6.42pm: Break


That’s the end of the level. We’re now on a 15-minute break. — SY

6.38pm: The scores on the doors


A quick appraisal of the chip stacks shows that Roberto Romanello is leading with around 10 million chips to Horecki’s 3 million and Emilliano Bono’s 3.6 million. If Romanello should be the next player to win a large all-in he would have an almost unassailable lead in the heads up. Should Horecki double through he stands a great chance to take on Romanello. If it’s Bono who makes it to the heads-up he will have to open up his game, he’s been playing incredibly tight and has been managing to find hands when absolutely necessary. — RD

6.25pm: Great call by Romanello


Roberto Romanello just made a great call against Marcin Horecki to seize firm control over this finale. He raised to 245,000 from the button and Horecki defended from the big blind to see the Q67 flop where the action went check-check. The turn came 5 and Horecki took over the initiative with a 265,000 bet was soon facing a raise to 575,000. Call.

The river came an interesting looking 2 and Horecki led for 680,000. This sent Romanello so deep into the tank he needed a special blind of nitrox to keep breathing. He emerged and made the call. “Nice call,” said Horecki as he slid his cards into the muck. Romanello tabled 97 to take the pot and move to over 11 million in chips. Horecki was left with 3.2 million and Bono is still singing with 3.8 million. — MC

6.15pm: Three, two, one…


We’re still waiting for that car crash to take place with the last six pots being settled pre-flop. Roberto Romanello has taken three post, Emilliano Bono two and Marcin Horecki just one. — RD

6.12pm: How do we get home


Team PokerStars Blog is starting to get seriously concerned about how we get home, with snow causing chaos at airports back in the UK. I don’t want to spend Christmas in Prague. — SY

6.10pm: Romanello gets value


Roberto Romanello managed to get some value out of Marcin Horecki on the river with a sneaky little bet. The pot started with a Horecki small blind completion and a Romanello check to a 2510 flop. Horecki check-called a 180,000 bet here and a 335,000 on the 8 turn. The river came 9 and Romanello bet a relatively small 205,000 prompting the Pole to say: “Why so much?”

Romanello didn’t respond and Horecki made the call after thinking for another minute. Romanello tabled Q9 for a rivered pair and it was enough as Horecki folded. — MC

5.57pm: Nothing to see here


After pointing out that more people were watching the €300 Random Bounty tournament a few feet away, Marcin Horecki made a bet that stuck, the first in a while, getting a call from Emilliano Bono in the big blind. The flop came J108 which both players checked for a9 on the turn. Again Bono checked to Horecki who bet 330,000. Bono passed. – SB

5.52pm: Dynamics


It’s an interesting three-way dance here with Marcin Horecki and Roberto Romanello both seeming to be chasing the win more then Emilliano Bono. It makes for some interesting dynamics, particularly between Horecki and Romanello.

Romanello opened for 300,000 from the button and was called in the big blind by Horecki. The Team PokerStars Pro led 305,000 into the 533 flop and Romanello grabbed two large stacks of orange 25,000 chips and raised to 1.275 million. Horecki passed. Romanello is on a little over 7 million now. — RD

4.42pm: Cagey play


The first few hands of three-handed play has been a cagey affair. No flop has been seen and only one raise was put in. The other three hands were all walks for the big blind. It won’t stay that way for long. — MC

5.37pm: Down to three


Scratch another. Peter Skripka is our fourth-place finisher, calling the all-in move of Marcin Horecki. Horecki, in the small blind, showed K10. Skripka in the big blind showed 7K.

There was no messing around with the board, a straightforward flop of 10102 to give Horecki a set. The turn A[ and river J made no difference. Skripka out. Horecki up to around 5,500,000. — SB

5.34pm: Man down, man down!


Details to come, but his first name is Peter. His last is Skripka. — SY

5.30pm: Players are back from break


The four remaining players are back in their seats after the short break. Check the chip counts here. With just under 17 million chips in play we have 140 big blinds left on the table. — RD

PokerStars Blog reporting team at EPT Prague (in order of what type of cake they would be): Rick Dacey (Cheesecake), Simon Young (Currant bun), Marc Convey (Fishcake) and Stephen Bartley (Gingerbread). Photos by 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.

9pm: Roberto Romanello wins EPT Prague and €640,000


Roberto Romanello opened to 575,000 from the button and Emiliano Bono three-bet to 2.475 million. Romanello quickly announced that he was all-in and his Italian counterpart made the call just as quickly.

Romanello turned over 1010 and Bono showed AJ to set up a huge race for the title. Romanello looked understandably apprehensive given how well Bono has flipped in the last couple of days. To be fair to Bono he had been a game opponent and had gambled when he felt he had to. This was to prove the biggest flip of all.

The flop dropped down 1044 giving Romanello tens full and the Italian Bono very few outs. The 5 on the turn sealed it and the Welshman burst into tears overcome with emotion, unable to see the 4 dealt to the river. It was a fair result and Bono gave Romanello a hearty handshake with a wide smile, as he should given that he takes home €435,000 himself.

A very worthy winner, Romanello takes the trophy, glory and €640,000 – or will when he can dry his eyes. Amazing scenes.

A full wrap of today’s final will be with you shortly. — RD

8.50pm: Romanello wins


Romanello wins a race to take down EPT Prague – details to come! — SY

8.47pm: Bono bets for the pot


Roberto Romanello raised to 475,000 on the button and Emiliano Bono called to go to the 657 flop where he check-called the Welshman’s 625,000 continuation bet. Both checked the J turn before a 500,000 Bono bet on the 8 river was good to get Romanello to fold. — MC

8.38pm: No change in chips as blinds go up


As we go into the 100,000-200,000 level we find ourselves at pretty much the same spot as when the heads up began. Roberto Romanello is on just shy of 11 million and Emiliano Bono is on 6 million. Bono won the last pot before the blinds increased with 67 on a 57838 flop. Bono check-called 160,000 on the flop and a further 160,000 on the river. Romanello showed pocket deuces. — RD

8.30pm: Three-betting or no betting


Emiliano Bono treated Roberto Romanello to a bit of the old three-betting before the Welshman did it right back to him the next hand. Neither player had the goods to continue and folded.

The next hand Romanello limped in from the button and Bono checked. Both players checked down the Q510K2 board. Bono showed an ace but Romanello took the pot with 53. — MC

8.20pm: Another one for Bono


Emiliano Bono just three-bet Roberto Romanello’s 355,000 button raise to 855,000. Romanello dragged his cards towards him and looked at them again before tossing them towards the dealer. He never really looked like playing on.

