Another Sunday and with it another round of the Twitter Poker League took place this Sunday. 732 players generated a $732 prize-pool with over $130 of it going to first place. 108 place were paid this week, and each of them received at least 5 leaderboard points for doing so.

The tournament was as action packed as usual, and an hour in as we took the first 5 minute break, there were just 287 players left! Over half the field was out already, I told you it's a fast, action-packed tournament. An hour later and we were real close to the money with 113 people left, just five players short of the bubble. Sadly for VitKoz of Russia it wasn't to be, as he finished 109th.

Once in the money it wasn't long before short stacks were eliminated or double, tripled and quadrupled up. Play shifted its focus then towards making that final table, gunning for the big money and gaining all the extra leaderboard points available there. We had only 36 players left of the third break, and just two tables left with 18 players battling it out to survive to the final 9 shortly after that. League regular Danilo1012 of Germany bust in 19th place, but another solid run on his part. In due time the final table was formed, and here is how it looked.

Ico 88813 lead the way as play started and it wasn't long before we had our first elimination. Gnilton's [Ah][Qh] came up short vs. the [Kd][Js] of norbertox, handing him the chip lead after the board was dealt: [7h][Kc][2s] [4c] [5c]. Gnilton finished in 9th place for $9.36 and 10 leaderboard points. Norbertox got a little lucky again, picking off short stacked shove from FluDhs under the gun, calling with [Jd][9s] he was able to win vs. [Ad][Qd] once the cards were revealed [Jc][3d][8c] [Kh] [6c]. FluDhs finished in ei8th place for $16.17 and 11 leaderboard points. Seventh place this week, went to Shark-Ledi of Belarus. Who had to throw in the towel with [Jc][4s] after being crippled in an earlier hand, he was unable to beat either [8c][8s] or [Ks][Js] and went home with $23.05 and 12 leaderboard points.

Six handed play was brought to an end when chip leader norbertox won a flip with [As][9d] vs. Hermes1987's [2h][2c], an ace on the flop [8h][Ac][Th] was the main blow and though the [Kh] on the turn did bring Hermes1987 some more outs for a flush it wasn't to be. The river was the [Qs] and it was all over for him, taking 6th place, 13 leaderboard points and $30.37. 5th place finisher VVHoudiniVV was unable to win his coin-flip vs. repartir11's [Ts][Th] with his [Qc][Jc] and was forced all-in and out the following hand. VVHoudiniVV received 14 leaderboard points and $37.69.

Take note of these final four player's names: "repartir11", "EL Ogroyahoo", "ico 88813" and "norbertox" as each of them will have a 300FPP bounty up for grabs on their heads next week. All you have to do is eliminate them to claim it, be sure to tweet that you have done so if and when you do with the #tpoker hash-tag. That way everyone knows how awesome you are and that they are now out. Four-handed play didn't last long for repartir11 who ran his [Ad][5c] into the [Ah][Jc] of ico 88813 and wasn't able to hit a five on a board of: [9d][4d][6s] [Th] [8s]. He left in 4th place for 15 leaderboard points and $53.43.

Three-handed play lasted quite some time before norbertox showed us all that it was his lucky day, he got his [Ad][5d] all-in way behind the [As][Ac] of ico 88813 the flop [8h][Qh][5s] brought a five, and the turn [5c] brought another! The river wasn't the [Ah] and thus ico 88813 was knocked out in 3th place for 16 leaderboard points and $71.37. Heads up play was over very quickly by comparison and ended with El Ogroyahoo shipping his last few chips in with [Jh][8s] only to run into [Ac][Kc] and couldn't get there. The last board of the night read: [Qd][6s][5s] [6d] [Ah] but for norbertox it spelled victory. The pair of them received 18 and 20 leaderboard points plus $95.16 and $133.08 respectively. Not at all bad for a few hours 'work'.

Every two months weeks over $2,100 worth of STEP tickets to the top 100 players, you gain 1 point just for taking part, 5 points for cashing and anything up 20 points for winning. So what are you waiting for? There's never been a better time to join the league, with no runaway leader it's anyone's game. Registration is already open for the next game - ID: 447068636

With the WCOOP action heating up this weekend at the tables, with the marquee $200 and $500 NLHE events - you might think that the Twitter Poker League was overshadowed or forgotten about. You'd be wrong though, as another solid field of 765 players was had this week. Generating a prize-pool of equal measure, to be divided among the top 117 places - with a first place prize of $138.32!

Two of last week's top four finishers "monokrex" and "Fish_Marius" returned to take on the bounty challenge. Where 300FPP would be awarded to whomever knocked them out! After running his [Ac][Qh] into "waitat"'s [Ah][As] "Fish_Marius" was only left with T$396 5 hands later the two players battled it out again, this time [As][Jh] in a flip vs. [2h][2d], the pocket pair held up and "Fish_Marius" was eliminated (below) - and "waitat" claimed the 300FPP bounty.

The second of our bounty players "monokrex" fared a little better, and even made the money this week. However once in the money very little fight was put up as he was slowly blinded out eventually being stacked by the [4c][4d] of "cdazul" as seen below. Sometimes when you're just trying to get a few more points the right thing to do is fold into the money, but by doing so you throw away the chance to make the final table again.

Typically on the second break of the Twitter Poker League (2 hours in) we are very close to the money, often on the bubble. This week's game was a little different, as play went hand for hand at the same time as the break was announced, during that time "CRAZY MAX85" of Russia was eliminated in 118 place. Just one spot shy of the money, meaning that when players returned from the break each of them would have cashed and therefore gained a minimum of 5 points on the Season 8 Leaderboard.

