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Archive for the ‘eptseason5montecarlohighroller’ Category


EPT €25K High Roller: Vanessa Rousso wins €720,000 in Monte Carlo

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTTeam PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso already had more than $1.3 million in tournament winnings when she arrived in Monte Carlo. She hardly needed to prove her ability to the poker world, but if there's one thing that cements a place among the game's great and the good, then winning a High Roller event will do the trick. It's not just the big prize money, it's the knowledge you have beaten some of the very best players to get it.

This field in the EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller was no different. Three days ago, 79 of the world's best players paid up, including a host of Team PokerStars Pros like ElkY - who won the High Roller in the PCA in January - Peter Eastgate, Barry Greenstein, William Thorson and Alexandre Gomes. Also lining up were Phil Ivey, Chris Ferguson, Erik Seidel, Gus Hansen, Devilfish and Tony G, the last of whom went on to take third place earlier today.

We reached a final table of eight late last night, and when we lost half of those in the first three hours of play today, everyone was prepared for an early finish. But it took a couple of hours before PokerStars.de ShootingStar Florian Langmann departed, and around five more hours before Tony G bust when his A-6 failed to hold up against Randy Dorfman's Q-9.

Heads-up developed into something of a marathon, too. Dorfman started with a 2-1 chip lead, lengthened it, lost it, got it back again, then lost it all. The killer blow came on a 3-9-8-5-K board, when Dorfman's K-5 for two pair ran into Rousso's 6-7 for the nut straight. He had been a worthy opponent, and will draw some comfort from going home with €434,000.

_MG_8925_Neil Stoddart.jpgVanessa Rousso

The night, though, belonged to Rousso, who was supported on the rail all day by her partner, fellow Team PokerStars Pro Chad Brown

"As long as I got my money in good I thought I had a chance. I'm probably going to go and have a good cry after this!

"I have given 110% over the last three days. A few weeks ago I finished second in the NBC Heads Up Championships and I was happy, but at the end of the day second places are no good. You want to win."

Congratulations, Vanessa, on a brilliant performance.

For a look back at the prize payouts, head over to this page.


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table level 23 updates

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 23 of the EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller final table are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here for the prizes page and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

Blinds: 40,000-80,000 (ante: 10,000)

11.20pm: Dorfman eliminated in second place. Vanessa Rousso wins the €25,000 EPT High Roller Event!
After a long and protracted battle, Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso has won the €25,000 high roller event here in Monte Carlo. In the final hand, she bet 150,000 on the turn of a [3c][9s][8h][5c], Dorfman made the call and they went to the [kh] river. Rousso moved all-in and Dorfman quickly called, Rousso flipped over [7c][6s] while Dorfman's [kc][5d] was just no good.

Afterwards Vanessa said, "As long as I got my money in good I thought I had a chance, I'm probably going to go and have a good cry after this!" Sounding a little tired, she added, "I've given 110% over the last three days, but a few weeks ago I finished second in the NBC Heads-Up Championships and I was happy, but at the end of the day second places are no good, you want to win."

Rousso takes home €720,000 for her victory, her biggest ever result, while Randy Dorfman receives €434,000 for second place.

11.10pm: Swings and roundabouts
The chip counts are changing faster than Usain Bolt takes to get dressed. Vanessa Rousso min-raised to 160,000 preflop with Dorfman calling before both checked the [ad][2h][as] flop. On the [10c] turn, Dorfman check-raised Rousso's 350,000 bet all-in and got snap called by the Team PokerStars Pro's [ac][4h] with Dorfman's [6s][5s] drawing dead, meaning the [qh] river was academic.

Soon after though, Dorfman doubled back up with [ks][9d] against Rousso's [5h][5c] on a [4d][qc][8c][9h][6d] board. He's now on about 1,400,000 while Rousso has about 2,600,000. The epic battle continues...

10.50pm: Rousso doubles
Vanessa Rousso got a timely double up, flopping two pair when with K-5 on a K-5-4 flop and then getting all in against Randy Dorfman's A-J. The 6 turn and 3 river changed nothing.

