Carrel checked. “I promise I only looked at one card when I raised,” said Ahadpour, “and I’m not going to look at the other one now.” He bet 100,000 again and Carrel called. The K hit the turn and both checked, as they did on the 5 river. Carrel flipped over the 22, and Ahadpour looked, then mucked. –JS

11:59pm: Pratyush Buddiga gone in 7th (€39,100)
Level 17 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

After his bad luck in that last hand, Pratyush Buddiga has had a bit more misfortune. After Bezhad Ahadpour opened to 85,000, Buddiga jammed for around 550,000 and was snap-called. Ahadpour had the KQ to Buddiga’s 66, which picked up a gutshot on the 325 flop. The turn came the Q though, giving the lead to Ahadpour which he’d keep on the 5 river. Buddiga is out, Ahadpour has around 2.3 million now. –JS

EPT13Malta_Pratyush Buddiga_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 8.jpg

Bye bye Buddiga

11:50pm: Adrian Mateos falls in 8th (€30,550); Ahadpour trebles up
Level 17 – Blinds 20,000/40,000 (5,000 ante)

“Just give me the trophy and let me go home,” said Behzad Ahadpour. He genuinely seems to want to get outta here (he’s tired) but has just trebled up, sending Adrian Mateos out in the process.

Mateos kicked off the hand with a 500,000 shove. Ahadpour was on the button and he moved all-in too for 535,000. Pratyush Buddiga then made the call from the big blind to put both at risk.

Mateos – AQ
Ahadpour – 1010
Buddiga – QQ

The queens were ahead right until the end of the 76K610 board, at which point Ahadpour made a set. Mateos made his exit, Buddiga dropped to 530,000, and Ahadpour now has around 1.65 million. –JS

EPT13Malta_Adrian Mateos_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 23.jpg

Adios Adrian

11:30pm: Palumbo doubles with ace high
Level 16 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

On a 924 flop, Jakub Michalak checked to Rocco Palumbo who led on the button for 60,000. Michalak then check-raised to 200,000 only for the Italian to shove, which Michalak called.

Michalak – 108
Palumbo – AQ

Michalak had a flush draw but Palumbo was ahead with ace high. The turn came the 2 and the river the 9 and that ace high got Palumbo a double up to 1.1 million, while Michalak drops to 710,000. –JS

EPT13Malta_Rocco_Palumbo_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 26.jpg

Palumbo, pre-double up

11:23pm: Morten Mortensen says goodbye in 9th (€23,200)
Level 16 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

We’re down to eight after Morten Mortensen’s 280,000 shove was called by Scott Seiver. It was pocket sixes for the at risk player against Seiver’s pocket nines, and there was never any threat to the bigger pair. Seiver has just shy of 1.3 million now. –JS

11:17pm: Final table
Level 16 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

After a 20 minute break it’s final table time. Here’s how they’re seated:

1. Behzad Ahadpour – 525,000
2. Rocco Palumbo – 660,000
3. Pratyush Buddiga – 1.38 million
4. Morten Mortensen – 285,000
5. Jakub Michalak – 1.31 million
6. Scott Seiver – 975,000
7. Orpen Kisacikoglu – 305,000
8. Charlie Carrel – 2.44 million
9. Adrian Mateos – 520,000

EPT13Malta_Morten Mortensen_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca.jpg

Carrel leads the pack

10:50pm: Steve O’Dwyer falls in 10th (€20,400)
Level 16 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

There will be no back-to-back single day titles for Steve O’Dwyer as he’s just been eliminated, to the benefit of Charlie Carrel.

After Carrel opened to 65,000 in the cutoff, O’Dwyer three-bet to 195,000 on the button. Carrel called. The flop came 754 and it checked to O’Dwyer, who continued for 295,000. Carrel then shoved, and with his stack at risk O’Dwyer called.

O’Dwyer – JJ
Carrel – AQ

Carrel had the flush draw and he’d hit it on the 6 turn, leaving O’Dwyer drawing dead. Carrel has 2.4 million now. –JS

10:43pm: Diego Zeiter out in 11th (€20,400)
Level 16 – Blinds 15,000/30,000 (5,000 ante)

The first player to fall in the money is Diego Zeiter. He moved all-in for around 300,000 and Rocco Palumbo called all-in for 100,000 exactly. Adrian Mateos called them both and the cards were flipped:

Zeiter – JK
Palumbo – Q9
Mateos – AQ

Mateos had them both covered and was ahead, that is until the 779 flop fell. The 2 and 8 rounded out the board and Zeiter was out, while Palumbo trebled up to 375,000. Mateos won the side pot and has 477,000 now. –JS

10:28pm: Pasquale Grimaldi is the bubble boy
Level 15 – Blinds 12,000/24,000 (2,000 ante)

Ewww, what a horrible way to bubble a €10K event. On the turn of a 9KAQ board, Pasquale Grimaldi made it 80,000 and Charlie Carrel three-bet to 200,000. Grimaldi then shoved and Carrel called.