It's always entertaining to see how tight play is around the bubble, compared to moments afterward, within the next hour we were down to just three tables with less than 27 players competing for their chance at the final table! Things tightened up again with 12 players remaining, but eventually the final 9 were assembled (below).

"bra boy84", "boyz568", "JimKnopf42" and "Nurrus" were essentially all even in chips at 165k-170k as play started on the final table so it was going to be a pretty even fight. It wasn't long before we lost our first player, when the [Ah][Kc] of "bra boy84" beat the [As][Qs] of "al-thebal1". Just one hand after that "Dimetrik1" was knocked out in ei8th place when the [Kc][Td] of "Nurrus" got the better of his top pair by the time the turn was reached, he held [Kh][Qc] on the eventual board of [7h][Qd][Jc] [Ad] [2h]. "Nurrus took down the T$300k pot with the nut straight and we now had 7 players remaining.

Next to go was "Nurrus" despite that huge pot, he was involved in one of those hands that you just can't get away from. He held [Ad][Qh] vs. "bra boy84" and re-raised him pre-flop, "bra boy84" called with [Th][Td] and when the flop came [4d][Tc][As] both players were delighted to get the money in. Sadly for "Nurrus" he was drawing incredibly thin, and the turn [3s] had him drawing dead. This was easily the most pivitol pot of the night giving "bra boy84" over T$600k - more than the rest of the players combined!

Six handed play didn't last at all long, "bra boy84" ramped up the aggression and began to run over the table. Swiftly eliminating the shorter stacks, "Phefz" and "viko73" in 6th and 5th place respectively. Be sure to take note of the final four players "janeebla666", "Jimknopf42", "boyz568" and "bra boy84" as next week each of them will have a 300FPP bounty on their heads. Knock them out of the tournament to claim the prize.

From four-handed play down to the final hand it only took 30 hands for "bra boy84" to claim the victory this week, making this by far the fastest final table in Twitter Poker League history. "Jimknopf42" was unable to bring himself to fold [Kd][Kc] on the [9c][6c][Ah] flop and finished in 4th place to the [As][Js] of "bra boy84" who was still the overwhelming chip leader. Ace-Jack was also the hand that saw the end of "boyz568" in a blind vs. blind raising war. "boyz568" held [Ks][9d] and even picked up a flush draw by the turn, but on a board of [5s][2d][3d] [6d] [Qh] it was all over.

Heads up play took place between "janeebla666" who held around 200,000 in chips at the time, but with over 950,000 chips "bra boy84" had a significant advantage and won the duel in just six hands! The key one being when the two of them got it in as a flip with [As][9c] vs. the [8d][8c] of "bra boy84". The chip leader flopped a full house, and turned four of a kind - what an incredible way to end the tournament!

Registration is already open for Week 4 and can be found easily with the tournament ID: 432212739 with 5 weeks left this season - it's still anyone's game. Come join in with the action and be sure to follow the twitter conversation with the #tpoker hash-tag.

A fresh start was had this week with a brand new season of the Twitter Poker League. With a blank leaderboard and another $2,100+ to be given away in prizes after these 8 weeks. An exciting time for Twitter Poker players, and the first week of the season kicked off in style. 595 players took to the virtual felt for the inaugural event of Season 9, generating $110.89 for first place.

The Twitter Poker League is a fast paced tournament, with action left right and centre. By the time we reached the first hourly break, than half (239) of the field were left. Two hours in, on the second break just 94 players remained, of which 90 would make the money. You get 1 point on the leaderboard for playing each week, 5 points for cashing and between 10-20 points from 9th to first place on the final table. Once we're in the money the focus of the game shifts promptly to making the final table. Before long there were only a few tables left and not long after the third break the last 9 players assembled around the final table.

Multison378 was the chip leader with over T$300k going into the final table, and Gerasim36 was not far behind with T$240k. Notables at the table included: grannyfish97 (@jaydee97), zobole (@poker4women) and mar4a111 (@themar4a) who are all league regulars and join in with the #tpoker conversation on twitter each week.

Our first casualty was LukeWinston who's [Ac][Kd] lost vs. [Qh][Qd] of Alexvul and [Ah][Jd] of mar4a111 in a three way all-in after a board of [4c][9h][7d] [Tc] [Jc]. Crippled but not out after that last hand mar4a111 was the next to go, basically forced all-in in the big blind with [8h][5h] vs. the [Ad][Js] of cross_graven. He finished in ei8hth place for $13.38 once the cards were dealt [Td][4h][3d] [Ks] [Tc].

Grannyfish97 called quickly with [Ad][Jd] vs. zedyx85's late position shove, and made the flip vs. [6s][6h] look easy by flopping the nut flush [Td][3d][Qd]. After the turn [Jh] and river [2d] were of no help and zedyx85 left in 7th. Next to go was league regular grannyfish97 (@jaydee97) when she shoved [8h][8s] into the [Ad][Qd] of the chipleader Multison378. A board of [Kd][Qs][Kc] [Ac ][As] spelled goodbye and she left in 6th place for .

Five handed play was brought to an end when zobole shoved [Ks][Kh] from the button and Alexvul called with [Ah][6s] short stacked in the big blind. No Ace came on the flop [2h][Td][9h] and on the turn [Kc] he was drawing dead. Take note of the final four players "Multison378", "zobole", "cross_graven" and "Gerasim36", as they will each have 300FPP bounties on their heads next week.

Four handed play kicked off with zobole (@Poker4Women) making a short stacked shove with [Th][Td] only to run into the [Ks][Kd] of cross_graven. She tweeted: "Out in 4th place which is not too shabby at all!! :o) #tpoker" - which pretty much sums it up. Third place this week went to Gerasim36 after they made top pair only to be crushed by the flopped nuts, in the hand below.

