2026 PokerStars EPT Barcelona
Chip Counts
Level: 3
Blinds: 100/300
Ante: 300
The Main Event players have been sent on a 25-minute break.
Dario De Paz raised to 500 from middle position and Sil Damstra three-bet to 1,800 from the cutoff. Marcos Skerl four-bet jammed the button for about 13,000, and only De Paz called.
Marcos Skerl: J♥J♦
Dario De Paz: A♠A♦
Skerl had the lower pair, but picked up some additional outs with a gutshot on the 7♥9♦10♥ flop.
The 8♣ turn provided instant service, completing Skerl's straight and leaving De Paz hoping for a chop. The 10♠ river wasn't any help, however, as Skerl cracked De Paz's aces to double-up to almost the starting stack.
With 9,800 in the pot, small blind Iegor Zarev bet 6,000 on the 2♥8♦8♣5♦ turn. Georgios Vrakas quickly called in the big blind, leading to the 6♥ appearing on the river.
Zarev moved in his remaining stack of 13,800, and Vrakas folded after a bit of thought. Vrakas was left with about 16,000, but he lost the other half of his starting stack not much later to be knocked out.
Over at another table, Timur Margolin also booked an early exit on Day 1a.
A massive 21,500 pot had been amassed preflop when David Roche got his stack of 17,600 in from the cutoff against Blaz Zerjav in the small blind on the 7♦10♠4♥ flop.
David Roche: 10♦10♣
Blaz Zerjav: 8♥7♥
Zerjav's pair was in dire shape against Roche's set. The J♣ turn provided some outs, but the 6♣ river remained clean for Roche to double up.
Alexandre Doyer raised under the gun to 600 and was three-bet to 1,700 by Govert Metaal in the next seat. Said Haho cold-called from the big blind, which brought Doyer along as well.
The dealer fanned the 6♣2♠10♠ flop and the action checked to Metaal, who bet 2,200. Haho wanted to play for more and check-raised to 6,000. Doyer went into the tank before folding, and Metaal quickly released his cards, sending the pot Haho's way.
Picking up the action on a 4♥5♠7♥8♦ turn with 8,600 in the center, Jakob Karlsson bet 4,200 from the big blind, and Masoud Mir called in early position.
Karlsson then pushed in 14,000 on the 2♠ river and quickly called when Mir put him all-in for 20,200 in total. Mir revealed a wheel with A♥3♠, but Karlsson had the better straight with 6♥3♦ to double up.