2008 PokerStars.com EPT - Prague

Day 4 completed

Posted 12-14-2008 02:24 GMT+2

And That's a Christmas Wrap

So it's all over and an historic day for Italian poker, as they claim their very first-ever EPT title with Salvatore Bonavena becoming the recipient of the second EPT Prague title and €774,000 for his first-place finish defeating 569 other players.

It's no fluke either, as he had won €100,000 at an event in Venice a few weeks ago, though he still declares himself to be just an amateur player.

And well done to Massimo Di Cicco, who put in an amazing laddering performance and took the chip lead briefly while heads up.

From all of us here in Prague, thanks for tuning in for the last EPT of the year. The next place the tour heads is a slight detour from Europe, across the Atlantic to the Atlantis Casino in the Bahamas for the PCA.

Good night and good luck!

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Salvatore Bonavena Wins the PokerStars.com EPT Prague (€774,000)

Congratulations to Italy's Salvatore Bonavena for a magnificent achievement.

1st Salvatore Bonavena -- €774,000
2nd Massimo Di Cicco -- €445,000
3rd Andrew Alan Chen -- €257,000
4th Alexiou Konstantinos -- €199,000
5th Francesco Cirianni -- €166,000
6th Fredrik Nygard -- €130,000
7th Nasr El Nasr -- €99,500
8th Raul Mestre -- €71,800

Tags: Salvatore Bonavena.

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Massimo Di Cicco Eliminated in 2nd Place (€445,000)

And it's all over! Massimo Di Cicco raised it up preflop and Salvatore Bonavena flat-called. On the flop, Di Cicco wasted no time in announcing he was all-in, and without too much hesitation, Bonavena called.

As the crowd closed in, all eyes were on the felt, patiently awaiting the hole cards to be revealed. "He was bluffing!" exclaimed the commentary team as Di Cicco showed for ace high and the gutshot draw. Bonavena, meanwhile, tabled for top pair.

The turn was close, but no cigar, and with Di Cicco in search of a five or an ace on the river, the missed by a country mile and sealed the deal for the start-of-day chip leader... Bonavena is the 2008 EPT Prague champion and the first-ever Italian EPT champion.

An emotional moment for all involved, but especially the winner who quickly draped himself in the white, red and green of his home nation.

Tags: Massimo Di Cicco, Salvatore Bonavena.

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Big Reraise From Bonavena

Massimo Di Cicco made it 180,000 preflop, but soon gave it up when Salvatore Bonavena bumped it up to a stonking 800,000.

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Saved by the River

With the board reading , Massimo Di Cicco check-called a bet of 200,000 before checking down the river. Amazingly, Di Cicco's was ahead on the turn, but Salvatore Bonavena's got there on the end.

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New Chip Leader

Massimo Di Cicco has taken the chip lead for the first time today and now has 2,928,000 to Salvatore Bonavena's 2,769,000.

Tags: Massimo Di Cicco.

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Di Cicco Takes Over

Massimo Di Cicco raises to 210,000 from the button. Salvatore Bonavena reraises to 680,000 and Di Cicco immediately moves all in. Bonavena is getting about 2-to-1 on his call but decides he doesn't want to play. He folds and Di Cicco is now chip leader!!!

Tags: Massimo Di Cicco, Salvatore Bonavena.

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Bonavena Strikes Back

Massimo Di Cicco raised to 180,000, but folded after Salvatore Bonavena announced all in.

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Double-Up for Di Cicco

The two Italians check a flop and Massimo Di Cicco bets 120,000 on the turn. Salvatore Bonavena raises to 420,000 and Di Cicco quickly moves all in. Bonavena calls instantly.

Bonavena:
Di Cicco:

The river is the and Di Cicco doubles up and now the chip stacks are virtually even!

Tags: Massimo Di Cicco, Salvatore Bonavena.

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