Cross_graven probably rejoiced in his seat at being handed 2nd place given that he was the shortest of the three players at the start of that hand. Heads up play was now on the agenda, though it was all over in just a few hands. Despite doubling up a missed timed bluff shove on the river with [Td][7h] on the board of [Jd][4d][5h] [4s] [3c] was caught out by [Jh][Tc]. Don't feel too bad to him $80.32 for a $1.10 investment is still great. Congratulations to our winner Multison378, who will now be leading the Season 9 leaderboard with 20 points.

Registration is already open for Week 2 and can be found easily with the tournamentID: 432212737 with 7 weeks left this season - it's still anyones game. Come join the action and be sure to follow the twitter conversation with the #tpoker hashtag.

We had the biggest field of the Season, this week with a solid 779 players taking their virtual seats. From the $779 prizepool that they generated, $140.78 was awarded to the eventual winner and for the first time this Season 2nd place also received over $100. Every week the Twitter Poker League manages to guarantee action, and this week was no exception.

By the time we reached the first break 55 minutes in, only 298 players remained. Over half the initial field was gone, including Team Online member and self-proclaimed world's best poker blogger "Dalerroxxu" (@daleroxxu), who finished in 338th place. An hour later when the second break rolled around there were just 121 players left, and with 117 players being paid we were just 4 people away from the money.

Earning the title of bubble boy this week was League regular "A-FISTFULL" of the United Kingdom. Once we were in the money, there was a momentary relief for some but then play shifted its focus strongly to making the final table. Around the 3rd break, there were just tables left, and among them was "Lindowsweet1" who at the time was 4th on the Season 8 leaderboard. He ended up finishing 21st for $3.58 and picked up 5 more points for his efforts.

Two tables remained on the 4th break and shortly after that we had our final table, "Mr Mattee" easily led the table from the start, and that didn't change much throughout. "sharky757" was the shortest going into the final nine, and when his [7h][7c] ran into the [Js][Jd] he was knocked out in 9th place. Ei8hth place this week went to "el buen jueg" after his [Ac][9s] was outkicked on a flop of [Ah][Qh][4c], all the money went in there and "VaVio1" showed [As][Td]. With no help on the turn [3s] or river [Kd] it was game over for "el buen jueg"

Seventh place finisher this week was the short-stacked "LULA2006", who caught a piece of the [9c][8s][5h] flop from the big blind in a rare limped pot. Sadly for them "Snake577" had limped with [8c][5c] for a flopped two pair. "LULA2006" was not saved by the [2h] turn or [Ad] river, and left the table which would now play six-handed. Sixth place this week was also as a result of a limped pot, "ahaluch" limped with [Kd][Qc] and "Mr Mattee" completed from the small blind. A flop of [Jd][Qs][4d] brought a piece for the both of them, a check, a bet and a call to the turn [3d] giving "Mr Mattee" a flush, "ahaluch" couldn't get away from his strong top pair, despite the board and got all his money in - drawing dead. Fifth place finisher "Plovez" was eliminated shortly in a similar fashion, when he got it all in short with [Ac][Qs] vs. the [8h][6h] again of "Mr Mattee". A flush by the river on a board of [Kh][5d][Ah] [9c] [3h] for the now dominant chip leader and play continued four-handed.

Be sure to make a note of these players "Mr Mattee", "VaVio1", "Snake577" and "gyorfigabika", as they will each be our bounty players for next week! You can gain a 300FPP prize simply by eliminating any of them, and somehow knock out all four and you'll net yourself a tidy 1200FPP. A joint elimination was had next with a three way all-in from "Mr Mattee", "VaVio1", "Snake577" each held [Ad][6c], [Kc][Tc] and [Jd][Jc] respectively. A horrible flop [Ah][9d][Ac] for anyone other than "Mr Mattee" who then had everyone drawing dead on the turn [6h], "Snake577" was pointlessly dealt the [Jh] on the river for the worse full house. As the shorter of the two "VaVio" finished in 4th and play moved to the final stage, heads-up.

Heads up play was a gruelling process, with two strong players battling it out for over 155hands! While "gyorfigabika" put up a really solid fight considering he started the match 8:3 down in chips, the game eventually came down to the hand below.

"gyorfigabika" limped his button, allowing "Mr Mattee" to hit trips for free, while picking up top pair for himself. Unable to let his king go on the river despite multiple raises all the money went in for a 540k pot and we had our winner. Congratulations to "Mr Mattee" on the victory; taking home over $140 for his hard work.

With over $2,100 in bi-monthly prizes and just a $1.10 buyin, what are you waiting for? Head on over to http://twitter.pokerstars.com to find out everything you need to know, and be sure to follow @tpokerstars on twitter for all the latest coverage for the events. Next week's game is already open for registration!

"tobias3319" of the Netherlands took down a slightly smaller Twitter Poker League this week. No doubt a result of the enormous inaugural Red Spade Open, in which over 31,000 players took part! 668 of you took part in this week's game, and generated a $668 prizepool and $122.94 for first place.

Last week's 3rd place finisher "LindowSweet1" returned this week, to take on the challenge of playing with a 300FPP bounty on his head. It's not as easy as you might think, even for a former winner. Not long into the second hour of the tournament, he was counterfeited on the river in a flip vs. [Qh][9h]. His [7h][7d] was now only 7-high and "cheater010" scooped the pot and the 300FPP bounty prize.

