Luca Pagano Poker Tournament Updates

Two More Busts

Sep 29, '10

Team PokerStars pro Luca Pagano and Chris Moorman have busted out of the tournament.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Chris Moorman

Level 6 Update: Two Ladies Top The Chip Counts

Jan 06, '10

Blinds: 200-400 with a 50 ante

Players Remaining: 690 out of 846 (Approximate)

Notable Chip Counts:

Vanessa Rousso — 140,000
Annette Obrestad — 120,000
Darryll Fish — 110,000
Paul Wasicka — 85,000
Carlos Mortensen — 75,000
Liz Lieu — 75,00
J.C. Alvarado — 70,000
Mark Newhouse — 65,000
Chad Batista — 60,000
Phil Ivey — 55,000

Average Chip Count: 36,782

Notable Eliminations:

Leo Fernandez
Joe Cada
Mike Matusow
Will Failla

Big Hands:

Leo Fernandez Takes Really Gross Beat

Team PokerStars pro Leo Fernandez was down to his last 8,000 in chips when he got it in with AK. His opponent revealed AK and Fernandez looked like he was heading for a chop.

Instead, the board ran out Q10593, giving his opponent a spade flush and ending his tournament in the process.

Will Failla Runs Into a Bigger Draw

Will Failla was down to about 11,000 or so when his final hand came down. He, Rene Angelil and another unknown opponent saw a flop of 765 when we caught up to the action.

The unknown bet 1,000, Angelil called and Failla raised to 4,000. The unknown moved all in and Angelil folded. Failla called, stating that he wanted to gamble, with 108 for an open-ended straight draw and the ladder to a ten-high straight. His opponent showed A8, however, killing many of his outs.

The turn and river fell JQ and Failla was eliminated.

Luca Pagano Hunting For Another Final Table

One of the most successful players in EPT history is up to a healthy 45,000 after doubling up with pocket kings.

Luca Pagano bet the whole way on a board reading K7594 and called all in when his opponent raised on the river. Pagano didn’t see a flush in his opponent’s hand and was relieved to see his top set was good.

Pagano currently has the most cashes and final table appearances in EPT history, but is looking for his first victory here in this tournament.

Mike Matusow Sent To The Rail

Mike Matusow was short stacked when he made his final move with A-Q and was relieved to see that he was at least racing against an unknown’s pocket jacks. The board offered no help for “the mouth” and he was eliminated from the tournament.

Player Tags: Mike Matusow,   Leo Fernandez,   Luca Pagano,   Will Failla

Luca Pagano Eliminated

Sep 30, '09

Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano rode the short stack nearly the entire day and his tournament finally came to an end just a few minutes ago.

Pagano was all in holding pocket fours, but needed a lot of help to overcome his opponent’s pocket tens. The board failed the young Italian and he was eliminated from the tournament.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

No More Luca in Barca

Sep 04, '09

Team PokerStars Pro Luca Pagano is the latest major casualty of the day.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

Level 9 Hour 2 Update: Dewey Tomko Eliminated

Jul 08, '09

Blinds: 500-100 with a 100 ante

Players Remaining: 630 out of 1476

Chip Counts:

1. Eric Cloutier – 384,000
2. Greg Mueller – 311,000
3. Andy Black – 220,000
4. Mike Sexton – 170,000
5. Sorel Mizzi – 160,000
6. Chris Ferguson – 155,000
7. Jimmy Fricke – 150,000
8. Thor Hansen – 141,000
9. Pamela Brunson – 135,000
10. Vitaly Lunkin – 132,000

CardPlayer Chip Counts:

Ciaran O’Leary – 48,500
Andrew Brokos – 78,000

Average Chip Count Day 2A: 97,650

Notable Eliminations:

Dewey Tomko
Juha Helppi
Craig Gray
Eli Elezra
Grant Levy

Big Hands:

Dewey Tomko Eliminated

Dewey Tomko looked down at the AJ and open-shoved for 17,000. A player in the small blind called with the 99 and the two players were off to a race. They were not even close to racing anymore as the flop came 963, putting Tomko drawing dead with no runner-runner draws. The board completed with the meaning less J and 8.

Juha Helppi Eliminated

Juha Helppi and the big stack of Eric Cloutier got all the money in preflop with Helppi tabling pocket kings. Cloutier exposed pocket aces and Helppi failed to improve, exiting the tournament right before the day ended. Eric Cloutier is the tournament chip leader with 384,000 to end the day.

Luca Pagano Moves All In

A player in late position bet 2,400 and Andrew Brokos made the call from the button. Action was one Luca Pagano in the small blind. He elected to move all in for 33,800 over the small preflop bet of 2,400. The initial raiser folded and Andrew Brokos went into the tank. He eventually mucked and Pagano took down the pot.

Jim Bechtel Doubles Up

Jim Bechtel moved all in for 10,700 on a flop of 942 and was called by the 97 of an opponent. Bechtel exposed the way in front Q9. The 3 hit the turn, giving Bechtel’s opponent a flush draw. However, none of those outs came as the Q fell on the river. Bechtel is now at 26,000.

