$$ Cash 4 Seat $$

Live updates from day five, levels 25 and 26 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 25,000-50,000 (5,000 ante)

8.55pm: Christophe Benzimra wins EPT Warsaw and €358,644 (1,493,170 PLN). Runner up Alfio Battisti wins €200,520 (834,840 PLN)
Benzimra opened and was raised by Battisti to 250,000 which Benzimra called. The flop came [7c][5c][ac]. Battisti now made it 300,000 which Benzimra raised to 900,000. You can start to see where this is going now, Battisti moving all in. Very clearly Benzimra announced: “Call.”

Alfio Battisti: [kc][th] for a flush draw.
Christophe Benzimra: [ad][7s] for two pairs

Dario Minieri was on the rail behind Battisti. “Three of clubs,” he said. “One time!” But this time at least the one time didn’t work. [8h] on the turn, [5h] on the river. We have a winner in Warsaw, the Frenchman Christophe Benzimra.

EPT 6 Warsaw winner Christophe Benzimra

8.53pm: Christophe Benzimra wins EPT Warsaw
Hand details to follow!

8.50pm: New level
We’ve moved up to level 26. Blinds are 25,000-50,000 (5,000 antes)

8.48pm: Battisti opens
Battisti opened for 120,000, the amount he seemed to be riffling at that moment. Benzimra called for a flop of [ah][qd][kc]. Benzimra checked before Battisti made it 220,000. Benzimra passed.

Alfio Battisti

8.46pm: Benzimra completes
Benzimra completes the small blind but Battisti ramps it up a bit, betting 140,000 which is called. The flop comes: [8h][6s][3d]. Battisti made it 210,000, Benzimra took out a stack of oranges and made it 645,000. Battisti passed.

8.45pm: You gotta feel sorry for Luca
Luca Pagano went out in very unlucky circumstances in fourth place. Ever the gentleman, he found time to talk to our video bloggers soon afterwards…

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 5: LucaPagano reflects on what might have been on PokerStars.tv

And here is the moment when he went out…

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 5: Pagano’s exit on PokerStars.tv

8.40pm: Benzimra going nowhere
Another pot goes to Benzimra in this heads up duel. Alfio Battista raised to 100,000, which was called. The flop came [4d][8h][qs], which Benzimra checked, Battista bet 120,000, and Benzimra called again. The turn was [6h]. Check, check. The river was [qd], check, check again, but Battista mucked without a showdown.

8.40pm: Early stages
After the first hand was passed, the second has a flop of [8h][3s][2d]. Battisti checked to Benzimra who bet 60,000 to win the hand. On the next hand Battisti raised after Benzimra completed the small blind. That took that one. And just a moment ago, on a flop of [2c][qd][6h] both players checked, but when Battisti bet on the [td] turn he took the pot.

8.35pm: Back again
Everyone has been fed and watered, and our two finalists are back for their head-to-head showdown. This should be good.

7.32pm: Post-prandial heads up
Tournament officials have decided to take a one-hour dinner break before heads-up play. We’ll be taking some sustenance before returning for the mano-a-mano action. Here are the stacks of the two players:

Alfio Battisti: 2,729,000
Christophe Benzimra: 3,360,000

7.30pm: Oleksandr Vaserfirer, Ukraine, out in third earning €120,311 (500,900 PLN)
Vaserfirer has been eliminated. The overnight chip leader was left with only about 600,000 after the huge pot against Benzimra. And it was no surprise that he shoved all in over the top of Battisti’s 110,000 button raise. Battisti called instantly and was ahead: the Italian had [ah][ks] against Vaserfirer’s [ac][8h]. The board was a miracle free [jh][qd][qc][3d][5d].

We’re down to two.

Oleksandr Vaserfirer

7.20pm: Villain call
Is that the name for a hero call gone awry? It’s a massive pot, with Oleksandr Vaserfirer making it 120,000 pre-flop, which was called in the big blind by Christophe Benzimra. The flop came [ac][5d][4s] and Benzimra checked, but then raised Vaserfirer’s 150,000 stab.

The Frenchman made it 300,000. Call. The turn was [4d] and Benizimra now took the lead, betting 300,000. Call. The river was [7s] and Benzimra shoved, 1,052,000. Vaserfirer came up with what was a possibly tournament-defining call, but it was not to go his way. Benzimra had [as][jh] and Vaserfirer, forced against his will to show his hand (it being an all in situation) showed [8c][5c].

The new counts after that hand are as follows:

Christophe Benzimra 3,400,000
Alfio Battisti 2,000,000
Oleksandr Vaserfirer 650,000

7.10pm: Battisti and Vaserfirer
Battisti opened for 110,000 from the button, getting a call from Vaserfirer. They see a flop of [ac][qc][4d]. Vaserfirer checked but Battisti made it 200,000, getting a call from Vaserfirer. The turn came [9h]. Both checked for a [5d] on the river. Vaserfirer fired out 250,000, forcing Battisti to fold.

7pm: Battisti burnt
Oleksandr Vaserfirer completed the big blind of Alfio Battisti. The flop came [jh][ks][ah] and Vaserfirer bet 60,000. Battisti called, a pattern that was repeated when the [5d] turned. This time the bet/call was for 100,000. The river was [3c] and after Vaserfirer checked, Battisti bet 300,000. Vaserfirer didn’t take too long to make the call, and Battisti took even less time to muck without showdown.

6.55pm: Luca Pagano out in fourth place, winning €85,938 (357,790 PLN)
Benzimra opened for 170,000. Sitting with 120,000 left was Luca Pagano who shoved in. On the showdown the Team PokerStars Pro showed [ad][5d] against Benzimra’s [qh][tc]. The flop sealed it: [6c][5h][qc]. Pagano, already looking devastated, removed his sunglasses, stood up and prepared to leave. A [4h] on the turn and [4d] on the river were no help.

The remaining three players are close - on around 2 million chips each.

Luca Pagano

6.50pm: Pagano crippled
Luca Pagano has just taken a crushing blow and is on the ropes here in Poland. It was brutal: he raised from under-the-gun, making it 120,000. Alfio Battisti reraised from the small blind, making it 400,000 and Pagano moved all in. Battisti called. Pagano had [ad][kh] and Battisti had [ac][qs]. It was looking like Battisti was going to be eliminated, but the flop came [6s][qd][3c] and that vaulted Battisti into the lead. The turn was [3d] and the river [5s]. The all in was 1,061,000, which left Pagano with only about 120,000.

6.50pm: Pagano pass
Pagano opened from the button for 100,000. Battisti called for a flop of [7s][kh][3s]. Both checked for an [8s] turn. Both checked again for a river card [ks]. Battisti made it 155,000 now. Pagano looked thoughtful but eventually passed.

6.40pm: And here they come
The remaining four players are finally heading back to the table after their extended break.

6.15pm: Break again
Just after the break, we have another one, this time at the players’ request. Give them ten minutes or so.

