WPT Venice Final Table Live Updates

02.54

Its Over

After a heads up encounter that has lasted a staggering 8hrs and 20 minutes; Alessio Isaia has become the WPT Champion at Venice. See the winner interview below or read the full recap of the final table here.

Both players have been moving all-in continually during the past 40 minutes. Mayer has had a stack of around 2.8 million but neither of them have managed to find a hand at the same time – until two minutes ago.

A very tired Szabolcs Mayer peeked at his cards for the umpteenth time this week and saw . It was good enough for him and he announced all-in. The Italian Alessio Isaia peeked at his cards for what seemed an eternity before saying “I call!”.

Isaia was holding and he had his opponent dominated.

The final table was attacked from all sides as everyone, including the casino owners, were hoping for an Italian win. Mayer seemed to have one fan in the building at this point in time.

The flop was and there was a strange silence.

The turn was the and there were a few oohs and aahs.

The river was the and the place just went crazy. Isaia was screaming with clenched fists and an Italian flag was thrown to him from the crowd and he draped it around his neck.

Alessio Isaia – WPT Venice Champion.

Well played Szabolcs Mayer for a meritable runner up spot.

WPT Venice Main Event top 10:

1. Alessio Isaia €380,000
2. Szabolcs Mayer €228,990
3. David Vamplew €149,910
4. Emmanuel Rodrigues €101,960
5. Adrien Camille Garrigues €73,180
6. Luca Fiorini €57,830
7. Max Lykov €43,370
8. Renato Paolini €31,960
9. Paolo Della Penna €22,820
10. Andrea Ferrari €15,210

02.12

Isaia completed from the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 200,000 bet by Isaia.

The turn was and both players checked.

The river was and Mayer checked again. Isaia bet 750,000 and true to form Mayer called.

Isaia showed for a rivered set.

Mayer cannot keep calling these river bets or he is going to run out of chips.

02.03

Mayer completed and Isaia checked.

The flop was and Isaia checked and Mayer bet 200,000 and Isaia called.

The turn was the and both players checked.

The river was the and Isaia bet 375,000 and Mayer folded.

01.54

Mayer raised to 320,000 and Isaia called.

The flop was and Isaia checked, Mayer bet 325,000 and Isaia folded.

-

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 160,000 bet by Isaia.

The turn was the and both players checked.

The river was the and Mayer bet 375,000 and Isaia folded.

-

Isaia raised to 325,000 and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 325,000 Isaia bet.

The turn was the and Mayer checked again. Everyone in the room were hoping for a dynamic check-raise.

Isaia bet 575,000 and…yes you’ve guessed it Mayer folded!

01.34

Isaia completes in the small blind and Mayer checks.

The flop is and Mayer checks and before Isaia can count out his bet he has folded.

-

Isaia completes in the small blind and Mayer checks.

The flop is and Mayer check-calls a 160,000 bet from Isaia.

The turn was the and Mayer checks to Isaia again who bets 350,000 and Mayer folds.

01.14

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer bet 200,000 and Isaiah called.

The turn was and Mayer checked and so did Isaia

The river was and Mayer bet 450,000 and Isaia called.

Mayer turned over for the nut flush and Isaia folded.

01.07

The Most Important Hand of The Night So Far

Mayer raised to 320,000 and Isaiah simply said “all-in”.

Mayer rocked back on his chair in shock and said “I call”.

There was the usual rush of excitement in the crowd even though half of them had to be woken up first!

Isaiah had and Mayer has

The flop was and the crowd went berzerk. “It is not over yet.” said Isaia.

The turn was the . “Now, now.” Shouted Isaia.

The river was the and Isaia had doubled up and taken a commanding chip lead.

00.43

Mayer raised to 320,000 and a three-bet from Isaia for 825,000 took home the chips for the Italian.

-

Mayer completed in the small blind and Isaia checked.

The flop was and both players checked.

The turn was and Isaia bet 160,000 and Mayer called.

The river was the and again Isaia bet 160,000 and Mayer screwed his face up and made the call.

Mayer had and Isaia had and they split the pot.

00.32

At the start of Level 31 Mayer looks extremely tired and a little bit disorientated. He has miscalculated a few of his bets and is squinted and rubbing his eyes a lot. Isaia, on the other hand, looks as fresh as a daisy.

Isaia completed and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer bet 175,000 and Isaia called.

The turn was and both players checked.

The river was the and Mayer won the pot with a 275,000 bet.

00.07

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer checked to Isaia and he bet 120,000 to take the pot down.

-

Mayer raised to 240,000 and Isaia three-bet to 575,000 and Mayer called.

The flop was and Isaia bet 575,000 and Mayer called.

