6.25pm: Three-bet Bilyauer

Bilyauer wins another small pot with a three-bet from big blind. Stani had made his usual 200,000 open and was raised by Bilyauer to 505,000. Stani passed. — RD

6.20pm: Bilyauer takes a small one

Stani raised from the small blind and was called by Bilyauer. Both players checked through to the [td][3c][9h][6s] turn before Bilyauer bet 300,000, which was enough to win the pot. — RD

6.15pm: Stani takes more then gives some back

Kevin Stani looked lie he was taking complete control of this heads-up battle but Konstantin Bilyauer showed he still has fight in him.

Bilyauer raised to 200,000 from the button and was called by Stani to go to a [qh][5s][8h] flop. Stani checked raised his opponent’s 275,000 c-bet up to 600,000 and that did the trick.

Two hands later Bilyauer raised to 200,000 from the button and was called to go to the [9s][7c][ad] flop. Both players checked to see the [4c] where Stani led for 250,000 only to fold to a shove from his opponent. —MC

6.05pm: Big pot, small value bet

We’re a little way into heads up now and on a board of [5s][7c][6c][ad][2d] with close to one million in the pot Kevin Stani bet 150,000 on the river. His young Russian opponent, Bilyauer, called but mucked upon being shown pocket tens. Stani had opened the action from the button. Stani has quite some chip lead now. — RD

5.55pm: Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern eliminated in 3rd place (€160,000)

Arnaud Mattern has been eliminated so there will be no EPT double champion crowned here in Tallinn. Not long after bluffing him Kevi Stani took the rest of his chips by hitting a two-outer. Stani raised to 200,000 from the SB to face a three-bet to 550,000 from the Frenchman. Stani quickly moved all-in and Mattern snap-called his 2.4 million stack off.

Stani: [3s][3c]

Mattern: [qc][qh]

The [2h][kd][5h] flop was very safe for Mattern but he fell behind on the [3h] turn. The third heart opened up the chance of a re-draw for Mattern but the flush card or queen failed to come on the [9c] river. Stani now has twice as many chips as Konstantin Bilyauer going into heads-up play. —MC

5.48pm: Arnaud Mattern is all in

The Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern is all-in against Kevin Stani with his tournament at risk. Details to come shortly. — RD

5.40pm: Massive pot, monster bluff

Bluffing with the [7h][8h] hold cards may soon have to be called ‘pulling a Stani’ because the Norwegian has just pulled his second huge bluff of the final table with them. He earlier five-bet shoved with them into Bilyauer but this time it was against Arnaud Mattern. The Team PokerStars Pro had three-bet Stani’s 180,000 button raise to 560,000 total. Stani made the call.

At this point the atmosphere got very tense as the air thickened at the final table. A huge pot was brewing with only Bilyauer looked relaxed as the storm set in. The flop of [qs][ks][4d] was enough for Mattern to lead another 650,000 into the middle and as everyone held their breath Stani lined up three large stacks of 25,000 chips and made a large raise to 1,500,000. It was too much for Mattern who passed his hand. Stani flipped [7h][8h] face up onto the table to show a huge naked bluff. — RD

5.35pm: Back and forth

Arnaud Mattern and Konstantin Bilyauer played out two hands with each winning one. The first hand saw Mattern raise from the button and Bilyauer call from the SB to see a [kd][9d][4d] flop. The Russian check-raised Mattern’s 210,000 c-bet up to 530,000 to force a fold. The very next hand Bilyauer raised to 180,000 then fold to a 560,000 three-bet from Mattern in the BB. —MC

5.30pm: A few hands from the final table

Hand 1: Mattern raised the button to 180,000 and was called by Bilyaver in the small blind and both players checked the flop down to the [2h][6d][3h][ac][2c] river. Bilyauer turned over [ks][qc] for a king-high winning hand.

Hand 2: Stani limped the small blind and Mattern checked behind. Stani led the [ac][2c][2s] flop and the Team PokerStars Pro passed.

Hand 3: Mattern button raised to 180,000 and scooped the blinds to take an easy little pot. — RD

5.20pm: First hand back

Arnaud Mattern limped from the SB and then called a raise to 185,000 from Konstantin Bilyauer in the BB. No betting took place through the [3s][6s][8d][jh][jc] board and Konstantin took the pot with his [ad][7c]. —MC

5.15pm: Back from break

The final three are back in their seats and the first hand is being dealt… right… about… now!

5pm: BREAK TIME

Level 27 done and dusted. See you in 15 minutes for level 28.

4.57pm: Slow play

The title of this individual post may be more than a little misleading. There hasn’t been a slow played pair of aces or a trappy set but play itself has slowed down. The three final combatants (Mattern, Stani and Bilyauer) have slowed down in these final pay jumps. — RD

4.55pm: Kremser the clown as play slows

It’s been a quiet ten-minute phase of the final table, with no pots or action of note. But tournament boss Thomas Kremser livened it up with a little humour. He was standing in front of a tall screen, behind which a photographer reached up and poked his camera over the top to get a nice overhead picture of the table. The hapless snapper poked his camera up once more, and this time Kremser put his hand in front of it. Only when the photographer reviewed his work a few moments later did he realise his snap was of a huge Austrian hand and not of our final table. — SY

4.50pm: Showdown

Not many pots are getting through all the streets but this one did. Stani limped the small blind into Arnaud Mattern who checked behind (again). Both players checked through to the [5h][jd][4d][3c] turn which Stani bet 80,000 into. Mattern raised to 250,000 and Stani called. The Norwegian check-called around 200,000 on the [9d] river and showed [kd][jh] to take the pot. — RD

4.45pm: Konstantin three-bets…

…Arnaud Mattern’s raise from the small blind. Mattern passed without too much thought. — RD

4.40pm: Cagey, but it’ll do

Another pot goes Arnaud Mattern’s way. He raised to 150,000 from the button and only Konstantin Bilyauer called from the small blind. Both checked the [jh][2h][as] flop, and they didn’t seem to like the [6d] turn either. But on the [6h] river Mattern bet 160,000 and got a reluctant call from the Russian. [jc][3c] for Mattern,

and that was good enough to take the pot. — SY

4.30pm: Limped action

Stani limped the small blind to Mattern’s big blind and the Frenchman checked to see a [3h][kd][4h] flop. Stani led for 75,000 and was called by Mattern. Stani gave up with a check-fold on the [3c] turn when Mattern bet 320,000. Still plenty of play left in this three-handed final. — RD

4.25pm: Mattern motors on

Konstantin Bilyauer made it 140,000 from the button and only Arnaud Mattern called from the big blind. The Frenchman check-called Bilyauer’s 225,000 bet on the [4s][7h][10h] flop and both then checked down the [qc] turn and [8d] river. [6d][7d] for the Russian, but he was behind Mattern’s [kh][10d] all the way.

