EPT Polish Open - Live Updates

Ricardo Sousa raises to $150,000 on the button and Michael Schulze re-raises to $500,000 in the big blind. Sousa pauses for a few moments but announces all-in and Schulze fairly beats him to the pot, announcing a call and turning up A♠ 6♠ while Sousa is ahead with 7♠ 7♣.

The flop comes 5♥ 4♦ 2♠ and Schulze picks up a gutshot straight draw. The river card is the A♣ and the German takes the lead with a pair of aces. Sousa will need a seven to stay alive, but the river card is the 2♦ and Schulze wins the pot and the day with aces-up. He's champion of the PokerStars EPT Polish Open for Season 4!

For the win, Schulze earns 2,154,000 PLN, a couple of trophies and a gigantic novelty check, as well as an exclusive interview with PokerListings.com that means more than all the Zlotys in the Polish Treasury.

Runner-up Ricardo Sousa takes home 1,220,600 PLN and a little less swag, while the Polish populace leaves with the memories of an exciting five days of poker and the media leaves thankful for a quicker end than in Copenhagen. Congratulations to us all and we'll see you in San Remo!

Michael Schulze and Ricardo Sousa see a flop come 7♠ 4♣ 3♣ and Schulze bets out $200,000. Sousa raises to $400,000 and after a moment's thought Schulze puts him all-in for the last of his chips. Sousa thinks for a minute or two but lays down the hand and the pot goes to Schulze, who now holds a commanding $2.2 million to $1.4 million chip lead.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air from the dungeon of the Hyatt Regency in Warsaw. We're still heads-up at the final table and the way things are going, it stands to be that way for a while.

Players are now on a fifteen-minute break. We can only hope that they'll pop a couple Red Bulls, some testosterone pills or maybe some strong Polish coffee before they return to the table.

We've seen little in the way of floppage and even less in the way of meaningful action, with both Michael Schulze and Ricardo Sousa playing particularly cautious games thus far. At one point the finalists gave each other walks on three successive hands, and even when we do see a flop in a raised pot a simple bet is enough to take down the hand. Aggression, fellas!

Ricardo Sousa raises to $100,000 and Michael Schulze makes the call. The flop comes 8♠ 4♣ 3♣ and both players check. The turn is the 5♦ and Schulze checks to Sousa, who bets out $120,000. Schulze flat-calls (big surprise) and the river is the T♣. Schulze moves all-in and Sousa tanks, giving the matter some heavy thought but finally laying down the hand.

After more than a level of heads-up play the combatants are still neck and neck, with Schulze holding a $1.85 million to $1.75 million advantage over Sousa.

The blinds have been raised to $25,000/$50,000 and the ante abolished for the duration. And the game proceeds.

Thus far we've seen a wholely unremarkable heads-up match between Michael Schulze and Ricardo Sousa. Neither player seems particularly inclined to protect his button and Schulze in particular is having difficulty mastering the peculiarities of position in heads-up play - he keeps checking out of turn post flop and has been chastized repeatedly by international man of mystery/impromptu card shuffler Lee Jones for his actions. The media, already a pessimistic lot by nature, is beginning to grumble about another marathon heads-up battle a la EPT Copenhagen a few weeks ago. The horror!

We're now heads-up between Michael Schulze and Ricardo Sousa with approximately equal stacks and 2,154,000 PLN on the line. Stay tuned for the thrilling conclusion to the EPT4 Polish Open!

Michael Schulze raises from the button and Mathias Viberg calls all-in from the big blind, showing 6-2 to Schulze's pocket fours. The flop comes 8-5-4 and Schulze hits a set while Viberg develops the double gutshot draw. The turn is a jack and the river a queen, however, and Viberg has been eliminated in third place. He'll take home 718,000 PLN for his time, while Schulze and Ricardo Sousa are now officially Zloty millionaires!

