€5,300 Main Event Day 2 | 2015 PokerStars.com EPT Season 11 Malta

03-24-2015 22:03 UTC+2

Samuel Chartier Bags Biggest Stack On a Day Filled with Eliminations

Chad Holloway

Level 14 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante

Day 2 of the European Poker Tour Malta Main Event saw six players take advantage of the late-registration period. That brought the total field to 895 players and created a prize pool of €4,340,750 that will be distributed to the top 121 finishers with a hefty €810,400 going to the eventual winner. After six 75-minute levels of play, the field was reduced from 512 down to 186 with Samuel Chartier and his stack of 465,500 leading the way.

Others who survived the day with big stacks were Germans Moritz Dietrich (460,000) and Ismail Kalkan (426,900), and Italian Filippo Lazzaretto (348,100).

Eliminations were the order of the day, and that included Marvin Rettenmaier. The two-time World Poker Tour champ fell in Level 9 (400/800/100) when Diego Zeiter opened from early position and Rettenmaier three-bet to 6,500 from the small blind. Zeiter four-bet to 14,000 and then called when Rettenmaier shoved all in.

Zeiter:
Rettenmaier:

The board ran out , and the German star made his exit. He'd soon have company on the rail.

Jorryt van Hoof, Martin Finger, Philipp Gruissem, Dzmitry Urbanovich, Ole Schemion, Fabian Quoss, Dominik Nitsche, Ami Barer, and Day 1b chip leader Max Silver were among those to fall on Day 2. Likewise, Team PokerStars Pro members Theo Jorgensen, Jan Heitmann, George Danzer, Marc-Andre Ladouceur, Vanessa Selbst, Marcin Horecki, Leo Margets, and Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier all took their leave, as did Full Tilt Poker Ambassador Dermot Blain, who celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday.

For a thorough look at the history of poker in Malta, check out our feature post titled EPT Malta Shakes Up Portomaso Casino's All-Time Money List.

As for the chip leader, Chartier, he got some of his chips in Level 12 (800/1,600/200) by eliminating EPT Prague High Roller champ Ivan Soshnikov. It happened when the Russian raised to 3,300 and called Chartier's three-bet to 8,200. On the flop, Soshnikov check-called a bet of 8,600 and checked again on the turn. Chartier tossed in three blue T5,000 chips and announced to the dealer "14," meaning a bet of 14,000. Soshnikov took off his earphones for a second to confirm the amount and called, heading to the on the river.

Again the Russian checked and had put his earphones back in. Chartier moved all in and the red triangle flew in front of the Canadian. Soshnikov called and Chartier flipped over the for a flush. The Russian let out some curse words in his native language before flashing the and heading for the exit.

Others returning for Day 3 include online star Ignat "0Human0" Liviu (248,000); high-stakes pro Alec Torelli (216,500); reigning World Series of Poker champ Martin Jacobson (67,700); Team PokerStars Pro members Jonathan Duhamel (77,500) and Jake Cody (58,000); and PokerStars-sponsored player Dominik Panka (197,300).

"At the beginning of the day, I won three pots then I had ace-king versus tens," Panka told PokerNews about his Day 2. "The other player had 30 big blinds and I turned a king. After that, I just steadily increased my chips and all the three-bets I did — which weren’t too many — were working. So, yes, it’s been a pretty good day."

Day 3 will kick off at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday, and the plan is to play five 90-minute levels. The PokerNews Live Reporting team will be there every step of the way.

While you wait, check out this video of Sarah Herring getting her feet nibbled on by fish. Yes, you read that right.

Tags: Samuel Chartier

03-24-2015 20:17 UTC+2

Double Knock Out For Liviu

Happy_Freaked

Level 14 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante

We just witnessed quite the hand that involved two players hitting the rail after Ignat Liviu had them both crushed with the nut flush.

It all started on Dutchman Luuk Gieles who raised to 4,500 and Ioannis Kontonatsios made the call in position. Liviu called from the big blind and the flop brought out .

Liviu lead out for 7,500 and Gieles called after which Kontonatsios put in the chips as well needed to see the turn card. The turn brought the and Liviu bet another 18,500 after which Gieles moved all in for 47,400.

Kontonatsios went into the tank for a long time but eventually he moved all in for around 72,000.

Liviu quickly double checked his cards and called, and interestingly enough there was only one card he needed to dodge.

