Caribbean Poker Classic - Live Updates

After a grueling heads-up match in which Brian Jensen built a huge chip lead only to see his opponent Mihai Manole get lucky to pull even, it was all decided in one massive pot. After his initial setback Jensen controlled the action and regained control of the chip lead going into the final hand. They both saw a flop of A♣ T♣ 4♠ and Jensen bet out $40,000 from the small blind. Manole raised to $200,000 and Jensen thought for a moment before moving all-in.

Manole snap-called, jumping out of his seat and slamming A♥ 4♥ down on the felt. He was in the lead but Jensen had plenty of outs with 4♣ 5♣. The crowd in the room was split near even between the two players and there were cries for a club, a four, an ace and nearly every other card in the deck. The turn was the T♥ but the river delivered, bringing the 7♣ and nailing Jensen's flush. PL.com has to run and do the winner shots and an interview with our champion so stay tuned for more on the thrilling conclusion to this year's Caribbean Poker Classic.

Brian Jensen takes this year's title and officially snags $237,500 in cash. Mihai Manole, meanwhile, takes runner-up honors and the official payout of $145,500. And just like that another CPC is in the books. PL.com has enjoyed every minute of our time here in St. Kitts and would like to thank the Marriott Resort as well as the tournament staff led by Thomas Kremser. Make sure to check back later for the trademark PL.com recap blog which will be up in a few hours. PL.com also conducted an interview with our champion which will go live tomorrow.

The players are back in their seats and the cards are in the air. Blinds are now $15,000/$30,000 with a $3,000 ante and we will keep on going until we have a winner.

We've reached the end of this level and the players have been sent on a short five-minute break. When we get back the blinds will be on the way up and we'll continue until we have a champion!

Here are the latest.

Brian Jensen	$1,650,000
Mihai Manole	$600,000

 

Both players saw an unraised flop of A♥ Q♠ 2♥ with Brian Jensen on the button and Mihai Manole in the small blind. They both checked and the turn brought the 8♣. Manole bet out $25,000 and Jensen raised to $75k. Manole thought for a moment before announcing all-in. Jensen quickly folded.

The advantage seems to be clearly on the side of Brian Jensen in this heads-up match as he has just taken down two more consecutive pots uncontested. He now has about $1,850,000 to Manole's $400,000.

Brian Jensen has taken another big bite out of Mihai Manole's stack, pushing him out of the hand with an all-in bet on the flop. Manole was on the button and raised to $74,000. Jensen quickly announced raise and made it $210,000. Manole called and the flop came down 6♠ 6♣ 4♠. Jensen insta-shoved and Manole only took a few moments before letting go of his hand.

Here are the new counts after that last big pot.

Brian Jensen	$1,575,000
Mihai Manole	$675,000

 

Brian Jensen has taken the chip lead once again after pushing Mihai Manole out of a massive pot on the river. They both saw an unraised flop of 7♠ 7♣ 3♦ with Manole on the button. Both players checked and the turn brought the 3♥. Jensen checked and Manole bet out. Jensen then check-raised and Manole called.

The river was the A♣ and again Jensen checked. Manole reached for chips and pushed $200,000 into the middle. Jensen then check-raised again, making it $500,000 to go. Manole tanked hard but after a few minutes he flicked his hand into the muck with just a glimmer of frustration flitting across his face. We'll get you the new chip counts momentarily.

Here are the chip counts after Manole's recent double-up:

Mihai Manole	$1,143,000
Brian Jensen	$1,107,000

 

We were very close to having a champion as we just saw Mihai Manole get all-in on the flop with nothing but an open-ended straight draw. Manole was the one to move in, on a flop of K♥ T♦ 4♦, and get called by Jensen who tabled K♣ 3♠. Manole needed help with Q♣ J♠ and got it when the 9♦ hit the turn. Jensen was drawing dead on the river and was forced to double-up his heads-up opponent. We'll get the chip counts as soon as Manole is done stacking his chips.