Randy Dorfman; 2,350,000
Vanessa Rousso: 1,600,000

rousso123.JPGVanessa Rousso



EPT €25K High Roller: Interview with Chad Brown

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table level 22 updates

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 22 of the EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller final table are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here for the prizes page and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

Blinds: 30,000-60,000 (ante: 5,000)

10.30pm: No breakthrough yet
Randy Dorfman is dominating this heads-up battle but Vanessa Rousso is not out of this just yet. Dorfman had aggressively knocked her down to just 500,000 or so before the two got it all-in on the turn of a [7d][qh][5c][kd][10h]. Dorfman showed [qc][3d] for a slowplayed flopped pair of queens but Rousso turned over [7s][5s] for bottom two pair. Neither improved on the river and Rousso is back over the 1 million mark again but still down three-to-one in chips.

10.05pm: Chad on the rail
Vanessa is being railed throughout this final table by her partner, fellow Team PokerStars Pro Chad Brown. He spoke with our intrepid video team a little earlier...


Watch EPT Monte Carlo S5: Interview with Chad Brown Final Table on PokerStars.tv

9.45pm: Dorfman in charge.
Vanessa Rousso has been knocked down to a short stack after taking several hits from Dorfman. With around 800,000 behind, Rousso raised to 150,000 but then folded when Dorfman set her all-in.

She did manage to recover back over the million chip mark after calling a 240,000 bet on the turn of a [ks][10c][9c][7s] board before pushing on the [3c] river. Dorfman stood up at this point and said, "I just don't believe you have the flush," before continuing to rule out what she might or might not have. Eventually he called the clock on himself though and folded with 30 seconds remaining, however he still retains a three-to-one chip advantage.

9.20pm: Tony G eliminated in 3rd place for €257,000
First hand after we restarted and Tony G re-raised all-in against the small blind raise from Randy Dorfman. A quick call and the cards were on their backs:
Randy Dorfman: [qh][9c]
Tony G: [ad][6h]

The board came out [jh][jd][2c][9d][8h] meaning Tony G was eliminated earning €257,000 for his efforts. We are now heads-up with Randy Dorfman holding a slight chip advantage over Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso.

9.10pm: Dinner break
Players will be back from their dinner in the next 15 minutes.

rousso123.JPGVanessa Rousso


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table level 21 updates

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 21 of EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller final table are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here for the prizes page and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

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

7.50pm: Dinner break
Players are now on a 90 minute dinner break. Chip counts are as follows:
Randy Dorfman, USA, 1,870,000
Tony G, Lithuania, 560,000
Vanessa Rousso, USA, Team PokerStars Pro 1,525,000

7.40pm: Tony G gets two shoves through - with sevens
Tony G re-raised Vanessa Rousso all in pre flop and forced a fold, showing [7c] and claiming he had another one. The very next hand he shoved all in from the button, getting folds from Rousso and Randy Dorfman. This time he showed two cards - [7c][7d].

Moments earlier Dorfman went all in from the big blind, forcing a fold from Rousso who had completed from the small.

Tony G is still lowest in chips, with Dorfman enjoying the current chip lead with around 1.7 million.

7.25pm: Rousso makes good calls
Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso has edged ahead after making two good calls against her opponents. First she called a 100,000 bet on the turn of a [9c][Qh][4h][4c] board before both checked the [9s] river. Her [ad][2s] good vs [jd][6s] of Dorfman.

Shortly after she called a 110,000 bet on the flop of [kc][6c[7s] against Tony G, then both players checked the [ad] turn before Tony G took another shot on the [5s] river. Rousso was a non-believer once more and made the call with [qh][7h] which was good when Tony G could only show [Tc][4d].

7.00pm: Kings no good
Vanessa Rousso called from the button, Randy Dorfman folded and Tony G raised 110,000. Call from Rousso. The flop was [10c][3d][ah]. Check, check. They also checked the [qd] turn, but on the [6c] river Tony G bet 100,000 - call.

Tony G: [kh][kd]
Rousso: [ac][9s]

That hurt, but it could have been a lot worse.