Grimaldi – 67
Carrel – 910

Flush over flush. Grimaldi was drawing dead so the 2 river changed nothing, and the Romanian plummeted down to just 11,000 in chips, while Carrel shot up to the huge chip leader with a 2.114 million stack.

Grimaldi was all-in in the small blind the next hand and got unlucky when his A4 was outdrawn by Carrel’s K5 big blind. We’re now in the money, and no longer hand for hand. –JS

EPT13Malta_Pasquale Grimaldi_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 30.jpg

Grimaldi flushed away

9:58pm: Carrel squeezes every drop of value
Level 14 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (2,000 ante)

Picking up the action on the turn of a 4677 board, Charlie Carrel bet 75,000 into his sole opponent, Orpen Kisacikoglu. He took a heck of a long time to call, even prompting Carrel to mention that he’d never called the clock before but might have to here.

The river was the 5, which completed the up and down straight draw. Carrel now made a tiny bet of just 25,000, and Kisacikoglu had to call. Carrel showed the 89 for the high-high end of the straight, and Kisacikoglu mucked. “Show me an eight and I’ll cry,” said Carrel, but he didn’t. –JS

9:48pm: Ahadpour’s the life and soul of this party
Level 14 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (2,000 ante)

Everyone is loving having Behzad Ahadpour in this event. He’s bringing a lot of entertainment, even to the most seasoned of high roller regulars.

After telling his tablemates he only played jacks, queens, kings, and aces, Ahadpour then called Jakub Michalak’s 45,000 open on the button. “Please let me not have anything!” said Scott Seiver laughing. “Please don’t give me jacks!”

Whatever he had, he called in the big blind. The three saw a wet flop for Ahadpour’s confessed range – KQ2. It checked to him and he bet 100,000. Scott Seiver, in hysterics at this point, asked for a count before folding. Michalak folded too, and Ahadpour showed the 22 for a set. –JS

EPT13Malta_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 12.jpg

Behzad Ahadpour

9:41pm: O’Dwyer is the balancing act for hand-for-hand
Level 14 – Blinds 10,000/20,000 (2,000 ante)

Steve O’Dwyer has now taken Ilkin Amirov’s former seat to balance the tables. With six on each, we’re now hand for hand. –JS

9:35pm: We’re on the bubble as Carrel busts Amirov
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

“What do you want me to do?” Charlie Carrel asked Ilkin Amirov. The Brit was in the big blind and Amirov had opened jammed from under the gun for 350,000 exactly. “Can I say my hand?” Carrel asked Kate, the tournament director. “You can say anything you want, as long as you don’t show it,” she replied.

“I have ace queen,” Carrel said, looking around the room jokingly for approval. “I think I have to.”

He called, and he did indeed have the AQ. That was ahead of Amirov’s QJ and stayed ahead after the 38653 board. Carrel has 780,000 now.

We’re on the bubble now, so stay tuned! –JS

9:28pm: Kisacikoglu sucks out
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Orpen Kisacikoglu just got a little lucky to still be in this thing. He open jammed for 351,000 and it folded to Ilkin Amirov in the big blind who snap-called with the QQ. Kisacikoglu had just the A9.

However, he also had the lead after the 6A5 flop fell. The 3 and 3 completed the board and he got the double to around 730,000, while Amirov is down to 350,000. –JS

9:16pm: Two down in one hand!
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

From ‘not much to report’ we’ve now had a double elimination. It started when Pierre Neuville shoved for his 28,000 stack – not even two big blinds. It folded to Martin Finger on the button and he shoved too for 245,000. Then Ilkin Amirov peeled something he liked in the big blind and made the calls to put both at risk.

Neuville – KK
Finger – A3
Amirov – AA

A bit of a cooler for Neuville. The 37A flop gave Finger two pair but trailed the top set, and the 7 turn gave him an unbeatable boat. Neuville made a pointless full house on the K river and both the Belgian and Finger joined the rail. Amirov has 640,000 now.

13 left, 11 get paid. –JS

9:10pm: Not much to report, for this tournament anyway
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

There’s not been much to report recently, other than the fact that Behzad Ahadpour has just been informed by Scott Seiver that there’s another €10K tournament tomorrow.

“Are you serious?!” Ahadpour, from New York, said. “Oh My God…Can I extend my stay at the hotel?”

He was asking the floor staff, and they informed him that while it’s not their job he can ask at the welcome desk. “Maybe we can get an Omaha tournament going,” he said, much to everyone at the table’s delight. –JS

8:55pm: Ahadpour folds, with no need
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

After Jakub Michalak limped on the button, Steve O’Dwyer just called in the small blind. The action was on the big blind of Behzad Ahadpour, but instead of checking or raising he threw his hand into the muck. The other players at the table all noticed Ahadpour’s mistake, but it wasn’t right to mention it during the hand – which turned out to be insignificant.