There hasn't been much action to speak of in this heads-up match so far as both players feel each other out. There's still a bit of room to move before it turns into a shove-fest so stay tuned for all the action.

We've reached a new level and the blinds have been raised to $12,000/$24,000 with a $3,000 ante.

Here are the counts for our final two players.

Brian Jensen	$1,687,000
Mihai Manole	$563,000

 

With the elimination of Martin Clemmensen in third place we are now down to heads-up play. Brian Jensen of Denmark has a big chip lead over Romania's Mihai Manole so stay tuned to see how it all shakes out. Chip counts for our final two players will be up in a moment.

After being crippled just one hand ago Martin Clemmensen has been eliminated, losing an all-in coin flip against chip leader and fellow Dane Brian Jensen. Martin moved in from the small blind and Jensen made the call from the big, tabling pocket fours as he did. Clemmensen would need to improve with J♥ 9♥ and got part of the way there with the flop of Q♦ T♦ T♣. Any king, jack, nine or eight would do it but the board finished out 6♣ A♥ and Martin Clemmensen is out. Officially he takes $87,300 but in accordance with the deal reached earlier he'll be taking $111,500.

Martin Clemmensen has just been absolutely crippled as a result of getting all-in before the flop against Mihai Manole. Clemme raised from the button, Mihai moved in from the big blind and Clemme called. When the stacks were counted down we saw Mihai was actually the all-in player but he was in great shape with pocket sixes to Martin's pocket fours. The board changed nothing for either player and Martin is left with just $60,000.

Brian Jensen just took down another pot, pushing Martin Clemmensen out of a hand on the river. It began with the two seeing an unraised flop of J♦ 3♥ 2♥ from the blinds. Clemmensen checked from the small blind and Jensen did the same from the big. The turn was the Q♣ but before the card hit the felt Martin tossed in a blind bet of $20,000. Brian then raised to $60,000 and Clemme made the call. The river was the K♥ and after a check from Martin, Jensen bet out $80,000. Clemmensen tanked for a few minutes before eventually folding. Brian Jensen is in the driver's seat with about $1.6 million of the $2.25 million in play.

Martin Clemmensen opens to $60k from the button and Brian Jensen re-raises to $180,000 from the big blind. Mihai Manole gets out of the way and Martin goes into the tank, shuffling chips as he ponders the decision. After a few minutes he shows an ace and tosses both of his cards in the muck.

Mihai Manole has been the short stack at the table for some time, despite doubling-up through Martin Clemmensen not long ago. In this hand Brian Jensen opened to $60,000 from the button only to see Manole move in from the small blind for about $180,000. Priced into the hand, he made the call, but saw his K♣ T♦ was dominated by Manole's K♥ Q♦. The board ran K♦ J♣ 8♣ 9♦ 4♦ and Manole is good for the double. He's now on close to $400,000.

Here they are.

Brian Jensen	$1,565,000
Martin Clemmensen	$490,000
Mihai Manole	$190,000

 

We were very close to being down to heads-up play as we watched Mihai Manole get all-in bad against Martin Clemmensen just a moment ago. Clemme opened from the button and Manole moved in from the big blind. Martin snap-called and turned over pocket kings which were leading the A♦ 9♦ of Manole. The flop came down 9♥ 6♥ 2♦ and Manole caught a little piece. The turn was the A♠ though, making Manole aces up and putting Clemmensen way behind in the hand. The river was the 8♦ and Manole doubles. Chip counts incoming.

The tone of this final table has seen a marked change since the deal was struck before the dinner break but things got a little more serious a moment ago with the elimination of Jan Van Der Wal in fourth place. The hand began with VDW opening to $50,000 from the button and Brian Jensen calling from the big blind. The flop came down 7♦ 6♣ 5♣ and both players checked.

The A♥ hit the turn and after a check from Jensen, VDW bet out $40,000. Jensen made the call and the river was the 9♠. Jensen immediately moved all-in and VDW stood up from the table and cried, "This is so f$%#%ng sick! You hit every card." He made the call nonetheless and saw his read was correct when Jensen tabled 7♥ 8♥ for the straight. VDW had flopped a set with his pocket sevens. Jan is out in fourth and will officially take $70,800. In accordance with the deal though he will be taking $129,000.