The turn was the and Isaia checked. Mayer took a long time to count up a raise which looked like it was 800,000 but Isaia had already folded before the chips crossed the line.

-

Isaia limped and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer bet 125,000 and Isaia called.

The turn was and again Mayer tried his luck and bet 250,000 and Isaia called.

The river was and Mayer put the brakes on with a check. Isaia, who has a very high river win% in this heads up encounter, bet 275,000 and Mayer called.

Isaia turned over and Mayer once again mucked the losing hand.

23.37

Isaia bet 250,000 and Mayer three-bet to 625,000 and Isaia folded.

-

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 220,000 bet by Isaia.

The turn was and again Mayer check-called a bet from Isaia; this time 275,000.

The river was the and Mayer checked for the third time. Isaia fired a third barrel for 575,000. Mayer was counting out a call and it must have crossed his mind that he has been wrong in this situation so often today. He did make the call though and Isaia showed and Mayer mucked.

23.24

Isaia raised to 250,000 and Mayer three-bet to 575,000 and Isaia folded.

-

Mayer raised to 240,000 and Isaia called.

The flop was and both players checked. The turn was and Isaia bet 300,000 and it was enough to make Mayer fold.

-

Mayer bet 240,000 and Isaia three-bet to 575,000.

Mayer then went into the tank which takes a long time. He counts his chips for an eternity before eventually moving them over the line. Then eventually Mayer moved 1,490,000 into the middle and Isaia folded.

-

Isaia raised to 240,000 and Mayer called.

The flop was and both players checked. The turn was and again the action checked through.

The river was and Mayer checked and Isaia bet 475,000. Mayer made the call and mucked his cards when he saw of Isaia who won with two pair and a King kicker.

22.57

Mayer raises to 240,000 and Isaia calls.

The flop was and Isaia checked to Mayer and his 250,000 bet was good enough to take the pot down.

-

Mayer completed in the small blind and Isaia checked.

The flop was and Isaia check-called a 225,000 Mayer bet.

The turn was the and Isaia decided to claim it by betting 375,000 and Mayer folded.

22.40

The Third All-In Of This Heads Up Encounter

This heads up encounter just keep going backwards and forwards!

Mayer, who had just taken the chip lead from Isaia, raises to 240,000 and Isaia calls.

The flop was and Isaia checked to Mayer who bet 250,000. Isaia then check-raised to 625,000 and Mayer moved all-in and was called by Isaia.

Again there was a surge of Italians heading for the table hoping for an Isaia win.

Isaia:
Mayer:

The turn was the and the river and Isaia’s hand held up.

Isaia had 3,340,000 in his stack when he moved all-in

22.28

Alessio Isaia Loses Another Million

Isaia raised to 200,000 and Mayer called.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 225,000 bet by Isaia.

The turn was and again Mayer check-called a bet by Isaia; this time for 550,000.

The river was the and both players checked and Mayer won with and Isaia mucked.

22.21

We Have Our Second Heads Up All-In Showdown

We have just had our second all-in encounter since we started this tense heads up match.

Isaia made it 200,000 to play and Mayer three-bet to 525,000. Isaia didn’t take long to make his mind up and move all-in. Mayer took a peek at his cards and called.

The crowd were on their feet and the security were trying to prevent them from getting to the table!

Isaia had and Mayer had .

You could feel the crowd baying for an Ace or a Ten but they were to be disappointed.

The flop was but the first card the crowd could see was the six and there was a audible groan from the crowd.

The turn was the last remaining six in the deck giving Mayer quads and it was met with stunned silence in the crowd.

The river was and Isaia had to hand over 5,600,000 chips to his opponent.

22.13

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer checked to Isaia who bet 100,000 and Mayer called.

Both players checked on the turn.

On the river it was a and Mayer checked to Isaia who bet 125,000 and Mayer called.

Isaia turned over and Mayer mucked.

22.03

Mayer raised to 265,00 and Isaia called.

The flop was and both players checked.

The turn was the and Mayer checked to Isaia who bet 100,000 and Mayer folded.

-

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 100,000 bet by Isaia.

The turn was checked by both players.

The river was also checked through and Mayer took the pot down with and Isaia mucked.

21.40

Isaia Moves Up a Gear

Alessio Isaia has really taken a grip on this heads up encounter and he has just moved up an additional gear as the following hand demonstrates.

Mayer raised to 200,000 and Isaia called.

The flop was and both players checked.

The turn was the and Isaia check-called a 200,000 bet by Mayer.

On the river we had the and Isaia again checked. Mayer bet 452,000 and Isaia pulled a check-raise out of the bag making it 975,000 to play. Mayer went deep into the tank and had the longest thinking period this final table has witnessed. Then after several minutes Mayer folded and Isaia showed the bluff

21.25

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer raised to 250,000 and Isaia called.

