2009 PokerStars.com EPT Vilamoura

Vilamoura Championship Main Event
Day: 5
Event Info

2009 PokerStars.com EPT Vilamoura

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
78
Prize
€404,793
Event Info
Buy-in
€5,000
Prize Pool
€1,561,700
Entries
322
Level Info
Level
28
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
5,000

Double or Nothing for Neuville

Pierre Neuville raised to 125,000 from the small blind, and Jeff Sarwer came at him with a three-bet. From the big, he made it 300,000, but Neuville wasn't going anywhere. After taking a pause for effect, he announced an all in for 805,000 total, sending Sarwer deep into the tank. It would be another few minutes before Sarwer acted, and the two men exchanged a few good-natured words. Neuville finally stood from his chair, and Sarwer continued to banter with him. He finally called to put Neuville squarely at risk.

Neuville was first to show, and he tabled {A-Spades} {K-Hearts}. "Oh shit!" said Sarwer, still smiling. He tabled {A-Clubs} {2-Spades}, needing to come from behind if he was going to tally the knockout.

The board ran out safe for Neuville though, coming 5-9-Q-A-5. Neuville's kicker plays, and he notches the double up back into contention. He's now up to about 1.65 million, still the short stack but out of the danger zone for now.

Tags: Jeff SarwerPierre Neuville

Astounding Call from Sarwer

Jeff Sarwer made it 125,000 from the button and Pierre Neuville called out of the big blind.

They saw a {10-Hearts} {4-Hearts} {Q-Spades} flop which Neuville checked. Sarwer bet 135,000, and Neuville now check-raised to 335,000. Call.

Both players checked the {3-Clubs} turn, and when the {K-Clubs} river was on the table, Neuville bet out 405,000. After a few moments' consideration Sarwer called - and his {J-?} {4-?} was good enough to take the pot, Neuville only able to boast {A-?} {7-?}.

Neuville tapped the table like a man who's just had his soul read, and is down to around a million.

Tags: Jeff SarwerPierre Neuville

Now We're Playing Poker

Jeff Sarwer folded his button, and the two blinds were content to see a cheap flop. The dealer ran out the first three cards: {3-Hearts} {A-Spades} {2-Diamonds}. Both men checked, and the {5-Hearts} put four to the straight on board. Matias led out with a bet of 50,000, and Neuville announced a raise to 225,000. Not wasting any time, Matias came back over the top with a three-bet to 500,000 straight. Just a few seconds passed before Neuville moved all in on a four-bet!

Matias got the message and quickly folded, but not before donating a half-million chips to the big blind.

Tags: Antonio MatiasPierre Neuville

Sarwer Vs. Matias Epic Raising War; Matias Wins

Antonio Matias raised to 130,000 on the button and Jeff Sarwer called in the big blind. All fine so far.

They saw a {2-Diamonds} {Q-Clubs} {7-Diamonds} flop and Sarwer checked. In fact, for the sake of clarity, let's document the action in list format:

- Sarwer checked
- Matias bet 160,000
- Sarwer check-raised to 380,000
- Matias reraised to 780,000
- Sarwer four-bet to 1.38 million
- Matias five-bet all in

Sarwer was left with a serious decision. He shook his head, smiling. Matias grinned back and shrugged. "Eh, what can I do?' he said cheerfully. He put his shades on, somehow removed one of the lenses, and winked at Sarwer through the empty frame. For this he received a round of applause.

Eventually Sarwer passed, with his customary, "Nice hand." He is down to 3 million. Matias flashed him a {Q-Spades} for his trouble.

Tags: Antonio MatiasJeff Sarwer

Neuville Not Budging

From the button, Jeff Sarwer made it 125,000 to play. The small blind folded quickly, but Pierre Neuville made the call from the big blind.

Heads up to the flop, the two men watched it come {6-Diamonds} {9-Spades} {Q-Spades}. After a Neuville check, Sarwer fired 130,000, and his opponent called. Fourth street was the {9-Clubs}, and both players checked.

When the {A-Spades} hit the river, Neuville led out into the pot with a bet of 400,000. Sarwer thought over for several long minutes before sending his cards into the muck.

Tags: Jeff SarwerPierre Neuville

Walking With Ladies

Jeff Sarwer has gotten two walks today, the only two walks. The second one just occurred, and Sarwer let out an, "Oh my god!" when he looked down at his cards. Not aces, but Sarwer's two queens earn him the blinds and antes with no drama.

Almost Action

It looked as though we might have some good action on our hands when Jeff Sarwer raised his button and both Matias and Neuville called. Come the {9-Clubs} {5-Hearts} {Q-Spades} flop, though, they checked to Sarwer, and then both players proceeded to fold to a 250,000 continuation bet.

It's Serious Now

Beyond that, we've been seeing largely flop-free poker in this three-way. Players have mostly been taking it in turns to raise on the button, with both blinds folding. The atmosphere has suddenly gone very tense.