Markus Golser called a big bet on the river of a board. Both players had flopped two pair but the of his opponent had the of Markus beat leaving him with 5,700 chips.
Julian Thew
Julian Thew was facing a 5,000 chip bet on the river with the board showing . He had just less than that left so to call was for his tournament life. There was already 7,000 in the pot and it he didn't like it but made the call with . He had caught an irrelavent set on the river but his house of tens over nines was good against the of his opponent and he now has 17,000 chips and is a force to be reckoned with again.
Steve Zolotow
Steve Zolotow and three other players saw a flop of . Action checked around to a late position player who bet 825. Zolotow called from the cutoff and with the other players folding it was heads up to the turn. The dealer laid down the and both men checked. The on the river prompted the late position player to bet 1,200 of his remaining 3,700 chips. Zolotow nonchalantly placed a stack of over 10,000 across the betting line. His opponent went into the tank for several minutes until eventually a clock was called. During which time he asked Zolotow "You have quad threes huh?" as well as numerous other rhetorical questions. An amused Zolotow played along, often answering the questions sarcastically. Just seconds after having the clock called, the late position player folded and Zolotow stacked the pot. He now commands a stack of just over 18,000 chips.
Sorel Mizzi
With level 2 started here are some early chip counts:
Robert Gioffre 22,000
Katja Thater 20,000
Julian Thew 7,000
Roland De Wolfe 9,000
Sorel Mizzi 4,800
Tommy Pavlicek 4,700
Luca Pagano 10,700
Joe Grech 13,000
Italian Slalom Legend Alberto Tomba
It's not just career poker professionals and online qualifiers making up the field of this event. Famed slalom skiier Alberto Tomba is one of many players looking for a strong finish this week. Tomba is one of only a handful of players in the field whose legacy would not be defined by a win in this event. Tomba is a five time Olympic gold medalist holding three gold medals and two silver medals dating back to the 1988 games in Calgary. Tomba also holds four World Championship medals and countless other less prestigious wins.
Katja Thater
Katja Thater moved all in after a 3,000 chip bet from her opponent on the turn. The board read and there was 2,500 already in the middle. A short dwell and then her opponent called; he was just covered. Katja's only had to dodge two outs as her opponent had . The came on the river, shipping a 20,000 chip pot to the German PokerStars professional.
Patrik Antonius
Finnish phenom Patrik Antonius just took his seat some 32 minutes into the first level of play. Despite being widely regarded as an online heads up cash game specialist , Antonius is no doubt a big threat to anyone seated at his table.
John O'Shea
John O'Shea just made a good lay down against Markus Golser. From the man himself:
"I made it 200 after an UTG limper and Markus makes it 400. I call after the limper folds and we see what I think is a great flop of TT5 and I check call a 1,000 chip bet not wanting to lose my customer. The turn is a queen and I check, so does he. The river is a jack which now means if he has decent pair which I suspect I beat none so have to fold to his 1,700 chip bet, I show my kings and he shows me the aces."
Still 8,500 chips for the Irishman usually found online at the Omaha tables.
Johan Storakers
Roland De Wolfe, Steve Zolotow, Johan Storakers, Thor Hansen and Katja Thater are all playing today. Marco Traniello was spotted in the tournament room but doesn't appear to be playing, at least not today.