Poker had long been part of Benjamin Wittams-Smith's family life growing up. But the Spin & Go winner never dreamed he'd get the chance to live out a poker adventure like the one he experienced this week — one that also involved a trip back through some of those family memories, too, as it turned out.
Read his story over on the PokerStars Blog.
An extremely long hand played out between Russian pro Maxim Lykov and Greek player Georgios Vrakas, with the board of 
almost being incidental to the stare-down action.
Lykov had moved all-in for 21,500 into a pot of 26,500, with Vrakas had the decision. Eventually, Vrakas called and was shown Lykov's flush with 
.
Sean Winter, who finished runner-up in this event one year ago for $914,580, was just eliminated at the hands of Igor Kurganov.
We missed the action unfold, but we learned the two each put in 23,000 preflop, which left Winter with just 200 back. Of course those ended up in on the 
flop.
Kurganov: 
Winter: 
Winter was ahead with a set, but Kurganov had a flush draw. The turn gave him the flush, and the 
river actually improved him to a straight flush.
"Get this guy out of here," Kurganov jokingly shouted, much to the amusement of the table.
"You're a gambler, Igor," Winter said before adding that he was going to finish his meal and fire a second bullet.
Spain's Raul Martinez got his last 12,600 all in preflop and was at risk against Bryn Kenney.
Kenney: 
Martinez: 
The best shot Martinez had to double was to find an ace, but it wasn't in the cards as the board ran out 
.
Oleksii Khoroshenin has already made three final tables at this year's PokerStars Championship Bahamas festival, including winning one silver spade. He's off to a fast start today in the $25,750 High Roller, as is Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier who seeks to reprise his huge 2008 PCA Main Event title with another big win on Paradise Island. Check the PokerStars Blog for more from the first half of Day 1.
Level: 7
Blinds: 400/800
Ante: 100
Just before the break, Jonathan Jaffe raised to 1,500 under the gun and Kevin Eyster called from the hijack. Connor Drinan then three-bet to 5,600 from the cutoff, and right behind him Isaac Haxton four-bet to 13,600 from the button.
Both blinds folded, and Jaffe thought for a bit before announcing himself all in for 40,000 even. Both Eyster and Drinan folded, and Haxton snap-called.
Haxton:
Jaffe:
Jaffe was in trouble, though he did manage to pick up a gutshot on the 
flop. The 
turn meant a nine would also win it for him, but it was the 
on the river that would save him. Haxton was left with less than 5,000 after the hand.
Players have sent on another 20-minute break. When they return, they will play two more levels then take an 80-minute dinner break. After they return from that, they'll play out the two final levels of Day 1.
Here are the top ten chipcounts at the break, with Bryn Kenney going for a third High Roller title here at the PokerStars Championship Bahamas. He's well placed in the top ten, but it is Timothy Adams (pictured) who leads the field going into the third break.
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