Thursday, 28th March 2024 20:30
Home / Uncategorized / EPT13 Prague: Isaac Haxton wins the €25,000 Single Day High Roller and €559,200

ept13_prague_25k_Isaac_Haxton_winner.jpg

It’s only his third win of a stellar career and his first high roller title. Isaac Haxton beat a star-studded field and then Julian Stuer heads up to win one of the last ever EPT trophies (a really prestigious one) and €559,200.

It came after 14 hours of typically action packed poker from the start, in an event that has built a reputation for drama since its inception last season. Haxton’s hourly rate today worked out at an impressive £39,943. This was not a minimum wage type of tournament.

EPT13_prague_25k_Ike_Haxton.jpg

The players shake hands after a short duel

Play concluded after a very short heads up battle that lasted precisely three hands and ended at 2:30 am local time.

The full story of his win is best found in the updates below. For now, as the clock strikes 3am, it’s congratulations to Haxton on a remarkable win.

For the full list of winners can be found at the bottom of the page, or by clicking here.

2:30am: Stuer falls in second to hand Haxton the title
Level 22 – Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Well that was quick! It took all of three hands to crown the €25k single re-entry champion.

Julian Stuer opened to 250,000 before Ike Haxton moved all-in and was called.

Haxton: 88
Stuer: AJ

The board ran 2Q584 to make Haxton an unbeatable set on the turn. The two players shook hands and that was that.

Stuer earned €397,550 for second place and Haxton €559,200 for his win. –MC

EPT13_Prague_25k_Julian_Stuer.jpgJulian Stuer: runner up

2:25pm: Heads up counts
Level 22 – Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Ike Haxton – 5.855 million
Julian Stuer – 2.445 million

ept13_25_head_up.jpg

Heads up

Game on! –MC

2:10am: Mateos goes in third, takes home €260,300
Level 22 – Blinds: 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Three-handed play went on for a long while but Adrian Mateos just busted and we’re heads up!

He moved all-in for 1.91 million from the button and Ike Haxton did likewise from the small blind.

Haxton: 1010
Mateos: K10

The board ran 649Q2 to see the tens hold, despite the sweat that appeared on the turn. The clock has been paused while heads up play get organised. — MC

ept13_prague_25k_Adrian_Mateos.jpg

Adrian Mateos: 3rd place

2:05am: Check-raise works for Haxton
Level 21 – Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Julian Stuer opened to 220,000 from first to act and Ike Haxton defended his big blind. The flop came 344 and Stuer continued for 200,000. Haxton tank-check-raised to 675,000 and Stuer folded to drop to 2.9 million. Haxton moved up to 3.7 million. –MC

1:55am: Stuer doubles into the lead
Level 21 – Blinds: 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Julian Stuer has a narrow chip lead over Ike Haxton after he doubled through Adrian Mateos.

He completed from the small blind and Mateos checked his option. The flop fell 7AK and Stuer led for 100,000. Call. Stuer led for another 320,000 on the Q turn and was called again. The 4 completed the board and Stuer jammed for his last 1.240 million. Mateos tank-called with Q10 but Stuer had two pair with KQ.

He’s up to 3.55 million and Mateos dropped to 1.46 million. –MC

1:40am: Mateos moves into the lead
Level 20 – Blinds: 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

The first showdown of three-handed play has resulted in Adrian Mateos taking over the chip lead from Ike Haxton.

The two players were in the blinds and took to a 375 flop. Haxton bet 100,000 and Mateos check-called to the 3 turn where he checked again. Haxton fired 600,000 at the pt but couldn’t shift his Spanish opponent. The board completed with the J and both players checked. Mateos opened Q7 and Haxton mucked.

Mateos – 3.4 million
Haxton – 3.165 million
–MC

1:20am: No deal and Stuer makes some progress
Level 19 – Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

After looking at the numbers, play continued as no deal was reached.

Julian Stuer has moved up to 1.65 million after a shoving plan that (so far) has been working for him. He’s moved all-in more times than he’s folded and neither opponent had had the cards to call.

Adrian Mateos has around 2.3million still and Ike Haxton has fallen a little to 4.25 million. –MC

12:55am: Haxton takes out Hajiyev in fourth
Level 19 – Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Ramin Hajiyev lost another big race and it cost him his tournament life. He’ll take home

Julian Stuer opened to 140,00 before Hajiyev three-bet all-in for 1.340 million from the small blind. Isaac Haxton was in the big blind and got rid of Stuer by shoving.

Hajiyev: 88
Haxton: AK

The board ran 44106K to pair Haxton on the river. He moved up to almost 5 million.

EPT13_Prague_25k_Ramin Hajiyev.jpg

Ramin Hajiyev: 4th place

Adrian Mateos has 2.3 million and Stuer has 1.1million. They’ve paused the clock to look at numbers but Haxton has already warned that he won’t do an ICM chop as a three-handed chip leader.

12:45am: Hajiyev drops below a million
Level 19 – Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Ramin Hajiyev has dropped down to 995,000 after he folded to Ike Haxton on the river.