Liviu:
Gieles:
Kontonatsios:

The only card he needed to dodge was the , which would've given Kontonatios a straight flush, and the river was the . Liviu raked in a massive pot and both Gieles and Kontonatios were knocked out.

Player	Chips	Progress
Liviu Ignat	235,000	65,000
ioannis kontonatsios	Busted
Luuk Gieles	Busted

Tags: Luuk Gieles Ignat Liviu Ioannis Kontonatios

03-24-2015 20:16 UTC+2

CONVersation: A Whole New World for Panka

MarcC

Level 14 : 1,200/2,400, 300 ante

Every now and again the poker world throws up a surprise. A player comes from nowhere to claim a major tournament and wins and life-changing money. The most obvious example of this phenomenon was Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 WSOP Main Event win. That extreme example changed the landscape of poker forever.

Many players have their moment in the limelight before disappearing back into obscurity; few go on and back up their achievement by winning another prestigious event not long after.

At the beginning of 2014, one man did just that. Poland’s Dominik Panka is a name all media and players on the EPT see as part of the furniture now but prior to winning the 2014 PCA, and then the EPT Deauville High Roller, he was just a face in the crowd. PokerNews caught up Panka in the break to have a chat about his day and his new life.

PokerNews. Day 2 seems to be going well for you today, tell us a little bit about it:

Dominik Panka: I haven’t really lost any small pots. At the beginning of the day I won three pots then I had ace-king versus tens. The other player 30 big blinds and I turned a king. After that I just steadily increased my chips and all the three-bets I did – which weren’t too many – were working so, yes, it’s been a pretty good day.

Just before you went on break you doubled up Team PokerStars Online Marc-Andre Ladouceur and he has position on you. Will you have to adjust to him now seeing as though he has a dangerous and aggressive reputation?

Definitely but the blinds are going up now and I’m not sure if he’ll even have 30 big blinds now. That doesn’t offer him too much room to play and I’m not in a bad mood – which can sometimes cause me to fear certain players more – so I don’t fear him right now. If Marc had more than 100k then I’d adjust accordingly, but right now, he can’t do much against me.

Tomorrow night sees the GPI European Poker Awards take place and you’ve been nominated in the Breakout Player of the Year Category. Are you looking forward to the awards and how does it make you feel to be included in this category?

It makes me feel amazing. I know it’s not really a competition where we’re fight against each other but all of my competitors (George Danzer, Oliver Price & Jack Salter) are extremely accomplished players so I would be delighted if it was awarded to me.

You’re nominated mainly for your incredible achievements at the beginning of last year. How much has your life changed in the last 14 months?

Not that much although I would say I’m surer of myself. Before, I was just playing online and was a winning player but I couldn’t be that financially stable. I was playing a decent amount online and was a winning player although I would suffer losing streaks, but now I have financial stability I feel more mature.

I would feel good most of the time but after PCA, with all the traveling to the EPTs and being sponsored by PokerStars for a year, it’s just a great experience.

Tell us a bit more about your sponsorship with PokerStars.

I like the part where I have to do interviews and feel proud to represent the brand. When you are an unknown online player just dreaming about winning something big, you look at all those guys on TV and see how famous they are and you hope one day to be able to play against them. Right now, the fact that I (maybe) am considered one of those players is pretty amazing. I also like the fact that I feel more comfortable approaching some of those big guys, for example. I’m still living the dream!

Congratulations on getting engaged a few months ago, have you planned the wedding yet?

Of course! I’m not one of those guys who just propose to their girlfriend and waits three years. We have the date scheduled and will get married next year in July.

Tags: Dominik Panka

03-24-2015 19:24 UTC+2

Ivarsson Busts Celestino

Webjoker

Level 13 : 1,000/2,000, 300 ante

Ariel Celestino shoved his last 27,000 in from middle position. Action folded around to Alexander Ivarsson in the small blind and he shoved over the top all in to get the big blind to decide for all of his chips. The big blind's decision was easy it seemed, his cards hit the muck instantly.

Alexander Ivarsson:
Ariel Celestino:

The flop came and Celestino flipped over his cards and started walking away. The on the turn and the on the river couldn't help Celestino anymore and the Brazilian headed for the exit.