6.40pm: The G's megadraw
Tony G just took a decent pot off Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso. In a limped pot, he bet 100,000 on the [5s][6h][5h] which she called, before both checked the [7d] turn. On the [jh] river Tony G bet 160,000 and Rousso said she thought he'd got there with the flush before folding. He showed [7h][4h] for a flopped straight flush draw, turned pair and rivered flush!

Rousso recovered some chips after though, limping the button and checking behind Tony G on a [Jh][10h][9c] flop before raising his 50,000 bet on the [qh] turn to 150,000. He made the call but showed the [8d] when folding to a 450,000 bet on the [6d] river. It's all still pretty even.

6.30pm: New level
Tournament staff are colouring up the yellow 1,000 chips and we're moving straight into this level without the ten-minute break. We'll have latest chip counts up in a few moments.

rousso123.JPGVanessa Rousso


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table level 20 updates

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 20 of EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller final table are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here for the prizes page and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

Blinds: 20,000-40,000 (ante: 4,000)

6.05pm: Chips
Vanessa Rousso, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,490,000
Randy Dorfman, 1,359,000
Tony G, 1,126,000

5.45pm: Happy jack for Rousso
Vanessa Rousso's [ad][jh] came good in the end on a [4h][10h][3c][qd][jc] board, enough to take down a 470,000 pot off Randy Dorfman. Tony G is sipping tea.

New chip counts with you soon.

5.30pm: Dorfman takes a biggy
There is starting to be a lot of limped three-way pots but not much action down the streets. In the biggest pot of the last ten minutes or so,Tony G limped the button and Vanessa Rousso made up the small blind. Dorfman raised an additional 125,000 and both players called and saw a [4h][Ah][7d] flop. All three players checked and a [2d] appeared on the turn. Rousso checked a second time and Dorfman moved all-in, Tony G folded after some dwelling and Rousso folded too, the pair showing [8c][7c] and [qs][10s] respectively. Dorfman showed them [Jd][jh]

5.20pm: Rousso doubles up
Monster pot alert! Vanessa Rousso, who had slipped in chips slightly, just secured a key double up against Randy Dorfman. He had raised to 88,000 pre flop, called by Rousso. The flop came [9d][kc][4c], and that's when things got a bit carried away. Dorfman bet 108,000, Rousso re-raised, he went all-in, she called for her tournament life.

Dorfman: [kh][10h]
Rousso: [9c][10c]

Rousso needed a club for the flush - and the [2c] duly arrived on the turn. She's now over the million mark again, while Dorfman is back at 800,000, closely followed by Tony G.

rousso123.JPGVanessa Rousso

5.10pm: Finely balanced
It's still high-wire balancing act in the high roller event, Tony G has been the main aggressor, raising preflop from the small blind against Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso and continuation betting the [kh][qc][2c] flop. He also raised to 180,000 from the big blind after Rousso limped the button, the latter folding to the pressure of the big bet.

5.00pm: Break time
Players have taken a ten-minute break. They're now coming back to sit around the following approximate stacks:

Randy Dorfman, USA, 1,350,000
Tony G, Lithuania, 1,350,000
Vanessa Rousso, USA, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,250,000

tg2.JPGTony G


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table level 19 updates

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 19 of EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller final table are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here for the prizes page and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

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

<4.45pm: Even stevens...
Randy Dorfman raises to 69,000 on the button and Tony G re-raises to 210,000 from the small blind, Dorfman folds and Tony G cheekily lifts his cards high enough up so that we can see his 10-2 offsuit from behind him. Dorfman asks, "What did you show?"

Tony G, already probably well noted for his word play says, "Two tens." Which is exactly true but not exactly true at the same.

Vanessa Rousso calls an 80,000 bet on a [ah][9c][10d] board from Tony G before they check the [js] turn and [3c] river. "So many non-believers in the world, how can I convert them all?" says Tony G. He then flips [7d][6c], losing to Rousso's [ac][7h].

Chip counts at the break:

Randy Dorfman, USA, 1,350,000
Tony G, Lithuania, 1,350,000
Vanessa Rousso, USA, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,250,000

4.25pm: Cat and mouse
Randy Dorfman takes a pot, Tony G takes a pot, Vanessa Rousso takes a pot. So it is that the chips in the High Roller final are passing around the table, but not necessarilly sticking in one place.

