PokerStars.com European Poker Tour Grand Final Day 1a | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Grand Final - Monte Carlo

04-12-2008 20:43 UTC+2

Humberto Still the King!

Humberto Brenes has been playing very patiently today and avoiding any big confrontations. However, holding pocket kings he probably wasn't thrilled to see five opponents call a pre-flop raise and take a flop of 10-10-2. The action checked around to allow a free jack to fall on the turn. The action checked around again to a late-position player who fired 1,500 into the middle. Brenes was the lone caller as he treaded carefully out of position with his kings. The river brought an eight and Brenes once again check-called his opponent's 3,000 bet. His opponent flipped Q-J for top pair, but Brenes gleefully accepted the pot, flashing his kings to the table in typical Brenes fashion!

Brenes now has around 22,000 in chips underneath his two shark card protectors!

Tags: Humberto Brenes

04-12-2008 20:56 UTC+2

Dag Martin Mikkelsen New Career Move?

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After being eliminated earlier in today's event, Dag Martin Mikkelsen may be considering a switch over to the other side of the camera. He was recently spotted on the tournament floor taking some happy snaps of his fellow players. Whether a new career move or a one-time only appearance -- Dags appeared to be enjoying himself!

Tags: Dag Martin Mikkelsen

04-12-2008 20:58 UTC+2

How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?

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Maria Maceiras, Niki [Removed:552], and Sorel Mizzi all saw a flop of {J-Clubs}

. Maceiras checked, [Removed:552] bet 950, Mizzi raised to 3,000 and Maceiras immediately three-bet to 7,500. [Removed:552] folded and Mizzi went into the tank, thinking the hand over as the other players at the table left for their break. Mizzi ultimately mucked, saving his remaining 10,800 in chips.

After the hand, Maceiras was up to 16,500 in chips. And if her last name seems familiar to you, she's the sister of EPT Barcelona final tabler Juan Maceiras, as well as the daughter of "Vietcong01," one of the most successful players on PokerStars.

Tags: Maria Maceiras

Level: 5

Blinds: 150/300

Ante: 0

04-12-2008 21:06 UTC+2

Johnny Lodden = Chip Leader

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Johnny Loddon has had a very strong day and is currently our tournament chip leader. After being close to 70,000 in chips at one stage, our last reports have Lodden around the 50,000-chip mark to put him at the top of the leaderboard!

Tags: Johnny Lodden

04-12-2008 21:19 UTC+2

Recent Eliminations

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Annette Obrestad, Voitto Rintala, and Andreas Hoivold have all been eliminated.

Tags: Andreas Hoivold Annette Obrestad Voitto Rintala

04-12-2008 21:20 UTC+2

Roland de Wolfe Eliminated

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On a board showing {6-Diamonds}

, Roland de Wolfe moved all of his chips into the middle holding {Q-Clubs}

and was looked up by Mostafa Belkhayate of France who made the call with {K-Clubs}

. The turn and river blanked out {7-Diamonds}

,

and de Wolfe rapped the table, wishing everyone luck before exiting the tournament area.

Tags: Roland de Wolfe

04-12-2008 21:35 UTC+2

279 Players Remaining

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One half-hour into Round 5, just 279 of the original 392 runners remain in the tournament and the average chip stack is 21,075.

04-12-2008 21:46 UTC+2

Marcel Luske Accumulating Chips

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Fan-favorite Marcel Luske is starting to amass a healthy chip stack. After some recent pots were pushed in his direction, Luske is now well placed with over 35,000 in chips.

Tags: Marcel Luske

04-12-2008 21:51 UTC+2

Edler's Queens Are Good

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On a dangerous-looking board of 9-J-J-2-8, Bill Edler made a small bet of 1,700 on the river into a pot worth around 4,500. His opponent was clearly confused by this bet and went into the tank for a long time before eventually tossing out his chips to make a crying call. Edler flipped pocket queens which were good enough to collect the pot as he progressed to around 24,000 in chips.

Tags: Bill Edler