2009 PokerStars.com EPT Vilamoura
Vilamoura Championship Main Event
Day: 1b
A Big, Long Pot
First into the pot from middle position, Dario Minieri opened with a raise to 1,050. On the button, Allan Baekke re-raised to 2,200, and Minieri called.
The flop came out , and fireworks ensued. Minieri led out into the pot with a bet of 2,250. Baekke raised to 7,400, and Minieri came right back with a re-raise to 17,750. That move took Baekke aback.
"Wow," he said with a big sigh. "I'm not sure I can get away from this hand against you, Dario... I'm all in." With that, Baekke slid his remaing stack into the middle, 22,175 on top of Minieri's raise.
Now it was Dario's turn in the tank. After several minutes of gear turning, he too started talking. "Will you show me if I fold?" Baekke shrugged and said, "Probably not."
"Even just one?" pleaded Dario, flashing puppy-dog eyes. "I can't give you all the information," responded Baekke.
The entire hand had taken at least eight or ten minutes by now, and the tournament clock was ticking down to the break. "I'm sorry, but I need the break," said Baekke. "I have to call the clock. I'm sorry."
Dario understood. "No, you're right." The floor man was just about to give the ten-second countdown when Minieri quietly said, "Okay, I fold."
With that, Baekke took down the big pot, and the table headed off to break. Don't worry about Dario. He's had a fine start to his day, and he still has 46,825 chips to work with after the first two hours.
Level: 3
Blinds: 100/200
Ante: 0
Back in Action
Darkness Falls
Oh wait, the emergency lights are on now. And the internet is still working, it seems.
Play balls, ladies and gentlemen.
Shut it Down
The big board shows us that 186 players came out to play today, an increase of 50 players over yesterday's flight. That means the two Day 1s combined have assembled a field of 322 runners.
We should have a full prizepool available shortly.
Marco?
Showdown
Couto:
Della Tommasina:
De Carvalho:
The board would run out thusly: . Della Tommasina's aces hold, and he's notched a big double elimination on just his third hand of the day. He's up over 75,000 now, and he appears to have the biggest stack in the room.
Welcome to the tournament, Marco.
No Stress for Strassmann
Strassmann thought about it for a moment, and then made it 10,100 total. Schulze got out of the way, but Kers paused for a while and then made it another 6,100 to go. Strassmann moved all in to cover, looking suspiciously relaxed, and Kers disappeared into the tank for some time. He stacked and re-stacked his chips, scratching his head uncomfortably. Eventually he shook his head and folded.
"Show the bluff, show the bluff!" said tablemate Marcin Horecki, clearly enjoying the show. Strassmann grinned broadly but showed nothing at all by way of cards. He's up to 55,000.
Eastgate Gives Up
The river brought the . Minieri asked Eastgate how much he had left, and the Nordic pro moved his hands out of the way to show his ~11,000 remaining chips. Minieri then checked. Eastgate considered a move, but he eventually checked behind. And he wishes he hadn't. Minieri tabled for bottom pair, and Eastgate mucked his hand. He leaned back in his chair and let out a big, "Ohhhhhh, shit," after giving up on what he later said was king-high.
Eastgate is left with those 11,000 chips, while Minieri has moved back up over 50,000.
Level: 4
Blinds: 150/300
Ante: 0