Apart from that hand it has mainly been raise and takes. — RD

8.15pm: Romanello gets some back


Roberto Romanello has won his first post-flop pot of this heads-up duel. He raised to 370,000 from the button and Emiliano Bono called to go to the 862 flop. The action was checked to the 9 turn where Bono led for 420,000. Call. The river came A and the Italian check-folded to Romanello’s 1.135 million bet. — MC

8.10pm: Bono slowly catching up


Emiliano Bono is slowly catching up with Roberto Romanello. A few blinds have been traded with button raises and both post-flop pots being pushed towards the Italian. A simple 450,000 continuation bet on a 3A7 flop was enough to win one pot while Bono check-raised the turn of a 325A board from 175,000 to 420,000. Romanello passed. — RD

8pm: Bono wins the first pot


The first hand of heads-up play went to the Italian, Emiliano Bono. He raised to 380,000 from the button and Roberto Romanello called. There was no more betting until the river when the board read 4339K and Bono bet 450,000 when checked to him. Romanello folded quickly. — MC

7.54pm: Running


Heads-up play has begun

7.45pm: Heads up stacks


We’ve had a small break before the heads up with Roberto Romanello leading with 10.13 million and Emiliano Bono chasing with 6.8 million. — RD

7.40pm: Bono bounces Horecki


Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki has been eliminated in third place by the charmed Emiliano Bono. Bono raised to 385,000 from the button and quickly called once Horecki moved all-in for about 1.5 million chips. Romanello folded from the big blind in between.

Horecki: AK


Bono: AJ

The board ran 10A82J. There was a stunned silence rather than the usual raucous celebrations from the Italian. He offered his condolences to the understandably gutted Horecki before the reality that he’s heads-up for an EPT title set in. Horecki is €247,000 richer but he’ll just be think of what could’ve been for the moment. — MC

7.35pm: Horecki out…


… details coming.

7.32pm: Horecki in real trouble


Marcin Horecki is down to around 1.6 million, just ten big blinds while Roberto Romanello has regained a convincing chip lead. Horecki had limped from the small blind and Romanello had checked. Both players checked the flop before Horecki led 180,000 into the 910K4 board and Romanello raised it up to 595,000. Horecki made the call.

The Team PokerStars Pro checked the A river and Romanello slowly stacked out 1.495 million and pushed it across the line. While Horecki didn’t snap call he didn’t take long to push 15 green and black 100,000 chips forward. Romanello showed J3 for the flush. — RD

7.20pm: Romanello doubles Bono


Earlier on we saw Marco Leonzio snap call for his tournament life with queen-jack and now Emilliano Bono has done the same. He raised to 370,000 from the button before calling all-in when Romanello shoved.

Bono: QJ


Romanello: A10

The board ran J53K10 to double Bono up to just over six million. Romanello drops back to 7.5million. — MC

7.12pm: Horecki staying focused


Marcin Horecki looks like a man fighting the effects of final table frustration. The Team PokerStars Pro is in a horrible spot at the moment with Roberto Romanello on his left. While Bono seems largely content to pass a lot of hands their equal stack sizes means that the Pole has to be extra careful when raising from the small blind into Romanello’s big blind as the Welshman is more than happy to either apply pressure pre-flop with his monster stack or call in position.

Either way it’s not great for Horecki.

Here’s a quick video update from the man himself… — RD

7pm: Off again


Three-handed play has restarted and we’re now on huge blinds of 80,000-160,000 and a 20,000 ante. — SY

6.42pm: Break


That’s the end of the level. We’re now on a 15-minute break. — SY

6.38pm: The scores on the doors


A quick appraisal of the chip stacks shows that Roberto Romanello is leading with around 10 million chips to Horecki’s 3 million and Emilliano Bono’s 3.6 million. If Romanello should be the next player to win a large all-in he would have an almost unassailable lead in the heads up. Should Horecki double through he stands a great chance to take on Romanello. If it’s Bono who makes it to the heads-up he will have to open up his game, he’s been playing incredibly tight and has been managing to find hands when absolutely necessary. — RD

6.25pm: Great call by Romanello


Roberto Romanello just made a great call against Marcin Horecki to seize firm control over this finale. He raised to 245,000 from the button and Horecki defended from the big blind to see the Q67 flop where the action went check-check. The turn came 5 and Horecki took over the initiative with a 265,000 bet was soon facing a raise to 575,000. Call.

The river came an interesting looking 2 and Horecki led for 680,000. This sent Romanello so deep into the tank he needed a special blind of nitrox to keep breathing. He emerged and made the call. “Nice call,” said Horecki as he slid his cards into the muck. Romanello tabled 97 to take the pot and move to over 11 million in chips. Horecki was left with 3.2 million and Bono is still singing with 3.8 million. — MC

6.15pm: Three, two, one…


We’re still waiting for that car crash to take place with the last six pots being settled pre-flop. Roberto Romanello has taken three post, Emilliano Bono two and Marcin Horecki just one. — RD

6.12pm: How do we get home


Team PokerStars Blog is starting to get seriously concerned about how we get home, with snow causing chaos at airports back in the UK. I don’t want to spend Christmas in Prague. — SY

6.10pm: Romanello gets value


Roberto Romanello managed to get some value out of Marcin Horecki on the river with a sneaky little bet. The pot started with a Horecki small blind completion and a Romanello check to a 2510 flop. Horecki check-called a 180,000 bet here and a 335,000 on the 8 turn. The river came 9 and Romanello bet a relatively small 205,000 prompting the Pole to say: “Why so much?”

Romanello didn’t respond and Horecki made the call after thinking for another minute. Romanello tabled Q9 for a rivered pair and it was enough as Horecki folded. — MC

5.57pm: Nothing to see here


After pointing out that more people were watching the €300 Random Bounty tournament a few feet away, Marcin Horecki made a bet that stuck, the first in a while, getting a call from Emilliano Bono in the big blind. The flop came J108 which both players checked for a9 on the turn. Again Bono checked to Horecki who bet 330,000. Bono passed. – SB

5.52pm: Dynamics


It’s an interesting three-way dance here with Marcin Horecki and Roberto Romanello both seeming to be chasing the win more then Emilliano Bono. It makes for some interesting dynamics, particularly between Horecki and Romanello.