The flop was and a 250,000 Mayer bet won the pot.

-

Mayer completed in the small blind and Isaia checked.

The flop was and Isaia checked to Mayer who bet 100,00 and Isaia folded.

-

Mayer completed in the small blind and Isaia checked.

The flop was and both players checked.

The turn was the Isaia checked and Mayer bet 100,000. Isaia counted off a raise and made it 325,000 and Mayer folded.

21.08

Isaia completed in the small blind and Mayer checked his option.

The flop was and Mayer bet 250,000 and Isaia folded.

Mayer won the next one uncontested before Isaia again completed in the small blind and Mayer checked.

The flop was and Mayer check-called a 100,000 Isaia bet.

The turn was the and both players checked.

The river was the and Mayer checked for the third time. Isaia bet 125,000 and Mayer folded.

20.53

Mayer raised to 200,000 and Isaia called.

The flop was and Isaia checked to Mayer who bet 175,000 and Isaia called.

Both players checked the turn and the dealer gave us a river. Isaia bet 255,000 and Mayer folded.

20.46

Welcome to Level 29

The players have been fed and watered and we are ready to go.

Mayer raises to 200,000 and Isaia three-bets to 565,000 and Mayer folds handing the first pot to Isaia.

Then Mayer completes in the big blind and Isaia checks. The flop was and both players checked. The turn was the and a 100,000 bet by Mayer was enough to win the second pot.

19.20

A Huge Moment Just Before The Dinner Break

Isaia raises to 160,000 and Mayer three-bets to 395,000.

Isaia takes his time and stares at Mayer before eventually announcing all-in and Mayer calls very quickly.

Isaia has the advantage with and Mayer holding .

Flop:

Turn:

River:

The crowd go bananas in support of their countryman and Isaia has a crucial double up and is now the chip leader.

We are now on a one hour dinner break

19.16

Isaia raised to 160,000 and Mayer three-bet to 390,000 and Isaia made the call.

The flop was and Mayer bet 400,000. Isaia counted out a raise but then folded.

Isaia bet 160,000 and Mayer three-bet to 395,000 and Isaia folded.

Mayer bet 165,000 and Isaia raised to 455,000.

“How much do you have?” asked Mayer.

“4.4 million.” said Isaia

Mayer folded.

19.01

WPT Venice high roller final table is set! PartyPoker’s Giovanni Safina is in the lead with 131,000 while Dario Minieri is up there with 80,000. The final table starts tomorrow and the full action coverage will be here on the PartyPoker blog.

Safina Giovanni 131,550
Lindberg Bjorn Stefan 123,000
Nitsche Dominik 86,475
Minieri Dario 79,500
Neumann Marko 76,600
Marigliano Marcello 47,575
Rosa Massimiliano 16,900
Rabtsov Kirill 8,375

19.00

Isaia raises to 160,000 and Mayer calls.

The flop was and both players checked.

The turn was and Mayer bet 125,000 and Isaia folded.

Mayer raised to 165,000 and Isaia called.

The flop was and both players checked.

The turn was and Isaia bet 280,000 and Mayer called.

The river was and Isaia bet 975,000 and Mayer threw one solitary chip into the middle to indicate his call.

Isaia showed for two pair and Mayer mucked.

18.46

Mayer raises to 165,000 and Isaia calls.

The action is checked right the way through the board of

“I think I win.” says Isaia

And he does when he reveals and Mayor mucks his cards.

18.35

Alessio Isaia Strikes First Blood

In the very first hand of the heads up encounter Alessio Isaia raises to 160,000 and Szabolcs Mayer calls.

The flop was and Mayer checked to Isaia who bet 180,000 and Mayer called.

The turn was checked by both players .

Then the river paired the board when it produced another . Mayer quietly took some chips and made a bet of 325,000. Isaia took his time, had a drink of water, and called.

Mayer:

Isaia:

Isaia took the hand down with a pair of sevens.

18.16

David Vamplew Has Been Eliminated in 3rd Place

David Vamplew will not be adding a WPT title to his triple crown hopes thanks to Szabolcs Mayer.

Mayer is a one man wrecking maching at this final table and he now has a dominating chip lead over Alession Isaia in the final heads up encounter. This is how Vamplew was eliminated.

Mayer raised to 160,000 on the button and Vamplew moved all-in for ~2,000,000 and Mayer called.

Mayer:

Vamplew:

Board:

Mayer hit his ace on the turn and Vamplew’s hope were dashed.

The table will now be set up for the final heads up encounter between Szabolcs Mayer and Alessio Isaia.