6.10pm: Players are refreshing
Players will be back from their break shortly, and as the official counts at the end of the last level reveal, we have a new chip leader. It’s the French player Christophe Benzimra.

Christophe Benzimra - 2,213,000
Oleksandr Vaserfirer - 2,140,000
Luca Pagano - 1,091,000
Alfio Battista - 671,000

Christophe Benzimra

Live updates from day five, level 24 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 15,000-30,000 (3,000 ante)

5.48pm: That’s the end of level 24
Much as we loved it, level 24 must go. Instead, we look forward to level 25 in 15 minutes.

As the official counts at the end of level 24 reveal, we have a new chip leader. It’s the French player Christophe Benzimra, who enjoyed a terrific last level.

Christophe Benzimra - 2,213,000
Oleksandr Vaserfirer - 2,140,000
Luca Pagano - 1,091,000
Alfio Battista - 671,000

Not so good for Italians, obviously.

5.47pm: Re-raising
Luca Pagano takes a pot from Benzimra, re-raising and showing [ad] after Benzimra folded [ah][5h]. “Maybe… I had the best hand,” said Pagano. On the next hand there was more raising. This time Battisti re-raised all-in after Vaserfirer made it 110,000 from the button. It got no further than that though.

5.45pm: A few words here and there
Vaserfirer opens for 85,000 from the button. Benzimra calls for a flop of [6c][qd][qc]. Vaserfirer then bets 50,000 which is called. On the [kc] turn Benzimra checks to the Ukrainian who then bets 250,000. “Flush?” asks Benzimra, but Vaserfirer speaks no English.

“Queen,” says Vaserfirer. So he knows a few words then. Benzimra announced raise, making it 500,000 total. That was enough for Vaserfirer to fold.

5.40pm: Battles of Battisti
Battisti opened for 75,000 which Vaserfirer called for a flop of [kh][jd][3d]. Vaserfirer checked before Battisti made it 115,000. Vaserfirer then raised himself, to 280,000 winning the hand.

5.32pm: Dario Minieri wins High Roller
While the main event continues on its merry way, the video team caught up with Team PokerStars Pro Dario Minieri, who last night won the €12,000 High Roller event, winning a handy €77,000…

Watch EPT6_Warsaw_Day5_DarioMinieri_highroller on PokerStars.tv

5.30pm: All in, call, oh
Alfio Battisti raised from the button, making it 75,000. Christophe Benzimra reraised in the small blind, asking for 220,000 more. Battisti called. The flop came [qd][10s][8c] and suddenly all the chips were in the middle. Benzimra bet 270,000; Battisti shoved for 350,000 more and Benzimra called. Battisti was behind but he had outs. His [ac][jh] meant that any ace or any king would win it outright and any nine would chop it with Benzimra’s [jc][js]. The turn was the blank [7s] but the river was the [9s] and that meant an awful lot of fuss about nothing. They chopped it, and we continue on.

5.25pm: Big pot brewing
Benzimra opened for 90,000 in the small blind. Luca Pagano wanted to see the Frenchman’s stack, about 1.2 million which Pagano covered. He then made it 240,000 in the big blind which Benzimra called. The flop came [tc][4c][ah]. Benzimra checked to Pagano who made it 220,000. Now Benzimra shoved all in. Pagano passed - and Benzimra showed him pocket queens.

5.20pm: To the flop
A bet of 90,000 from Benzimra pre-flop was raised to 250,000 by Vaserfirer in the small blind. Benzimra called for a flop of [9s][jh][6c]. Vaserfirer made it another 300,000 to play, enough to make the Frenchman fold.

5.15pm: Battisti on the attack
Alfio Battisti raised to 75,000 under-the-gun and Luca Pagano called in the small blind, as did Oleksandr Vaserfirer in the big. The flop came [8d][6h][10d] and Pagano checked. Vaserfirer, however, wasn’t so circumspect. He made it 110,000. That put Battisti on the offensive as he moved all in for about a million. Pagano passed as did Vaserfirer, probably well aware that he can’t afford to double anyone up any more. Battisti took it down and now every player has gone somewhere between 1.4m and 1.6m or thereabouts.

Oleksandr Vaserfirer

5.10pm: Vaserfirer again
Vaserfirer opened for 80,000 from the button, raised by Battisti in the small blind to 210,000. Benzimra holds up pocket sevens and folds while Vaserfirer calls for a flop of [kc][jh][ad]. Battisti checked to Vaserfirer who made it 295,000 to go. Battisti didn’t go, he passed.

5.05pm: Evening out
As the reeling in of Oleksandr Vaserfirer continues, the stacks have evened out to a remarkable degree. Here’s what they’re sitting with, approximately:

Oleksandr Vaserfirer: 1,800,000
Luca Pagano: 1,600,000
Christophe Benzimra: 1,400,000
Alfio Battisti: 1,100,000

5pm: Oleksandr firing
Vaserfirer opens for 80,000 which Benzimra called. The saw a flop of [5d][3c][6s]. Benzimra checked before Vaserfirer bet 105,000. That was enough for Benzimra to fold. The latest feeling is that Luca Pagano has taken over the chip lead, or is at least very close to it.

4.52pm: Blinds
There’s a lot of blind stealing going on, and a good deal of blind defending too. The reason? That big blind is now 30,000, which equates to one player’s starting stack from this tournament.

4.50pm: See two more in pain
Here’s the latest two bust outs for you in glorious technicolor film - first Clayton Mozdzen, then Ruslan Prydryk in that three-way coup…

Watch EPT6_Warsaw_Day5_Finaltable_5th_6thplace_Mozdzen_Prydryk on PokerStars.tv

4.45pm: Power poker Pagano
This is getting very interesting now, especially the battle between Luca Pagano and Oleksandr Vaserfirer. Pagano makes up Vaserfirer’s big blind and the Ukrainian player makes it 100,000 more. Pagano calls and the flop is: [jc][10c][qd]. They both check that, but it all goes off on the turn of [7d]. Pagano leads for 150,000, Vaserfirer raises to 350,000 and Pagano moves all in, for about 1,000,000. Vaserfirer eventually folds.

Luca Pagano

4.40pm: From the button
A bet of 75,000 from Battisti on the button, called by Luca Pagano in the big blind for a flop of [4d][js][tc]. Both players checked for a [9c]. Pagano now made it 120,000 which Battista called for a [4c] river card. Check check. Pagano showed [kd][jh] to take the pot.

4.35pm: Battisti’s bluff becomes a straight
The first hand into the new level and Oleksandr Vaserfirer makes up Alfio Battisti’s big blind. They see a flop of [7h][9s][2s] and after Vaserfirer checks, Battisti bets 45,000. Call. They check the turn of [8s] and the river is [10s]. Vaserfirer checks, Battisti bets 90,000 and Vaserfirer calls. Battisti shows [jd][2h] for the rivered straight and it is good.

