As a usual kick-off to the the PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino EPT Grand Final, the France Poker Series Monaco Main Event is traditionally a well-liked start line for poker players coming to beautiful Monaco to participate within the lengthy festival. With 80 events in this year's schedule, this €1,100 buy-in event provides an excellent opportunity for an individual to get his or her poker feet wet after literally doing so within the surrounding beach and/or a hotel pool.
We wondered originally of the day what kind of turnout we'd see, eyeing the 993 who played this event a year ago when 265 took part at the first of 2 Day 1 flights. That normal was met after which some this time around, with a remarkable 349 Day 1A entrants. If tomorrow follows form, then, we might even see well over 1,000 playing this event.
After a dozen 45-minute levels today that massive field was whittled right down to just 91 players advancing to Friday's Day 2. We followed numerous big stacks inside the day, nevertheless it was the Russian Andrey Andreev who emerged through the late afternoon as a leader, then later within the night retook first position to say the chip leader status in the intervening time on this event.
Andreev finished the night bagging a fab 281,300 to position him sooner than the chase pack. His achievement also earned him the reward of a couple of tickets to Saturday's football match between French Ligue 1 sides AS Monaco and EA Guingamp, an advantage going to the Day 1A, Day 1B, and Day 2 chip leaders.
Andrey Andreev
Others who thrived today to finish the night with bigger-than-average stacks included the following:
Kasra Pour Khomamy - 263,000Mario Melis - 219,000Ivan Freitez - 190,200Niste Mihai - 184,200Bertrand Guenoun - 182,000Tudor Purice - 153,000Yury Gulyy - 134,600Ariel Mantel - 129,400Patricio Rojas - 128,300
Also making it to Day 2 from today's starting flight were:
Govert Metaal - 101,100Miguel Silva - 89,400Jean Brecard - 65,500Mario Lopez - 57,900Rasmus Agerskov - 34,400
Meanwhile included among the less fortunate failing to make it through today were Dinesh Alt, Lee Markholt, Mohsin Charania, Nacho Barbero, Fabian Chauriye, David Yan, Amos Ben, Natasha Barbour, and Pierre Neuville.
Tomorrow we return to the beginning for Day 1B for an additional 12 levels. Late registration might be open until the beginning of Level 5 tomorrow, at which point we'll discover just how big the FPS Monaco Main seems to be.
Play starts at 12 noon tomorrow. Remember to return here then as we discover out together who the following France Poker Series Main Event champion could be. Until then bon soir.
FULL DAY 1A COVERAGE:
11:25pm: Day 1A has endedLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Play is over and slightly below 100 players have made it through from the 349 who entered. Stay here for a recap of the day's action. --NW
11:15pm: Last three handsLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
The tournament clock was paused and they will be three more hands before play is completed for the day. --NW
11:05pm: Andreev still the person to catchLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
With about 20 minutes left of Day 1A there are 108 players remaining and the common stack is 80,800. One man who has greater than that may be Andrey Andreev, he's lost a couple of big blinds but still has a commanding stack of 285,000. --NW
10:55pm: Nasty turn of events for PuriceLevel 12 - Blinds 1,000/2,000 (300 ante)
Tudor Purice's stack remains to be well above the average, but he would've been challenging for the chip lead had he held in a pot against Patricio Rojas. The LAPT6 Peru champion bet 7,000 at the A♣5♦4♠ flop, Purice raised to 19,500, Rojas shoved for 61,800 and Purice snap called.
Purice: 5♥4♥Rojas: A♦J♠
The A♥ turn gave Rojas trips and left Purice drawing dead, Purice drops to 135,000 whilst Rojas is as much as 141,000. --NW
| 12 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 300 |
10:35pm: Selected chip countsLevel 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
As the overall seconds tick down on level 11 it looks as if Andrey Andreev has broken clear of the pack and unfolded a big chip lead. His stack of 307,500 is over four times the common stack. If anyone beats him to the top of day chip lead it will be because he's lost chips, not because another person has eclipsed his high point.
| Andrey Andreev | 307,500 |
| Tudor Purice | 183,000 |
| Johan Guilbert | 172,000 |
| Ariel Mantel | 160,300 |
| Miguel Silva | 128,000 |
| Govert Metaal | 128,000 |
| Felix Bleiker | 112,000 |
| Josh Prager | 101,000 |
| Yury Gulyy | 61,000 |
| Julien Brécard | 59,000 |
| Rasmus Agerskov | 34,200 |
10:31pm: Confirmed bustoLevel 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Another round of eliminations to share. Among those leaving us post-dinner were Stanislas Volle, Pavel Veksler, Vidak Banicevic, Dinesh Alt, Robert Spano, Fernando Cimaglia, , Alexander Timokhin, Yvan Kabalane, Tomas Jozonis, Jason Kiselis, Frank Delval, Thomas Aicardi, Gregory Hassan, John Field, and Lee Markholt.
Also out are David Sellam, Philippe Lamigeon, Pedro Chaves, Serge Ekert, Antony Darmani, Florian-Dimitrie Duta, Ricardo Alain Manquant, Nicolas Martin, Christine Menusier, Jan-Eric Schwippert, Atanas Malinov, Thierry Lelouche, Gerard Cohen, Egidio Aragno, Alexandre Viard, Tony Cousin, and Jean Louis Natale. --MH
10:22pm: The uninterrupted march to the railLevel 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
The carnage continues with players continuing to be eliminated at a rapid pace.