The latter opened to 120,000 from under the gun and Hajiyev defended his big blind. He check-called 60,000 on the 10K3 flop before both players checked the 5 turn. Hajiyev checked the A river over to Haxton who bet 215,000. He tank-folded. Haxton moved up to 3.1 million. –MC

12:30am: Mateos can’t be taken off a hand, wins a chunk from Stuer
Level 19 – Blinds: 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Adrian Mateos has moved up to 3.1million after he won a pot off Julian Stuer.

He opened to 110,000 from under the gun and called after Stuer three-bet to 405,000 from the big blind. The flop fell J45 and Stuer continued for 275,000. Mateos called and the players checked the 48 turn and river through. Stuer opened AK and lost out to Mateos’ 75. The German dropped to 1.65 million. –MC

12:10am: Blind battle cooler decimates Yan, before he busts
Level 18 – Blinds: 25,000/50,000 (ante 5,000)

“Number one versus number two!” said Isaac Haxton to the blog to describe the cooler that cost David Yan.

Adrian Mateos opened to 125,000 from the small blind and Yan called in the big. The flop fell 2710 and Mateos led for 125,000. Call. He bet another 285,000 on the A turn before he jammed his last 745,000 in on the 9 river. Yan had him covered and called both bets with Q3 for the second nut flush. It was no good though as Mateos opened K6 for the nuts and moved into the lead with over 2.5 million.

EPT13_Prague_25k_David_Yan.jpg

David Yan: 5th place

Yan was left with 75,000 but he lost them the next hand and earned €158,610. –MC

11:55pm: Yan doubles
Level 17 – Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

Ramin Hajiyev has taken a knock to his stack after doubling David Yan.

Yan raised to 80,000 off the button and then four-bet all-in for 655,000 after Hajiyev three-bet to 260,000 from the small blind. Call.

Hajiyev: JJ
Yan: AQ

The board ran K10A85. Hajiyev dropped out of the chip lead and down to 2 million. Julian Stuer on top with 2.2 million. –MC

11:45pm: Pablo Fernandez goes in 6th, followed by Steve O’Dwyer in 5th
Level 17 – Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

And then there were five. Pablo Fernandez (€97,600) and Steve O’Dwyer (€124,050) went within minutes of each other.

Fernandez open-shoved for 470,000 with Q8 and was called by Ike Haxton who held K10. The board ran 10434A to make Haxton two pair. He moved up to 1.9 million.

EPT13_Prague_25k_Pablo_Fernandez.jpg

Pablo Fernandez: 6th place

O’Dwyer lost big race to Ramin Hajiyev, who moved into the chip lead with 3.1 million. A preflop raising war saw all the chips in the middle.

O’Dwyer: 1010
Hajiyev: AK

The board ran Q854A to pair Hajiyev on the river. His friends on the rail celebrated wildly. –MC

11:30pm: Newey loses flip to go home eighth
Level 17 – Blinds: 20,000/40,000 (ante 5,000)

That’s four high roller final tables on the bounce for Paul Newey. He described his last hand as being, “cruel” after he flopped a pair only for the turn to end it for him.

He had ace-king again but the pocket nines of Julian Stuer did the damage. The latter opened to 90,000 and called after Newey shoved for 390,000.

Newey: AK
Stuer: 99

The board ran A42910 and Stuer moved past the two-million mark. –MC

EPT13_Prague_25k_Paul_Newey.jpg

Paul Newey: 8th place

11:20pm: Carrel cashes three from three
Level 16 – Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Charlie Carrel’s third cash (all final tables) from three EPT13 Prague events was for €57,950 after he busted in ninth spot. He said, “Bye guys!” after he fell to Ramin Hajiyev.

Hajiyev opened to 70,000 from under the gun and was called by Julian Stuer before Carrel squeezed all-in for 205,000. Hajiyev raised to isolate and it worked as Stuer folded.

Hajiyev: AA
Carrel: 66

The board ran 4389A to make Hajiyev a straight. He moved up to 1.675 million. –MC

11:15pm: Hajiyev flush in chips
Level 16 – Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Ramin Hajiyev has moved up to 1.33 million after he rivered a flush versus Steve O’Dwyer who paid him off.

Hajiyev opened 70,000 from UTG+1 and was called by O’Dwyer on the button. The flop fanned 478 and Hajiyev continued for 80,000. Call. The A was checked through to the 8 river where Hajiyev led for 215,000. O’Dwyer called and mucked upon seeing Hajiyev’s QJ. He dropped to 1.465 million. –MC

11pm: No big-slick-up from Newey
Level 16 – Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Paul Newey is no longer the shortest stack at the table after he found an amazing spot to double. Ramin Hajiyev moved all-in from the button and Newey called all-in for 205,000.

