Playing today, but not in the Main Event is WSOPC Tallinn winner Jenny Westerlund. She’s currently in the Dark Knight, for which late registration has now closed, with 85 entries and 30 still left in.

Spring Edition champion Adrian Ziemichod is also having a good start to his title defence. He had one of the largest stacks at the dinner break, parlaying his 40,000 starting stack into a very playable 170k.

When each day begins it’s often hard to spot players that you recognise. But with every stroll through the tournament floor, you begin to see familiar faces. On my latest walkabout, a few of these faces came into clearer focus. The first player that I recognised was Alessandro Siena, who has gone deep in the last two Battle of Malta Main Events. This time last year he made the final table, taking 4th place for over €90,000. At this year’s Spring Edition, he took 18th place. He was delighted to see me, as I had been his lucky charm, always doubling up if I was watching the hand. Will I be lucky for him this time?

Alessandro Siena