4.30pm: Stacks at the start
The four players remaining have the following chips at the start of level 24:

Oleksandr Vaserfirer - 2,173,000
Christophe Benzimra - 1,779,000
Luca Pagano - 1,152,000
Alfio Battisti - 985,000

Christophe Benzimra

Live updates from day five, level 23 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 12,000-24,000 (2,000 ante)

4.15pm: At the end of the level
On a flop of [td][4c][qd] Vaserfirer made it 30,000 which Battisti called for a [9s] on the turn. Both checked that for a [3h] river card. Another 50,000 from Vaserfirer, called by the Italian. Vaserfirer showed [ah][qc] to take the pot.

Alfio Battisti

4.07pm: Chips
After that monstrous hand a few moments ago, and the not so monstrous couple since then, the approximate counts are as follows:

Oleksandr Vaserfirer - 2,300,000
Christophe Benzimra - 1,900,000
Luca Pagano - 1,200,000
Alfio Battisti - 1,100,000

Don’t forget you can always find all the raw stats at the following places:

CLICK HERE FOR CHIP COUNTS
CLICK HERE FOR PAYOUTS

4.05pm: Pagano punches again
Luca Pagano made it 70,000 on the button and Oleksandr Vaserfirer three-bet to 180,000. It was folded back to Pagano, who found a four-bet all in. Vaserfirer seemed like he was about to call, but didn’t.

4pm: Ruslan Prydyk out in fifth place, winning €71,041 (295,770 PLN)
Here we go then. Vaserfirer opened for 70,000 which Prydyk raised to 250,000 from the button. Benzimra then said: “I’m all in,” prompting Vaserfirer to ask for a count. The answer was 602,000, but then Vaserfirer asked for a count of Prydyk’s stack as well. 620,000. Vaserfirer looked at his cards once more. Ready to fold? Nope, he called. Prydyk made a bewildered expression and said: “Call.”

A three way showdown with two players all-in:

Vaserfirer: [ac][as] (I found myself saying “geez…” out loud)
Prydyk: [qh][qs]
Benzimra: [jc][jh]

By now cameras were clicking, some just held aloft for a point and hope shot. The flop brought more drama: [th][4c][jd]. Benzimra was ahead. [7d][kc]. Benzimra stayed ahead, tripling up and sending Prydyk to the rail.

Ruslan Prydryk

3.45pm: Alfio all in
After Ruslan Prydyk raises to 70,000 from the button, Alfio Battisti moves all in from the small blind. He covers both Christophe Benzimra, in the big blind, and Prydyk, so either of them will have to play for their tournament life. Neither fancies is as they both fold.

3.42pm: First eliminations in moving pictures
A little earlier we told how our first two bust outs were Anatoly Gurtovoy and Alexander Klimashin. Now you can watch the agony for both the Russians…

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 5: First eliminations on PokerStars.tv

3.40pm: Benzimra all in
Vaserfirer made it 70,000 to start. Battisti called that but Christophe Benzimra moved all in for 380,000 more. Vaserfirer passed but Battisti went into the tank, eventually emerging to fold.

3.30pm: Pagano takes a nibble from neighbour
Luca Pagano and Oleksandr Vaserfirer, sitting next to one another, have been getting involved more than most. In a recent battle of the blinds, they saw a flop of [7s][8s][6s] and Pagano check-called Vaserfirer’s 24,000 bet. He also check-called Vaserfirer’s turn bet, this time 50,000 after the [4h] came off. The river was [8h] and Pagano now led
and Pagano now led at it, 120,000. Vaserfirer folded immediately.

3.25pm: Clayton Mozdzen out in sixth place, earning €56,144 (233,750 PLN)
The short stack Clayton Mozdzen makes it 70,000 pre-flop. Alfio Battisti raises to 176,000 leaving Mozdzen little option but to shove. “I’m in,” he said before asking for a flopped straight when he showed [as][kc]. He’d need that because Battisti showed [ah][ad]. The board ran [9d][qs][2h][7c][3d], eliminating the Canadian.

Clayton Mozdzen

3.20pm: Mozdzen’s one move
Clayton Mozdzen is now our short stack, but he’s not afraid to get it in. Luca Pagano raised to 65,000 from the cut off and Mozdzen announced he was all in from the small blind. It was back around to Pagano, who needed to find another 233,000 to call. Not this time.

3.10pm: To the river
Luca Pagano completes the small blind for a flop of [js][6h][7c]. He then makes it 45,000 which is called by Oleksandr Vaserfirer in the big blind. They both check the [qh] turn for a [ks] river card. Now Pagano makes it 80,000 which Vaserfirer calls. But Pagano shows [kh][ts] to win the hand.

Luca Pagano

3.05pm: Check checking
Ruslan Prydyk checks blind a flop of [7c][tc][ks]. Clayton Mozdzen makes it 26,000 which is called for a [7d] turn card. That’s checked too, as is the [5s] river. Prydyk shows [8s][td] to take the pot.

3.02pm: Here’s a video
And it’s the video blog team’s capture of the start of the day. Go on, click the little white triangle. You know you want to…

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 5: It’s the final table! on PokerStars.tv

3pm: New level counts
The new level begins with the players sitting with the following stacks:

Luca Pagano 894,000
Oleksandr Vaserfirer 3,060,000
Clayton Mozdzen 412,000
Ruslan Prydyk 655,000
Alfio Battisti 648,000
Christophe Benzimra 420,000

2.50pm: Players refreshing
Players are still on their break. We’ll be back shortly.

Live updates from day five, level 22 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 10,000-20,000 (2,000 ante)

2.40pm: Into the break
Christophe Benzimra opened for 65,000 on the button. Oleksandr Vaserfirer was waiting to call in the big blind and they saw a flop of [6d][td][3d]. Both checked for a [6c] on the turn. Now Vaserfirer made it 65,000 which Benzimra called for a [7s] river card. Another 180,000 from Vaserfirer and Benzimra shuffled in his chair.

“I can’t ask you how much you play,” said Benzimra, pointing to the huge stack of chips beneath Vaserfirer’s chin. “I think you have more chips than me.”

Benzimra thought about things but after a couple of minutes Vaserfirer called the clock. Benzimra passed and we go into a 15-minute break at the end of the level.

2.35pm: Benzimra wins Pagano’s respect, but loses pot
For the third consecutive hand, Christophe Benzimra raised pre-flop. He got two through, but after he tried it from under-the-gun, Luca Pagano asked him how many chips he had, learning that it was something like 550,000. Pagano re-raised to 215,000. It was folded back round to Benzimra, who said: “You have more chips than me, no?” “Yep,
said Pagano.

Benzimra folded, showing [9h][9d]. “Very good fold,” said Pagano, who showed [10h][10d].

2.24pm: Pagano power
Luca Pagano opens for 55,000 under the gun. Clayton Mozdzen moves all-in for more than 400,000. Pagano thought about it but then passed. Mozdzen showed pocket aces.

