2008 PokerStars.net EPT San Remo

Day 4 completed

Posted 04-08-2008 08:36 GMT+1

The Final Goodbye from San Remo

With the victory of Jason Mercier, in what might have been one of the fastest final table conclusions in recent memory, our coverage of the 2008 Pokerstars.net EPT-San Remo draws to a close. This has been an excellent event set in a beautiful location.

The next stop for the PokerNews team will be the EPT-Monte Carlo event scheduled for April 12-17. We hope you'll join us as we bring you the action live, with the quality you've come to expect from PokerNews.

Jason Mercier is Our Champion ($1,340,867)

After four long days of tournament poker, Jason Mercier has emerged the victor. If you recall, Mercier was the chipleader at the end of Day 2 and hasn't looked back since. Despite the typical ups and downs that are inevitable in late-stage tournament poker, Mercier never lost focus and with a bit of luck, managed to capture his first major title. In addition to bragging rights and an EPT trophy, Mercier will collect a $1,340,867 reward for besting the large and skilled field here in San Remo. Congratulations, Jason!

Anthony Lellouche Eliminated in 2nd Place ($779,215)

On just the second hand of heads-up play, a series of preflop raises had Anthony Lellouche all in for his tournament life. The players showed:

Lellouche:
Mercier:

The flop came down , giving Jason Mercier not only a stranglehold on the hand, but putting him just two cards away from the championship. As is the norm, the turn and river were painfully drawn out, but eventually they came the and respectively, thus leaving Lellouche the runner-up and crowning Jason Mercier champion. Lellouche will take home $779,215 for his outstanding finish.

Shuffle Up And Deal!

Play resumes.

Updated Chip Counts

Going into heads-up play, Jason Mercier holds a 4 to 1 chip lead over Anthony Lellouche.

Jason Mercier - 5,647,000
Anthony Lellouche - 1,392,000

Players Are On a Break

Once again, for the sake of chip count accuracy and television camera angles, the players have taken another quick break.

Dario Minieri Eliminated in 3rd Place ($443,767)

The first hand after Gregory's elimination Dario Minieri made it 100,000 and Jason Mercier makes it 340,000. Dario calls and we go to a heads-up flop of . Jason checks. Dario bets 400,000 and Jason moves all in. Dario wastes no time calling and shows . Jason was on the flush draw with the . The on the turn gave Jason a couple more outs and the meant that the final two Italians have been eliminated in successive hands. Dario Minieri earns $443,767 for finishing in third place.

Tags: Dario Minieri, Jason Mercier.

Eric Koskas Eliminated in 4th Place ($345,015)

After a preflop raise and call, Jason Mercier and Eric Koskas were heads up going to the flop. There was 187,000 in the pot and the flop came . Both players checked. The turn came the and Koskas bet 220,000. Mercier made the call and the board paired with the on fifth street. Eric Koskas instantly moved all in and Mercier went into the tank. After about two minutes, Mercier made the call. Both men were reluctant to table their hands but eventually Koskas showed T-3 for the bluff. Mercier then triumphantly flipped over 9-5 for the winning hand and pumped his fist in celebration. Koskas was eliminated in fourth place and will collect $345,015 for his efforts.

Eric Koskas Playing Power Poker

Dario Minieri raised to 100,000 from under the gun. Eric Kostas called from the button. The blinds passed and it was heads up to the flop of . Kostas immediately moved all in and Minieri folded. Kostas took down the pot.