Here’s the current state of play

Kevin Stani, 5.2million

Arnaud Mattern, 4.2million

Konstantin Blyauer, 3.55million – SY

4.15pm:‘Oh, you’re kidding’

Konstantin Bilyauer opened to 135,000 from the button and Kevin Stani made the call from the small blind. On the [6h][9h][9d] flop, Stani check-called the Russian’s 170,000. Then, on the [as] turn, Stani check-called again, this time for 240,000. Both then slowed down to a check on the [10c] river. [ks][8s] for Bilyauer, [qh][10h] for Stani, which was good enough for the pot. “Oh, you’re kidding,” bemoaned Bilyauer. —SY

4.10pm: Major mistake by Stani

Kevin Stani has so far appeared very calm and collected but that image has just been tarnished thanks to the Norwegian misreading his hand and checking down a full house. Bilyauer had bet 250,000 on the turn of a [9c][4d][6c][6d] board which Stani has called in position. Both players then checked on the [ac] river with Stani showing [ah][6h] for a boat. “I thought I had ace-eight,” said a slightly embarrassed Stani who asked Bilyauer: “You calling the river?” All he got was a nod from the Russian. “It was a very conservative check,” joked Stani desperately trying to see the funny side of checking behind such a monster hand. — RD

4pm: What about the monkey business?

The monkey on the back of every former EPT champion, which to date has ensured none of them have won a second EPT title, is still in danger of being shot strangled humanely put to sleep. Team PokerStars Pro and EPT Prague Season 4 champion Arnaud Mattern is one of our three remaining players, and a win here would make EPT his EPT history… and make chimp-lovers very sad indeed. — SY

3.55pm: Just the three left

We’re down to three-handed play after PokerStars qualifier Kevin Stani busted Dimitry Vitkind in fourth. Konstantin Bilyauer started it with a button raise to 140,000, which both Stani called from the small blind and Vitkind from the big blind.The flop came [7s][5c][3d], Stani checked, Vitkind bet 300,000, Bilyauer folded – then Stani moved all in, covering Vitkind easily.The Russian thought only for a second or two before making the call.

Stani: [8c][8d]

Vitkind: [5h][6h]

Vitkind was in need of help to save his tournament life, but none arrived on the [kh] turn or [7h] river. Vitkind leaves with €120,000. — SY

3.52pm: Dimtry Vitkind eliminated in 4th place for €120,000

Details coming right up.

3.50pm: Mattern keeps firing

Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern opened the button for 140,000 and was called by Kevin Stani in the big blind. Mattern shot out a c-bet of 175,000 on the [3s][kd][th] flop, which was called, and another 220,000 on the [7d] turn. The second bullet did the job as Stani relinquished his hand. — RD

3.45pm: Four-handed action

We are very much at the business end of this tournament here in Estonia with some big pay jumps over the final four spots.

1. €400,000

2. €250,000

3. €160,000

4. €120,000

(Full payouts can be found here)

There’s a lot to play for and the pressure the players are putting each under is immense. Dmitry Vitkind opened to 130,000 from the cut-off and Arnaud Mattern three-bet from the button to 320,000. Konstanin Bilyauer four-bet from the big blind to 1,000,000 forcing both players out of the pot. Nice pick up for Bilyauer. — RD

3.35pm: Play resumes

The players are back for Level 27. Here’s how the players stack up right now:

Konstantin Bilyauer — 4,300,000

Kevin Stani — 3,555,000

Arnaud Mattern — 3,420,000

Dmitry Vitkind — 1,305,000

PokerStars Blog reporting team (with hair styles): Nick Wright (curly), Simon Young (shaggy), Marc Convey (floppy) and Rick Dacey (short and thick).

All photos © Neil Stoddart

This EPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events Europe has to offer at Europe.

3.24pm: Konstant pressure

Konstantin Bilyauer continues to grow his stack skywards. In the last hand before the break he raised to 125,000 on the button and was called by Dimitry Vitkind in the big blind. Both players checked the [10s][10h][Ac] flop, before Vitkind bet 125,000 on the [4d] turn, a bet Bilyauer called. It was back to the flop tactics on the [7h] river though as both players checked. Bilyauer’s [Jd][Js] besting Vitkind’s [7c][5c]. — NW

3.20pm: BREAK

That’s a fifteen-minute break at the EPT Tallinn final table with just four players left. Chip counts have been done each hand by a full and accurate chip count is taking place now. — RD

3.15pm: Vitkind a non-believer of Bilyauer

The two remaining Russians just clashed in a pot that actually made it to showdown. Dimitry Vitkind raised to 130,000 from the button and was flat called by Konstantin Bilyauer in the big blind. The flop was a monotone [3h][4h][Kh], Bilyauer checked, Vitkind bet 175,000 and Bilyauer called. The turn was the [As] and both players checked to the [6c] river which Bilyauer led for 375,000. After a minute or so of thought Vitkind made the call only to be shown the very nutty [Ah][8h] by Bilyauer. — NW

3.10pm: Norwegian moves

Kevin Stani just upped the gambling stakes by five-bet jamming on Konstantin Bilyauer and showing [7h][8h]. Bilyauer opened to 125,000 from the button only to face a three-bet to 300,000 from Stani in the small blind. The Russian’s response was to four-bet to 725,000 but he quickly snap-folded when Stani quickly moved all-in. Game on, ladies and gentleman! —MC

3pm: Vitkind up, Vitkind down

Hand One: From the small blind Dmitry Vitkind raised to 150,000 and Arnaud Mattern called from the big blind. On the flop of [Ac][6h][7h] Vitkind c-bet 175,000 and was called. The turn was the [4h] Vitkind fired again, this time 375,000 which enough at any rate to force a fold from Mattern.

Hand two: Vitkind was involved again, raising to 130,000 from the button and getting looked up by Konstantin Bilyauer in the big blind. The flop fell [9c][7s][3d]. Bilyauer check-raised Vitkind’s c-bet of 155,000 to 405,000 and Vitkind folded. Bilyauer showed [5d][6s]. — NW

2.55pm: First big hit for Mattern

Arnaud Mattern has doubled-up Konstantin Bilyauer to 3.7 million denting the Frenchman’s chances of becoming the first double EPT champion. Mattern raised to 125,000 from first position and was called by the Russian to go to a [5c][4s][ac] flop. Mattern led for 150,000 only to face a 1.7 million all-in bet from Bilyauer. Mattern got a count and made the call but wasn’t happy to see what he was facing. Bilyauer opened [4d][4c] for a set and Mattern tabled [ah][qd] for top pair. The board ran out [jd] and [tc].

With that Bilyauer takes over the chip lead and Mattern slips to second with 3.4million. It really is anyone’s game right now. — MC

2.50pm: Mattern wins another

This is getting repetitive but Arnaud Mattern continues to stretch his lead, this time he took chips from Kevin Stani. The Team PokerStars Pro made it 120,000 to go from the button and was flat called by Stani from the big blind. The flop of [Kh][4s][4c] was checked through. On the [3s] turn Stani check-called a bet of 140,000. The [7h] fell on the river and Stani checked once more. Mattern fired again, this time 310,000. Stani thought long and hard about his next move, he cut out the call and riffled those chips for a couple of minutes before eventually surrendering his hand. — NW

2.42pm: Falling like flies

Incredible, it’s been a whole five minutes since a player has been knocked out. Of course, as the short stacks get knocked out it’s deepens the stacks of the chip leaders and a little more time is needed thinking through some of these tournament changing decisions. — RD

2.40pm: Red battle

Two hands out of three Dmitry Vitkind has three-bet fellow countryman Konstantin Bilyauer. Once was enough for Bilyauer though as he four-bet jammed Vitkind on his second attempt and received a quick call for a 2.6 million showdown:

Bilyauer: [as][ts]

Vitkind: [7c][7h]

The board ran [3h][3c][3s][8c][9s] to make a full house for Vitkind. Vitkind has had to battle with a short stack for over a day but now has a stack where can do more than just move all-in pre-flop. —MC

2.35pm: Mikko Jaatinen eliminated in fifth place (€80,000)

Steven Van Zadelhoff had barely left the table before another bust out occurred. Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern raised to 120,000 from the button and Mikko Jaatinen moved all-in for around 800,000 from the small blind. Konstantin Bilyauer got out the way and Mattern quickly made the call.