Afterwards Steve O’Dwyer explained to him what had happened and Ahadpour laughed about it. It’s a friendly game here tonight. –JS

8:52pm: Final 16
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

Seat Player Player
1 Pratyush Buddiga Pasquale Grimaldi
2 Rocco Palumbo Viacheslav Buldygin
3 Adrian Mateos Martin Finger
4 Jakub Michalak Charlie Carrel
5 Steve O’Dwyer Ilkin Amirov
6 Behzad Ahadpour Morten Mortensen
7 Diego Zeiter Pierre Neuville
8 Scott Seiver Orpen Kisacikoglu

8:45pm: 16 left – redraw time
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

The clock has been paused as we redraw for the final two tables. –JS

8:43pm: Aldemir busts in first hand back
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

I hope Koray Aldemir enjoyed his dinner, as his luck in this tournament after it wasn’t great. He was all-in with ace-four against Steve O’Dwyer’s king-jack, but a jack on the flop and king on the river has sent him home early. O’Dwyer has 600,000 now. –JS

8:40pm: Welcome back
Level 13 – Blinds 8,000/16,000 (2,000 ante)

The 17 players have returned from dinner. Now we play to a winner! –JS

7:40pm: Full chips counts
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (2,000 ante)

When the players come back from dinner, they’ll be into level 13. Below is how they stack up. Thanks to Kate and her team for collating for us.

Scott Seiver, 850,000
Rocco Palumbo, 840,000
Pratyush Buddiga, 810,000
Behzad Ahadpour, 780,000
Jakub Michalak, 740,000
Charlie Carrel, 600,000
Orpen Kisacikoglu, 495,000
Viacheslav Buldygin, 470,000
Diego Zeiter, 450,000
Steve O’Dwyer, 435,000
Pasquale Grimaldi, 400,000
Ilkin Amirov, 350,000
Martin Finger, 325,000
Adrian Mateos, 320,000
Morten Mortensen, 310,000
Koray Aldemir, 165,000
Pierre Neuville, 75,000
–MC

7:30pm: Dinner time

The 17 remaining players are now on a 75-minute dinner break. They’ll be back around 8:40pm. –JS

7:29pm: Heath falls to Ahadpour
Level 11 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Ben Heath opened to 24,000 and was immediately three-bet to 51,000 by Scott Seiver on Heath’s left. It then folded to Behzad Ahadpour in the small blind and he shoved for 481,000, only for Heath to call all-in for 221,000. The reason I know those exact amounts is that Seiver asked for exact counts, as he weighed up his decision. Eventually he folded, and everyone at the table guessed that he’d folded pocket jacks. All Seiver said was he’d folded “too good a hand”.

Heath – AK
Ahadpour – 99

The J1010 would have been gin for Seiver if he did indeed have pocket jacks, but at the same time that flop makes it unlikely. Anyway, the 2 turn and 3 river couldn’t help Heath and he was out. –JS

7:25pm: Kisacikoglu takes out Fatehi
Level 11 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Ali Reza Fatehi had to end his massage after he ran out of chips.

Orpen Kisacikoglu opened from middle position before Martin Finger three-bet to 65,000 from the hijack. Fatehi was in the small blind and four-bet all-in for 82,000. Kisacikoglu then back-raised all-in for 392,000 and Finger tank-folded.

Fatehi: K9
Kisacikoglu: AQ

The board ran 451037 to miss both players. –MC

7:20pm: Don’t speak too soon, Pierre
Level 11 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

“I tell you!” said Pierre Neuville after he saw Scott Seiver flop a three-outer on him. He’s still in though as the river had a little surprise in wait.

The Belgian was down to 42,000 when he shoved from middle position. Seiver was in the big blind and was priced in to call.

Seiver: 93
Neuville: 77

The board ran 9JK87 to make Neuville a set on the river. –MC

7:18pm: The massage is over
Level 11 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Sergey Sergeev’s roughly 17 hour massage has come to an end. He’s out, as is Benjamin Pollak. –JS

7:12pm: Two lucky double ups
Level 11 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Both Pasquale Grimaldi and Pratyush Buddiga have both just got lucky to double up. The unlucky chaps were Ben Heath and Adrian Mateos.

After Ben Heath min-opened to 24,000 Sergey Sergeev just flatted. Grimaldi then jammed for around 130,000 and it folded back to Heath who shoved too. Sergeev got out the way.

Heath had the AJ and was ahead of Grimaldi’s KQ. He’d stay ahead right until the river of the 64410Q board, at which point the Romanian paired up. He now has 290,000, while Heath drops to 210,000.

Meanwhile, Buddiga had moved all-in for 216,000 from the small blind over a button open from Mateos, who called. Buddiga had the A5 and was in bad shape against the AJ, but the 5986A gave Buddiga two pair and Mateos just one. The Spaniard drops to 390,000, and Buddiga moves up to around 440,000. –JS

7:05pm: Connor no more
Level 10 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

“See you guys tomorrow,” said Connor Drinan after his all-in double up luck run out. He busted to Rocco Palumbo after a button versus big blind set up.

The action folded to the Italian on the button and he opened to 25,000. Drinan paused for thought and then moved all-in for 182,000. Call.

