2008 Partouche Poker Tour - Cannes

€8,500 Cannes Main Event
Day: 4
Event Info

2008 Partouche Poker Tour - Cannes

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
99
Prize
$1,426,645
Event Info
Buy-in
$12,300
Entries
480
Level Info
Level
31
Blinds
75,000 / 150,000
Ante
15,000

€8,500 Cannes Main Event

Day 4 Completed

Congratulations to Alain Roy - 2008 Partouche Poker Tour Champion ($1,426,645)

Alain Roy
Alain Roy
Four days ago we started with 480 players and at a little after 3.30 am local time we have finally reduced that number to just one.

Alain Roy is the last man standing, taking home the title and the money in the first annual Partouche Poker Tour Main Event. Some of the days' play were long, some were extremely long but that all is a direct consequence of the the deep stack and great structure on offer.

As with any tournament in its first year there were teething problems along the way but we expect to be back next year to witness and even bigger, better and more successful event.

We appreciate you following our coverage and hope to see you back again next year from the sunny south of France. Until then good night from The Palm Beach Casino, Cannes.

Claudio Rinaldi Eliminated in 2nd Place ($729,158)

It only took three hands of heads-up play to find our champion and the honor goes to Frenchman Alain Roy.

Claudio Rinaldi was sitting on the button and moved all-in and received an instant call from Roy as soon as he peeked at his cards.

Rinaldi tabled {7-Hearts} {7-Clubs} but he soon saw he was in deep trouble to Roy's {9-Spades} {9-Diamonds}.

The board came {8-Spades} {4-Clubs} {A-Diamonds} {2-Hearts} {5-Clubs} to confirm all 9.5 million chips and over $1.4 million were heading Roy's way as the winner of the inaugural Partouche Poker Tour Main Event, Cannes.

A special mention must go to our valiant runner up Claudio Rinaldi who put in a fine performance to finish second, collecting $729,158 for his troubles.

Tags: Alain RoyClaudio Rinaldi

Updated Chip Counts

As we get set for heads-up play, here's how the last two competitors stand:

Alain Roy - 8,020,000
Claudio Rinaldi - 1,640,000

We are on yet another short break while the table is prepared for the final duel.

Antonin Tesseire Eliminated in 3rd Place ($477,926)

Antonin Tesseire was first to act and open shoved all-in for over 500,000. Firstly Alain Roy made the call from the small blind, quickly followed by Claudio Rinaldi in the big blind.

No cards were revealed as there was potential for a side pot. The flop came {J-Diamonds} {2-?} {K-Spades} and both players checked before the turn came {4-Clubs}. Both players checked once more so we saw the river {5-?}.

Roy revealed {K-?} {J-?} which was good for the pot as both other players mucked. That means we're down to heads-up play as Tesseire is our third-place finisher.

Tesseire Pwns Third Chair

Earlier we reported that Antonin Tesseire had to replace his chair because the one he was sitting in broke. A couple of hours later he managed to break another...

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we've just witnessed a third chair experience the wrath of Tesseire. The good news is, there are a few extra chairs scattered about the final table stage now that we're down to three players, so replacement chairs are not hard to come by. The bad news is, he's delivering all of the broken chairs to an area near our desk and we're slowly but surely running out of elbow room!

Stephane Bazin Eliminated in 4th Place ($321,709)

Bazin during his post-exit interview
Bazin during his post-exit interview
Under the gun, Stephane Bazin moved all in for a cool 1,000,000 chips. The next two players folded, but Alain Roy looked down at {A-Clubs} {Q-Hearts} and made the call, having his opponent well covered. Bazin tabled {9-Diamonds} {9-Spades} and was racing for his tournament life.

Board: {K-Spades} {6-Spades} {7-Clubs} {4-Hearts} {A-Spades}

The ace on the river spells the end for Stephane Bazin, who will take home $321,709 for his fine efforts this weekend. Bazin ran into some terrible luck here at the final table, getting outdrawn on numerous occasions. Each time, he handled the situation with class and dignity, congratulating his opponent and putting his game face back on. This time, he has no chips left to play with, but picking up the check from the cashier's desk should provide some consolation.

With Bazin's elimination, we are down to just three players.

Tags: Stephane Bazin

Ace in the Door

Under the gun, Claudio Rinaldi moves all in for right around 1,000,000 chips. Tesseire and Roy fold, and action is on Stephane Bazin in the big blind, who calmly says, "Call," as he turns over {Q-Diamonds} {Q-Hearts}. Rinaldi doesn't seem too upset as he tables {A-?} {3-?}.

Right in the door comes the {A-Spades}, and the board fills out with {K-Spades} {2-Diamonds} {3-Clubs} {8-Diamonds}, doubling Rinaldi up on a big outdraw. He has moved up close to the 2,000,000 mark, while Bazin has dropped to about 1,400,000. Chips are flying around the table right now with these huge blinds and antes.

Tags: Claudio RinaldiStephane Bazin