2010 PaddyPowerPoker.com Irish Poker Open

Main Event
Day: 3
Event Info

2010 PaddyPowerPoker.com Irish Poker Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
a8
Prize
€600,000
Event Info
Buy-in
€3,200
Entries
708
Level Info
Level
29
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
4,000

Vilkoski Picks Up Another Pot

On the last hand before the break, Barry Donovan defended his blind to a button raise from Santeri Valikoski. At the same time, he was looking over his shoulder towards the feature table as Maurice Whelan met his demise. This might be the reason why he cautiously checked the {A-?}{4-?}{A-?} flop and check-folded the raggy turn.

Back in 15 minutes.

Rene Leaves The Frey

No good for [Removed:248], he just pushed {A-Clubs} {J-Hearts} over the top of Richard Robinson only to find the latter holding {A-Hearts} {A-Spades} and unable to pass.

The board came {4-Clubs} {5-Hearts} {8-Clubs} {K-Hearts} {8-Hearts} and Freymann was down to just 22,000. He then trebled up but couldn't escape as his {10-Spades} {9-Diamonds} ran into Yann Dion's {A-Hearts} {5-Diamonds} the next hand.

Survival of the Fittest

We have three Sole Survivors (yes, I know that makes no sense) remaining, with Rob Sherwood leading the way with 550,000, and Barry Donovan just a step or two behind with 420,000.

It's certainly not a two horse race, though, as Maurice Whelan has shown more survival instincts than Bear Grylls, enjoying more doubles than a night on the tiles with the Devilfish. He may only have 140,000, but you can't rule him out.

Outer Table Chip Counts

Seat 1: Barry Donovan -- 420,000
Seat 2: Edmund Sweeney -- 520,000
Seat 3: Declan Connolly -- 580,000
Seat 4: Yann Dion -- 495,000
Seat 5: Santeri Valikoski -- 1,050,000
Seat 7: Richard Robinson -- 215,000
Seat 8: [Removed:248] -- 255,000

Mamma, Who's Da Yann?

Yann Dion raised to 35,000 from the button. Snteri Valikoski set him in from the small blind, Dion snapped him off quicker than a Venus fly-trap.

Dion: {A-Hearts} {K-Diamonds}
Valikoski: {A-Spades} {5-Spades}

Board: {A-Clubs} {3-Clubs} {Q-Clubs} {4-Hearts} {8-Spades}

A healthy double up for Dion while Valikoski takes a sizeable hit.

Nik Persaud Eliminated

Yann Dion raised to 35,000 from the hijack and Santeri Valikoski made the call one seat along, only for the action to grind to a halt on Nik Persaud in the small blind. Persaud riffled his chips before sliding in a raise to what I believe was 80,000 more.

Dion folded, but Valikoski was less hasty, requesting a count from Persaud as he looked him up and down. After a while, he made the call.

Flop: {A-Clubs}{J-Spades}{6-Hearts}

Persaud paused briefly before tapping the table. Valikoski echoed the gesture.

Turn: {J-Diamonds}

Persaud checked once again, only for Valikoski to reach for a column of yellow chips worth 100,000, which he speedily pushed into the middle. Persaud made the call.

River: {Q-Diamonds}

Persaud checked, and without hesitation, Valikoski took one glance at the dealer and announced all-in. Persaud called before the words had barely left the Norwegian's mouth.

Valikoski tabled {Q-Clubs}{J-Clubs} for the full house, and Persaud started pushing his stack towards his opponent. "Well played," he congratulated as he offered him a glimpse at his two red kings, {K-Diamonds}{K-Hearts}.

Persaud out, whilst Valikoski adds another half a million to his stack to become your new chip leader.

Tags: Nik PersaudSnteri Valikoski

Maurice Whelan - The Lazarus Of Poker

Some people call him the space cowboy, some call him the gangster of love...
Some people call him the space cowboy, some call him the gangster of love...
He can't be killed, he's like the Terminator combined with the Predator combined with Rambo.

Maurice Whelan was all-in with {K-Clubs} {6-Clubs} and survived once more against Peter Murphy's {J-Spades} {10-Spades} after a {K-?} {Q-?} {K-?} {3-Hearts} {2-?} board.

More Chips Head Straight To Persaud

Nik Persaud raised to 37,000 and Barry Donovan made the call on the button.

Both checked the {6-Diamonds} {7-Clubs} {10-Hearts} flop before Persaud bet 30,000 on the {10-Clubs} turn. Donovan called and we saw a {8-Spades} river. Persaud now checked and Donovan bet 52,500. Persaud quickly called with {A-Hearts} {9-Spades} and Donovan was forced to show {A-Diamonds} {K-Hearts}.