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

10-01-2009 13:49 UTC+2

55 Minutes Left of This Level

[user46392]

Let's play poker!

Level: 22

Blinds: 10,000/20,000

Ante: 3,000

10-01-2009 13:49 UTC+2

Players have been announced (favourite Jack Effel quote: "To say [Praz Bansi] is hot would be an understatement"), they have all stood up in turn and waved like the queen at the crowd and cameras, and now there is only one thing left to say.

Shuffle up and deal!

10-01-2009 13:38 UTC+2

Nearly, Nearly There

[user46392]

A long list of pretty much everybody involved in the production of this WSOPE has been reeled off by Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack, to sporadic bursts of applause. We are proud to say that your PokerNews bloggers got a mention -- thanks, Commish!

Anyway, the upshot of this is that we are now ready to go. Mic to Jack Effel...

Tags: Jeffrey Pollack

10-01-2009 13:26 UTC+2

Jason Mercier First For Portrait (So Can Get On With Stacking Chips)

[user46298]

Mmm, fake money, tastes just like real money

Each player has taken their turn in front of a camera, and a gigantic pile of very realistic-looking fake money. It gets its own velvet-covered side table and probably features in the background of as many shots as possible. Mercier started unpacking and stacking his chips before everyone else, and appears to still be doing so after they've all finished. Must be nice.

The players are finally in position, and we expect the start any moment... expect some top class poker from some experienced, relaxed players who are ready to fight for the £800k top prize and the super-presigious bit of WSOPE jewellery.

Tags: Jason Mercier

10-01-2009 13:19 UTC+2

Nearly There

[user46392]

Most players are now seated and debagging chips, but they're still periodically being called away to have their photos taken and the like.

Some minutes yet.

10-01-2009 13:11 UTC+2

Who's Holding Things Up?

[user46392]

Jack Effel on the mic:

"James Akenhead and Praz Bansi, would you please make your way to the stage. If you are in the building, Praz Bansi and James Akenhead, please come to the final table."

By the by, all the finalists are being asked to sign an actual table top that someone has propped against a wall. Someone's going to get a nice souvenir -- Betfair will be giving it away as a prize in their Online Side Series.

10-01-2009 13:05 UTC+2

Final Table Being Drilled Together Now

[user46392]

Hello and welcome back to the Empire Casino in Leicester Square where our frankly very exciting final table should be underway in the foreseeable future. We can hear drilling still, suggesting that the set is still kind of being built. Whatever that's about, something is definitely happening out here on Centre Court and we predict that we'll be getting going in perhaps 15 or 20 minutes.

So, our runners. Six bracelet winners. Two November Niners. Nine quality players. This is going to be awesome.

Seat 1: Barry Shulman - 1,090,000
Seat 2: Jason Mercier - 3,198,000
Seat 3: Praz Bansi - 1,160,000
Seat 4: Markus Ristola - 784,000
Seat 5: Chris Bjorin - 518,000
Seat 6: James Akenhead - 1,398,000
Seat 7: Daniel Negreanu - 438,000
Seat 8: Antoine Saout - 701,000
Seat 9: Matt Hawrilenko - 674,000