Just now we saw several exit in brief order at nearby tables. First Andrei Streltsou fell when his ace-seven didn't hold against an opponent's king-queen.
Soon after that came a three-way all-in between Francisco Acevedo with K♠K♣, Nunzio Vacirca A♠Q♠, and Steponas Venckus with 5♠5♥. A king at the flop would mean both Vacirca and Venckus were drawing dead by the turn, with Acevedo left to stack about 150,000.
The board shows 117 players currently remaining. --MH
10:15pm: Win with the ace-high!Level 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
I joined the action to look Marine Menager all-in for 21,000 on a T♦T♥9♦ flop with 8♥7♥ and up against Noris Barcimanto who held A♥K♠. Although behind there have been worse spots for Menager as she had a 48.18% chance to win the hand. The 3♦ turn and 3♠ river saw Barcimanto hold, though, and Menager banged her fist at the table because the board completed.
Barcimanto is as much as 87,000 after that hand. --NW
10pm: Domination nationLevel 11 - Blinds 800/1,600 (200 ante)
Action folded to Felix Lambertz within the hijack and he opened to 3,600. Next to behave was Kasra Khomamy, the German had quite a lot of chips and gave the impression of he was tempted to raise, before deciding on a call.
That would have a knock-on effect as Alfio Rotella shoved all-in for 24,600 and when it got back to Lambertz he moved all-in for 44,100. This made Khomamy jolt upright and take off his mirrored sunglasses. He paused a couple of beats after which mucked his hand.
Lambertz: A♦Q♣Rotella: A♣J♠
The 6♥8♦A♠2♦8♣ board kept Lambertz in front and Rotella was sent to the rail. --NW
| 11 | 800 | 1,600 | 200 |
9:49pm: Boost for BrecardLevel 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
With Level 10 nearly done, there are 135 players left within the Day 1A field. Among them is Julien Brecard of France's PokerStars TV Stars team, who just enjoyed a large boost to his stack to push up just about 75,000. --MH
Brecard chipping up
9:39pm: Gone but not forgottenLevel 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Around 200 of the 349 players who started today with dreams of winning the FPS Main Event was knocked out. Recent eliminations include: Malek Grabsi, Mohsin Charania, Kamran Aliyev, Michal Mrakes, Laurent Marc, Sharman Olshan, David Giorsetti, Peter Johnston, Gaetan Cauchy, Peter Horkay, Felix Lambertz, Eric Abbas, and Aurelien Angenieux. --NW
9:37pm: Guenoun goes to the topLevel 10 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Bertrand Guenoun just survived an enormous all-in at his table at the far side of the room, and when the stacking was done he now appears to have around 208,000, this means that he's now contending for the chip lead as Day 1A moves into its final levels.
As we mentioned earlier, whoever finishes the night atop the leaderboard can be picking up a couple of free tickets to Saturday's football match between French Ligue 1 sides AS Monaco and EA Guingamp. --MH
9:25pm: Double knockout!Level 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
"Much better," said Alexander Timokhin as he racked within the chips of 2 vanquished opponents. He'd opened to 3,000, Maxime Zimmermann shoved for 9,100, Jorge Dominguez then moved all-in excessive for 22,600 and when it got back to Timokhin he made the call.
Timokhin: 7♠7♥Zimmermann: A♥Q♠Dominguez: A♠Q♥
It was bad news for the all-in players as they'd each others outs. The 2♦J♥6♠T♠8♦ board meant the pair held up and Timokhin climbed to around 65,000.
150 of the 349 players remain and the typical stack is 58,200. --NW
9:14pm: Pariente knocks out AliyevLevel 10 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
More than 1/2 the table were still within the hand for the Q♥9♦Q♠ flop, but if Kamran Aliyev pushed his short stack all-in everyone skedaddled save Guy Pariente.
Aliyev had J♥T♥ for a straight draw and needed help versus Pariente's A♠Q♦, giving the latter trip queens. The turn was the 6♦ and river the 6♥, improving Pariente to an entire house and ending Aliyev's night.
Pariente is now up around 95,000. --MH
9:12pm: Boyard doubles through BleikerLevel 10 - Blinds: 600/1,200 (200 ante)
With the board showing 8♠K♦5♣2♠7♣ and about 20,000 within the middle, Felix Bleiker checked over to Sebastien Boyard who shoved his last 25,000 or so within the middle. After a while within the tank Bleiker called, then mucked after Boyard tabled 8♣7♠ for 2 pair.
Boyard bumps as much as 75,000 now, while Bleiker slips to 65,000. --MH
9:10pm: Starter for 10Level 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
As level 10 gets underway these are the highest 10 stacks within the room:
| Gilles Silbernagel | 200,700 |
| Tudor Purice | 184,500 |
| Miguel Silva | 167,000 |
| Johan Guilbert | 166,400 |
| Kasra Pour Khomamy | 154,500 |
| Fahd Boudaouine | 134,000 |
| Mamouni Smain | 134,000 |
| Andrei Konopelko | 116,000 |
| Morgan Aceto | 116,000 |
| Denys Shafikov | 112,000 |
Miguel Silva looking super
9:05pm: Play resumesLevel 10 - Blinds 600/1,200 (200 ante)
Players are back from dinner and feature settled in for Level 10. They'll be playing three more 45-minute levels tonight (with no break), then bag up for the night. --MH
| 10 | 600 | 1,200 | 200 |
7:50pm: Dinner breakLevel 9 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
The players was released out into the wild on a 75-minute dinner break. Play will resume at roughly 9:05pm local time. --NW
Next year, it usually is you. Click here to get a PokerStars account.7:40pm: Three-way all-inLevel 9 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
Miguel Silva -- who currently looks to be our chip leader -- opened to 2,200, Ricardo Manquant then three-bet to 5,300 total. Next to behave was Benoit Martin. He moved all-in but had not up to Manquant's bet, 4,900 to be exact. Then Patrick Schuhl moved all-in! He had just 400, though.