99 players were paid this week, and on top of the $1.53 min-cash each of them would be guaranteed at least 5 more points on the Season 8 leaderboard. Sadly for "Mr.Nitters" who finished in 100th place this would not be the case, not really living up to his name busting one place from the money. Once the money bubble had burst the race was now on for most people to build their chipstacks and head for the final table. It doesn't matter if you come 99th or 10th you still get 5 leaderboard points, whereas the final tables means anywhere from 10 to 20 points.

A little under 4 hours into the tournament we had the final 9 players set around the last table. "bartosh ap" of Russia and "Thorsen9" of Denmark were neck and neck for the chip lead to begin with, both with around 180,000 in chips. That was quickly changed when "ranger40290" found [Ks][Kc] in early position and was glad to call the shove from "cheater010" who held [Kh][Jh]. A handful of outs were possible by the turn [Ts][5h][8s] [Ac] but the river was not a Queen rather a [3d] and he finished in 9th place. The 300FPP from earlier should ease the blow of busting so early on the final table. Ei8hth place this week went to "speña9" of Spain, when he rather desperately shoved his last few chips in with [Jc][Th] under the gun and was unable to beat the [Ad][8d] of "DEVILSWEET09". The board ran out [As][4s][9s] [7s] [Kc] and he was awarded $14.69.

Seventh place finisher "Shark-Ledi" failed to survive the flip between his [Ah][Qc] and "DEVILSWEET09"'s pocket sixes of the same suits. He got $21.37 for his efforts, once the cards had been dealt [9s][8d][4s] [Kc] [8c]. Six-handed play saw "ranger40290" of Portugal leading the pack with over 250,000 and "MeiaNova" of Brazil peddling the short stack. Unsurprisingly, they were the next to be eliminated when he shoved with [5d][5h] and ran straight into the [Tc][Th] of "tobias3319". By the turn [Jh][Ts][6s] [6h] he was drawing dead and the river [Qh] was of no importance.

After that, "Thorsen9" bust in fifth place, when he committed half his stack with [Ac][Js] preflop, and was out-flopped by the [Qh][Jh]of "DEVILSWEET09". He called the shove on the flop [3h][Qc][8c] despite only having Ace-high and was drawing very thin, the turn brought the [Jc] bringing a flush draw, but the [Qd] made "DEVILSWEET09" a full house and brought an end to his fun. Make a note of these final four players, as they will be the bounties next week. You'll need to keep a close eye on them and try to be the one to knock them out, in order to claim the 300FPP reward.

Four-handed play saw "ranger40290" leading with a colossal 500,000 in chips almost more than the rest of the players combined. He was certainly aiming to bully the table, and made light work of eliminating the short stacked "bartosh ap" in 4th place. However a number of orbits later he decided to donate it all to "DEVILSWEET09" when he just wouldn't fold top pair on this final board [5h][7d][9h] [4h] [8d]. "DEVILSWEET09" held [6h][3h] for a flush and [Ts][9c] was no good at all.

Heads up play was thought to be a walk in the park for "DEVILSWEET09" based on the fact that he had 850,000 chips compared to "tobias3319" who had just 140,000! That said the underdog fought hard and after a huge double up when he held [8s][8d] to dominate the [7s][7d] of "DEVILSWEET09" that chip difference had totally flipped around. It was all over when the pair of them raced [Kc][8d] against [Qd][Tc] and "tobias3319" came out on top hitting a Queen on the flop. He took home $122.94 and 20 leaderboard points for the win.

$meinpot24$ of Germany is our run away Leaderboard leader right now, but it's still possible to catch him over the next 3 games. With over $2,100 in bi-monthly prizes and just a $1.10 buyin, what are you waiting for? Head on over to http://twitter.pokerstars.com to find out everything you need to know, and be sure to follow @tpokerstars on twitter for all the latest coverage for the events.

Another Sunday, bringing with it a new round of the Twitter Poker League, in which 618 players competed for a $116.17 first place prize. "sirotkin" of Russia was this week's winner after a solid performance at the final table. All four of this week's designated bounty players managed to play and each added a little something extra to the tables they were sat on. Each of them had the usual 300FPP rewards on their heads upon elimination, and here is how that all went down.

First of the bounty players to go was last week's winner "lkkr hoor", it's hard to get your KQs in 4 ways and find it to be the worst hand - but at least he was drawing live. The board didn't change anything for any of the players involved, and "almeex" scooped a huge pot early in the game with his pocket nines. Plus of course he received 300FPP on top of that pot, making it all the sweeter.

"abarcot" was the second bounty player to be eliminated. He left in 351st place when his open ended straight draw missed vs. the top pair of "yusbar". The [Qc] on the turn meant that even if the straight had come it would have been a split pot, so "abarcot" was drawing to just the two last Queens in the deck on the river for his chance to win the pot and stave off an early exit.

Our third bounty player "tatasegio" was knocked out by "scorpion$35" when his [Ac][Jd] was unable to best [As][Kc]. Another 300FPP was awarded to the victor of the hand and our bounty player left in 173rd place. Finally there was just one bounty player left in the tournament, everyone had their eyes on the prize that was on "orenhol"'s head. He was crippled in the hand below vs. "PeacMaker1" where he lost the flip with pocket fives vs. the [Jd][Td]. A few hands later the two players clashed again and "PeacMaker1" finished the job, proving that he's not quite as peaceful as his name suggests.

"orenhol" finished in 137th place and it wasn't long after that, that we were on the second break with just 105 players left and 90 going to be paid. Long-time league regular and past winner "Danilo1012" (@RealDanilo1012) was the bubble boy this week finishing in 91st. Everyone else was now guaranteed at least $1.60 and 5 more points on the Twitter Poker League leaderboard.

