Sore Heads?

[user46298]

There are no fewer than three vigorous head-area massages going on in the main area upstairs - Ilari Sahamies, Jason Mercier and Arnaud Mattern are currently being gently pummelled through the first level of the day. Mercier might be having a lack-of-sleep victory massage, while rumour has it the European circuit star Mattern may have been out celebrating his birtday last night, while as far as Ziigmund goes, it's anybody's guess.

Mattern may not be feeling too perky under his black-as-midnight aviators, but he's already opened up a 42,000 lead (his opponent John Racener therefore on 18,000). He won 4,400 of these with a bet on the river of a {7-Hearts} {Q-Clubs} {7-Clubs} {4-Clubs} {7-Spades} board which was paid off - the flash of paint was either one or two Queens (seen from across the room) but the pot moved across to him.