Back on Silva, he took a glance at Manquant's stack and elected to fold an it was time for a three-way showdown!
Manquant: 6♦6♥Martin: Q♣T♦Schuhl: J♠7♦
The 8♦5♥7♥7♣J♣ board meant Schuhl octupled up (!), Martin was eliminated and Manquant made a profit too! --NW
7:31pm: More eliminationsLevel 9 - Blinds: 500/1,000 (100 ante)
More players have hit the rail because the dinner break approached. Tallying up the most recent eliminations, Stephane Malderez, Yassine Azouaou, Najib Kamand, Niculina Grasu, Charles Laczny, Thi Xoa Nguyen, Laurent Herisse, Vlad Stefan Lache, Kevin Pennaneac'H, Pascal Jean Pierre Boyer, Stephan Ouzilou, Florent Bruno, Stephane Debeil, Maxence Debar, Jean Pucci, Feras Abid, Favia Francesco, Yevhen Lazorkin, Damien Naguy, Tahar Said, Kevin Gougis, Clemente Malheiro Carreira, Moshe De Leon, Nasrodin Pirmamod, Remano Giulio, Nikolay Panchenko, Anthony Matray, Christophe Girard, Decy Dublin, and Pierre Neuville have all met their FPS Monaco Main Event ends. --MH
Neuville no more
7:15pm: Marozas right down to zeroLevel 9 - Blinds: 500/1,000 (100 ante)
After opening from early position, Danius Marozas saw Jorge Dominguez reraise all-in from a few seats over, and it when it folded back to Marozas he decided to name and commit the remainder of his short stack.
Marozas had T♣7♣ and 2 live cards versus the A♦Q♣ of Dominguez, however the 8♣2♥5♠K♦A♥ board didn't hit either of them and Marozas hit the rail.
The eliminations continue at a healthy clip, with the total Day 1A field now all the way down to 167 -- lower than half the collection of players who started the day. --MH
7:10pm: Rung laddering upLevel 9 - Blinds 500/1,000 (100 ante)
There was of venture of 3,700 in front of Romano Giulio and by the point the action got back to him he was facing not one, but two all-ins! First to shove was Laurent Herisse, his shove was for 8,500 and Philip Rung had then re-shoved for 15,300 total. It's essential to tell Giulio wasn't exactly loving life, but nonetheless he called off the extra.
Giulio: A♦J♥Herisse: K♥Q♠Rung: A♥A♠
Rung got this sort of board you like to look you probably have aces and are up against two players. It ran 9♣6♥4♦3♣8♥ and he was home and dry after the turn. He's as much as around 40,000 whilst Giulio drops to 35,000. --NW
| 9 | 500 | 1,000 | 100 |
6:57pm: "How could you play that hand?"Level 8 - Blinds: 400/800 (100 ante)
That post title is a fiction. Nobody said anything like that following a three-way hand involving Marine Menager, Ivan Arbatskii, and Guido Pezzotta. Someone may need thought it, but we're bound at PokerStars Blog to report only what will also be seen and heard, and never what persons are thinking. Or what we predict they're thinking.
The board showed 9♠T♥J♥5♠2♦, and separately the players showed their hands. Menager had A♣5♣. Arbatskii turned over A♦5♦. And Pezzotta revealed A♥5♥. The dealer started working at the three-way split.
The three players' could have been even on that one, but not overall. Both Menager and Arbatskii are hovering across the 50,000-chip mark at present, but Pezzotta is likely one of the bigger stacks within the room at the moment with about 135,000. --MH
6:55pm: C'est finiLevel 8 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
They think it is all over, it's now... for the next players: Sergey Malyavko, Sergio Galliano, Kohei Nakai, Laurent Azoulay, Alban Marques, Gilbert Diaz, Vladas Tamasauskas, Alfredo Pagliaro, Matas Cimbolas, Quentin Dellis, Giorgio Calligaris, and Turgut Guner. --NW
6:48pm: One in, one outLevel 8 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
From under-the-gun Nicolas Martin moved all-in for 11,000 with A♠T♥ and he got looked up by Damien Naguy who held Q♠Q♦. A A♥J♠9♦8♠6♥ board doubled Martin to around 24,000 whilst Naguy dropped to 6,200.
Meanwhile Jason Wheeler was thinking about a large hand. There has been a chance of 4,000 in front of Bertrand Guenoun and Wheeler had moved all his big chips over the road - it seemed to be somewhere between 20,000-25,000, Guenoun made the call.
It was unclear if Guenoun thought Wheeler was all-in or not however the American had 1,400 back and committed them at the 8♥5♠T♦ flop, Guenoun called the additional and it was time for showdown. Wheeler showed A♠Q♠ and needed help against Guenoun's A♥K♦. He didn't get any at the 7♦ turn or 7♣ river and was swiftly on his way. --NW
6:38pm: Silva surges to the leadLevel 8 - Blinds 400/800 (100 ante)
Miguel Silva is as much as 147,000 after eliminating Danilo Colomba in an enormous pot. I joined the action at the turn with a 9♠4♦Q♦3♣ board at the felt. There has been a big gamble of 16,500 in front of Colomba and Silva then shoved for what appeared like 75,300 total.