Newey: AK
Hajiyev: A9

The board ran 8Q247 and Newey was more than pleased. Hajiyev fell to 905,000. –MC

10:45pm: Your final nine
Level 16 – Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

Name Chips
Seat 1 Adrian Mateos 555,000
Seat 2 Charlie Carrel 270,000
Seat 3 David Yan 1,060,000
Seat 4 Ramin Hajiyev 1,115,000
Seat 5 Paul Newey 210,000
Seat 6 Pablo Fernandez 225,000
Seat 7 Ike Haxton 1,375,000
Seat 8 Julian Stuer 1,450,000
Seat 9 Steve O’Dwyer 2,040,000

10:30pm: Yaroshevskyy and Aldemir first to depart in the money
Level 16 – Blinds: 15,000/30,000 (ante 5,000)

The unofficial final table of nine has been reached after Igor Yaroshevskyy and Koray Aldemir departed.

Yaroshevskyy moved in for 146,000 holding A7 and was called by Adrian Mateos in the big blind who held J5. The board ran 864JJ to make the Spaniard trips.

Steve O’Dwyer took out another player in the shape of Aldemir. He raised to 65,000 and called after Aldemir shoved for 406,000.

O’Dwyer: KQ
Aldemir: AJ

The board ran Q8372 to pair O’Dwyer’s queen. He’s up to around 2 million but we’ll have his counts, all the others and the final nine seat draw coming up soon. The players are taking a 20-minute break. –MC

10:25pm: Khoroshenin becomes the bubble boy
Level 15 – Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (ante 4,000)

A horrible cooler in the blinds has sent Oleksii Khoroshenin home as the bubble boy.

He moved all-in for around 230,000 from the small blind and Steve O’Dwyer snapped him off in the big blind.

Khoroshenin: QQ
O’Dwyer: AK

The board ran 6A93A to make O’Dwyer trips. Everyone guaranteed €50,840 now. No bad for a day’s work. –MC

EPT13_25k_bubble.jpg

Khoroshenin (seat 6) bubbles

10:20pm: Mateos doubles through Haxton
Level 15 – Blinds: 12,000/24,000 (ante 4,000)

Adrian Mateos doubled on the third hand of hand-for-hand play.

Ike Haxton opened to 48,000 from the hijack and called after Mateos moved all-in for 168,000 from the next seat.

Haxton: Q9
Mateos: QQ

The board ran 94556 and Haxton dropped to 1.315 million. –MC

10:10pm: Tension unlocked as Muehloecker busts
Level 14 – Blinds: 10,000/20,000 (ante 3,000)

Something had to give and it was the elimination of Thomas Muehloecker.

Julian Stuer opened to 50,000 and called after Muehloecker three-bet all-in for 141,000.

Stuer: 105
Muehloecker: AJ

The board ran QQ7610 to make Stuer two pair on the river.

The tournament is now on the stone bubble and hand-for-hand play will be introduced.–MC

10pm: Power of position
Level 14 – Blinds: 10,000/20,000 (ante 3,000)

Steve O’Dwyer is still cruising on 1.35 million despite folding to Ramin Hajiyev on the turn.

The high roller beast opened to 50,000 from the hijack and Hajiyev called on the button. The flop spread 6A7 Hajiyev bet 65,000 when O’Dwyer checked over to him. The latter called but check-folded to a 140,000 bet on the 5 turn. Hajiyev moved up to 875,000. –MC

9:50pm: No showdowns
Level 14 – Blinds: 10,000/20,000 (ante 3,000)

An entire level played out with zero show downs and the pressure on the short stacks has grown with the level going up.

One hand did get to the river after Charlie Carrel opened from under the gun and Koray Aldemir called on the button. Carrel continued for 25,000 on an A42 flop and was called. The 7 turn was checked through before Carrel led for 40,000 on the 7 river. Aldemir made a quick fold. –MC

9:35pm: Tension high as bubble looms
Level 14 – Blinds: 10,000/20,000 (ante 3,000)

The pace of this tournament has been frantic all day, as you would expect. It had to slow down at some point, and two place off the money seems a reasonable time for it to happen.

Floor person Kate is keeping track of the amount of hands being played at both tables to make sure neither table has an advantage, rather than introduce hand-for-hand play too early. The short stack from each table are jumping up between hands to watch what’s going on at the other table. The chat has got quiet as the tension is ramped up. –MC

9:20pm: Chinese aces help O’Dwyer double up
Level 13 – Blinds: 8,000/16,000 (ante 2,000)

Charlie Carrel has dropped down to 275,000 after he doubled up Steve O’Dwyer.

The latter opened to 40,000 and was called in one spot before Carrel squeezed to 191,000 from the small blind. O’Dwyer moved all-in for 596,000 and Carrel snap called after the third party folded.

Carrel: AK
O’Dwyer: 88

The board ran 68QJ5 to make O’Dwyer a set. –MC

EPT13_25k_Steve O'Dwyer.jpg

O’Double O’Dwyer

9:15pm: Ace high good for Stuer
Level 13 – Blinds: 8,000/16,000 (ante 2,000)

Julian Stuer moved up to 1.05 million after his ace high was good in a multi-street hand against Ike Haxton.

Haxton opened to 32,000 from the cutoff and Stuer was the only caller from the small blind. The flop fanned 973 and Stuer check-called 31,000 and another 75,000 on the 4 turn before the 8 river was checked through.