Romanello opened for 300,000 from the button and was called in the big blind by Horecki. The Team PokerStars Pro led 305,000 into the 533 flop and Romanello grabbed two large stacks of orange 25,000 chips and raised to 1.275 million. Horecki passed. Romanello is on a little over 7 million now. — RD

4.42pm: Cagey play


The first few hands of three-handed play has been a cagey affair. No flop has been seen and only one raise was put in. The other three hands were all walks for the big blind. It won’t stay that way for long. — MC

5.37pm: Down to three


Scratch another. Peter Skripka is our fourth-place finisher, calling the all-in move of Marcin Horecki. Horecki, in the small blind, showed K10. Skripka in the big blind showed 7K.

There was no messing around with the board, a straightforward flop of 10102 to give Horecki a set. The turn A[ and river J made no difference. Skripka out. Horecki up to around 5,500,000. — SB

5.34pm: Man down, man down!


Details to come, but his first name is Peter. His last is Skripka. — SY

5.30pm: Players are back from break


The four remaining players are back in their seats after the short break. Check the chip counts here. With just under 17 million chips in play we have 140 big blinds left on the table. — RD

PokerStars Blog reporting team at EPT Prague (in order of what type of cake they would be): Rick Dacey (Cheesecake), Simon Young (Currant bun), Marc Convey (Fishcake) and Stephen Bartley (Gingerbread). Photos by 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.

5.13pm: End of the level


That’s the end of level 29. There is now a 15-minute break. — SY

5.12pm: Pro Bono


Emilliano Bono opened for 375,000 and Peter Skripka moved a stack of black chips into the middle, a raise to 2,000,000. I don’t usually use exclamation marks but Bono, throwing protocol to the wind, yelled: “All-in! Yes!” and turned over KK.

Out came the black cloth, his little affectation, placed squarely on his head and patted down like a chimp would performing a circus trick. Skripka had called. Marcin Horecki, who had left for the break, came running back to watch.

The flop came 5310. All the while Bono was calling for a king. “King! King!” A turn 10, a river 6.

Bono let out a howl, turning to friends on the rail and screaming, veins bulging in his neck, face turning red. I imagine the same thing happens in chess, and in Bridge matches. Bono then shouted something at Skripka who said nothing and continued to count out the 2,545,000 chips this hand had just cost him. He’s down to 2,285,000. Bono though rockets up to 5,180,000. — SB

5.10pm: Later, later


“Later,” said Emilliano Bono with anger in his eyes as he passed to a 400,000 Peter Skripka bet on a 62Q8 board. Skripka had opened for 250,000 and was called by Emilliano Bono in the big blind before both players had checked the flop.

“Later you have no more chips,” replied Skripka with a brilliant level of Russian disdain in his voice. — RD

5.09pm: Seven high no good


There was no small blind the hand after the elimination so when Marcin Horecki raised it was into the sole big blind of Peter Skripka. The Russian defended to see the 28Q flop where he check-called a 235,000 continuation bet. Both players checked down the 3K turn and river before Horecki announced: “Seven high,” and flashed 7. Skripka tabled 99 and took the pot. — MC

5.05pm: So long Leonzio


It took four hours and nine minutes but we’ve finally had another elimination. Fifth-place finisher today is Marco Leonzio, the chip leader coming into the day, who was just dispatched by Roberto Romanello.

In truth Leonzio’s day had effectively come to the end of its natural life when he was left with a little more than a big blind after his run-in with Marcin Horecki. Now he moved in with J3 behind a raise by Peter Skripka, and a re-raise by Roberto Romanello. Romanello took their side pot and turned over Q4 with which to deal the hammer blow to Leonzio.

The board ran 84762. Leonzio out in fifth place. Romanello up to more than 6,000,000. — SB

5pm: Leonzio granted a stay of execution


Marco Leonzio was down to fumes with just over one big blind to his name and incredulously folded with 50,000 of his 130,000 stack invested in the small blind after Marcin Horecki limped the button. Horecki won that pot with a 100,000 bet into Peter Skripka’s big blind on the AA10 flop.

Leonzio stuck in his last 70,000 from the button and was called by Skripka in the big blind. The dealer pulled the chips in and was about to deal the flop when Roberto Romanello said: ‘I haven’t said check,’ and started chopping out a 275,000 raise. Skrika let his frustration show and open folded KQ.

Romanello: A9


Leonzio: Q3

Leonzio was on the verge of his exit with the board set at 4369 but the Q on the river tripled the short stack up to 260,000. Expect someone to kill him off with a metaphorical shovel shortly. — RD

4.55pm: Horecki doubles to cripple Leonzio


Marco Leonzio is the short stack with 130,000 after doubling up Marcin Horecki. The action folded to the in the small blind and he open shoved for just over 1.85 million. Leonzio looked down at QJ and snap called. Horecki’s eyes almost popped out of his head when he saw what the Italian called with. He was ahead with A3 and stayed that way through the 69228 board. — MC

4.50pm: From the blinds


A flop of A48 and a hand that at first looked likely to fizzle out. Peter Skripka in the small blind checked as did Roberto Romanello in the big blind. On the 8 turn Skripka checked to Romanello who bet 100,000. Skripka then raised to 375,000 which Romanello called.

On the 7 river both players checked, Skripka showing 44 to win the pot. Romanello folded an ace. — SB

4.45pm: Romanello gaining momentum


Following an un-called shove from Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki, Roberto Romanello has won three pots in a row. It started with a three-bet to 650,000 which knocked Peter Skripka off his button raise and then it was a matter of two simple raise and takes. The three pots added 850,000 to Romanello’s stack and he must be on around 6 million now. — RD

4.40pm: All-in is the popular move


There’s so much in the middle now that the players are upping their aggression. The action folded around to Marco Leonzio in the small blind and he put in a raise to 350,000 but ran to the Tuscan hills when Peter Skripka moved all-in for just under 2.5 million chips. — MC

4.35pm: Ten minutes


A ten-minute period featuring very little you’d call a highlight. Marcin Horecki moved all-in. Peter Skripka made the necessary requests for a full count and then promptly folded.

