PokerStars.com European Poker Tour Grand Final Day 3 | 2008 PokerStars.com EPT Grand Final - Monte Carlo

04-15-2008 18:23 UTC+2

Level Expires, Blinds Remain the Same

[user25067]

The 90 minutes on the clock for Level 15 have run out, but the blinds will remain at 1,500-3,000 with a 300 ante until the bubble bursts.

04-15-2008 18:15 UTC+2

Vincent Secher -- Camping Out on the Cote d'Azur

[user25067]

France's Vincent Secher is playing the EPT Monte Carlo courtesy of a last-minute satellite win on Poker Stars. The package he won included only his buy-in, so he and a friend traveled down to the Cote d'Azur the day before the tournament, hoping to score a hotel room in Monaco. Unfortunately for him, everything was completely booked.

What to do now? Pitch a tent, of course!

It's true -- Secher has been staying at an 18 euro/night campsite and sleeping in a tent for the last four days. He looks remarkably refreshed for having slept outside and though I'm usually quite the fashion critic, I'll have to forgive the red and white picnic tablecloth he appears to be wearing on his head.

If he survives the bubble, perhaps he'll spring for a suite?

Tags: Vincent Secher

04-15-2008 18:14 UTC+2

Ramos Makes Big Fold

[user67765]

Andreas Fluri limped in from the big blind, Surinder Sunar completed from the small blind and Felipe Ramos checked his option in the big blind.

The flop came {7-Diamonds}

and the action checked around to Fluri who made a 7,000 chip bet. Sunar folded and Ramos deliberated over his hand for a long time before making the call.

The turn brought the {K-Hearts}

and Ramos checked to Fluri who fired a second barrel worth 18,000. Ramos went into the tank. He had nearly 60,000 chips behind so a fold would still leave him in confortable shape, but it was obvious that Ramos had a hand and a big decision.

Ramos counted out his chips on multiple occasions and often looked like he was about to shove them all in, as the TV crews and other players started to gather around the table.

Freddy Deeb, who wasn't even part of this table, asked a tournament director for a clock and was informed that the clock could only be called by players seated at the table. Sunar immediately turned around and granted Freddy's request by calling for the clock.

Ramos eventually found a fold and Fluri flipped up the mediocre holding of {10-Clubs}

! Hand-for-hand play continues!

Tags: Andreas Fluri Felipe Ramos

04-15-2008 17:58 UTC+2

Yes... We're Still on the Bubble

[user25067]

It's been nearly an entire level and we still have yet to lose a player and burst the money bubble. Blinds will be up again in less than 10 minutes.

04-15-2008 17:37 UTC+2

Bubble Talk

[user38449]

"Take one for the team . . . come on, kid! Get it in there with five-nine!"

- Joe Hachem to Surinder Sunar in between hands as everyone in the room anxiously waits for the bubble to pop.

04-15-2008 17:11 UTC+2

Tales from the Bubble

[user25067]

Rami Boukai opened the pot for a raise, Andreas Hagen put in a re-raise and Boukai called. Both players checked the {7-Diamonds}

flop. The turn was the {J-Spades}

. Hagen fired out 30,000 and got a call. The river was the {8-Clubs}

. Hagen bet another 60,000 and Boukai immediately moved all in, sending Hagen into the tank for over 10 minutes.

"Will you show me after? That I made a good laydown? I played this hand great. It's gonna be embarrassing" he said, talking through his decision aloud as the media swarmed the table. Finally, Hagen flashed A-A and mucked and the 250,000 pot was shipped to Boukai.

Hagen was left with only 45,000 after the hand.

Tags: Andreas Hagen

04-15-2008 16:58 UTC+2

Action Tight On The Bubble

[user67765]

Since the break the play has tightened up somewhat as no one in the field wants to be the "bubble boy".

Those who finish in the money will be guaranteed a payday of at least €17,000.

04-15-2008 16:42 UTC+2

Play Resumes

[user67765]

Level: 15

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 300

04-15-2008 16:28 UTC+2

Players Take a 15-Minute Break

[user67765]

We are currently right on the bubble, with 81 players remaining, which means that the next player eliminated will leave Monte Carlo with nothing, while everyone else will be in the cash.

The players are currently taking a much needed 15-minute break as they steel themselves to burst the bubble!