2010 EPT Deauville
Main Event
Day: 2
Quitting Your Day Job
The PokerStars Job 2 Stars contest began with 90 players qualifying through a series of satellites on their online poker client. Another ten players were added from a selection of "job application" videos they submitted. The 100 players first competed in a live semi-final in Paris, consisting of an interview in front of a panel of judges and psychologists, a heads-up challenge against ElkY, and a Sit 'n Go. From that initial interview process came ten finalists, and they were all invited to the EPT Deauville for their final interview -- competing in the Main Event.
What's at stake for these hopefuls? Oh, just a €100,000 salary from PokerStars and €200,000 in live event buyins. That's all.
Eight of the finalists were still alive heading into today's Day 2, including the EPT French co-commentator Pierre Canali and well-known cash gamer Thomas Bichon. The race for the top spot is a close one, and Canali knows it. "At the moment," he says, "there are about four of us who are all at the top and very close in points. We are almost equal, so that doesn't make today very easy."
Bichon seems to be the odds-on favorite, at least in the eyes of Canali. "I think I have a good chance to win, but it will be very hard. This is essentially a last-longer now, and Bichon will be tough to beat."
We'd agree with Canali's summary, but after checking on fellow-finalist Diane Maarek, we think her leather gloves might be too much for the others to overcome.
French Poker Awards
During Day 1a, the tournament was paused with one level left for an awards ceremony in the casino. The French Poker Awards drew the attention of everyone in attendance as the poker community came together to recognize the French standouts from 2009. Gloria Balding had a VIP pass to the ceremony, and she managed to catch up with a few of the winners (and one no-show) shortly thereafter. While there's not much happening in Day 2, you might want to scope out this video.
Matternity Leave
Hey Jude!
Ainsworth checked a flop to Antoine Saout, who bet 7,700. Ainsworth called and again checked after the turned. Saout bet 16,000, and Ainsworth insta-shipped. He had Saout covered more than three times over, and Antoine looked a little ill as the press swarmed the table. He tanked under the heat of the video cameras for a solid 3 minutes before giving up the hand.
Ainsworth: 220,000
Saout: 58,000
Hong Hung Out to Dry
The flop came out , and Sagne continued out with a bet of 7,700. Hong didn't waste any time making the call, and fourth street revealed the . Sagne checked this time, and Hong fired out 11,000. The call came quickly, and the last card off the deck was the . Sagne paused for a long while before tapping the felt, and Hong checked behind.
The dealer motioned to Hong to table her hand, but she instead slid her cards into the muck. Sagne flashed his for ace-high as he dragged the pot. "You still win," said Hong with a smile.
She's slipped back to about 165,000 -- less than she had, but still well above average.
Assorted Chip Counts
Alexia Portal - 95,000
Katja Thater - 110,000
Davidi Kitai - 140,000
Vladimir Geshkenbein - 170,000
Javed Abrahams - 90,000
Pascal Perrault - 175,000
Yann Brosolo - 10,000 only
ElkY - 220,000
Paul Testud - 35,000
Bruno Fitoussi - 75,000
Luca Pagano - 280,000
Stephan Kjerstad - 50,000
Andrew Teng - 260,000
Melanie Weisner - 85,000
Nicolas Levi - 145,000
Dario Minieri - 130,000
Mike "Timex" McDonald - 35,000
Catherine Hong - 165,000
A Furious Pace
Speaking of the money, if play continues at this rate, there's a significant chance we'll burst the bubble before play concludes.
Arnault Bags Up
The Louis Vuitton supremo is up to 160,000 after that.
Kabrhel Stifles Hijack Hijinks
Kabrhel is up to 70,000.