Player	Chips	Progress
Alexander Ivarsson	240,000	5,000
Ariel Celestino	Busted

Tags: Alexander Ivarsson Ariel Celestino

03-24-2015 17:57 UTC+2

Chartier Busts Soshnikov and Increases Lead

Christian Zetzsche

Level 12 : 800/1,600, 200 ante

Ivan Soshnikov - playing Global Poker Masters

Ivan Soshnikov raised to 3,300 and called the three-bet of Sam Chartier from one seat over for 8,200 in total. On the flop, Soshnikov check-called a bet of 8,600 and checked again the on the turn.

Chartier tossed in three blue T-5,000 chips and announced to the dealer "14", meaning a bet of 14,000. Soshnikov took off his earphones for a second to confirm the amount and called, heading to the fell on the river.

Again the Russian checked and had put his earphones back in. Chartier moved all in and the red triangle flew in front of the Canadian. "All in?" Soshnikov asked and then called. Chartier flipped over and the Russian let out some curse words in his native language before flashing .

Player	Chips	Progress
Sam Chartier	345,000	65,000
Ivan Soshnikov	Busted

Tags: Ivan Soshnikov Sam Chartier Samuel Chartier

03-24-2015 17:24 UTC+2

EPT Malta Shakes Up Portamaso Casino's All-Time Money List

Chad Holloway

Level 12 : 800/1,600, 200 ante

Earlier in the Main Event, we highlighted the history of poker in Malta, one that has invariably been altered with the introduction of the first-ever European Poker Tour festival, which is being held at the Portomaso Casino next to the Hilton Malta.

The property began hosting poker tournaments back in 2008 starting with three Malta Poker Tour €100,000 guaranteed events. Canada's Tommy Pavlicek won the first-ever event, and the €30,000 prize made him the Portomaso's biggest-ever winner. Of course that's changed over the last seven years, but the past week has rocked the rankings in a big way.

Check out the current top 10 winners here at the Portomaso Casino:

Place	Player	Country	Prize Money
1	Dzmitry Urbanovich	Poland	$646,586
2	Connor Drinan	United States	$421,175
3	Michal Polchlopek	Poland	$322,658
4	Daniel Dvoress	Canada	$278,454
5	Matt Giannetti	United States	$276,457
6	Georgios Zisimopoulos	Greece	$234,197
7	Nicholas Petrangelo	United States	$217,998
8	Walter Treccarichi	Italy	$204,537
9	Fabrizio Rossi	Italy	$177,224
10	Alessio Isaia	Italy	$176,414

As you can see, the list is full of familiar faces. Take Poland's Dzmitry Urbanovich for example. The 19 year old wasn't even on the list last week, but thanks to three wins here at the EPT Malta, including $605,929 for taking down the €25,000 High Roller, he now sits as the all-time money winner playing tournaments in Malta. As a result of his unparalleled week, he now sits atop the EPT Season 11 Player of the Year leaderboard. It's also worth noting that not all of Urbanovich's results are counted in the above chart, which is courtesy of HendonMob.

Further examination of the list reveals that Connor Drinan (runner-up), Daniel Dvoress (3rd place), and Nick Petrangelo (4th place), all made the top seven thanks to their top-four finishes in the aforementioned €25,000 High Roller. That one event alone rocked the foundation of the Portomaso all-time money list, though it will be short lived as the Main Event is primed to shake things up.

Before the EPT came to town, Michal Polchlopek, who now sits third on the list, was the top dog after winning the 2010 Italian Poker Tour €2,000 Main Event for $266,502, so to say PokerStars has played a hand in shaping poker in Malta is an understatement.

Finally, one thing you don't see on the Portomaso list is someone from Malta, and that's because the game is relatively young on the island. The EPT Main Event saw just six Maltese enter the tournament, thought part of the reason is the casino requires Malta residents to be 25+ to play (foreigners only need to be 18).

As far as the Maltese go, Alan James Brincat sits atop the all-time money leader list thanks to a single cash – $134,225 for runner-up in the 2014 €500 buy-in Battle of Malta. That event, which took place back in November, attracted 1,447 entries and created a prize pool of €701,795 to crush the €500K guarantee. Bulgaria's Antoan Katsarov ended up winning that event for $153,623.

Sitting second on the list with $113,860 in winnings is Jean-Paul Helderman, who also cracked the leaderboard after a single score. Back in 2012, Helderman won the A$2,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em event at the Aussie Millions Poker Championship.