Jaatinen: [Ks][9d]

Mattern: [Ac][Kh]

The board ran out [4s][2d][7d][10s][Kd]. Jaatinen takes home €80,000 and Mattern streches his lead up to 5,250,000. — NW

2.30pm: Steven van Zadelhoff eliminated in sixth place (€63,000)

The Dutchman moved all-in from the small blind for around 900,000 and was quickly called by Kevin Stani from the big blind.

Van Zadelhoff: [Qd][9h]

Stani: [Qh][Qs]

Flop: [6h][7h][8h]

Van Zadelhoff picked up a few outs with his open-ended straight draw.

Turn: [4s]

River: [6c]

Van Zadelhoff wins €63,000 for his sixth place finish and we’re down to five players. — NW

2.20pm: Piling on the pressure

Arnaud Mattern is really bullying the table at the moment. Konstantin Bilyauer opened to 125,000 and was called by Kevin Stani before Mattern three-bet to 420,000 from the big blind. Both players thought hard about their decisions but neither decided to play on further in the hand. The Frenchman has amassed such a stack that he’d be able to take them on without putting his tournament life at risk – a fact that both players would be more than aware of. — MC

2.12pm: Three in a row for Arnaud

The Team PokerStars Pro has won the first three hands after the break, gaining 110,000 a time. He’s now got just over 4,000,000 in chips. Check out our chip counts page for official counts. — NW

2.05pm: Back in their seats

Play has started again. Quick reminder of chip counts for the final six players.

1 Konstantin Bilyauer, Russia, 3,659,000

2 Steven van Zadelhoff, Netherlands, 908,000

3 Kevin Stani, Norway, PokerStars qualifier, 2,327,000

6 Dmitry Vitkind, Russia, PokerStars qualifier, 888,000

7 Arnaud Mattern, France, Team PokerStars Pro, 3,948,000

9 Mikko Jaatinen, Finland, 928,000

We’re updating the chips every single hand so keep checking on the chip count page by clicking here or on the ‘Latest chip count’ link on the right. We’ve got a new iPad and have stationed ourselves just a few feet away from the action to bring you the most up to date tournament counts the EPT has ever seen. Viva the iPad revolution. — RD

1.50pm: LEVEL 25 COMPLETE

There is a 15 minute break for the players. The chip counts are up to date on the chip count page.

1.50pm:Missed river bet

Konstantin Bilyauer felt he missed a river value bet against Arnaud Mattern and expressed so to the Frenchman. Mattern opened to 95,000 from the cut-off and was only called by the Russian to see a [5s][7s][5d] flop where he check-called a 125,000 bet. Both players checked down the [qc] turn and [ad] river. Bilyauer opened [ac][jc] for the pot as Mattern mucked .—MC

1.45pm:Jaatinen cripples Calia, Bilyauer busts him

As earlier reported Nicola Calia is out in seventh place, his demise took place in two consecutive hands. In the first he moved all-in for 605,000 from the cut-off and was called by big blind Miko Jaatinen, who had 480,000 total. Jaatinen had pocket sevens, Calia [Ad][8s] and he did not improve. On the second Calia moved all-in for his last 121,000 and Konstantin Bilyauer made the call having already invested 40,000 from the big blind.

Calia: [Kd][9d]

Bilyauer: [7h][4c]

The board ran out [Jh][4d][6h][2c][3c] Bilyauer’s flopped pair of fours was enough to send Calia to the rail. —NW

1.38pm: Nicolo Calia eliminated in 7th place for €47,000

Details with you shortly.

1.34pm: First double-up of the day

Russian Dmitry Vitkind has emerged from being in a dominated position to double-up to more than 900,000. He moved all-in from the small blind after Mikko Jaatinen raised from mid-position. Jaatinen called with [ac][kc] and was in great shape against Vitkind’s [ah][jh].

That all changed on the [3c][qh][5h][7d][4h] board with Vitkind making a flush on the river. Konstantin Bilyauer openly showed his delight by cheering at his fellow countryman’s result. —MC

1.29pm: Jaatinen jams

From the small blind Arnaud Mattern raised to 100,000, from the big blind Mikko Jaatinen quickly moved all-in for 900,000 in total, just as fast Mattern released his hand. -NW

1.25pm: Dutch delight

A limped pot is a rare thing at this final table but that’s what just happened. Konstantin Bilyauer completed from the small blind and Steven van Zadelhoff checked his option. On

the [3d][8s][10h] flop Bilyauer check-folded to van Zadelhoff’s bet of 75,000. —NW

1.20pm: Picking on the chip leader

Arnaud Mattern is getting used to folding at the moment. He raised to 90,000 from under-the-gun but folded to a button three-bet to 280,000 from Kevin Stani. The very next hand he folded from the big blind when Dmitry Vitkind moved all-in from the small blind. Something tells me that this won’t affect him too much, though. —MC

1.15pm: Chip leaders applying the pressure

The last three pots have been won uncontested pre-flop. Two have gone to Arnaud Mattern, the other to Konstantin Bilyauer. Between them the two of them have almost eight million of the 12 million chips in play. —NW

1.10pm: Mattern lets one go

Arnaud Mattern is looking to pick his spots wisely as he tries to navigate his way to a victory. He let a hand go after Mikko Jaatinen three-bet him all-in for over 600,000. Mattern raised to 95,000 from the button before the Finn made his move from the small blind. The Frenchman lifted up his cards ([ks][tc]) for all behind to see and folded after giving it a minute’s thought. —MC

1.05pm: Bilyauer building with a boat

And yet again the Russian bested Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern. The Frenchman opened to 95,000 on the button and was flat called by Konstantin Bilyauer from the big blind. Both players checked the flop of [7s][Qs][Ac] and the pattern was repeated on the [Jd] turn. The [Qc] fell on the river and the Russian led out for 260,000, Mattern announced call. Bilyauer showed [Jc][Jh] to claim the pot. Mattern is at least losing small pots and winning the big ones. — NW

1.02pm: All-in and fold

Kevin Stani opened to 90,00 from the cut-off, Nicolo Calia was next to act and the Italian moved all-in for 545,000. It folded back to Stani and he elected to fold. — NW

12.52pm: Bassam Elnajjar elimination details

Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern has extended his chip lead by eliminating Bassam Elnajjar. Mattern raised from under-the-gun to 95,000 (second hand in a row he’d raised) before Mikko Jaatinen three-bet to 265,000 from the next seat along. The Elnajjar moved all-in for 860,000 from the small blind.