Emilliano Bono and Roberto Romanello saw a flop of J3A but that was it. Bono bet to win a small pot. — SB

4.25pm: Three-bet from Skripka


Peter Skripka just pushed Emilliano Bono off a 255,000 open with a three-bet to 750,000. The Italian looked like he might move in but after a count of Skripka’s stack he opted to pass. — RD

4.20pm: Italian flavour


Emilliano Bono and Marco Leonzio haven’t played that many hands against each other today so it was nice to see one play out. Bono opened to 325,000 from the cut-off and Leonzio called from the small blind to go to a 7J9 flop. The action went check-check to bring an 8 turn. Bono quickly check-called a 350,000 bet to go to the 5 turn where he check-folded to a 500,000 bet. — MC

4.15pm: In the Skripka


Peter Skripka opened for 250,000 from under the gun which was called by Marco Leonzio in the big blind. The flop came 32K which both checked for an A turn. Leonzio checked to Skripka who bet 250,000. Leonzio called for a J river which again Leonzio checked. Skripka then bet 725,000 forcing the fold from the Italian. — SB

4.09pm: Please stop saying that


Roberto Romanello is playing some great poker and giving some entertaining chat but is letting himself down by insisting on talking about himself in the third person. Why, oh why, Roberto?

“I said earlier ’don’t bluff the Romanello’ but you do it anyway,” said Romanello after calling Peter Skripka’s 150,00 bet on the river of a K2Q8K board, flashing a 7 after Skripka insta-mucked his hand. — RD

4.03pm: Thanks, boss


Play was just stopped on every tournament so that the dealers could give their boss, Thomas Kremser, a Christmas present. I am still waiting for my blogging staff to buy me a present, although Rick Dacey offered me a two-day-old cookie. — SY

4pm: First hand back


The average stack is only 33 big blinds deep now so this level should throw up more action than the last.

The first hand back saw Roberto Romanello raise to 315,000 from first position and Emilliano Bono called from the next seat. Heads-up to the 793 flop where Romanello continued with a 430,000 bet. Bono thought for a while and stared at his opponent before mucking. — MC

3.55pm: Off again


Play has restarted. Blinds are now up to 50,000-100,000 with a 10,000 ante. — SY

3.38pm: Level up


That’s the end of the level. There will now be a 15-minute break. — SY

3.35pm: Raise and take


Emilliano Bono has added 320,000 to his stack just by raising and taking the blinds and antes twice. The action folded around to him in the small blind and he raised it up to 180,000 and Marcin Horecki folded from the big blind. The next hand saw Marco Leonzio get a walk before Bono raised to 230,000 from the cut-off in the hand after. Peter Skripka was in the big blind and folded. — MC

3.32pm: Horecki in shove-fold move


After that loss to Peter Skripka’s jacks Marcin Horecki is now the player in shove-fold mode. Skripka opened for 180,000 and Horecki shoved all-in to claw some of his chips back. — RD

3.30pm: Three to the flop


Marco Leonizo opened for 165,000 from the button and was called by Skripka in the small blind and Roberto Romanello in the big blind. Skripka led for 200,000 into the 693 flop folding both of the other players out. — RD

3.28pm: Lesson learned


Marcin Horecki opened for 165,000 and Peter Skripka moved all-in. “Every time you raise he moved all in,” said Romanello to Horecki with a small amount of frustration. “It happens every time.”

Horecki said nothing. Romanello checked his own cards, asked how much the all-in was for—1,275,000—and passed. Horecki called.

JJ for Skripka, A10 for Horecki.

“An ace is coming,” said Skripka. “Today I am unlucky.”

Not too unlucky. The board ran 10657Q. A vital double up for Skripka to 2,500,000 but Horecki falls to 2,100,000. — SB

3.25pm: Small one for Leonzio


Marco Leonzio took a small pot off Peter Skripka in a battle of the blinds. The action folded around to the Italian in the small blind and he completed before the Russian checked his option. The flop came down 1089 and both men checked to the 6 turn.

“No, no, no, my friend,” said Skripka trying to stop Leonzio from betting. But it didn’t work as Leonzio led for 125,000. Call. The river came A and both players checked. Leonzio tabled 98 for two-pair and took the pot as Skripka folded. — MC

3.20pm: You got ace-king?


Roberto Romanello opened for 255,000 and Emilliano Bono three-bet from the button to 630,000.

“You want to gamble? You got ace-king?” asked Romanello.


“I got two cards,” replied Bono, who has 2.5 million behind.

Romanello passed as Bono moved up to 3.4 million. — RD

3.15pm: Skripka picks up a vital pot


Peter Skripka is the short stack at the final table but he’s trying really hard not to be. Marcin Horecki opened for 165,000, Skripka moved all-in for 1.23 million and the Russian picked up 300,000 by taking the raise and blinds. — RD

3.10pm: Romanello giving out lessons


Roberto Romanello is handing out lessons in poker to his tablemates. First he did it with his actions and then with his tongue. Peter Skripka raised to 200,000 from the cut-off but folded, flashing A, when Romanello three-bet to 600,000.

The very next hand Marco Leonzio was in the big blind and when it was Romanello’s


turn to act he said to Leonzio: “See. Are you paying attention, my friend? This is how you fold. You never fold when it’s my big blind.”

“What about me?” jumped in Emilliano Bono. “You always raise my big blind.”

“That’s because we’re Napoli-Roma,” responded Romanello.

The hand ended and Romanello continued to talk to Leonzio in Italian and then translated. “I said to him that he has to learn to fold if he wants to become a good player”. — MC

3.05pm: Ahead or behind?


Peter Skripka moved all in (all bar 25,000) from the small blind for a million. Romanello was in the big blind and said: “Let’s see if the first one is good.” It was, he said. A king. He then picked up the cards and held them closer to his face, ready to squeeze.

“If it’s better than king-ten,” he said, “I’ll call.”

Skripka wanted to look, too, and said something that made Romanello think he was already ahead. “This might be winning already,” he said.

After some more chat, and Skripka insistence that Romanello call, the Welshman had a change of heart.

“OK, now I think I’m losing,” he said. Romanello then mucked his K4. Skripka showed 33. — SB

3pm: Slowing


There’s been no major confrontations since the Royal Flush. Here’s a quick snippet of the last few hands.

1. Roberto Romanello opens for 205,000 from the cut-off and takes the blinds.


2. Marco Leonzio three-bets Marcin Horecki off a button raise.


3. Peter Skripka shoves from the small blind and Romanello folds 27 face up.


4. Romanello raises to 225,000 from the small blind into Emilliano Bono’s big blind and takes the pot.

Fifth-place finisher before the end of the level? — RD

2.50pm: Royalty makes an appearance


A novelty hand at the final table with a royal flush making an appearance. Peter Skripka opened for 200,000 from the button which Roberto Romanello called from the small blind. Emilliano Bono also called in the big blind for a flop of K10A.

All three players checked for a Q on the turn. Romanello checked while Bono bet 225,000. Skripka called while Romanello folded.