Another notable list regarding Malta is "Most Cashes," and one woman has distanced herself from the pack with 21 cashes. Jackie "Poker Mama" Cachia, who grew up just a few miles from the Portomaso Casino, has amassed $77,833 in winnings and has become an advocate for poker in Malta. The PokerStars Blog recently profiled Cachia, who played and busted this event on Day 1. Still, we recommend you check out that piece by clicking here.

Malta All-Time Lists

Place	Player	Money Won	Player	# of Cashes
1	Alan James Brincat	$134,225	Jackie Cachia	21
2	Jean-Paul Helderman	$113,860	Charlo Azzopardi	15
3	Charlo Azzopardi	$90,293	Andrea Stellato	7
4	Konrad Abela	$84,014	Mario Sciberras	6
5	Jackie Cachia	$76,076	Anna Colley	6
6	Bryan Vanrijsbergen	$56,513	Manfred Sierke	5
7	Jerome Iozza	$45,536	Miljan Miljanic	5
8	Anna Colley	$44,766	Jacob Nielsen	5
9	Anton Abela	$39,172	Antoine Degiorgio	5

Tags: PokerNews Live Blog Feature Portomaso Casino

03-24-2015 17:15 UTC+2

"This One Goes Straight Into the Record Books! I Have Taken a Hand From a Pro!"

Webjoker

Level 11 : 600/1,200, 200 ante

Sam Trickett and neighbor Ghassan El-Hoss were chatting, both with a big smile, when action folded to Trickett in the small blind. UK's all time money leader raised it up to 4,500, adding "You don't like to fold, you like to talk and call" when El-Hoss indeed added 3,300 to see a flop.

The flop came and Trickett bet out 4,000. El-Hoss was quick to call.

The fell on the turn and Trickett now checked. El-Hoss again didn't need much time as he bet 7,000. Trickett called.

The completed the board and Trickett and El-Hoss both checked. Though it was Trickett's to show first, El-Hoss immediately showed and Trickett mucked.

El-Hoss put his hands together one firm time and with a raised voice said "This one goes straight into the record books! I have taken a hand from a pro!"

Trickett and El-Hoss were both laughing. "I was a little bit concerned when you stopped talking, thought you might have something" Trickett said with a big smile.

"You had to show first" El-Hoss said. "I know, but you were so happy to show your hand" Trickett replied still smiling.

Trickett is still doing well with 150,000. His neighbor from Wales, which we might have to nickname "The Boss" from now on, sits at about a 100,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
Sam Trickett	150,000	-15,500
Ghassan El-Hoss	96,000	13,500

Tags: Ghassan El-Hoss Sam Trickett

03-24-2015 16:48 UTC+2

Danzer Flips a Coin

Webjoker

Level 11 : 600/1,200, 200 ante

On a board of Jose Quintas shoved all in from the big blind for 24,100 in a pot already quite big. George Danzer, in early position, had the option to call or fold and was clearly conflicted.

The German Team Pro stared at the board for a little and reached into his pocket to get a €2 coin out. He played around with it a little bit and after a minute or so he tossed it in the air, having it land in his hand, and slamming it on the back of his other hand tales up.

"I wished it was the other one" Danzer said with a smile, not acting upon what he had decided before we assumed. It was like the Danish poet and scientist Piet Hein once wrote in a poem:

Whenever you're called on to make up your mind,
and you're hampered by not having any,
the best way to solve the dilemma, you'll find,
is simply by spinning a penny.
No — not so that chance shall decide the affair
while you're passively standing there moping;
but the moment the penny is up in the air,
you suddenly know what you're hoping.

Danzer eventually decided not to follow up with what the coin had decided, and folded his hand. Quintas was kind enough to show the . Hein's advice was again solid. Danzer continues with about 66,000 in chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
George Danzer	66,000	-14,000

Tags: George Danzer

03-24-2015 16:10 UTC+2

Heitmann Busts in Last Hand of Level 10

Christian Zetzsche

Level 10 : 500/1,000, 100 ante

Jan Heitmann and Damien Lhommeau had just tangled in a bigger pot before and then faced yet another confrontation in the last level before the break. The hand itself took six minutes into the break and Lhommeau bet the flop for 11,400. PokerStars Team Pro Heitmann called to see the on the turn and the Frenchman checked.

