2009 PokerNews Cup Alpine

Day 3 completed

Posted 03-28-2009 01:30 GMT+2

Marc Naalden Wins the 2009 PokerNews Cup Alpine Main Event (€46,474)

After three thrilling days of poker culminating in an epic heads-up battle lasting almost three hours, PokerStars online qualifier Marc Naalden has finally been crowned Main Event champion of the inaugural PokerNews Cup Alpine.

The Dutch national and Belgian resident beat a field of 129 runners, including such heavyweights as Marcel Luske, Sandra Naujoks, Noah Boeken, David Saab and of course, Tony G, to take the title. Furthermore, he, as well as all the other players, got to spend a week skiing, feasting, playing some excellent poker and generally having a fine old time in quite frankly the absolute lap of luxury here at the Alpine Palace in Saalbach-Hinterglemm. In that respect, even the losers have come out winners.

If you'd like to take part in the next PokerNews Cup, keep your eye on www.pokernewscup.com for information, and we hope to see you there. In the meantime, it's farewell, goodbye, auf Wiedersehen and indeed adieu from the Alpine Palace and all at PokerNews.

Over and out.

Tags: Marc Naalden.

Runnar Lindepuu Eliminated in Second Place (€29,940)

It took awhile, but after much back and forth action, we finally found our winner.

With Marc Naalden making a standard raise of 75,000 preflop, Runnar Lindepuu took one look at his cards and announced, "All in."

"Call," came the immediate response, much to the interest of the Dutch contingent who swamped the table, their mouths salivating over the possibility of a Dutch winner.

And as Naalden revealed to Lindepuu's , there were few excited fist pumps, the majority sensing victory was nigh.

Indeed, it was, and as the board came , the crowd erupted in cheers for a fellow countryman, and a triumphant Naalden high-fived his nearest railer.

Lindepuu, meanwhile, a fine competitor and highly deserving of his runner-up spot, was reflective in defeat, commenting, "Oh well, second's still good." Well, he's right, second is still good, and good enough for a mighty €29,940.

Tags: Marc Naalden, Runnar Lindepuu.

Naalden Steaming Ahead

Marc Naalden made it 75,000 form the button and Runnar Lindepuu called, but folded instantly when Naalden bet 150,000 on the flop.

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Now it was Lindepuu's turn to make it 75,000 from the button and Naalden's turn to call; they saw the flop. Naalden bet 105,000 and Lindepuu called, but they proceeded to warily check down the turn and river. Amazingly, Naalden's was good enough to take it down and Lindepuu just mucked.

Tags: Marc Naalden, Runnar Lindepuu.

Fireworks-Free Jacks for Naalden

Marc Naalden minimum-raised from the button, and Runnar Lindepuu called; they then proceeded to check all the way down the board, until Naalden bet a speculative 40,000 on the river. Lindepuu called, but mucked with a quiet, "OK," when Naalden turned over .

Tags: Marc Naalden, Runnar Lindepuu.

Updated Chip Counts

Seat 1: Marc Naalden -- 1,075,000
Seat 6: Runnar Lindepuu -- 860,000

Straight to Naalden

Board =

Runnar Lindepuu bet 95,000 and Marc Naalden called.

River =

Lindepuu bet 130,000, Naalden raised to 300,000, Lindepuu folded.

Naalden showed .

Tags: Marc Naalden, Runnar Lindepuu.

Naalden Pushes, Lindepuu Folds

Now on the button, Runnar Lindepuu raised to 75,000 -- only for Marc Naalden to push all in. Lindepuu sniffed and spent a while stacking the chips he'd won in the previous hand, before deciding against the call.

Tags: Marc Naalden, Runnar Lindepuu.

Big Pot for Lindepuu

Marc Naalden made it 75,000 from the button and Runnar Lindepuu called. Flop time.

Flop:

Checking for Lindepuu, and betting 100,000 for Naalden. Call.

Turn:

Checking all round.

River: Lindepuu now bet out 200,000 -- and Naalden decided he didn't like his hand that much after all, and folded.

Lindepuu is now back to a commanding chip lead on 1.2 million.

Tags: Marc Naalden, Runnar Lindepuu.

Small Pot for Lindepuu

The two players reached the turn of the board. Marc Naalden bet 35,000 and Runnar Lindepuu called. Check, check on the river, where Lindepuu picked up the pot with .