EPT Barcelona Open Main Event Day 1b | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

Level: 3

Blinds: 75/150

Ante: 0

09-11-2008 18:32 UTC+3

Players Return from Break

[user25067]

Cards are back in the air.

09-11-2008 18:34 UTC+3

"I hope you're going to write good stuff about me today," requested Sorel Mizzi. Although aghast by the mere insinuation that I wouldn't, I've decided to play it safe...

... Sorel Mizzi is fantastic, brilliant, awesome, marvelous, and any other complimentary adjectives that the thesaurus can throw at me.

To be honest though, he doesn't need my false praise, as his chips are doing the talking so far. Raising it up to 350 preflop with pocket nines, Sorel found one caller before leading out for 550 on an 8-8-8 flop. Again, his opponent flat called. On the ten turn, Sorel check-called 2,000, before check-calling 4,000 on the king river. It was a good call in the end, as his opponent could only muster J-6 for the bluff. "That's what I would have put him on," I added tongue in cheek.

Either way, Sorel has shot out of the blocks with 17,000 in chips.

Tags: Sorel Mizzi

09-11-2008 18:43 UTC+3

Cowboys Hold Up for Vincent

[user4144]

Known simply as Vincent by the French contingent of the press room, the young online qualifier has just doubled up with pocket kings versus A-Q. All the money went in on a J-8-T flop, with the Frenchman's cowboys failing to desaddle on an blank turn and river.

09-11-2008 18:47 UTC+3

Heavy Preflop Action

[user4144]

I penned a similar headline yesterday, but the same trend seems to be running rampant today. As I scoured through the tables during the opening two levels, I couldn't help but notice the amount of heavy preflop raising there was with few players keen to play the streets. On Daniel Negreanu's table, for example, there was a battle of the blinds involving EPT Prague winner Arnaud Mattern where the Frenchman's bet of 925 from the big blind was met by a raise to circa 15,000. Certainly no messing around from some players who are preferring to put their opponents to the test as soon as possible.

09-11-2008 18:53 UTC+3

Flying the Flag

[user4144]

Over the seasons, the level of British participation in the EPTs has sadly eroded on an annual basis. However, we still have a handful of players flying the flag here in Barcelona, with the likes of Stephen Chidwick, Stuart Rutter, Surinder Sunar, Paul Alterman and former finalist Robin Keston all hoping to strike gold.

Of those, Richard Wheatley seems to have enjoyed the best start, his stack rising to the dizzy heights of 14,500. On one hand I caught, Wheatley raised his opponent's bet of 1,400 into a {4-Spades}

board to 4,400. After a moment of deliberation, his foe folded, and Wheatley took the pot.

Tags: Richard Wheatley

09-11-2008 19:03 UTC+3

Super Smoke

[user4144]

Remember those candy sticks you used to buy as a kid to pretend you were smoking? Well, no longer are they the worthiest substitute on the market as our intrepid photographer perfectly captures the new 'super smoke' in action.

Apparently, this pseudo cigarette acts just like a normal cigarette, and even supplies the user with the necessary nicotine kick, but unlike normal smoke, the 'super smoke' disappears within moments of exhaling, thus keeping the air fresh and clean.

I haven't seen it in action myself, so please forgive me if I am having my proverbial leg pulled.

Tags: Eric Mizrachi

09-11-2008 19:14 UTC+3

Mats Rahmn Wins Without a Showdown

[user40108]

After an early position player limped in to the pot, Mats Rahmn raised to 650. The cutoff seat called, and after the blinds folded, the limper came along as well.

The three players saw a flop of {A-Hearts}

and action checked to the cutoff who bet 400. The limper and Rahmn called and the {7-Spades}

hit the turn. After a check by the limper, Rahmn led out for 2,000. The cutoff passed but the early position player made the call.

The river fell the {4-Hearts}

and it was again checked to Rahmn. He bet another 2,000 and after a lengthy deliberation, his opponent thought the better of it. Rahmn took down the pot and his cards remain a mystery.

Tags: Mats Rahmn

09-11-2008 19:18 UTC+3

Negreanu Finds His Form

[user40108]

After a limp from under the gun, an early position player raised to 525. A middle position player made the call as did Daniel Negreanu from the cutoff seat. The limper passed and the three players saw the {Q-Clubs}

flop.

Action checked around and the dealer put the {K-Hearts}

on the turn. Again, no one bet and the {3-Spades}

hit the river. Action checked to Negreanu and he confidently tossed out 800. He got one caller and Kid Poker tabled {6-Hearts}

. His opponent mucked and the Canadian stacked the pot. He is currently sitting on a stack of just under 11,000.

09-11-2008 19:28 UTC+3

Staggered Dinner Breaks

[user25067]

Like yesterday, the players will be taking a staggered dinner break. Tables 1-15 will get their chance to eat from 7-8 p.m. followed by Tables 15-30 from 8:15-9:15 p.m.