Saturday, 26 November 2011

Late night takes its toll

One more level until Day 1 is complete and the long day has seen a slight acceleration in the number of exits in the Gran Casino Barcelona.

Tibor Boros shoved his 25bbs pre-flop with KQ only to run into AKs; the rest, as they should say, is what you expect from an 80-20 match-up.

Also missing out on the chance to return is Paul Senter it seems, after the Englishman's chair was ominously vacant on our last skim around the cardroom, while blogger/player Alexander Kraiczy concluded his "roller coaster" day earlier than planned.

Fantasy Poker fairytale?

The PP Blog has just tracked down our latest Fantasy Poker winner, Stefan Uhrinak, who claimed his package after FP victory in the Vienna event.

His Team Best tied for first place back in October so Stefan had to square off with 'Craslorg' for his seat, coming out on top in the heads-up battle.

Currently sitting on around 28,000 chips, he is a little short of the average, but what a story it would be if the Hungarian lifted the PPT Barcelona crown.

Just another fantasy that could be reality...

Gabor banks the chip lead

Bank in Vienna
The average stack standing at 33,800 and the blinds are taking 300/600 +50 ante, but neither will worry Gabor Bank who must to be our chip leader.

The man known as 'Gabriel' has approximately 100,000 chips with which to boss his table and there looks to be little stopping him of late.

The Hungarian pro, who has long plied his trade on ParadisePoker, cashed at PPT Vienna when he finished 4th in the PLO side event - and now has his sights set on a bigger score.

Back in 2007 Bank wore PP colours to the Budapest Open and cashed for $6,200, but even that success would be beaten by a top 10 finish here in Barcelona.

News of his Day 1 success will please the seven Fantasy Poker entrants who picked the big stack - but will be deliver the points?


173 remain at penultimate level

Level 8 is here which means we're in touching distance of Day 2, with less than two hours on the clock and 173 players intent on returning to Gran Casino Barcelona tomorrow afternoon.

One man who won't be among them is PPT regular David Pishvafar, after his earlier defeat proved his undoing in the long run.

The German had been left with around 15 bbs after his JJ ran into trouble and it left him little room to manoeuvre. Inevitably he had to take some risks and having picked up A9 he promptly shipped his chips into the centre, only to be called by AJ.

Compatriot Bastian Bluem has enjoyed a little more success, having battled his way back up to 27,000 chips.

Quick chip count

A few chip counts for you blog readers...

Aleksandar Abutovic - 15,000
Carlos Oliveira - 19,000
Tibor Boros - 25,000
Lukasz Gebica - 30,000
Zoltan Kapitany - 28,000
Fernando Martin - 21,000

Other available on request!

Swimming against the tide

UK player Paul Senter confessed to finding Day 1 a struggle as the PPT blog caught up with him at the close of Level 6.

With the blinds increasing to 200/400 with a 25 ante, the Brit was left with just 8,500 chips after a gruelling test of both his patience and poker skills.

"It's been a tough day," he wryly smiled, "I play professionally online but live events tilt the hell out of me! I've just had to fold Jacks pre-flop, been rivered and turned by the same guy twice and couldn't get a call when I flopped a set of deuces."

Senter, who gave up a budding swimming career for the card table, has the backing of some Olympic hopefuls - with the likes of Thomas Haffield and Rebecca Adlington among his followers (and friends) on Twitter.

"I used to swim but when I found poker, it started to take over to be honest. I was at uni at the time and was playing a lot so I'm giving it a year to see if I can make a living.

"I love live events and have played in the GUKPT and UKIPT and this is a better structure than both. It's a great tournament - I just wish I was running a little better!"

Friday, 25 November 2011

PPT2 Ace cracked

Ronnie Espensen at PPT London
Cue the groans from 19 Fantasy Poker entrants - PPT2 League winner Ronnie Espensen just busted out of the Barcelona Main Event after his Aces ran aground.

The Dane had been below the average stack for some time but must have thought he was set to double up after finding a caller on a Q75 rainbow board.

Having raised pre-flop and c-bet for 1,100, he was check-called all the way by the villain in question. The 2 on the turn seemed harmless enough, but by the time he was snap-called following a river shove, it was clear things were not as straight forward as they appeared.

Ronnie's opponent rolled pocket deuces for a turned set and duly sent him to the rail.

Meanwhile the previously red hot David Pishvafar and Bastian Bluem have also run into a measure of trouble, with both men shorn to far shorter stacks.

While Bastian revealed his reverse in fortunes was due to a series of small pots gone wrong, David had one big hand to bemoan. The German semi-pro had raised pre-flop with JJ and found little respect, having been heavily involved in a number of recent hands.

He led out on 7♥-8♥-4♠ flop with vs two callers and when one rival all but shoved for 11,000, Pishvafar weighed up the call before eventually committing the chips.

He was up against a multi-way draw as his opponent showed K♥6♥ and a river sucker punch came in the shape of a King.

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