Mathias Viberg raises to $110,000 on the button and Ricardo Sousa makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes 9♠ 8♦ 3♦ and Sousa checks to Viberg, who bets out $170,000. Sousa moves all-in over the top and Viberg makes the call, showing J♣ J♠ to Sousa's J♦ T♣. Sousa is on the draw and with the Q♦ on the turn he gets there. The river is the A♦ and "Rico Suave" makes the diamond flush for good measure, doubling up and leaving Viberg with only $102,000 to his name.

No details as to the reputed deal, but here are the chip counts as we return to action:

Michael Schulze	$1,800,000
Mathias Viberg	$950,000
Ricardo Sousa	$840,000

 

International man of mystery Lee Jones has stopped the tournament clock and, at Ricardo Sousa's request, the surviving three players are discussing a deal. We'll try to keep on top of just what they decide and let you know when play resumes.

The break is over and our triumvirate of poker politicos is back at the table for what promises to be a mad dash to the finish line. Here are the chip counts as we get back in the action:

Michael Schulze	$1,952,000
Mathias Viberg	$1,072,000
Ricardo Straus	$458,000

 

On the last hand before the break, Mathias Viberg raises to $80,000 from under the gun and Ricardo Sousa puts him all-in from the big blind. Viberg calls with A-K and Sousa is behind with A-4. The board comes 10-6-5-J-6 and Viberg doubles through Sousa to stay alive as we head to a fifteen-minute intermission.

A short-stacked Mehdi Ouakhir open-shoves from the small blind and Michael Schulze makes the call in the big blind, turning up T♠ T♣ to Ouakhir's Q♥ 3♦. The board brings no surprises, coming K♠ 8♣ 2♠ 8♠ 2♥ and Ouakhir is our fourth-place finisher, earning 538,500 PLN for his efforts.

Mehdi Ouakhir raises to $100,000 on the button and Ricardo Sousa re-raises all-in for another $421,000. Ouakhir gives the matter some thought before announcing, "All right, I'll make a sick call."

He matches the wager and turns up Q♥ J♥ to Sousa's 9♠ 9♣ and we're off to the races. The board comes K♦ 5♠ 4♠ 4♥ T♠ and Sousa doubles. Then he rubs salt in the wound, telling Ouakhir "I never lose. That was a bad call. You knew you were going to lose."

Classy.

Michael Schulze raises to $80,000 from early position and Christian Oman makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes K♥ Q♥ 7♦ and both players check. The turn is the 9♥ and Oman checks again. Schulze moves all-in and Oman goes into the tank, mulling over his options before calling off the last of his $330,000 stack and turning up K♦ 5♦ to Schulze's A♣ 9♠.

Oman looks to be in great shape to double-up, but the river is a cruel, cruel 9♣ and Schulze makes trips to send Oman to the exits. He's out in 5th place and will take home 437,980 PLN.

The level is over and the blinds are moving on up. Action continues unabated.

Action folds to Ricardo Sousa, who limps-in from the small blind before Mathias Viberg raises to $70,000 from the big blind. Sousa thinks for a few minutes before moving all-in for another $177,000 and Viberg goes into the tank, mulling things over for about three minutes and prompting Sousa to call the clock.

That spurs Viberg into a call, and the Swede is ebullient as he turns up A♠ 9♠ to Sousa's A♣-#2. The board comes A♥ T♥ 7♥ T♠ Q♠, though, and both players make aces-up and chop the pot.

Action folds to Christian Oman, who open-shoves for about $250,000 from the small blind. Medhi Ouakhir makes the call immediately in the big blind, turning up 5♣ 5♦ to Oman's A♥ 9♥. The flop comes T♣ 8♠ 7♠, giving Oman the open-ended straight draw, and after the turn is the 6♣ the young Swede gets there, leaving Ouakhir needing to hit a nine for the chop. The river is the J♠ and Oman hits the six-card straight to double through his opponent midway through the current level.

The dinner break is over and the cards are back in the air from the dungeon at the Hyatt Regency. Five players remain and we'll continue play until that number is reduced to a single digit. Until then, we remain, PokerListings.com.