Mattern got a count of both players’ stacks, thought about his decision for a minute and then moved all-in. The Finn folded to leave it as a heads-up showdown:

Mattern: [ac][ad]

Elnajjar: [ah][qh]

The flop came [3h][jh][5s] giving Elnajjar a flush draw, bu the [6s] turn and [qs] river handed the pot to the Frenchman.

Remember you can review the chip counts, which are being updated constantly, on our chip count page. —MC

12.48pm: Bassam Elnajjar eliminated in 8th place for €32,000

He was busted by chip leader Arnaud Mattern – details to follow in a few moments. — SY

12.38pm: First all-in of the day

Steven van Zadelhoff has become the first player to move all-in today. Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Matter raised to 95,000 from the cut-off before the Dutchman moved all-in for around 800,000 from the BB. Mattern asked for a count before passing. —MC

12.30pm: Mattern continues to run good

He had the button on the first hand! Steven Van Zadelhoff raised to 95,000 from under the gun 1 and took the pot down uncontested. —NW

12.27pm: And we’re off!

The EPT Tallinn final table has begun! Here are your players – all friends for now… — SY

12.25pm: Short delay

Things are a little slow in getting going, what with player interviews and pictures to get done and dusted. We’ll be under way shortly. — SY

11.55pm: Welcome to Final Table day at EPT Tallinn:

The final eight players return today after four long days of poker with the aim of claiming the inaugural EPT Tallinn title. Team Poker Stars Pro Arnaud Mattern leads the way with 3.72 million chips but not too far behind are Kevin Stani and Konstantin Bilyauer. Between them, the three have around three-quarters of the chips in play. A certain five players from Finland, The Netherlands, Lebanon, Italy and Russia still have a say in this tournament though and cannot be counted out.

It’s final table day so the start of play will be a little delayed while the players do all their interviews and have their photos taken. Be sure to join us back here shortly for the start of play. In the interest of fair play we will start play at the beginning of Level 25 rather than play out the remaining 14 minutes that was left on the clock last night.

PokerStars Blog reporting team (in order of staff sit and go placings last night): Nick Wright (1st), Simon Young (2nd), Marc Convey and Rick Dacey (these fish were way down the field).

All photos © Neil Stoddart

This EPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events Europe has to offer at Europe.

7.35pm: Done for the day

With the elimination of Jonathan Weekes play is done for the day. The final eight will return at 12pm tomorrow to battle for the first prize of €400,000. Leading the way is Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern who is still in with a shout of becoming the first two-time EPT winner. A full wrap of today’s dramas will be with you shortly. —NW

7.34pm: Final table chips

Here’s what they’ll be sitting down with tomorrow. Arnaud Mattern should sleep well tonight: — SY

Arnaud Mattern, France, Team PokerStars Pro, 3,720,000

Kevin Stani, Norway, PokerStars qualifier, 2,586,000

Konstantin Bilyauer, Russia, 2,498,000

Mikko Jaatinen, Finland, 1,166,000

Steven van Zadelhoff, Netherlands, 805,000

Bassam Elnajjar, Lebanon, 744,000

Nicolo Calia, Italy, 637,000

Dmitry Vitkind, Russia, PokerStars qualifier, 502,000

7.30pm: Johnathan Weekes eliminated in 9th place

There will be no British player at the final table of EPT Tallinn as Jonathan Weekes has been eliminated in ninth place. It folded to Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern in the small blind and he raised to 115,000, Jonathan Weekes moved all-in for 690,000 and before his chips had crossed the line Mattern had announced call.

Weekes: [Ah][8d]

Mattern: [As][Qs]

Flop: [Qd][Js][3h]

Mattern was now well in the lead

Turn: [9h]

Weekes could win by hitting a ten.

River: [4s]

It was not to be and the Brit shook hands with Mattern as he left the table. The Team PokerStars pro is the chip leader with 3,950,000. —NW

7.20pm: 2.5 million chip race

Kevin Stani is up to over 2.5 million chips after winning a race against chip leader (former now) Konstantin Bilyauer. Bilyauer opened to 95,000 and then called the 1.251 million all-in push from the Norwegian. Big showdown hand:

Biliauer: [as][kh]

Stani: [jd][jc]

The board ran [2s][th][9c][4d][qs] to send the monster pot Stani’s way. -MC

7.10pm: Orange chips

They’re worth 25,000 each and were introduced when the players combined to one table. A few hands ago Jonathan Weekes moved all-in from the cut off for approximately 700,000 and received no callers. He did though get a cheer from a couple of friends of his on the rail and he turned to them and said: “Woo, got my first orange chip,” he’ll be hoping to get his hands on a lot more of them no doubt. —NW

7.05pm: Back to no flops

In a succession of hands we saw all the action conclude before the dealer had a chance to impress with her flop-dealing skills.

Hand 1: It’s folded around to Kevin Stani in the small blind, who moves all-in to take the blinds and antes.

Hand 2: Steven van Zadelhoff makes it 95,000 from the cut off, and Stani moves all in for the second hand running, from the button. It’s 1,150,000 total for Van Zadelhoff, and that’s too much.

Hand 3: Konstantin Bilyauer makes it 100,000 and takes the blinds and antes.

Hand 4: This time it’s folded around to Nicolo Calia and the Italian moves all in for his 450,000 – and takes the blinds and antes. — SY

6.55pm: Big stacks playing pots

The two biggest stacks at the table Konstantin Bilyauer and Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern have certainly not been afraid to play pots against each other. In a recent example Mattern made it 95,000 to go pre-flop from middle position and Bilyauer called on the button. The flop fell [4h][As][6h] Mattern check folded to Bilyauer’s bet of 180,000. —NW

6.45pm: Abusing the bubble?

There are two bubbles in every tournament; the money bubble and the final table bubble. At both junctures you’ll find big stacks trying to put pressure on the smaller stacks, playing on the fact they have the chips to bust them. It’s a powerful weapon to have as no-one wants to bust in 9th and miss out on the shenanigans tomorrow.

Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern put in a three-bet to 265,000 from the BB after Nicolo Calia raised to 100,000 from the hijack. Calia had around a million back and thought for an age before folding. Mattern over the three million mark now. —MC

6.30pm: Dmitry doubles

The first showdown of the ‘final table’ was of the all-in variety. Bassam Elnajjar opened to 92,000 from middle position and next to act Dmitry Vitkind moved all-in for 288,000. It folded back to Elnajjar who called:

Vitkind: [Ad][Jc]

Elnajjar: [Ac][10d]

The board ran out [Js][3c][2s][Qc][8d]. Elnajjar is down to around 750,000. —NW

6.25pm: Level up

We’re into level 25. There was no break as players just had one when they were breaking to one table.

6.15pm: I see no flops

It’s all raise and take at the moment, so not a lot of detail on this one except to say Kevin Stani, Arnaud Mattern, Nicolai Callio, Konstantin Balyaur and Bassam Elnajjar have all raised pre-flop to take the blinds and antes. — SY

6.10pm: Play resumes

There is eight minutes left of Level 24.

