EPT San Remo Day 1a | 2008 PokerStars.net EPT San Remo

04-02-2008 01:18 UTC+2

Thor Hansen Treading Water

[user40108]

Norwegian professional Thor Hansen is doing his best to make Day 2. Hansen has yet to have an above-average stack for any length of time and is currently struggling with a dangerously low 3,800 in chips. Hansen remains patient however as he folds hand after hand, waiting for his spot to double up.

04-02-2008 01:06 UTC+2

Rory Rees Brennan is Eliminated

[user50492]

Rory Rees Brennan moved his last chips in over the top of a raise and found himself in a race. He had 9-9 against A-Q and the ace hit the flop. He never really got going enough to build a stack.

04-02-2008 01:03 UTC+2

Last Level of the Day

[user50492]

Because of the larger than normal field they are playing a ninth level tonight.

Level: 9

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 100

04-02-2008 00:52 UTC+2

Dario Minieri Doubles Up

[user40108]

After unknown pre-flop action, three players including Dario Minieri saw a flop of {J-Hearts}

. Minieri checked, as did the middle-position player. The button bet 1,050 and Minieri moved all in for 6,950. The middle-position player passed and the button made the call. Minieri quickly asked, "A jack?" The button nodded and turned up {7-Clubs}

. Minieri pumped his fist as he turned up {9-Hearts}

. Fourth and fifth streets were blanks for both men and Minieri doubled up to roughly 17,000 in chips.

04-02-2008 00:46 UTC+2

Chip Leaders

[user50492]

The biggest stacks we can see are:

Anthony Spinelli 96,000
Ville Nyman 92,000
Unknown 92,000
Isaac Baron 80,000
Dag Palovic 63,000

04-02-2008 00:42 UTC+2

The Field Shrinks

[user40108]

With a loss of over half the starting players, the field has been reduced to a more modest and manageable dozen or so tables. This consolidation is making things easier on the players, spectators, tournament staff and media alike.

04-02-2008 00:32 UTC+2

The Hat is Out!

[user50492]

Nicolas Levi has just been eliminated from the tournament. In the words of our unofficial French liason Ludovic Lacay: "He pushed after some limpers with A-K for 4,000 and was insta-called by J-10. You know the rest, thanks for the Sklanksky bucks..."

Tags: Nicolas Levi

04-02-2008 00:19 UTC+2

Juha Helppi Sighting

[user40108]

Juha Helppi was just spotted playing in a 2,000 Euro tournament in the area adjacent to the current Day1a action. While not a guarantee, it is probably safe to say we'll see Mr. Helppi in tomorrow's field.

04-02-2008 00:17 UTC+2

Jeppe Bech-Sørensen Doubles Through Stefan Raffay

[user40108]

A short-stacked Jeppe Bech-Sørensen moved all in before the flop from early position for his last 6,525. Action folded to Stefan Raffay on the button. He moved all in to isolate and did just that. The players showed:

Raffay: {A-Diamonds}

Bech-Sørensen: {7-Spades}

The flop was bad news for Bech-Sørensen as it came down {A-Clubs}

with the ace right in the door. Bech-Sørensen headed for the exit but didn't get far. From the corner of his eye he saw the dealer lay down the {7-Clubs}

on the turn. With Raffay now drawing dead, he casually strolled back to his seat and got back to business.