The river came 4. A flush for everyone but when Bono bet 450,000 Skripka tanked. “Do you have a diamond?” he would ask. But Bono sat still, idly passing the time looking innocent. Skripka called. “Yes, royal!” shouted Bono, who showed the J then turned and beamed at his friends on the rail, celebrating like it was a reflection on all of his effort. For his part Skripka folded 9.

Bono up to 3,000,000 while Skripka falls to 1,500,000. – SB

2.35pm: Romanello opens two pots, loses both


Roberto Romanello is trying to run the show here but things aren’t quite working out for him at the moment. He’s opened the last two pots and lost both. A button raise to 205,000 was three-bet to 505,000 from Marcin Horecki in the big blind. Romanello passed.

The next hand Romanello opened for 230,000 from the cut-off, was called by Marco Leonzio in the big blind and folded to a 250,000 donk bet on the 10310 flop. — RD

2.20pm: The final five


The players are returning from the break and all have a decent shot at winning their first EPT title and €640,000.

Seat 1. Marco Leonzio – 3,925,000


Seat 2. Peter Skripka, PokerStars Player – 2,880,000


Seat 3. Roberto Romanello – 5,085,000


Seat 4. Emilliano Bono – 1,595,000


Seat 5. Marcin Horecki, Team PokerStars Pro – 3,445,000

PokerStars Blog reporting team at EPT Prague (in order of baguettes dropped) : Simon ‘Sure hands’ Young (none), Stephen ‘Baguette catcher’ Bartley (none), Marc ‘Cheese dropper’ Convey (one) and Rick ‘Ham blunderer’ Dacey (also one). Photos by 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 becoming clear that Prague is a home away from home for Italian players. It started two seasons ago when Salvatore Bonavena, accompanied by dozens of high-strung countrymen, dominated a televised event. Each of them in some way marked the start of Italy’s poker boom, and each of them also made it into the final winner’s photo. A new poker nation emerged that week, ready to take on the world.

Two years later and we’re seeing the continuation-bet of that Bonavena gambit. Tonight Marco Leonzio leads, with 5,075,000 chips, after four days at EPT Prague, performing in some high drama hands to seize the lead.

Chip leader Marco Leonzio

The same passion that energised the Italians of Season 5 remains in the spirit in which they play. Often overly sentimental and flirting with poor etiquette, the Italian players make up for any failings with bravura and sheer weight of numbers, and three of them will return tomorrow.

Italian Roberto Nulli celebrates

As the wise young pros of the internet weaved their way through the day’s carnage, the likes of Leonzio, Emilliano Bono and Roberto Nulli shocked and awed through the day. While swaggering in nature, and never really knowing how the cards would fall, they remained confident that if they fell towards them they would simply prove invincible.

Emilliano Bono

But if Leonzio’s lead is a trick of the light it will be ruthlessly exposed tomorrow. The final table line-up is perhaps one of the most talent-filled finals in recent time.

Seat 1 – Marco Leonzio, Italy, 5,075,000 chips


Seat 2 – Peter Skripka, Russia, PokerStars player, 4,010,000 chips


Seat 3 – Roberto Romanello, UK, 1,220,000 chips


Seat 4 – Roberto Nulli, Italy, 745,000 chips


Seat 5 – Jan Bendik, Slovakia, PokerStars qualifier, 445,000 chips


Seat 6 – Emilliano Bono, Italy, 1,530,000 chips


Seat 7 – Manuel Bevand, France, 615,000 chips


Seat 8 – Marcin Horecki, Poland, Team PokerStars Pro, 3,290,000 chips

The name not appearing on that list is that of Kevin MacPhee. The American was eight places away from what would have been an historic double win, adding to his victory at EPT Berlin back in March and which would have made him the first player in the world to win two EPT titles. But that bid came to an end prematurely, MacPhee crashing out in ninth place.

Nearly man: Kevin MacPhee

The chip leader coming into the day, MacPhee had his stack battered and slimmed down as play progressed, Leonzio finally seeing him off. The history books, or more accurately, a chunk of html on the EPT website, will be filed away for at least one more event.

But if there is a particular breed that doesn’t care for such administration it’s the rival player. Romanello, still wearing the spiky grey wig worn since Day 1, will count himself among them, finishing tonight on 1,220,000. A sixth place in Copenhagen in February left him feeling short-changed. The Swansea man must now believe he could be a step towards being a double-winner himself by this time tomorrow.

Roberto Romanello

Marcin Horecki will feel the same. The Polish Team PokerStars Pro, who closed on 3,290,000 chips tonight, is as close to an EPT title for the first time since he finished third at EPT London in 2008.

Marcin Horecki

The losses were significant, among those on the rail tonight are Rob Hollink, winner of the EPT Grand Final in season one, who departed in 14th-place, and that same Bonavena of Prague success two years ago, who was also eliminated today in a massive pot of ace-king against ace-king. He departed in 17th.

Salvatore Bonavena

Bonavena’s fellow Team Pro Richard Toth, would also suffer cruel fortune. Toth lost a vital race to hyperactive Italian Emilliano Bono, whose peculiar affectation was to place a black cloth on his head, akin to a judge passing a sentence of execution, when all-in. As a gimmick it proved brutally effective. Toth crashed out in 15th place.

Richard Toth

It was a day of drama, amateur and gut-wrenching, all of which is detailed in full at the links below. You can also find names of all those who were eliminated today on the prizes and pay-outs page.

Day 4 seat draw


Level 21, 22 and 23 updates


Level 24, 25 & 26

Play continues tomorrow when the field that was once 563 players strong will reveal its champion. For now, let us guide you to events in German, Dutch and Italian on the foreign blogs. Who knows, they may even have different winners. At the very least they are unlikely to have made over-optimistic predictions about the England cricket team. Thanks also to photographer Neil Stoddart.

Players in action on Day 4

We’re now going to take advantage of the early finish. We’ll be back at 12 noon local time tomorrow in white tie. Until then it’s good night from Prague.

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.

4.20pm: End of level


It’s a 15-minute break as we play down to the final table.

4.20pm: Bevand busts Hollink


Kevin Macphee is the sole standing former winner after Manuel Bevand eliminated Rob Hollink. Bevand had queens to Hollink’s jacks and the board ran nine high. — MC

4.19pm: Hollink also out


Rob Hollink also busted on the last hand of the level. Details to come.