Stuer opened AK and Haxton mucked to drop to 1.15million. –MC

9:05pm: Haxton rockets into the lead after busting two
Level 13 – Blinds: 8,000/16,000 (ante 2,000)

Pretty sick to have a cooler of this magnitude in a €25k so close to the bubble. Isaac Haxton was on the right side of it and moved up to a chip-leading 1.6 million.

Haxton opened before he saw Davidi Kitai and Pavel Plesuv move all-in behind him. He made an easy call.

Haxton: AA
Kitai: AK
Plesuv: 1010

The board ran 76465 missing everyone.

Vladimir Troyanovskiy busted soon after the big hand meaning just 13 players remain.–MC

8:55pm:Final 16 re-draw
Level 13 – Blinds: 8,000/16,000 (ante 2,000)

Table 1 Table 2
Seat 1 Vladimir Troyanovskiy Koray Aldemir
Seat 2 Igor Yaroshevskyy Ramin Hajiyev
Seat 3 Ike Haxton Paul Newey
Seat 4 Davidi Kitai Charlie Carrel
Seat 5 Pavel Plesuv David Yan
Seat 6 Julian Stuer Oleksii Khoroshenin
Seat 7 Pablo Fernandez Steve O’Dwyer
Seat 8 Thomas Muehloecker Adrian Mateos

8:45pm: Er and Musta bust
Level 13 – Blinds: 8,000/16,000 (ante 2,000)

A re-draw of the final 16 players is taking place after the eliminations of Mustapha Kanit and Zorlu Er. Both busted at virtually the same time on different tables.

Er had around 160,000 and was in the small blind and battling Ike Haxton I the big blind. Er completed and then called all-in after Haxton shoved.

Er: QJ
Haxton: KJ

The board ran 96594 to see Haxton hold. The American moved up to around 650,000. –MC

Chip counts at the break (not in seat order)

Table 1  
   
Pavel Plesuv 640000
Steve O’Dwyer 600000
Ramin Hajiyev 560000
Paul Newey 360000
Olekssi Khoroshenin 281000
   
Table 2  
   
David Yan 1250000
Julien Stuer 450000
Adrian Mateos 360000
Mustapha Kanit 230000
Igor Yoroshevskyy 200000
Ryan McEathron 190000
   
Table 3  
   
Charlie Carrel 885000
Koray Aldemir 825000
Isaac Haxton 455000
Pablo Fernandez 378000
Davidi Kitai 378000
Vladimir Troyanovskiy 187000
Zorlu Er 166000

7:35pm: Dinner break
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

The level ends with 19 players remaining as players take a 75 minute dinner break. Chip counts coming up shortly. — SB

7:33pm: Last elimination before the break
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Nariman Yaghmai is out in 19th place. Ramin Hajiyev knocked him out. Yaghmai had 77 and 4-bet all in for 130,000. Hajiyev called with AK for a board of 23210A. Ramin up to 560,000 — SB

7:32pm: So long Sointula
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Jani Sointula is also out. — SB

7:30pm: Yan the man
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Konstantin Uspenskiy departed shortly before Bonomo. He moved all in for 128,000 and got a call from David Yan, turned over AQ against Uspenskiy’s A10

The board ran 5K649 to reduce the field by one.

david_yan_sdhr_14dec16.jpgChip leader David Yan

Yan’s progress didn’t stop there. Shortly afterward he knocked out early leader Sergio Aido to take his stack up to 1.35 million. – SB

7:26pm: It gets worse for Bonomo
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Bonomo out. — SB

7:25pm: Bonomo in trouble
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Justin Bonomo ordered Schnitzel a short while ago. Back then he had more chips, and now has begun eating a little quicker.

justin_bonomo_sdhr_14dec16.jpgJustin Bonomo

The reason is another big pot that went against him, and which has left him 18,000. Paul Newey was the beneficiary. — SB

7:20pm: O’Dwyer doubles
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Steve O’Dwyer has doubled through Justin Bonomo, making a flush on the turn to take his stack up to the 700,000 mark. — SB

7:15pm: You will survive
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

The music playing from the bar outside the tournament room may or may not help soothe the defeated poker player making their way back to their room. Gloria Gaynor’s “I will survive” is blasting out across the lobby. I suppose it’s possible some might be inspired by this, girding themselves to a future that no longer involves the single high roller. But it’s unlikely. – SB

7:10pm: Level starts with fireworks
Level 12 – Blinds 6,000/12,000 (1,000 ante)

Another flurry of activity. Oleksii Khoroshenin moved all-in a few times without any takers. Then on the table next to them a three way all in pre-flop.

