The RDS is a big venue. So big in truth that even while hosting one of the most biggest poker festivals within the country, it may possibly also host a much bigger convention within the hall round the corner called Divine Mercy** which, we could say, has a distinct agenda to, say, a high roller event.
But on the conclusion of that "holy" roller event tonight you could not help wondering what kind of influence divine mercy played within the outcome. No less than new champion Sam Panzica might be thinking that tonight as he leaves the RDS tonight, passing several hundred evangelicals while carrying a sparkly trophy and a primary prize of €375,770.
He got there way to a remarkable performance, but in addition a final hand as a way to be mentioned for a while yet, person who depended upon (are you listening Divine Mercy?) three Kings.
After a cagey heads up that had swung between Panzica and his opponent Akin Tuna, Panzica finally got an even hold at the edge he'd worked hard on. Then the last hand came. For Tuna jack-ten, for Panzica, well we'll get to that.
After much time spend swapping chips; the 3 Kings arrived, together at the same flop. By the river it had given Tuna a whole house, which for Panzica, holding the fourth king, should have felt like a miracle, much more so when Tuna called his all-in.
Watching from the rail it was hard to grasp how Panzica had contained himself - one of the things perhaps that separate the professionals from the giddy amateurs. While the remainder of us looked on in wonder, Panzica and Tuna shook hands, both not quite believing how things had ended, but laughing nonetheless.
The other clues came within the remainder of Panzica's performance, an individual best at the EPT, and one fully deserving of the title and silverware. And to think he'd considered skipping it.
Whatever it was that modified his mind (still with me Divine Mercy?) it was a career defining one. While high rollers often play the a part of poor relative on what's the last day of the festival - permanently within the shadow of the television lights and main event stage, it still appeals to players, lots of whom stopped by to watch, drink in hand.
Play resumed today with 13 players (full payouts are available here), the primary to head being Diego Ventura. He was followed by Sam Chartier and Christoph Vogelsang, then Jerry Odeen and Rocco Palumbo, who busted in ninth to depart an official final eight.
There was no urgency to the eliminations. The Gods decided there could be double ups first to boost the blood pressure, seven to be exact, with Riess, Arruda, Kitai, Riess again, Adams, Patel and Arruda again, all doubling up before the primary of them was sent to the rail.That can be Arruda, who ran jacks into Patel's ace-queen, which became a straight at the river. Adams followed a little while later when his ace-ten fell to the ace-queen of Panzica.
Former World Champion Ryan Riess went later, having fought well with the quick stack. He found pocket sevens just as Kitai found pocket eights. Not that it did Kitai much good. He busted next in fifth place when his ace-seven was undone by Tuna's ace-six, which with some luck was was a straight by the river.
Patel got similar treatment, seemingly ahead with ace-ten only to observe Panzica's ace-eight overtake him at the turn.
Then it was Lebedev's turn.
Chip leader at first of the day, the Russian will nurse bruises tonight having taken knocks within the run as much as the general table. He lasted until third though, busting with threes against Panzica's nines, a hand that gave Panzica an edge going into heads up.
The two finalists quickly agreed to a deal, splitting the money marginally in Panzica's favour, with €65,770 (and the trophy) left to play for. It meant a primary prize of €375,770 to the American, watched to the finish line by the likes of Mike McDonald and Chance Kornuth. Tuna, who let's not forget had played the sport of his career, having been the primary person to bust (and re-enter on Day 1) and the last, took away €290,000 as runner-up.
And that was that - another champion, and arguably probably the most memorable final hand. Three kings bestowing riches on one man. What an out of this world story.
It's not the last story to play out at EPT Dublin. The primary Event continues with play now on the heads-up stage. Follow live updates at the PokerStars Blog.
In the meantime congratulations to Samuel Panzica on an ideal victory.
Event #54, €10,000 NL Hold'em (single re-entry)Entries: 185 (45 re-entries)Prize pool: €1,794,500Places paid: 27
1. Samuel Panzica (U.S.A.) €375,770*2. Akin Tuna (Germany) €290,000*3. Sergey Lebedev (Russia) €184,6504. Emil Patel (Finland) €150,5505. Davidi Kitai (Belgium) €120,0506. Ryan Riess (USA) €92,2407. Timothy Adams (Canada) €67,1208. William Arruda (Brazil) €48,630* Denotes a two-way deal.
Ready to join PokerStars? Click here to get an account.** No divine intervention was implied. It was just coincidence.
Stephen Bartley is a staff writer for the PokerStars Blog.Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: European Poker Tour]
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