Ricardo Manquant was still within the hand and he tanked before folding, Colomba snap-called. "Do you might have nines?" asked Silva to Colomba. Neither player showed their hand for roughly ten seconds after which Silva got the ball rolling by opening 4♥4♣. Colomba rolled his eyes and showed A♥Q♥. He was drawing dead and the 2♥ completed the board. --NW
6:34pm: Kings serve VacircaLevel 8 - Blinds: 400/800 (100 ante)
We saw Nunzio Vacirca jump out to an early chip lead today, however the previous couple of levels were less exciting for the Frenchmen. But today he hit a large hand again, creating a set with K♥K♣ to assert most of Tahar Said's stack. Vacirca is back up around 90,000 after that one. --MH
6:30pm: No good for GiedraitisLevel 8 - Blinds: 400/800 (100 ante)
Andrius Giedraitis was standing and checking his phone, all of his chips already committed on a 4♠Q♠7♦ flop. Ultimately the action reached Armand Lopez who called, turning over A♦Q♥. With a free hand Giedraitis tabled his K♥J♥ and commenced calling for kings, however the T♠ turn and 5♠ river didn't answer his request and he's out. --MH
6:28pm: Nacho no moreLevel 8 - Blinds: 400/800 (100 ante)
Players are back in action to start Level 8, minus a kind of who at present returned from the break. Nacho Barbero lost the last of his short stack to start out the level, leaving 210 players to continue battling on Day 1A. --MH
| 8 | 400 | 800 | 100 |
6:02pm: Smoke 'em in the event you got 'em
With about 220 left from the Day 1A field, players are taking another 20-minute break. --MH
Ready to make your personal tournament run? Click here to get a PokerStars account.6:01pm: Two big flushes, one winnerLevel 7 - Blinds: 300/600 (75 ante)
In the last hand of the level, Andres Federico Jeckeln had made a gigantic river bet on a K♦9♣3♥4♣5♣ board, then with some reluctance made a decision of Yvan Kabalane's all-in raise in response. Kabalane showed A♣J♣ for the nuts, while Jeckeln turned over the next-best K♣8♣.
Jeckeln slips to about 44,000 while Kabalane is now up around 110,000 going to the break. --MH
6pm: Tough fold, right fold?Level 7 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Johan Guilbert had bet 16,125 at the river of a 8♠Q♣Q♠7♦5♠ board and was faced with an all-in shove of 39,900 from Ikam Benyeffou.
After getting a count Guilbert began squeezing his cards and kept on in retrospect at them. He then folded J♠T♠ face up. As Beneyeffou took the pot he showed one card, the A♠. --NW
5:45pm: 100 outLevel 7 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Exactly 100 of the 349 players who showed up today have seen their stack reduced to dust. A few of those to feel the hangman's noose around their tournament life are: Gregory Luttke, Sebastien Bailet, Simone Petrini, Said Mouthadi, Benjamin Sibuet, Vincent Garat, Cyril Ramey, Thierry Martinez, Carlo Dito, Jose Pellegrini, Jean Montury, Raynor Smeets, Nicolas Proust, Ludovic Sultan, Neil Van Der Merwe, Mangano Fabio (and breathe) Paul Tedeschi, Julian Thomas, Monica Nezosi, Henri Kasper, Alexandr Komarov, Eddi Makhoul, Anthony Borde, Fabian Chauriye, Jeremy Nock, Oleh Okhotskyi, Andrey Pateychuk, Kully Sidhu and David Yan. -- NW
5:33pm: A Said finishLevel 7 - Blinds: 300/600 (75 ante)
Said Mouhtadi is out. He made a move along with his short stack versus two opponents holding 9♠8♠ on a 6♥2♣6♣A♠ board, but unfortunately for the Moroccan player considered one of them had A♥K♣, meaning Mouhtadi was already drawing dead. --MH
5:25pm: Chip leaders!Level 7 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
Stack'em high!
| Andrey Andreev | 147,000 |
| Miguel Silva | 110,000 |
| Felix Bleiker | 98,000 |
| Emre Pasagil | 96,000 |
| Guido Pezzotta | 79,500 |
| Remi Picart | 77,000 |
| Andrei Konopelko | 68,000 |
Andreev out in front
5:30pm: The names keep comingLevel 7 - Blinds 300/600 (75 ante)
A few players who've busted the €10,000 high roller event have made a hop, skip and a jump into the FPS Main Event. We mentioned a moment ago Mohsin Charania had made the trip over, as has Jason Wheeler.
The latter is not the only EPT champion to have late registered this event as Jean Montury is having a bash at this, as are Tudor Purice and Josh Prager. --NW
Prager is a player
5:17pm: Deal another!Level 7 - Blinds: 300/600 (75 ante)
They're crashing straight through to Level 7 with out a break, with the following respite coming on the end of this level. After for you to come two more 45-minute levels, then the 75-minute dinner break. --MH
| 7 | 300 | 600 | 75 |
5:16pm: Smeets meets endLevel 6 - Blinds: 250/500 (50 ante)
With the board showing 9♦7♠2♣, Raynor Smeets put the last of his chips in peril versus Mohsin Charania. Smeets had 8♣7♥ for sevens, but was outkicked by Charania who'd made the similar pair with T♦7♦.