Davidi Kitai: QA
Pablo Fernandez: QQ
Alexandro Kolonias: A4

The board ran 21010K9 to send Koloias out and boost Kitai to the tune of 445,000. – SB

7:05pm: Three-table re-draw
Level 11 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Table 1 Table 2 Table 3
Seat 1 Oleksii Khoroshenin Mustapha Kanit Zorlu Er
Seat 2 Justin Bonomo Thomas Muehloecker Ike Haxton
Seat 3 Steve O’Dwyer Igor Yaroshevskyy Charlie Carrel
Seat 4 Ramin Hajiyev Konstantin Uspenskiy Pablo Fernandez
Seat 5 Paul Newey Julian Stuer Alexandros Kolonias
Seat 6 Nariman Yaghmai Sergio Aido Vladimir Troyanovskiy
Seat 7 Jani Sointula Adrian Mateos Koray Aldemir
Seat 8 Pavel Plesuv David Yan Davidi Kitai

6:55pm: Level ends with fireworks
Level 11 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

A lot of action at the end of the level. First Steve O’Dwyer moved all-in with 88 getting a call from Adrian Mateos with 44. The board came 5210AQ to double up O’Dwyer to around 360,000. Mateos meanwhile drops slightly to 510,000.

Elsewhere Viacheslav Buldygin moved all-in fro 180,000. Charlie Carrel eventually called, predicting they would be flipping. That was right, his 77 against Buldygin’s KQ.

The board ran 28242 to send the Russian wincing to the rail. Carrel now up to around 700,000.

charlie_carrel_sdhr_14dec16.jpgCharlie Carrel

Finally Nick Petrangelo also busted after what seemed like an endless stream of all-ins. He was sent to the rail by Pablo Fernandez, pocket queens against AJ. That leaves us with 24 players, and a redraw, details of which are on the way. – SB

6:50pm: Troyanovskiy doubles through Haxton
Level 11 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

Ike Haxton dropped to 425,000 after he doubled up Vladimir Troyanovskiy.

Haxton opened to 20,000 and then made a considered call after Troyanovskiy three-bet all-in for 99,000 from the next seat.

“That’s not good for me!” said Haxton upon seeing the cards.

Haxton: Q8
Troyanovskiy: A8

The board ran 842J6 meaning Troyanovskiy kicker played. –MC

6:45pm: Greenwood sent out in the cold
Level 11 – Blinds 5,000/10,000 (1,000 ante)

A cooler cost Max Greenwood his tournament life and, as a result, Koray Aldemir moved clear of the field on 820,000.

sam_greenwood_sdhr_14dec16.jpgSam Greenwood

Charlie Carrel opened to 25,000 before Greenwood three-bet all-in for 234,000 from the button and Aldemir four-bet all-in for over half a million from the big blind. Carrel folded.

Aldemir: AA
Greenwood: JJ

The board ran 9876K to see the aces hold up. –MC

6:35pm: Payout information

The payout details are now available. From a prize pool of €2,033,500 some 11 places will be paid with first place paying €559,200. Full details are below.

1st. €559,200
2nd. €397,550
3rd. €260,300
4th. €200,300
5th. €158,610
6th. €124,050
7th. €97,600
8th. €76,260
9th. €57,950
10th. €50,840
11th. €50,840

6:30pm: All ins called and not called
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

A series of all-ins go without callers. First Oleksii Khoroshenin, who tempted Sergio Aido with a call but the Spaniard eventually declined. Alexandros Kolonias tried the same, all in for 116,000. Zorlu Er erred on the side of caution, and passed.

Vladimir Troyanovsky was next, shoving for 100,000 but getting no interest. Then Khoroshenin tried again, shoving for 100,000 with JQ. This time Aido called with 99.

The board ran [jkh]J4A8 to double up Khoroshenin. Aido still in good shape though, but down to 550,000. – SB

6:25pm: Adams got 99 problems with Sointula being one
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Timothy Adams is out. Most of the damage was done by Jani Sointula after a preflop all-in.

Adams moved all-in for 141,000 from the cutoff and Sointula did likewise, for 99,000 from the small blind.

Sointula: AK
Adams: A3

The board ran Q8J6Q and Adams dropped to 42,000.

Adams was taken out by Igor Yaroshevskyy shortly after. –MC

6:15pm: All-ins not called
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Isaac Haxton just got the better of Steve O’Dwyer after seeing a flop. O’Dwyer opened for 16,000 which Haxton raised to 55,000. O’Dwyer called and they saw a 947 flop. O’Dwyer checked this time leaving it to Haxton ,who bet 43,000. That was enough to force O’Dwyer to pass.

isaac_haxton_sdhr_14dec16.jpgIsaac Haxton

There were all ins on other tables. Jani Sointula shoved for 81,000 but got no takers.

Then there was David Peters who did the same, albeit on a board of AJ598. That gave Nick Petrangelo something to think about, who was looking at a call all-in to take him on. He didn’t though, leaving the chips for Peters. – SB

6:10pm: No friends at the poker table
Level 10 – Blinds 4,000/8,000 (1,000 ante)

Ben Heath may be the best mate of Charlie Carrel but the latter is ruthless in his quest for even more glory.

ben_heath_sdhr_14dec16.jpgBen Heath

Carrel opened to 21,000 off the button with K7 and called when Heath moved all-in for 45,000 from the big blind. He opened 109 but couldn’t hit as the board ran 76Q42.

