Pavlos snatches last gasp League glory

Pavlos wins €9,000 for his League triumph

The ParadisePoker Tour League produced maximum drama in the final leg of Season 3, as Pavlos Xanthopolous pipped rival Andreas Zauner at the last attempt.

The Greek, who had secured his place in the upper echelons of the standings with victory in the penultimate leg in Vienna, had exited the Main Event on Day 1 - but opted to enter Side Event 1 in a final hope of taking the biggest slice of the €20,000 prize pool.

Eight players cashed in the €330 NL Hold'em event and Xanthopolous finished 7th to secure the 100 points he needed to surpass long-time leader Zauner. On top of his side event winnings, the finish crucially improved his League prize by €7,000!

Zauner - who won the first event of Season 3 and had led throughout - was left to settle for second-place but has a €5,000 consolation. He is joined in the top five by previous winners Santiago Soriano (Barcelona), Nat Jarmonthavat (Prague) and Georgios Tzimas (Thessaloniki).

All winners will have their ParadisePoker account credited within 72 hours. That just leaves the PP blog to sign-off Season 3 by saying thanks to all our players, blog readers and friends... we've loved every minute!

Thessaloniki results - League points. Click to enlarge

Final League standings - click to enlarge

Fantasy Poker: Thessaloniki Results

Fantasy Poker provided the usual tussle amongst our blog readers and while no less than 24 teams managed to get a pick into the Main Event money - only one team landed two in the points.

That was xarisma who impressed the FP judges by selecting both 9th-placed Pantelis Pavlis and our third-place finisher, Pavlos Kasselouris (@kasspav). Kudos.

Our final winner of Season 3 bags himself a cool €500 for the trouble, so we'd say he owes Pavlis and Pavlos a drink!

Kasselouris proved the key for the five other entrants who picked him, but having failed to get a second team member into the cash, they will face a Fantasy Poker Play-Off for the remaining cash.

We'll be in touch with ANGEL, Full85, AceHigh, abdulgabul and nixokoftes soon to arrange a time that suits all, with €300 set to be awarded to the winner and €200 for the runner-up in the tournament.

Here's the Fantasy Poker standings:

Click to enlarge

UPDATE (21.06.12)

Congratulations to the winner of our Fantasy Poker Play-Off - who turned out to be none other than ParadisePoker Tour 3 League Champion, Pavlos Xanthopolous!

His Fantasy Poker team nixokoftes  tied for second place but we should have known the money magnet wouldn't have stopped there, as he secured the €300 prize with victory on Wednesday, June 20th.


His heads-up victim was abdulgabul owner Santo Abate, but defeat in the final two still came with a €200 payday. Not too shabby! Well-played to all our Fantasy Poker finalists. Until the next game...

Recap: Tzimas turnaround completes Season 3

Left to right: Sefertzis, Tzimas, Kasselouris

Giorgos Tzimas claimed victory in the ParadisePoker Tour Season 3 finale in Thessaloniki, Greece, but the local player had to recover from having just three big blinds on the final day of play.

Proving the oldest poker adage about a chip and a chair, the Greek was the dominant stack by the time the €125,000 Guaranteed Main Event reached the final three and a deal was cut to hand him the trophy and a €24,000 top prize.

The MTT semi-professional split the money with a pair of compatriots in the end, agreeing a settlement with Giorgos Sefertzis and Pavlos Kasselouris after eliminating the last of the foreign players, Attila Kongz.

Sefertzis and Kasselouris had both final tabled the Greek Poker Tour event that had preceded ParadisePoker's trip to Thessaloniki and the latter had begun the final table as chip leader. Each had played their part as executioner-in-chief at different points of Day 3 so it was fitting that the trio were there at the last.

The final leg of the ParadisePoker Tour’s Main Event was widely hailed as being among the best since the medium stakes series began in 2009, with the Hyatt Regency Casino earning praise from ParadisePoker’s Head of Poker, Bryan Carroll.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful setting and superb organisation in Thessaloniki and will certainly be considering a return in the future,” said Carroll, “All our players have raved about the experience and that is testament to our hosts, who have been fantastic.

“I would like to congratulate Giorgos Tzimas on claiming the trophy on the final step of Season 3. We have crowned five new champions during this season and are eagerly awaiting the ratification of results in the ParadisePoker Tour League.”

Tzimas talks

The PP blog caught up with Giorgos Tzimas in the immediate aftermath of his ParadisePoker Tour Main Event victory and he revealed a little more about the road to glory... including the fact he was down to just three big blinds on Day 3!