Tony G has been confusing Vanessa Rousso by claiming he is a bus driver. "I'm not a pro poker player," he said. "I'm a bus driver."

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

Tony G could'nt really explain, except to say: "I'm a businessman. I do business."

It's hard to work out what's going on in his head sometimes. But he's good value nonetheless.

4.10pm: Three-way pot puts Tony G in trouble
Tony G limps the button once again, Vanessa Rousso calls, and with a check from Randy Dorfman, it's three-way action to the flop. The dealer puts out [qs][9s][2h] and Rousso checks, Dorfman bets 90,000 and Tony G quickly calls and then Rousso calls too. The turn looks unlikely to have helped anyone when the [2d] appears and it's checked to Tony G who bets 300,000. Rousso folds but then Dorfman immediately moves all-in and 'G' folds just as quickly leaving himself around 550,000 left.

3.55pm: Vanessa Rousso is a non-believer
On a board of [7s][9d][2h][6h], Tony G moves all in for around 850,000. Randy Dorfman had got out of the way on the flop, but Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso had a much tougher decision for the vast majority of her chips.

She took off her glasses and eyed up Tony G much like a mother would to see if her child was lying.

"I just don't believe you," she said, running over all his possible hand combinations before settling on ace ten of hearts. "That's it. That's what you must have."

Then she was back in the tank again. "I simply don't believe you," she repeated. "Then you have to call," said Tony G. She passed, and Tony G showed her one card - [4h].

vr1.JPGVanessa Rousso

3.40pm: Tony G (doesn't) show the bluff
It's been evenly aggressive so far, with each player getting their fair share of pots, the only interesting pot was when Tony G limped the button and Vanessa Rousso came along also. Dorfman checked his option but took a 60,000 stab at a [2s][6c][2h] flop, Tony G quickly raised to 200,000 and both the others folded. Tony G didn't not show his cards to the players but deliberately held them high enough so that the crowd could see his stone cold bluff with [kh][4h]

3.20pm: Players are on a short break
We'll be back with you shortly. In the meantime, here are the approximate chip counts:

Vanessa Rousso, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,629,000
Randy Dorfman, 1,430,000
Tony G, 936,000

tg.JPGTony G


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table level 18 updates

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 18 of EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 High Roller final table are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here for the prizes page and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

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

3.15: Last hand matters once again
The last hand of the level has continually proved to be a crucial one. Vanessa Rousso called a raise from the big blind against the increasingly aggressive Randy Dorfman. On the flop Rousso check-called a bet of 55,000 and on the [3c] turn she check-called a bet of 85,000. The river was the [2h] and Rousso checked a third time and Dorfman bet a big 225,000. After mulling it over for a couple of minutes, she made the call and he mucked his hand after she showed [qc][2c]

Chip counts:

Randy Dorfman, USA - 1,430,000
Tony G, Lithuania - 936,000
Vanessa Rousso, USA, Team PokerStars Pro - 1,629,000

2.55pm: Tony G v Randy Dorfman Pt III - with added quads!
Randy Dorfman had Tony G in a super tight spot when his [kh][kd] made quads on the [kc][ks][5s] flop. Dorfman made it 55,000 and when Tony G re-raised to 130,000 the American put on a show of angst, head in hands, before making a "reluctant" call. Both checked the [10d] turn, and on the [6c] river Dorfman made it 300,000. Now it was Tony G's turn to think things over, folding what he later claimed was 9-9. "Nice laydown," said Dorfman, flipping his monster. "I surprised myself by folding there," said Tony G. "Unbelievable."

tg.JPGTony G

2.45pm: Florian Langmann eliminated in 4th place for €188,000
Florian Langmann raised to 43,000 from the button and Vanessa Rousso made the call from the big blind. The flop was [7c][3d][3c] and Rousso quickly moved all-in as the cogs in Langmann's brain began to tick, he called with [As][Ks] but Rousso had overtaken him with [8d][7h] which held on the [2d] turn and [4d] river meaning we're down to just to three players in under two levels. He takes home €188,000 for his troubles though.