Heitmann bet 17,900 and Lhommeau announced all in after some consideration. Heitmann snap-called with and faced the of the Frenchman. Lhommeau's request for help was granted as the dealer burned and turned the river and Heitmann was covered to leave the tournament area with a "nice hand" towards his opponent.

Player	Chips	Progress
Damien Lhommeau	160,000	112,500
Jan Heitmann	Busted

Tags: Damien Lhommeau Jan Heitmann

03-24-2015 15:07 UTC+2

CONVersation: Angell Steps Up His Game

MarcC

Level 10 : 500/1,000, 100 ante

First there was the European Poker Tour, and then PokerStars introduced regional tours around the world. These were lower buy-in events, specific to a region, and they offered grass-root players the chance to play tournaments with the feel of an EPT but for a fraction of the price and still with a great structure. Players got the chance to see if they had what it took before they attempted to play an EPT, if they so wished.

One of the most successful incarnations was the United Kingdom and Ireland Poker Tour (UKIPT), now into its fifth season. A familiar face from that tour is the UKIPT4 London2 Champion Brett Angell. He took a second on the tour (Nottingham Season 2) before taking down the stacked London event last October for $184,991. He also came very close to defending his London title, coming seventh at the opening leg of Season 5 in London a couple of months ago.

PokerNews caught up with Angell before he took his seat for Day 2.

PokerNews: You’ve made Day 2, how’s your seat draw looking?

Brett Angell: “It looks good actually. There’s Martin (Jacobson) I recognize; Carlo Citrone, who I know from back in the UK; Sofia Lovgen, who I’ve never played with but I’ve seen her about, and three short stacks.

Martin is chip leader but his hands will be tied a little bit as he has the one, two and three short stacks behind him so hopefully he can’t run over the table too much.

Do you have any special plans to deal with someone of his stature?

Not really, I’ll just see what happens [nervous laugh]. I don’t think he’ll be able to run over the table, like I said, as he has three 15-big-blind stacks behind him. I can’t see him opening too light and he'll have position most of the time, but I will have it some of the time.

How did your Day 1 go?

Started really well and I built up a big stack. It got up to about 70,000 and then I lost a 40,000-pot with ace-king against eights really late on. I bagged up 45,000 for 50 something big blinds so I’m happy enough. It is a bit frustrating to be up there and be knocked back down though.

This is you second-ever EPT Main Event; tell us about the circumstance that brought about your first one.

I’ve played a few UKIPTs, but not them all as I still work full time. I get to the ones I can and obviously I went on to win London so I decided to jump straight into the EPT the next day to see what is was like. I think I had a pretty rough table, and again, I started okay in that one but I was very tired after the day and the night before. It probably wasn’t the best decision to jump in but you’ve got to try!

Did the tiredness effect you more than you thought it would?

It definitely did. The UKIPT was so draining and I had lots of battles with Vladimir (Troyanovsky), which meant I could never switch off. The final didn’t finish too late – maybe half-eight – but I obviously went out for some drinks, nothing too heavy, but then the Champion of Champions Event* was ten the next morning so I was up at half-eight getting ready for that and then straight into the EPT. It was tiring!

You still work full-time but after winning all this money with a win and a second-place in finish in two UKIPTs, have you ever thought of quitting your job and going pro?

I work in IT for a company back near where I live, a 9-5 thing. It has crossed my mind to quit and go pro a few times but I think it’s really tough without playing online and I don’t really enjoy it all that much. I much prefer live tournaments as I get a much better feel for what’s going on. I can never put the volume in as I’m working and then every time I play online I’m tired after being at work all day so I’m not playing my A-game.

Maybe, if I took six months out from work and gave it a shot, I’d enjoy it more. A lot of my friends who play full-time don’t particularly enjoy the hours they have to put in online to make a profit and I can’t see myself wanting to sit in front of a screen for 12-16 hours a day. I enjoy the live environment and talking to people and coming to places like this. I’ll probably always just play live and therefore will always need to work to fund the expenses etc.

The second level of the day is underway and Angell’s stack has slipped a little to around the 40 big blind mark (40bb), plenty to work with at this stage.

*The Champions of Champion Event was a specifically arranged tournament for all the winners on Season 4 of the UKIPT. Dean Hutchison, the Edinburgh Champion, won the event and his prize was buy-ins to all the stops on Season 5 of the tour.

Tags: Brett Angell