2007 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE)

Event 3 - £10,000 No-Limit Holdem Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info

2007 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE)

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
77
Prize
£1,000,000
Event Info
Buy-in
£10,000
Level Info
Level
21
Blinds
15,000 / 30,000
Ante
4,000

Feeling Horsey

From the floor of the Empire Casino...

Poker's all about the minnows, playing on an even keel and rubbing shoulders (quite literally!) with the stars. If anyone's a small fish in a big pond here today, then perhaps it's young James Finigan.

An online qualifer and heavily supported by his brother on the rail, James just entered a pot with French legend Bruno Fitoussi, betting 1k on the flop and turn of a {4-Clubs}{K-Diamonds}{3-Diamonds}{A-Clubs} board before check-folding to a 5.5k bet on the {Q-Diamonds} river.

"James mainly plays online," reports his brother. "He does pretty well; has won a Ladbrokes Poker Cruise and even a share in a horse."

"How many legs does it have?" I asked.

"Probably six, knowing James," he replied. "We saw a picture of it on Pocket Fives and it was an ugly sort."

"Well, as long as it runs fast," I added.

"Yeah, he doesn't have to sleep with it."

At that point, I concluded that the conversation was becoming too surreal and returned to my computer... to Google ugly six-legged horses.

Tags: Bruno FitoussiJames Finigan

Good Start for the Grinder; Tales from the Sportsman

Devilfish: Awaits Record Deal
Devilfish: Awaits Record Deal
Mike Mizrachi has leapt up to 52,000 early doors, and although I haven't seen him take any big pots, he must have been at least partly responsible for the two empty seats at his table, which were filled by Paul Wasicka and Annie Duke.

Meanwhile, Devilfish gets some cameras pointed at him, and can't resist singing a song about his poker energy drink. "Three different flavours, tastes just right - drink some now and play all night!" And to think he gave up a potential career in advertising to play poker.

Finally, Huseyin Yilmaz has taken a couple of nice pots recently - in one of them he bet off opponent Anthony Ramsden on the river with the board reading: {A-Clubs}{10-Clubs}{3-Clubs}{Q-Clubs}{6-Diamonds} after check-raising the flop and seeing a free card on the turn. He's clearly not afraid to get his chips in the middle, and has gained an extra 10k already in Level Two.

Tags: DevilfishHuseyin YilmazMike Mizrachi

The Devilfish Ditty

The Devilfish has treated the table (and a film crew) to this shameless song:

"Allin Drink is the Drink for me
It tastes so sweet and its sugar free
If you buy this drink you will be alright
Take one sip, you'll be up all night"

Thank you, thank you very much, I'm here all week, you can buy my CD from the boot of my car after the tournament.

Tags: Devilfish

Ladies Day

Poker Diva - 42,000 and climbing
Poker Diva - 42,000 and climbing
So far, so good for the small but mighty contingent of women in the field. As this is written, 5 of the top 11 chip counts in the tournament are women.

Frustration for Annette_15

Stop re-raising me!
Stop re-raising me!
Annette 'What imaginative alias shall I use for online?' Obrestad is starting to show signs of frustration, her last raise being re-raising by the amicable, chatty Torres Santiago. Without hesitation, Annette folded (or hurled) her hand in with the discontent of Veruca Salt being told she couldn't go in the factory.

As Annette drops to 12,250, Spain's Santiago bobs his head above water for the first time today with 21k.

Tags: Annette OstebrodTorres Santiago

Blanco cant hit a flop to save his life

Cristiano Blanco is not a lucky man, once again a premium hand has not held up. This time it was against his countryman Dario Minieri.

On a flop of {5-Diamonds}{8-Diamonds}{9-Diamonds}, he raises to 2000, and Minieri announces, "All in."

"I have the best hand, I promise," he tells Blanco.

Blanco folds and shows {K-Clubs}{K-Hearts}.

Minieri has {8-Spades}{9-Spades} for two pair.

And Blanco is feeling down on his luck.