2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

EPT Barcelona Open Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info

2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
k9
Prize
€1,361,000
Event Info
Buy-in
€8,000
Prize Pool
€4,952,000
Entries
619
Level Info
Level
29
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
10,000

Pushing Mode

Laurence Houghton is currently pushing at every opportunity and is down to just a couple of thousand. He did find one spot though, but Gino Alacqua pushed behind with {A-Clubs}{K-Hearts}. Houghton, moving after seeing a bullet, peeled back to see what the accompanying card was... {A-Spades}{6-Diamonds}.

The {8-Hearts}{4-Diamonds}{5-Clubs} gave the youngster four more outs, and although none of those arrived, the {4-Hearts} turn and {5-Diamonds} river gave both players two pair, ace high to chop it up.

Tags: Gino AlacquaLaurence Houghton

"Wow, Steve's Still In"

Steve Frezer
Steve Frezer
No, please don't adjust your monitors, that is TD Steve Frezer underneath that fisherman's hat, and he is indeed still plugging away. In fact, he has above his starting stack with 15,000, but is bemoaning the reaction he's receiving. "'Wow, Steve's still in,'" he joked. "That's all anyone says when they come over to my table."

When I asked if he ever gets competitive with fellow tournament directors like the since departed Charlie Ciresi, Frezer replied, "I get more competitive with Thomas [Kremser]. He's always saying, 'Steve, you need to be more aggressive,' but you know what, I don't get to play these every week, and I just enjoy being at the table."

Tags: Charlie CiresiSteve Frezer

French Fancy

Arnaud Mattern raised to 850 preflop, a fellow countryman called in middle position, and Raul Mestre made it 4,000 to play. Arnaud pushed, the caller passed, and Mestre called.

Mestre = {A-Hearts}{J-Clubs}
Mattern = {A-Clubs}{K-Spades}
Board = {2-Spades}{7-Spades}{3-Hearts}{6-Hearts}{8-Diamonds}

... and the EPT Prague champion survives. Mestre, meanwhile, drops to 18,000.

Tags: Arnaud MatternRaul Mestre

Luca Pagano Crippled

Luca Pagano opened for a 1,000 raise from the button and the big blind called. The flop was {J-Diamonds} {10-Diamonds} {10-Hearts} and both players checked. The turn was the {7-Clubs}. The big blind bet 1,000 and Pagano called. The river was the {9-Spades}. The big blind bet another 1,450 and Pagano called.

Pagano showed {A-?} {8-?} for the rivered straight, but the big blind had turned a full house with {7-Diamonds} {7-Spades} and raked in the pot.

Pagano is down to 1,900.

Tags: Luca Pagano

Theo Tran Takes a Hit

Theo Tran
Theo Tran
On a flop of {9-Spades} {7-Diamonds} {6-Spades}, Theo Tran checked, the button bet 1,250 and Tran made the call. The turn was the {4-Diamonds}. Tran checked again, the button fired out 3,375 and Tran called. The river fell the {Q-Clubs} and Tran checked a third time, the button setting him all in.

"You flop a set?" wondered Tran aloud before electing to fold. He's down to 8,700.

Tags: Theo Tran

Gu Sticks it to Roy

Partouche Poker Tour champion Alain Roy raised from late position with {A-Clubs}{Q-Clubs}, Frank Gu pushed all in {2-Diamonds}{2-Clubs}, and Roy made the call. Gu rose from his seat in anticipation, but the {8-Hearts}{6-Spades}{K-Diamonds}{3-Clubs}{9-Diamonds} board was good enough for a double-up. Whilst Gu rises to 15,275, Roy drops to 15,275.

Tags: Alain RoyFrank Gu

Level: 6

Blinds: 150/300

Ante: 25

Frustrating Day for Yo-Yo

Julian Thew's yo-yo seems to be broken today, as his stack has gone but one way. Evidently flustered by both a lack of cards and opportunities, I managed to pry out a few words during the break: "I just can't get going today. It's been a dreadful session, and I'm down to 4,200. When I did decide to make a move, the other short stack came over the top and I had to fold."

Perhaps Julian's fortunes will change in the upcoming blind level.

Surinder Sunar Takes a Big Hit

Surinder Sunar
Surinder Sunar
The action folded around to Surinder Sunar in late position and he raised to 900. When it got to the small blind, he reraised to 3,050. Sunar made the call and it was heads up.

The flop came {Q-Hearts} {8-Diamonds} {4-Diamonds}. The small blind led out for 4,450 and Sunar went into the tank. Eventually he counted out a raise and pushed a total of 11,375 across the betting line. The small blind was deliberate as well, but didn't take as much time to slide his remaining stack towards the center. Sunar asked for a count, but he was covered. If he were to make the call, it would be for roughly his remaining 8,800 chips and his tournament life.

After a few moments of what looked like regret, he eventually threw his hand away. The small blind mucked instantly behind him and was quick and happy to stack over 60 percent of Sunar's chips.

Tags: Surinder Sunar