How does it feel to have won the ParadisePoker Tour Main Event?
It feels great. It's the first time that I've won a big tournament in my home town. It was my first ParadisePoker Tour and I've really enjoyed it, so maybe I'll play in future events too!

So what were the key moments in your tournament, starting with Day 1?
All the days I had a good stack. Day 1 ended with 63,000 and Day 2 around 290,000. I had a few problems today and was down to just three big blinds when I called with 55 vs 10-2 and lost. I had to grind my way back but by the time we were four-handed, I thought I was playing really well. I was being aggressive and using my experience.

Were there any big hands you remember that could have changed how the tournament developed?
I don't like to sound like I'm bragging about hands but the key one was when I six-bet - and now this sounds like a brag *laughs* - all-in with 6-10 against an aggressive Polish guy. I almost doubled up on that hand so I think that had to be the most important one. I didn't really have many times when I was all-in and it helped that I had some good hands at the final table.

So if you were six-betting with 10-6 you must have felt sharp? You must have been reading people well.
Not always! If I was always reading people that well maybe I'd be a bit more famous worldwide! Sometimes you have to follow your reads though and it means sometimes you fail, but it was a good read on that occasion.

Coming into the final table, what was the strategy?
I was about the sixth or seventh stack and I needed some big hands as I only had 15-16 big blinds. I don't remember the first important hand but I won some hands without showdowns, a couple of c-bets taking down big pots with the blinds so large. I managed to grind back up to 25+ big blinds and it was a lot easier from then on.

In terms of the win, the moment that swung things for you was with AK vs the 66 of Attila Kongz?
Yes I raised pre-fop and he three-bet from the button. We ended up all-in and a King hit the flop. That was undoubtedly the key hand and gave me the power to make a deal. When we were four-handed I was the short stack but I didn't want the deal then, unless we were going to chop it four ways.

So you were disappointed that deal didn't happen - but delighted by the time it was done then?!
*laughs* You know the cliche about the guy who doesn't want to do a deal always fails but not on this occasion. I'm obviously delighted!

Tzimas win in pics

Giorgos Tzimas was a happy man as he claimed the ParadisePoker Tour trophy in his home town and of course we snapped some pics of him celebrating with his trophy, big cheque and friends Giorgos Sefertzis and Paul Kasselouris. Enjoy...



Viewing on your mobile? View the ParadisePoker Tour Winner pics here.

Our thanks go to PokerLobby.gr for their help with pictures throughout the Main Event in Thessaloniki!

Deal secures Giorgos Tzimas the title

After much discussion, ICM deal research and deep thought, our trio of players have come to an agreement and crowned big chip leader Giorgos Tzimas as our ParadisePoker Tour Thessaloniki champion.

With three quarters of the chips in play, Tzimas was able to negotiate a prize of €24,000 for his first place while his rivals Giorgos Sefertzis and Paul Kasselouris take €18,500 and €18,443 respectively.

The PP blog managed to catch up with the champ for an interview which we'll publish right here in the next couple of days, so come back for a read soon.

We'll also have winner pics and Fantasy Poker results for you later in the week so feel free to bookmark the blog.

Congratulations to the new king of Paradise!

Final table - what a welcome!

You savvy blog readers will have noted the lack of the mandatory final table pic but we thought the final instalment of the ParadisePoker Tour Season 3 deserved something a little bit special.

Our hosts ramped up the final 10 by introducing all the players to the gathered crowds with the lights, cameras and music made possible by the technical whizz here in the Vergina Theatre.

So without further ado, have a watch of this!

Attila conquered in 4th, wins €10,937

Greek rule has been officially established in the Main Event of the ParadisePoker Tour as our last remaining foreign player Attila Kongz has left us in 4th spot.

Continuing his ascent is Giorgos Tzimas after absorbing the Hungarian's stack and he is now our clear chip leader with over half of the chips in play.

He won the huge pot with Kongz via a pre-flop raise fest which ended with the 6♠6♦ of Attila flipping with the A♥K♣ in the Greek's hand.

The flop came K♠7♣10♦ to swing the percentages in Tzimas' favour and so it stayed, as the 7♠ and J♦ both missed the shorter stack. 

Kongz had appeared to be the major block on a deal being done so inevitably the topic was raised once again, but the stack sizes are no longer so well-balanced with Giorgos T taking the lead. Giorgos Sefertzis has 1,200,000 chips and Paul Kasselouris 1,000,000.

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687.

No deal, just fireworks

The final foursome did breathe word of a deal a short time ago but with no agreement made, play continued to the power of Giorgos Tzimas.

