£5,200 EPT London Main Event Day 1a | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT London

10-01-2008 22:55 UTC+2

Joe Hachem Loves Poker; Sorel Mizzi Doubles Up

[user24788]

The EPT London was supposed to be capped at 500 runners. However, the tournament staff permitted alternates. Over 40 of them were in the mix today which meant that the staff added four tables. There was no more space on the floor which meant that a portion of the dining room was utilized for Day 1a.

One of the tables in the dining room included Chad Brown and Sorel Mizzi. Former world champion Joe Hachem (scheduled to play in Day 1b) stopped by the table to chat with Chad Brown, a fellow member of Team PokerStars. Several photographers cluttered the sparse space in-between tables to snap photos as the dining area became illuminated with flashes.

While the media seized an opportunity for a quick photo op, there was an ongoing hand. I caught the action a little late. An unknown player raised from the button. Sorel Mizzi reraised from the small blind for 6,000 more. His opponent went into the tank for several minutes (while photographers continued to snap photos of Hachem and Brown). Eventually the player from the button called.

The flop was {6-Hearts}

. Mizzi fired out 3,500. His opponent moved all in and Mizzi called for the remainder of his chips, or 7,450 in total.

Mizzi: {9-Hearts}

Opponent:

The turn was the {7-Diamonds}

and Mizzi picked up a gutshot draw. The river was the {8-Clubs}

. Mizzi spiked his straight and avoided elimination. He increased his stack to over 33,000.

"I love this game," mentioned Hachem as the dealer pushed the pot towards Mizzi.

Tags: Chad Brown Joe Hachem Sorel Mizzi

10-01-2008 22:43 UTC+2

Where's Philippe Rouas?

[user24788]

Philippe Rouas bought into Day 1a of the EPT London, but he was playing at the WSOP-E across town at the Empire Casino. His empty chair at the Vic was getting blinded out. Rouas eventually busted out in 14th place at the WSOP-E... almost 90 minutes ago. He has yet to show up here at the Vic and play his dwindling stack.

10-01-2008 22:35 UTC+2

Potential Chip Leader = Gavin Griffin

[user4144]

We're yet to undergo a full investigation, but it would appear as though Gavin Griffin is a definite contender for current chip leader with a stonking 55,000.

10-01-2008 22:30 UTC+2

Slow Start

[user4144]

It would appear as though the players enjoyed their McDonald's a little too much, because the play since returning has been lackluster to say the least. I did spot one hand of note though, Arnuad Mattern's bet leading for 2,025 on a {2-Spades}

flop before check-folding the {Q-Spades}

turn to a bet of 2,500 from Ian Frazer. The Prague EPT winner still has chips though, his 33,600 comfortably above the 20,700 average. Frazer, meanwhile, is in full flow now with a chip lead threatening 47,000.

10-01-2008 22:16 UTC+2

136 Players Remaining

[user24788]

We're still awaiting on the official numbers, but somewhere around 292 or so players bought into Day 1a. There are currently 136 players remaining and more than half of the field has already been eliminated.

"Those Eurodonks are falling like flies," explained one anonymous member of the Canadian press.

10-01-2008 21:59 UTC+2

Players Return from Dinner Break

[user24788]

Action resumes at the Vic.

Level: 7

Blinds: 200/400

Ante: 50

10-01-2008 21:15 UTC+2

Players Take a 45-Minute Dinner Break

[user24788]

Action will resume at 9 PM local time.

10-01-2008 21:13 UTC+2

Pesca-coaster

[user24788]

Max Pescatori has been on a wild ride. His stack has been fluctuating more than the U.S. stock market. The Italian Pirate showed up late and took a hit early before he rushed past the 25,000 mark after he busted a player. Then the bleeding began. He took several hits and bottomed out at 5,000. The Italian Pirate looked as though he was going to walk the plank. However, he made a surge late in the afternoon when he doubled up to over 10,000. He ground his way to 14,000 and now he's sitting on a stack worth 23,000.

Tags: Max Pescatori

10-01-2008 21:13 UTC+2

Boom

[user4144]

If you're looking for action then Table Griffin's the place to be, a recent four-way all-in so explosive that it made the ending of Independence Day look tame.

It was actually Gavin Griffin who started Armageddon, his early-position raise of 900 being met by a smooth-call from Freddy Deeb one seat along, an all-in call for 525 from a short stack, and an all-in from Jeff Lisandro in the big blind, who pushed for a total of 6,675.

With Griffin making the call, the action was back on Deeb who, after twitching in his seat and grimacing like a gurning champion, eventually pushed himself. Griffin called, and we had ourselves an absolute monster of a hand.

Griffin = {K-Hearts}

Lisandro = {A-Hearts}

Deeb =

Short-stack = {7-Clubs}

Flop =

Turn =

River =

As a relieved Griffin scooped up a 45,000 pot, three players provided a rare sight by exiting simultaneously, some grumbling as they departed. Meanwhile, Griffin could but release a big sigh of relief and say, "I didn't like that flop."

And before you ask, "Three scalps at once? Has that happened before?" the answer's a big fat yes -- I once eliminated nine (!) players in one hand... although it was a one-hand turnover satellite.

Tags: Freddy Deeb Gavin Griffin Jeff Lisandro