Once in the money the focus of the game very swiftly becomes the final table. It makes sense, that's where all the big money is and there are no more than 5 leaderboard points, until you reach 9th place or better. Just under two hours later we had the final nine. "KING VIETE" had a crushing lead as play started at the final table with over 300k in chips. "janodeo" was the first to leave the final table, he open shoved all-in preflop with [Js][Jd] only to run into "Chapex" who held Aces. Though he didn't need to "Chapex" hit Four-of-a-kind Aces, to drive the hand home on a board of [8s][As][9c] [Ac] [3h] - nice hand sir.
"Pusch71" Pusch-ed his last few chips in with [Kd][Qs] from the cut-off and was called by "almeex" who held [Ad][Ks]. No hope for the shorter stack on a board of [2d][Tc][8d] [8s] [6c] and he finished in ei8th place. "davieboi85" (@davieboi85) got a little lucky to eliminate "star729" in seventh place, when he isolated "star729"'s shove with [Kc][Qd]. It was an interesting hand, the [Ad][3c] took the lead on the flop [Ah][6c][Td] and only improved on the turn [Th], but the [Js] on the river changed everything, giving "davieboi85" the nut straight.

Six-handed play saw "almeex" and "Chapex" neck and neck for the chip lead, before a cooler was had between "davieboi85" and eventual winner "sirotkin". After a raise under the gun and a call on the button, the two of them were heads up on a flop [Tc][9c][As] that had hit both of them very well. "davieboi85" had hit top pair and the nut flush draw with [Ac][5c] and "sirotkin" had flopped Aces-up with [Ah][9d]. Obviously the money went in, after a number of raises, but with no club on the turn [3h] or river [Jh] "davieboi85" finished in a respectable 6th place for $26.26. Initial final table chip leader "KING VIETE" was this week's 5th place finisher, when his [Ad][Js] couldn't hold vs. the [Ac][9c] of "sirotkin" after the cards were dealt: [Qh][Ts][9h] [As] [4d].

Four players were left now, and be sure to take note of their names; as they will be Week 6's bounty players. "sirotkin", "almeex", "Chapex" and "Zubroff" - who started four handed play in that order of chip-counts. "Zubroff" didn't wait around, as the shortest of the four, getting it all in blind vs. blind with [Ks][7s] only to be behind to the [As][Jh] of "almeex". He finished this week's Twitter Poker League run in 4th place after the board ran out [6h][Qh][8s] [4d] [Ad]. 3rd place this week went to "Chapex", the Peruvian's run was brought to a close when he ran into "sirotkin"'s [As][Ah].

Heads up play was now starting, and "sirotkin" had an reasonable lead with 530k vs. the 390k of "almeex". Despite that fact the match lasted a solid 32 hands and culminated in the following hand. "sirotkin" raised [6c][2c] on the button and was flat called, he bet the [3h][7s][4c] flop with just a gutshot and was again called. The turn brought the action card [3c] making "almeex" a set, but giving "sirotkin" a flush draw to go along with his gutshot straight draw. Electing to slow play his set "almeex" just called on the turn when "sirotkin" bet, the river brought the [Tc] completing the flush for the chip leader and "almeex" just couldn't bring himself to fold when facing the 4bet shove on the river.

Congratulations to "sirotkin" and all the players who made the final table, and a round of applause to "almeex" as the runner up - I'm sure you regret that last hand but the 300FPP bounty prize from the start of the game should soften that blow. Be sure to join us for Week 5 of Season 7 next week (tourneyID: 398625627)- registration is already open! Follow @tpokerstars on twitter and keep your eyes on twitter.pokerstars.com for all the latest info!

This Sunday brought the fourth week of season seven of the Twitter Poker League, 595 players turned out for the game and five hours later, "bouliebeer" won, and took home $111.99. Last week's third place finisher "BunoCST" returned to take on the challenge of being a bounty player this week, and "Lindowsweet1" extended his season lead.

Every week the top four finishers are made a bounty prize player for the following week, usually 300FPP but as "BrunoCST" was the only one of the four to return this week, I upped the bounty reward to 500FPP. "Mr.JimBim" came so close to eliminating him, when he got his [Kc][Kh] in vs. the bounty's [Js][Jh] (below) - but unfortunately for him he didn't quite have him covered, by a mere 73 chips.

He was taken out the following hand (above) when he was virtually forced all in with [Th][2s] a.k.a. the Brunson. He was drawing dead on the turn and "naampje" somewhat effortlessly picked up the 500FPP prize. Shortly after that we took the first break, just under an hour into the game, 268 players remained and were all aiming to make at least the top 90 players, and the money.

By the time the second break rolled around there were just 103 players left, and it wasn't long before we were in the money. Each of the 90 players were guaranteed at least $1.54 and had picked up a minimum of 5 points for the leaderboard. Once in the money most, if not all players will have been focused on building a chipstack and heading for that elusive final table.

When we eventually got there, "bouliebeer" had a slight lead over "abarcot", with 190k and 175k respectively. We kicked off with a big hand, a cooler and a double elimination. "lkkr hoor" raised, "PVG501" flatted with [Kh][Kc] in the cut-off, "Mgielka5" called from the small bling with [Ac][Td] and chip leader "bouliebeer" had a great price to close the preflop action with [6c][5d]. The flop brought everyone a piece [Th][5c][5s], "Mgielka5" jammed with top pair top kicker, "bouliebeer" flatted with his set and then "PVG501" moved in with Kings up. "Bouliebeer" held and took down a monster pot, when the turn [7h] and river [Jc] came. Play was now seven handed and players took another short break.