Brian Jensen is controlling much of the action at this table at the moment and just took down another pot before the flop. Jan Van Der Wal opened to $60,000 from the cut-off and Jensen re-raised to $200,000 from the small blind. After a bit of time in the tank VDW released his hand and conceded the pot.

Here are the latest counts. Enjoy!

Brian Jensen	$1,150,000
Martin Clemmensen	$530,000
Jan Van Der Wal	$330,000
Mihai Manole	$281,000

 

We've reached a new level and the blinds have gone up accordingly. $10,000/$20,000 with a $2,000 ante is the new price.

Martin Clemmensen just took a small pot from Jan Van Der Wall after turning the broadway straight but slowing down when a fourth diamond hit the board on the river. It was folded to VDW in the small blind who called and Martin checked in the big blind. The flop came down Q♥ J♦ T♦ and Van Der Wal led out for $30,000. Clemmensen made the call and the turn was the A♦. Both players checked and the river brought the 2♦. Both players checked again and Martin showed K♥ T♠ which was good for the pot.

Brian Jensen has extended his lead since returning from the break. Here's how the final four stack up at the moment.

Brian Jensen	$1,190,000
Mihai Manole	$400,000
Martin Clemmensen	$366,000
Jan Van Der Wal	$325,000

 

Brian Jensen opened the first hand since the break and got a call from Jan Van Der Wal in the small blind. The flop came out 8♦ 7♦ 4♣ and VDW leads out for $60,000. The 9♣ hits the turn and both players check. The 2♥ comes on the river and after two more checks Jensen tables pocket aces which are good for the pot. Jan shows A♦ T♦, a huge draw on the flop that didn't get there.

The final four players have returned from their extended break to find out who will be walking away with the title and the extra cash that goes with it. We still have about 25 minutes left on the clock for this level.

The players have decided to take a break and will reconvene in about an hour. Join us then.

The deal has been struck by the combined efforts of the players and tournament director Thomas Kremser. $41,100 will be taken out of the remaining $541,100, with $30,000 going to the winner and $11,100 going to the runner-up. Here are the prizes the remaining four players are now guaranteed.

Brian Jensen	$148,000
Jan Van Der Wal	$129,000
Martin Clemmensen	$111,500
Mihai Manole	$111,500

 

Here are the counts:

Brian Jensen	$815,000
Jan Van Der Wal	$615,000
Mihai Manole	$430,000
Martin Clemmensen	$430,000

With the top four spots totaling $541,100, here's what the payouts would look like if we made a deal based just on chip counts. Remember, whoever takes first will receive the extra $20k.

Brian Jensen	$188,750
Jan Van Der Wal	$142,500
Mihai Manole	$99,500
Martin Clemmensen	$95,500

These are approximations; we'll let you know when a final deal is decided.

 

With the elimination of Leon Yanovski the remaining four players have started negotiating a deal to split up the top four payouts. Jan Van Der Wal has suggested they split it up according to the current chip counts and each put $5,000 back in the pot which will go the winner. We're just getting the official counts now and then we'll see how the deal will shake out. Stay tuned.

We're down to four and it is Leon Yanovski of Israel headed out the door in fifth place. He moved all-in from under the gun and Brian Jensen made the call from the button. Pocket eights for Jensen had to hold up against Leon's A♠ Q♣ but when we saw the flop of J♠ J♦ 8♠ it quickly became apparent that "holding up" wouldn't be a problem. A queen hit the turn, giving Leon some outs, but the river was a blank and he does his handshakes as he goes to get paid. $56,200 is the prize for his fifth-place finish.