Drinan: A10
Palumbo: AJ

The board ran 533A8 to see Palumbo’s hand hold. He moved up to around 400,000. –MC

6:55pm: Three tables left
Level 10 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

With 24 players left, here’s the three table seat draw:

Table 1

1. Charlie Carrel
2. Connor Drinan
3. Ramin Hajiyev
4. Diego Zeiter
5. Benjamin Pollak
6. Morten Mortensen
7. Jakub Michalak
8. Rocco Palumbo

Table 2

1. Viacheslav Buldygin
2. Pierre Neuville
3. Behzad Ahadpour
4. Ilkin Amirov
5. Ben Heath
6. Scott Seiver
7. Sergey Sergeev
8. Pasquale Grimaldi

Table 3

1. Ali Reza Fatehi
2. Danut Chisu
3. Koray Aldemir
4. Steve O’Dwyer
5. Orpen Kis
6. Martin Finger
7. Adrian Mateos
8. Pratyush Buddiga

6:48pm: Carrel surges clear of the field after he eliminates Yan
Level 10 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel has a 770,000 stack after he got a little lucky to eliminate €25k champion David Yan. Carrel limped in from the small blind and called after Yan shipped in for 200,000 from the big blind.

Carrel: A8
Yan: A10

The board ran 710329 to make Carrel a flush. –MC

6:42pm: No more Newey
Level 10 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Paul Newey is outta here. He called all-in for 135,000 after Steve O’Dwyer had open-jammed for roughly 180,000. When everyone else folded we saw that it was a race’; 1010 for British businessman and AQ for the defending champ. The K45 flop was safe for Newey, but the A turn gave O’Dwyer the win after the K river changed nothing. O’Dwyer has around 330,000 now. –JS

EPT13Malta_Steve O'Dwyer_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 33.jpg

Could O’Dwyer win this event two years running?

6:38pm: Money money money
Level 10 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

The prize pool has officially been announced. Here’s what they’re playing for:

Place Winner Country Sponsor Prize (EUR)
1       224,100
2       159,250
3       104,300
4       80,250
5       63,550
6       49,700
7       39,100
8       30,550
9       23,200
10       20,400
11       20,400

6:35pm: Great call by Drinan
Level 11 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

No double up for Connor Drinan this time but still a pot win that puts him up to 345,000.

Orpen Kisacikoglu opened from the cutoff and Drinan peeled from the big blind to see a 79K flop. Kisacikoglu continued for 19,000 and Drinan check-called before both players checked the Q turn. The 3 completed the board and Kisacikoglu bet 30,000 when Drinan checked to him. The American tanked for a few minutes and then called with A6 for a baby flush. It was good as Kisacikoglu could only muster A6 and dropped to 480,000. –MC

6:29pm: Sergeev and the never ending massage
Level 11 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

It all started at the beginning of play. Yesterday. In an entirely different event.

Sergey Sergeev’s massage started during the first Level of yesterday’s Day 1A of the EPT13 Malta Main Event. It wouldn’t end until the end of play that day, at which point Sergeev presumably slept. Then, at the start of play here today in the single day high roller, Sergeev’s massage began again, with the exact same masseuse.

Her shift has just got a bit longer, as Sergeev has doubled up through Rocco Palumbo. The Italian opened to 23,000 and Sergeev moved all-in for exactly 100,000. Palumbo called with the 55, and it was a race against the KJ of the Russian. Sergeev took the lead straight away with a king on the flop, and no five arrived on later streets. He has a little over 210,000 now, while Palumbo dips to 305,000. –JS

6:15pm: Nice turn of events for Newey
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Bit of luck for Paul Newey just now has helped him double up.

Alexandros Kolonias opened to 18,000 from the hijack and then called after Newey three-bet all-in for 60,000 from the button.

Kolonias: Q8
Newey: 109

The board ran 26210K to pair Newey’s ten on the turn. Kolonias dropped to 95,000. –MC


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6:11pm: Amirov sees the ace…then the seven
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Ilkin Amirov was all in with pocket sevens against Roman Korenev’s ace-queen and the dealer went to spread the flop. Boom! There was an ace in the window and Amirov got out of his seat. Turns out though, that beyond the window there was also a seven giving him a set! In the end the board read AJ7J2 and Amirov doubled to 200,000, while Korenev has 175,000 left. –JS

6:10pm: A double for Yan
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Charlie Carrel had been on a tear since we came back from break. Such was the size of his stack that he was able to double up David Yan (170k) and still be left with half a million. The two got all-in, we’re not sure when the chips went in.

Yan (SB): AQ
Carrel: Q10

The board ran 35K108 to make Yan a flush. –MC

6:05pm: Another double for Drinan
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Every time I see Connor Drinan in a pot he seems to be doubling up. He just shoved on the button for 103,000 and was called by Alexandros Kolonias in the small blind. Drinan was ahead with the 1010 against A9, and the tens held on the 66455 board. He’s up to 220,000 now, while Kolonias has 118,000. –JS

6pm: Registration closes
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

No more room at the high rolling inn as registration is closed. There were 84 entries in total, made up of 64,000 unique players and 20 re-entries. We’ll have the prize pool information for you in about an hour or so. –MC

5:55pm: Kitai falls, unlikely to be back
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Davidi Kitai was unlucky to bust just now. It was his first bullet and has a few minutes to re-enter if he so wishes, although 100,000 is only worth 12.5 big blinds now we’re into level 10.