2.20pm: Battisti forces fold from Mozdzen
Clayton Mozdzen and Alfio Battisti get to a turn without too much excitement: [2h][jd][8h][8d]. Mozdzen bets 75,000 at it but Battisti now reraises, making it another 155,000. Mozdzen looks exceptionally anguished as he passes his Q-J. “Show the eight,” he says, but Battisti does not oblige. “How many times can a player fold top pair?” Mozdzen says.

“Twice, I think,” he adds.

2.15pm: Pot to Pagano
Alfio Battisti makes it 55,000 from the button. Christophe Benzimra calls in the small blind before Luca Pagano raises to 185,000 in the big. That ended things.

2.10pm: Squeezer out-squeezed
Oleksander Vaserfirer raised to 55,000 from the cut off and got one caller in Alfio Battisti in the small blind. The flop came [js][8c][qs] and after Battisti’s check, Vaserfirer’s 75,000 was good.

The two were at it again on the next hand, where Battisti’s squeeze play went awry. Vaserfier again raised to 55,000 and this time Clayton Mozdzen called from the cut-off. Battisti, in the small blind, re-raised to 155,000, but that only stoked Vaserfirer’s flames. He re-re-raised to 370,000 and both others now got out the way.

Oleksandr Vaserfirer

2.05pm: Prydyk power
Alfio Battisti opened for 55,000 under the gun before the action is folded to Ruslan Prydyk in the big blind. He calls for a flop of [th][ac][kd]. Both check for a [2s] turn. Prydyk checked before Battisti made it 85,000. Prydyk called for a [7h] river card, when both checked Prydyk showed [kc][qd] to win the hand.

1.55pm: Chop chop
No surprises for guessing who is the most active player: the hugely-chipped Oleksandr Vaserfirer. Most players are staying out of his way, although Alfio Battisti got involved, raising to 55,000 and seeing Vaserfirer call from the small blind. The flop came [3d][jh][jc], which both checked, and the turn was [9s]. Vaserfirer bet 75,000, which Battisti called. The river was  [qd] which both players checked again. Vaserfirer showed A-9 for two pair, jacks and nines ace high. And Battisti showed A-9 for the very same thing. Chop.

1.50pm: Three bet
Luca Pagano opened from early position - 50,000 or thereabouts is standard at the moment. Oleksandr Vaserfirer this time found the re-raise, however, and once it was folded back to Pagano, he didn’t much fancy it anymore either.

1.45pm: Tentative play
With two of the short stacks now eliminated, the big guns are taking it steady, not wishing to jeopardise their stacks on some foolish rush of blood. Luca Pagano, who is now sitting to the direct left of the imposing stack of Oleksandr Vaserfirer, took down a couple of small pots, one with an under-the-gun pre-flop raise, the other when he completed the blind and fired a 40,000 bet on a king high board. Vaserfirer got out the way.

1.40pm: Short and sweet
Oleksandr Vaserfirer makes it 55,000 which Clayton Mozdzen raises to 210,000, enough for Vaserfirer to pass.

1.35pm: Alexander Klimashin out in seventh place, winning €44,687 (186,050 PLN)
Alexander Klimashin opn shoves with [9d][9h], Christophe Benzimra calls showing [ah][kh]. The board runs: [4d][as][2h][3s][3h]. That’s it for Klimashin.

1.30pm: These two again
On a flop of [9h][ad][3h] Clayton Mozdzen made it 75,000 before Alfio Battisti raised to 165,000. It’s the second hand that these to have been “at it” as my colleague put it and this time Battisti takes it down. Mozdzen folding, showing a [9s].

1.25pm: Into level 22
No break, just a blinds increase and we play on. Keep track of eliminations throughout the day on the payout page.

The final table is set for the Main Event of EPT Warsaw season six, with Oleksandr Vaserfirer leading Luca Pagano at the top of the starting leaderboard.

You can see the full chip counts on the chip count page, which will be updated as play progresses on Sunday.

Play is due to resume at 1pm local time but with the clocks going back across some parts of the world tonight, I’m jiggered if I know what time that is in whatever country you’re reading this. Check back on the blog to see these eight players in action.

Seat 1: Luca Pagano, 31, Treviso, Italy - Team PokerStars PRO - 984,000 chips

Luca Pagano has broken all his own records here at EPT Warsaw, making his fifth EPT final table and his 12th EPT cash. The 31-year-old from Treviso kicked off his poker career using play money on PokerStars but soon progressed to real money and turned a modest deposit into a monster online bankroll. He has also been hugely successful in live events putting together a small fortune in winnings. He has played dozens of EPTs since the tour started in 2004 and is currently in second place on the EPT all-time Tournament Leader Board. As well as tournaments, Pagano plays at the high stakes cash tables and has had several WSOP side event cashes. His best result to date was sixth place at the season four EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo, winning €337,000.

Seat 2: Anatoly Gurtavoy, 36, St Petersburg, Russia - 332,000 chips

Anatoly Gurtavoy has played several EPT events including the last two EPT Grand Finals in Monte Carlo, EPT Barcelona and EPT Kyiv. However reaching the final table here at EPT Warsaw is by far his best result. Gurtavoy has been playing poker for around five years - fitting in his hobby around his main business as a drinks distributor. He plays both online and live and enjoys both tournaments and cash games. He has been railed throughout EPT Warsaw by his long-term girlfriend, Liubov, 26, who is studying for an MA in linguistics.

Seat 3: Oleksandr Vaserfirer, 34, Kyiv, Ukraine - 1,854,000 chips

A professional poker player from Kyiv, Oleksandr Vaserfirer is enjoying what would be described in most sport circles as a “breakout season” on the EPT. Although this is not his first year on the circuit, none have been this successful: he finished 21st in his home tournament in August (the first in Kyiv), then 16th in Barcelona a couple of weeks later. Although he missed out on a Main Event cash in London, he sneaked 14th in a side event there. And now on this, the fourth stop of the year, he is the commanding chip leader at the final table. He took huge pots on day four from Jeff Sarwer, knocking out the Canadian, and was seemingly unstoppable. His friend, the Team PokerStars Pro Alex Kravchenko, watched his every move from the rail.

Seat 4: Alexander Klimashin, 28, from St Petersburg, Russia - 266,000 chips

Alexander Klimashin has been a professional poker player for five years and usually plays cash games online. He has only played two major live events in his life - in Marrakech and Baden - before coming to EPT Warsaw. He said: “To be honest, I wanted some variety instead of always playing online cash. Also I like travelling with my friends and I’m enjoying it - tournaments are entertainment.” Alexander is a two-time European champion at the Japanese chequers-style game Renju, as well as three-time world team champion. He is in Warsaw with a group of friends while wife Nadia supports from home in St Petersburg.

