Byron Kaverman opened to 120,000 from the cutoff with J?8? and Ben Heath called on the button with Q?10?.
Stephen Chidwick was in the big blind, and after taking some time to consider the position, he produced a three-bet to 390,000 with A?A?, leading to swift folds from both of his opponents.
Juan Pardo raised to 130,000 from early position. Alex Kulev three-bet to 375,000 on the button, a virtual all-in with just 20,000 behind the line. Pardo put him in for the rest and Kulev called.
Alex Kulev: 9?9?
Juan Pardo: K?10?
The flop was a safe one as it came 2?3?Q?. However, the 10? turn put Pardo out in front. The J? sent Kulev to the rail, ending his campaign for back-to-back Super High Roller titles here in Monaco.
The cards are in the air and play has commenced for the day. PokerNews will be live reporting on a 30-minute delay so as to not spoil the PokerStars live stream.
The PokerStars European Poker Tour continues today at the Sporting Monte-Carlo as Event #15: �100,000 EPT Super High Roller plays to its conclusion. The event is scheduled to kick off at 12:30 p.m. local time as the final nine players get whittled down to a champion; each playing for their share of the �6,985,440 prize pool.
The remaining finalists have all secured a payday of �218,300, but it is the grand prize of �1,967,440 that is captivating the attention of the poker world.
Coming into the day with the overall chip lead is poker legend Patrik Antonius, who managed to accumulate 3,940,000 by the conclusion of Level 14. The Finnish professional poker player is no stranger when it comes to performing at the highest of stacks and is looking to add an additional EPT trophy to go alongside his 2005 Main Event win in Baden.
Final Table Chip Counts
Rank
Player
Country
Chip Counts
Big Blinds
1
Patrik Antonius
Finland
3,940,000
65
2
Juan Pardo
Spain
3,400,000
56
3
Ben Heath
United Kingdom
2,480,000
41
4
Christoph Vogelsang
Germany
2.390,000
39
5
Byron Kaverman
United States
2,085,000
34
6
David Yan
New Zealand
1,425,000
23
7
Stephen Chidwick
United Kingdom
1,095,000
18
8
Jean-Noel Thorel
France
775,000
12
9
Alex Kulev
Bulgaria
425,000
7
Although coming into the day with just seven big blinds, reigning �100,000 EPT Super High Roller champion, Alex Kulev, is still in contention for back-to-back titles. Kulev is looking to nearly double the �1,036,287 he won last year in the very same event.
Kulev has already had great success here in Monaco, taking down the �30,000 No Limit Hold'em Warm-Up for �633,385 just three days ago.
Final Table Payouts
Place
Prize
1
�1,967,440
2
�1,269,300
3
�906,700
4
�697,500
5
�536,500
6
�426,500
7
�341,200
8
�272,800
9
�218,300
Day 3 will begin at 12:30 p.m. local time today, Monday, April 29, and will be streamed on a 30-minute delay by PokerStars beginning at 1 p.m. PokerNews coverage will also be on a 30-minute delay in order to correspond with the stream.
The action resumes with 60-minute levels at Level 19 with blinds of 30,000/60,000 with a 60,000 big blind ante.
Be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all your coverage of what is guaranteed to be a thrilling conclusion to the event.