EPT13Malta_Rocco_Palumbo_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 27.jpg

Rocco rocking it

Rocco Palumbo opened to 20,000 from second position and called after Kita three-bet all-in for 176,000 from the button.

Palumbo: AQ
Kitai: QQ

The board ran 4A462.

“Okay, good luck,” said Kitai which indicates that he’s done for today. Palumbo is far from done though. His stack is up to 440,000. –MC

5:47pm: Business time
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

The blinds are up and the floor have just announced there’ll be ten more minutes before registration closes. Pratyush Buddiga has just bought in for his first entry, will he be the last to take a seat? –JS

5:45pm: Ung out
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

A few minutes ago Sehn Ung suffered a horrific beat courtesy of Sergey Sergeev. Ung held the KQ, Sergeev had the 33, but by the end of the 6K5J3 runout Sergeev had hit a set to Ung out the door. –JS

5:44pm: Rich get richer as Michalak scoops another one
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Back to Ole Schemion and Ramin Hajiyev’s table for this hand, but only the latter was involved. It started with a 13,000 under-the-gun open from Jakub Michalak which was called by Zorlu Er in the cutoff, Hajiyev on the button, and Behzad Ahadpour in the big blind. The quartet saw a KK8 which was checked around, leading to the 6 on the turn. Now Ahadpour led out for 20,000 and both Michalak and Er called, so it was three players to the 2 river.

Ahadpour slowed down here, checking it to Michalak who made another bet of 20,000. Er got out the way, and after a little consideration so did Ahadpour. Michalak is up to 400,000 now. –JS

5:42pm: The man’s got game
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

EPT13Malta_Orpen Kisacikoglu_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 39.jpg

Currently on top

Orpen Kisacikoglu came back from break as chip leader and has extended it further. He moved up to 450,000 after none of his four opponents in a hand were interested post flop.

He opened to 13,000 from first position and picked up four callers. The flop fell 610A and all folded to his 50,000 c-bet. — MC

5:36pm: Friendly game
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Ole Schemion and Ramin Hajiyev both were at the €25K final table yesterday. That bond has carried through to today, it seems, as they’re chatting away and playing the occasional pot against each other.

Schemion opened to 13,000, but Hajiyev moved all-in for around 100,000. Back to Schemion, the German shook his head and folded, showing king-queen off. Hajiyev kindly showed him the ace-king off as he stacked up the chips. –JS

5:25pm: Five minute recap
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Here are a few things you need to know from the first five minutes of Level 9:

1. Zorlu Er is the latest to enter this event. You might remember Er from his fifth place finish in the EPT13 Barcelona Main Event back in August, in which he cashed for €431,550. Let’s see how he gets on here in the €10K.

2. Sergey Sergeev has just doubled up through Ben Heath. The young Brit opened to 13,000 and was shoved on by Sergeev who had a 69,000 stack. When it got back to Heath he made the call with the KQ but was dominated by the Russian’s AK. By the end of the 25A93 board Sergeev had a flush and raked in the chips.

3. Steve O’Dwyer, the defending champ in this event, has just doubled up through Farid Jattin. We didn’t catch the action but O’Dwyer’s ace-queen cracked Jattin’s pocket aces, meaning O’Dwyer is up to 190,000 now. –JS

5:15pm: Level 9 underway
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Play is back underway, here are the full chip counts from the break:

Name Chips
Orpen Kisacikoglu 419,000
Stephen Chidwick 400,000
Charlie Carrel 355,000
Jakub Michalak 340,000
Benjamin Pollak 325,000
Farid Jattin 275,000
Ben Heath 266,000
David Yan 265,000
Behzad Ahadpour 255,000
Roman Korenev 250,000
Martin Finger 245,000
Paul Newey 245,000
Pierre Neuville 235,000
Koray Aldemir 230,000
Aliaksei Boika 230,000
Rocco Palumbo 215,000
Davidi Kitai 210,000
Scott Seiver 210,000
Aliaksei Boika 205,000
Alexandros Kolonias 205,000
Frederik Jensen 201,000
Ali Reza Fatehi 185,000
Connor Drinan 185,000
Adrian Mateos 170,000
Diego Zeiter 160,000
Ramin Hajiyev 155,000
Ole Schemion 150,000
Oleg Titov 150,000
Martin Kozlov 140,000
Pasquale Grimaldi 130,000
Michael Ho 120,000
Pasi Sormunen 115,000
Danut Chisu 109,000
Tobias Ziegler 90,000
Steve O’Dwyer 90,000
Vladimir Troyanovskiy 80,000
Ilkin Amirov 80,000
Yang Zhang 70,000
Sergey Sergeev 63,000
Senh Ung 53,000
Nikolaus Teichert 40,000
Viacheslav Buldygin 21,000

4:55pm: Go put the kettle on

Players are taking a 20-minute break. There are 44 players left. –JS

4:54pm: Titov shoves on Neuville
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Pierre Neuville was casually munching on an apple when he looked down at something he liked. He opened the pot to 13,000 and was three-bet by the newcomer in this event, Oleg Titov. The bet was 25,000 and when it was back on the Belgian he made the call.

