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2022 The Festival Bratislava Live Blog – Day 3

2022 The Festival Bratislava Live Blog – Day 3

Michel Molenaar Wins the 2022 The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event 17.10.2022 12:37 by Jason Glatzer
Michel Molenaar
Michel Molenaar

On Sunday evening, Netherlands’ Michel Molenaar defeated countrymate Gerianne Dijkstra heads-up to win The Festival Series Bratislava €550 Main Event for a massive prize of €126,650 at Banco Casino Bratislava.

Molenaar came into the final day as the chip leader with 16 players left and was near the top of the pack through in what was a dominating performance to remember en route to victory.

There were a few hiccups along the way but Molenaar remained calm, cool, and collected throughout the event. He also shared before the final table and before the heads-up action that there was no chance he would make a deal under any circumstances despite the top-heavy payouts.

The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event was a massive success story with 1,271 entries coming from far and near. This generated a gigantic €603,725 prize pool to smash the generous €500,000 guarantee slapped on the event.

The Festival Series Bratislava hosted 50 events in poker, casino, and sports wagering, which we will get into more detail in a separate article later. We will also announce in that article who the Player of The Festival Series will be awarded to based on a formula taking into account all of the events to win a full package to The Festival Series Nottingham at Dusk Till Dawn poker taking place from Feb. 13-19, 2023.

The Festival Series Bratislava Final Table Payouts

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Michel MolenaarNetherlands€126,650
2Gerianne DijkstraNetherlands€77,450
3Leo SigurdssonIceland€50,550
4Slavomir RakovanCzech Republic€36,975
5Peter KamarasHungary€27,900
6Sascha MannsGermany€20,375
7Mark BermanMalta€14,350
8Yasen DichevBulgaria€9,870
9Marton LugosiHungary€6,820
The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event
The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event Final Tables

Final Day Recap

Just 16 players remained on the final day of the Main Event. After a few hours, Aaron Frese bubbled the unofficial final table of nine players after he ran his ace-nine suited into the rockets held by Gerianne Dijkstra. Although the chips went in before the flop, Frese shared after the hand that he was glad he didn’t have more chips as there was no chance he would get away from the hand with both an ace and a nine appearing on the flop.

Leo Sigurdsson took the lead to start the official final table after he eliminated Marton Lugosi in ninth place. Eventual winner Michel Molenaar wasn’t too far behind and regained the captain’s seat shortly into the action.

Dijkstra was getting amazing hands not only on the final table bubble but also near the beginning of the final table. Yasen Dichev hit the rail after running his big slick into Dijkstra’s cowboys. Shortly after, Dijkstra snagged the chip lead to the delight of the huge Dutch rail when her rockets held to eliminate Mark Berman with sixes.

Meanwhile, Sascha Manns was at the final table for a second straight The Festival Series after finishing in ninth place in The Festival Series Tallinn in July for €3,950. He nursed a short stack throughout most of final day before time ran out on a coin flip when his jacks proved to be no good against the big slick held by Slavomir Rakovan.

The always-smiling Peter Kamaras was the next to exit when his ace-eight suited didn’t get there against Sigurdsson’s jacks. Sigurdsson, who came with a small crew from Iceland, was back with the chip lead with more than half the chips in play.

The event nearly had a different winner as shortly after this hand Molenaar jammed his ace-trey suited into Sigurdsson’s jacks. An ace from space hit the board and instead of hitting the rail, Molenaar was back with the chip lead.

Molenaar then extended his chip lead when his king-jack held against king-four suited to oust a short-stacked Rakovan. Shortly after, Sigurdsson found himself short on chips and was out the door on the podium in third place when his queen-ten bricked the board against Molenaar’s ace-eight.

Gerianne Dijkstra
Gerianne Dijkstra

The heads-up action lasted just two hands. Molenaar began the action with a nearly 3:1 chip advantage before the following hand took place.