The turn was the T♠ and river the 8♠, giving both players two-pair hands but Charania's remained bets, and Smeets was eliminated. Charania has 35,000 now. --MH
Chips for Charania
5:13pm: À la recherche du chips perduLevel 6 - Blinds: 250/500 (50 ante)
Down to his last 7,000 or so, Nicolas Proust was just all-in versus two opponents and hoping queen-jack would outrun both king-queen and king-nine.
Alas the board brought no help to the Frenchman, and Proust is out, left only to keep in mind chips past. --MH
5:05pm: Chip leaders!Level 6 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
Stack'em high!
| Andrey Andreev | 147,000 |
| Miguel Silva | 110,000 |
| Felix Bleiker | 98,000 |
| Emre Pasagil | 96,000 |
| Guido Pezzotta | 79,500 |
| Remi Picart | 77,000 |
| Andrei Konopelko | 68,000 |
4:55pm: Bolimowski can't believe itLevel 6 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
They say there is a fine line between genius and madness and Julien Bolimowski can't quite believe he's out of the tournament, but credit to Vladimir Lesik for creating a tough call.
I picked up the action at the river with a whole board of K♠9♠5♦4♣Q♦ at the felt. Bolimowski had shoved for 13,850 right into a pot of approximately 16,000.
At this point Lesik was within the tank, he asked for a count after which after seeing what he'd be left with should he call and lose, he made the decision. Bolimowski didn't look happy at this and no wonder as he had 7♣6♣ for a bluff, Lesik meanwhile had made the decision with K♦J♠. He's as much as 51,00 consequently. --NW
4:44pm: Some poker for PicardLevel 6 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
There's a celeb in today's field to inform you about, French singer William Picard, best referred to as a part of the music group Début de soirée who scored their biggest hit, "Nuit de folie," in 1988.
The Début de soirée member isn't making his poker debut here, as he's already notched a cashed in tournament in Cannes last fall. --MH
Picard playing cards
4:34pm: Chauriye cut downLevel 6 - Blinds 250/500 (50 ante)
Fabian Chauriye has joined those at the rail as Level 6 begins, having just lost the last of his stack to Miguel Silva. --MH
| 6 | 250 | 500 | 50 |
4:20pm: GoneLevel 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
The selection of seat opens are, unsurprisingly, increasing in pace with the blinds. Unfortunately for: Sofiane Belkilani, RudyHadjedj, Mike Adamo, Georges Chow, Amos Ben Haim, Declan S. Connolly, Guillaume Marechal, Rong Xia, Darius Narmontas, Ludwig Boulogne, Maris Paeglis, Cedric Demore, Osvaldo Venegas, David Gouyer, Christos Xanthopoulos, Bahram Chobineh, Natasha Barbour, Armano Di Giorgio, Dror Amiram, Ramiro Araujo, Julien Brahimi, Sandro Pitzanti, Jeremy Palvini, Sophiane Merabti, Michel Bouskila, Cyrille Lacogne, Vladimir Lesik, Patrick Clarke and Fabien Matthieu they've all busted before the halfway point of Day 1A. --NW
Barbour now out
4:13pm: Iapadre bowls over BoulleLevel 5 - Blinds: 200/400 (50 ante)
Following an under-the-gun raise and call, it folded to Jean Boulle in middle position who reraise-shoved his last 9,550. Action revolved around to Rosato Iapadre within the big blind who tanked for a while, then called Boulle's push, and then the remainder players released their hands.
Iapadre: T♠T♣Boulle: A♠K♥
The board ran out a monotonous 6♥9♥9♦5♠3♥, and Boulle bid the table adieu. Iapadre is now at about 45,000. --MH
4pm: Like Belgian busesLevel 5 - Blinds 200/400 (50 ante)
Pierre Neuville has always been fairly easy to pick in a crowded poker site. The septuagenarian have been mixing it with the youngsters for years now and his attire of choice is starkly different. A button down shirt and v-neck pullover a staple of the Belgian's wardrobe.
He played the €10,000 high roller yesterday but despite dropping down in buy-in level he's still finding it hard to construct a stack. He's all the way down to 14,600 on the moment.
Elsewhere fellow Belgian, Quentin Dellis, is fairing much better. He's only been within the tournament a little while but has increased his stack...just. He's as much as 25,050. All of it counts! --NW
3:56pm: Further incentive to place your best foot forwardLevel 5 - Blinds: 200/400 (50 ante)
It's still early, relatively speaking, with just a little over four levels down and nearly eight more to head today. Later on, though, we'll be eyeing closely that leaderboard, partially because an additional prize awaits the player finishing the night on top.
Besides positioning themselves well going forward, players finishing Day 1A, Day 1B, and Day 2 with the chip lead may be winning a couple of tickets to Saturday's football match between French Ligue 1 sides AS Monaco and EA Guingamp. That'll present yet one more goal to shoot at for the players. --MH
Next year, it may be you. Click here to get a PokerStars account.3:49pm: Darcourt doneLevel 5 - Blinds: 200/400 (50 ante)
Players are back in action, minus one Frenchmen -- Guillaume Darcourt who busted before the last break. Late registration is now closed, so we'll soon bring you the official total of Day 1A entrants. --MH
| 5 | 200 | 400 | 50 |
3:27pm: Let's take a break
With four levels down, players are taking another 20-minute break. This marks the last opportunity for those late registers to get within the game today. --MH
You can bet there'll be a much bigger field for tomorrow's Day 1B
3:23pm: Menager managing quite wellLevel 4 - Blinds: 150/300 (25 ante)
Following a middle-position raise and button call by Vidak Banicevic, Marine Menager made it 2,000 to head from the large blind and either one of her opponents called. She fired 2,500 at the 7♣3♣3♥ flop, losing the MP player while Banicevic stuck around. He'd call again a big gamble of 5,000 from Menager after the 7♠ came at the turn.
