€8,500 Cannes Main Event Day 1a | 2008 Partouche Poker Tour - Cannes

09-03-2008 11:10 UTC+3

2008 Partouche Poker Tour - Cannes Main Event

[user38449]

Poker's popularity in France is currently experiencing all-time highs and things are about to get even bigger as the most prolific poker tournament ever held on French soil looms just a few short hours from now.

The Partouche Poker Tour has quietly gained momentum throughout the year, awarding countless seats to its €8,500 buy-in Main Event, and several of the games top players will be on hand when the Palm Beach Club in Cannes, France opens its doors to an anticipated field of 350+ entrants, each with an eye on the €2,000,000 guaranteed prizepool.

Scotty Nguyen, Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, David 'Chino' Rheem, Jeff Madsen, Evelyn Ng and Nenad Medic are just a few of the big names expected to play this week. Our live reporting team is on site and gearing up to bring you all of the action as it happens, from 'Shuffle up and deal' to the final hand. Coverage of the event begins at 3:00 p.m. local time (9:00 a.m. EST); you don't want to miss this!

Tags: Phil Ivey

09-03-2008 16:07 UTC+3

The French Deck

[user66118]

Our modern 52-card deck of playing cards is commonly known as the "French deck," having been altered and modified through centuries of play. This style of card is used worldwide with some slight variations. In the United States, we are familiar with the Anglo-American style of the deck. The face cards, from lowest rank to highest, are labeled "J" for Jack, "Q" for Queen, and "K" for King.

Here in France, we are getting used to their own traditional variation on that format. Face cards, from lowest to highest, are ranked "V" for Valet, "D" for Dame, and "R" for Roi. During our reporting, we will be using the Anglo-American lettering for face cards to avoid any confusion.

Tags: Cards Deck France French

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

09-03-2008 16:08 UTC+3

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user66118]

The cards are in the air, and we are underway here at the 2008 Partouche Poker Tour Main Event!

09-03-2008 16:28 UTC+3

Today's Notables

MarcC

As players get down to action a few familiar faces in the crowd include Juha Helppi, Anthony Lellouche, Arnaud Mattern, Ramzi Jelassi, Fabrice Soulier, Theo Jorgensen, Jason Mercier and Chris Ferguson. Best not to forget the ever aggressive Dario Minieri and Gus Hansen.

Tags: Anthony Lellouche Arnaud Mattern Chris Ferguson Dario Minieri Fabrice Soullier Gus Hansen Jason Mercier Juha Helppi Ramzi Jelassi Theo Jorgensen

09-03-2008 16:38 UTC+3

Pace of Play

[user66118]

As expected, the action is very tight here in the early stages of the first level. One thing that is a bit surprising, however, is the amount of aggression we are seeing already. A large percentage of the pots are being won with a preflop reraise or a single large bet on the flop. Very few hands are being limped preflop or played all the way to the river. As play progresses, it will be interesting to see how the mood and pace of the tournament changes thoughout the course of the day.

09-03-2008 17:01 UTC+3

Jesus Warming Up

MarcC

Chris Ferguson raised the 50 big blind to 150 from under-the-gun and was called by a player in middle position and the two blinds. Ferguson led out for 350 when the flop came {8-Diamonds}

and only the player in the big blind called.

The turn came {7-Clubs}

and Ferguson bet 600 when checked to him. The big blind player re-checked his cards and made the call before the river came {A-Spades}

.

This slowed Ferguson down as he also checked when opponent did so. Ferguson revealed {9-Hearts}

which was enough to take the pot as his other opponent revealed {6-Clubs}

.

Ferguson up to 22,000 at this early stage.

Tags: Chris Ferguson

09-03-2008 17:03 UTC+3

Nicest Media Room Ever?

[user38449]

Notice super luxurious mega yacht in the background

If we were to design the perfect media room for covering a poker tournament, it would share a striking resemblance to the one we'll be working from this week here at the Palm Beach Club in Cannes.

Seriously -- Where else in the world can you spot a super luxurious mega yacht in the backdrop of your workspace? Set right on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, we've got an unobstructed view of the water and words simply do not do it justice.

09-03-2008 17:14 UTC+3

Is it Possible to Bluff Dario?

MarcC

A player made a raise from first position and found a caller in the shape of Dario Minieri in the next seat as well as the big blind.

They all checked the {4-Hearts}

flop before the under-the-gun-player bet 350 once the {J-Spades}

had been dealt. This did not deter Minieri and the big blind player as they both called.

The river brought {7-Hearts}

, prompting the under-the-gun player to bet 600. Both players folded though and Minieri stated that he thought his opponent had ace-jack and that it was good. His opponent smiled and flipped over ace-eight.

'I had a pair, very good bet' added Minieri.

Minieri still on 29,000 after what must have been a lightning start.

Tags: Dario Minieri

09-03-2008 17:20 UTC+3

Untimely River Knocks the First Man Out

[user66118]

With just a few minutes remaining in the first level of play, we have just lost our first player here on Day 1a. Here's how the hand unfolded after the flop:

The dealer dealt out the first three community cards: {10-?}

. A betting and raising battle broke out between the two men in the hand. In the end, the ill-fated player moved all in, and Jacques Zaicik made the call. With 40,000 chips in the middle of the table, the hands were turned over:

Unknown - {Q-?}

Zaicik -

Zaicik had his man slightly covered, but was in grave danger of losing nearly all of his chips with just an overpair. The turn was a useless {2-?}

. Lightning struck on the river though, as Zaicik found another {K-?}

to make the winning top set. The man he eliminated was beside himself with anger, shouting and gesturing violently, as he finally exited the room.

After raking in that big early double up, Jacques Zaicik is now the chip leader with right at 40,000 checks.