Molenaar limped the button with jack-five suited and Dijkstra checked back her option from the big blind with seven-four. Molenaar called a two big blind bet by Dijkstra after the nine-nine-deuce came on the flop. A jack paired up Molenaar on the turn and he called a bigger bet of six big blinds. A blank six completed the board. Dijkstra had less than 10 big blinds left and jammed the river. Molenaar called and the rest was history.

A huge congrats to Michel Molenaar on his epic win. While this wraps up our coverage of the Main Event, be on the lookout early this week for an overall recap of The Festival Series Bratislava, and be sure to also tune back into PokerListings for our next live-reporting stop at The Malta Poker Festival at the Portomaso Casino from Oct. 26-31.

Final Table Payouts 16.10.2022 23:19 by Jason Glatzer

Below are the full payouts of the 2022 The Festival Series Bratislava €550 Main Event at Banco Casino Bratislava.

Congrats to Michel Molenaar on the epic victory!

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Michel MolenaarNetherlands€126,650
2Gerianne DijkstraNetherlands€77,450
3Leo SigurdssonIceland€50,550
4Slavomir RakovanCzech Republic€36,975
5Peter KamarasHungary€27,900
6Sascha MannsGermany€20,375
7Mark BermanMalta€14,350
8Yasen DichevBulgaria€9,870
9Marton LugosiHungary€6,820
Gerianne Dijkstra Eliminated in 2nd Place (€77,450) 16.10.2022 23:17 by Jason Glatzer

Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 1/1,271

The Main Event is in the books after just two hands of heads-up play.

The final hand began simply enough with a limp by Michel Molenaar. Gerianne Dijkstra checked back to see the 2 9 9 flop.

Molenaar called a bet by Dijkstra for 1 million and the J came on the turn. Molenaar called a bigger bet by Dijkstra for 3 million.

The 6 completed the board on the river. Dijkstra jammed for less than 4 million and Molenaar quickly called. Dijkstra turned over 7 4 for a mistimed bluff and Molenaar shipped The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event for €126,650 after he tabled J 5 .

Michel Molenaar – 38 million
Gerianne Dijkstra – 0

the-festival-bratislava-main-event-d3-dijkstra-gerianne-1218
Gerianne Dijkstra Finishes in Second Place
Leo Sigurdsson Eliminated in 3rd Place (€50,550) 16.10.2022 23:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 34: 250,000/500,000 (500,000)
Entries: 2/1,271

Michel Molenaar min-raised the button before Leo Sigurdsson three-bet jammed for 6 million from the small blind. Molenaar snap-called and Sigurdsson needed some help to stay alive.

Leo Sigurdsson: Q 10
Michel Molenaar: A 8

Sigurdsson got nowhere on the 3 A 9 5 2 board and was out in third place to Molenaar’s top pair.

Players went on a short break. Molenaar will kick off heads-up play with a nearly 3:1 chip advantage.

He shared with PokerListings that under no circumstances will he agree to a deal despite the duo playing for around €50,000.

Michel Molenaar – 27 million
Gerianne Dijkstra – 11 million
Leo Sigurdsson – 0

Leo Sigurdsson
Leo Sigurdsson
More Final Day Photos 16.10.2022 22:40 by Jason Glatzer
Molenaar Back with the Lead 16.10.2022 22:27 by Jason Glatzer

Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/1,271

Gerianne Dijkstra limped with Q 10 from the small blind before Michel Molenaar checked it back with 10 6 from the big blind.

Dijkstra check-raised from 600,000 to 1,400,000 after the 6 10 9 flop with top pair and Molenaar, with two pair, called.

Dijkstra bet 2,000,000 after the 4 came on the turn and Molenaar called. The 3 river completed the board and Dijkstra took her foot off the gas with a check. Molenaar bet 5,000,000 and Dijkstra went into the tank for a moment. She eventually called and got the bad news that her top pair didn’t stand up to two pair.

Molenaar was back with the chip lead in a rollercoaster of a ride during three-handed play.