4.18pm: Tothed out of the tournament


After losing that huge flip with nines to ace-king Richard Toth was forced to shove his button for around 250,000 with 108. Skripka called with A7 in the big blind. Toth hit the Q48 flop and a 6 on the turn helped to cut out one of Skripka’s ace outs (although he picked up a gutshot as well) but the A on the river sent the Hungarian Team PokerStars Pro to the rail, so close to the final table. — RD

4.13pm: Sanchez falls in 16th


Peter Skripka has added another 205,000 chips to his stack by eliminating Sergio Rodriguez Sanchez in 16th place. The Spaniard open shoved for 153,000 with 42 and Skripka made the call with JJ. The board ran J8A45 to send the Spaniard packing and increasing Skripka’a stack. — MC

4.05pm: Toth nearly Toast


Emilliano just scored a dramatic double up to move past the million mark, to the great cost of Team PokerStars Pro Richard Toth.

Bono moved all-in for 600,000 which Toth went on to call. He showed 99 and after a short pause for effect Bono turned over AK before placing a black tissue on his head.

If this was meant to spell doom for Toth it worked. Both players leaned over the table as the flop was dealt 7Q10. Bono began calling for a spade while Toth called for his nines to hold.

8 turn. 6 on the river.

Bono erupted. He dashed around the tournament area punching the air as back a the table Toth prepared to pay him off. A big blow for the Hungarian, now down to 250,000. Bono meanwhile moves up to 1.1 million. – SB

3.56pm: Salvatore Bonvena out, down to two tables


Team PokerStars Pro Salvatore Bonvena has just been knocked out in the most horrible of ways. Marco Leonzio opened the pot for 60,000 from the hijack and Peter Skripka raised to 140,000 from the cut-off. Salvatore Bonavena counted out the 140,000 before thinking the better of it and moving all-in for 1.15 million. Leonzio passed and Skripka made the call.

Skripka: AK


Bonavena: AK

‘Spades,’ said Skripa quietly. He was given one on the 286 flop and requested another, a little louder this time: ‘One more spade.’ His wish was granted with the 8. ‘One more spade,’ asked Skripka for a third and final time. The 9 hit the river shattering Bonavena’s dreams of winning for a second time here in Prague. Skripka’s hopes, on the other hand, have bloomed as he’s taken a huge chip lead into the final two tables with a mammoth 3 million stack. Table redraw. — RD

3.50pm: Nuli and nearly void


Roberto Nulli just got very lucky against Team PokerStars Pro Richard Toth to double-up. Toth raised from the hijack and the Italian defended from the big blind to see the 552 flop. Nulli check-called a 75,000 bet, leaving himself with just 154,000 back. The turn came 9 and Nuli checked again and Toth bet enough to put him all-in. Nuli stood to his feet and made a reluctant sounding call with 63 for a gutshot and flush draw. Toth was ahead with 98 but Nuli spiked a 2 on the river to complete his flush. — MC

3.42pm: Footnotes


The short stacks seem intent on battling it out on table two. There have been several non-contested all-ins, usually involving some elaborate thought process followed by a fold and then a redemptive showing of the victors hand, reaffirming their immortality. Then will follow a short discussion in their native tongue. It’s poker with footnotes to explain everything at the bottom.

So it was no surprise that Jean Sami Souleiman’s departure was played out with this standard melo-drama. He shoved and was called by Ion Pavel. Neither of them wanted to turn their cards over but finally Souleiman relented and showed A10. Pavel showed AQ.

The board ran K6K82. Souleiman didn’t move. His four days of poker were at an end but he didn’t want to leave just yet. But he had to. Handshakes all round. Down to 17. – SB

3.37pm: Skripka stretches chip lead


Peter Skripka has just taken 350,000 from Marco Leonzio to push his stack beyond 2 million. Skripka had called Leonzio’s cut-off raise from the button and had bet 105,000 into the AQ3 flop. The Italian check-raised to 300 and Skripka three-bet to 550,000. Leonzio wasted little time in passing. — RD

3.34pm: Toth calmly chipping up


Team PokerStars Pro Richard Toth must be happy with his seat at the moment. He is at arguably the weakest table of the three left (Jean Souleiman, Roberto Nulli, Ion Pavel and Emilliano Bono) and has slowly and steadily built his stack from 680,000 up to 1.4 million. The other tables look far harder propositions right now. — RD

3.26pm: The Bonavena boom


Salvatore Bonavena opened for 64,000 from under-the-gun and two seats along Denis Kipnis called. The action as then folded to Peter Skripka in the big blind who also called for a 64[qg] flop.

Skripka checked before Bonavena bet another 96,000. Kipnis called as Skripka folded. The turn came 7 which both players checked for a 3 river card.

Again Bonavena came out betting, 100,000 this time which after a short pause Kipnis called. Bonavena immediately flipped over 66 to take the pot and move up to 1,150,000. – SB

3.20pm: Nulli makes big call, loses


Roberto Nulli shook his head with exasperation when Jean Souleiman’s 72,000 shove with K10 out flopped his A5 for top pair. It was an intriguing call from Nulli who matched the 72,000 leaving himself with 250,000 and three players to act behind him. — RD

3.10pm: Vidal washed away


PokerStars qualifier Haykel Cherif Vidal is our 19th place finisher. The action folded around to him in the small blind and he shoved for around 125,000 with ace-eight and was called by Marco Leonzio in the big blind with ace-four. He didn’t manage to stay ahead through the K4K3Q board. He gets €15,000 for his efforts this week. — MC

2.55pm: End of level


That’s a 15-minute break and we believe that Peter Skripka may be the chip leader now with 1,681,000 above Kevin MacPhee’s 1,648,000. — RD

2.45pm: Ferrari to the pits


Andrea Ferrari is out. He opened for 50,000 which Richard Toth raised to something in the region of 200,000. Ferrari turned to Toth, shook his hand, and pushed all-in. Toth made the call showing AA to Ferrari’s QQ.

With lots of noise the board ran 66757 sending Ferrari to the rail. Down to 19 players. — SB

2.42pm: Nulli dragging his feet


Roberto Nulli started the hand with 200,000 and rather than just ship it in he opened to 45,000 from the small blind and was called by Ion Pavel in the big. Nulli bet 40,000 into the 4Q2 flop and then folded to a shove. He has left himself with 100,000 – five big blinds. — RD

2.40pm: Horecki in the mix


Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki is in the mix but he’s not getting it all his own way. He played three hands in a row but only won the first one after he three-bet all-in over the top of Kevin MacPhee’s opening raise.

