£10,000 WSOPE Main Event | 2009 World Series of Poker Europe

10-01-2009 16:16 UTC+2

Dwell-less Victory for Negreanu

[user46298]

Barry Shulman raises to 55k, called by Markus Ristola and small blind James Akenhead. Big blind Daniel Negreanu, seemingly not content with that bet, and in no mood this afternoon for folding, made it 173k more to play. It was some good timing on his part if he had a little, or some bad timing if he had a lot - all his would-be opponents mucked their cards as fast as I've ever seen on a table where filming is taking place.

Tags: Barry Shulman Daniel Negreanu

10-01-2009 16:10 UTC+2

The Only Card Negreanu Needs Is the Ace of Spades, the Ace of Spades

[user46392]

Daniel Negreanu raised to 48,000 and Matt Hawrilenko called; over to Praz Bansi on the button who re-raised to 160,000. Back to Negreanu, and a four-bet. Hawrilenko passed, and the action moved back to Bansi.

Bansi took his time, while across the table Negreanu looked very innocent and occasionally furrowed his brow. Bansi eventually looked at his hole cards again in case they had changed into something else; they hadn't, and he went back into the tank. He said something we couldn't hear, and eventually folded.

"Wah! Best card in the deck," said Negreanu, flashing the {A-Spades}

. Bansi's expression was unreadable.

Bansi - 929,000
Negreanu - 1,549,000

Tags: Daniel Negreanu Praz Bansi

10-01-2009 16:06 UTC+2

Hawrilenko Tries On Short Stack; Doesn't Like It

[user46298]

It's fallen on Matt Hawrilenko to take up the worrying mantle of short stack now (although with nearly half a million in chips even he's still got room to play). He decided to ship his remaining 421k in preflop over the top of James Akenhead's 62k just now, and although he got a bit of an eyeroll he also got a quick fold from Akenhead and a nearly 20% increase in his stack.

Tags: James Akenhead Matt Hawrilenko

10-01-2009 15:53 UTC+2

Who's On the Rail?

[user46392]

Some of Great Britain's finest have turned up to rail their buddies James Akenhead and Praz Bansi.

Currently seated ringside are Karl Mahrenholz, who narrowly missed out on cashing in this event, as well as well-known British circuit favourite Maria Demetriou who caught a ridiculous late-night train from Grantham to be here; also fearsome-at-the-felt brothers Sunny and Chaz Chattha, and two time bracelet winner JP Kelly.

10-01-2009 15:52 UTC+2

Taking Turns

[user46298]

The very next hand Praz, seemingly invigorated by that pot, takes the blinds with a preflop raise. Then it's Markus Ristola's turn, again with no resistance.

Finally another flop: {4-Spades}

after Antoine Saout tried his turn with the old preflop raise. This time it took a further bet of 70k on the flop to take the pot down.

Tags: Antoine Saout

10-01-2009 15:46 UTC+2

Birthday Praz-ent

[user46392]

Matt Hawrilenko raised to 60,000 and Praz Bansi called, as did James Akenhead in the big blind. Interesting.

Flop: {2-Clubs}

As TD Jack Effel said, "Check's good."

Turn: {6-Hearts}

Once again, checks all round.

River: {K-Hearts}

Hawrilenko now bet 90,000 -- and all of a sudden, Bansi raised to 300,000. Akenhead lost all interest and passed, and Hawrilenko was left with a serious decision. He stared intently, before his face melted into a an expression that suggested he wasn't going to call. Nevertheless he tanked up for a good long while -- but made the fold, and the first really convincing round of applause we've heard during this tournament echoed around the rail.

Hawrilenko is now our official shorty, on 513,000.

Tags: Matt Hawrilenko Praz Bansi

10-01-2009 15:38 UTC+2

Shulman Wakes Up, Doesn't Back Down

[user46298]

Shulman Stacks Some of Mercier's Raising Chips

Barry Shulman, quiet since winning Hand One of this final table, just made it 50k to go preflop. Jason Mercier repopped him on the button (total bet now 156k). Action back to Shulman, who was having none of it - he made it 506k to get any further and Mercier relinquished the hand without a flop.

Tags: Barry Shulman Jason Mercier

10-01-2009 15:36 UTC+2

Mercier Likes a Good Sausage

[user46392]

Every day of this tournament, Jason Mercier has ordered the same tableside lunch from casino staff -- a mouthwatering plate of that great British classic, bangers and mash -- and said delicacy has just made its Final Table appearance. We can smell the gravy from here. Cocktails!

10-01-2009 15:32 UTC+2

Reluctant Showdown Still Wins Chips for Mercier

[user46298]

Markus Ristola raised to 63k preflop just now, called by Matt Hawrilenko, and Jason Mercier.

The flop: {4-Hearts}

. No further betting led to the {Q-Clubs}

coming out on the turn... and again no bet from any of them.

On the {5-Hearts}

river, it's Mercier who took the first stab at the pot, but got a call from Hawrilenko. He showed down the {9-Clubs}

, which turned out to be good, though.

Tags: Jason Mercier Markus Ristola Matt Hawrilenko

10-01-2009 15:27 UTC+2

Chip Leader Vs. Second Chip Leader

[user46392]

Jason Mercier raised under the gun and the action folded to James Akenhead, who looked concerned yet purposeful; he reraised to 175,000. Back to Mercier who folded apparently without any difficulty, and the pot went to Akenhead.

Tags: James Akenhead Jason Mercier