Michel Molenaar – 20 million
Leo Sigurdsson – 10 million
Gerianne Dijkstra – 7.7 million

Dijkstra Rivers a Full House to Take Back the Lead 16.10.2022 22:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/1,271

Gerianne Dijkstra opened for 1,000,000 from the small blind with 5 5 before Michel Molenaar defended with J 9 his big blind.

Dijkstra continued on the 10 9 4 flop for 1,000,000 and Molenaar called. The 4 paired the board on the turn and Dijkstra fired out for 2,000,000. 

Molenaar called and the 5 paired the board on the river. 

Dijkstra got her two outer to nail a full house but with four diamonds on the board, she couldn’t get any more value. She jammed for 9.9 million and won the pot to regain the chip lead and have the majority of the chips in play after Molenaar folded.

Players went on a quick toilet break after the hand.

Gerianne Dijkstra – 28 million
Michel Molenaar – 15 million

Molenaar Rockets in the Lead 16.10.2022 22:03 by Jason Glatzer

Level 33: 200,000/400,000 (400,000)
Entries: 3/1,271

Leo Sigurdsson opened for 800,000 from the button with A Q . Michel Molenaar three-bet to 2.3 million from the big blind with A A and Sigurdsson called.

Molenaar checked. Sigurdssson fired out for 900,000 on the 8 J 9 flop and Molenaar called.

The 2 followed on the turn. Molenaar fired out for 1,300,000. Sigurdsson went into the tank for a minute before he called.

The 7 river completed the board. Both players checked and Molenaar was back with the chip lead after his pocket rockets held.

Michel Molenaar – 20 million
Gerianne Dijkstra – 15 million
Leo Sigurdsson – 3.7 million

Dijkstra Doubles Through Molenaar into the Lead 16.10.2022 21:53 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 3/1,271

Michel Molenaar opened for 600,000 from the button. Gerianne Dijkstra three-bet jammed for 7,100,000 from the big blind. Molenaar asked for a count before he eventually called.

Gerianne Dijkstra: A 7
Michel Molenaar: Q J

Molenaar got nowhere on the K 6 2 8 4 ran out on the board and Dijkstra doubled up into the chip lead after the hand.

Gerianne Dijsktra – 15 million
Michel Molenaar – 14 million

Gerianne Dijkstra
Gerianne Dijkstra
Slavomir Rakovan Eliminated in 4th Place (€36,975) 16.10.2022 21:08 by Jason Glatzer

Level 32: 150,000/300,000 (300,000)
Entries: 3/1,271

On the first hand after the break, Slavomir Rakovan jammed for 2 million from under the gun and was called by Michel Molenaar from the big blind.

Slavomir Rakovan: K 4
Michel Molenaar: K J

Rakovan was nearly drawing dead after Molenaar’s jack paired up on the 8 Q J flop. The outcome was already determined after the 2 followed on the turn and Rakovan was officially eliminated in fourth place after the K river completed the board.

Michel Molenaar – 16 million
Slavomir Rakovan – 0

Slavomir Rakovan
Slavomir Rakovan
Break Time 16.10.2022 20:54 by Jason Glatzer

Players went on a quick break. The blinds will increase to 150,000/300,000 with a big blind ante of 300,000 when the action resumes.

Here is a reminder about the final table payouts.

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1€126,650
2€77,450
3€50,550
4€36,975
5Peter KamarasHungary€27,900
6Sascha MannsGermany€20,375
7Mark BermanMalta€14,350
8Yasen DichevBulgaria€9,870
9Marton LugosiHungary€6,820
Molenaar Stays Alive & Takes Chip Lead After Delivering Bad Beat to Sigurdsson 16.10.2022 20:52 by Jason Glatzer

Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 4/1,271

We were nearly down to three players but Michel Molenaar had the Poker Gods on his side and we are still at four players.