The next hand he opened to 41,000 but folded to a 107,000 Melanie Weisner three-bet. The very next hand he raised to 41,000 again and MacPhee defended from the big blind to go to a 5A10 flop. MacPhee check-called a 42,000 c-bet but that was the last chips that went in as the two checked the 93 turn and river. MacPhee turned up 107 and took the pot as the Pole folded. — MC

2.30pm: Helloooooooo New Caledonia!


The PokerStars Blog has many readers from across the world, including one lone soul in New Caledonia, an island in the middle of the Coral Sea, who we can only assume finds it murder to arrange a home game. Hello down there, and thanks for reading. — SB

2.25pm: No more Pragers


The last of the Prager’s is gone. After he departure of Helen Prager on the last hand of Day 3 her husband Josh now joins her on the rail.

Denis Kipnis opened for 40,000 in the hijack which Prager (spell check name Prayer) raised to 110,000 from the cut off. With the action back on Kipnis he raised to 196,000 and Prager called for a flop of 29A.

Kipnis immediately bet 77,000 and Prager moved all-in with pocket nines. Kipnis wasted no time in calling and turned over what to Prager would be dreaded aces. The turn J and river A were effectively irrelevant. Prager out in 21st-place. – SB

2.20pm: Bevand v Hollink


Rob Hollink opened the pot with a raise to 55,000 from the hijack and Manuel Bevand called in the big blind. Hollink c-bet 85,000 on the A109 flop before both players checked the 10 turn before Hollink bet 115,000 after riffling his chips in a way I’ve never seen before (chopping the stacks and then ever so quickly sorting the remaining chips one by one on top of the split stack).

Bevand then check-raised to 300,000 and Hollink passed. The Dutchman is down 400,000. Bevand is up to 1.1 million. — RD

2.15pm: Two little ducks


Andrea Ferrari is trying to double-up but no one wants to play with him. He just shoved from under-the-gun and everyone folded and he showed the 2. The next hand the action folded around to Ion Pavel in the small blind who completed only to see Ferrari move all-in for 166,000. Pavel folded. — MC





2.05pm: Ferrari gaining speed


Despite an earlier set back Andrea Ferrari is still here. After being reduced to 40,000 he pulled back to more than 100,000, but remains there are moving all-in. Emilliano Bono thought about it, discussed it, then passed. Ferrari still alive. – SB

2.02pm: Hollink hates poker


No one really likes folding and Rob Hollink is no exception. He’s shaking his head after folding two hands in-a-row. The first hand he raised under-the-gun but folded when Kevin MacPhee three-bet him from the next seat.

The next hand he called a Melanie Weisner button raise whilst sat in the big blind. The flop came down 210Q and the Dutchman check-folded to a continuation bet. — MC

2pm: Toth stepping up


Team PokerStars Pro Richard Toth has moved up the gears and become by far the most active player on his table since the break, picking up small pots to build up his stack. Ion Pavel raised to 46,000 only for Toth to re-raise to 110,000. Call. On the A9J flop, Pavel checked and Toth bet 135,000, sending Pavel deep into the tank. So deep that he did not come out for at least five minutes. And that was to fold. — SY

1.58pm: Skripa skipping along nicely


Nikolay Losev has just managed to lose a chunk of the chips that he took from Marcin Horecki to Peter Skripka. Losev opened for 45,000 on the cut-off and was three-bet to 130,000 from Skripka on the big blind. Losev took an eternity (okay, a couple of minutes) to call.

Skripa led 130,000 into the 1072 flop and Losev made the call. At this point Kevin MacPhee changed what he was listening to on his iPad and started bobbing his head as he silently sang along to whatever it was he was listening.

The 7 turn was good enough for Skripa to bet 250,000 and it was too much for Losev who mucked his hand. — RD

Kevin, if the poker career takes a turn for the worse do not try and become a pop/hip-hop/rock star. Really.

1.48pm: Two bullets needed


Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki could stand the heat he was receiving from Rob Holllink until the turn but gave up at that point. Hollink raised to 45,000 from the cut-off and Horecki called from the big blind to see the 3J6 flop. The Pole check-called a 55,000 bet but check-folded to a 120,000 bet on the Q turn. — MC

Marcin Horecki

1.35pm: Blind battle


The action folded Roberto Nulli in the small blind and he completed before Ion Pavel checked his option. The flop came 695 and Nulli check-called a 35,000 bet before both players checked down the QQ turn and river. Pavel tabled 92 for the pot as Nulli had a smaller two-pair with 86. — MC

1.15pm: Break


That’s the end of the level. There will now be a 15-minute break while Team PokerStars Blog scoffs some delicious biscuits brought to us by an angel disguised as EPT boss Kirsty Thompson. — SY

1.12pm: Bono crashes Ferrari


Andrea Ferrari is down to just 40,000 after moving all-in with pocket sevens. He turned them over, then watched Emilliano Bono call and perform an elaborate overarm show, cartwheeling his arm to slam down pocket queens. In terms of etiquette it was like bringing a sub-machine gun to a knife fight. The queens held, the board running 8K5Q. At this point Bono cried “Go papa, go!” A 7 on the river was useless to Ferrari now close to the felt. — SB

1.10pm: The Sal Bon fashion report


Today’s Sal Bon fashion report is brought to you by PokerStars Blog fashion editor Simone Young:

Salvatore Bonavena today showcases his grey, short-brimmed trilby hat, a blue and checked casual shirt and complementary pastel blue scarf. He has blue tracksuit bottoms in the Chelsea Football Club style. — SY

Salvatore Bonavena, multi-tasking

1.08pm: Kings a winner for Losev


Nikolay Losev has just doubled through Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki to over 800,000. Losev had opened the pot to 37,000 and was three-bet by Horecki to 88,000 from the small blind. Losev instantly reached for chips and re-raised for most of his stack and Horecki moved all-in.

Losev: KK


Horecki: 88

The board ran out 39935 and Horecki dropped to 600,000 as Losev closed in on 900,000. — RD

1.05pm: Party time


PokerStars knows how to throw a good party and last night’s Christmas celebration went down a treat. Held in a nice little place I know down by the river, players and guests enjoyed a Christmas dinner, free-flowing booze and dancing girls. Aww, the dancing girls. — SY.

1pm: Premature celebration


Never ever celebrate too early as the poker gods frown at such things, just as Marco Leonzio found out. Jan Bendik opened the pot with a raise to 36,000 before Josh Prager moved all-in for 395,000. Marco Leonzio was in the small blind and cold called the shove which was enough to scare off Bendik.

