We are back in the Casino Barriere de Deauville, where our 133 remaining runners are taking their seats and debagging their respective chip piles.
Kickoff should take place in just a few minutes, so watch this space - remember, only 104 players are getting paid, so there will be tears before bedtime today.
Young, oft-behatted Frenchman Nicolas Levi leads the field. Please stand by...
"Yessssss!" "Doooble up! Doooooooooble up!" shouted one player as he jumped up and down, pumping his fists. He had moved all in after a raise and was overjoyed when his pocket tens held against 6s.
"Maybe we should say something," said one floorman watching the rather over-the-top celebration.
"Eh, this is France," said another one.
"But still."
"Ok, but we should find someone who speaks better French to do it."
By the by, it was previously reported in all media outlets that Mike "Timex" McDonald was one of our Extreme Short Stacks on less than 30,000. This was, as it turns out, what we know in the industry as a "typo" - Mr. McDonald in fact started the day on 258,000, and for the moment remains on roughly that amount.
On our first pass through the field, we some some interesting table pairings. Davidi Kitai and Bruno Fitoussi are sharing the felt. A few tables over, Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier has position on Juha Helppi.
One of the tournament's biggest stacks, Ludovic Lacay, is across the table from one of the shortest, Freddy Deeb.
There are a ton of chips on table 15, where chip leader Nicolas Levi and Stefan Fuchs are sure to create some high stakes action.
Of the five women left in the tournament, two (Catherine Hong and Huo Jinfeng) are seated next to each other. As tables are consolidated, the lineups are sure to get even more daunting. We'll keep you updated.
Some early unhappiness for Martin Kabrhel on the button, as the player in the cutoff made it 13,000 to go and Kabrhel upped the bet to 37,500. Back to Mr. Cutoff, however, who promptly pushed. Kabrhel asked for a count, but eventually opted to fold, flashing the in a, "Maybe next time," sort of way.
The gentleman under the gun (our player list will be here shortly) raised to 13,000 and Ramzi Jelassi called from the hijack to see a flop, which Mr. Under The Gun checked. Jelassi bet 15,000, and Mr. Under The Gun called.
Mr. Under The Gun check-called another 32,000 on the turn, and, after a bit of a pause, a further 55,000 form Jelassi on the river. It turned out nice for Jelassi, however, as he flipped for a flopped set. Mr. Under The Gun could not beat it, and flashed the as he mucked.
The young Swede, whose name sounds like dessert, moves up to a tasty 400,000.
Clemencon and his awesome headphones have both left us
We walked up to see Tristan Clemencon betting out on a flop of . His opponent stuck in a raise, and Clemencon shoved all in for something like 175,000 chips. The man across the table made the call with the covering stack. Cards up, gents:
Clemencon:
Opponent:
Clemencon shot from his chair at the sight of his opponent's meager holdings, appearing to be a bit nervous about the two remaining board cards.
And with good reason.
The turn and river came ugly: and respectively. Two running ladies give the unknown player the unlikely trip queens, locking up the pot and drawing a disgusted reaction from the young Frenchman. Aces fall, and Clemencon can only shake his head and mutter to himself as he makes his way out of the ropes.