The hand began with Leo Sigurdsson opening for 575,000 from under the gun. Michel Molenaar three-bet shoved for 6.6 million and Sigurdsson quickly made the call.

Michel Molenaar: A 3
Leo Sigurdsson: Q Q

The Dutch rail went wild after Molenaar paired his ace on the 7 5 4 A 10 board to double through Sigurdsson.

Instead of hitting the rail, Molenaar regained the chip lead with Sigurdsson not too far behind.

Michel Molenaar – 14 million
Leo Sigurdsson – 13 million

Peter Kamaras Eliminated in 5th Place (€27,900) 16.10.2022 20:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 31: 125,000/250,000 (250,000)
Entries: 4/1,271

Peter Kamaras jammed for 3.2 million from the cutoff and was called by Leo Sigurdsson from the small blind.

Peter Kamaras: A 8
Leo Sigurdsson: J J

Kamaras needed some help but he was on the rail shaking hands after none came on the 3 3 9 3 2 board.

While the always-smiling Kamaras was on the rail, fortunes were much different for Sigurdsson as he extended his chip lead to nearly have the chips in play with four players remaining.

Leo Sigurdsson – 18 million
Peter Kamaras – 0

Peter Kamaras
Peter Kamaras
Sascha Manns Eliminated 6th Place (€20,375) 16.10.2022 19:46 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 5/1,271

Sascha Manns open-jammed for 2.7 million from the cutoff. Slavomir Rakovan came in for a few chips more and the coin flip was on with Manns at risk.

Sascha Manns: J J
Slavomir Rakovan: A K

Rakovan won the flip after his ace connected with the A Q 8 2 4 board to eliminate Manns in sixth place and gain some breathing room. 

Slavomir Rakovan – 5.8 million
Sascha Manns – 0

Rockets for Molenaar 16.10.2022 19:40 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 6/1,271

Gerianne Dijkstra opened for 500,000 from the cutoff with Q J and was called by Michel Molenaar with A A from the button.

Dijkstra bet 550,000 on the 9 4 5 flop and Molenaar called. 

Both players checked the 8 turn before Dijkstra fired out for 925,000 on the 2 river. Molenaar called and won the pot with his overpaid.

Michel Molenaar – 9.2 million
Gerianne Dijkstra – 8.4 million

Sigurdsson Regains the Lead 16.10.2022 19:37 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 6/1,271

Leo Sigurdsson opened for a min-raise from the cutoff with K J and was called by Michel Molenaar with A Q from the small blind and Sascha Manns with Q 6 from the big blind.

Molenaar and Manns checked the 4 5 5 flop. Sigurdsson continued for 350,000. Molenaar called and Manns folded.

Molenaar checked again after the 4 double-paired the board on the turn. Sigurdsson barreled for 1.2 million. Molenaar tanked for a moment before he folded.

After the hand, Sigurdsson regained the chip lead.

Leo Sigurdsson – 12.3 million
Michel Molenaar – 6.7 million
Sascha Manns – 2.8 million

Mark Berman Eliminated in 7th Place (€14,350) 16.10.2022 19:19 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 6/1,271

Mark Berman jammed from early position for 2.5 million and was called by Gerianne Dijkstra from the big blind.

Mark Berman: 6 6
Gerianne Dijkstra: A A

Dijkstra woke up with aces again. Somehow, Leo Sigurdsson escaped a catastrophic result as he was shown folding sevens before Dijkstra acted preflop from the small blind.

Dijkstra still managed to snag the chip lead and eliminated Berman at the same time after the K K Q 5 J ran out on the board.

