Noah Boeken, who won this event back in 2013 for €306,821 and won the €10,000 High Roller last year for €217,069, doesn't have the greatest of starts. He's down to just half of what he started with: 15,000.
Just now, we saw him check-call a river bet of 3,000 on . His opponent showed and Boeken only nodded, showing his foe ace-jack was good.
Byron Kaverman opened the cutoff for 450 and the player in the big blind called. Both of the active players checked on and the hit the turn. The big blind lead for 525 and Kaverman called.
As the completed the board, the big blind rapidly bet 1,250. Kaverman contemplated what to do for a minute or so before he slid 1,250 forward to call.
The big blind mucked and Kaverman followed his example. No showdown, but the pot went to Kaverman.
Hakim Zoufri triumphed in the Master Classics of Poker Main Event last year, outlasting a total field of 356 entries to win €275,608 ($294,660). This time around, his start hasn't been great. He was down to just 4,425 but just doubled.
The hijack opened for 500 and Zoufri shoved from the small blind. Joris Ruys instantly folded his big blind and the initial raiser called.
Mourad Tounnouti opened the cutoff for 600 and found all of the players left to act interested: the button, small blind, and Rens Feenstra in the big blind all called.
The blinds checked to Tounnouti on and he continuation bet 1,800. The button and small blind folded, Feenstra called.
Both players checked the on the turn and the completed the board. Feenstra bet 4,000 and Tounnouti called.
Feenstra tabled for the missed flush draw but hit 2 pair, Tounnouti mucked.
A player in middle position opened for 500 and the button called, as did Fatima Moreira de Melo in the small blind. Action checked to the button on and he bet 800. Moreira de Melo called, the initial raiser folded.
Both players checked the on the turn and on the river and Moreira de Melo showed her . That proved a winner as the button showed his just before he mucked them.
As we arrived, the flop was already out in a hand between Jorn Walthaus (under the gun) and Thierry van den Berg (middle position). On , Walthaus bet 900. Van den Berg was quick to call.
The hit the turn and Walthaus didn't hold back, betting 1,900. Van den Berg tossed in two 1,000-chips to call soon after.
With the completing the board, Walthaus checked. Van den Berg bet 2,000 and Walthaus took another look at his cards. With a pained face, he eventually called.
Van den Berg showed for the turned flush but soon would get the bad news as Walthaus tabled for the rivered higher flush.