The river brought the 5♠ and yet one more 5,000 bet from Menager, and Banicevic called one last time. Menager tabled her K♣K♦ for kings and sevens, and Banicevic mucked. He's down around 16,000 now while Menager climbs just about 60,000 with a couple of minutes to move in Level 4. --MH
More for Menager
3:20pm: Big names and massive stacksLevel 4 - Blinds: 150/300 (25 ante)
Below are a variety of huge names and large stacks. There may be most likely some crossover.
| Cyril Ramey | 70,775 |
| Jorge Dominguez | 60,000 |
| Andrei Konopelko | 59,000 |
| Jean-Marc Dominici | 51,000 |
| Julien Brécard | 48,500 |
| Noris Barcimanto | 47,500 |
| John Field | 46,300 |
| Gilles Silbernagel | 44,000 |
| Guillaume Darcourt | 43,000 |
| Rasmus Agerskov | 34,000 |
| Yury Gulyy | 31,000 |
| Paul Tedeschi | 25,000 |
| Matas Cimbolas | 21,000 |
| Natasha Barbour | 16,700 |
| Nacho Barbero | 16,600 |
| Dinesh Alt | 13,200 |
| Vladas Tamasauskas | 13,000 |
3:09pm: All the way down to the feltLevel 4 - Blinds: 150/300 (25 ante)
The field keeps growing, but a couple of more have fallen here by the day's fourth level. The recently felted include William Batista Arruda, Yan Li, Artur Karamuca, Valeriy Skudar, Natan Chauskin, Alessio Bassanelli, Kyosti Isberg, Fernando Erize, and Francisco Gottardo.
3:05pm: Sick riverLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
This was a kind of car crash hands where neither player desired to put the brakes on and it led to an incredible collision. After a raise to 500 from middle position, Cyrille Lacogne raised it as much as 1,500 at the button just for Peter Johnston to three-bet to 4,200 from the large blind. Fold, then a decision from Lacogne.
At the 2♠6♠T♠ flop Johnston bet 5,400 and Lacogne was going nowhere. On the K♠ turn Johnston check-called a raffle of 5,000 and the 2♣ paired the board at the river.
After another check from Johnston there followed an all-in bet of around 18,000 from Lacogne and a snap call from Johnston. He rolled over K♣K♦ for an entire house and Lacogne looked pained as he showed A♠K♥ for the nut flush. He's right down to 3,200 whilst Johnston is as much as about 58,000. --NW
2:55pm: More for MoroLevel 4 - Blinds: 150/300 (25 ante)
"Oh, wow... wow."
So said Francesco Moro, giving voice to his reaction to a showdown at present. There has been already greater than 25,000 within the middle when his opponent Sandro Pitzanti shoved the river with the board showing 9♣6♠T♠7♥Q♦. After a bit a tank Moro had finally get a hold of a call, putting his last 10,000 or so at risk.
Moro showed his hand -- 8♠8♣ for a straight -- then made his comment after seeing Pitzanti had but T♥9♥ for 2 pair. Moro is now up around 50,000 while Pitzanti slips to 14,000. --MH
2:45pm: Barbero deals knockout blow to DenisovLevel 4 - Blinds 150/300 (25 ante)
After a raise to 600 and 3 calls, Nacho Barbero moved all-in for 10,100 and located a decision from Aleksandr Denisov, who himself was all the way down to 6,100.
Barbero opened A♣K♦ and was in a dominating spot as Denisov had K♣4♥. The J♣7♦6♣T♠3♥ board gave no help to Densiov and the high roller, who has over $1,600,000 in lifetime earnings, was on his way. --NW
2:40pm: Last level for late entryLevel 4 - Blinds: 150/300 (25 ante)
They've leveled up again, with this fourth level representing the last one through which players can register. Technically they'll have until the beginning of Level 5, actually, so we'll see then how far this year's FPS Monaco Main Event Day 1A field has exceeded the 265 who played Day 1A last year. (Last year a complete of 993 ultimately took part.) --MH
| 4 | 150 | 300 | 25 |
2:21pm: Passport stamps for LAPTersLevel 3 - Blinds: 100/200 (25 ante)
Earlier we mentioned two-time LAPT Main Event champions Mario Lopez and Nacho Barbero (either one of Argentina) and frequent LAPT Main Event final-tablist Fabian Chauriye of Chile were a part of today's field. There are more represenatives of the Latin American Poker Tour here today as well.
The Chilean Patricio Rojas, winner of LAPT6 Peru, is here, as is his fellow countryman and previous LAPT Player of the Year, Amos Ben. Brazil's Fernando "Grow" Garcia is now a part of today's field in addition. --MH
2:12pm: Fast start for FreitezLevel 3 - Blinds: 100/200 (25 ante)
EPT7 Madrid Main Event champion Ivan Freitez has joined the proceedings over here within the FPS Monaco Main Event after having busted the one Re-Entry High Roller, and he's quickly begun building a stack.