Gerianne Dijkstra – 11 million
Mark Berman – 0

Mark Berman
Ylva Thorsrud, Mark Berman, and Michel Molenaar
Updated Chip Counts 16.10.2022 19:12 by Jason Glatzer

Level 30: 100,000/200,000 (200,000)
Entries: 7/1,271

PlacePlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Gerianne Dijkstra8,400,00042
2Michel Molenaar8,900,00045
3Mark Berman2,500,00013
4Sascha Manns3,400,00017
5Peter Kamaras3,400,00017
6Slavomir Rakovan3,200,00016
7Leo Sigurdsson8,400,00042
Total38,200,000191
Average5,457,14327
Yasen Dichev Eliminated in 8th Place (€9,870) 16.10.2022 18:57 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 80,000/160,000 (160,000)
Entries: 7/1,271

Yasen Dichev open-jammed for 2.3 million from middle position. Gerianne Dijkstra three-bet shoved for 5.7 million for the hijack and the rest of the table folded.

Yasen Dichev: A K
Gerianne Dijkstra: K K

Dichev bricked the 10 10 7 3 7 board and Dichev was on the rail in eighth place.

Players went on a short break after the hand.

Gerianne Dijkstra – 8.6 million
Yasen Dichev – 0

Yasen Dichev
Yasen Dichev
Dichev Doubles Through Kamaras with Big Slick 16.10.2022 18:49 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 80,000/160,000 (160,000)
Entries: 8/1,271

Peter Kamaras opened for 330,000 from middle position before Yasen Dichev three-bet jammed for 930,000 from the button. Kamaras snap-called and the cards were turned over.

Yasen Dichev: A K
Peter Kamaras: Q 10

Dichev was ahead with his tournament life at risk. His big slick held to double through Kamaras after the 9 8 9 6 3 ran out on the board.

Peter Kamaras – 4.0 million
Yasen Dichev – 2.3 million

Top Pair for Sigurdsson 16.10.2022 18:45 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 80,000/160,000 (160,000)
Entries: 8/1,271

Peter Kamaras opened the button for 330,000 with 10 10 and was called by Leo Sigurdsson with A 8 from the big blind.

Sigurdsson improved to top pair on the 4 A 2 flop and check-called a bet of 280,000 by Kamaras.

Both players checked the 7 turn before Sigurdsson led out for 425,000 on the 4 river. Kamaras went into the tank for several moments before laying his hand down.

Leo Sigurdsson – 8.1 million
Peter Kamaras – 4.9 million

Molenaar Regains Chip Lead 16.10.2022 18:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 80,000/160,000 (160,000)
Entries: 8/1,271

Leo Sigurdsson opened for 335,000 from the cutoff with 10 9 and Michel Molenaar with 5 2 defended his big blind.

Both players hit the 2 5 9 flop hard. Molenaar checked his two pair before Sigurdsson checked it back with his top pair.

Molenaar fired out for 500,000 on the J turn and Sigurdsson called. The A completed the board on the river.

Molenaar began today with the chip lead and now has it back for the first time at the final table.

Michel Molenaar – 9.3 million
Leo Sigurdsson – 7.0 million

Final Table Seat Draw 16.10.2022 17:45 by Jason Glatzer
SeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
1Gerianne Dijkstra5,798,00036
2Michel Molenaar8,115,00051
3Mark Berman3,520,00022
4Sascha Manns2,425,00015
5Peter Kamaras5,315,00033
6Slavomir Rakovan3,175,00020
7Leo Sigurdsson8,405,00053
8Yasen Dichev1,410,0009
Total38,163,000239
Average4,770,37530
Marton Lugosi Eliminated in 9th Place (€6,820) 16.10.2022 17:43 by Jason Glatzer

Level 29: 80,000/160,000 (160,000)
Entries: 8/1,271

Marton Lugosi jammed for about 4 big blinds and was called by Leo Sigurdsson and Yasen Dichev from the blinds.

Both players checked the J 5 J flop before Dichev called bets on the 10 turn and 8 river.

Sigurdsson showed 5 5 for a full house which won the hand to eliminate Lugosi with Q 6 . Dichev also had a nice hand with queen-nine for a straight but was short on chips after Sigurdsson dominated his hand.

The final eight players went on a 30-minute break after the hand to set-up the official final table.

