Event #5: €550 NLH Colossus | 2023 WSOP Europe

11-06-2023 22:55 UTC+2

Three in a Row for Di Nicola

Calum Grant

Level 41 : Blinds 600,000/1,200,000, 1,200,000 ante

Ermanno Di Nicola limped in with J♦9♥, and Alain Saka checked his option with the dominated 9♦6♠. The 10♣2♣3♠ flop checked through to the Q♦ turn. Saka then check-folded to a bet of 2,500,000.

The following hand, Saka opened to 2,500,000 from the button with 9♣8♣ and then folded when Di Nicola jammed with 5♥5♣.

Di Nicola limped in with K♠7♥ and Saka checked in the big blind with Q♦7♦. Neither player connected on the 6♦6♥2♥ flop for Di Nicola to remain ahead. Action checked through and Di Nicola paired up on the K♥ turn. Di Nicola fired out a bet and Saka folded.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ermanno Di Nicola	65,000,000 8,000,000	8,000,000

Alain Saka	21,000,000 -7,000,000	-7,000,000

Tags: Alain Saka Ermanno Di Nicola

11-06-2023 22:51 UTC+2

Saka Jams

Calum Grant

Level 41 : Blinds 600,000/1,200,000, 1,200,000 ante

Alain Saka limped in with 5♣4♣ from the button and then called when Ermanno Di Nicola made it 3,200,000 with 10♣2♠.

Saka paired up on the J♠6♠5♥ flop and called a bet of 3,000,000. The 3♥ turn kept Saka ahead, and he moved all in after Di Nicola checked. The Italian quickly folded.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ermanno Di Nicola	57,000,000 -8,000,000	-8,000,000

Alain Saka	28,000,000 3,500,000	3,500,000

11-06-2023 22:47 UTC+2

Heads-Up Begins

Calum Grant

Level 41 : Blinds 600,000/1,200,000, 1,200,000 ante

The two finalists are back in their seats and play has resumed.

11-06-2023 22:36 UTC+2

Short Break

Calum Grant

Level 41 : Blinds 600,000/1,200,000, 1,200,000 ante

Ermanno Di Nicola and Alain Saka are taking a 6-minute break before heads-up play gets underway.

11-06-2023 22:32 UTC+2

Angelo Marrone Eliminated in 3rd Place (€87,000)

Calum Grant

Level 41 : Blinds 600,000/1,200,000, 1,200,000 ante

Ermanno Di Nicola made it 2,500,000 from the button. Alain Saka three-bet to 7,000,000 from the small blind. Angelo Marrone then moved all for 28,000,000 from the big blind. Di Nicola quickly reshoved and Saka got out of the way.

Angelo Marrone: A♠J♦
Ermanno Di Nicola: K♠K♣

Marrone had three immediate outs and failed to find an ace on the 9♣5♥4♦ flop and 5♠ turn. The 2♣ river completed the board, and Di Nicola sealed the pot to set up heads-up play.

Marrone has had an incredible run on Day 3, having started the session with just four big blinds.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ermanno Di Nicola	65,000,000 37,000,000	37,000,000

Alain Saka	24,500,000 -7,500,000	-7,500,000
Angelo Marrone	Busted

Tags: Alain Saka Angelo Marrone Ermanno Di Nicola

Level: 41

Blinds: 600,000/1,200,000

Ante: 1,200,000

11-06-2023 22:24 UTC+2

Saka Four-Bet Jams

Calum Grant

Level 40 : Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante

Angelo Marrone, with K♥5♦, opened to 2,000,000 from the button before Ermanno Di Nicola made it 6,500,000 from the small blind with A♥J♣. Alain Saka looked down at 8♠8♥ and then moved all in for 22,000,000 from the big blind.

Marrone quickly folded. Di Nicola asked for a count but opted to fold after spending a fair bit of time in the tank.

Player	Chips	Progress
Alain Saka	32,000,000 9,000,000	9,000,000
Angelo Marrone	28,000,000
Ermanno Di Nicola	28,000,000 -6,000,000	-6,000,000

11-06-2023 22:23 UTC+2

PN Podcast: Halloween Costumes, Matthew Perry, & Guest K.L. Cleeton Talks RangeTrainerPro

Chad Holloway

Level 40 : Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante

On the latest episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Connor Richards, and Matt Hansen talk about what they did for Halloween, DJ Khaled’s Celebrity Challenge on Global Poker, GGPoker’s new Poker After Dark ‘Game of Gold’ show, and the difference between WPT at Sea vs. WPT Voyage.

They also remember actor Matthew Perry, who passed away unexpectedly, and the mark he left on the TV show Celebrity Poker Showdown; recap Blake Bohn’s record 5th MSPT title win; take a look at Yiannis Liperis winning 888poker LIVE Coventry Main Event; and highlight winners from both the RunGood Poker Series (RGPS) and Triton Poker.

Chad then sits down for a chat with K.L. Cleeton, the co-founder of RangeTrainerPro. He talks about living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), how poker is a great equalizer for his competitive spirit, and new developments at RangeTrainerPro and how his unique perspective has shaped the innovative tool.

Listen to the New PokerNews Podcast Here!

11-06-2023 22:23 UTC+2

Saka Shoves on Di Nicola

David Salituro

Level 40 : Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante

Alain Saka raised to 2,000,000 on the button with A♥8♦ and Ermanno Di Nicola defended 9♠8♠.

Both players hit a pair on the 4♣A♣9♦ flop and Saka continued for 1,500,000 with his aces. Di Nicola called with nines as the K♠ fell on the turn.

Saka then moved all in for 15,000,000 and Di Nicola confirmed the amount before mucking.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ermanno Di Nicola	34,000,000 -5,000,000	-5,000,000

Alain Saka	23,000,000

Tags: Alain Saka Ermanno Di Nicola

11-06-2023 22:16 UTC+2

Marrone Double Barrels Di Nicola Out of the Pot

David Salituro

Level 40 : Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante

Angelo Marrone raised to 2,000,000 on the button with Q♠8♥ and Ermanno Di Nicola called in the small blind.

Both players checked the 5♠3♣A♣ flop and the J♥ then fell on the turn. Marrone bet 1,800,000 and Di Nicola called.

The river came the 5♥ and Marrone, left with just a pair of fives, queen-kicker, bet another 3,800,000. Di Nicola gave it some thought before mucking J♦10♥.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ermanno Di Nicola	39,000,000 -3,500,000	-3,500,000

Angelo Marrone	28,000,000 6,000,000	6,000,000

Tags: Angelo Marrone Ermanno Di Nicola