Seat 5: Clayton Mozdzen, 26, from Winnipeg, Canada - PokerStars qualifier - 978,000 chips

Clayton Mozdzen is a PokerStars qualifier who won his seat for Warsaw - the second time he has played this event - in a $20 rebuy. He is no stranger to big live events and has $75,175 in tournament winnings, including $38,759 for 276th place in the 2006 WSOP Main Event. Now 26, Mozdzen plays poker full time and last year reached SuperNova Elite status - reserved for the best and most prolific of players on PokerStars. “I’m close to reaching that this year as well,” he said. Mozdzen was the chip leader at the end of day two and currently lies in third place.

Seat 6: Ruslan Prydyk, 36, Lugansk , Ukraine - 658,000 chips

Ruslan Prydyk has been playing poker for three years but describes himself as a part-time player. He doesn’t play online at all and prefers live cash games. Usually he plays in Ukraine, but he also regularly travels to Las Vegas. He is a lawyer, has a wife who supports him from the rail, and a 11-year-old son at home. This is his fourth EPT after Deauville, Barcelona and Kyiv but he has never cashed before. His biggest poker success was winning the 2009 Gary Bowman Cup when he became the poker champion of Ukraine. Outside of poker, Prydyk enjoys watching and playing football.

Seat 7: Alfio “aLFioSn0b” Battisti, 24, near Rome, Italy - PokerStars Supernova Elite player - 552,000 chips

Alfio Battisti used to be a sports bettor but migrated to poker around three years ago and turned a year later. A Supernova Elite on PokerStars, he mainly plays the highest-stakes heads up sit and gos - usually against his friend and fellow Italian Dario Minieri. He has only played two EPTs before Warsaw: EPT Dortmund last season, and EPT Barcelona in September but he now plans to play a lot more, including both EPT Vilamoura and EPT Prague before Christmas. He also cashed at the WSOP last summer, coming 224th, winning $36,626. Luca Pagano said: “I expect Alfio to get a good result here. He is running good and playing really well. He’s definitely one of the strongest players at the final.”

Seat 8: Christophe Benzimra, 47, Nice, France - 465,000 in chips

Originally from Nice in the south of France, the self-made businessman Christophe Benzimra moved to Romania after growing dissatisfied with business in his native country. Starting with a small amount of capital in a country he knew little about, Benzimra started a Plexiglas factory that has, in time, became very successful and now employs 150 people. The 47-year-old only really got into poker three years ago but caught up quickly, seldom missing an EPT since his first event on season four. His persistence has finally been rewarded with a final table in Warsaw. He said: “I’ve been playing quite tight here, especially when we reached the last few tables because I really wanted to make the final table. But to me, poker is more about having fun than making money.” Prior to Warsaw, Benzimra cashed at the Grand Prix de Paris, the Italian Poker Tour in San Remo, and reached the final table in a EPT Budapest side event last season. However, whatever happens at the final, this is his biggest result to date.

Live updates from day five, level 21 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 8,000-16,000 (2,000 ante)

1.26pm: Last hand
And that was the last hand of that level. We’re now on to 22.

1.25pm: Battisti takes a big one
Alfio Battisti made it 45,000 from early position and Clayton Mozdzen called from the small blind. Just the two of them for a flop of: [4h][qs][qc]. Mozdzen bet 40,000, Battisti raised to 88,000 - and Mozdzen called.

They both checked the [jc] turn and Mozdzen then bet 160,000 at the [9s] river. Battisti peered over the top of his glasses to see if he could pick up anything from Mozdzen, but there was no chance. He’s huddled beneath hoodie and behind his hands clasped in front of his mouth. No matter, Battisti called and Mozdzen showed [4c][5c] for bottom two pair. Battisti’s pocket tens were good.

1.20pm: Anatoly Gurtovoy out in eighth place, winning €32,082 (133,570 PLN)
The first elimination of the day. After five minutes of play Anatoly Gurtovoy shoved all-in for around 300,000. Oleksandr Vaserfirer made the call as every stepped out of their way. Ace-queen for Gurtovoy, pocket jacks for chip leader Vaserfirer. The board ran: [7h][8c][kd][7s][9d] Gurtovoy first out.

1.15pm: First flop
Oleksander Vaserfirer raises to 45,000 in late position and Clayton Mozdzen calls. He is the only one. The flop comes [4d][8d][jc], which is checked. The turn is [7c] and Mozdzen bets 56,000, Vaserfirer calls. The river is [3d] and both check. Mozdzen’s pocket sixes are good.

1.15pm: Seating order

Seat 1 - Luca Pagano
Seat 2 - Anatoly Gurtovoy
Seat 3 - Oleksandr Vaserfirer
Seat 4 - Alexander Klimashin
Seat 5 - Clayton Mozdzen
Seat 6 - Ruslan Prydyk
Seat 7 - Alfio Battisti
Seat 8 - Christophe Benzimra

1.10pm: First all in
It’s folded around to the tournament short stack Alexander Klimashin. He moves all in and gets it through.

1.05pm: Under way
And we’re off. Clayton Mozdzen takes the first one with a free-flop raise that gets all the way though.

1pm: Back for the final table
Sun up in Warsaw, at least we think it’s there above the grey sky somewhere. The casino doors are open, staff have dusted off the good chairs, like you would on a Sunday, which surround a single table on the tournament floor. The table itself is surrounded by cheaper chairs turned backwards, not to be sat on but to keep people from charging the stage. Players are being introduced, a hearty crowd are already in position and there’s 17 minutes 11 seconds on the clock. Stand by for the final table.

Full wrap is available on the, errr, on the full wrap page.

Those final table chip counts are also on the chip counts page.

See you for the final table tomorrow. Meanwhile, here’s a look in moving pictures at how Debus went out…

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 4: Final table bubble! on PokerStars.tv

6.35pm: Debus done, day four done
Alexander Debus moved all-in for 180,000. Next in line was Luca Pagano who also moved all-in, keeping this one a two player affair. He showed [qc][qd] to Debus’s [as][6s]. The board ran: [5h][6c][5c][8h][4c], ending the day right there. Debus is eliminated in ninth place. A full report on the day, as well as the official chip counts are on the way.

6.15pm: Debus on the ropes, Battisti survives
Alfio Battisti was all in against Alexander Debus, who had him covered, but only just.

Debus: [qc][qh]
Battisti: [ac][ks]

Battisti needed to catch - and that he did on the flop of [3h][kc][9h]. But the [6h] turn gave him a sweat as Debus now had a flush draw. The [8d] river put an end to that, however, and Debus is down to 170,000. Battisti is up to 535,000.

6pm: Sarwer slaughtered by Vaserfirer
Jeff Sarwer is out in tenth, the victim of ace-king. Twice. First up, he and Debus went to war, as described below, but shortly after it was even more ugly as he tussled with Oleksandr Vaserfirer. It was the last hand he played.

Sarwer raised to 38,000 under-the-gun (five-handed, remember) and Vaserfirer made it a straight 100,000 from the small blind. The big blind Debus got out the way, and Sarwer shoved for his last 260,000-odd. Vaserfirer called instantly, and the emotions went on the roller coaster.

