France in full force
How is this table not being streamed ?
End of the second level in this Main Event, and eliminations are coming thick and fast. Down from 85 players this morning to just 50 already, more than a third of the field gone in only two levels. At this pace, the day could be much shorter than expected. And the French players are right in the middle of the action. Let’s break down the key hands.
We start with Allan Tirel, who sends Romania’s Costin Stanciu to the rail. The hand begins with an UTG raise from Pavel Spirins, called by Tirel in middle position and Stanciu in the big blind. On an A♠ 9♥ 2♥ flop, Spirins continues, but Stanciu shoves, forcing Spirins out. Tirel, however, makes the call, and it’s a good one. His T♦ T♣ holds strong against Stanciu’s Q♥ 9♠. Stanciu is eliminated, taking €18,000.
Moments later, Benjamin Chalot knocks out Luc Lafontaine. After opening UTG, Chalot quickly calls the Canadian’s shove for 325,000 (8 BB). Chalot tables A♣ K♦, up against J♥ J♣ in a classic flip. A K♥ on the turn seals Lafontaine’s fate.
Barely time to walk across the room before Marc Delimal claims another scalp. All the chips go in preflop, and this time the Frenchman gets a bit of help from the deck, cracking A♣ A♠ with T♥ T♠ against Brazil’s Thiago Teles. A T♣ on the flop settles it quickly, sending Teles out with €18,000.
Three eliminations to start the day, and all three at the hands of French players. The French touch.
Of course, with so many bustouts, some French casualties were inevitable. So far, the damage is limited to two: Romain Mahiou and Allan Tirel.
Paul Koessler