Prager: KK


Leonzio: AJ

The door card flashed as A prompting the Italian to shout in celebration but his celebrations were premature as the other two flop cards were 9K making Prager a set. The 92 turn and river came and went to double Prager up to around 850,000. — MC

12.55pm: Fighting talk


Josh Prager and Roberto Romanello are either set to become drinking buddies for life, like Richard Harris and Peter O’Toole, or become the first pair to be disqualified from the final 21 players of an EPT for brawling.

The action passed to Prager on the button and he open shoved 400,000 (25 big blinds).

‘You being serious?’ said Romanello in the small blind. He’d only recently sat down and still had most of his chips in a rack. ‘Come on, make a proper raise.’

The dealer confirmed that Prager had announced all-in.

Josh Prager

’What’s going on? Really? I suppose I’m going to have to fold,’ said Romanello, who by this point had actually looked at his cards.

Prager, who has rivalled Romanello, Peter Hedlund and Mike Adamo as the most vocal player in the tournament, then broke radio silence with a simple, ‘Come on, man.’

‘I didn’t understand. I thought you were joking,’ claimed Romanello, now having tossed his hand into the muck. ‘That hand wasn’t real, was it?’

‘You saying I’m crazy or stupid or something?’ asked Prager, hackles rising, now into the next hand. As Romanello opened his mouth to reply time was suddnely called on him.

‘Who called the clock?’ demanded Romanello. The dealer, a barrel-chested chap by the name of Charlie, indicated Jan Bendik. Romanello thought he was pointing at Denis Kipnis. ‘Why did you call the clock on me?’ he asked.

‘I didn’t call the clock,’ replied Kipnis with a slight panic, understandably not wanting to be in the Romanello firing line.

Charlie chopped his hand out to Bendik in seat seven once again. ‘Ahhh, the guy with all the chips,’ said Romanello before tossing his hand into the muck.

‘I see what you’re doing,’ said Prager, ‘Trying to get five thousand more euros. I like the speeches, just not when I’m playing.’

While we on the PokerStars Blog are professionally impartial I must admit to hoping for a Prager-Romanello heads up. It would be a classic. — RD

12.45pm: Tanking on the river


A flop of 487 and a bet of 53,000 from Kevin MacPhee in the big blind. Manuel Bevand called from the hijack while Rob Hollink folded on the big blind. The turn came 5 which both checked, the a 5 on the river. MacPhee moved a bet of 106,000 into the middle and waited for a response. It didn’t come.

Bevand went into the tank, occasionally moving chips around but not acting. MacPhee waited. When he’s made a bet MacPhee sits still, staring forward, his face relaxing into what could be a sulk. After four or five minutes Bevand passed. MacPhee showed 3 and raked in the pot. – SB

12.40pm: River action


This one is a book-ended action hand. Emilliano Bono raised from the cut-off and was called by Sergio Rodriguez Sanchez on the button and Roberto Nulli in the big blind. There was no more betting until the river where the board read Q3JA9. Bono decided to have a stab with a 45,000 bet but couldn’t stand the heat when Sanchez raised another 80,0000. There were shouts of “Vamos” from the rail when Bono folded. — MC

12.36pm: Horecki power


Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki is up to one million. On a board of JA98 he bet 101,000 and Nikolay Losev, the Russian PokerStars qualifier, called. On the 3 river, Horecki, huddled under a black hoodie, asked to see how much Losev had left. It was around 300,000. “I bet 200,000,” Horecki said, seemingly forgetting that he had to push the chips over the line. He obliged, pushing two towers of yellow, 5,000 chips. Losev folded. —SY

12.34pm: Chop chop


Jan Bendik opened with a bet of 35,000 with A8 before John Prager re-raised all-in with A4. That was trouble for Prager, but the board ran JQ39K for a chop. Move along. Nothing to see here. — SY

12.32pm: So Leonzio Szabo


Zoltan Szabo was the latest to move all in, and the most recent to depart. He shoved with JJ for 256,000 chips and was called by Marco Leonzio of Italy with AK.


The board ran 6A6KA much to the delight of Leonzio who celebrated with casual disregard for the feelings of Szabo. Anyway, down to 21. – SB

12.30pm: Video interlude


We apologise for the break in our usual written coverage. There will now be a video intermission. — SY

12.29pm: The shape of things to come


Roberto Romanello has just three-bet Jean Souleiman from 42,000 to 99,000 and taken the pot down with a 81,000 c-bet on a 479 flop. I expect that Romanello will rinse and repeat this play as often as possible. — RD

12.25pm: Romanello plays it safe


Roberto Romanello just took a small pot off Roberto Nulli after he raised from the button and Nulli called from the small blind. The flop came AAJ and Nulli check-called a 34,000 c-bet before both players checked down the 9Q turn and river. Nulli tabled 66 but lost out to Romanello’s A4. — MC

12.15pm: Woman up


Another elimination? No, a double up. This time for Melanie Weisner. She moved in from the button for 224. Next to her was Nikolay Losev in the small blind who announced call. Rob Hollink was next to act in the big blind. He thought about it but passed, later saying he folded pocket fives.

Weisner showed AK to Losev’s A8. The board ran out 4QA23. Weisner moves up to nearly 500,000 chips. – SB

12.10pm: Man down


Well, that didn’t take long. We’re down to 22 after Ludovic Marguerat lost out to former EPT Monte Carlo winner Rob Hollink. Hollink had raised to 35,000 and Marguerat moved all-in for around 167,000 total. Hollink called instantly:

Hollink: JJ


Marguerat: 22

The board ran an uneventful 88437, and Marguerat stood up, shook Hollink’s hand and headed off to the cash desk to collect €15,000. Nice. — SY

11.55am: Start you engines


Thomas Kremser gives the order to players to take their seats. We’re minutes away.

11.45am: I did what?


It’s the morning after the Christmas party. Party hats are strewn everywhere, plates of cold sprouts lying around and Christmas sweaters are stained red with cranberry sauce. In the corner someone’s grandfather is asleep and a bowl of eggnog has an ashtray in it. Welcome to Day 4 of EPT Prague.

Today the task at hand is simple. The 23 remaining players will be reduced to eight finalists who will return tomorrow to compete for that €640,000 first prize. Those about to depart will be guaranteed €15,000.

We’re still in level 21, our chips leader is Kevin MacPhee. Play gets under way at noon. — SB

Chips, on day four

PokerStars Blog reporting team in Prague (in order of condition): Stephen Bartley (Brilliant, could have driven to work this morning), Simon Young (Fine, could have given directions to Bartley), Marc Convey (Not too bad, but would need a lift) and Rick Dacey (Massive physical collapse.)

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.