“I need to win this flip,” Sarwer said, and probably thought he had when the flop came [ah][6s][10d]. The [10s] was also all right, but the [qh] was a sickener for Sarwer but a delight for Vaserfirer. He continues to plunder everything this afternoon.

With nine players we’re down to our final table that isn’t a final table. One more until we reach the eight for the big bucks.

Sarwer recounted his woes to our video blog team…

Watch EPT6_Warsaw_Day4_JeffSarwer_exit on PokerStars.tv

5.50pm: Debus at the double
Alexander Debus, a PokerStars qualifier, doubled up through Jeff Sarwer. Debus only had around 250,000, and had pushed several times with no takers. But this time, Sarwer moved all-in behind him, forcing the rest of the table to get out of the way.

Debus: [kc][kh]
Sarwer: [ac][ks]

Sarwer needed to catch an ace, but the board came [kd][2c][9s][8d][8s] for Debus’ full house.

We move on.

5.40pm: It’s that time again
Two of our reporting team are relaying up and down the stairs with the latest from the tournament floor but have yet to return. Either the drama is on hold or the longest hand in tournament poker’s history is taking place. Stand by.

5.25pm: Back
Just like that, they’re back. This lot:

Oleksandr Vaserfirer, Ukraine, 1,401,000
Clayton Mozdzen, Canada, PokerStars qualifier, 925,000
Luca Pagano, Italy, Team PokerStars PRO, 764,000
Jeffrey Sarwer, Canada, 648,000
Ruslan Prydryk, Ukraine, 611,000
Christophe Benzimra, France, 520,000
Alfio Battisti, Italy, 425,000
Anatoly Gurtovoy, Russia, 324,000
Alexander Debus, Germany, PokerStars qualifier, 304,000
Alexander Klimashin, Russia, 285,000

Don’t forget:

CLICK HERE FOR CHIP COUNTS
CLICK HERE FOR CHIP COUNTS

There’s been a regular pattern to the end of each day at EPT Warsaw. Each night a new chip leader has bagged up their chips, usually with an overspill into a second bag, with a colossal lead, a mere dot on the horizon to the second placed player. Well today was no different. The new chip leader going into tomorrow’s final is the Ukrainian Oleksandr Vaserfirer who tonight has 1,854,000, almost double his nearest challenger, after a day full of twists and the odd bit of drama.

Oleksandr Vaserfirer

When play began it seemed only right to forecast Jeff Sarwer to be top of the pile. The unfailingly polite Canadian brought close to a million chips to the table this afternoon but had his tournament reshaped by the biggest hand so far when pre-flop his pocket eights ran into Vaserfirer’s ace-king which paired on the flop. That pivotal hand catapulted Vaserfirer into the lead with what was once half of Sarwer’s stack.

Jeff Sarwer

But while Sarwer never appeared the type to rue a bad hand, and despite a gradual comeback, the one time chess prodigy busted late in the day. His back to back ace-kings lost first to Alexander Debus kings then to Vasifirer’s queens. A performance most thought worthy of one last day ended in tenth place.

Here’s how the final table will line-up:

Luca Pagano, Italy, Team PokerStars Pro — 984,000
Anatoly Gurtovoy, Russia — 332,000
Oleksandr Vaserfirer, Ukraine — 1,854,000
Alexander Klimashin, Russia — 266,000
Clayton Mozdzen, Canada, PokerStars qualifier — 978,000
Ruslan Prydyk, Ukraine — 658,000
Alfio Battisti, Italy, PokerStars player — 552,000
Christophe Benzimra, France — 465,000

One name on that line-up stands out, that of Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano who yesterday captured a record 12th EPT cash and tonight set the record for a fifth EPT final table. A finish in sixth place or better tomorrow will put the Italian back at the top of the tournament leader board ahead of ElkY. He has 984,000 chips with which to do just that. But even rankings are irrelevant alongside Pagano’s pursuit of an elusive first EPT trophy.

Luca Pagano

Familiar faces dotted the landscape this afternoon. But they could not all keep their seats a day longer.

Shaun Deeb

PokerStars Player Shaun Deeb departed in 22nd. He was followed by the French duo of Michel Abecassis and Antony Lellouche. Vitaly Lunkin’s tournament ended today, as did the magical mystery tour of Peter Hedlund, while Finland’s Jani Sointula departed in 13th place. Check out the payout page for a full list of day four results.

Antony Lellouche

The last eight will return tomorrow at the slightly later start time of 1pm local time to do battle for one last day until a new EPT Warsaw champion lifts aloft the winners trophy. So pick your favourite, cancel Sunday and tune in to the PokerStars Blog to follow all the action.

In the meantime refresh your general knowledge of the day at the links below:

Introduction: The last 24
Level 17 updates
Level 18 updates
Level 19 updates
Level 20 updates
Level 21 updates

If that doesn’t fill the gap then you could spend the next 19 hours or so figuring what the German and Polish blogs are on about, breaking that up with the occasional video blog over at PokerStars.tv. And if pictures say a thousand words Neil Stoddart’s photography saved us a lot of typing today.

On the shoulder of giants, Alex Kravchenko railing his friend Oleksandr Vasifirer

Till tomorrow then. Dobranoc!

Live updates from day four, level 20 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 6,000-12,000 (1,000 ante)

5.10pm: And with that, level 20 is done
Shall I add anything to that headline? Nope. See you in level 21.

5.05pm: Pagano head of the family
Luca Pagano, Alexandre Debus and Jeff Sarwer get to a three-way flop, with Sarwer under the gun, Pagano one to his left and Debus in the big blind. (They’re playing five handed, by the way.) The flop comes [ks][10d][6c] and Debus checks, Sarwer bets 56,000 and Pagano calls. Debus is persuaded along too. The turn is [2h] and Debus checks, as does Sarwer, but Pagano bets 120,000. Debus folds as Sarwer announces: “OK, critical hand here.” He gets zero information from Pagano though, and eventually folds.

4.50pm: Vaserfirer shows what he’s made of
Oleksandr Vaserfirer had just made a hero call with jack high, and it was good. In fairness, it wasn’t a huge pot but it’s worth noting that he’s not just a wanton aggressor. Vaserfirer raises to 30,000 under-the-gun, and Alexandre Debus and Jeff Sarwer call, Sarwer on the button. All three check a flop of [6c][8d][qs] and the turn is [2h]. Vaserfirer and Debus check, Sarwer bets 25,000 and Vaserfirer is the only called. The river is [qc] and after Vaserfirer checks, Sarwer bets 45,000. That’s when Vaserfirer calls, shows [jd][10d] and Sarwer mucks.

4.40pm: Aleksey Yuzikov heads for the exit - out in 11th
I don’t know if it was just me, but I sensed there was a bit of needle between Jeff Sarwer and Aleksey Yuzikov. They’d been involved in many pots today already, including two successive hands where Yuzikov failed to bluff Sarwer twice with 10-4 offsuit.

If this was a car crash waiting to happen, it just did. And Yuzikov was the victim.

