EPT Barcelona Open Main Event Day 1a | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

09-10-2008 23:11 UTC+3

Cowboys Gun Down the Knaves

[user4144]

A massive pot emerged on Christian Harder's former table as not one, not two, but three (times a lady?) players pushed all in preflop. Although Dennis Bejedal was in great shape with pocket kings against his neighbor's pocket jacks, the other pair of cowboys across the table meant he'd be drawing virtually dead if a third knave was to spike the flop. But with the board coming a rainbow Q-10-7-3-5, no such horror occurred, and the pot was chopped up between the two victors.

Tags: Dennis Bejedal

09-10-2008 23:10 UTC+3

Michael Mizrachi Wins Without a Showdown

[user40108]

Action folded around to Michael Mizrachi on the button and he raised to 700. The big blind looked him up and they took a flop heads up.

The big blind checked dark as the flop fell {7-Clubs}

. Mizrachi bet 725 and after considerable deliberation, the big blind tossed out the call. He checked dark again and the {5-Diamonds}

hit the turn. Mizrachi checked behind and the river came the {9-Diamonds}

.

The big blind checked, possibly dark again, and Mizrachi confidently pushed out 1,250. His opponent made a reluctant fold and "The Grinder" took down the pot without a showdown. He now commands a stack of just shy of 25,000 and has his sights set on Day 2.

09-10-2008 23:07 UTC+3

Christian Harder Elliminated

[user4144]

Also biting dust is Christian Harder, the young American singing his swan song with A-10 and running into the pocket rockets of Sweden's Dennis Bejedal.

Tags: Christian Harder Dennis Bejedal

09-10-2008 23:04 UTC+3

Greg Raymer Elliminated

[user4144]

Greg Raymer is no more. He made his move with Q-10 suited, but was unable to out-coinflip Jonathan Dwek's pocket sixes.

Tags: Greg Raymer

09-10-2008 23:01 UTC+3

Technical Difficulties

[user40108]

We, along with all the other media outlets, have been experiencing intermittent internet outages. They have not typically been lasting more than 20-25 minutes; however it goes without saying that they can, have, and will cause a disturbance in the continuity of our live coverage.

While we don't expect any more disruptions, they are possible, and should they occur, please keep in mind we are still here, working diligently to bring you the action the moment our connection returns.

Thanks so much for your patience.

Level: 6

Blinds: 150/300

Ante: 25

09-10-2008 22:51 UTC+3

I Sverre He Can Make a Comeback

[user4144]

One player dragging his knuckles along the floor during the break was Norwegian star Sverre Sundbo. His brooding was the result of a blind-on-blind confrontation. "I called a seven-high flop with K-Q, and hit a king on the turn. He bet, I pushed and he called with K-J, jack on the river."

"Are you short short or just short?" I asked.

"Er... short," he replied. "I have 6,500."

"You've been a lot shorter before and come back," I continued. "Remember Amsterdam?"

"Yeah, it happened in the WSOP Main Event. Dortmund too, where I was down to just a 150, but finished the day third in chips."

Tags: Sverre Sundbo

09-10-2008 22:26 UTC+3

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user40108]

Play resumes.

09-10-2008 22:11 UTC+3

Players Are On a Break

[user40108]

Play will resume in 15 minutes.

09-10-2008 22:10 UTC+3

Greg Raymer's Stack More Than Halved

[user25067]

Greg Raymer opened for a preflop raise to 750, the player in the hijack seat called, and the cutoff moved all in for his remaining 4,750. Donning his infamous glasses and one of his signature fossils protecting his cards, Raymer tanked for several minutes before electing to make the call. The hijack folded and the hands were turned up, Raymer's {Q-Diamonds}

in a race situation with his opponent's {8-Clubs}

.

The board ran out {A-Diamonds}

, the cutoff winning the coin flip. Raymer was down to around 4,000 after the hand.

"I was getting 2-1 and thought it was right to call against your range," explained Fossilman.

Tags: Greg Raymer