Just now Freitez picked up a couple of black aces in a hand versus a short-stacked George Bogdan Ana, and by the point they were through Ana was at the rail while Freitez was stacking up chips totaling around 70,000. --MH
Freitez at the felt
2:11pm: 300!Level 3 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
"Tonight we dine... somewhere where we will get out and in through the 75-minute dinner break so we do not miss a hand."
Yes, the FPS Main Event is as much as 300 runners on Day 1A and that implies we've already eclipsed the Day 1A total from Season 5, which attracted 265 runners. So it's already an even 10% up on last year and late registration is open until the beginning of level five.
Helping to take that total skywards are Nacho Barbero, who has now shown up, and Govert Metaal. The latter is without doubt one of the best known Dutch players and indeed sits seventh on their all-time money list. He's racked up $2,118,513 in lifetime cashes up to now and his two biggest scores came in back-to-back PCA $25,000 High Rollers in 2013-14. --NW
And now... Nacho
1:57pm: Back in actionLevel 3 - Blinds 100/200 (25 ante)
They're as much as 291 entrants here in the beginning of Level 3. Late registration remains open for 2 more 45-minute levels plus the break that follows. --MH
| 3 | 100 | 200 | 25 |
1:41pm: Break time
Players are actually taking their first 20-minute break of the day. --MH
You can win your seat to 1 of countless PokerStars live events world wide. Click here to open an account and get started.1:27pm: Vaulting VacircaLevel 2 - Blinds: 75/150
We noted Nunzio Vacirca earning an early knockout -- the earliest of the tournament, in truth -- back originally of the day. He's just added another elimination to his credits here within the second level, pushing his stack up over 80,000 already to earn him a high spot at the Day 1A leaderboard.
This latter one saw Anthony Apicella-Albertini check to Vacirca at the turn with the board showing T♦2♦A♣8♣, then call when Vacirca bet to push the pot up over 15,000. The river was the Q♥, prompting an all-in shove of 7,600 from Apicella-Albertini, and Vacirca quickly called.
Apicella-Albertini turned over A♥Q♦, having flopped top pair and rivered a second pair. But Vacirca turned a collection along with his 8♠8♦, and a dismayed Apicella-Albertini headed railward. --MH
Vacirca collecting
1:25pm: Proust takes a potLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150
There has been various big pots thus far today and another looked to be brewing at table 25 as I wandered by. There have been five players still with cards because the 2♥9♠6♠ flop came down and Apostolos Chantzis was first to stay his head above the parapet, firing out a chance of 1,075. Nicolas Proust raised it as much as 2,500, the 3 other players folded but Chantzis made the call.
There could be no further betting at the 4♣ turn or 6♥ river, Proust's Q♥9♥ proved the winner at showdown as Chantzis had called the flop raise with A♣Q♣. --NW
1:21pm: Lopez loses a fewLevel 2 - Blinds: 75/150
Two-time LAPT Main Event champion Mario Lopez is here, and today the Argentinian faced a challenge after three-betting before the flop and getting a few callers within the two Frenchmen, Laurent Herisse and Kamel Djemai.
Lopez had position, but after watching the Q♠9♥8♠ flop and his two opponents check, he checked behind. The 7♣ turn then saw Herisse check, Djemai bet, Lopez call, and Herisse step aside.
The board-pairing 7♥ river followed, and Djemai quickly checked. Lopez gathered of venture of 3,800 together and pushed it forward, but if Djemai called, Lopez mucked his hand without showing, conceding the pot. Lopez is all the way down to about 19,000 now while Djemai chips as much as 35,000. --MH
1:15pm: Loads in, three outLevel 2 - Blinds 75/150
Having lost a bit of pot earlier (see 1:01 pm post) Alexander Kopylkov is now out and he's been joined at the rail by Alexils Thobellem and Salvatore Crapanzano.
But there are many players still picking up fresh stacks of 25,000 with Matas Cimbolas and UKIPT5 Dublin champion Vladas Tamasauskas both now in and both at Table 25 alongside Dinesh Alt. A minimum of 264 players have entered today. --NW
Day 1A well underway
1:01pm: More chips at the MantelLevel 2 - Blinds: 75/150
Here's another eyebrow-raiser, coming early in Level 2.
Preflop action had already built a decent-sized pot between Alexander Kopylkov and Ariel Mantel when Kopylkov check-called a raffle of 2,500 from Mantel following a 4♦9♦4♠ flop. Mantel check-called yet again following the K♥ turn, the bet being 6,000 this time, then the 5♠ completed the board.
Kopylkov checked again, and after Mantel shoved his last 10,600 within the middle Kopylkov hemmed and hawed a bit of before arising with a choice. Mantel turned over 6♦5♦ for a busted flush draw turned two pair at the river, then Kopylkov disappointedly showed his A♦J♦, also a busted flush draw that evolved into fifth-street hero call. --MH
12:52pm: They retain comingLevel 2 - Blinds: 75/150
More than 240 players are actually registered as they move into the day's second level. --MH
| 2 | 75 | 150 | 0 |
12:45pm: A COUPLE OF more familiar facesLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
The field continues to swell with greater than 225 players now a part of the action.
One swell(ing) field
Dotted across the field you will see that the likes of Patrick Clarke, the Irish Open winner and fourth place finisher within the recent EPT12 Dublin Main Event. He's on the same table as Nacho Barbero, although the latter has yet to turn. He played the €10,000 high roller yesterday and it may possibly be that he doesn't play this event to Day 1B.
