PokerStars qualifier Sergio Cabrera is one of the players trying to make a name for himself in this tournament. Holding , Cabrera bet 7,075 on a board and his opponent called after much deliberation. Cabrera's top pair top kicker was good and gave him the pot.
Monaco resident Patrik Antonius may not have been active much at the poker tables in recent times, it doesn't mean the Finnish superstar rode off into the sunset to leave it all behind. PokerNews interviewed Antonius earlier this week to catch up with the Fin and talk about his plans to bring poker to Monaco.
Not long after Antonius sat down, he was put to the test by Viliyan Petleshkov. The Bulgarian had opened from the button and Antonius had defended his big blind. On a flop, Antonius checked, Petleshkov bet 1,200, Antonius check-raised to 5,200 and Petleshkov called.
The turn brought the and Antonius bet 7,200, which Petleshkov smooth-called in position. On the river, Antonius checked and Petleshkov went all in. It was effectively 12,000 to call for Antonius, who slid his stack in after a minute of thought.
Petleshkov tabled for a busted flush draw and Antonius showed for a busted flush draw as well, accompanied by a pair of fives. Sharp call by the Fin, who netted a quick double-up.
After an early open from Andreas Hoivold and one call, Thomas Muehloecker committed to the pot for an unknown amount from the button as he had a T5,000 chip out. The small blind made it 8,150 to go, chasing away the first two players to voluntarily come in, and action was back on Muehloecker. He tanked a bit and then decided to fold.
The dealer shipped him 2,300, indicating he had three-bet to 2,700, and Muehloecker stacked his remaining chips, which looked to be just under 15,000.
Norweigan poker pro Andreas Høivold has been through a lot in his life, and is now planning more surgery after a terrible accident over 20 years ago, but as ever, he's still smiling. He chats to Laura whilst playing day 1b of the PokerStars Championship presented by Monte-Carlo Casino®
More and more familiar faces are taking a shot at the PokerStars Championship Main Event here in Monaco. After the break, PokerStars Team Pro Liv Boeree walked in the tournament area to take her seat. With the brand change, Boeree has a shot to become the first EPT and PokerStars Championship winner.
Louis Salter, Benjamin Pollak, Philipp Gruissem and reigning champion Jan Bendik are also playing.
We found Mudasser Hussain shoving all in from middle position for 16,275 after an opponent on the button three-bet his open. The player on the button called, showing , but Hussain had a huge lead with . The board ran out , safe for a Hussain double.