PokerStars EPT Dublin Main Event Day 1a | 2007 PokerStars EPT - Dublin

Level: 3

Blinds: 75/150

Ante: 0

10-30-2007 18:42 UTC+2

Game On

[user38449]

The players have returned from break and the cards are in the air.

10-30-2007 18:42 UTC+2

Joe Rafferty was down to 2800 during the last level after running TPTK into a set. He decided to take off his watch which he bought in Monte Carlo last year and soon was back up to 10,000 chips. He said "I just realised I have not won a pot since I bought it, so it is staying in my pocket!"

Joe was a final tablist in the Dublin EPT a couple of years back. He is now trying to roll back the time and make another appearance this year.

Tags: Joe Rafferty

10-30-2007 18:23 UTC+2

15-Minute Break

[user38449]

The players are currently on a 15-minute break. We'll be updating the chip counts momentarily.

10-30-2007 18:22 UTC+2

Saving Billirakis

[user38449]

According to tournament director Thomas Kremser, Steve Billirakis' chip stack has been removed from play and he will be permitted to play tomorrow. Kremser informed us that they are still unsure of Billirakis' whereabouts, and did not want to punish him in his absence.

Steve will start Day 1b with a full 15,000 chip stack.

Tags: Steve Billirakis

10-30-2007 18:18 UTC+2

Henning Makes a Move!

[user50492]

The flop read {2-Hearts}

and Henning Granstad moves all in for 8,000 over a 2,000 bet from his opponent. There was already 4,000 in pre-flop. Henning's opponent agonised for three or four minutes before folding, Henning showed {A-Hearts}

and said "I had the best hand, right?" whilst raking in the pot which put him back up to 13,000.

Tags: Henning Granstad

10-30-2007 18:10 UTC+2

Seidel Gets Involved in a Big Pot

[user38449]

In a three-way pot that was raised pre-flop, action was checked around to Erik Seidel, who also knuckled the table after seeing the {3-Spades}

flop. When the {8-Spades}

fell on the turn, an opponent in middle position made it 900 to go; Erik was the lone caller. The river brought the {6-Diamonds}

and Seidel's opponent fired again - this time for 1,400. After a moment of deliberation, Erik made the call. His opponent showed a pocket pair of nines, which were good enough to take down the pot. The hand left Erik with approximately 11,000 in chips.

Tags: Erik Seidel

10-30-2007 17:54 UTC+2

Michael Muldoon Does Not Like AK!

[user50492]

Michael Muldoon gets a shorter stack all in pre-flop holding {A-Hearts}

. Unfortunately for him his opponent has {J-Hearts}

and although Michael hit the {A-Clubs}

and

the flop also contained the {J-Spades}

and Michael loses a 12,000 chip pot to leave him in danger on 3,300

10-30-2007 17:43 UTC+2

Super Dario

[user38449]

Sporting the orange and maroon striped scarf he's famous for, Dario Minieri is playing quite aggressively today, getting himself involved in almost every pot.

One particular hand saw Minieri check-raise an opponent on a board showing A-A-Q. His opponent folded and Dario revealed the {3-Clubs}

. Another player at the table not involved in the hand boisterously applauded Dario's bluff, and said "television . . . ahhh," with laughter.

Tags: Dario Minieri

10-30-2007 17:21 UTC+2

Jealousy

[user38449]

Tournament players in the States would be quite envious of the setup here in Dublin. The tournament area features two very large projection screens on either side of the room that show all of the important tournament data players are always asking about.

Before the start of the tournament, the screens displayed a complete list of players and their seating assignments, making things easier for reporters and players alike.

Though there are television monitors at most tournament sites in the States, they're often too small and poorly located. Take my word for it - these things are huge!