2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

EPT Barcelona Open Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info

2008 PokerStars.com EPT Barcelona Open

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
k9
Prize
€1,361,000
Event Info
Buy-in
€8,000
Prize Pool
€4,952,000
Entries
619
Level Info
Level
29
Blinds
50,000 / 100,000
Ante
10,000

Dutch Courage

Not since I drank too much the night Rob Hollink won a bracelet have I seen three Dutchmen in a row, but on a central table Ruben Visser, Rolf Slotboom and Bart Wetsteijn are (or, more accurately, were) lined up in consecutive seats. But if you thought there'd be any national camaraderie or soft-play on display, you'd be severely mistaken.

With Ruben Visser raising it up to 300 from the button, Rolf Slotboom made it 1,250 from the small blind and Wetsteijn folded his big blind. Back round to Visser, who then announced "All in," without physically putting another chip in the pot.

"Snoops, are there any good looking girls outside?" asked Slotboom as he contemplated his decision.

"If you play aces like this, you do a good job," he added in his broad Dutch accent. "Sigh, maybe I make a big mistake."

After squirming in his seat incessantly, Slotboom eventually trickled his several thousand in chips over the line and showed {A-Hearts}{K-Spades}. Much to everyone's surprise, Visser could only table a {2-Clubs}{2-Hearts}... but still, it was ahead.

As I have seen on numerous occasions, the usually cucumber cool Slotboom then positioned himself just inches away from the felt where the board was destined to hit before chanting like a man possessed, "Aces and kings, aces and kings, aces and kings."

Although the dealer didn't quite oblige, the {9-Spades}{Q-Spades}{J-Spades} was pretty accommodating nonetheless. "Spades and tens, spades and tens, spades and tens," exclaimed Rolf, changing his plea. A {2-Diamonds} on the turn was not what he asked for, and by the {K-Clubs} river, it was too late, Slotboom was gone.

As his expression went sour and the manic behavior ceased, Slotboom shook the hand of each and every one of his opponents before making his way, mumbling "What was he representing?" as he left.

Tags: Bart WetsteijnRolf SlotboomRuben Visser