2.35pm: Florian keeps pushing
Florian Langmann, now a short stack once more has been pushing with much frequency. It was passed to him in the small blind and Tony G said, "Do it blind?"

"Let me think," replied Langmann, but G then relented saying, "Go on, look."

Langmann did so then moved all-in for about 250,000 before telling the dealer, "He won't call."

Tony G began an interrogation, "You got an ace? A weak ace?" Langmann then asked the tournament director if he could talk about his hand and was told he could say what he wanted because he might be lying.

"I don't lie," said the German firmly.

A shout came from the rail, "How much would you lie for?"

"About €720,000..."

Tony G folded and Langmann showed him the [ad].

2.25pm: Tony G v Randy Dorfman Pt II
These two are at it again. This time Tony G was on the big blind, and from the button Randy Dorfman was counting chips, preparing to raise.

"Don't get fancy," Tony G pleaded. "Wait for good hands and save your money."

Dorfman ignored him, and led out with 42,000. Langman folded the small blind, Tony G called. The flop came [2d][8c][ad], Dorfman made it 50,000. Call. "You want to keep it friendly on the turn?" Tony G asked, and obviously Dorfman did as they both checked the [3d]. On the [5s] river Tony G made it 50,000 - met with a quick re-raise to 200,000. Tony G folded pretty fast, showing an ace - dismayed as Dorfman flipped K-3.

"He bluffed me!" Tony G exclaimed, almost with disgust.

Rough chip counts:

Randy Dorfman, 2 million
Tony G, 1 million
Vanessa Rousso, 580,000
Florian Langmann 240,000

2.15pm: Tony G v Randy Dorfman Pt I
Tony G wins a gutsy 500K pot from Randy Dorfman. He raised to 50,000 pre flop and was called. The flop came [10h][ad][ks]. Dorfman made it 55,000 and Tony called. Both checked the [10c] turn, and on the [2d] river Dorfman made it 170,000. Tony G dwelled, weighed up his options, and made the call.

Dorfman: [4s][4d]
Tony G: [kh][5h]

The king was good on a scary-looking board. "I had the heart and commitment to win that pot," Tony G said.

2.10pm: Dorfman's revenge
Florian Langmann raises to 45,000 when first to act. Randy Dorfman min-re-raises to 70,000 but then Langmann makes it 165,000 and Dorfman folds. The German says, "You saved some with that mistake!"

Dorfman says, "It wasn't a mistake," but then a couple of minutes later retracts the statement. "It was a mistake."

The two of them butt heads again soon after, Dorfman makes it 42,000 to go and Langmann flat-calls. The flop is [kh][8c][4s] and Dorfman bets 55,000 with the ShootingStar just calling, the interesting [kc] appears on the turn and Dorfman bets 85,000. Langmann raises to 220,000 and Dorfman quickly moves all-in with the German calling him equally fast with [4c][4h], Dorfman needs some help with [Kd][jc], the river is the [8d] and Dorfman makes a bigger boat to scoop an almost 2,000,000 chip pot. Langmann is forced to hand over 773,000 more in chips leaving himself with about 260,000 behind and says, "I'm back where I started..."

2.00pm: Chips!
The four players are back in their seats, all buzzing from the quickfire exits in the last level. All that action has balanced their stacks, although Florian Langmann has sneaked into the chip lead. There's €720,000 waiting for the winner, and each of our remaining players are already guaranteed €188,000.

Don't forget, you can now also get the latest news from the PokerStars Blog Twitter page.

Florian Langman, Germany, PokerStars.de ShootingStar - 1,150,000
Randy Dorfman, USA - 950,000
Tony G, Lithuania, - 900,000
Vanessa Rousso, USA, Team PokerStars Pro - 850,000

fl.JPGFlorian Langmann


EPT €25K High Roller: Level 17 updates (continued)

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTLive updates from level 17 of EPT Monte Carlo €25,000 are brought to you by Chris Hall and Simon Young. Click refresh to see the latest updates here.

The latest chip counts will be placed here as we get them, while you'll have to exercise your index finger to click here prize payout page for the prizes and those who pocket them. And they'll need big pockets.