"GryffinCA" was this week's 7th place finisher, later revealed to be @EdensaysHi on twitter, they took part in a three way all-in between the button, small blind and the big blind. The button held [Tc][Th], "GryffinCA" held [Ad][8h] in the small blind and the big blind held [Kh][Qs]. When the board ran out [3h][3s][7c] [Qd] [6c] "abarcot" scooped the majority of the pot, and "Calin0410" who was on the button with Tens was crippled. He bust a few hands later when he ran [As][Ts] into the [Tc][Td] of "lkkr hoor". While he picked up more outs by the turn [Qh][8h][4s] [8s] the river didn't bring the Ace nor the flush, and he left in 6th place for $25.28.

Five-handed play was brought to an end by a very unlucky or lucky hand - depending on who you were in the hand. Action was folded around to the blinds, and after a small raising war, "sanzhuk" got his [8d][8c] in pre-flop vs. "bouliebeer" who held [5h][5d]. The flop [Js][Ah][5c] brought a set for the chip leader , and with no ei8ht on the turn [Qc] and river [4h] "sanzhuk" left in 5th place. Four-handed play lasted a fair while before "abarcot" and "tatasegio" got it all-in blind on blind with [Ac][3c] and [Ks][2s] respectively. The better hand won, and "tatasegio" who was the shorter of the two left in 4th place - Taking $44.62 with him for his efforts.

Play continued for a short while three-handed, then "lkkr hoor" got involved in a pot with [Jd][8c] vs, "bouliebeer" who held a slightly better Jack [Jh][Tc]. The flop [Js][3h][2s] brought both players top pair, and naturally all the money went in, the turn [2c] and river [Th] brought no hope for "lkkr hoor" and he finished in third place. Heads up play was a lengthy ordeal, with both players taking a rare 5th break, but it was all over when "bouliebeer"'s [Tc][Ts] held vs. "abercot"'s [As][Jd] all in pre-flop.

Congratulations to all players who cashed, made the final table and of course to "bouliebeer" who took the win. While they may have missed out a little, and come 3rd overall "lkkr hoor" was lucky enough to make a straight flush on the final table! More than that, he was paid off when he made it, a rare occurrence and always fun to watch.

Another solid field of 606 players took part in the Twitter Poker League this week, and "ogiss67" came out on top. He was awarded $114.06 for the victory, and 20 points on the leaderboard. Meaning he is now tied for second place with Week 1 winner "werdan".

Picking up a cash this week, last week's winner "lindowsweet1" is the current leader this season with 25 points from two games. He was also one of the three bounty players this week, as a result of his finish in Week 2. The other bounty players this week were, "Chypik19" and "turboatom" who were also worth 300FPP if you managed to eliminate them. "Chypik19" was the first of the three to fall, he picked up [Ad][Kd] when he was pretty short, but was unlucky enough to run into Jacks and Aces. The turn brought him a potential flush but the [9h] on the river sealed his fate. "diplc" and "Arielooo_pl" will split the 300FPP prize, congratulations to both of them.

Next out was "turboatom" who narrowly missed out on cashing this week, finishing in 103rd place when his [Jh][Jc] couldn't hold vs. the [Ac][6c] of "orenhol". The big stack flopped a flush draw, turned an open ended straight draw and then rivered an Ace to send our bounty player to the rail, and earn himself 300FPP.

Proving his ability once again "Lindowsweet1" was the last remaining bounty after the money bubble burst and it wasn't until he was down to less than three big blinds that he moved all in to try to double up. Sadly (for him) though his [Kc][Jc] was dominated by "bowie62" who held [Kd][Qs].

Everyone who makes the money in the Twitter Poker League gets five points on the leaderboard, and everyone who plays gets one point just for turning up. However, if you are on the hunt for more than that you have to make it to the final nine. From 10 points for 9th place to a whopping 20 points for 1st are given out at the final table, this usually leads to a pretty fast paced hour and a half before we finally get down to the last table.

"ogiss67" lead the table when play started (413k) with a huge lead over second in chips "naitsirc1989" who had 130k. "orenhol" was taking on the role of the shortest stack with just 30k in chips which was around 9 big blinds! Our first victim was "fercaso" when he got it all-in with [Ac][Kd] only to find out he was dominated by his opponent who held [Kc][Ks]. Even if the players had seen the flop before shoving they likely still would have got all the money in with a King-high rainbow flop [3d][Kh][Qc]. The turn didn't brought the [5h] and "fercaso" was drawing dead.

Out in ei8hth place this week was "freiherr1113" he also found himself way behind his opponent when the money went in pre-flop. He held [Qc][Tc] but his opponent "daimikira" held [Kd][Td], the flop [6c][8c][8s] brought "freiherr1113" a bunch of outs to a flush, but the turn [2s] and river [Ad] were of no help and he was out. Next to go was "zolotarev843" who shoved blind on blind with [Ac][2h] and was called by the big blind who held pocket fives. On a board of [Qc][8s][Js] [9d] [Jc] Ace-High was no good and the [5c][5s] of "BrunoCST" held.

Six-handed play began, and "ogiss67" was still the clear chip leader with 230k - and everyone else was pretty much equal with 120k-130k on average. A short-stacked "daimikira" found pocket fives [5s][5d] under the gun and shoved, but unluckily for him "El_Bartimus" found the bigger pocket pair [Ac][Ad] in the cut-off. The flop [Tc][2c][2d] helped neither of them, but the turn brought the [As] and "daimikira" was drawing dead, and after the river he was out in 6th place. "El_Bartimus" didn't last long after that though, when he ran into Aces himself! He shoved [Ks][Th] five hands later only for "ogiss67" to wake up with [Ah][Ad] in the big blind. While he did hit King on the flop [Kc][7h][3d] it was not much help by the time the turn fell [Ac] giving "ogiss67" top set and leaving "El_Bartimus" with no outs and no chips on the river.

