There was roughly 8,000 in the pot when we arrived on the turn of a board. One player had checked to Jeff Sarwer, who bet 3,100. Back to the other player, who now raised to 8,000. Sarwer spent several minutes in the tank before making the call.
The river was the and the check-raiser fingered his stack rather worryingly for a while and then bet out around 10,000, leaving himself just 6,000 behind. Sarwer tanked up for a few minutes more, during which time we were briefly distracted by a preflop showdown over at the next table (Richard Ashby and Dan Smith with each; they chopped it) and when we returned, Sarwer had folded and was looking at his opponent like he hated him.
We've played two full levels here so far, and the players have been sent off for their second break of the day. It's a long walk down the stairs to the smoking/congregating area outside, and the players will be greeted by a bleak, gray, drizzly day once they get there.
They've got 15 minutes to enjoy the fine London weather.
Just before the break we witnessed a fine recovery for Jan Heitmann.
The board read when we arrived and Davidi Kitai was betting out 3,300. A second player in mid position called, as did Jan Heitmann in late position.
The river was the and this time it checked around to Heitmann, who silently pushed his whole stack across the line - just shy of 10,000.
Kitai looked pained. He had 10,600 left to his name, and he began an epic dwell-up, shaking his head and after a while apparently having some trouble breathing. He tanked up for so long that the TV guy holding the boom mic, who we assume is used to holding that up for long periods, got tired and had to readjust. Still he tanked.
Eventually Kitai folded and the action moved on to the second player. He grinned and asked how much it was, but after a short while he folded too.
Incidentally, it appears we have about 341 runners for Day 1a, but the numbers still have not been finalized. Again, we're not really sure what the hold up is (and the board briefly showed as many as 357), but we hope to have some final numbers for you soon.
Tom Marchese is back near the top of the chip count ladder - he's at almost 100,000 after knocking out a decently stacked player in a gigantic coinflip.
Marchese:
Soon-to-be-busted opponent:
Things looked good for the shorter-stacked player as the flop came down , but he seemed to know what was coming on the turn and he didn't look at all surprised when the river came down the to make Marchese a Broadway straight. He swiftly took his leave and the NAPT Venetian champion took possession of his chips.
What could have been the start of a comeback for Roland de Wolfe ended up as just another few chips in the pile for Kristoffer Thorsson.
Thorsson check-called 700 from de Wolfe on the turn of a board, before both players checked the on the river. De Wolfe turned over pocket kings, but then chuckled wryly as Thorsson turned over for the best hand by the river.
We walked up to a heads-up pot on a flop of . We were just too late to see the amounts, but we could see that the leading bettor had fired out on that flop, Faraz Jaka (it's the first time we've noticed him all day in the sea of players) had raised, and the bettor called.
We followed along live as the turn came the . The unknown player checked to the aggressor, and Jaka put out a bet of 7,000. The call came instantly, and the filled out the board. Jaka was allowed to bet again, firing out 14,000. His opponent only had about 12,500 left, and he called it off to see the showdown.
We'd only get to see Jaka's cards; he showed up , and his wheel was the winner. The other player shook his head and left the room without a word, and that knockout pot has moved Jaka up to about 61,000.
![[user46392]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
board. One player had checked to Jeff Sarwer, who bet 3,100. Back to the other player, who now raised to 8,000. Sarwer spent several minutes in the tank before making the call.
and the check-raiser fingered his stack rather worryingly for a while and then bet out around 10,000, leaving himself just 6,000 behind. Sarwer tanked up for a few minutes more, during which time we were briefly distracted by a preflop showdown over at the next table (Richard Ashby and Dan Smith with 
each; they chopped it) and when we returned, Sarwer had folded and was looking at his opponent like he hated him.
when we arrived and Davidi Kitai was betting out 3,300. A second player in mid position called, as did Jan Heitmann in late position.
and this time it checked around to Heitmann, who silently pushed his whole stack across the line - just shy of 10,000.
, but he seemed to know what was coming on the 
turn and he didn't look at all surprised when the river came down the 
to make Marchese a Broadway straight. He swiftly took his leave and the NAPT Venetian champion took possession of his chips.
board, before both players checked the 
for the best hand by the river.
. The unknown player checked to the aggressor, and Jaka put out a bet of 7,000. The call came instantly, and the 
filled out the board. Jaka was allowed to bet again, firing out 14,000. His opponent only had about 12,500 left, and he called it off to see the showdown.