The flop came down K5Q and Neuville checked, letting Titov continue for 25,000 once more. That got a call, and the turn was the 10. Neuville waited for quite a call before checking, and that led to Titov shoving for 51,000. Neuville had 76,000 behind and looked like he wanted to call, but in the end opted to fight another day. –JS

EPT13Malta_Pierre Neuville_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 18.jpg

Neuville lays it down

4:50pm: Khoroshenin falls to Finger
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

We didn’t catch the action but the end result was that Oleksii Khoroshenin was all-in and beat with the A4 to Martin Finger’s AK on a 104A10J board. Finger is up to 230,000 now. –JS

4:42pm: Yan doubles through Drinan
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

It doesn’t seem that long ago since David Yan had a big stack. Some chips dropped and the turbo structure meant that he was soon under pressure. A lot of that pressure was released by him doubling up through Connor Drinan.

The latter opened to 10,000 from the button and then called after Yan three-bet all-in from the big blind.

Yan: AQ
Drinan: KQ

The board ran 435410. “Nice hand,” said Drinan who dropped to 185,000. –MC

4:35pm: Double for Drinan; No good for Greenwood
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Just before the blinds went up, Connor Drinan doubled up through Belarus’ Aliaksei Boika. The two got it in pre-flop and it was Drinan’s AK against Boika’s 22, the latter crushed by the 7A894 runout. Drinan is up to 205,000 now.

Meanwhile, Sam Greenwood was facing a tough decision on another table. He’d opened to 10,000 on the button and faced an all-in shove from Martin Kozlov for around 130,000. Greenwood had slightly less with 120,000 and ultimately made the call with the KQ. He was dominated by Kozlov’s AQ and Greenwood could find no help on the 106957 board. He hit the rail, and Kozlov increased to roughly 255,000. –JS

4:30pm: Sammartino busts again
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

After tank moving all-in and being called, the last thing Dario Sammartino wanted to hear from Behzad Ahadpour was, “You’re in bad shape!

The two players had made the turn where the board read 7K510. Sammartino was in the big blind and led for 15,000 before Ahadpour raised to 30,000. Sammerntino likes to have a think about decisions and here was no different. Eventually he moved all-in for 86,000 and was snapped off.

Sammartino opened KQ but was drawing dead to Ahadpour’s A3. The inconsequential river was the 9. Ahadpour moved on up to 290,000. –MC

4:23pm: Seiver’s broadway play
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

I guess all poker players are actors in a way, but when I say Seiver’s broadway play I don’t mean he’s suddenly carved out a new thespian career on the New York stage.

The hand started with an under-the-gun from Seiver for 9,000, which folded around to Jens Luebbe in the big blind. He defended to see a Q4K flop, and both decided to check. The turn came the J (spoiler alert – Seiver made a broadway straight) yet he decided to check it again, letting Luebbe take the aggressive line with a 9,000 bet. Seiver just flatted.

The 2 rounded out the board and put four hearts out there. That prevented Seiver from getting any more value after he checked a final time, as Luebbe checked behind and turned over the KQ for top two pair. That was no good against Seiver’s A10 and he raked it in. –JS

4:20pm: May the fours be with you, Pierre
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

“You have a four?” asked Frederik Jensen of Pierre Neuville after the latter bombed the river for 34,000. “Maybe,” came the reply.

EPT13Malta_Pierre Neuville_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 16.jpg

Give me a high four!

The board read 41074A and Jensen made the call then mucked upon seeing the Belgian’s K4 to drop to 252,000.

“You did have a four!” added Jensen with a smile. Neuville moved up to 115,000. –MC

4:08pm: Ole, Ole, Ole
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Ole Schemion’s up to 185,000 after he won a pot off Jakub Michalak. The latter could absorb the loss as he dropped to a still impressive 250,000.

We picked up the action on the turn where the board read 7536. Michalak led for 180,000 from the big blind and Schemion called from under the gun. The river came as the 3 and both players checked. Michalak opened A2 but lost out to Schemion’s 88. –MC

3:55pm: They gone
Level 6 – Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

The tournament’s up to 72 players so far, with registration still open for two more hours. There are 52 players remaining and some of the latest to go were: Mikita Badziakouski, Ilkin Amirov, Jens Luebbe, Morten Mortensen, Senh Ung and Piotr Franczak. –MC

3:40pm: Superstition goes deeper than we think
Level 6 – Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Okay, so partially forget what we wrote about the wedding ring superstation from the last post. Viacheslav Buldygin was just eliminated by Orpen Kisacikoglu and immediately bought back in. He was drawn back into the same seats, and when he sat down, we noticed his wedding ring is on the other hand now! What does it all mean?