Craig Gray Eliminated

Craig Gray checked to his opponent on a board of 653J. His opponent threw out a bet and Gray check-raised all in. His opponent contemplated briefly before making the call with the QJ. Gray was disgusted as he tabled the 77 for a bad misstep. Gray was drawing very thin and the 9 on the river ended his 2009 main event.

Pamela Brunson Wins Big Double Up

Pamela Brunson and her opponent got all the chips into the middle preflop. Brunson exposed kings but was up against the aces of an unknown player. However, Brunson caught up as she flopped a king. The turn and river were safe for her and she doubled to 135,000.

Left in the Deck:

Players have just finished playing hand for hand and day 2A is now complete.

Player Tags: Juha Helppi,   Dewey Tomko,   James Bechtel Sr.,   Luca Pagano,   Eric Cloutier,   Craig Gray,   Andrew Brokos,   Pamela Brunson

Luca Pagano Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬153,000)

Mar 14, '09

Luca Pagano is all in on the button with 77 and Marc Gork calls with A9. Gork has Pagano covered but not by very far with 834,000. Could there soon be two of the three most familiar names from this final table sitting among the spectators?

The answer comes with a board of K10495. The nine knocks a very weary and tired looking Italian out of the competition. The disappointment sweeps across the casino here in Dortmund. Pagano is a well liked character on the circuit and has great decorum, representing the game well.

He cashes for the tenth time in an EPT with this sixth place for €153,000.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Marc Gork

Florian Langmann Eliminated in Ninth Place (â?¬50,000)

Mar 13, '09

Florian Langmann pushes all in and is called by Luca Pagano, who is hoping for a final table appearance tomorrow.

Langmann only has 170,000 so really needs to improve to stay in the tournament.

Pagano: A9

Langmann: 43

Board: Q946A

Pagano breathes out deeply and Langmann smiles sadly and hits the rail as the final table bubble boy.

He takes home €50,000 for some excellent poker over the past few days.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Florian Langmann

Steve Jelinek Eliminated in 14th Place (â?¬25,000)

Mar 13, '09

A short stacked Steve Jelinek moved all in (perhaps on tilt after the last pot) with K7 and was quickly called by Luca Pagano who moved all in himself. The big blind Matthias Kurschner tanked and then folded. Pagano flipped over AA which we also saw him win with yesterday.

The board brought presents for Jelinek but as it paired, he just couldn't catch up with Pagano's pocket rockets:

K10557

Steve Jelinek leaves the tournament in 14th place for €25,000.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Steve Jelinek

Luca Pagano gets Paid Off

Mar 12, '09

Matthias Kürschner bets 11,500, and Luca Pagano, who has been sitting patiently waiting for his moment, moves all in.

Kürschner gets a chip count which turns out to be 36,900 more to him. Kurschner tanks and plays with his card guard. Then he counts out the chips, separates them, and calls.

Pagano turns his card over flamboyantly and with gusto. He has reason. They are: AA.

Kurschner is behind with 77.

The board rubs salt in Kursner's wounds as it falls AKQ89. Pagano is now happily raking in his freshly won chips. He now has 96,800.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

The Lady has Kings

Mar 12, '09

Almira Scripcenco is still causing a stir... this time with Luca Pagano.

The dinner break had started yet crowds were still gathered around one table, and one table only.

The board read 998 and there was a heap of chips in the centre. Scripcenco pushed all in and Luca Pagano was considering it. He is directly to her right and is staring at her. She turns to him and he smiles, like only Italians can. Whatever reaction he got, gave him the information he needed and he folded.

Someone yelled, "Come on! Show us one time!" She lets in and shows KK and everyone claps.

They are now on dinner break and there are 100 left. We will play down to 32 tonight.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

Luca Pagano Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬153,000)

Mar 14, '09

Luca Pagano is all in on the button with 77 and Marc Gork calls with A9. Gork has Pagano covered but not by very far with 834,000. Could there soon be two of the three most familiar names from this final table sitting among the spectators?

The answer comes with a board of K10495. The nine knocks a very weary and tired looking Italian out of the competition. The disappointment sweeps across the casino here in Dortmund. Pagano is a well liked character on the circuit and has great decorum, representing the game well.

He cashes for the tenth time in an EPT with this sixth place for €153,000.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Marc Gork

Florian Langmann Eliminated in Ninth Place (â?¬50,000)

Mar 13, '09

Florian Langmann pushes all in and is called by Luca Pagano, who is hoping for a final table appearance tomorrow.

Langmann only has 170,000 so really needs to improve to stay in the tournament.

Pagano: A9

Langmann: 43

Board: Q946A

Pagano breathes out deeply and Langmann smiles sadly and hits the rail as the final table bubble boy.

He takes home €50,000 for some excellent poker over the past few days.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Florian Langmann

Steve Jelinek Eliminated in 14th Place (â?¬25,000)

Mar 13, '09

A short stacked Steve Jelinek moved all in (perhaps on tilt after the last pot) with K7 and was quickly called by Luca Pagano who moved all in himself. The big blind Matthias Kurschner tanked and then folded. Pagano flipped over AA which we also saw him win with yesterday.

