EPT Barcelona Open Main Event | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

Level: 25

Blinds: 20,000/40,000

Ante: 4,000

09-14-2008 18:56 UTC+3

Set Saves Mercier

[user4144]

Dren Ukella raised it up to 82,000 from under the gun, only for Jason Mercier to push all in for a total of 437,000. With blinds of 20,000 and 40,000, everybody was wondering whether the German's small preflop raise was intended to entice a reraise, or to attack the blinds cheaply with a marginal hand, but whilst we were trapped in mid-deliberation, the action halted on former banker Martin Nielsen.

"He's not going to call," predicted Daniel Negreanu as Nielsen asked for a count, but Kid Poker's crystal ball was severely clouded as the Dane slid two columns of chips across the felt. "Woah!" exclaimed a genuinely startled Negreanu.

With Ukella stepping out of the way quicker than a hiccup, Mercier released a deep sigh and turned over {6-Spades}

. Nielsen tabled a domineering {10-Hearts}

The

flop was a safe one, no six and no draws, no nothing. As we awaited the turn card, the tension increased; Nielsen picked his ear and Mercier rubbed his chin, his expression already accepting of an eight place exit.

But the turn came the {6-Clubs}

!!! The crowd went wild and screams even emanated from the press room. A harmless {2-Spades}

on the river, and the miracle was complete, Mercier had survived and the double EPT dream was still alive.

Tags: Jason Mercier Martin Nielsen

09-14-2008 19:05 UTC+3

Updated Chip Counts

[user25067]

Sebastian Ruthenberg 1,394,000
Fintan Gavin 977,000
Jason Mercier 944,000
Daniele Mazzia 797,000
Dren Ukella 783,000
Davidi Kitai 489,000
Martin Nielsen 432,000
Samuel Chartier 421,000

09-14-2008 19:15 UTC+3

Martin Nielsen Eliminated in 8th Place (€ 119,000)

[user25067]

Jason Mercier opened for 103,000, Martin Nielsen moved all in from the button and Mercier made the call. Mercier turned up {10-Hearts}

, leading Nielsen's {A-Diamonds}

. The flop was {K-Spades}

, but the

turned, leaving Nielsen drawing to either an ace or a deuce. The river, though was the {K-Clubs}

and Nielsen was the first player eliminated from this final table. For his efforts, he earned € 119,000.

After the hand Mercier was up to 1,376,000.

Tags: Jason Mercier Martin Nielsen

09-14-2008 19:26 UTC+3

Samuel Chartier Eliminated in 7th Place (€ 178,000)

[user40108]

Action folded around to Samuel Chartier on the button and he open raised all in for 411,000. Daniele Mazzia threw his hand away from the small blind but Fintan Gavin was not so hasty to make a decision. He surveyed his stack and his cards as well as giving Chartier a good once over.

He eventually said "I call," and Chartier exposed his {K-Hearts}

. Gavin nodded as he turned over his slightly better {A-Clubs}

.

With the gallery on its feet, drama ran high as the board ran out {J-Clubs}

. Chartier failed to catch and Gavin's ace-high was best. He chipped up to 1,475,000 and sent Samuel Chartier to the rail in 7th place and will take home € 178,000 for his impressive finish.

Tags: Fintan Gavin Samuel Chartier

09-14-2008 19:42 UTC+3

Players Are On a Break

[user40108]

Play will resume in 15 minutes.

09-14-2008 20:04 UTC+3

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user40108]

Play resumes.

Level: 26

Blinds: 25,000/50,000

Ante: 5,000

09-14-2008 20:20 UTC+3

Davidi Kitai Cripples Daniele Mazzia

[user40108]

Daniele Mazzia moved all in for 638,000 and Davidi Kitai moved all in as well. It was unclear which player had more chips but the players showed:

Kitai: {A-Spades}

Mazzia:

It was yet another coinflip situation and when the flop came down {J-Clubs}

, Mazzia's sevens held the lead. Mazzia needed an ace, a king, or running cards to take the lead and his prayers were answered when the {A-Hearts}

hit the turn. The river was the {5-Hearts}

and Mazzia's hand was best. After a count, it was determined that Davidi Kitai was the all in player. He doubled to 1,134,000 and left Mazzia with just 80,000 chips.

Tags: Daniele Mazzia Davidi Kaiti