6.05pm: Final Nine Table draw and chip counts

Seat one: Konstantin Bilyauer — 3,869,000

Seat two: Steven van Zadelhoff — 843,000

Seat three: PokerStars qualifier Kevin Stani — 1,048,000

Seat four: Nicolo Calia — 628,000

Seat five: Bassam Elnajjar — 1,029,000

Seat six: Dmitry Vitkind — 368,000

Seat seven: Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern — 2,900,000

Seat eight: PokerStars qualifier Jonathan Weekes — 758,000

Seat nine: - Mikko Jaatinen: - 1,472,000

5.55pm: Bilyauer wins another big pot

At the same time as Vallo Maidla was being eliminated on table two, a big hand played out on table one. Kevin Stani opened to 70,000 on the button and was three-bet by Arnaud Mattern to 255,000 total. Next to act was Konstantin Bilyauer and he cold four bet to 630,000 total. Stani looked pained, he took his sunglasses off, starred at Bilyauer and thought for a long time. He had perhaps 1,000,000 back. No one was quite sure what he was going to do, perhaps even Stani himself? Eventually he folded.

Team PokerStars Pro Mattern no asked of Bilyauer, “Will you show if I fold?” The Russian didn’t answer, Mattern and Bilyauer are the two biggest stacks both with over 3,000,000. Eventually Mattern folded [Jd][Js] face up, Bilyauer responded in kind showing [ad][kd]. Stani intimated that he had folded the best hand, claiming he had pocket queens. —NW

5.50pm: Re-draw

The remaining nine players are now being sat at one table following a redraw, the details of which will follow shortly. This is not the ‘real’ final table, of course, as we need to lose one more player to make a proper final table of eight. — SY

5.45pm: Vallo Maidla eliminated in 10th place for €25,000

The Estonian moved all in for his last 293,000 with [qc][10c] and got a call from Finland’s Mikko Jaatinen who tabled [5d][5s]. Jaatinen, with more than a million chips, had Maidla well covered, and took all his chips when the board ran a harmless [6d][9s][7s][2d][kh]. — SY

5.40pm: Poor old Vitkind

Dmitry Vitkind is the short stack with 300,000 and by his expressions every time he looks at this cards and folds he’s very card dead. To make matters even worse for him he just got a walk in the BB and that would normally be a good thing but when you have ace-king you certainly want action. He open folded and gave out an almost resigned laugh. —MC

5.35pm: Igor Ivashkiv eliminated in 11th place for €18,000

Bassam Elnajjar was the assassin. He opened to 92,000 from early position and Ivashkiv moved all-in for 326,000 from the small blind, Elnajjar quickly called.

Ivashkiv: [Ac][6s]

Elnajjar: [Ah][Jd]

The board ran out [7d][3d][4s][4d][9h]. One more elimination and they’ll be a re-draw of the final nine. —NW

5.20pm: Small one for the Norwegian

Steven van Zadelhoff and Kevin Stani have been at it again in the blinds. Once again it was a limped pot, this it brought a [3d][kh][2c] flop. Stani check-called a 65,000 bet before they checked through the [7s] turn. The river came [ks] and the Norwegian led for 130,000 prompting a fold from Van Zadelhoff. Van Zadelhoff on around 800,000 to Stani’s 1.45 million. —MC

5.10pm: Mattern takes a nibble

Arnaud Mattern just reminded Konstantin Bilyauer that this tournament has more than one big stack.

It was folded around to the Frenchman in the small blind who raised to 65,000. On his left, the big stack of Bilyauer, who made the call. Both checked the [js][7d][ah] flop, but on the [kh] turn Mattern made it 75,000 – again Bilyauer called. When the [9c] fell on the river, Mattern wasted no time in firing out 140,000 – call. Mattern had [ad][10d], Bilyauer [as][4s].

With that, Mattern rose to 2,650,000 and Bilyauerwas pegged back to 3,275,000. — SY

5.05pm: Konstantin continues to crush

His stack is only going in one direction at the moment, upwards. He just won a meaty pot against Jonathan Weekes. The British player raised under the gun (I missed the exact amount but it was around 75,000) and was called by Bilyauer in the big blind. The flop fell [Qh][8c][Js], Bilyauer checked, Weekes bet 130,000 and Bilyauer called. On the [10c] turn Bilyauer led out for 230,000, Weekes had around 600,000 total and elected to fold. —NW

4.55pm: Small one for the Dutchman

Steven van Zadelhoff has taken a small pot off Kevin Stani in a battle of the blinds. A limped pot brought a [5s][6s][3h] flop where Van Zadelhoff called a 30,000 bet to see the [ah] turn. Stani check-called a 55,000 bet before they checked through the [kc] river. Van Zadelhoff tabled [ts][5h] and it was good as his Norwegian opponent folded. —MC

4.40pm: Bilyauer busts Ojala to extend lead

Well, life is good when your’e running well. So it is for Konstantin Vilyaver, who has just knocked out Toni Ojala to increase his lead further over second-placed Arnaud Mattern.

Bilyauer opened with a raise to 70,000 – and then called when Ojala moved all-in for 335,000. Ojala had a good deal of hope, his [ad][jd] not far behind the Russian’s [8s][8d], but the [5h][6h][8d] flop ended his tournament life there and then. Ojala leaves with €18,000, while Bilyaver soars to 3,350,000 chips. — SY

4.30pm: Jaatinen slow plays Teran out the tourney

Oscar Teran limped in the small blind and Mikko Jaatinen checked behind. The Venezuelan led the [8s][9c][3h] flop for 55,000 and was raised to 155,000 by the Finn. Teran called for a large chunk of his stack and put the remainder, some 130,000, in on the [th] turn. Jaatinen slowly called.

Teran: [jc][td]

Jaatinen: [as][ac]

Teran had plenty of outs, 13 if you want to count them, but none of them arrived and Teran is out in 13th for €14,000. That’s also a fifteen minute break and another jump in the blinds. — RD

4.20pm: Bukara busted by Bilyauer

Massive pot alert, a pot of 3,200,000 to be exact. It all started innocently enough, Perica Bukara opened to 58,000 from the cut off and was called by Konstantin Bilyauer in the big blind. On the flop of [7h][10h][3s], Bilyauer check-called a bet of 80,000. The [7c] turn was where it all went off though. Bilyauer checked again, this time Bukara fired a bet of 180,000. Bilyauer then check-raised to 410,000 total. Bukara began to tank, their stacks were pretty close, both had almost 1,500,000 before the turn action. After a few minutes Bukara quietly announced all-in. You could see Bilyauer was not that happy but after less than 10 seconds he called.

Bukara: [9s][6c]

Bilyauer: [9h][7d]

The river [10d] paired the board and gave Bilyauer a full house. Tournament staff counted down the stacks and Bilyauer with 1,472,000 had Bukara covered by less than 20,000. He now has just over 3,200,000 and is a monster chip leader. —NW

4.15pm: Storakers knocked out by Stani

Johan Storakers raised from the button to 57,000 and Kevin Stani three-bet from the small blind to 115,000. Storakers thought for a short time before moving in with [6s][6h]. Stani did not slow roll his [as][ac] and Storakers did not catch up. Storakers is out in 15th. Toni Ojala is teh unlucky short stack to move from the chip-lite table to the big dog table. Good luck! — RD

4pm: A showdown!

