EPT Main Event Day 1a | 2007 EPT German Open

03-08-2007 16:13 UTC+1

Players are taking their seats

So cards should be in the air very shortly. We don't have the seating draw just yet but as soon as we do we'll inform you of any interesting match-ups.

I'm sure there are loads more big names here that are probably at the bar, but here's who I've seen so far.

Marcel Luske
Noah Boeken
Andrew Black
Bad Girl Pham
Roy "The Boy" Brindley
Joe "The Elegance" Beevers
Roland De Wolfe
Dave "El Blondie" Colclough
Praz Bansi
Katja Thater

03-08-2007 16:44 UTC+1

Where it's all happening

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We have quite a nice balcony view of the tournament area right beside our media center. It's a bit of a trek to get chip counts but it's still a very pleasant environment to work in. This casino is high roller country, and usually has a dress code, but they've opened up the doors to over 500 scruffy poker players for the week.

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

03-08-2007 16:50 UTC+1

And we are off...

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After a 45 minute delay the tournament director finally uttered those immortal words "shuffle up and deal" - and wouldn't you know it - our man Lee Mulligan picks up a pot on his very first hand. Those extra 200 chips to his 10000 starting stack may well make him the chipleader.

Tags: lee mulligan

03-08-2007 17:11 UTC+1

Also playing today.

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Pascal Perrault
Julian Thew
Pablo Rua
John Shipley
Iwan Jones
Mats Iremark
JP Kelly
Torstein Iversen

It's very dificult to get accurate early chip counts but if anything major happens we'll be on top of it.

03-08-2007 17:19 UTC+1

Mr Iremark is bored.

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The EPT Deauville champion is playing with a Rubik's cube at the table!!

03-08-2007 17:26 UTC+1

Black makes positive start

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He called a reraise with {10-Diamonds}

and out flopped {A-Spades}

. All the chips flew in on a Ten high flop with 3 spades, and Andrew Black gets an early double up.

Tags: AA andy black double up

03-08-2007 17:42 UTC+1

Answers on a postcard please

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This man is very very famous, for the last hour he has had a frenzy of cameramen and reporters surrounding his table.

We haven't got a clue who he is, if anybody would care to enlighten us we would be very greatful. We'll try and get his autograph if the camera crews ever leave his side.

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

03-08-2007 18:08 UTC+1

Johnny Lodden in da' house

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You're never going to win a poker tournament dressed like that Johnny!! By the looks of things he's got some chips early though.

I've also spotted spotted E-WSOP champion Ziggy Stockinger who is still on his starting stack.

Andrew Black has taken a small step backwards on 14K and "Elky" is on 17K.

Mats Iremark completed his Rubik's cube, then got bored and messed it all up again. I just realised Julian Thew is on his left.

Tags: Johnny Lodden