Four-handed play saw a similar chip dynamic, "ogiss67" still the clear leader with 310k and everyone else having around 200k. Having the chip lead short-handed is a very powerful tool, and often allows for a fairly easy way to bully the table and build chips. "ogiss67" must know that as he began to employ the bluff and get lucky technique, a favourite of mine. In the hand above he re-raised preflop with [5s][3d] and was called by his opponent. They both hit a piece of the flop [Qd][3s][Jc] and "ogiss67" lead out and was called, a huge turn for him came - the [3h] bringing him a set and he lead out again and was called. Both players only had around a pot sized bet behind when the river [5h] came and "ogiss67" over-bet jammed the pot and "naitsirc1989" called comfortably with Queens and threes with and Ace kicker, only to see that he was well and truly beat by a full house.

A blind on blind raising war saw the end of "BrunoCST" who finished in 3rd place, he ended up getting it in with [Qc][Jc] vs. "ogiss67" who held [Ac][Kd]. He couldn't make a better hand as a 60-40 underdog when the board fell [7h][5s][7s] [4c] [6s] and left the table. Heads up play saw "ogiss67" with a frankly unfair chip lead 720k vs. 200k - not that he hadn't earned it. This lead to a fast match lasting just four hands and culminating with a big flip between "orenhol"'s [Ad][3s] and the [Jh][Tc] of this week's winner. The final board of the night came [Qd][Td][8c] [8h] [Th] bringing yet another full-house for "ogiss67". Now, he may have won the tournament, but in my humble opinion the real hero this week was 2nd place finisher "orenhol" who had started the final table with just 9BB and had managed to work his way up to finish as the runner up, not to mention he also picked up a 300FPP bounty prize!

Each of the top four finishers from this week will return as bounty players next week, all of whom have 300FPP prices on their heads should you manage to knock them out. Be sure to join us this coming Sunday for Week 4 and registration is already open for - tourneyID: 391040872.

"Lindowsweet1" came out on top this week in the Twitter Poker League tournament, besting 591 players. He took $111.29 for the win, and 20 points on the Season 7 leaderboard - meaning he's tied in 1st place with last week's winner "werdan". As the top four finishers last week "effieeve" "werdan" "msqra" and "stefanie696" were eligible to be this week's bounty players, each worth 300FPP a piece! "effieeve" and "stefani696" returned to take on that challenge and the players kept an eager eye out for them both.

"stefani696" was the first of the two to fall, when her Queens ran into "sajkoo99"'s Aces. As the last bounty player standing "effieeve" made the shove (below) with a very short stack, the turn brought him a bunch of outs, but there was no luck on the river - and "jose gulag" scooped the pot and the 300FPP bounty.

Around the second break, the bubble drew close and the pressure was on to be one of the 90 players who would make the money. League regular "Marjamma" and past winner "abra1304" narrowly missed out finishing in 106th and 96th place respectively. With the money mark reached play shifted focus to the final table, all the shortest stacks were eliminated or managed to chip up, and we soon had our final nine players.

"sanches730" was the clear chip leader when the final table started (above) and "Fabiodepo" was the shortest - but not by much. Play kicked off swiftly with "EFIMTA" raising [Ad][Jc] and calling the shove from the chip leader who held [Qd][Qh] . After the flop turn and river were dealt, [8h][4s][3h] [Kd] [7c] "EFIMTA" left in 9th place. 8th place this week was awarded to """morar56" along with $13.29 prize-money, after they ran [Kd][Jd] into the [Jc][Js] of "turboatom". There was no King on the flop [8s][Tc][5c] turn [3d] or river [Td], and his Twitter Poker League run had come to an end for this week.

Previous chip leader "sanches730" was the next to go, when he played (and lost) an interesting pot with eventual winner "Lindowsweet1". He raised under the gun with [Ah][Qc] and was called by "Lindowsweet1" who was in the big blind, the flop came [4c][Qs][Jh] and "sanches730" bet out 32,000 which was more than the pot! He got a call from "Lindowsweet1" who held [Kd][Th], for an open ended straight draw. The turn brought the [Kh] and "Lindowsweet1" shoved his near pot sized stack in, and was called, but with no 10 or Queen, "sanches730" was out and finished in 7th place. Shortly after, "jrsolcia" who had recently become pretty short stacked, moved in with [Ah][7s] only to find he was way behind the pocket nines of "fabiodepo" he caught a seven on the flop but couldn't find another, or the Ace that he needed to survive - and left in 6th.

Five-handed play saw a very short stacked "Hasenmann173" desperately trying to double up through any of the other four players. Sadly when he finally got some action he was dominated, he held [Ad][3d] but "fabiodepo" held [8d][8s] and was able to pick him off after the board ran out [5h][3c][7c] [2d] [Kd], though the all-in wasn't without it scares, especially by the turn when "Hasenmann" had 9 outs! We were down to the final four, which means that "Lindowsweet1", "turboatom", "Chypik19" and "fabiodepo" will each have 300FPP rewards on their heads, if they choose to play again next week, as our bounty players. Be sure to look out for them next week.