They’ve been rare have showdowns in the first 45 minutes of level 23 but one happened recently at table two. From under the gun 2 Mikko Jaatinen raised to 55,000 and got a solitary caller in the shape of big blind Dmitry Vitkind. It checked all the way down on the [4s][Qd][Jh][5s][2s] board, Jaatinen showing [10s][10c] to win the pot. Vitkind wasted little time in getting his chips back, moving all-in the next two hands and getting no callers. —NW

3.55pm: Runner-runner-runner-runner

Mikko Jaatinen is up to 740,000 after doubling-up through neighbour Igor Ivashkiv. The former opened shoved from the cut-off and was called by Ivashkiv on the button. Jaatinen had one over with his [ah][9h] to Ivashkiv’s [jh][jd] but it was his undercard that saved him on the [2s][td][8h][qs][js] board. Four cards to a straight and he virtually swaps stack sizes with Ivashkiv who is down to 485,000. —MC

3.50pm: Javed Abrahams mashed by Mattern

Arnaud Mattern has added another scalp to his tournament by knocking out Javed Abrahams in 16th. Jon Weekes had opened for 60,000 and Abrahams had moved all-in for 355,000. Before the action could get back round to Weekes Arnaud Mattern got involved forcing Weekes out of the pot.

Abrahams: [tc][th]

Mattern: [kd][kc]

The [5h][4c][7d][7h][qd] board didn’t bring a ten and that was that for Abrahams. We’re down to 15 players. — RD

3.45pm: Bukara bests Van Zadelhoff

From under the gun 1 Perica Bukara made his standard raise to 52,000 and was flat called by Steven van Zadelhoff. On the [4d][7d][3s] Bukara bet 80,000 and van Zafelhoff called. Both players checked the [3d][4c] turn and river, Bukara showing [8c][8d] to win the pot. —NW

3.40pm: Russia helps Italy out

Nicolo Calia has doubled up to 750,000 through Russian Dmitry Vitkind. Calia opened the pot with a raise to 52,000 from the cut-off and was called by Bassam Elnajjar in the SB before Vitkind three-bet to 145,000 from the BB. Calia quickly moved all-in for 347,000 and was committed to the pot so called when Elnajjar folded. Showdown:

Calia: [ks][js]

Vitkind: [5h][5c]

The board came [6d][9h][2c][kc][3c]. “Nice play” said the laughing Russian as he handed over some stacks of chips. He’s down to 360,000 now. —MC

3.35pm: An orbit at table one

One flop, one all-in, one three-bet and no showdowns, that’s an accurate summation of what happened at table one during the first orbit of level 23. Johan Storakers moved all-in for 390,000 over the top of a Javed Abrahams small blind raise of 70,000. Kevin Stani three-bet Jonathan Weekes 60,000 open to 155,000 and Arnaud Mattern bet the flop and turn of a [Qs][2s][7d][7h] board in a hand against Konstantin Bilyauer, the Russian folding on the turn. Cagey stuff right now. -NW

3.25pm: Steady as she goes

With two tables remaining, we’ve split our reporting duties so we have each tabled covered at the same time. I just had a shift at the ‘short-stack table’, and can report nothing has happened since the break. Nick Wright has been watching the ‘big-stack table’, and by the looks of it not a great deal is going on there either.

For the record, I had a few raise-and-takes from Oscar Teran, and one from Dmitry Vitkind. Meanwhile another hand was folded around to Nicolo Calia in the big blind, and he showed his [ah][js] with disappointment. — SY

3.15pm: Check out the chip stacks

The players are on their way back from the break so we thought we’d take a quick look at how the chip stacks balance out. Table one is heaving with around 8.24m chips while table two has just 3.827m. It’s a massive difference and could lead to one huge chip leader going into the final table should there be mjaor smash ups on table one.

Table One

Seat one: Johan Storakers— 482,000

Seat two: Kevin Stani— 825,000

Seat three: Perica Bukara— 1,438,000

Seat four: Steven van Zadelhoff— 1,055,000

Seat five: Arnaud Mattern — 1,877,000

Seat six: Konstantin Bilyauer — 1,548, 000

Seat seven: Jonathan Weekes — 1,119,000

Seat eight: Javed Abrahams — 475,000

Table two

Seat one: Oscar Teran — 443,000

Seat two: Mikko Jaatinen — 278,000

Seat three: Igor Ivashkiv -751,000

Seat four: Nicolo Calia - 293,000

Seat five: Vallo Maidla — 463,000

Seat six: Bassam Elnajjar — 499,000

Seat seven: Dmitry Vitkind — 680,000

Seat eight: Toni Ojala — 420,000

Cards are in the air as we play down to the final eight. — RD

PokerStars Blog reporting team: Simon Young, Rick Dacey, Marc Convey and Nick Wright.

All photos © Neil Stoddart

This EPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events Europe has to offer at Europe.

It’s traditional to tell a performer to ‘break a leg’ before he takes to the stage, but it’s something we can’t say to Arnaud Mattern because he already has broken his leg in an ill-advised tennis match in Las Vegas during the recent WSOP. Instead, I suppose a more conservative bon chance will have to do for the French Team PokerStars Pro, who returns for Day 4 of EPT Tallinn tomorrow as one of the chip leaders.

The reason for all this bonhomie from us grumps here on the PokerStars Blog is not just because Mattern is one of our prized performers, but more so because he has a real chance of becoming the first ever double EPT champion.

There’s been a monkey on the back of every former EPT winner (57, count them), with none able to repeat their achievement, despite several close calls. Mattern, with 1,155,000 chips at play’s end tonight, has a very good shout. Come on, Monsieur Mattern, we don’t care about animal rights; kill that cheeky chimp once and for all. We never want to see it again.

Mattern, who won EPT Prague back in Season 4 for just over $1million, came from nowhere in the last few levels of play to be the first to break through the million-chip barrier. Having built up a stack with some power plays that included busting fellow Team PokerStars Pro Vadim Markushevski, Mattern moved to a table that was already graced by Luca Pagano (more on him in a little bit) and Jonathan Weekes, who began the day as chip leader.

It wasn’t long before Mattern won a succession of big pots, including one against Weekes and another against Eddie Tasbas, the Swede whose impressive beard belies his age. He was only 21 last week.

While Mattern gives his large caliber, monkey-hunting blunderbuss a polish tonight, there are those determined that it should be unnecessary for him to use it. As well as Weekes (872,000), the Serbian Perica Bukara, who was Day 1B chip leader, has his own eyes on the title and €400,000 first prize here in Tallinn. He sits with 1,326,000 and the overnight chip lead.

The other main challenger is Konstantin Bilyaver, who soared to 1,240,000 by the end of play after an extraordinary hand on Mattern’s table. On a [9s][ah][10c] flop, Bilyaver, Steven van Zadelhoff and Chady Merhej were all in. The reason for this apparent madness?

Merhej: [9c][9h]

Van Zadelhoff: [ad][9d]

Bilyaver: [10d][10s]

So set over set, over two pair. The turn and river blanked, more or less tripling up the man from Russia.