Leo Sigurdsson – 5 million
Yasen Dichev – 1 million
Marton Lugosi – 0

Marton Lugosi
Marton Lugosi
The Unofficial Final Table Begins 16.10.2022 17:26 by Jason Glatzer

The unofficial final table of nine players has kicked off without hole cards exposed. The official final table will begin after one elimination with eight players remaining.

Aaron Frese Eliminated in 10th Place (€5,795) 16.10.2022 16:41 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 9/1,271

Gerianne Dijkstra kicked off the final hand of Level 28 by opening for 250,000 under the gun. Aaron Frese put most of his dozen big blind stack or so in the pot from the big blind. Dijkstra put him in for the rest and the Dutch rail went nuts when they saw the cards.

Aaron Frese: A 9
Gerianne Dijkstra: A A

Frese nailed two pair on the A 7 9 flop but was drawing super thin as Dijkstra improved to the top set.

“It over!” shouted the Dutch rail after Frese was drawing dead on the K turn and Frese was given his cashier slip after the 7 river completed the board.

Both the players and all the reporters took a break after this hand for the final table to be set up. We will now report on a 30-minute delay the rest of the way to not give away any spoilers.

Gerianne Dijkstra – 5.6 million
Aaron Frese – 0

the-festival-bratislava-main-event-d3-frese-aaron-marshall-1116
Berman Doubles Through Molenaar 16.10.2022 16:30 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 10/1,271

Mark Berman opened for 325,000 from the small blind at the t.v. table. Michel Molenaar three-bet jammed for millions and Berman called off his stack for 1.74 million.

Mark Berman: A A
Michel Molenaar: A 3

Berman didn’t have much of a sweat with the 10 8 9 5 J board to double his stack through Molenaar.

Michel Molenaar – 6.2 million
Mark Berman – 3.7 million

Mark Berman
Ylva Thorsrud, Mark Berman, and Michel Molenaar
All Small Ball on Final Table Bubble 16.10.2022 16:23 by Jason Glatzer

Level 28: 60,000/120,000 (120,000)
Entries: 10/1,271

After a flurry of action, everything has slowed down on the final table bubble. Players are “thinking” longer with a ton on the line. We will continue to update you with any significant action.

the-festival-bratislava-main-event-d3-3489
Adi Rajkovic Eliminated in 11th Place (€5,795) 16.10.2022 15:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 10/1,271

Adi Rajkovic was just eliminated at the t.v. table. We didn’t get that close to the action but we did see that Rajkovic jammed a short stack with A 8 and was called by Michel Molenaar with K 7 .

Rajkovic was ahead but despite pairing his eight on the K J 8 flop was behind to his opponent’s better pair. Neither the 5 turn nor the 6 river saved the day and he was ousted in 11th place.

Michel Molenaar – 7 million
Adi Rajkovic – 0

Adi Rajkovic
Adi Rajkovic
Final Day Photos 16.10.2022 15:21 by Jason Glatzer
Andrew Hanak Eliminated in 12th Place (€5,795) 16.10.2022 15:14 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 11/1,271

Adi Radjkovic opened for 280,000 and was called by Peter Kamaras. Andrew Hanak three-bet jammed for close to 1,500,000. Radjkovic folded and Kamaras called.

“It was a trap?” Hanak asked.

“No, but I couldn’t fold,” responded Kamaras with a smile.

Andrew Hanak: A 5
Peter Kamaras: 9 9

Kamaras’ nines held to oust Hanak after the 3 5 10 10 K ran out on the board.

Peter Kamaras – 5.5 million
Andrew Hanak – 0

Ylva Thorsrud Eliminated in 13th Place (€4,710) 16.10.2022 15:07 by Jason Glatzer

Level 27: 50,000/100,000 (100,000)
Entries: 12/1,271

Coolbet streamer Ylva Thorsrud came in with a short stack. She lasted for a little while but just hit the rail on the t.v. table in a coin flip of a hand against Leo Sigurdsson.

