Jeff Rossiter began the day as the chip leader, but things haven't been going his way today. That was evidenced by a big hand he just played against Robin Ylitalo.
It began when Rossiter opened for 180,000 from the cutoff with the and Ylitalo defended from the big blind with the . The flop had action written all over it as both players made top pair, but as you can see Ylitalo's kicker had him way out in front. Nonetheless he checked and let Rossiter bet 185,000.
Ylitalo proceeded to check-raise 295,000 more, Rossiter called, and the dealer burned and turned the . Ylitalo kept the pressure on with a bet of 680,000, Rossiter called, and then both players checked the river. Rossiter stood up a bit to get a better look at Ylitalo's cards and then mucked his own as he dropped to 1.4 million.
Georgios Karakousis opened for 160,000 from the cutoff holding the only to have Ludovic Geilich make a move by three-betting to 355,000 from the button with the . Robin Ylitalo then looked down at the in the small blind and four-bet to 860,000.
Karakousis then put together some stacks and began to slide them out with one hand. As he was doing so, one of the stacks fell out of his grasp and was left behind. After putting two stacks in, he went back for the one left behind. Some of the other players cried string bet, but the staff ruled the forward motion and intention indicated a five-bet. This was no doubt music to Ylitalo's ears as Karakousis ended up making it 1.635 million.
Geilich quickly folded, Ylitalo moved all in, and Karakousis refused to call off his remaining chips and relinquished his hand.
There's a stadium-like atmosphere around the EPT London final table, including fans from England, Scotland, Slovakia and Sweden. Bar takings are brisk and the chants are getting loud. PokerStars Blog is prompted to remember Wembley 1977...
Jeff Rossiter raised to 160,000 from UTG with and Robin Ylitalo made it 425,000 on the button with . Leo McClean then moved all in from the blinds with .
Rossiter folded saying, "You've probably saved me some money mate," as Ylitalo made the obligatory call.
Ludovic Geilich raised to 160,000 preflop with and Stefan Vagner made the call with . Behind them Robin Ylitalo picked up and squeezed to 455,000.
Geilich thought for a moment then folded and we'd expected Vagner to do the same, but instead the latter shoved for about 2 million chips and Ylitalo instantly called.
Vagner was the player at risk and needed to hit but the flop came , the came on the turn and he was drawing dead. Vagner got up to shake everyone's hand as the dealer put out the on the river. We're now five-handed and Robin Ylitalo has a big chip lead.
Georgios Karakousis opened for 160,000 from the hijack with the and Ludovic Geilich called from the button with the . The blinds folded, the flop fell , and both players checked. The turn saw Karakousis bet 280,000, Geilich called, and the complete the board on the river.
Karakousis slowed down with a check, but he still called when Geilich bet 495,000. Ship the pot and the chip lead to Karakousis.
Jeff Rossiter opened to 160,000 preflop with from the cutoff, Georgios Karakousis called with behind him and Stefan Vagner called in the small blind with .
The flop of was checked to Rossiter who bet 260,000, Karakousis folded the best hand but Vagner decided to peel a card. The on the turn saw Vagner check again but Rossiter fired a second barrel with his turned flush draw. It was too much this time for the small blind, who quickly folded.
Robin Ylitalo raised from the cutoff with the and Georgios Karakousis defended from the big blind with the . Both players proceeded to check the flop, the turned, and Karakousis bet 175,000. Ylitalo called with his pair of aces and then bet 320,000 when Karakousis checked the river. It did the job as Karakousis folded his hand.