Team PokerStars Pro Ivan Demidov, our new best friend because he reads our updates on his iPad between hands, is another who will sleep well tonight. He was a real force in the early skirmishes today, then lost half his stack in a massive hand against Day 1A chip leader Ali Tekintamgac. The German’s kings overtook Demidov’s aces when a king hit the flop. But while Tekintamgac went out in 36th for €7,200, Demidov got back in it to end the day with 729,000. Johan Storakers from Sweden was another strong finisher with 656,000.

But for all those happy faces, there were others who were left looking distinctly grumpy – or at least a little unhappy. Luca Pagano had made it to his record-lengthening 15th EPT cash, a quite brilliant achievement, after easing through the bubble with more than 300,000 chips. But a horrible hand against Mikko Jaatinen, who cracked the Italian Team PokerStars Pro’s aces with pocket jacks, left him perilously short with little more than 100,000. He busted soon after in 26th place (€8,000) when his A-6 was overtaken by Van Zadelhoff’s K-10.

Leaving with nothing today were the likes of Team PokerStars Pros Katja Thater, Michael Keiner and Vadim Markushevski. Thater was floored by Friend of PokerStars Pierre Neuville when her pocket queens were overtaken by his A-K, an ace falling on the river. “I’m very sorry,” said Neuville. Probably not as sorry as Thater. Keiner had been short-stacked all day and never got going, while Markushevski showed early promise before falling to that man Mattern.

Neuville, the so-called Serial PokerStars Qualifier (he won a mere six packages to Tallinn on PokerStars) did leave with some cash a little later. He started the day splendidly, securing two double ups, but that was as good as it got. He finished in 41st place for €6,700 when he ran his A-K into Seppo Parkkinen’s pocket sixes and failed to get there.

So, having started the day with 84 players, we’re now down to 25. Somewhere in there is our EPT Tallinn champion. He (and since there are no ladies left we can be sure of that) could be any one of them, but we have nailed our flag to the mast of that man Mattern. Come Monday night, we hope to be rid of the monkey forever.

To see how things stand right now, you’ll find the full chip counts over on the, er, chip count page, and you can see who has made the money so far by clicking on the – you guessed it – payouts page. Catch up with all of our coverage today by clicking on some or all (that makes us happy) of the links below:

Levels 19 & 20

Levels 17 & 18

Levels 15 & 16

Once you’ve done that, you can further your linguistic skills by trying to make sense of it all in confusing Swedish and also in perplexing German.

Our thanks as ever goes to our EPT snapper Neil Stoddart, who continues to set the standard for people who walk around with expensive-looking camera equipment.

See you tomorrow. No primate lovers allowed, however.

All photos © Neil Stoddart

This EPT is brought to you by PokerStars, the official sponsor of the European Poker Tour. Win your way into the biggest events Europe has to offer at Europe.

6.02pm: Break!

That’s level 18 out of the way. Players are now on a 15-minute break. 39 remain, and we’ll be playing down to 24 tonight. — SY

6pm: Storakers rakes it in

Michal Polchlopek raised from the cut-off to 19,000 and was three-bet to 54,000 by Johan Storakers. Polchlopek made the call. Storakers led the [9d][ts][5s] flop for 85,000 and again the Polish called. Both checked down the [qc] turn and [7s] river before Storakers showed [ah][td] to win the pot. The 140,000 he’d gained from Polchlopek has put him up to 935,000. It’s turning into quite some stack. — RD

5.58pm: Neuville no more

Friend of PokerStars Pierre Neuville is out, running A-K into the pocket sixes of Seppo Parkkinen from Finland. The Serial PokerStars qualifier was unable to win the race, and must now wait until EPT Vilamoura to try his luck again. — SY

5.56pm: Abrahams doubles another player

Javed Abrahams has doubled another player at his table. Attilio Donato raised to 20,000 to see Abrahams three-bet to 50,000 from the next seat. His response was to move all-in for 84,000. Call.

Abrahams: [th][ts]

Donato: [kh][kd]

The board ran [ks][4s][9c][4h][qc]. It’s been a bad level for the young Brit as he slips to a below average 280,000. —MC

5.55pm Poland 1 Norway 1

Kevin Stani and Michal Polchlopek seem to be having a running battle against each other. Just now Stani evened the score by taking a pot off the Pole. I missed the pre-flop action but with 48,000 in the pot, it suggested that Stani had raised from under the gun 1 and been called by Polchlopek on the button. Both players praticed avoidance on the [As][5s][7c] flop, but come the [3s] turn, the spirited Stani bet out for 32,000 forcing a fold from Polchopek. —NW

5.52pm: Big pass

Igor Ivashkiv opened the button for 18,500 and was three-bet by Eddie Tasbas in the big blind to 58,000. Ivaskiv moved all-in and Tasbas went into the tank. He looked genuinely pained as he tugged at his beard before eventually passing [jh][js] face up. — RD

5.50pm: Top pair good enough

Steven van Zadelhoff raised to 16,500 from the button and got a call from Konstantin Bilyaver in the small blind and Carlo Federico Bordogna in the big. On the [ks][7c][4s] flop it was checked to Van Zadelhoff who made it 31,000. Only Bilyaver called.

The turn was [3d] and Bilyaver checked again, allowing the Dutchman to bet 82,000. With that, Bilyaver moved all in for around 200,000, forcing a swift fold. He showed [kc][jh] for a winning top pair. — SY

5.40pm: Another loss for Weekes

It’s another tough spot for Jonathan Weekes. Following his loss of chips in the hand decribed just a few minutes ago(scroll down), the young Brit has lost another 150,000 to Antti Kärkkäinen of Finland.

Luca Pagano had kicked it off with an opening raise to 25,000. Weekes re-raised by another 27,000 – then Kärkkäinen moved all in for around 150,000. Pagano got out of the way and Weekes made the call with [9s][9c].

He was up against the Finn’s [ah][kd], and all looked good on the [3s][5h][2h] flop – and on the [2s] turn. But the [ac] on the river was enough to keep Kärkkäinen alive and send Weekes down to 300,000. — SY

5.30pm: Bevand busted

Eddie Tasbas was the assassin, he raised under the gun to 20,100 and called Bevand’s shove of 103,000.

Tasbas: [Ah][Ks]

Bevand: [Kh][Qh]

The board ran out [8d][6h][9s][2s][Jc], throughout Tasbas was shouting for a queen! The Swede couldn’t have played in this event had it started ten days earlier as, despite possessing a fine beard, he’s amazingly only just turned 21. Tallinn is an over 21 event. We personally checked his I.D to verify this. —NW

5.25pm: Weekes falling back

Overnight chip leader Jonathan Weekes is being pegged back, bit by bit. Just now he lost another chunk of his stack, taking him down to 500,000. He and Oleg Makovenko saw a board of [7c][6h][7h][2d] and Weekes called Makovenko’s 8,000 bet (there was around 60,000 in the pot already). On the [ks] river, Makevenko checked, then called Weekes’ 70,000 bet – finding [8h][8d] were ahead of Weekes’ [ah][jd]. — SY

5.20pm: Cohen’s nine lives

Ouri Cohen is hanging around stubbornly and is up to around 100,000 after doubling-up through Javed Abrahams. Abrahams made it 16,000 to go and then called the 48,500 push from Cohen. Showdown:

Cohen: [9c][9s]

Abrahams: [ac][4c]

The board ran [jh][4d][kd][3h][qd]. Abrahams still okay on 380,000. —MC

5.10pm: Swede on Swede action

The Swedes seem to love getting involved with each other. First Mattias Jorstedt opened to 17,500 and was shoved on by Eddie Tasbas for 81,000 from the big blind. Jorstedt passed and said: “That’s an interesting game,” when he was shown [kc][9c] by Tasbas.