Sarwer made it 30,000 on the button, Luca Pagano folded from the small blind, and Yuzikov announced all-in. Sarwer called instantly with [ad][ah], and Yuzikov let out a yelp of disgust as he turned over [ac][8h].

The [5d][3c][8d] offered hope of an unlikely outdraw, but the [jh][ turn and [2h] river was not what he needed.

“I don’t know what it is,” Sarwer said, “but every time I get aces I get paid off.”

Must be nice.

4.30pm: Jani the Sointula next to go
On a flop of [ts][3c][4s] Alfio Battisti made it 50,000 from the small blind with around 60,000 in the pot already. Jani Sointula in the big blind moved all-in, 130,000 or so more. Battisti thinks for several minutes before calling. Sointula shows [qs][js] for a flush draw while Battisti showed no fear turning over [td][9d]. The [9d] turn card was good for Battisti but Sointula still had outs. None came, a [9c] on the river to send him out in 12th place.

4.20pm: Marcin in moving pictures
Here’s Team PokerStars Pro: Poland player Marcin Horecki - here supporting his Jeff Sarwer and Luca Pagano as they head for a final table spot…

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 4: Marcin Horecki on PokerStars.tv

4.15pm: Pagano doubles
After an uncomfortably long period of raising and then folding to a three-bet, Luca Pagano has found the double up he was looking for. Alexandre Debus raised from the button to 28,000 and Pagano moved all in from the big blind. It was another 161,000 and after due deliberation, Debus called. Pagano had [kc][ks] against Debus’ [as][8h] and although an eight flopped, it was not enough. Pagano is now back in this one.

4.10pm: Mozdzen most definitely
Alfio Battisti opened for 31,000 from under the gun. It was folded to Clayton Mozdzen in the big blind who called for a [8s][ks][3s] flop. Both checked for a [6d] turn. Mozdzen made it 42,000 now, called by Battisti for a [5s] river card. Another 92,000 from Mozdzen, enough to chase Battisti out of the hand. Mozdzen showed [7c][7d].

4.05pm: Are they back from the break yet?
Yes! They’re back. Level 20 begins. Get the latest scores on the chip count page. Our tournament leader right now is Oleksandr Vaserfirer with more than 1.5 million.

Clayton Mozdzen

Live updates from day four, level 19 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 5,000-10,000 (1,000 ante)

3.40pm: Nikolay Tsanev eliminated in 13th
On the last hand of this level, Nikolay Tsanev thought he was on for double up but ran into a straight.

He made it 24,000 and was called by Ruslan Prydryk. The flop came [6s][qc][8d], Prydryk checked and Tsanev made it 31,000. Call. On the [10d] river Prydryk again checked, and now Tsanev moved all-in for around 140,000 - insta-call, and here’s why:

Tsanev: [qh][10c]
Prydryk: [7s][9s]

Prydryk had the straight, and the [kc] river was not enough for Tsanev to overtake with a full house.

3.37pm: Here’s JC Alvarado
And if the Team PokerStars Pro looks a little tired in the video below, it’s because he’s just been playing a 22-hour long cash game!

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day4: Here’s JC Alvarado on PokerStars.tv

3.35pm: A lull
There have been hands, but few get close to a showdown. One does. Ruslan Prydryk made it 35,000 on a flop of [jc][8h][th] which Clayton Mozdzen check-called. The both checked the [2s] turn but on the [3s] river Mozdzen made it 40,000. Prydryk called pretty fast showing [js][5s], taking the pot when Mozdzen showed [qd][td].

3.18pm: Maurice Schulmann eliminated in 14th
It was inevitable that after the hand below, Schulmann would put his remaining chips in the middle on the next hand. That’s exactly what happened.

Oleksandr Vaserfirer made it 22,000 under the gun - exactly what Schulmann had left after he paid his 1,000 ante - Schulmann called all-in, as did Anatoly Gurtovoy in the big blind. With action on the side, no hands were shown as the other two checked down the [9d][ks][7h][5c][6h] board. All on their backs:

Schulmann: [jh][2h] for nothing
Vaserfirer: [10h][jd] for nothing
Gurtovoy: [5c][7d] for a winning two pair.

3.15pm: Schulmann crippled
Maurice Schulmann is down to the felt with just over two big blinds after the following clash:

Alexander Debus made it 25,000 pre-flop, and Luca Pagano called from the button. But Schulmann dwelled a little in the small blind before raising it up to 110,000. Debus moved all in for around 240,000 more, and after Pagano got out of the way, Schulmann called:

Schulmann: [jc][jd]
Debus: [ah][ks]

Debus was all-in and needed to catch. He was happy enough to see the board run [4d][10d][8d][kc][4h] and moved up to over 500,000.

Schulmann was left with 23,000.

3.10pm: Double bust; down to 14
Almost immediately after the consolidation of the tables, a player was all in on each. Both of them were short stacks - Dani Vargas and Tome Cardoso Moreira - and both were up against the big stacks of Oleksandr Vaserfirer and Jani Sointula, respectively.

Vargas first. He raised to 25,000 from mid position and Vaserfirer made it 55,000 from the button. It was folded back to the Spanish player and he dwelled before moving all in, for his last 150,000-odd.

Vaserfirer called and they were racing. Vargas had [ah][qd] and Vaserfirer [8c][8d]. The board ran out [5d][3d][6s][5s][5c] and that was that for the vanquished Vargas.

As that was happening, so was this: Jani Sointula raised from the button and Tome Cardoso Moreira shoved all in, for about 100,000, from the small blind. Sointula called. These two also went to the races: Sointula had [js][kd] against Moreira’s [3h][3c].

This time the pocket pair was no good, however, as the board came [8d][as][ks]. A three never appeared and those two depart, each earning €10,314 (42,940 PLN).

3pm: It’s that man again
Star of the video blogs Luca Pagano helps introduce the start of day four.

Watch EPT 6 Warsaw Day 4: Run for the final table on PokerStars.tv

2.50pm: Two tables
A bet of 20,000 from Clayton Mozdzen before Julian Mogensen moved all-in. Mozdzen called, covering Mogensen and showing [ac][jd]. Mogensen had [kd][kc]. The board ran [td][qh][8s][qd][ah] Mogensen had been good until the river but now becomes the 17th place finisher. That means we’re down to two tables.

2.40pm: Don’t try this at home, folks
Jeff Sarwer has added nicely to his stack - another 130,000 or so - thanks to these successive hands against Russia’s Aleksey Yuzikov.

Hand 1:
Sarwer makes it 23,000, Yuzikov re-pops to 56,000. Sarwer moves all-in, and Yuzikov folds, revealing a rather poor 10-4.

Hand 2:
Sarwer makes it 23,000, Yuzikov re-pops to 56,000. Sarwer moves all-in, and Yuzikov folds, revealing a rather poor 10-4.

That’s not some writing mistake - the hands really were identical with excatly the same action.