He busted when he moved all-in on the river after Kisacikoglu had led out. The board read 69325 and Kisacikoglu snapped him off with A4 for the nut flush. Buldygin opened Q10 for a smaller flush and was (temporarily) gone. Kisacikoglu moved up 290,000. –MC

3:20pm: Buldygin decides it’s a left hand ring day
Level 5 – Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Viacheslav Buldygin has played in the €10k re-entry, €25k and Main Event before entering today’s tournament. One thing I’ve noticed about him is that he rotates the hand he wears what we assume is his wedding band. One day it’s on the third finger on his right hand, the next day it’s on the third finger of his left hand. Read into that what you will, but poker players have been known to be superstitious at times. Today is a left hand day.

The Russian, who came runner-up in the €10k re-entry, opened to 6,500 from second position and picked up three callers en route to a 362 flop. All four checked to the 2 turn where Orpen Kisacikoglu led for 8,000 from the small blind. He and the other two players all folded though once Buldygin raised to 30,000. –MC

3:15pm: Très bon for Petrangelo
Level 5 – Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Nick Petrangelo still has a lot of work to do to avoid re-entering despite doubling up through Sergey Sergeev.

Michael Ho opened to 5,200 from under the gun before Sergeev three-bet to 15,700 from the next seat. Petrangelo was in the big blind and called all-in for 5,900. Ho tank-folded.

Petrangelo: 33
Sergeev: 88

The board ran J6354 to make Petrangelo a set. Sergeev’s not having a lot of luck with pairs today. –MC

EPT13Malta_Nick Petrangelo_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 22.jpg

Petrangelo at work

3:05pm: Welcome, and welcome back
Level 5 – Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Charlie Carrel and Viacheslav Buldygin have entered for the first time, with Dario Sammartino and Alexandros Kolonias back in for a second attempt. There’s a tola of 64 entries so far with 54 remaining. –MC


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2:55pm: Level five underway
Level 5 – Blinds 1,200/2,400 (300 ante)

Here are the big stacks, counted in the break:

Name Country Entry info Chips
Stephen Chidwick UK   300,000
Frederik Jensen Denmark   265,000
Jakub Michalak Poland   231,000
Steve O’Dwyer Ireland   210,000
Orpen Kisacikoglu UK   205,000
David Yan New Zealand   200,000
Koray Aldemir Austria   170,000
Martin Finger Germany   170,000
Roman Korenev Russa   165,000
Jean-Noel Thorel France Re-Entered 165,000
Paul Newey UK   155,000
Sergey Sergeev Russia Re-Entered 150,000
Nariman Yaghmai Iran   145,000
Juha Helppi Finland   120,000
Oleksii Khoroshenin Ukraine   120,000

2:35pm: Break time
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

The players are on their first 20-minute break of the day. We’ll have some big stacks counts for you when we return.

2:30pm: Sammartino folds on the river
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Poor Sammartino isn’t feeling well today, he’s full of cold. And, he just had to fold on the river in a hand versus Martin Kozlov. At least he’s still in though. Ali Reza Fatehi, Jean-Noel Thorel, Anthony Zinno and Mikalai Vaskaboinikau have all departed.

The Italian open to 4,500 from under the gun and was called by Kozlov in the big blind. Sammartino continued for 3,400 on the 910A flop and Kozlov check-called. The J turn was checked through and Kozlov took the pot down with a 13,500 bet on the 2 river. –MC

2:15pm: Silver’s done
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Max Silver has become the first player to bust twice, and seeing the tournament allows only one re-entry, he’s done. David Yan, who’s up to 180,000 himself, was kind enough to fill the blog in on some of the details.

Marcin Chmielewski opened to 5,000 from under the gun and was called by Ali Reza Fatehi in the next seat before Silver moved all-in for 7,900 from the big blind. Neither opponent could raise so they both flat called. The flop fell T-6-3 (two spades) and the action was checked to the K turn where Chmielewski bet 5,000. Fatehi folded and Chmielewski opened A-Q with the queen of spades. Silver was ahead with pocket sevens but the 6 river sealed his fate. –MC

EPT13Malta_Max Silver_#44_NL_Holdem_Single Re_Entry_8 Handed_Manuel_Kovsca 32.jpg

Silver sees the bad news

2:05pm: More for O’Dwyer
Level 3 – Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

Reigning champion Steve O’Dwyer is making a good early fist of defending his title. He won a four-bet pot to pass the 200,000-mark.

Koray Aldemir opened to 4,000 from under the gun before Martin Kozlov three-bet to 11,500 from the next seat. O’Dwyer was on the button and stared at both opponents before cold four-betting to 28,000. Aldemir folded but Kozlov called to a Q44 flop that was checked through. The turn was the 5 and O’Dwyer’s delayed 23,000 c-bet was check-called by the Australian. The K completed the board and Kozlov checked once more. O’Dwyer tanked for two minutes and then set Kozlov in for his last 70,000. Fold. –MC

1:50pm: Sergey Sergeev busts with a full house
Level 3 – Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

“Sorry for the slowroll!” said Steve O’Dywer after he called and eliminated Sergey Sergeev.
“Don’t worry, it was funny hand!” replied the Russian.