We're down to five with the elimination of the short-stacked Christoffer Sonesson. He'd been treading water for the last level or so, trying to find a spot to make a stand, and it came in this hand when it was folded to him in the small blind. He moved all-in for about $75,000 and got snap-called by Jan Van Der Wal in the big blind. 9♣ T♥ for Sonesson would need a whole lot of help against VDW's pocket jacks but the board of A♥ K♠ 3♣ 2♠ 3♠ didn't bring it. Sonesson's out in sixth and will take $45,600.

Seat 1	Mihai Manole	$310,000
Seat 2	Christoffer Sonesson	$77,000
Seat 3	Jan Van Der Wal	$600,000
Seat 4	Leon Yanovski	$230,000
Seat 5	Martin Clemmensen	$430,000
Seat 6	Brian Jensen	$500,000

It seems Leon Yanovski attended the Tiffany Williamson school of poker as he just took an incredibly long time releasing his hand in the face of an all-in re-raise from Mihai Manole. It began with Manole opening to $48,000 from the cut-off and Leon re-raising an additional $80,000 from the big blind.

Manole then moved all-in, putting another $151,000 back on Yanovski. That's when it began, talking his way through the hand, listing all his opponent's possible holdings, dissecting every possible angle. After the clock was called he commended his opponent on his good play and tossed his hand in the muck. Chip counts in a sec.

Martin Clemmensen has just taken down two consecutive pots with pre-flop opening raises. He made it $45k to go first from the button, then from the cut-off, with the rest of the table getting out of the way on both occassions. On the second hand he showed an ace as he raked the pot.

The players are back in their seats and the cards are in the air. We're on to Level 21 and the blinds have gone up to $8,000/$16,000 with a $1,500 ante.

This level is over and the players have been sent on a 10-minute break. When we get back the blinds will be on the way up and we'll play one more level before dinner.

For a full rundown of all the players who have cashed in this event just click through to our Results page. You'll be glad you did.

After that last massive pot had been stacked by Jan Van Der Wal we were able to get a look at his holdings which are now tipping the scales at $584,000. Mihai Manole on the other hand is down to $283,000. The remaining players' stacks remain relatively unchanged since the last full chip count.

Jan Van Der Wal just took down what was perhaps the biggest pot of the tournament so far, pushing Mihai Manole out of the pot with an all-in raise that seemed insignificant compared to the size of the pot. We didn't catch the action leading up to the river but Manole was in late position and VDW was in the small blind. There was a substantial number of chips already in the middle and Van Der Wal had bet out $60k after the river completed the board of Q♥ T♦ 6♣ Q♦ 3♦.

Manole announced raise and added another $100k on top. VDW took all of three seconds to announce all-in. It was only $77,000 more into the already ginormous pot and it surprised everyone when Manole went into the tank. Even more surprising was when he folded his hand, conceding the pot to VDW. The chips have yet to be stacked but we'll get you a count in a few minutes. For now it's safe to say Van Der Wal has a lot of chips.

We know you're craving them so here they are, the latest in chip-count intelligence.

Seat 1	Mihai Manole	$553,000
Seat 2	Christoffer Sonesson	$134,000
Seat 3	Jan Van Der Wal	$306,000
Seat 4	Leon Yanovski	$357,000
Seat 5	Martin Clemmensen	$415,000
Seat 6	Brian Jensen	$485,000

Martin Clemmensen just took a nice pot from Christoffer Sonesson with an all-in check-raise on the turn. Sonesson opened the pot from late position and Clemmensen called from the big blind. They both checked the flop of Q♥ 6♦ 3♥ and Clemmensen check-raised all-in on the T♦ turn. Sonesson released his hand and Martin rakes the pot. Stay tuned for an updated chip count.

John Chubb's stack has disappeared, like a frightened turtle, after he was unable to win a pre-flop all-in race against Brian Jensen. Jensen got the action started with an opening raise to $36,000 from middle position and when it got to Chubb in the big blind he moved in. It was about $190,000 more back to Jensen and after a bit of time in the tank he made the call. Pocket tens for Brian would need to hold up against Chubb's A♠ J♠ and they did just that as we watched the board run Q♣ 7♦ 4♥ 8♦ Q♠ with no help to Chubb's overcards. The Welshman is out in seventh and will take $36,900.