Carrel then went in to take out Ole Schemion and moved up to 560,000 as a result. –MC

6pm: Big hand between Buldygin and Greenwood
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

One of those hands that goes nowhere, but is a lot of fun along the way. It featured Viacheslav Buldygin who opened for 15,000 in the cut off, and Sam Greenwood, who raised to 37,000 on the button. Buldygin called and they saw a flop JKQ.

Buldygin checked then called Greenwood who had bet 36,000. This brought the 10 turn. Buldygin is a bag full of facial expressions. Part confusion, part terror, and another part menace as he looks one way and then the other, all of which ignored by Greenwood.

Both checked the turn for the 4 river card. Again Buldygin checked leaving it to Greenwood to bet 40,000. Buldygin tanked. His brow furrowed, the unfurrowed, then furrowed again with his eyes shut. His eyebrows were constantly busy as he spoke to himself. Then he announced raise, awkwardly pushing forward 60,000 until the dealer informed him it would need to be 80,000, which he paid.

Greenwood moved all in. Buldygin snap called.

Buldygin: AA
Greenwood: AK

There were some “aaaahhs” from everyone at the table, as well as Buldygin and Greenwood. “I’m too nitty,” said Buldygin when Greenwood asked how it hadn’t gone in pre-flop. – SB

5:55pm: Good game, bro
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Mikita Badziakouski busted on the last hand of level 9. He was down to his 72,000 when he moved all-in from early position. Mustapha Kanit was on the button and moved in as well, for 234,000.

Badziakouski: 109
Kanit: AK

The board ran 36394 meaning ace high was good enough.

While this hand was playing out, ElkY walked past and out the door. Word on the street was that Steve O’Dywer did the damage and moved up to 310,000. –MC

5:50pm: Haxton doubles by taking out Adyin
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Isaac Haxton never really seems to have much luck in high roller events. He’s building a decent stack here though, and a lot of that is due to a hand holding against Faith Adyin.

The latter raised to 13,000 from under the gun and called all-in for 1490,000 after Haxton moved in for 170,000 from the small blind.

Haxton: AK
Adyin: AQ

The board ran 63104J to miss both players. –MC

5:40pm: Mateos sends two to the rail
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Adrian Mateos just busts two players to stake his stack up to around 310,000. Mateos had opened, Reiner Kempe then jammed before Mikhail Rudoy called all in for his last 12,000. Mateos called.

Mateos: AK
Kempe: A4
Rudoy: 105

The board ran AQ6JQ to eliminate both Kempe, who won this event last year, and Rudoy. – SB

5:32pm: Top stacks
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Here are the top stacks in the room:

Sergio Aido – 636,000
David Peters – 400,000
Koray Aldemir – 390,000
Zorlu Er – 360,000
Julian Stuer – 340,000
Adrian Mateos – 295,000
David Yan – 270,000
Charlie Carrel – 265,000
Pablo Fernandez – 260000
Justin Bonomo – 250,000

5:30pm: Er calls, no Helppi
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Juha Helppi is the first player out in Level 9. He opened for 13,000 which Zorlu Er called, as did Davidi Kitai on the button. The flop came Q210 which Helppi checked to Er who bet 22,000, forcing Kitai to fold.

Helppi meanwhile moved all-in for 72,000 which Er called.

Helppi: Q3
Er: A3

The turn A and river J provided the overkill. Helppi out. Er up to 360,000. – SB

5:20pm: Play resumes
Level 9 – Blinds 3,000/6,000 (1,000 ante)

Cards are in the air for level 9.

5pm: Break time

That’s the end of Level 8. Players are on a 20 minute break, and the end of which registration will close along with the re-entry period. — SB

4:55pm: Ruzicka out. Dvoress un-derailed
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Vojtech Ruzicka is out thanks to Konstantin Uspinskiy, whose AJ out did Ruzicka’s KQ on a board of 109856. He out.

In other news Daniel Dvoress was just spotted walking back to the tournament area having re-entered. There are less than five minutes left on the leve, with registration closing at the ned of the 20 minute break we’re about to go on at the end of the level. – SB

4:45pm: Dvoress derailed
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Daniel Dvoress is the latest faller. He was all in with four-six on a nine-five-six flop, which Davidi Kitai called with ace-seven. Kitai got the better of the eight on the turn and ten on the river, so send Dvoress to the rail. – SB

4:40pm: Schemion in good schape
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

Ole Schemion is up to around 245,000 after forcing a fold from Oleksii Khoroshenin with a 4-bet shove. In the next hand he lost a little to Charlie Carrel is a raised battle of the blinds, but is still in good shape. — SB


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4:35pm: Rail bound
Level 8 – Blinds 2,500/5,000 (500 ante)

As level 8 begins, the last before re-entry closes, Igor Kurganov busts, full house over full house, against Koray Aldemir. Anthony Zinno is also out, as is Ryan McEathron of Canada. – SB

tournament_room_sdhr_prague_14dec16.jpg

4:30pm: Aido sends Bonomo to the re-entry queue
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

More action as the unstoppable Sergio Aido send Justin Bonomo to the rail. Bonomo says he will immediately re-enter, taking the tally of players to 81, one more than last year (thanks Justin!). Aido meanwhile is up to 600,000. – SB

4:20pm: New record?
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

The arrival of Max Silver means we now have 80 entries, the same number as last year’s event. Registration and re-entries close at the start of level 9 (there is a break at the end of level 8, so we could yet beat that number. – SB

4:15pm: Fatehi falls
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Ali Reza Fatehi is out. I’ll be honest, I forget where people are in terms of re-entries but we think that’s it from Fatehi.