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

1.40pm: Florian doubles
On the last hand of the level, Dorfman raised to 40,500 on the button and Florian Langmann made the call from the small blind. The flop came [kd][10h][5d] and Langmann led out for 55,000 and Dorfman raised all-in effectively making the German play for his stack. The ShootingStar played with his chips before announcing "Call," and turning over [kh][qd], Dorfman though turned over a dominated [ah][ks] and Langman could only say, "wow!" The turn was the [qc] and the river was the [9h] and Dorfman said, "You have nine lives sir," as he was forced to count out 549,500 and pass it over to Langman, who now takes over the chip lead.

Chip counts:

Randy Dorfman, USA - 950,000
Florian Langman, Germany, PokerStars.de ShootingStar - 1,150,000
Tony G, Lithuania, - 900,000
Vanessa Rousso, USA, Team PokerStars Pro - 850,000

1.20pm: "Let's gamble!"
The colourful Lithuanian has managed to recover some chips through Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso. Tony G raised to 41,000 from the button with Vanessa Rousso re-raising to 100,000 from the small blind. Tony G instantly called and the flop came down [kd][6c][7c], Rousso stared hard at the flop then said, "140,000," but was met with an instant all-in move from her opponent who said, "I love it! Let's gamble." Eventually Rousso folded to this big push and Tony G let her see one of his cards which was the [7h], Rousso is still chip leader but Tony G is rapidly catching up...


1.15pm: Double bust out in three-way monster
Team PokerStars Pro William Thorson and David Eldar both busted in an extraordinary hand against Randy Dorfman, now the runaway chip leader. It started with Thorson declaring all in for his 156,000. Tony G and Rousso folded, but Dorfman then declared all in, too, covering Thorson.

Eldar clearly had a tough decision, having looked at his cards, raised his eyebrows and groaned to himself. "I love his expressions," said Rousso, but Eldar was in no mood to joke around. He too was covered by Dorfman. Call!

Thorson: [7d][8d]
Dorfman: [7s][7h]
Eldar: [qd][qc]

The flop came [ks][qs][jh] giving Eldar the set - but the turn of [as] opened flush possibilities for Dorfman, or a ten would make a split pot. The river was [5s] giving Dorfman the runner runner flush, and sending Thorson and Eldar to the rail. Eldar had Thorson covered and finishes one place higher.

William Thorson eliminated in 6th place for €99,000
Daid Eldar eliminated in 5th place for €138,000

So we're down to just four players already. It's been a lightening start to the final table. Randy Dorfman is the clear chip leader - we'll have the counts for you very soon.

ruben.JPGRandy Dorfman

1.10pm: G forced out of pot
Tony G continues to orchestrate the action, raising to 40,000 and finding Randy Dorfman re-raise to 80,000 behind him. G flat-calls and the flop is a possible action creating [jd][td][9s], Tony G checks and Dorfman bets 115,000 which is instantly called. The turn is the [ah] and it's checked to Dorfman again who moves all-in, Tony G lets out a desperate sigh and folds [kh][kd] face up, in the aftermath Dorfman says, "Tony, you played that awful."

1.00pm: Feldman eliminated in 7th place for €79,000
"I have six bikes, they get better each time," replied G. Eldar then moved all-in and everyone else folded, including Tony G who showed [kh][9h]. Eldar immediately turned over [qs][qh] and Feldman showed [as][10d], the board ran out [qd][5d][7c][7s][7d] and Feldman was eliminated in 7th place winning €79,000.

12.50pm: Don't play the Ralph Perry against me, says Tony G
Randy Dorfman just felt the full force of a Tony G onslaught, missing out on a big pot when his [Kh][jh] was beated by [kc][10h].

Tony G raised to 40,000 and Dorfman called, adding: "I check in the dark to my friend." The flop ran [jc][4c][kd], two pair for Dorfman. Tony G bet another 40,000, re-raised by Dorfman by another 75,000 - call. The turn was [7c] - check, check - and the river [9c]. Dorfman checked and now Tony G made it 60,000. "That's a good value bet," said Dorfman as he considered the call, first sitting, then standing, then reluctantly adding: "I gotta call. If you've got a club you win."