Fourth place this week went to "fabiodepo" who lost his flip with [As][9h] vs the [7c][7d] of "turboatom". He raised to 80,000 even though he only had 81,000 and shoved the [4s][5d][4c] flop, the [6c] turn didn't help and the river [8c] only made "turboatom" a straight. Good game Fabio, and I'm sure we will see you again next week, and congratulations on the $44.32. Sadly proving that sometimes you can be way ahead preflop and still lose, "Chypik19" was eliminiated in 3rd place this week when he got it all-in with [As][Jh] vs. "Lindowsweet1" who held [Qs][Jd]. The flop was dealt, [4d][6h][Qd] and that changed everything, unable to find and Ace on the turn [5h] or river [2c] he was out.

Thanks to that lucky little hand "Lindowsweet1" went into the heads-up portion of the match with a small chip lead, 460k vs. the 400k of "turboatom". I should be impartial, but I really wanted "turboatom" to win, I had so many space puns lined up - then again maybe it's a good thing he was the runner-up this week. The match really boiled down to the final hand, where both players were getting short as the blind kept rising relentlessly. "turboatom" moved all-in on his button with [Jd][9c] only to be snapp-called by Queens. The board fell [5d][7s][7c] [3h] [Kc] and he was dead on the turn to "Lindowsweet1"'s [Qs][Qh]. A well fought fight by both of them, and $79.78 is a solid reward for a $1 tournament.

Same place (PokerStars), same time (2000CET) again next week, and registration is already open! (TourneyID: ) Do you think you have what it takes to be the best poker player in the Twitter Poker League? There are still six weeks of this season left so it is very much anyone's game.

This week saw the start of the seventh season of the Twitter Poker League, a fresh leaderboard and another $2,100 in bi-monthly prizes up for grabs. 549 players took to the tables this week, 81 of whom would be paid and over $100 would go to 1st place.

Over half of the field was out after the first hour of play, and 227 surviving players took a short break. Blinds went up to 60/120 when play resumed and the race was on to build a stack and get to the money. By the time the second break came around there were just 85 players left, and before long we were on the bubble. "grannyfish97" (@jaydee_97) commented "@tpokerstars have been bubble once in my #tpoker career, certainly don't intend to again". The money bubble burst and she and 80 other players received at least $1.59.

Other Twitter Poker League regulars were spotted in the money "3Karen3" (@facetiouskaren) "crackalocker" "Flush_King73" and a past winner "3xBB". Before long we were down to 5 tables, with "grannyfish97" (@jaydee_97) finishing in 45th for $2.19, stacks were getting shorter and the blinds higher as we closed in on the final table. "peter866" of Poland lead the final three tables as another 5 minute break was taken, when we returned play would carry us to the final table.

"tendencioso" was the chip leader at the start of the final table, but soon shared that role with eventual winner "werdan" when he doubled him up in hand two of the final table. Presumably with the intention of calling one of the short stacks, "werdan" limped with [Qs][7s], short stack "leuschi71" pushed his last few chips in with [Ad][Kd]. Both of them hit a piece of the flop [6s][7c][Kh], but the turn brought a [Qh] making "werdan" two-pair. The river was the [8d] and bid farewell to "leuschi71" who finished in 9th place.

A few hands later "werdan" was dealt [8d][8h] in the big blind and called easily when "pachipele" shoved under the gun with [4c][4h]. The board ran out [2c][6c][Qh] [Jd] [8s] giving "werdan" a set for good measure. "pachipele" finished in 8th place for $12.35. Next to go was former chip leader "tendencioso" in 7th place, when he 3bet shoved [Ac][9c] into "werdan" who had raised with [7h][7d]. The board didn't bring an Ace or a nine to win him the flip, [8h][6h][Ts] [6c] [2d] and "werdan" racked up another elimination!

Cruising with almost 400,000, "werdan" began to dominate the table. Though not strategically sound "werdan" used a tactic we had seen at this final table before, he limped with [Qc][7c] and called the short stack shove from "mrvcooia" who held [As][Kc]. The flop seemed pretty safe [Td][Ts][4d] and so did the turn [2d], but the river [7h] brought an end to "mrvcooia"'s run. He left in 6th place for a solid $23.33. Five-handed play started and stopped in two hands, the latter of which saw the end of "DyxSpirit". He moved his last few chips in with [Kh][Ks] and vs. the [As][Tc] he stood a good chance of a double up. [Ad][5c][Ts] was the flop and suddenly he was drawing very thin, the turn [9d] and river [Th] only made things worse, bringing a full house for the increasingly lucky "werdan".

We were now down to the final four player, and each of them will become bounty players next week as a result of their success. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for "effieeve", "msqra", "stefanie696" and "werdan" next week as eliminating them is worth 300FPP each! By the time the blinds reached 4k/8k "msqra" was left with just over 6 big blinds under the gun and shoved with [Ks][Jc] but could get past "werdan"'s [7d][5d] when the board fell [9d][4h][5c] [3c] [9c]. Three players remained, in the second to last hand of the tournament, a recently crippled "stefanie696" shoved with [Kd][Tc] only to lose a flip vs. "effieeve" on a board of [8h][4s][7h] [Jh] [3s].
Heads-up play was now on the agenda, "werdan" lead with 600k and "effieeve" had just over 200k. It was all over in one hand, and a rather entertaining one at that - as seen below.

No matter how that hand was played all the money would have gone in, so it may have well been preflop as it was. "effieeve" shoveing his button and well you can see the result for yourself, a flopped set for both players - nobody would be folding even if they had the chance.

A thrilling start to the new season of the Twitter Poker League, "werdan" definitely the star of the show single-handily knocking out over half of the final table. As usual it is an ei8ht week season and week two of seven is already open for registration, check out tourneyID: 391040870 for more info.