Vilamoura Championship Main Event | 2009 PokerStars.com EPT Vilamoura

11-22-2009 17:28 UTC

Big Stacks Get Bigger, Short Stacks Get Shorter

[user46392]

Pierre Neuville (big blind) and Jeff Sarwer (button) saw a {6-Clubs}

flop; Neuville bet out 200,000 and Sarwer called.

When they got to the {9-Spades}

turn, Neuville opted to check. Sarwer now bet 300,000, and Neuville gave it up.

Tags: Jeff Sarwer Pierre Neuville

11-22-2009 17:16 UTC

Back to Work

[user46392]

Three players, lots of money, one more level...

Level: 26

Blinds: 25,000/50,000

Ante: 5,000

11-22-2009 17:06 UTC

Stack 'Em High

[user66118]

Here's how they stand at the break:

Jeff Sarwer - 4,220,000
Antonio Matias - 3,815,000
Pierre Neuville - 1,590,000

11-22-2009 17:02 UTC

Break Time and Colour Up

[user46392]

We don't need those piddling 1,000 chips any more. Back soon.

11-22-2009 16:56 UTC

Neuville Moves In; Sarwer Calls!

[user66118]

Jeff Sarwer open-raised to 95,000, and Antonio Matias passed. In the big blind, Pierre Neuville made the call, and the two men watched the flop come {10-Clubs}

. Neuville checked it, and Sarwer continued out with a bet of 200,000. Neuville then announced an all in, and Sarwer instantly called.

Neuville showed {Q-Diamonds}

, and he was in the lead; Sarwer showed {K-Clubs}

for the draw, looking to fill it in and force his way into heads-up play. Neuville would find a safe turn card, the {4-Hearts}

, and the river {7-Spades}

secured his double up. Sarwer looked to the rail and shrugged, still smiling. He's still on top of the pack, but Neuville is now back in contention with about 1.5 million.

Tags: Jeff Sarwer Pierre Neuville

11-22-2009 16:54 UTC

Do or Die for Neuville

[user46392]

Pierre Neuville, our teeny tiny short stack, pushed all in - but there were no callers, and he flashed an ace.

Tags: Pierre Neuville

11-22-2009 16:52 UTC

Matias Gets Aggressive

[user46392]

Jeff Sarwer (button) and Antonio Matias (small blind) got as far as the turn of a {J-Clubs}

board before a raising war broke out, which was eventually won without a showdown by Matias. He showed {K-Clubs}

.

Tags: Antonio Matias Jeff Sarwer

11-22-2009 16:43 UTC

Jan Skampa Eliminated in 4th Place (€117,128)

[user66118]

With the betting folded to the blinds, Jan Skampa moved his short stack all in from the small. Jeff Sarwer checked his cards in the big blind and nodded, making the call to put Skampa at risk.

It was a worst-case scenario for Skampa as his {K-Diamonds}

was dominated by Sarwer's {K-Hearts}

. He would find no help from the dealer either; she ran out a board of {8-Diamonds}

. Failing to find his out cards, Jan Skampa has been relieved of his remaining chips. He'll take a six-figure payout home with him, adding nearly €120,000 to his bankroll. Not too shabby, Mr. Skampa.

Photo courtesy of PokerStars and Neil Stoddart

Tags: Jan Skampa Jeff Sarwer

11-22-2009 16:42 UTC

Sarwer Doubles Through Skampa in Gigantic Bluff Gone Wrong

[user46392]

Jeff Sarwer made it 90,000 under the gun. In the big blind, Jan Skampa made it 260,000. Sarwer now made it 695,000. Skampa announced all in to cover Sarwer. Insta-call.

Wow.

Sarwer: {Q-Clubs}

Skampa: er, {K-Hearts}

Nevertheless, Sarwer, beset by dreadful outdraws today, looked very afraid. "Nothing I can do, it's out of my hands," he told the rail. "I made the right decision." This drew applause from the rail, delighted to have some kind of spectacle to keep them amused. "You go to the toilet, we'll tell you after," offered Pierre Neuville.

Board: {6-Diamonds}

Sarwer stood up and raised his arms in the international posture of I Am A Golden God. Then he did a lap of honour, high-fiving rail and media alike. "I'm sorry," he said to Skampa, "I'm not used to poker at this level."

By the by, Matias folded {6-?}

, which would have made him quads plus a pair.

Skampa - down to 550,000
Sarwer - gigantic chip leader on 4-5 million

Tags: Jan Skampa Jeff Sarwer