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Pieter de Korver, who refuses to ever be anything less than the cheeriest man around at any tournament is happily sitting with about 74,000.
With a flop of 
de Korver got his opponent all-in holding 
but having to dodge a few outs against 
but the Dutchman and former EPT Monte Carlo winner saw a 
turn and 
river to propel him happily to the top of leader board.
No sooner had we reported that Arnaud Mattern had doubled up to 37,000 than we received a text message from him. It said simply: "72k. Boom." We scuttled over to his table to find out more.
It transpired that Mattern had raised with pocket kings and received a call from the gentleman in the cutoff before the player on the button made it 2,500 to go. Mattern made it 7,225, both players called, and they saw a ten-high flop, when Mattern and one of the other two players got all the chips in. Mattern's opponent revealed a very behind pair of jacks, and Mattern had leapt from short stack to near chip leader in just a few hands.
This could be the start of a very, very good tournament for Mattern. After making his impressive third EPT final table in Tallinn just a couple weeks ago and picking up an impressive €160,000 for third place, Mattern must nevertheless have felt a twinge of disappointment that his pocket queens couldn't stay ahead (see here) and he did not that time become the first person ever to win two EPT titles. Mattern clearly wants that second title and is clearly on form. And although it's very early days, he's now got some serious chips to wield.
A pot snowballed just now until it engulfed the entire 18,375 young Portugese player Diogo Veiga had in front of him preflop. I only caught this hand from Veiga's preflop shove, but this must have been a five-bet as mid-position player Alexey Golodyaev had 5,800 already in front of him. He thought for a moment, but found the call with the big slick 
and raised a probably-happy eyebrow to see that he was in dominating shape against Veiga's 
. The board rolled out 
and with the heart flush draw hope disappearing on the river, Veiga followed out the door.
One of the Portuguese reporters/supporters was clearly disappointed and headed off saying something which sounds like, "Shipped!"
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
72,000
56,000
|
56,000 |
|
||
|
70,000
27,975
|
27,975 |
|
50,000
20,000
|
20,000 |
|
48,000
21,200
|
21,200 |
|
39,000
9,000
|
9,000 |
|
35,000 | |
|
31,500
1,500
|
1,500 |
|
27,000
-3,000
|
-3,000 |
|
17,500
-12,500
|
-12,500 |
|
13,750
-16,250
|
-16,250 |
|
|
||
Dan Carter opened preflop to 750 and Dan Heimiller made the call in position to see a flop 
.
Dan of the Carter variety bet 950 and he of the Heimiller clan made the call to see a 
turn.
This time Mr Carter bet 2,100 and Mr Heimiller looked unhappy and folded as the youngster and keen golfer took this pot. Both players still have around 40,000 however.
"How's the other troublemaker doing?" asked one of the Lerner brothers; we confess that we had to look up which was which. This was Aaron speaking.
His brother Derek across the way is currently seated at a very interesting table, including British stalwarts Vicky Coren and Barny Boatman. Derek currently has 26,000, while Aaron is in possession of a rather more impressive 55,000. We are really, really hoping that they end up at the same table - although it would really help us out if they kept their tournament ID cards with them. Perhaps on Day 2 we can get them to fight the de Meulder twins or something.
It's unfortunate that rules and regulations here in Vilamoura don't allow snapshots at the tables, especially as there are always those who come prepared with particularly glorious sunglasses or bright or slogan-covered outfits (not evident in the roasting sun outside in the breaks) simply asking to be pictured. A little rundown of a few things players have displayed today, as the second break edges into view:
Tobias Reinkemeier sports the environment-suitable 'Life's a Gamble' while Evgeny Shnayder in similar-themed if rather more dour terms tells us on his back "Misspent Youth and Dreams Deferred" with a picture of crossed spiky baseball bats. While giving him a suitably respectful berth, we spotted Riekus Hein Wijermars whose shirt says "Zanerobe SEARCH + RESCUE" above a quartered crest featuring Bird/Leaf/Cross/Deer head, which is winning Shirt of the Day thus far.
Quarter of an hour ticking down - everyone out in the sun, which is blazing right outside the glass wall of the casino... play resumes thereafter.
Level: 5
Blinds: 150/300
Ante: 25
Disaster for Chris Moorman who just can't get a break in live poker tournaments.
In a reraised pot Konsta Vesterinen had fired 5,025 on the flop of 
Daniel Möller had flat-called before Moorman moved all-in for around 25,000. Vesterinen folded but Möller made the call, Moorman turning over 
for middle set but he was crestfallen to see Möller holding the one hand beating him - 
.
Bricks on the turn and with no sight of his 1-outing 
meant that Moorman will mostly be enjoying the golf and the weather here in Vilamoura this week.