“You’re giving me a lot of freebies,” said Sarwer. “I appreciate it.”

Yuzikov is now down to 150,000 or so, and needs to stop re-raising with 10-4 offsuit!

2.35pm: Mozdzen chipping up
Clayton Mozdzen’s table is the one featuring only five players - and he’s making the most of it, seemingly raising most hands and picking up the blinds and antes. As a result, he’s up to over half a million now.

2.33pm: Michelle Orpe’s tears
EPT TV presenter Michelle Orpe went out on Day 2 after some bloke with J-Q hit a straight on the river. By the looks of this video, she’s none too pleased…

Watch EPT6_Warsaw_Day4_MichelleOrpe_lifeafterpoker on PokerStars.tv

2.30pm: A gentle reminder

CLICK HERE FOR CHIP COUNTS
CLICK HERE FOR PRIZEWINNERS SO FAR

2.25pm: Play resumes
Refreshed stale coffee and fresh cigarettes, players are back in their seats for level 19. Check out the latest chip counts.

Our chip-leader Oleksandr Vaserfirer, foreground, being railed by Alexander Kravchenko

Live updates from day four, level 18 of the EPT Warsaw Main Event event brought to you by Stephen Bartley, Howard Swains and Simon Young.

Blinds: 4,000-8,000 (500 ante)

2.10pm: Level end
There’s a lot of folding the three tables at the moment - after the flurry of eliminations. We gently drifted to the first break of the day 17-handed.

The full chip counts are coming and they will be on the chip count page.

2pm: Bully
Oleksandr Vaserfirer is now in what seems to be complete command of his table, although Jeff Sarwer is intent on not letting him have it his own way. The two of them, in the blinds, had got about 120,000 in the pot by the time the turn was out: [qd][3s][6s][8d]. Vaserfirer bet 76,000 at that and after a long, long time Sarwer folded. Vaserfirer showed [kh][4c] and got an appreciative rap on the table from Sarwer, who added: “Better than me!” The Canadian then asked Vaserfirer if he’d have called a push with king high. He got no reply but Sarwer said: “He would call my draw with king high to knock me out.” Sarwer has about 295,000 now.

1.50pm: The calm after the storm
Peter Hedlund moved all-in on the button, again. He’d tried before with no takers but this time Alfio Battisti called in the big blind. “Sh*t,” said Hedlund. Battisti showed [kd][qc] but Hedlund was slightly ahead with [ac][7h]. The board came: [5d][7s][8s][qh][qd]. Hedlund had found hope on the flop but elimination on the turn and river.

Peter Hedlund

1.40pm: Lellouche hits the rail
Moments after Vitaly Lunkin’s departure, there was another all in on the neighbouring table and it was Antony Lellouche under threat. It was a battle of the blinds against Nikolay Tsanev, who had raised from the small blind, only to see Lellouche shove for about 120,000 from the big.

Antony Lellouche

Tsanev picked this one off though, instantly calling with [8s][8h]. Lellouche was at it with [7d][5h] and the flop was pretty, but not very helpful: [kh][qd][jd]. The turn was [js] and the river [2h].

Lellouche was sent packing, alongside Deeb, Abecassis and Lunkin in a day that is hardly favouring the established “names”.

1.35pm: Lunkin latest to depart
Oleksandr Vaserfirer opened to 20,500 on the button and Vitaly Lunkin, from the small blind, moved all in. So far, so ordinary: Vaserfirer has been opening all the time with his monstrous stack and Lunkin, relatively short, has had to stick them in.

But the twist this time was that Jeff Sarwer in the big blind called, which was enough to get Vaserfirer out the way as they went to a flop for Lunkin’s tournament life.

Vitaly Lunkin

Lunkin was ahead with [ah][2h], up against Sarwer’s [kc][js]. The flop and turn were blank but the river was [jc] and Lunkin’s day is done in 20th place.

1.35pm: Where did Deeb go?
Keep track of all the results during the day on the payout page.

1.30pm: Michel Abecassis eliminated in 21st place
Schulmann and Abecassis moved in again with no takers either time. It’s not long before Abecassis has his chips in the middle though. After a bet of 20,000 by Julian Mogensen on the button Abecassis moved all in on the big blind for 72,000. Mogensen called showing [4d][4s] to the Frenchman’s [ah][8d]. The board came: [6s][3c][3h][qh][kd]. Abecassis becomes the 21st place finisher.

Michel Abecassis

1.25pm: Lellouche with a whoosh
Lellouche opened for 21,000 and was raised by Christophe Benzimra to 56,000. Lellouche then moved all-in for 160,000 more, covering Benzimra who folds. Lellouche still waiting for that first full cigarette.

1.20pm: Schulmann shoves
Maurice Schulmann shoved in with [ah][ad] and was called by Anatoly Gurtovoy with [as][ks]. He was already disappointed but after a board of [qc][9d][ts][kd][6c] he looked even worse. Schulmann doubles up.

1.18pm: Abecassis still alive
Michel Abecassis shoved all-in with [8s][5s] and was called by Ruslan Prydryk with [td][kd]. The board comes: [8c][jh][5c][qd][ks] giving Abecassis two pairs and more chips.

1.15pm: Biggest pot of the tournament
And it doesn’t make good reading for overnight runaway leader Jeff Sarwer. He’s just lost the lead - and a good deal of his chips to Oleksandr Vaserfirer, who is now the chip daddy with more than 1.2 million.

Vaserfirer, from Ukraine, made it 25,000 and Sarwer re-raised to 58,000. Vaserfirer then put a mountain of yellow 5,000 chips - more than 150,000 - to which Sarwer responded: “All-in.” Insta call from Vaserfirer:

Vaserfirer: [as][kh]
Sarwer: [8h][8s]

A classic race, and the most expensive we’ve seen all week. The board was a hammer-blow for Sarwer, coming [2c][ah][7d][10s][7c].

“What can I do?” said the Canadian, as tournament staff counted Vaserfirer’s 623,000 chips.

Oleksandr Vaserfirer

From such a commanding position, Sarwer is now down to around 380,000.

1.10pm: Hedlund ups
Swede Peter Hedlund has been unusually quiet this morning. Maybe the rather large quantity of refreshment he had yesterday has caught up with him. But expect him to become rowdy once more after this hand…

Hedlund got his 100,000 all-in with [kd][10h] but was called by Michel Abecassis with [ad][qd]. The flop was kind for the Swede - [9s][10c][4c], and the turn was a gift coming [10d]. The [qc] river simply rubbed Abecassis’ nose in it. He’s down to 35,000.

The new level is under way, and this was the first pressing (and for many depressing) news item:

1.05pm: Deeb done
The Shaun Deeb live adventure is over for another event. He shoved from the small blind, after it was folded around, but his [jh][3s] was looked up by Jani Sointula’s [as][9s]. The flop came [ah][8h][8c] and none of the miracles appeared on either turn or river. Deeb is our 22nd placed finisher.

Shaun Deeb, yesterday