Event 2 - £2,500 Pot Limit Hold'em/Omaha Day 1 | 2009 World Series of Poker Europe

09-21-2009 15:49 UTC+2

Matusow Struggling

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"It's not going well, I've won like one ante so far."

Mike Matusow currently on 5,250, so still well in touch.

Level: 3

Blinds: 0/0

Ante: 0

09-21-2009 15:23 UTC+2

I couldn't help but notice that during the break, the Irish contingent seemed magnetised towards the bar, even if they're not eying up the beverages. One of those was Omaha bracelet winner and Poker Million Champion Marty Smyth; he currently has 10,000.

09-21-2009 15:20 UTC+2

Positive Thinking

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During the break I caught up with Hendon Mobber Barny Boatman: "Shock, horror. I still have all my chips."

09-21-2009 15:19 UTC+2

Break It Down

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The tournament clock has been paused while the players go on their first 20-minute break of the day.

09-21-2009 15:11 UTC+2

De Wolfe Takes One Down

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I joined the action with the board reading {5-Clubs}

and Roland taking a jab with a bet of 4,200. The action lay on Huck Seed, who was contemplating his next move and fingering his chips pensively. Eventually he opted for the fold, leaving himself with 7,125 (starting stack 7,500). De Wolfe, meanwhile, jumps up to 10,500, although it's presented in the form of his trademark dirty stack that seems to accompany the more aggressive, care-free players.

09-21-2009 15:09 UTC+2

The Betfair Beat

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A recent stroll past Sorel Mizzi and John Tabatabai's table revealed the following: Mizzi is out and Tabatabai is up to 13,000 in chips after eliminating Ben Grundy from the tournament.

We missed Sorel's exit hand, but were able to snag the tail end of Grundy's.

(Omaha)
On a board showing {7-Hearts}

, action was checked around the table to Tabatabai who fired a 500 bet. Grundy then check-raised the size of the pot, Tabatabai put him all in and Grundy made the call:

Tabatabai: {8-Spades}

Grundy:

The turn and river came an inconsequential {Q-Clubs}

,

and Tabatabai took down the hand with an eight-high straight.

Tags: John Tabatabai Sorel Mizzi

09-21-2009 15:00 UTC+2

Table of Doom

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As the now departed Richard Ashby looks on from the rail, I couldn't help but notice possibly the most menacing table I've seen so far here at WSOPE, or any past WSOPE for that matter.

Seat 1: Jeff Duvall
Seat 2: Empty
Seat 3: Joe Beevers
Seat 4: Padraig Parkinson
Seat 5: Huck Seed
Seat 6: Michel Abecassis
Seat 7: Marc Goodwin
Seat 8: Neil Channing
Seat 9: Roland de Wolfe

The sickest thing is, Richard's probably thinking, "Wouldn't mind taking that empty seat and cleaning up here."

09-21-2009 14:51 UTC+2

Enter Texas Dolly

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Doyle Brunson has just taken his seat at a table with Juha Helppi, Andy Bloch and Barry Greenstein.

Meanwhile, at a nearby table downstairs, Tony Cousineau appears to have doubled up to 14,000 in chips.

09-21-2009 14:37 UTC+2

Chip Off the Old Bloch

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Andy Bloch is down to 6,250 in chips early (emphasis on the it being early part), after a recent confrontation with an unknown (to us anyway) opponent.

Bloch opened the pot with a raise to 250 from early position and was called by his nemesis in the big blind.

The flop came down {5-Hearts}

and the action was checked to Bloch who fired a continuation bet of 325. His opponent then check-raised to 975 and Bloch made the call.

The {3-Diamonds}

fell on 4th Street and the big blind opened with a 2,500 wager. Bloch paid a quick visit to the tank before ultimately tossing his cards into the muck pile.

His opponent flashed some variation of {5-?}