The action is folded to Christoffer Sonesson in the small blind and he pops it to $36,000. Jan Van Der Wal makes the call from the big blind and the flop comes down J♣ 6♦ 2♠. Sonesson immediately moves all-in and it's about $160,000 more to VDW. He shakes his head and tosses his hand in the muck.

Christoffer Sonesson raises to $35,000 from two off the button and it's folded to Leon Yanovski in the small blind. Leon takes a look at Sonesson's remaining chips, about $160,000, and announces raise. He adds another $50,000 on top, enough to take down the pot.

As a special treat for our Danish readers who simply cannot get enough chip counts, here it is.

Seat 1	Mihai Manole	$607,000
Seat 2	Christoffer Sonesson	$196,000
Seat 3	Jan Van Der Wal	$365,000
Seat 4	John Chubb	$260,000
Seat 5	Leon Yanovski	$271,000
Seat 6	Martin Clemmensen	$348,000
Seat 7	Brian Jensen	$252,000

 

That's right, John Chubb has finally doubled-up, allowing us to use the title you see above. Chubb has been short-stacked all day and has so far succeeded in picking up a number of pots with all-in moves before the flop.

In this hand Jan Van Der Wal opened to the pot to $40,000 from the button and Chubb moved in from the small blind. It was $85,500 back to VDW and after a bit of thought he made the call. Chubb tabled pocket eights and Van Der Wal slammed pocket sevens down on the felt in frustration. The board was unable to change the situation and Chubb doubles to around $260,000.

The break has come to an end and the players are back in their seats for Level 20. Blinds are up to $6,000/$12,000 with a $1,000 ante.

This level has come to an end and the players have been sent on a 15-minute break before returning for Level 20.

Christoffer Sonesson just took a pot from Mihai Manole with an all-in re-raise before the flop. It was folded to Manole on the button who opened to $30,000 and Sonesson, in the small blind, moved all-in for an additional $131,000. The big blind got out of the way and after a bit of thought Manole followed suit. Sonesson rakes the pot uncontested.

Jan Van Der Wal raises to $31,000 from under the gun and Martin Clemmensen makes the call from the cut-off. The flop comes 9♦ 3♥ 3♠ and both players check. They also check the 7♥ on the turn and the T♦ on the river and VDW shows A-J. Clemmensen shows A-Q though and drags the pot.

We are down to seven at this final table with the elimination of Joakim Garp in eighth place. Garp was absolutely crippled just a few hands ago and after staying alive by chopping the last pot, he got all-in against two other players and was unable to show down the best hand. It began with Garp calling all-in and Leon limping from the small blind. Martin Clemmensen checked his option in the big blind and they checked down the board of K♥ Q♥ J♣ 4♦ 3♠. Yanovski showed K♦ T♥ which was good for the pot and the elimination. Joakim Garp showed A-5 on his way to collect his $29,100.

Just one hand after his crippling, Joakim Garp called all-in after Brian Jensen had opened to $30,000, showing A♦ 2♦ to Jensen's A♥ T♥. The board ran K♥ K♦ J♠ 9♦ J♣ and the two players chop the pot.

We just watched as Brian Jensen and Joakim Garp got all-in, almost dead even in chips. Jensen open-shoved for $149,500 from middle position and when it got to Garp he moved all-in as well. Garp had his opponent covered by just a few thousand and when the cards were on their backs we saw it was Jensen in the lead with A-K to Garp's A-Q. The flop came J♠ 2♦ 2♥ and Garp picked up a few outs for the chop. The turn and river came 6♦ 4♥ though and Jensen drags the over $300,000 pot. Garp is left with less than $2,000.