He 3-bet jammed with JJ only to be called by Sergio Aido with QQ. The board ran 76Q78 to dismiss Fatehi. Aido meanwhile is the player to beat right now. He’s up to 560,000, some way ahead of the next biggest stack. – SB

4:10pm: So long Soika
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Ihar Soika is out, sent to the rail by Mikhail Rudoy, AQ against Rudoy’s 105, which became two pairs on the flop. – SB

4:05pm: Pot to Greenwood
Level 7 – Blinds 2,000/4,000 (500 ante)

Charlie Carrel opened for 8,500 and found callers in Sam Greenwood and Oleksii Khoroshenin in the small and big blinds.
The flop came K8A which was checked, as was the 10 turn card. On the 2 river Greenwood bet 20,500 which forced out Khoroshenin. Carrel tanked for a minute and folded too. — SB

charlie_carrel_prague_14dec16.jpgCharlie Carrel

3:55pm: Out but maybe in again
Level 6 – Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Among the recent eliminations are Paul Newey, Igor Kurganov, Mikhail Rudoy and Jean Noel Thorel, although Thorel has just been spotted re-entering. – SB

3:50pm: Second time’s a charm
Level 6 – Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Mustapha Kanit’s second go a the Single Day High Roller seems to be working out better than the first. He just won a sizeable pot against Nariman Yaghmai, who opened for 6,500. Kanit called form the small blind as did Ramin Hajiyev in the big.

The flop came 10108 which was checked all round for a 3 turn. Kanit bet 10,000, forcing Hajiyev to fold, before Yaghmai called for the J turn card. That was a good one for Kanit, who was sitting with J10. He bet another 28,000 and left it to Yaghmai to call. He took his time but eventually he did, very much beaten.

He drops to 65,000 while Kanit now has something in the region of 175,000. – SB

3:30pm: Play restarts
Level 6 – Blinds 1,500/3,000 (500 ante)

Players have returned from the break and cards are in the air.

3:05pm: On course to beat last year’s field

Last year this same event had 64 entries, with 16 re-entries for a total field size of 80. So far today we have 71 entries with five re-entries.

A reminder that registration closes at 6.10pm which is the end of level 8. – SB


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3pm: Break time

After five levels players are on the first 20 minute break of the day. — SB

2:55pm: Going good for Greenwood
Level 5 – Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

Sam Greenwood continues to add to his stack, taking a pot against Paul Newey.

Greenwood opened for 6,000 on the button which Newey called from the big blind. The flop came 297 and Newey check called Greenwood’s bet of 8,200. On the 5 turn Newey checked again, but was forced to call when Greenwood bet another 24,000. – SB

2:45pm: Kanit and Shatilov uppended by Uspenskiy
Level 5 – Blinds 1,200/2,400 (400 ante)

As Martin Kabhrel was leaving the tournament room two more players followed from a single hand.
Konstantin Uspenskiy was the beneficiary, calling the all-ins of Kanit and Andrey Shatilov.

Uspenskiy: QQ
Kanit: K10
Shatilov: A10

The board ran 59953 to send out two players, and leave Uspenskiy with 235,000. – SB

2:30pm: So long Schwippert
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

As the end of the level approaches we have our first proper elimination. By that we mean a player who has used their re-entry and is out for a second time. That player is Jan-Eric Schwippert.

Schwippert, whose shirt has the slogan “Whatever Works” on it, re-entered only a short time ago but got his chips in against David Yan.
On a flop of J73 Yan checked to Schwippert and then called his bet of 31,000. On the 5 turn Yan checked again. This time Schwippert moved all-in and Yan snap called, wasting no time turning over his 77.

Schwippert’s AA was good once, but not anymore. The river card 9 changed nothing and Schwippert was good. David Yan now up to 300,000. — SB

2:20pm: Another player down
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

Steffen Sontheimer is out. He moved in with KQ on a flop of KJ8 for his last 26,500. Sergio Aido had the option to call. He held A9 and after a few momemts thought called.

The turn came 4 and the river 3.

“Sorry,” said Aido. – SB

2:10pm: Kisacikoglu out
Level 4 – Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)

My pen ran out while I was watching this so I had to engrave it onto my notepad. I’ve since “brass rubbed” the page with a pencil and think I have the details correct.

In short Orpen Kisacikoglu is out, sent to the rail by Sergio Aido whose ace-king held off Kisacikoglu’s pocket sevens.
Meanwhile word has come forth that David Yan is up to 235,000. – SB

1:55pm: In on the cheap
Level 3 – Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

Six players qualified for this event in a live satellite. They are: Nicolas Chouity, Ivan Gabrieli, Dong Zhao, Fatih Aydin, Simon Mattsson, Michael Rocco and Andrey Shatilov. – SB

1:45pm: Field increasing in size
Level 3 – Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

Up to 62 players now, with Mustapha Kanit, Dario Sammartino and Jack Salter among the recent arrivals. Just as a reminder, each player starts with 100,000 and can re-enter once up until 6.10pm. – SB

1:35pm: Carrel in tune
Level 3 – Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)

An eighth table has now been opened with 57 players now registered.

