PartyPoker Premier League IV

PartyPoker Premier League IV
Day: 6
Event Info

PartyPoker Premier League IV

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
q8
Prize
$400,000
Event Info
Buy-in
$100,000
Entries
6
Level Info
Level
7
Blinds
15,000 / 30,000
Ante
0

The Final Heat Warming Up

Another yellow jersey day for Laak
Another yellow jersey day for Laak
Today marks the final heat of the PartyPoker Premier League IV before the final table. Heat #6 is the most interesting matchup of players and also the most important. Being the final heat in the event before the final table, every player knows where they stand and can judge where they need to finish to make it to the final table.

Daniel Negreanu comes into today with 10 points and stated in his pregame interview that he needs to finish third or better. He also revealed that he got out his notepad last night and figured out where everyone else needs to finish. Knowing this, he'll be able to apply pressure to people where needed.

Here's a look at the standings, with everyone in bold playing today.

1. Phil Laak – 48 points
2. David Benyamine - 35 points
3. Giovanni Safina - 29 points
4. Ian Frazer – 26 points
5. Luke Schwartz – 23 points
6. JC Tran – 20 points
7. Yevgeniy Timoshenko – 16 points
8. Roland De Wolfe – 14 points
9. Vanessa Rousso – 12 points
10. Daniel Negreanu – 10 points
11. Tony G - 9 points
12. Phil Hellmuth - 8 points


As you can see, the five players with the least amount of points all finish today. After today, the top four point getters automatically make the final table with the next four spots playing heads-up matches to see who gets the final two seats. Even though David Benyamine and Phil Laak have a final table appearance locked up, they'll be looking to pick up some more points and increase their chip stack at the final table. These two will have the advantage of not being no scared to bust out from the tournament.

Rumor has it, Roland De Wolfe will be willing to fold almost every hand because he knows he needs to move up in points. In a previous season of this event, De Wolfe folded over 70 straight hands at one point in order to move up. Hellmuth believes he'll just fold, fold, fold until he picks up a monster and then he'll just move in.

It's going to be very interesting to see how the match plays out and you can find all the coverage right here on PokerNews. Stay tuned!

Pregame Stretch?

Phil Hellmuth is stretching himself off to the side in the Ravello Bar as the players wait to get things started. He laid on his stomach and arched his back and then stood up to tell Vanessa Rousso about how his back has started to hurt.

"I'm 45 and I've never had any back problems," he said. "So what I do is lay face down and do this and then curl this way," he went on to describe about how he stretches out his back.

Hellmuth then went back to the floor and laid on his stomach befores arching back like a snake, then he goes into a position where he pulls his knees to his chest and squeezes, then back to snake-like, then spins side to side, then back to pulling his knees in.

We'll see how loose he comes out of the gate.

Tags: Phil Hellmuth

Level: 1

Blinds: 1,000/2,000

Ante: 0

Happy Retirement

Hellmuth reading the card De Wolfe got for him
Hellmuth reading the card De Wolfe got for him
Roland De Wolfe just walked to the other side of the table and gave Phil Hellmuth a card. The card was a "Happy Retirement" card and De Wolfe wrote a note in it wishing Hellmuth happy retirement from the game of poker as a shot to Hellmuth. The table got a great laugh from this one.

Tags: Phil HellmuthRoland De Wolfe

Schwartz Gone

No, Luke Schwartz isn't out of the tournament, but he isn't at the table. Schwartz was there when play began, but has taken a leave of absence from the table.

In his pregame interview, Schwartz said that he thought about not even showing up and just blinding away up to a few points and secure a spot in the top eight.

The other players at the table are talking about whether or not this is actually the optimal play for Schwartz. They argued that if he's the type of player that just has an addiction to playing hands and cant just sit there and fold, this might be the best decision for him.

Don't worry though, Roland De Wolfe put a stuffed monkey in his seat to take his spot. Yes, that's right, a stuffed monkey.

We'll see if he comes back anytime soon.

Tags: Luke Schwartz

Negreanu Wrong

Negreanu and Benyamine
Negreanu and Benyamine
Daniel Negreanu min-raised preflop to 4,000 and David Benyamine called in position with the {A-Diamonds}{4-Diamonds}. Negreanu had raised it up with the {K-Hearts}{Q-Clubs}.

The flop was {A-Clubs}{9-Spades}{4-Hearts} and both players checked. The turn ws the {2-Clubs} and Negreanu checked. Benyamine bet 7,000 and Negreanu called with king high.

The river was the {7-Hearts} and Negreanu checked. Benyamine fired 22,000 and Negreanu looked him up with a call.

"Wow, I was wrong," said Negreanu when he saw Benyamine's hand, who scooped the pot with two pair.

Tags: Daniel NegreanuDavid Benyamine

Laak Loosening Up

After three-betting preflop, Phil Laak took his {5-Spades}{2-Diamonds} up against Daniel Negreanu's pocket threes. The flop came down {A-Spades}{9-Diamonds}{3-Hearts} and Laak fired 25,000 to continue his aggression. Negreanu raised to 75,000 with his set and Laak didn't go chasing his flush draw.

Tags: Daniel NegreanuPhil Laak

The Mask

Yes, this is what he's wearing
Yes, this is what he's wearing
Roland De Wolfe has just busted out the Darth Vader mask and is now in full costume sitting at the table. Darth Vader, a lightsaber, bikes and a stuffed monkey -- just your typical $100,000 buy-in event.

Tags: Roland De Wolfe