His profit came at the cost of Giorgos Sefertzis, who laid his hand down in the face of aggression the turn. The story had begun with a pre-flop raise from Sefertzis and after both Tzimas and Paul Kasselouris called, the three Greeks went to a 10♦9♦A♥ flop.

Giorgos S. fired a c-bet, which was called by Giorgos T. and Kasselouris folded. The turn looked a blank 3♣ but after Sefertzis let another barrel fly, his opponent came over the top all-in.

The two have continued to spar in hands since, with another big pot decided at the river this time and Sefertzis clawing back some of his chips.

Vlachos follows in 5th

No luck for Vlachos' A7 of diamonds

And then there were 4. The 15,000/30,000 blinds plus 5,000 ante are starting to tingle now and that prompted Dimitris Vlachos to move his stack into the middle with A♦7♦.

The move was in response to a raise from Giorgos Sefertzis which was enough to cover the short stack of Vlachos. Pot committed, he set about taking his rival but was a long way behind when Sefertzis rolled A♠9♠.

Lady Luck had no time for the underdog either, immediately flopping two pair for Giorgos to all but end the contest before it started.

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687; 4th - €10,937;

Stars aligning for Kasspav? Tsavdaridis 6th

Jacks were no good for Tsavdaridis

Paul Kasselouris has seized back the chip lead in the Hyatt Regency Casino, but it took a slice of good fortune to drag in the 300,000+ stack of Grigorios Tsavdaridis.

The chips had been moved into the middle pre-flop only for the man known as Kasspav find himself dominated, his 99 trailing the JJ of the shorter stack.

That edge didn't last long, however, as a 9 duly hit the flop and send Tsavdaridis to the rail to collect his €6,250 in winnings.

Considering how long he had wrestled with so few big blinds, Grigorios might actually feel grateful his luck held until the final six, but it was a cruel way to exit nonetheless.

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687; 4th - €10,937; 5th - €7,500.

Latest chip count

Our players are just returning from a short break so we'd say that's time for an updated chip count.

Here's how they stand:

George Sefertzis - 1,250,000
Attila Koncz - 1,200,000
Paul Kasselouris - 925,000
George Tzimas  - 740,000
Dimitris Vlahos - 470,000
Gregory Tsavdaridis - 360,000

Stavros succumbs in 7th

Kalfas hit the rail with KK

Stavros Kalfas had long looked like a possible winner of the Main Event but the MTT pro couldn't recover from a double blow to his stack and exited 7th.

Not quite the €90,000 he won at EPT San Remo but the €5000 he adds to his CV here will still help to ease the pain in the morning.

Having already paid to double up Giorgos Sefertzis he then tangled with Attila Kongz, who's own stack had grown enough to cover his Greek rival's.

Kongz defended his big blind from Stavros' pre-flop raise and when the dealer turned over 9♣6♣9♥ the former check-raised all-in. Kalfas snapped him off with K♣K♦ but was dismayed to see the 9♠7♠ held by his opponent.

The turn and river brought the 8♠ and Q♦ into play and the flash of paint made Stavros' heart leap for just a second. It was destined to sink, however, and we're down to six players.

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687; 4th - €10,937; 5th - €7,500; 6th - €6,250.

Adelina falls just shy of Marga's record

Grigorova wins €3,750

Marga Gonzalez has maintained her record for the best performance from a female player at the ParadisePoker tour but Adelina Grigorova ran her pretty close with some solid poker.

The Bulgarian had employed a tight-aggressive style to good effect but it couldn't prolong her run enough to better the fifth-place bagged by Gonzalez in Barcelona last November.

The hand that sealed her fate was another classic race, with A♦J♦ looking sparkling to her short stack pre-flop but failing to improve when pitted against the 5♠5♥ of Stavros Kalfas.

Minutes later Kalfas was trying to play executioner again but despite dominating Giorgos Sefertzis with AK vs KJ, a Jack on the flop ensured the latter doubled up instead.

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687; 4th - €10,937; 5th - €7,500; 6th - €6,250; 7th - €5,000.

Pantelis parts ways in 9th

Pantelis Pavlis is our 9th-place finisher as the short stacks continue to tumble. The Greek pro has played some top notch poker in the Main Event and his reward is €2,500.

His final hand on Day 3 saw him get it all-in with 8♥8♦ but it ran smack bang into 10s and with a third 10 on the flop, it was a trip to the cash desk for Pavlis.

Meanwhile, Grigorios Tsavdaridis is a short stack no more, as he just doubled through at the expense of Stavros Kalfas. All pretty standard stuff.

Tsavdaridis, who has been battling to stay alive for some hours, pushed his remaining across the line with 5♦5♠ and it held up when called by his opponent's A♠J♠.

