2012 World Series of Poker Europe

Event #3: €5,300 Pot-Limit Omaha
Day: 1
Event Info

2012 World Series of Poker Europe

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
k532
Prize
€142,590
Event Info
Buy-in
€5,300
Prize Pool
€475,300
Entries
97
Level Info
Level
22
Blinds
8,000 / 16,000
Ante
0

Kollmann Leads Stacked Field After Day 1

Level 8 : 300/600, 0 ante
Vanessa Selbst fights for her second bracelet of 2012
Vanessa Selbst fights for her second bracelet of 2012

A total of 97 players signed up for the big Pot-Limit Omaha event of this year's World Series of Poker Europe. After eight levels of play just 25 remain with Austrian Erich Kollmann in the lead. Kollmann amassed 127,500 chips and holds a big lead over Bruno Fitoussi who's in second place with 108,600.

The day started just like you would expect a Pot-Limit Omaha tournament to start. The action was fast paced and quickly we saw the likes of David Baker, Greg Merson and Brandon Adams hit the rail. Meanwhile Michael Mizrachi was building a castle of chips in the early levels.

It took the two-time $50,000 Players Championship winner just three levels to have six starting stacks in front of him. Mizrachi kept winning pots left and right, and his only challenger ended up being Ran Azor. In the following levels Mizrachi and Azor kept battling with big swings as a result. Both players ended up surviving the day, but their stacks weren't nearly as impressive as during the dinner break. Mizrachi bagged up 47,100 while Azor returns with 40,500.

The most successful Omaha player of this year's WSOP also managed to survive the day. German pro Jan-Peter Jachtmann did not have it easy, but he will return tomorrow with 42,200. Other notable pros that will try to make a run tomorrow are Jason Mercier (25,800), Vanessa Selbst (42,400), Sam Chartier (59,100) and Roger Hairabedian (59,800)

Play will resume tomorrow at 2:00 PM local time as we will play down to a final table of nine. Make sure to tune in to PokerNews as we bring you all the acton!

Tags: Brandon AdamsBruno FitoussiDavid "ODB" BakerErich KollmannGreg MersonJan-Peter JachtmannJason MercierMichael MizrachiRan AzorRoger HairabedianSam ChartierVanessa Selbst

Mizrachi Busts Another; Takes Back the Chip Lead

Michael Mizrachi and Noah Schwartz from earlier in the day
Michael Mizrachi and Noah Schwartz from earlier in the day

Another hand, another episode of the Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi show. That's just how this event has been going. In this segment, Mizrachi busted Ben Roberts, the longtime English pro.

Erich Kollmann started things off with a raise from under the gun to 1,100. Roberts reraised from the next seat to 4,000 and action folded to Mizrachi in the big blind. He called, as did Kollmann.

The flop came down {J-Diamonds}{6-Hearts}{5-Spades} and Mizrachi led for 4,100. Kollmann folded, but Roberts reraised all in for around 10,000. Mizrachi beat him into the pot.

"I've got a pair and a straight draw," said Mizrachi while revealing the {7-Spades}{5-Diamonds}{4-Clubs}{4-Spades}. Roberts then turned up the {A-Clubs}{A-Spades}{8-Hearts}{3-Clubs} for a pair of aces and blockers to Mizrachi's straight draw.

The turn was the {J-Hearts} before the river completed the board with the {4-Hearts}. The river four gave Mizrachi a full house and he was able to win the pot to eliminate Roberts.

With that pot, Mizrachi moved himself back into the chip lead.

Player Chips Progress
Michael Mizrachi us
Michael Mizrachi
WSOP 5X Winner
WPT 2X Winner
135,000 31,000
Erich Kollmann at
Erich Kollmann
111,000 -18,000
Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts
Busted

Tags: Erich KollmannMichael MizrachiBen Roberts

It's Time For the Big Boys

Last year's champion, Steve Billirakis
Last year's champion, Steve Billirakis

Pot-Limit Omaha is one of those games that always draws a special crowd. Especially when the buy in is €5,300 you can really expect to see a ton of super stars. Today is one of those days, and we expect to see an amazing field of players to show up.

The big online poker weekend has passed, and many top pros are making their way to Cannes today. Jason Mercier already Tweeted about joining the fun, as will many others. Expect to see a star-studded field as we play eight one-hour levels here today. Late registration is expected to be open until 10:15 PM, and that leaves plenty of time for late arrivals. This is a three day event, and make sure you don't miss a second of it!

Last year Steve Billirakis defeated a field of 180 players. He took home the €238,140 first place prize after beating, among others, Ramzi Jelassi, Sam Trickett and Sam Chartier at the final table.

Tags: Jason Mercier