The action happened on the river of a 7J7J7 board. O’Dwyer led for 10,000 from the big blind before Sergeev raised all-in for 66,000 from the button.

“Come on, you call and we chop,” said Sergeev.
“One moment please,” replied O’Dwyer.
“I give you €20 if you show a bluff!” Sergeev came back.

O’Dwyer called and Sergeev turned over AA thinking he had won, but O’Dwyer took the pot and scalp with J9 for top full house. To be fair to O’Dywer, Sergeev was acted so confidently that he could of held a seven for quads. –MC

1:30pm: Any Silver lining?
Level 2 – Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

What to say to a man after he runs kings into aces to bust early from a tournament? At least you won €164,030 yesterday is what I’d say to Max Silver, and bad luck, obviously.

Martin Kozlov, who was leading the Main Event for a period yesterday before busting late on when his aces were cracked, managed to make them hold this time. Silver’s already re-entered and was sat at the same table as room mate and €25k champion, David Yan. –MC

1:20pm: Newey semi-bluff fail
Level 2 – Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

Paul Newey made a move on the turn versus Ghanim Dashti but couldn’t get it through. He ended up with some showdown value but that wasn’t enough.

He was in the big blind and checked on the turn of a K56107 board. Dashti bet 3,500 on the button and tank-called after Newey raised to 9,500. Both players checked the river and Newey opened 78, but mucked upon seeing Dashti’s K5 for a flopped two pair. –MC

1:10pm: First player down
Level 2 – Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

The second level has gotten underway with one player already out.

Marcin Chmielewski had previously doubled up Ali Reza Fatehi – A-K losing to tens all-in preflop – and that left him with 25,000 that were soon belonging to another player as well.

The Polish player put it behind him and re-entered, drawing the same seat. At least he’ll have a chance to get those lost chips back. –MC

1:05pm: Ung will settle for that
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Nice pot-win for Seng Unh after he managed to turn a set to crack Dmitry Yurasov’s bigger pair.

Ung raised to 2,600 from the cutoff and called after Yurasov three-bet to 7,800 off the button. The flop fanned 104Q[ and both players checked. The board ran out 87 with Yurasov betting 8,500 and 12,500 on each street with JJ. Ung check-called with 88 and raked in the pot. –MC

1pm: Steadily growing
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

The tournament has grown to 38 players already. Recent arrivals include: Pierre Neuville, Vladimir Troyanovskiy, Anthony Zinno, Sam Greenwoood, Adrian Mateos, Koray Aldemir, Juha Helppi, Nikolaus Teichert and Martin Finger. –MC

12:55pm: Heath wins on the river
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Ben Heath hasn’t had a great festival so far, his latest defeat coming in the latter stages of the Main Event last night. All that means s that he’ll be super-motivated to do well today.

He’s off to a good start after winning a small pot off reigning champion Steve O’Dwyer and Alexandros Kolonias. O’Dwyer opened to 2,100 from under the gun and was called by both blinds. The flop came 4106 and O’Dwyer’s 4,000 c-bet was check-called by both opponents. All three checked the Q turn and Heath’s 13,500 lead on the 2 river was enough to fold out Kolonias and O’Dwyer. –MC

12:45pm: The plan for today
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Obviously, play will continue today until a winner is crowned, whatever time that may be.

Registration will stay open until there are 20 minutes left of level ten (around 5:53pm), and they’ll be a dinner break after level 12 (around 8:13pm). –MC

12:33pm: Shuffle up and deal
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Cards are in the air. Some players here on time included: Nick Petrangelo, Max Silver, Paul Newey Senh Ung, Ben Heath, Stephen Chidwick, and Roman Korenev. So far, 22 players have registered. –MC

12:10pm: €10,200 NLHE Single Re-entry 8 Handed
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

There was a €10k re-entry to kick off the EPT Malta Poker Festival, there’s one to end the festival – why not add another one in the middle, they said. Not enough room I hear you say? Let’s just make it play out over one day then!

That’s right; strap yourselves in for one of the most fun tournaments that has become a fixture on the EPT schedule over the past couple of seasons. This particular tournament lasted season attracted 99 entries plus 35 re-entries and was won by high rolling expert Steve O’Dwyer. He took home €327k after beating Illari Sahamies heads-up.

EPT13_Malta_ME_Day1a_Steve_Odwyer.jpg

Steve O’Dwyer playing the Main Event yesterday

O’Dwyer busted the Main Event on Day 1A and he’s expected back today to defend his title. Ole Schemion, Orpen Kisacikoglu and Cate Hall are all conformed to play and we’ll bring you many of the other names once cards get in the air at 12:30 CEST. Join us back here then. –MC

PokerStars Blog reporting team on the €10,200 NLHE Single Re-entry 8 Handed: Marc Convey and Jack Stanton. Photography by Manuel Kovsca. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog.

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