We've reached the end of the level and players have been released upon the feeding troughs for an hour's worth of chow. Here are the chip counts as we go to break:

Seat 1	Trond Eidsvig	$0
Seat 2	Christian Oman	$228,000
Seat 3	Mehdi Ouakhir	$747,000
Seat 4	Niclas Svensson	$0
Seat 5	Daniel Woolson	$0
Seat 6	Juan Maceiras	$0
Seat 7	Michael Schulze	$1,526,000
Seat 8	Ricardo Sousa	$510,000
Seat 9	Mathias Viberg	$581,000

 

Ricardo Sousa raises to $42,000 under the gun and the action folds to Michael Schulze, who makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes K♣ J♥ 4♦ and both players check. the turn is the 6♥ and Schulze checks to Sousa, who bets out $65,000. Schulze makes the call and the river is the 7♦, prompting both players to check once more. Sousa shows A-Q but Schulze has A-6 and takes the pot with a pair of sixes.

On the next hand, Mathias Viberg raises to $45,000 from under the gun and Schulze calls in teh small blind. The flop comes K♦ T♣ 9♥ and both players check. The turn is the 6♦ and Schulze bets out $60,000. Viberg calls and the river is the 9♦, prompting both players to check again. Schulze shows K♠ Q♠ for two pair and Viberg flashes an ace as he mucks.

Schulze is (perhaps correctly) being derided in the gallery for being something of a calling station, but dude has a large chip lead and is playing a strategy that keeps him from getting into trouble with some of the more experienced players while still maintaining his advantage.

Mathias Viberg raises to $45,000 on the button and Christian Oman and Medhi Ouakhir call in the blinds. The flop comes 6♥ 5♥ 4♠ and action checks around. The turn is the A♣ and Oman leads out for $70,000. His opponents fold and Oman shows K♦ Q♦ as he rakes the pot.

The blinds are moving on up once more as the level has come to an end. Stay tuned for more action, or inaction, however the case may be.

Christian Oman raises to $32,000 on the button and Michael Schulze makes the call in the big blind. The flop comes 4♣ 3♠ 2♥ and Schulze checks to Oman, who bets out $47,000. Schulze makes the call and the turn is the 8♥, prompting both players to check. The river is the 5♣ and Schulze gives a mirthless laugh before betting $120,000. Oman moves all-in and Schulze snap-calls, turning up A♦ 6♠ for the six-high straight. Oman, however, has A♥ 6♥ as well and both players shake hands and chop the pot.

Juan Maceiras limps-in from the cut-off and Ricardo Sousa completes in the small blind before Mathias Viberg raises to $50,000 from the big blind. Maceiras immediately moves all-in for $217,000 more and Sousa gets out of the way. Viberg thinks for a few moments before making the call and turning up A♥ K♠ to the Spaniard's pocket deuces.

The board comes 9♦ 9♠ 8♣ A♣ T♦ and Viberg wins his race, pumping his fist on Fourth Street as the fateful ace hits the board. Marceiras is eliminated in 6th place and will take home 344,640 PLN for his time.

Ricardo Sousa and Mehdi Ouakhir limp-in before Niclas Svensson moves all-in for his last $106,000 total. Sousa folds out but Ouakhir announces that he can't let Svensson take down the pot that easily and makes the call, showing 4♣ 4♥ to Svensson's Q♠ T♠. The board comes 8♥ 5♠ 5♣ 2♠ 8♣ and Svensson is out in seventh place. The Swede takes home 272,840 PLN for his efforts this week.

The break is over and the cards are back in the air with increased blinds and antes and only seven players remaining. Stay tuned for more updates just as soon as we finish our cheesecake, here.

In the meantime, here are the chip counts of the surviving players:

Seat 1	Trond Eidsvig	$0
Seat 2	Christian Oman	$261,000
Seat 3	Mehdi Ouakhir	$404,000
Seat 4	Niclas Svensson	$128,000
Seat 5	Daniel Woolson	$0
Seat 6	Juan Maceiras	$87,000
Seat 7	Michael Schulze	$1,315,000
Seat 8	Ricardo Sousa	$648,000
Seat 9	Mathias Viberg	$749,000

 

We've reached the end of the current level and players are on a fifteen-minute break.