Charlie Carrel just won a hand with a pair of fives against Mikita Badziakouski, who had made a pair of threes with his four-three off suit.
Earlier on Carrel was asked how his week had been by Rainer Kempe. Carrel, who finished second in the Super High Roller yesterday, replied “polarised”. When asked the same question by Carrel, Kempe replied “polarised.” — SB

1:20pm: Greenwood against Mattsson
Level 2 – Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Sam Greenwood just won a hand against Simon Mattsson, who is one of the short stacks after doubling Juha Helppi earlier.

Greenwood opened to 3,000 in the hijack which Mattsson called from the cut off for a flop fo 6K2. Greenwood then check called Mattsson’s bet of 4,200 for a J turn. This was checked for the A on the river.

Greenwood, his face never changing from looking as though he were in the middle of a flashback, finally lumped in about 80,000, a random figure that easily eclipsed what Mattson had remaining. Mattsson couldn’t call. — SG


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1:05pm:
Level 2 – Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)

One of the traits of the Single Day High Roller, and event in which new players arrive almost each minutes, if a rapidly changing table draw.
So much so that you can be looking at Ben Heath in the corner table one minute, only to look at the table nearest to you and discover Ben Heath, right in front of you. It’s like those high school photos, relished by the class clown, who knows how to appear twice. It’ll be some time before thing settles down. – SB

1:00pm: Player out
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

This took place either at the end of Level 1 or the very start of level 2, but either way Juha Helppi effectively just doubled up.

Sergio Aido opened to 2,500 from the cut off which Helppi three bet to 6,300 form the button. Koray Aldemir was in the big blind and four bet to 18,200 which Helppi (after Aido folded) raised to something like 80,000. Aldemir shoved ,and Helppi wasted no time calling.

Helppi 1010
Aldemir AK

The board came 35857 to send the chips to Helppi and Aldemir ot the rail, for now. – SB

12:55pm: Action!
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

I was almost thinking that an entire (30 minute) level had gone by without anything of note happening, but then Adrian Mateos doubled up within about 20 minutes. He did so with kings into the ace-king of Simon Mattsson. – SB

12:35pm: Play underway
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

Cards are in the air, with a traditionally relaxed approach to the early stages, with 47 players showing as having registered on the clock. They include Adrian Mateos, Sergio Aido, Jani Sointula, Sam Greenwood, Charlie Carrel, and Ben Heath.

They’re among players sitting down. Those standing up, waiting for a seat assignment include Nick Petrangelo, Jean-Noel Thorel, David Yan, Justin Bonomo, Anthony Zinno, Paul Newey and Thomas Muehloecker and Davidi Kitai. — SB

12:29pm: One minute before play starts
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

As the title of this event suggests we play through to a winner tonight, regardless of how long that takes. Each level if 30 minutes long and the plan is to play 12 and then take a 75 minute break (that will be roughly 8.15pm). Registration for this event closes at 6.15pm, which is also when re-entries close. So if you’re still umming and ahh-ing about whether to play, you have until then. — SB

12:25pm: A few minutes before play starts
Level 1 – Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)

The tournament room is filling up nicely. Already in place are Isaac Haxton, Daniel Dvoress, Timothy Adams, and a lot of players who you see and think “oh yeah, I remember that guy from the last one.” — SB

prague_market_14dec16.jpg

12pm: It’s Single Day High Roller day in Prague

While the Main Event reaches Day 1B the high rollers are back in action for one day and one day only. This is a start to finish romp through the world of high stakes poker, starting in half and hour from now and playing on until the very early hours (or are they the very late hours?) of tomorrow morning.

We expect the balance of players not in the Main Event today, but how the field looks will take a few levels to become clear. Regarldess of how long it takes you can follow all the action in out live updates right here. — SB

EPT13 Prague €25,000 Single Day High Roller

Dates: December 14th, 2016
Buy-in: €25,000 + €500
Entries: 83 (69 unique players; 14 re-entries)
Total prize pool: €2,033,500

POS NAME COUNTRY PRIZE
1 Isaac Haxton USA €559,200
2 Julian Stuer Germany €397,550
3 Adrian Mateos Spain €260,300
4 Ramin Hajiyev Azerbaijan €200,300
5 David Yan New Zealand €158,610
6 Steve O’Dwyer Ireland €124,050
7 Pablo Fernandez Spain €97,600
8 Paul Newey UK €76,260
9 Charlie Carrel UK €57,950
10 Koray Aldemir Germany €50,840
11 Igor Yaroshevskyy Ukraine €50,840

PokerStars Blog reporting team on the EPT13 Prague Single Day High Roller: Stephen Bartley and Marc Convey. Photography by Tomas Stacha. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog.

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