Ronnie's day ends early

Just 40 minutes to play on Day 1 at the Gran Casino Madrid but Tour League leader Ronnie Espensen will not be among those returning to the Main Event tables tomorrow.

The Dane had struggled to build any momentum all day, with his luck typified by a split pot a short while before his demise.

Espensen had got it all-in pre-flop with AA vs AK and was finally looking at surpassing his starting stack, only for the board to deliver four cards to the broadway straight.

The final hand came just moments ago, as having called a pre-flop raise in position with 6♥7♥, Espensen made the decision to commit his stack to the pot when the 3♥3♠5♥ board was checked round to him.

He was checked-raised all-in by 8♥9♥ and it was the nine-high that held up to eliminate the PPT League leader.

Fortunately for him, many of his key rivals for the €10,000 plus entry into all Season Three events did not make the trip, though he wasn't taking anything for granted.

"I'll be in Barcelona for sure - I have to play now don't I!" he said, "It didn't happen today but I'll keep an eye on how things pan out.

"Hopefully I'll still be in the lead at the final Season Two event."