Niclas Svensson open-shoves for his last $54,000 from the cut-off and Juan Maceiras moves all-in over the top from the button. The blinds get out of the way and Svensson shows K♠ 3♣ to Maceiras' J♥ J♦. The flop, however, is a miracle for the Swede, coming K♥ T♦ 3♥, and after the board finishes out 2♣ 8♦ Svensson has doubled up to a little over $100,000.

Juan Maceiras raises to $27,000 from middle position and the action folds around to Trond Eidsvig, who moves all-in from the small blind for another $59,000. The action folds around to Maceiras, who makes the call and turns up A-9 to Eidsvig's A-10. The flop comes A-5-2 and Eidsvig retains the lead, but after a second deuce hits on the turn Maceiras has outs for the chop. The river, however, is a nine and the Spaniard makes a better two pair to send the Rookie of the Year to the rail.

Eidsvig earns 201,040 PLN and the adulation of millions for his 8th place finish.

Christian Oman raises to $28,000 from under the gun and Juan Maceiras re-raises another $72,000 from the hijack. The action folds back around to Oman, who moves all-in for another $112,000 on top and Maceiras goes into the tank, giving the matter some serious thought before deciding even 3:1 is not good enough for his hand and laying it down. Oman takes the pot.

We've reached the end of the current level and the blinds are on the rise without a break. Stay tuned for more action-packed updates as soon as there is action to pack.

Christian Oman gets all-in preflop with a pocket pair of fours and is called by Juan Maceiras in the big blind. Maceiras tables Q-10 but cannot hit any cards to bust Oman and the Swede doubles up to about $200,000.

On the third hand of the day, Daniel Woolson raises to $22,000 and is called by Ricardo Sousa, Mathias Viberg and Medhi Ouakhir. The flop comes Q♠ 5♣ 3♥ and action checks to Woolson, who bets out $65,000. Sousa folds out but Viberg makes the call before Ouakhir raises all-in, having both live players covered.

Woolson and Viberg both call and the American turns up A♦ A♥ to the Frenchman's K♣ Q♣ and the Swede's 5♠ 5♥. The board finishes out 6♣ K♥ and the fives hold up, sending Woolson to the rail and tripling up Mathias Viberg.

Woolson is out in 9th place and will earn 122,060 PLN for his time.

The cards are in the air and the game is afoot from the final table in Warsaw. From here on in, we don't stop until we're all Zloty millionaires!

It's final table time at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Polish Open! After a record-setting Day 3 that lasted barely two hours in reducing the field from 26 to nine, our final table of fearsome competitors has returned to the dungeon at the Hyatt Regency Warsaw for the final heroic push towards an EPT title and a 2,154,000 PLN (approximately €609,782 or $1b USD).

Among the final tablists are Scandinavian Rookie of the Year Trond Eidsvig, playing in his third final table of EPT Season 4, as well as Spain's Juan Maceiras, American Daniel Woolson and our chipleader, Germany's Michael Schulze.

Action will begin in about a half-hour's time and continue until only one Eurorounder is left standing. Keep it locked on PokerListings.com throughout the day for continuing and comprehensive coverage of this a-Pole-ing event (har dee har har)!

Here are the chip counts and seating positions for the finalists:

Seat 1	Trond Eidsvig	$220,000
Seat 2	Christian Oman	$110,000
Seat 3	Mehdi Ouakhir	$360,000
Seat 4	Niclas Svensson	$174,000
Seat 5	Daniel Woolson	$164,000
Seat 6	Juan Maceiras	$437,000
Seat 7	Michael Schulze	$1,162,000
Seat 8	Ricardo Sousa	$756,000
Seat 9	Mathias Viberg	$229,000