Thorsrud held king-jack and was far behind her opponent’s sevens after the seven-eight-five flop. She was drawing dead after pairing up after a jack came on the turn and was officially eliminated in 13th place after an ace river completed the board.

Leo Sigurdsson – 5 million
Ylva Thorsrud – 0

Ylva Thorsrud
Ylva Thorsrud
Frese Makes Great Call After 10-Minute Tank 16.10.2022 15:02 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 13/1,271

Peter Kamaras opened for 175,000. Aaron Frese called from the button as did the players from the blinds. The action checked to Kamaras on the 5 Q 3 flop and he fired out for 265,000. Frese raised to 630,000. The players in the blinds folded and Kamaras called to see the 10 turn.

Kamaras jammed for more than the 1,730,000 Frese had behind. Frese sighed then went silent for nearly 10 minutes before he eventually made the call.

Aaron Frese: A J
Peter Kamaras: 6 2

Frese was ahead and had the better flush draw. Kamaras bricked the 3 river and Frese doubled his stack with ace-high.

The blinds went up to 50,000/100,000 along with a 100,000 big blind ante during the hand making everyone’s stacks effectively shorter.

Aaron Frese – 5.5 million
Peter Kamaras – 4.5 million

Jari Pekka Raettyae Eliminated in 14th Place (€4,710) 16.10.2022 14:44 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 13/1,271

Jari Pekka Raettyae jammed his short stack and was called Marton Lugosi.

Jari Pekka Raettyae: 8 8
Marton Lugosi: Q 10

The 10 7 5 4 7 ran out on the board to give Lugosi a better pair and the Paf Poker qualifier Raettyae’s impressive Main Event run is in the books.

Marton Lugosi – 3 million
Jari Pekka Raettyae – 0

Ronald Zapantis Eliminated in 15th Place (€4,710) 16.10.2022 14:39 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 14/1,271

Ronald Zapantis was ousted on the t.v. table. We could not get to the board in time but Zapantis jammed with king-queen and was up against the nine-eight held by Berman.

Apparently, a bad beat will be waiting for you if you watch this on the stream in 30 minutes.

Mark Berman – 4 million
Ronald Zapantis – 0

Ronald Zapantis
Ronald Zapantis
Frese Doubles Through Dijkstra with Rockets 16.10.2022 14:36 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 15/1,271

Aaron Frese opened for 160,000 from the cutoff before Gerianne Dijkstra three-bet to 455,000 from the button. Frese tanked for more than a minute before he jammed for 1,340,000 and Dijkstra quickly called.

Aaron Frese: A A
Gerianne Dijkstra: 10 10

Despite being ahead, Frese had a sweat as Dijkstra had a flush draw on the 2 K 7 flop. However, the 7 turn and K river were both safe for Frese and he doubled through Dijkstra.

Aaron Frese – 2.7 million
Gerianne Dijkstra – 1 million

Rajkovic Doubles Short Stack Through Hanak 16.10.2022 14:25 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 15/1,271

Adi Rajkovic jammed for about six big blinds with Q 10 and was called by Andrew Hanak from the blinds with 9 4 .

Rajkovic easily doubled on the K J 2 Q 8 board to get some breathing room.

Andrew Hanak – 1.5 million
Adi Rajkovic – 1 million

Rockets for Dichev 16.10.2022 14:22 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 15/1,271

Yasen Dichev bet 300,000 into a pot of a bit more with the 3 Q K 5 on the board on the turn and was check-called by Ronald Zapantis.

Zapantis jammed after the Q river paired the board. Dichev snap-called and won the hand when his A A was more than enough to win against his opponent’s J 10 .