If he does wait until tomorrow he'll avoid the likes of Dinesh Alt, Vlad Lache, Rasmus Agerskov and Jeremy Nock, who've started their campaign today.
12:45pm: Go big or go homeLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
The players aren't shy about playing big pots early on that's evidently and the all-in triangle is seeing more use within the opening level that we expected.
The triangle was called up for an additional job when Jacques Napiot shoved at the river for 10,250 right into a pot of 14,000. Philippe Lamigeon was his lone opponent and he eyed up the 5♥A♦6♦T♠9♦ board as he weighed up his decision.
He took his time, such a lot so actually that Napiot called the clock. Before 1/2 his allotted minute was up Lamigeon - who'd have 7,500 left should he call and lose - made up his mind to fold. So Napiot is back to starting stack whilst Lamigeon drops to 17,750. --NW
12:37pm: Bienvenue! More arrivalsLevel 1 - Blinds: 50/100
More than 200 are actually taking hands as today's first level continues. Among the French players we've spotted up to now is Guillaume Darcourt, perhaps best known for his relatively deep WSOP Main Event run in 2011 (where he finished 35th) and his WPT Bucharest victory the year before.
Orange you glad to be here, Guillaume?
Fabian Chauriye of Chile may be a part of the Day 1A field, hoping to higher a few of his recent deep runs corresponding to his 16th-place finish on this year's PCA Main Event and his runner-up showing within the most up-to-date LAPT Main Event in Viña del Mar, Chile.
Natasha Barbour could also be here, fresh off a few cashes within the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown in Florida. She finished runner-up in a $1,500 no-limit hold'em event ultimately summer's WSOP for a $284,911 score. --MH
12:21pm: Hello goodbyeLevel 1 - Blinds: 50/100
Talk about early action. Just over 10 minutes in and we've already seen an elimination.
Catching up with the board showing 6♣2♦9♣6♦6♥ and so much already within the middle, Halimi Rachid pushed in his last chips -- just over 10,000 from the 25K starting stack -- and got a decision from Nunzio Vacirca.
Rachid showed K♣J♥ for air, something Vacirca must've regarded as likely as he had 4♥4♦ for a winning full house. --MH
12:15pm: Introductions over, let's play pokerLevel 1 - Blinds 50/100
Before play began Cedric Biilot - the President of the EPT - made a short lived introduction to the players. "THANKS and welcome to EPT Moncao, we are hoping you've got a great time on the tables," he said. He then passed the microphone to Thomas Lamatsch and the tournament director gave a couple of instructions in regards to the format of the tournament.
All right, everyone... Lamatsch is on!
Roughly 183 players witnessed this, with Yury Gulyy a type of depending on. The Russian player had a successful time of it last year in Monaco, finishing second within the FPS High Roller for €109,345. --NW
12:06pm: Shuffle up and dealLevel 1 - Blinds: 50/100
The first 45-minute level of the day is underway. There are about 180 seated for the day's first hands, with the sphere certain to grow significantly as late registration lasts to the beginning of Level 5.
Back in a couple of with an update on who's collaborating today. --MH
| 1 | 50 | 100 | 0 |
11:55am: Season 6 of the FPS about to begin
Whilst the PokerStars and Monte-Carlo®Casino EPT Grand Final series marks the top of Season 12 of the ecu Poker Tour, the FPS Monaco event is the beginning of Season 6 of the French Poker Series.
So, what are we able to expect over the following five days? Well if history has taught us anything the answer's players and plenty of them. Given the queue of players snaking out the door to shop for into yesterday's satellite to this €1,100 event it shouldn't come as a shock if this event breaks some records.
Last year Sebastian Supper topped a field of 993 to assert the trophy and €177,000. He defeated a last table that included the like of Pablo Gordillo, Joseph Mouawad and Luca Moschitta to seal the deal.
On that occasion 265 came out for the primary of 2 Day 1 flights so today's final total of players might be a fair barometer of the chance of this event reaching the 1,000 player mark.
As we did last season we'll see the champion crowned under the intense lights of EPT Live, with the general going down on Sunday. There is a lot of poker to be played before then though. Cards are within the air at noon. --NW
Key FPS Monaco Facts:
- 25,000 starting stack- Blinds starting at 50/100 for 250 big blinds- Levels are 45 minutes on Day 1 and they're going to be 12 of them. From Day 2 onwards levels increase to 60 minutes. - Late registration remains open until the beginning of Level 5- Day 1A is today, Day 1B occurs tomorrow, the sphere will then combine for the primary time on Friday. We'll reach the money in the course of the 10 levels of play on Day 2 (approximately 15% of the sphere can be paid) after which play all the way down to a last table on Saturday. On Sunday the overall table will play out at the TV table on EPTLive with cards-up coverage. Cue mad celebrations and swigging of champagne from the trophy (possibly). - Full FPS Monaco schedule here.- There is a boat load of alternative events today including a €100+€20 satellite to this event. That tournament starts at 16.00 CET.- It isn't all concerning the poker here in Moncao. There are plenty of #StarsFun activities including the player party at Jimmy'z Nightclub on April 29 a Sports Simulator Challenge and Live Spin and Gos. Full details on that available here.
Take a seat, poker fans
PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at FPS Monaco: Martin Harris and Nick Wright. Photos by Jules Pochy. Follow the PokerStars Blog on Twitter: @PokerStarsBlog
Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: France Poker Series]
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