Martin Clemmensen just took a pot away from Leon Yanovski after talking him into a fold on the flop. Leon opened to $30,000 from the cut-off and Clemmensen made the call from the button. The blinds folded and the flop came down 8♦ 3♠ 2♣. Yanovski checked and Clemmensen quickly bet $50k. "If you raise I'm going to go all-in. If you fold I'll show you," Clemmensen informed his opponent. "Is that a promise?" asked Yanovski. Clemmensen nodded in the affirmative but after Leon had folded he did not show his hand.

It seems Mihai Manole has taken a liking to John Chubb, letting him off the hook and alllowing him to continue at this final table. Manole limped in from middle position and when it got to Chubb in the small blind he announced all-in. It was $78,500 more and after a bit of banter Manole said, "You're a nice guy. I won't bust you right now." How charitable of Manole.

We came extremely close to our first elimination just a few moments ago with Martin Clemmensen all-in and way behind. The hand began with Leon Yanovski opening to $32,000 from middle position and Clemmensen, next to act, moving all-in for his remaining $120,000. It was folded to Joakim Garp in the small blind who placed a chip on his cards and buried his face in his hands. After a few moments he moved all-in over the top and after Leon quickly folded it was time for a showdown.

Pocket kings for Garp were miles ahead of Martin's pocket deuces and after the flop went 9♠ 7♥ 6♥ Martin was down to just two outs. The crowd here is clearly pulling for Clemmensen, with many Danes and other Skandies among them, and calls for a deuce were coming from every corner of the room. Sure enough, the 2♦ hit the turn. Clemmensen began shouting in celebration and a cheer went up from the crowd. The river was a blank and Clemmensen is up to about $275,000.

We've come to the end of Level 18 and it is time to take the $100 chips out of play. The next level will see the blinds raised to $5,000/$10,000 with a $1,000 ante.

Mihai Manole just took down a nice one with a pre-flop move from the small blind. Whether he had the goods or not we'll never know. It was folded around to Manole in the small blind and he just called. Joakim Garp, in the big blind, raised to $17,100 and Manole took a moment before announcing re-raise. He added another $40,000 on top. Garp seemed suprised by the move. After a bit of thought Garp released his hand, however, and Manole takes the pot uncontested.

The first orbit of the day saw nothing but the first pre-flop raise taking down the pot but a few minutes ago we were treated to a flop! It began with Mihai Manole opening to $24,000 from under the gun and Brian Jensen making the only call from the big blind. The flop came down T♠ 4♣ 2♦ and both players checked.

The turn was the A♦ and after a check from Jensen, Manole bet out $25,000. Jensen made the call and the river was the 4♦. Jensen checked again and Manole asked how much his opponent had behind, but as he did so he made a subtle checking motion with his right hand. The tournament director declared it a check and Jensen showed A-J which was good for the pot.

Denmark's Martin Clemmensen came into this final table last in chips and has already put his stack into play. It was folded to him in the hijack and he open-shoved. The rest of the table got out of the way and he rakes the second pot of the afternoon.

The first pot of this final table has been shipped and it is chip leader Jan Van Der Wal signing the bill of lading. He opened to $24,000 from under the gun plus one and the rest of the table got out of the way.

We've just high-carded for dealer and the button will start on Brian Jensen in seat 8. Shuffle up and deal!

Here is the seating arrangement and start-of-day counts for our final eight players.

Seat 1	Mihai Manole	$453,300
Seat 2	Joakim Garp	$285,800
Seat 3	Christoffer Sonesson	$220,100
Seat 4	Jan Van Der Wal	$548,500
Seat 5	John Chubb	$121,900
Seat 6	Leon Yanovski	$360,500
Seat 7	Martin Clemmensen	$112,900
Seat 8	Brian Jensen	$156,600

 

The clock has almost run out on the Final Countdown to today's festivities. The surviving eight players are all in their seats and the chips are currently being de-bagged and stacked. It looks like we have about 22 minutes left with blinds of $4,000/$8,000, with a $500 ante, before they go up once again. Jan Van Der Wal is the chip leader at the moment but only time will tell who will be taking home this year's title and the first-place cash that goes with it. Stay tuned for a seating chart and chip count which will be up momentarily.