Main Event Day 3 | 2012 World Poker Tour Grand Prix de Paris

09-13-2012 14:52 UTC+2

Welcome to Day 3

[user101598]

Day 3 of the World Poker Tour Season XI Grand Prix de Paris is set to start in the next few minutes here at the Aviation Club de France. Of the 228 entrants only 63 remain, and we are 36 eliminations from the money. The minimum cash is €13,305, each member of the official final table will earn €75,765, and the winner will take home €400,000.

The chip leader entering the day is Philipp Gruissem (280,600), and he is closely followed by Bryan Colin (243,300), Matt Salsberg (229,700), Juha Helppi (222,800), and Giacomo Fundaro (216,000).

For a look at all of the chip counts, click on the Chip Counts tab above.

There are two former Grand Prix de Paris winners still alive. David Benyamine (137,600) and Theo Jorgensen (126,900) won this event in Season's II and IX respectively, and are looking to return to the winner's circle here in Paris.

Other WPT Champions Club members that are still alive include the aforementioned Helppi, Sean Jazayeri (105,300), and WPT Season VII Player of the Year Bertrand "ElkY" Grospellier (33,900). Two other WPT POY's are still alive as well; Joe Serock (Season X, 114,000 chips) and Faraz Jaka (Season VIII, 157,400 chips).

Jason Mercier, who is perhaps the most decorated player in the world without an appearance at a WPT final table, is looking to capture poker's triple crown. Mercier has already won two World Series of Poker bracelets and a European Poker Tour title, so the only thing missing from his résumé is a win on the WPT. This could be his chance.

The cards will be in the air shortly, so make sure to stay tuned to PokerNews.com for all of your up-to-the-minute updates from Paris!

Tags: Philipp Gruissem

09-13-2012 17:10 UTC+2

Having Fun-daro

[user101598]

There was an open to 4,000, Basil Yaiche called, Andrew Lichtenberger called, and Giacomo Fundaro three-bet to 22,000 near the button. The original raiser released, and Yaiche tanked before moving all in for 151,000. Lichtenberger quickly folded, and Fundaro quickly called.

Showdown
Yaiche: {a-Diamonds} {j-Diamonds}
Fundaro: {10-Hearts} {10-Spades}

The board ran out {q-Spades} {8-Spades} {7-Clubs} {4-Hearts} {2-Spades} , and Fundaro doubled to over 200,000 chips.

Yaiche is left with just 45,000 chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
Giacomo Fundaro	215,000 25,000	25,000

Basil Yaiche	45,000 -96,700	-96,700

Tags: Andrew Lichtenberger Basil Yaiche Giacomo Fundaro

09-13-2012 17:56 UTC+2

Salsberg Busts Tony G, Extends Chip Lead

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According to chip leader Matt Salsberg, Dan Djorno opened to 4,500 in middle position, Tony G three-bet jammed for around 40,000, and Salsberg called. Djorno released, and Tony G tabled two queens. Salsberg was racing with {a-} {k-} , and there was a king on the flop.

Tony G couldn't catch up on the turn or the river, and he was eliminated from the tournament.

Player	Chips	Progress
Matt Salsberg	525,000 125,000	125,000
Tony G	Busted

Tags: Tony G Matt Salsberg

09-13-2012 19:19 UTC+2

Benyamine Bounced

[user101598]

David Benyamine, who won the Grand Prix de Paris in Season II of the World Poker Tour, has been eliminated by our chip leader; Matt Salsberg.

According to the man with the chips, he raised from the cutoff holding {2-} {2-} , the small blind called, and so too did Benyamine in the big blind. The flop fell {6-} {3-} {2-} , and the action checked to Salsberg, who bet 5,000. The small blind folded and Benyamine called.

The turn was the {Q-Diamonds} , Benyamine checked, Salsberg bet 10,000, and Benyamine moved all-in. Salsberg called and Benyamine tabled {K-} {Q-} , drawing dead.

Benyamine is out, while Salsberg is now flirting with a 600,000-chip stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
Matt Salsberg	590,000 65,000	65,000
David Benyamine	Busted

Tags: David Benyamine Matt Salsberg

09-13-2012 19:50 UTC+2

Serock Wins Massive Pot, Eliminates Le Peuc'h

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Joe Serock wins a massive pot, more than doubling

After a series of preflop raises, Joe Serock, Nicolas Cardyn, and Eric Le Peuc'h were all in preflop.

Showdown
Serock: {q-Clubs} {q-Hearts}
Cardyn: {a-Diamonds} {k-Clubs}
Le Peuc'h: {10-Spades} {10-Clubs}

The board ran out {3-Diamonds} {7-Clubs} {4-Spades} {6-Clubs} {4-Hearts} , and Le Peuc'h was eliminated. Cardyn is left with 50,000 chips, and Serock, the WPT Season X Player of the Year, more than doubled to 245,000 chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
Joe Serock	245,000 148,000	148,000
Nicolas Cardyn	50,000 -100,000	-100,000
Eric Le Peuc'h	Busted

Tags: Eric Le Peuc'h Joe Serock Nicolas Cardyn

09-13-2012 22:04 UTC+2

Cassagne Cast Off

[user101598]

Tristan Cassagne opened to 7,000 from under the gun, Grégoire Boissenot three-bet to 21,000 on his direct left, and the action folded back to Cassagne. He moved all in, and Boissenot snapped it off.