Back to business... Vitor departs

Time up for our last Portuguese competitor

After a bit of a razzamatazz to reintroduce our 10 remaining players into the cardoom, it's straight back to business for the short stacks and we've lost one in quick time.

Vitor Duarte Piteira was the first victim, getting his money in twice in quick succession and losing on both occasions.

First he put the pressure on Pantelis Pavlis in a blind battle, but the Greek called with Q♥10♠ to race with his rival's 8♠8♣. The 10♦ on the flop ensured the native player doubled up.

The very next hand saw Giorgos Tzimas and Pitieira three-bet all-in on the button. Big blind Grigorios Tsavdaridis and the original raiser made the call and as is the custom, checked the hand down.

The Portuguese had hope for a moment when Tsavdaridis showed an unimproved 35 to his A9, but Tzimas flipped A2, which had connected with the river deuce. Vitor claims €2,187 for 10th place. 

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687; 4th - €10,937; 5th - €7,500; 6th - €6,250; 7th - €5,000; 8th - €3,750; 9th - €2,500.

League at war

Rumours suggest Pavlos may be top of the league

The big guns have rolled out for the Season 3 finale and while our top competitors failed to make a deep run in the Main Event, the side events are proving a busy battleground for the ParadisePoker Tour League.

Three winners from Season 3 arrived in Thessaloniki with their eyes set on the biggest slice of the €20,000 prize pool, so it was only natural Andreas Zauner, Nat Jarmonthavat and Pavlos Xanthopoulos would play every event they could.

The biggest development looks to be a cash for the Xanthopoulos family, as Pavlos is rumoured to have finished 7th in the €330 NL Hold'Em - which would be good for 100 points and the league lead.

Jarmonthavat was also spotted at the side event tables but the PP blog is not sure he reached the money, while Zauner is currently playing the €220 Sunday event in the hope of recapturing the lead he held for so long.

The winner will pocket €9000, 2nd is worth €5000 and third €3000. There are also prizes for 4th and 5th, with €2000 and €1000 handed out respectively.

We'll need to ratify all results before the final league table will be revealed, but expect to see it on the PP blog soon.

Final table chip count

It's the post that does exactly what it says in the headline... Here's how the final table is shaping up.

Seat 1: Pavlos Kasselouris - 1,107,000
Seat 2: Giorgos Sefertzis - 534,000
Seat 3: Dimitris Vlachos - 483,000
Seat 4: Giorgos Tzimas 280,000
Seat 5: Adelina Grigorova - 387,000
Seat 6: Attila Kongz - 280,000
Seat 7: Vitor Duarte Piteira - 227,000
Seat 8: Pantelis Pavlis - 220,000
Seat 9: Grigorios Tsavdaridis - 226,000
Seat 10: Stavros Kalfas - 599,000

Final... finally!

Tsairis was defeated by big slick

It's been a long wait but the final table is set and the timing could hardly have been better, as Evaggelos Tsairis bowed out on the cusp of the dinner break.

He had been crippled  by another shorty, Grigorios Tsavdaridis, who pushed all-in with 9♦10♣ and was called by the A♥K♦ of Tsairis.

It still took some time for the chips to go in, however, but our final table bubble boy was finally undone with just seconds to spare before another trip to the buffet.

This time he was the pre-flop aggressor, shoving in early position with A♥J♦ only for Stavros Kalfas to peek at A♥K♦.

The dealer flipped a 7♦10♦47clubs; flop, Q♣ turn and the 10♥ on the river to send us to the final 10. Tsairis goes home €2,187 richer.

Prize pool reminder: 1st - €26,881; 2nd - €19,375; 3rd - €14,687; 4th - €10,937; 5th - €7,500; 6th - €6,250; 7th - €5,000; 8th - €3,750; 9th - €2,500; 10th-12th - €2,187.

Kallinikos exit takes us to final table bubble

One elimination stands between us and the ParadisePoker Tour Thessaloniki final table after Sotirios Kallinikos was sent packing by Pantelis Pavlis.

There was nothing abnormal to report as the stacks were shipped pre-flop, with Kallinikos in terrible shape as he rolled K10 and found himself up against A10. The dealer couldn't save him.

Meanwhile, Paul Kasselouris goes from strength to strength, building his chip tower after winning significant hands against Stavros Kalfas and Giorgos Sefertzis.

On the other remaining table, Giorgos Tzimas is making survival mode look easy, twice doubling up to keep himself in contention for the final.

Lady Luck certainly seems to be smiling on him, as having got his short stack in the middle against Pavlis, both players showed J7 suited. Tzimas' diamonds flopped a flush, however, and he then doubled with AQ against 88.