A tannoy announcement went up outlining a 'super-turbo' sit 'n' go with a £1,000 entry fee for the main event. Jack Effel advertised that this was players' last chance to win a bracelet in 2008.
Another possible reason for the impromptu satellite, however, is the fact the current number of registered players at this year's main event (362) matches last year's on the nose! Clever thinking by the staff, if that is indeed their reasoning behind firing up one last satellite.
"How did I get involved in this?" asked Gus Hansen, as he considered calling a raise to 8,000 made by Per Hildebrand on a flop showing , with about 2,700 in the pot. Lex Veldhuis had moved all of his chips into the middle (7,800) after Hildebrand raised and now the action fell to Hansen; it cost him 6,000 to call and call he did.
Now with 400 in the side pot, the dealer burned and turned the . Gus then passed the first option to Hildebrand, who immediately moved all in. Just as quickly, Gus folded and a showdown ensued between Hildebrand and Veldhuis:
Hildebrand:
Veldhuis:
The that fell on the river made Hansen cringe (presumably because he folded a club draw?), though it had no impact on the fate of Veldhuis, who quietly exited the tournament area.
After the hand, Hildebrand stacked up over 40,000 in chips while Hansen was left with 11,400.
Nick Persaud: That 3% Drives Him On
Catman, with Catgirl (you will know who this is if you've picked up a poker magazine recently), were swanning round the tournament area, before coming across Nik Persaud, who appears to have stayed resolutely on his starting stack. That may be something to do with his inability to stay off the rail chatting to people, Catman no exception.
"I wonder if I could get a fiver on you," asked Catman.
"I've got so many backers, I'm playing for like 3% of myself," misunderstood Persaud.
Changing tack, "Well, what could I have for a fiver? It's a lucky fiver. A couple of percent...?"
"Lucky fiver," echoed Persaud, although £5 as a percentage of the buy-in to this tournament is 0.05%.
"Surely it's gotta be worth £50K."
At this point the whole thing had confused me and I left the table, where what was mainly happening was the chip stacks evening out, although it is now Sorel Mizzi with 33,000 who leads it.
The one and only Gus Hansen has just pulled up a seat next to John Juanda, also at the same table as John Phan, Jon Schwarz and Lex Veldhuis. Suffice it to say, things may pick up a little bit on a table that has otherwise been somewhat dormant; at least by Phan and Juanda's standards, anyway.
The camera crews are currently going around the tables in the poker room area of the tournament and filming some hands at each table, which require them to get the players to show their cards while trying not to slow down the action.
Some of the players don't appear to be huge fans of this, witness Adam Junglen's face when they reached his table to do this. A groan and a face like that of a Newcastle United fan.
Having check-raised Thomas Bentham on an flop, Frederick Andersson checked the turn to his opponent who bet out 5,600. After a period of thinking, also known as 'dwellage,' Andersson slid his remaining 12,000 or so into the middle and Bentham quickly called with which had turned a better two pair against Anderson's . Andersson missed his two remaining outs and made the long walk out of the cardroom and towards the bar.
Annette of chips
Two stars who seem to be drawing the most attention today are Doyle Brunson and Annette Obrestad, fresh off their recent USA versus Europe heads-up encounter.
My route to their tables is littered with numerous obstacles, but it looks as though Brunson has around 25,000. Obrestad, meanwhile, appears to have surpassed the 50,000 mark and is going great guns. Even considering her star-studded company, trying to stop Obrestad now is going to be like taking on a Viking army with a water pistol.
I love watching the Devilfish in action, as you can always be guaranteed the odd tickled rib or two. As a highly attractive (moderately so, if my girlfriend is reading this) masseuse watched the action, Devilfish asked, "So, how many times have you been hit on so far?" to which she replied, "This is my first time." I would love to report that this was a witty reply that silenced the Devilfish, but judging by her reaction, I think she simply misunderstood the question. The real answer is a million, and I shall be adding to that figure during the next break. Wish me luck!
, with about 2,700 in the pot. Lex Veldhuis had moved all of his chips into the middle (7,800) after Hildebrand raised and now the action fell to Hansen; it cost him 6,000 to call and call he did.
. Gus then passed the first option to Hildebrand, who immediately moved all in. Just as quickly, Gus folded and a showdown ensued between Hildebrand and Veldhuis:
that fell on the river made Hansen cringe (presumably because he folded a club draw?), though it had no impact on the fate of Veldhuis, who quietly exited the tournament area.
which had turned a better two pair against Anderson's 
. Andersson missed his two remaining outs and made the long walk out of the cardroom and towards the bar.
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