Chance Pays Off for Ivanov

Level 14: 1,500/3,000 (3,000) Entries: 29/154 Ulf Andersson jammed for about 10 big blinds from the hijack before Brian Calleja three-bet shoved the button for around 100,000. The action paused on Marian Ivanov, who eventually also got into the mix for his final 69,000. Ulf Andersson: Marian Ivanov: Brian Calleja: Andersson looked as if he…

Big Stacks at Break

Julien Stropoli held the chip lead at the break. Check out some of the biggest stacks from around the room among the final 31 Day 1a players. Player Chips Big Blinds Julien Stropoli 457,000 152 Marian Ivanov 382,500 128 Angelo Barone 213,000 71 Tayfun Rodoplu 179,000 60 Yvonne Stiedl 163,000 54 Oliver Said 152,000 51…

Get Up and Stretch

The final 31 players went on a 20-minute break. Whether or not this is the last one depends on whether eight more players will hit the rail in the two hours that follow after the break. Stacks are still deep despite the blinds will increase to 1,500/3,000 with a 3,000 big blind ante. We will…

Stropoli Soars Ahead With Rockets

Level 13: 1,000/2,000 (2,000) Entries: 31/154 2018 Battle of Malta Main Event winner Julien Stropoli is hoping to become the first two-time winner and is off to a hot start to the event in Day 1a. Both Dan Sfarlea and Stropoli checked the flop before Stropoli checked again on the turn. Sfarlea bet 18,000 into a…

Two Pair for Barone

Level 12: 1,000/1,500 (1,500) Entries: 38/154 Angelo Barone quickly checked the river with the on the board before Yvonne Stiedl bet 21,000 into a pot north of 65,000. Barone snap-called and Stiedl showed her for a pair of queens. This wasn’t nearly enough as Barone won the hand with a flopped two pair after showing…

Big Slick Good for Pechaux

Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200) Entries: 44/154 Erwann Pechaux opened before he four-bet jammed for around 20 big blinds over the three-bet by Ulf Andersson. Andersson called and Pechaux was in great shape to double his stack after the cards were turned over. Erwann Pechaux: Ulf Andersson: Both players bricked the board for Pechaux to double…

Nedden Doubles Through Micallef

Level 11: 600/1,200 (1,200) Entries: 50/154 Moritz Nedden was nearly three strikes and out on his third bullet but won a hand against Matthew Micallef to gain some breathing room. First, from the big blind, Nedden managed to get a three-bet squeeze through against a late position opener and caller. The next hand, Matthew Micallef…