Thor Hansen
Norwegian professional Thor Hansen is doing his best to make Day 2. Hansen has yet to have an above-average stack for any length of time and is currently struggling with a dangerously low 3,800 in chips. Hansen remains patient however as he folds hand after hand, waiting for his spot to double up.
Rory Rees Brennan moved his last chips in over the top of a raise and found himself in a race. He had 9-9 against A-Q and the ace hit the flop. He never really got going enough to build a stack.
Dario Minieri Stays Alive
After unknown pre-flop action, three players including Dario Minieri saw a flop of . Minieri checked, as did the middle-position player. The button bet 1,050 and Minieri moved all in for 6,950. The middle-position player passed and the button made the call. Minieri quickly asked, "A jack?" The button nodded and turned up . Minieri pumped his fist as he turned up . Fourth and fifth streets were blanks for both men and Minieri doubled up to roughly 17,000 in chips.
The Field Shrinks
With a loss of over half the starting players, the field has been reduced to a more modest and manageable dozen or so tables. This consolidation is making things easier on the players, spectators, tournament staff and media alike.
Nicolas "The Hat" Levi
Nicolas Levi has just been eliminated from the tournament. In the words of our unofficial French liason Ludovic Lacay: "He pushed after some limpers with A-K for 4,000 and was insta-called by J-10. You know the rest, thanks for the Sklanksky bucks..."
Juha Helppi was just spotted playing in a 2,000 Euro tournament in the area adjacent to the current Day1a action. While not a guarantee, it is probably safe to say we'll see Mr. Helppi in tomorrow's field.
A short-stacked Jeppe Bech-Sørensen moved all in before the flop from early position for his last 6,525. Action folded to Stefan Raffay on the button. He moved all in to isolate and did just that. The players showed:
Raffay:
Bech-Sørensen:
The flop was bad news for Bech-Sørensen as it came down with the ace right in the door. Bech-Sørensen headed for the exit but didn't get far. From the corner of his eye he saw the dealer lay down the on the turn. With Raffay now drawing dead, he casually strolled back to his seat and got back to business.
. Minieri checked, as did the middle-position player. The button bet 1,050 and Minieri moved all in for 6,950. The middle-position player passed and the button made the call. Minieri quickly asked, "A jack?" The button nodded and turned up 
. Minieri pumped his fist as he turned up 
. Fourth and fifth streets were blanks for both men and Minieri doubled up to roughly 17,000 in chips.
with the ace right in the door. Bech-Sørensen headed for the exit but didn't get far. From the corner of his eye he saw the dealer lay down the 
