£5,200 EPT London Main Event Day 2 | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT London

10-03-2008 20:53 UTC+1

Get Carter

After scraping his way into the money, Joe Grech became one of the early post-bubble casualties when he clashed with Carter Gill. Grech actually got it in ahead in the end, his {A-?}

looking good for a double-up against Gill's rather paltry {9-?}

. But the poker gods had other ideas, and duly dealt out a {K-?}

board to send Grech home. "Sorry, dude," offered Gill as Grech departed.

Tags: Carter Gill Joe Grech

Level: 16

Blinds: 2,000/4,000

Ante: 400

10-03-2008 20:48 UTC+1

You will find a similar scene on Friday night at any casino around the world, with plenty of gamblers and binge drinkers celebrating the end to a hellacious work week. The Victoria casino is no different. The tournament area is crowded with spectators and cash game players waiting for their games to be called. Many local players have gathered on the rail while they wait for their names to be called. There is little space to navigate throughout the room. If I had 50 pence for every punter swigging a pint glass on the rail... I'd be a very wealthy man.

10-03-2008 20:33 UTC+1

Players Return from Dinner Break

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

There are 15 minutes left at this level. Blinds continue to be 1,500/3,000 with a 300 ante.

10-03-2008 19:56 UTC+1

Players Take a 45-Minute Dinner Break

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

10-03-2008 19:55 UTC+1

French Fancy

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

As Hafiz Khan departed, possibly to vomit in the nearest toilet, it suddenly emerged that a hand was still being played out on the far table. With Arnaud Mattern raising it up to 8,500, David Benyamine made the call and the two players saw a {7-Hearts}

flop. Mattern bet 17,500 and Benyamine called, leading to a seemingly innocent {7-Spades}

turn. "All in," declared Mattern. "Call," responded Benyamine.

Mattern = {A-Diamonds}

Benyamine = {8-Clubs}

"Sick," said Mattern as the river came a harmless {6-Spades}

. Meanwhile, Benyamine doubles up to around the 200,000 mark on the final hand and goes into the 45-minute dinner break with a twinkle in his eye and a spring in his step.

Tags: Arnaud Mattern David Benyamine

10-03-2008 19:52 UTC+1

The Bubble Bursts

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Hafiz Khan has snapped up that unwanted bubble spot in dramatic style, the cheers from the rail alluding the press to the hand. All in with A-Q versus pocket jacks, Khan thought he'd survived when an ace hit the turn, but a third jack on the river showcased how teasing those dreaded poker gods can be. Down to 56... "Show me the money!"

Tags: Hafiz Khan

10-03-2008 19:30 UTC+1

Axel Rose in Chips

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Axel Albertsson has doubled up courtesy of Hafiz Khan. I was unable to sneak a peak of Khan's hand, but Albertsson triumphed with {A-Spades}

on an ensuing {Q-Clubs}

board.

Tags: Axel Albertsson Hafiz Khan

10-03-2008 19:25 UTC+1

Mattern Gets Aggressive

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Play is still hand for hand as we await the bubble to burst. During this period, the media have been ejected from the playing area, making it increasingly difficult to keep up with the action. With it being a Friday night, the cardroom is akin to cans of sardines in an elevator, with the forever thickening rail making even the tables on the side hard to get to.

However, using my upper body strength that has made me such a hit with the ladies (oh come on, let me dream!), I did manage to barge my way to the front to witness one hand.

Making a standard raise from the button, Arnaud Mattern was called by fellow countryman and recent Partouche Tour victor Alain Roy in the big blind. On the {8-Diamonds}

flop, Roy led out for 15,000, leaving himself around 40,000 behind. But Mattern wasn't having any of, the Prague EPT winner looking his man up and down before announcing all in.

Roy folded.

Level: 15

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 300