The Magician has disappeared from the final table of the £2,000 High Roller here in Aspers Casino Stratford after Tom Middleton dominated a hand from start to finish against the former One Drop winner.
Yorkshire-born Middleton raised pre-flop, and only Esfandiari called. The pair saw a flop of and Middleton made it 20,000 to see a turn, but Esfandiari raised to 52,000. A quick call from Middleton.
The turn of saw Middleton make it 65,000 and Esfandiari called. However, on the river of , Middleton moved all-in!
It would cost all of Esfandiari's chips to see Middleton's cards, and after being in deep thought for a good three or four minutes, The Magician made the call.
Middleton:
Esfandiari:
Middleton's turned full house was way ahead and he knocks out one of the most dangerous players in the field, having a massive chip lead with it.
German Pro Robert Heidorn has been eliminated from the £2,000 High Roller after being all-in with and needing to hit for his tournament life against Chris Moorman, who held .
The flop was the cruellest in poker, an ace in the window, but a nine right behind it as the dealer fanned . The turn of and river confirmed Heidorn's exit.
Luke Hayward opened for 35,000 from the button. Eric Le Goff raised to 85,000 from the small blind and Chris Moorman moved all in from the big blind for 30 big blinds. Hayward folded but Le Goff called.
It was an easy call for Le Goff. Moorman had pocket tens but Le Goff held pocket aces and a blank run out saw Moorman eliminated in fourth place as the remaining three players discussed a deal. Eventually, no agreement could be reached and they play on.
Middleton, you may remember, has experience of a high profile deal discussion before, having won the 2013 EPT Barcelona Main Event three years ago (was it really that long?) for $1,260,100.
Luke Hayward made it 26,000 to go from the button, but Tom Middleton raised to 80,000 from the big blind. Hayward moved all-in for around 600,000 and Middleton made the call.
Tom Middleton:
Luke Hayward:
The board of Ah4s7s3c6s] saw Hayward's stack decimated, reduced to rubble by Middleton. Asked to count out Middleton's double-up with 465,000, Hayward was devastatingly honest in his reply.
Eric Le Goff limped on the button and Tom Middleton checked. The flop was and Le Goff continued for 16,000. Middleton called and the turn was the .
Le Goff bet 30,000 and Middleton called. The river was the and Le Goff bet a 120,000. Middleton thought for a while before calling and he mucked when Le Goff showed .
”I’m breathless. All-in anyway soon.” Middleton said as he was left short-stacked and they went on a break. Middleton will need the boss of all comebacks!
and Middleton made it 20,000 to see a turn, but Esfandiari raised to 52,000. A quick call from Middleton. 
saw Middleton make it 65,000 and Esfandiari called. However, on the river of 
, Middleton moved all-in! 
and needing to hit for his tournament life against Chris Moorman, who held 
. 
confirmed Heidorn's exit.
, Middleton showing 
.
and Le Goff continued for 16,000. Middleton called and the turn was the 
. 
.