Showdown:
Cassagne: {k-Hearts} {k-Spades}
Boissenot: {a-Hearts} {a-Diamonds}

The aces held as the board ran out {3-Clubs} {2-Diamonds} {j-Clubs} {10-Spades} {j-Spades} , and Cassagne was eliminated.

Player	Chips	Progress
Grégoire Boissenot	180,000 137,000	137,000
Tristan Cassagne	Busted

Tags: Grégoire Boissenot Tristan Cassagne

09-13-2012 22:34 UTC+2

Jorgensen's Three-Barrel Bluff

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Theo Jorgensen tries the bluff - unsuccessfully however

Matt Salsberg opened to 8,000 in early position, Fabian Quoss called on his direct left, and Theo Jorgensen called on his direct left. The dealer fanned {5-Hearts} {j-Hearts} {2-Hearts} , and the action checked the Jorgensen, who tossed out 11,000. Only Quoss called.

The turn was the {k-Diamonds} , Quoss checked again, and Jorgensen fired 20,000. Quoss called.

The {5-Clubs} completed the board, and Quoss checked a third time. Jorgensen emptied the chamber, firing a third bullet worth 60,000, and Quoss instantly called.

Jorgensen tabled {a-Clubs} {3-Clubs} for ace-high, and Quoss turned over {a-Hearts} {q-Hearts} for an ace-high flush.

Player	Chips	Progress
Fabian Quoss	335,000 187,400	187,400
Theo Jorgensen	210,000 -140,000	-140,000

Tags: Fabian Quoss Matt Salsberg Theo Jorgensen

09-13-2012 22:40 UTC+2

Moh Money, Moh Problems

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Ekrem Sanioglu opened to 6,100 from early position, and Mohsin Charania called on the button. The flop fell {2-Clubs} {4-Clubs} {3-Spades} , and Sanioglu continued for 10,500. Charania called.

The turn was the {k-Spades} , Sanioglu led out again - this time for 23,500 - and Charania called.

The {a-Diamonds} completed the board and Sanioglu slowed down, checking to Charania who tossed out 37,500. Sanioglu quickly called. Charania tabled {a-Clubs} {q-Clubs} for a pair of aces with a queen kicker, and Sanioglu showed {a-Hearts} {9-Hearts} for a pair of aces with a worse kicker.

Charania pulled in the pot, pushing his stack to 295,000 chips, while Sanioglu slipped to 325,000.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ekrem Sanioglu	325,000 -122,300	-122,300
Mohsin Charania	295,000 160,000	160,000

Tags: Ekrem Sanioglu Mohsin Charania

09-13-2012 22:48 UTC+2

Jetten Doubles Amara, Then Busts

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Peter Jetten raised to 8,000 from the small blind, Daniel Amara three-bet to 28,000 from the big blind, and Jetten moved all in for effectively 97,000. Amara quickly called.

Showdown
Jetten: {8-Diamonds} {8-Hearts}
Amara: {a-Clubs} {q-Clubs}

The board ran out {a-Spades} {2-Clubs} {7-Spades} {k-Clubs} {7-Hearts} , and Jetten was left with just 62,000.

A few hands later, Jetten opened in middle position, and Raphaël Abitbol called out of the small blind. The flop fell {3-Clubs} {6-Hearts} {5-Hearts} , and Abitbol led for 8,000. Jetten moved all in for 54,800, and Abitbol tank-called.

Showdown
Abitbol: {7-Diamonds} {6-Diamonds}
Jetten: {a-Clubs} {j-Clubs}

The turn and river came {10-Spades} , {5-Spades} respectively, and Jetten was eliminated.

Player	Chips	Progress
Daniel Amara	205,000 149,000	149,000
Raphaël Abitbol	140,000 -48,500	-48,500
Peter Jetten	Busted

Tags: Daniel Amara Peter Jetten Raphaël Abitbol

09-13-2012 23:24 UTC+2

Just Before Break...

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Ekrem Sanioglu can't believe what happened

Just before the break, Philipp Gruissem and Ekrem Sanioglu were heads up with the board reading {10-Spades} {9-Diamonds} {8-Hearts} .

Gruissem checked to Sanioglu, who bet 28,000. Gruissem check-raised to about 100,000.

"I am all-in," Sanioglu announced instantly.

Gruissem tanked and asked for a count.

"You have plenty of chips," Sanioglu said to Gruissem. "Call."

"I don't think I can fold," Gruissem admitted. "I am sorry if I suck out on you."

Gruissem called, and the hands were opened.

Gruissem: {J-Hearts} {J-Diamonds}
Sanioglu: {9-Clubs} {9-Hearts}

The {3-Diamonds} was a brick, but the {7-Hearts} slammed on the river, giving Sanioglu a winning straight.

Sanioglu smacked the table in disappointment and is eliminated, while Gruissem is up to an impressive 930,000 chips.

Player	Chips	Progress
Philipp Gruissem	930,000 543,100	543,100
Ekrem Sanioglu	Busted

Tags: Ekrem Sanioglu Philipp Gruissem