Yasen Dichev – 2 million
Ronald Zapantis – 1.5 million

Miklos Zsuffa Eliminated in 16th Place (€4,710) 16.10.2022 14:17 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 15/1,271

There were some fireworks on the first hand of the day at the t.v. table. It all began simply enough when Yasen Dichev opened for a min-raise. Miklos Zsuffa jammed for 415,000 from the hijack before Ronald Zapantis four-bet shoved for 1,460,000 from the small blind. Dichev snap-folded and the cards were turned over.

Miklos Zsuffa: A 10
Ronald Zapantis: A J

The 8 4 6 5 4 board didn’t save Zsuffa and he was on the first player on the rail today.

Ronald Zapantis – 2.2 million
Miklos Zsuffa – 0

Miklos Zsuffa
Miklos Zsuffa
Cards in the Air 16.10.2022 14:09 by Jason Glatzer

Level 26: 40,000/80,000 (80,000)
Entries: 16/1,271

Cards are in the air for the final 16 players of The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event.

Michel Molenaar Leads Final 16 of The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event 16.10.2022 13:17 by Jason Glatzer
Michel Molenaar
Michel Molenaar Leads Final 16 Players

The Festival Series Main Event is down to just 16 players at Banco Casino. Each player at the final two tables has locked up at least €4,710 in this €550 buy-in event with much more on the line with the top prize announced at €126,650.

Dutch poker player Michel Molenaar has locked up the chip lead heading into the final table after bagging a massive stack of 5,775,000. Molenaar picked off a bluff with big slick near the end of yesterday’s penultimate day against Ronald Zapantis and now all eyes are on whether he can parlay his chip lead into what would easily be his largest live tournament cash.

Kamaras still wound up bagging a top three chip stack with 4,820,000 in chips with Leo Sigurdsson in between the two players with 4,960,000.

Two women are left in the pack in Gerianne Dijkstra (3,105,000) and Coolbet streamer Ylva Thursrud (1,475,000). Germany’s Sascha Manns (2,225,000) has also advanced and will likely have a tight-knit crew in Malta rooting him on. Meanwhile, Paf Poker qualifier Jari Pekka Raettyae (645,000) is among the players hoping to spin up their short stacks today.

Sascha Manns
Sascha Manns is the Man

Day 2 Seat Draw

TableSeatPlayerChipsBig Blinds
11Leo Sigurdsson4,960,00062
12Miklos Zsuffa415,0005
13Ylva Thorsrud1,475,00018
14Mark Berman3,240,00041
15Michel Molenaar5,775,00072
16Ronald Zapantis1,460,00018
17Yasen Dichev1,200,00015
18Marton Lugosi1,765,00022
231Aaron Frese1,420,00018
232Gerianne Dijkstra3,105,00039
233Slavomir Rakovan3,290,00041
234Peter Kamaras4,820,00060
235Jari Pekka Raettyae645,0008
236Adi Rajkovic520,0007
237Sascha Manns2,225,00028
238Andrew Hanak1,865,00023

Final Day Plan

Today will begin with 43 minutes remaining in Level 26 with blinds at 40,000/80,000 along with a big blind ante of 80,000. After this blind level, blinds will increase every 50 minutes instead of the 40 minutes on most of the opening flights and the 45 minutes featured during yesterday’s Day 2.

There will be a live stream on a variety of channels which you will be able to check out by clicking on the Stream tab within our coverage. We will be reporting all the action in real-time until the official final table of eight players is set. At this point, we will report on the same 30-minute delay as the stream as to not give away any spoilers.

Remaining Main Event Payouts

The Festival Series Bratislava Main Event attracted a banner field of 1,271 entries. This created a tasty prize pool of €603,725 to obliterate the €500,000 guarantee. Here is a look at all of the remaining payouts for the final 16 players:

1€126,650
2€77,450
3€50,550
4€36,975
5€27,900
6€20,375
7€14,350
8€9,870
9€6,820
10-12€5,795
13-16€4,710

Cards will be in the air at 2 p.m. Stay tuned at PokerListings for all of your updates until a winner is crowned!

George Sandford
The Festival Series Commentator George Sandford

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