Main Event Day 1 | 2010 PaddyPowerPoker.com Irish Poker Open

04-02-2010 15:40 UTC

No Average Joe

[user76023]

Joey Lovelady has made the early front running, having just dispatched a shortish stack with {A-?}

against

.

"I've played two hands, both aces, both won big pots. It's easy this game."

Aces twice an hour, that's all you need.

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

04-02-2010 15:51 UTC

Swingler Swings Low

[user4144]

Not an exit, but just as exciting! With the board reading {K-?}

, Adrian Swingler found himself left with little more than a bowl of rice after getting it in with a king, only to find James Kerrane sitting pretty (to Angeline Jolie proportions!) with {6-?}

for the flopped quads. No dramatic king on the river (despite the subterranean, yet sadistic wishes of the table), and the pot was Kerrane's.

Tags: Adrian Swingler James Kerrane

04-02-2010 15:57 UTC

As with the World Series, Dublin seems to attract a lot of eccentric and flamboyant players to the Irish Open, many of whom frequently forget to pack their dress sense in the mad rush to the airport.

Although I've seen a number of dazzling shirts - including Surinder Sunar's purple with white flowers number - perhaps the most eye-opening garb is that adorned by Gerald David. Known as 'Skullman' on the UK circuit, David is wearing the pinkest outfit (including cap) I've ever seen. We certainly won't miss him leaving the room!

Meanwhile, I think Dario Minieri might be the only player in the room wearing a woolly hat, despite the rest of the players sweating like marathon runners from the heat.

Level: 3

Blinds: 75/150

Ante: 0

04-02-2010 16:11 UTC

The (Brand)born Ultimatum

[user76023]

It's all gone rather peachy for Swede Ola Brandborn so far. He pushed all-in over the top of a 3,000 bet on a {8-Diamonds}

flop for a total of about 11,000 putting his opponent to the test.

After a good couple of minutes in the tank, he was called by {Q-Clubs}

but Brandborn flipped {A-Hearts}

and the

turn and

were blanks. There was a countdown of stacks and Brandborn just had his opponent covered and hence has about 22,000 now.

04-02-2010 16:15 UTC

Scarfboy Scalped

[user76023]

Dario Minieri has either concocted a magical device to make himself and his chips invisible, or he has been knocked out of the tournament. We missed the hand but the players at the table were still talking about his exit, one player stating "Well, Dario pretty much has to have air in that spot..."

Using Holmesian deductive powers, we're guessing he went out with a big bluff.

04-02-2010 16:23 UTC

Kings Desaddled

[user4144]

It was one of those dwells where the other players attempt to make subtle (although they are ultimately glaringly obvious) gestures that a player's taking too long: big vocal yawns, whistling, deep sighs, maybe even a scratching of the ass.

Paul Dooley seemed unperturbed, however, and continued to size up his options. The board read {5-Diamonds}

, and Dooley's bet of 2,600 had been pursued by an all in from Snteri Valikoski for around 6,000 more.

In the end, Dooley folded, showing {K-Clubs}

in the process in the hope of catching a glimpse of his opponent's cards. Unfortunately, his curiosity remained unsatisfied as Valikoski quickly threw his hands into the muck and picked up a crucial pot.

Tags: Paul Dooley

04-02-2010 16:33 UTC

Worming His Way Out

[user4144]

It's been a good few weeks for Mickey 'The Worm/Legend' Wernick. Not only has he found his way back onto the circuit thanks to his new sponsors, but he even won a seat to the Main Event via last night's super satellite after making the last minute decision to head west.

And now, at the felt, it appears as though the Poker Gods have continued to smile upon the veteran, runner runner quads pipping what I can only assume was a full house with a king on the river of a {K-?}

board.

"I got away pretty cheap there," exhaled relieved recipient Simon Daly. "Yeah, I bet small on the turn because I was hoping you'd raise," confessed Wernick. "You had Nike trainers on," came the reply, "getting runner runner." "I think it's my card number [20-10]," continued Wernick, "been playing 30 years. Maybe a sign from the Poker Gods."

Tags: Mickey Wernick