High Roller Freeze-Out
Day 1 Started
2010 Full Tilt Poker Merit Cyprus Classic
High Roller Freeze-Out
Day: 1
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2010 Full Tilt Poker Merit Cyprus Classic
Buy-in
$25,000
Prize Pool
$873,000
Entries
36
Level
25
Blinds
40,000 / 80,000
Ante
0
Merit Cyprus Classic Kicks Off with a Bang!
The second annual Full Tilt Poker Merit Cyprus Classic kicks off today at 4:00 pm local time with the $25,000 High Roller Freeze-Out. With this big buy-in event slated a couple of days before the main event starts, you can bet that all the big names that made the trip to Cyprus will be taking to the felt for some high-stakes action. We're not quite sure yet who's going to be here, but we have heard some rumors that the one and only Phil Ivey might make an appearance.
On top of that, we've spotted some of the big names in the industry roaming around the resort including Chino Rheem, Chip and Karina Jett, Carter Phillips, Sorel Mizzi, Dave Colcough, Roy Winston, Jon "Pearljammer" Turner, Andrew Feldman and Sam Trickett. Jennifer "Jennicide" Leigh and Jean-Robert Bellande are also en route to Cyprus. Rheem made the WSOP's November Nine back in 2008, but there's another November Niner here in Cyprus who may steal the show.
Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi is one of the fortunate nine souls that made it to the 2010 WSOP Main Event final table. He has made the trip to Cyprus and will be on hand for the events. Mizrachi had one amazing WSOP this summer and will be looking to continue his amazing success for 2010 by capturing this title. Winston blogged about how Mizrachi ran super well in a $25-50 cash game here in Cyprus the other night, which could shed some light on how the tournament will go for him. If he still hasn't cooled off from his summer heater, the competition better watch out.
Be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all the live coverage from the tournament floor once the cards are in the air. We'll see you in a bit!
Late Start
We were just informed that the $25,000 High Roller Freeze-Out is most likely going to start an hour late. Instead of the originally scheduled 4:00 pm start, we'll be looking at 5:00 pm. The reason? Well, a lot of the players coming in to play the event won't be here to start things on time and one of those players is none other than poker juggernaut Phil Ivey. That's right, it has been confirmed that Ivey will indeed be here in Cyprus for the 2010 Full Tilt Poker Merit Cyprus Classic.
Take Your Seats
The players have begun taking their seats in order to begin play. The cards will be in the air in just a moment!
Level: 1
Blinds: 100/200
Ante: 0
Shuffle Up and Deal!
The cards are in the air and play is underway.
Mizrachi's River Raise Can't Win This One
From middle position, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi raiser to 525. Tafyun Rodoplu called from the button and Rony Jazzar also came along from the big blind, pitting the 2010 November Niner against two players.
The flop came down 
and all three players checked. The turn brought the 
to the board and Jazzar fired out 1,100. Mizrachi called and Rodoplu called also.
The river completed the board with the 
. Jazzar fired out 1,100, the same bet he led with on the prior street. Mizrachi raised to 6,000. The third player in the hand, Rodoplu, called and Jazzar called as well.
Jazzar tabled the 
for top two pair on the flop. His opponents mucked and Jazzar picked up the pot to move to 116,000 in chips. Both Mizrachi and Rodoplu dropped to about 92,000 each.
In case you're wondering who Rony Jazzar is, we can shed some light on that subject. When we were out here last here for the first annual Merit Cyprus Classic, Jazzar took sixth place for a cool $73,535 in the main event.
Filippo Candio Everybody
On the flop of 
, Rami Shouman checked to Filippo Candio, the other November Niner here in Cyprus playing this event. He bet out 7,500. Shouman check-raised to 20,000 and Candio called.
The turn brought the 
and both players checked. The river completed the board with the 
and Shouman checked again to Candio. The Italian fired 40,000 and Shouman mucked his hand, dropping to about 75,000. Candio increased to 127,000.
Shouman said that he folded aces, to which Carter Phillips responded, "I'd have called with ace high!"
Chino Rheem chimed in, "Meet the newest member of the November Nine, Filippo Candio. He snaps off aces with seven-five."
Late Arrivals
Among the players that have arrived late in Level 1 are David Benyamine and Erik Cajelais. Also, Phil Ivey is said to be on the way and very close to arriving to the Merit Crystal Cove.
Candio Folds Bottom Two to Chino
Filippo Candio was on the button and raised to 500. Chino Rheem was in the small blind and made a reraise to 1,600. Sorel Mizzi flatted from the big blind and Candio flatted as well.
The flop came down 
and Rheem bet out 2,600, which set off a blaze of raising action. Mizzi raised to 5,800 before Candio reraised to 15,800. Rheem wasn't about to back down and raised again, making it 35,000. Mizzi foled before Candio went into the tank. He thought for a good bit and then tossed in his hand, showing the 
for bottom two pair.
"Show the bluff, show the bluff!" yelled everyone else at the table to Rheem.
"I can't," said Rheem. "That's so sick, Filippo. I'm supposed to double there."
After the hand, Rheem stepped aside to discuss the hand with Michael Mizrachi, who is seatedat the adjacent table. We can't say what was said, but after Rheem whispered in Mizrachi's ear, Mizrachi gave the "Are you kidding me?!?!?" face.
Rheem is up to 130,000 while Candio dropped to 104,000.