Tony G had filled up with a flush, but it didn't end there.

"I can't believe you played the Ralph Perry against me," he said, referring to the famous video clip where he chastises Ralph Perry for playing K-J against him out of position for his tournament life. "Never play the Ralph Perry against me," he continued, "and out of position too!. I can't believe you did that. All I ask is for a bit of respect - don't do the Ralph Perry."

Dorfman, clearly rattled although Tony G was teasing, said:" But it was suited. Anyway, you said K-J was your favourite hand."

"It is," replied Tony G. "It's my favourite hand for busting people. Just don't play that hand against me. EVER!"

That's two big pots Dorfman has now lost in the early skirmishes.

12.40pm: Thorson gets early double up
We said William Thorson needed an early double - and he's just got it, moving all in for his last 82,500 with [10c][10d] against Randy Dorfman's [ad][10h]. "I think this may be too much for you," said Thorson. "It might not be," replied Dorfman as he counted out the call.

The board ran [3d][3h][7c][2c][qc], and Thorson is back in the hunt.

12.30pm: David Steicke elimiated in 8th place for €60,000
In the first hand, Tony G raises from UTG to 40,000 and Vanessa Rousso calls next to him. Everyone else folds and the two check down a [5d][4s][4h][Ac][5s] board to the river where Tony G bets 70,000. Rousso quickly calls but gets shown [Ad][Kc], she flashes A-Q and throws it into the muck.

Next hand sees a raise from Randy Dorfman to 32,000, David Steicke re-raises to 92,000 next him, the action goes back to Dorfman who quickly moves all-in. Steicke quickly calls with [kd][ks] and Dorfman shows [ad][kh]. The board runs out [10c][7d][7s][ac][4c] and Steicke gets eliminated in eighth position winning €60,000.

12.20pm: Interviews before we start
William Thorson gave us a few brief quotes on how a high roller event plays differently from a main event saying, "The field is generally 90% tough players and you can play real poker. Generally I like to play against weaker players but everyone who made this final is good." Despite the fact he will be the shortest stack going into the final table, Thorson said of the possible money on offer that he didn't want to think about it, "If I start to think about the money, I won't do very well."

Vanessa Rousso meanwhile, is brimming with confidence going into the final as chip leader. "I really like high roller events because I have to bring my 'A' game and when I play good players I play less marginal hands. At one point yesterday I was on table where there was like $40 million worth of tournament wins!"

12.10pm: Ready to rumble
We have the usual minor delays while our finalists settle down, unpack chips from their bags and stack them. We'll be up and running very soon. Looking for an early double up is Team PokerStars Pro William Thorson.

Seat 1: Andrew Feldman, 202,500
Seat 2: Randy Dorfman, 487,500
Seat 3: David Steicke, 347,500
Seat 4: David Eldar, 385,500
Seat 5: William Thorson, Team PokerStars Pro, 132,000
Seat 6: Florian Langmann, PokerStars.de ShootingStar, 274,500
Seat 7: Tony G, 875,000
Seat 8: Vanessa Rousso, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,250,000

wthr.JPGWilliam Thorson


EPT €25K High Roller: Final table time!

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

EPTThe final table of the €25,000 high roller event will kick off in about half an hour with Team PokerStars Pro Vanessa Rousso leading the way with over a million in chips. She is joined on the table by fellow Team Pro William Thorson, who is the short stack, and PokerStars ShootingStar Florian Langmann.

The remaining eight players are playing for a first prize of €720,000 while the eighth will receive €60,000. The seating order and chip count is as follows:

Seat 1: Andrew Feldman, 202,500
Seat 2: Randy Dorfman, 487,500
Seat 3: David Steicke, 347,500
Seat 4: David Eldar, 385,500
Seat 5: William Thorson, Team PokerStars Pro, 132,000
Seat 6: Florian Langmann, PokerStars.de ShootingStar, 274,500
Seat 7: Tony G, 875,000
Seat 8: Vanessa Rousso, Team PokerStars Pro, 1,250,000

rousso3hr.JPGVanessa Rousso