The bearded swede shoved again the very next hand when the action was folded to him in the small blind. Frederik Boberg instantly called eliciting a “Oh wow” from Tasbas who knew he was in trouble with his [ad][3s]. And he was right, Boberg held [ac][kd]. Tasbas needed a miracle river when he board ran out [6h][th][9c][as] and that’s exactly what he got with the [3d] dropping. Tasbas is up to 220,000 and Boberg down to 100,000. — RD

5pm: Linov loving it

Matvey Linov just eliminated Kestutis Slankauskas, the latter moved all-n for 76,500 with [Ad][10d], Linov called with pocket nines, which held. With that elimination another table has been broken leaving six tables still going. —NW

4.45pm: Hilarious mix up

“Time,” called Matvey Linov after being forced to wait through a large chunk of the break by Heinz Kamutzki on the river of a [2d][8c][7d][qc][kc] board. “But I checked a long time ago. I was about to call the clock on you!” said Kamutzki. Linov grinned and bet. Kamutzki passed with five minutes left of the break. — RD

4.32: BREAK TIME

The end of level 17 has come. 15 minute break for the players

4.30pm: Blind battle

Mattias Jorstedt is up to 460,000 after winning a blind battle versus Jussi Jaatinen. The board read [9s][ad][7s][ah] at the turn and Jaatinen led for 20,500 only to be raised to 46,000. He called to go to the [4c] river where they both checked. Jaatinen had missed a flush draw with [qs][js] so the Swede scooped with [qh][7c]. Jaatinen down to 222,000. —MC

4.25pm: Poland 1 Norway 0

A very long winded hand just played out between Poland’s Michal Polchlopek (cut off) and Norway’s Kevin Stani (big blind). With around 37,000 in the pot, Stani led for 16,000 on the [9h][Ks][7h] [7d] board. Polchlopek was a non believer and made it 55,000 total. Stani now tanked for a couple of minutes before smooth calling. The river fell the [Jd], Stani dwelled for a minute before checking to Polchopek. The Pole fired another barrel, this time 80,000. Stani now tanked again, for a long time, he cut out the 80,000 to call from his stack of around 360,000 and several times looked as if he was on the verge of calling. After a solid five minutes thinking time, he asked Polchopek: "Will you show if I fold,’ Polchopek had been starring at a spot on the felt the entire time and didn’t flinch. Eventually Stani made what seemed like a reluctant fold. —NW

4.10pm: Calling his exit card

Sasa Stancic called for king on the river and it duly came but the only problem was that this card made his opponent a straight to eliminate him.

Michal Polchlopek opened to 14,000 from under-the-gun and was called by Stancic in the BB to see a [tc][6h][2d] flop. Stancic checked and Polchlopek put him all-in as he only has 11,500 left. Stanic shrugged and called with [ad][jh] but he was ahead of Polchlopek’s [qh][jh] and it got better with the [ac] on the turn. Then for some reason Stancic called for a king and the dealer dealt the [ks] on the river to eliminate him. —MC

4.05pm: Berda busts but is smiling

Earlier we mentioned how Tomer Berda scraped into the money with two big blinds. He must’ve doubled up since then but he’s now out. He opened to 15,000 under the gun 1, leaving himself one solitary 5,000 chip behind the betting line. From the small blind Chady Merhej isolated to 30,000 total. Team PokerStars Pro Arnaud Mattern then made it 100,000 to go from the big blind. Berda put his single chip in the pot, but Merhej did not put anymore in, electing to fold.

Mattern: [Qc][Qd]

Berda: [Kd][9d]

The board a decisive [Ac][Qs][4d][Js][9c], Mattern – who has been getting a rather pleasant massage – now has around 500,000. —NW

4pm: The traditional Luca Pagano cash post

Well, this one does what it says on the tin. Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano has now extended his record-breaking run of EPT cashes to 15. The Italian has a terrific ability to go deep in tournaments, and with the bubble now burst in Tallinn he’ll be adding to his $1.1million in EPT winnings.

Right now he has over 310,000 chips and is looking for another deep run, hoping to reach his seventh final table.

It seems appropriate to use a picture of the great man, wouldn’t you think? — SY

3.55pm: Dalimore done and dusted

Brit Mark Dalimore moved all-in for his last 40,000 and was called by Jussi Jaatinen.

Dalimore: [Kc][10c]

Jaatinen: [7c][7s]

The board a sweat inducing yet ultimately fruitless [2d][As][Qh][Qc][7h]. With that pot Jaatinen is up to 270,000. —NW

3.45pm: The bubble has burst

From the small blind Chady Merhej raised to 15,000, next to act Yotam Bar-Yosef moved all-in for 96,500 and was snap called, Bar-Yosef was at risk.

Merhej: [Qd][Qc]

Bar-Yosef: [2h][2s]

Flop: [Ah][4h][3d]

Bar-Yosef had a draw

Turn: [Jh]

Bar Yosef picked up some more outs

River: [8c]

Perhaps the most relieved man in the room was Tomer Berda, he was at the same table with a stack of just 12,000 (two big blinds) and the big blind was due to hit him next. Berda among with 55 others is now guaranteed €6,350. —NW

3.25pm: Bubble time

Matvey Linov has eliminated Robert Peltecci to take us to the bubble. Peltecci open shoved for 36,500 from early position with [ah][qd] but ran into Linov’s [ac][ad] from the SB. The board ran [jh][4d][9s][7c][6c]. The multiple short stacks around the room can breathe a little easier now—MC

3.15pm: Hand for hand

Tournament director Thomas Kremser has just announced that play is now hand for hand. There are 58 remaining, 56 make the money. —NW

3.10pm: Bevand takes one down

Manuel Bevand moved all-in from middle position, and in turn no less than three players tanked and considered calling. The last of these was Mark Dalimore who folded [Ks][Qs] from the big blind. Bevand showed pocket fives. One of the other players who folded claimed to have sixes. Bevand let out a big smile at this news. —NW

3.07pm: Here we go again

Players are filing back for what will be a crucial level of tournament poker. We’re just two spots of the money, so expect a small slow-down before the chips start flying again.

Jonathan Weekes is still the likely chip leader with 757,000. The Londoner, who often plays at the Vic Casino, is mates with EPT Berlin winner Kevin MacPhee – so maybe some of his championship luck has rubbed off.

PokerStars Blog reporting team (in order of time they left the PokerStars party): Simon Young (1am), Marc Convey and Rick Dacey (4am), and Nick Wright (the big girl’s blouse never even went there)

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