[Removed:291] wins the 888Live Rozvadov €5,300 High Roller

[Removed:291] outlasted a star-studded table to win the 888Live Rozvadov €5,300 High Roller for €49,875. With just three players making the money, [Removed:292] finished ahead of overnight chip-leader Martin Kabrhel (2nd - €29,925), and Philipp Zukernik (3rd - €19,950) who rounded out the money spots.

[Removed:292] eventually emerged triumphant when his ace-queen cracked the pocket sevens of Czech pro and home favourite Martin Kabrhel, shortly before 2 a.m. local time. According to Hendon Mob this marks his largest live cash to date, and it comes just five days after a 28th place cash in the Opening Event of the 888Live Festival here in Rozvadov.

Position	Player	Country	Prize
1	[Removed:291]	Germany	€49,875
2	Martin Kabrhel	Czech Republic	€29,925
3	Philipp Zukernik	Canada	€19,950
4	Pierre Neuville	Belgium
5	Ludovic Geilich	United Kingdom
6	Aleksandar Tomovic	Serbia
7	Pavel Binar	Czech Republic
8	Enzo Del Piero	United Kingdom

With such a small field, it was always going to be a who’s who of high roller regulars, and when nine players emerged overnight it was expected that more players would join the field at the start of the day. However, only two players entered the fray. Or re-entered the fray, as was the case with Niall Farrell. The other player joining the field was Oshri Dahan who was promptly eliminated within the first level of the day by Pavel Binar.

As the players slowly trickled towards the exit, with the likes of Michael Stuwe, Niall Farrell joining Dahan on the rail, a final table of some great names emerged into view. Martin Kabrhel lead going into the final table with more than double his nearest competitor’s chip stack, but he was joined by November NinerPierre Neuville, Scottish pros Ludovic Geilich and Niall Farrell, and ninth place finisher from the 888Live London Main Event Enzo Del Piero.

Del Piero was first to be eliminated, when his river bluff was caught by the evergreen Pierre Neuville who showed some true class, and luck of the deck, to keep pace with the young-guns at the final table.

Joining Del Piero on the rail was Pavel Binar and Aleksandar Tomovic, and as play reached five-handed the players all tightened up. With only three places paid, and a min-cash worth almost €20,000, many expected a bubble deal to be made, but none was forthcoming so play continued.

Ludovic Geilich’s Jacks were flushed away at the hands of [Removed:291] to leave just four players remaining, and finally, the hopes of many poker fans were crushed when septuagenarian superstar Pierre Neuville exited in fourth.

Three-handed play didn’t last long, with Philipp Zukernik exiting promptly in third place for €19,950 to leave overnight chip-leader Martin Kabrhel and [Removed:291] heads-up for the money and the title of High Roller champion.

Much of the heads-up, and indeed the final table, was marred by tanking from the Czech pro. The tanking was deemed by many players, including eventual champion [Removed:292] to be excessive. But it was an incident where Kabrhel was alleged to have engaged in angle-shooting which really turned up the temperature of the clash. Controversy aside, Kabrhel battled back from a 2:1 chip deficit to level things up, but eventually lost out when his pocket sevens were cracked by his opponents Ace-Queen, with the German holding a slight chip lead.

Speaking to David Tuchman on the live-stream shortly after his victory, [Removed:292] said some of his opponent Kabrhel's antics were "disgusting."

"I already know him from playing cash games with him. One minute you can just be talking normally to him, and then he's doing some crazy stuff to get you to play out of line. But I just tried to stay cool and play my very best game," said [Removed:292].

"So what are your plans now," asked Tuchman, who was joined in the livestream by new Team888 Pro Parker 'tonkaaaap' Talbot.

"Now? A beer," replied [Removed:292].

A beer is probably the least he deserved after showing stamina and focus to outlast some of the big names in the field. And all this in a game which he admits isn't even his best game!

Here is what he had to say the day after his win to our own Sarah Herring.

Tags: Aleksandar Tomovic Enzo Del Piero Ludovic Geilich Martin Kabrhel Michael Stuwe Niall Farrell Oshri Dahan Pavel Binar Philipp Zukernik Pierre Neuville