Nicolas Le Floch and Andrej Markovinovic played heads-up for over an hour. At first, they were simply exchanging chips, testing each other. The lead changed hands a few times, but never significantly. Eventually, after a lot of gauging, Nicolas applied some pressure. On 2 occasions, he made good-size river bets, sending Andrej to the tank. Both hands were folded, until another river bet from Nicolas was called this time, and he took that one down too. Andrej was now trailing by a 6 to 1 margin. He managed to double that up, until the fatal hand came up.

On Nicolas’ 24K big blind, Andrej made it 70K to go. Nicolas called, and instantly checked the turn, which Andrej slammed with a 100K bet. Andrej had picked a flush draw, and decided that along with some fold equity, it was enough to put it in. There was no fold though, and Nicolas took that pot down, and the tournament with it.

Nicolas Le Floch:
Andrej Markovinovic:
Board:

Nicolas Le Floch traveled here from France. He won a seat for the Main Event through our partypoker client, and thought it would be a good idea to shoot some PLO as a Playground ice breaker, and it sure was! We hope he has a great time in Montreal, and more success at Playground Poker Club!

Event 9 Champion: Nicolas Le Floch – $8,495.00 and the Champion’s Trophy

Runner-up: Andrej Markovinovic – $7,000.00

Last hand of play:

Andrej Markovinovic and Nicolas Le Floch agreed to tweak the prizes a little bit. Instead of playing for a $2,985.00 difference and a $9,240.00 first prize, they are now playing for a $1,495.00 difference, with $8,495.00 up top.

They have been playing heads-up for about 25 minutes now, and have exchanged the lead a few times already, never dramatically. They are now almost exactly even, and are playing with the Champion’s Trophy sitting beside the dealer as an extra incentive.

Here they are, in a sea of satellite tables, going at it in the true art of heads-up poker:

 

Kevin Rivest just busted on yet another pair of aces in the hole. This time, he flopped top set, and was facing a very strong draw in Nicolas Le Floch’s hand. Nicolas placed a small bet on the flop, which was potted right away by Kevin. Nicolas completed the few chips over that bet needed to put his opponent all-in, and they went to a showdown.

Kevin: 
Nicolas:
Board:

Kevin’s set fell to Nicolas’ open-ended flush draw. He had a very good run, working his stack like the experienced PLO player that he is. He went up and down, never fearing to invest. He takes home $4,200.00, a very nice lump sum, and we are eager to see him back at the cash tables, dragging some pots.

Congratulations!

 

 

The last 4 players had been battling for more than 30 minutes, and the level is high. There is something truly enjoyable about high-level short-handed PLO action, and these guys sure fit the profile. Small feeler bets on the flop, information-seeking conversations, the whole deal.

Constantinos’ final hand started innocently, with a 3-way limped pot, but escalated raises brought him all-in against Andrej Markovinovic.

Constantinos:
Andrej:
Board:

Andrej was pretty happy when he saw Constantinos’ hand, because he covered almost all of his outs. Constantinos was left with only an 8 to win this pot and survive, which did not come.

Congratulations Constantinos, you played a great game and take $2,830.00 for your efforts!

Kevin Rivest took a huge hit when he got involved in a pre-flop all-in hand with Ron Farber.

Kevin:
Ron:    
Board:

Ron’s kings completed a runner-runner flush against Kevin’s aces, crippling him in the process. Kevin went on to win a small pot against that same opponent, and then doubled up to over 100K, on Andrej Markovinovic.

Ron had now about 150K, and he called an open raise from Nicolas Le Floch. Both flopped huge, but Nicolas’ full house was way ahead of Ron’s trips. The money went in, and Ron went out. He had a very good run, finishing in 5th place, good for $1,900.00.

Congratulations Ron!

Our 4 players are now back from break, and you can see below their chip distribution.

First Name | Prénom	Last Name | Nom	Stack | Tapis
Andrej	Markovinovic	579,000
Nicolas	Le Floch	476,000
Constantinos	Zafiriou	333,000
Kevin	Rivest	198,000

Manfred Gunther had chipped away considerably, doubling Nicolas Le Floch’s chips, and was now at risk in a pre-flop 3-way all-in hand against Andrej Markovinovic and Kevin Rivest.

Manfred:
Andrej:
Kevin:

Board:

Andrej’s in-the-hole aces held beautifully, and he is now well in the lead, sitting on about 650K. Second in chips is Nicolas Le Floch, with over 300K. Kevin is now left with a little under 100K. 5 players remain!

Congratulations to Manfred Gunther, who led for the better part of this Event. He cashes the 6th place money, $1,280.00.