€5,300 EPT Main Event Day 5 | 2023 PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo

05-05-2023 20:35 UTC+2

Every Past PokerStars EPT Monte Carlo Main Event Champion

Kaelaine Minton

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

The 2023 edition of the PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Monte Carlo festival runs from April 26 through May 6 at the luxurious Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. You already know that PokerNews is bringing you live and exclusive coverage from seven of the biggest EPT Monte Carlo events, including the prestigious Main Event, the tournament every player wants to win.

Some of poker's most recognizable faces and names have returned home from a trip to Monaco with the EPT Monte Carlo Main Event trophy in tow. Fourteen poker stars have written their names in the EPT's history books under the heading EPT Monte Carlo Main Event champion.

CHECK OUT THE FULL LIST ON POKERNEWS!

05-05-2023 20:04 UTC+2

Dinner Break

Adam Lamers

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

The remaining seven players are off on a 45-minute dinner break. There will be at least one more level played tonight and they must get down to at least six players.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	8,210,000

Leo Worthington-Leese	6,780,000 -160,000	-160,000

Joachim Haraldstad	6,155,000 155,000	155,000

Leonard Maue	4,695,000 -5,000	-5,000
Samy Boujmala	2,850,000 -400,000	-400,000

Arnaud Enselme	2,840,000 -200,000	-200,000
Jason Wheeler	1,400,000 -200,000	-200,000

05-05-2023 20:02 UTC+2

Arunas Sapitavicius Eliminated in 8th Place (€107,050)

Connor Richards

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Mike Watson opened to 180,000 on the button with Q♦J♦ and Arunas Sapitavicius three-bet to 675,000 from the small blind with A♣K♥. Watson called.

Sapitavicius bet 350,000 on the flop of 2♦K♠5♦ and Watson called. Sapitavicius sized up to 775,000 on the 2♣ turn and Watson again called.

The 7♦ river completed the board and Sapitavicius used two time banks before moving all in for 1,605,000. Watson quickly called with the flush and Sapitavicius was eliminated in eighth place.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	8,210,000 3,460,000	3,460,000

Arunas Sapitavicius	Busted

Tags: Arunas Sapitavicius Mike Watson

05-05-2023 19:54 UTC+2

Maue Plays It Safe with a Flush

Adam Lamers

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Leo Worthington-Leese opened to 160,000 under the gun with K♠J♥ and Leonard Maue called on his left with Q♠J♠. Arunas Sapitavicius came along from the big blind with 7♦5♦ and the flop fell 10♠5♠3♣.

Worthington-Leese continued with a bet of 180,000 and Maue called with his flush draw. Sapitavicius folded the lone pair and they went heads-up to the K♥ on the turn. Worthington-Leese fired out another bet of 320,000 after making top pair and Maue still called.

The river was the 3♠ and Worthington-Leese checked this time. Maue checked it back after making a flush and was shipped a much smaller pot than some might think.

Player	Chips	Progress
Leo Worthington-Leese	6,940,000 -240,000	-240,000

Leonard Maue	4,700,000 740,000	740,000

Tags: Arunas Sapitavicius Leo Worthington-Leese Leonard Maue

05-05-2023 19:38 UTC+2

Wheeler Again Fades Disaster

Connor Richards

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Jason Wheeler opened to 175,000 in early position with K♥K♣ and Leonard Maue defended the big blind with 10♥7♠.

Maue checked on the flop of 10♦10♠3♣ and Wheeler checked back. Maue then bet 450,000 on the A♠ turn and Wheeler laid it down.

Player	Chips	Progress
Leonard Maue	3,960,000 -240,000	-240,000
Jason Wheeler	1,600,000 -640,000	-640,000

Tags: Jason Wheeler Leonard Maue

05-05-2023 19:31 UTC+2

Haraldstad Wins Back-to-Back Three-Bet Pots

Adam Lamers

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Mike Watson opened to 160,000 in early position with 10♠10♣ and Joachim Haraldstad reraised to 475,000 on the button with K♦Q♠. Watson called and the dealer spread the flop of J♦7♣2♦.