The board brought presents for Jelinek but as it paired, he just couldn't catch up with Pagano's pocket rockets:

K10557

Steve Jelinek leaves the tournament in 14th place for €25,000.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Steve Jelinek

Luca Pagano gets Paid Off

Mar 12, '09

Matthias Kürschner bets 11,500, and Luca Pagano, who has been sitting patiently waiting for his moment, moves all in.

Kürschner gets a chip count which turns out to be 36,900 more to him. Kurschner tanks and plays with his card guard. Then he counts out the chips, separates them, and calls.

Pagano turns his card over flamboyantly and with gusto. He has reason. They are: AA.

Kurschner is behind with 77.

The board rubs salt in Kursner's wounds as it falls AKQ89. Pagano is now happily raking in his freshly won chips. He now has 96,800.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

The Lady has Kings

Mar 12, '09

Almira Scripcenco is still causing a stir... this time with Luca Pagano.

The dinner break had started yet crowds were still gathered around one table, and one table only.

The board read 998 and there was a heap of chips in the centre. Scripcenco pushed all in and Luca Pagano was considering it. He is directly to her right and is staring at her. She turns to him and he smiles, like only Italians can. Whatever reaction he got, gave him the information he needed and he folded.

Someone yelled, "Come on! Show us one time!" She lets in and shows KK and everyone claps.

They are now on dinner break and there are 100 left. We will play down to 32 tonight.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

Luca Pagano Eliminated in Sixth Place (â?¬153,000)

Mar 14, '09

Luca Pagano is all in on the button with 77 and Marc Gork calls with A9. Gork has Pagano covered but not by very far with 834,000. Could there soon be two of the three most familiar names from this final table sitting among the spectators?

The answer comes with a board of K10495. The nine knocks a very weary and tired looking Italian out of the competition. The disappointment sweeps across the casino here in Dortmund. Pagano is a well liked character on the circuit and has great decorum, representing the game well.

He cashes for the tenth time in an EPT with this sixth place for €153,000.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Marc Gork

Florian Langmann Eliminated in Ninth Place (â?¬50,000)

Mar 13, '09

Florian Langmann pushes all in and is called by Luca Pagano, who is hoping for a final table appearance tomorrow.

Langmann only has 170,000 so really needs to improve to stay in the tournament.

Pagano: A9

Langmann: 43

Board: Q946A

Pagano breathes out deeply and Langmann smiles sadly and hits the rail as the final table bubble boy.

He takes home €50,000 for some excellent poker over the past few days.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Florian Langmann

Steve Jelinek Eliminated in 14th Place (â?¬25,000)

Mar 13, '09

A short stacked Steve Jelinek moved all in (perhaps on tilt after the last pot) with K7 and was quickly called by Luca Pagano who moved all in himself. The big blind Matthias Kurschner tanked and then folded. Pagano flipped over AA which we also saw him win with yesterday.

The board brought presents for Jelinek but as it paired, he just couldn't catch up with Pagano's pocket rockets:

K10557

Steve Jelinek leaves the tournament in 14th place for €25,000.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano,   Steve Jelinek

Luca Pagano gets Paid Off

Mar 12, '09

Matthias Kürschner bets 11,500, and Luca Pagano, who has been sitting patiently waiting for his moment, moves all in.

Kürschner gets a chip count which turns out to be 36,900 more to him. Kurschner tanks and plays with his card guard. Then he counts out the chips, separates them, and calls.

Pagano turns his card over flamboyantly and with gusto. He has reason. They are: AA.

Kurschner is behind with 77.

The board rubs salt in Kursner's wounds as it falls AKQ89. Pagano is now happily raking in his freshly won chips. He now has 96,800.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

The Lady has Kings

Mar 12, '09

Almira Scripcenco is still causing a stir... this time with Luca Pagano.

The dinner break had started yet crowds were still gathered around one table, and one table only.

The board read 998 and there was a heap of chips in the centre. Scripcenco pushed all in and Luca Pagano was considering it. He is directly to her right and is staring at her. She turns to him and he smiles, like only Italians can. Whatever reaction he got, gave him the information he needed and he folded.

Someone yelled, "Come on! Show us one time!" She lets in and shows KK and everyone claps.

They are now on dinner break and there are 100 left. We will play down to 32 tonight.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

Pagano Gone

Jan 21, '09

Back from break and Italy's short-stacked Luca Pagano went all in for his tournament life.

He raised with 5-2 suited and two spades came on the flop. A pot-committed Pagano had to go all in but his flush never came.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano

Luca Pagano Waves Goodbye

Dec 08, '08

A short stacked Luca Pagano (with about 4,000 left in chips) is all in with pocket eights versus A-K versus A-Q.

His opponent with the A-Q hits his straight on the river and we wave goodbye to Pagano.

Player Tags: Luca Pagano