Watson checked to Haraldstad who checked it back to the A♥ on the turn. Watson checked again and Haraldstad counted out a bet of 375,000. Watson laid down the best hand and Haralstad collected the pot.

Next hand, Arnaud Enselme raised to 180,000 in the hijack with K♣7♣ and Joachim Haraldstad three-bet to 500,000 in the cutoff with K♠10♥. Samy Boujmala looked down at A♥J♦ in the big blind but decided to fold. Enselme's cards also hit the muck and Haraldstad won the second straight three-bet pot with the worst hand.

Player	Chips	Progress
Joachim Haraldstad	6,000,000 980,000	980,000

Mike Watson	4,750,000 -470,000	-470,000

Samy Boujmala	3,250,000 -340,000	-340,000

Arnaud Enselme	3,040,000 -380,000	-380,000

Tags: Arnaud Enselme Joachim Haraldstad Mike Watson Samy Boujmala

05-05-2023 19:23 UTC+2

Maduka Meragal Eliminated in 9th Place (€82,350)

Connor Richards

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Leo Worthington-Leese opened to 160,000 in the hijack and Leonard Maue called in the cutoff as Maduka Meragal also came along from the big blind.

Meragal led all in for 1,325,000 on the flop of 9♣4♣5♥ and Worthington-Leese called before Maue got out of the way.

Maduka Meragal: 10♠9♥
Leo Worthington-Leese: K♦9♠

Meragal was out-kicked and got no help as the board ran out J♦8♦ to mark his elimination in ninth place after several hours without a bustout.

Player	Chips	Progress
Leo Worthington-Leese	7,180,000 1,560,000	1,560,000

Maduka Meragal	Busted

Tags: Leo Worthington-Leese Leonard Maue Maduka Meragal

05-05-2023 19:14 UTC+2

Watson Joins the Leaders

Adam Lamers

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Mike Watson raised to 180,000 in middle position with A♥A♦ and Joachim Haraldstad defended in the big blind with 7♦7♦. The flop came K♦5♠4♠ and Haraldstad check-called a bet of 120,000 from Watson.

The turn brought the A♠ and Haraldstad checked again. Watson checked it back and the 4♦ paired the board on the river. Haraldstad checked for the third time and Watson put together a bet of 375,000 with the best full house. Haraldstad pondered for a moment but ultimately sent his cards to the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	5,220,000 760,000	760,000

Joachim Haraldstad	5,020,000 -410,000	-410,000

Tags: Mike Watson Joachim Haraldstad

05-05-2023 18:57 UTC+2

Watson Makes the Big Blind Work

Adam Lamers

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Arnaud Enselme raised to 180,000 in middle position showing the 9♦Xx and Mike Watson defended from the big blind with 5♣2♣. The flop came 7♦6♣4♥ and both players checked to the Q♣ on the turn.

Watson strung together a large bet of 600,000 after picking up a straight and flush draw. It was too much for Enselme to stick around as he dumped his cards in the muck.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mike Watson	4,460,000 680,000	680,000

Arnaud Enselme	3,420,000 -380,000	-380,000

Tags: Arnaud Enselme Mike Watson

05-05-2023 18:35 UTC+2

Enselme Fades Clubs to Double With Cowboys

Connor Richards

Level 28 : Blinds 40,000/80,000, 80,000 ante

Leonard Maue opened to 160,000 from middle position and Arnaud Enselme three-bet to 380,000 from the hijack. Maue responded with a four-bet jam and Enselme quickly called off for 1,420,000.

Arnaud Enselme: K♥K♦
Leonard Maue: A♣3♣

Enselme had a huge lead with kings but the flop landed 6♦J♣8♣ to give Maue additional outs with a club draw. But the board then bricked out 2♥5♦ and the Frenchman's rail exploded in celebration as he doubled up to stay alive.

Player	Chips	Progress
Leonard Maue	4,200,000 -1,580,000	-1,580,000
Arnaud Enselme	3,800,000 1,460,000	1,460,000

Tags: Arnaud Enselme Leonard Maue