Mayer has 12,865,000 chips and Alessio Isaia 2,800,000

18.09

Szabolcs Mayer raised to 180,000 in the small blind and Alessio Isaia called in the big blind.

The flop was and a Mayer 225,000 bet took it down.

18.03

Alessio Isaia raised to 225,000 in the small blind and David Vamplew raised to 460,000 in the big blind and Isaia folded.

Vamplew raised to 180,000 in the small blind and Szabolcs Mayer raised to 460,000 in the big blind and Vamplew folded.

Mayer raised to 160,000 on the button and Isaia raised to 415,000 and Mayer folded.

Then Vamplew raised to 160,000 on the button.

“How much are you playing?” asked Mayer.

We couldn’t hear Vamplew and Mayer called and Isaia folded.

The flop was and both players checked as they did with the turn.

The river was the and Mayer checked to Vamplew who bet 395,000 and it was enough to win the pot.

17.41

Szabolcs Mayer takes down to uncontested pots with raises from the small blind and the button.

Alessio Isaia takes the next hand down uncontested and then Vamplew tries it only this time Isaia moves all in and Vamplew quickly folds.

Then Vamplew raises in the small blind to 180,000 and Mayer calls in the big blind.

The flop was and Vamplew bet 235,000 and Mayer folded.

17.16

It is Break time and when we come back we will be on level 28 – 40,000/80,000 with a 10,000 ante

17.15

David Vamplew folded on the button and Szabolcs Mayer raised in the small blind to 145,000 and Alessio Isaia called.

We saw our first flop in very long time and it looked like this .

Mayor bet 175,000 and Isaia called.

The turn was and Mayer again bet, this time making it 350,000 and Isaia folded.

17.10

I really do get to go to the best places. There are days when I can’t help but fall in love with my job all over again and today was certainly one of those days. Check out the video, Kara Scott:

17.00

David Vamplew raised to 120,000 in the small blind and Szabolcs Mayer three-bets to 335,000 in the big blind and Vamplew folds.

Alessio Isaia raised to 135,000 on the button and everyone folded. Then Mayer raised to 145,000 in the small blind and Isaia folded.

Mayer raised to 120,000 on the button and Alessio Isaia three-bets to 345,000 from the small blind. David Vamplew removes his big blind and replaces it with 725,000 and Alessio Isaia moves all-in and Vamplew folds.

16.45

David Vamplew raised to 135,000 in the small blind and Szabolcs Mayer three-bet to 335,000 from the big blind. Vamplew had a good look at Mayer before four-betting to 725,000 and Mayer folded.

The Vamplew raised to 120,000 on the button and Mayer three-bet to 325,000 from the small blind and both Isaia and Vamplew folded.

Mayor then raised the next four times on the button uncontested.

Vamplew raised the next three times on the button uncontested.

Isaia raised the next twice on the button uncontested.

16.24

Emmanuel Rodrigues Has Been Eliminated in 4th Place

David Vamplew raised from the button for his standard 120,000. Szbalocs Mayer folded in the small blind and Emmanuel Rodrigues shoved all-in from the big blind.

The bet was around ~1,000,000 and Vamplew called very quickly.

Vampled exposed and Rodrigues exposed .

The flop was and Vamplew now had a set and Rodrigues was in a lot of trouble. The turn was the and it was all over. The river completing the board and Rodrigues was eliminated and takes home €101,960.

16.14

Adrien Camille Garrigues is Eliminated in 5th Place

Szabolcs Mayer has just taken a giant stride towards a WPT title and has eliminated Adrien Garrigues in the process.

David Vamplew folded and Mayer limped into the pot in early position, Emmanuel Rodrigues completed from the small blind and Alessio Isaia checked.

The flop was and Mayer bet 95,000, Garrigues called and everyone folded.

The turn was and Mayer bet 350,000 but it didn’t shake Garrigues off who called again.

The river was the and Mayer bet a whopping 825,000 and Garrigues instantly announced that he was all-in. His bet was ~1,800,000 in total and Mayer quickly called.

Garrigues got to his feet and shoved his hand face down towards the dealer and it was obvious that he was bluffing. Mayer turned over for the flush. The dealer turned over Garrigues cared and he was drawing dead with and the Frenchman had bluffed away a little over 2 million in chips.

16.00

Emmanuel Rodrigues opened to 120,000 under the gun and David Vamplew three-bet from the button making it 265,000 to play and Rodrigues folded.

Vamplew Caught Three Barrel Bluffing

There was an interesting hand yesterday between David Vamplew and Szabolcs Mayer when Vamplew was caught firing three barrels into Mayer as a bluff and Mayer called. Well he has remembered well because it has just happened again.

David Vamplew raised to 120,000 from the cut-off and Szabolcs Mayer called on the button. The blind folded and we saw a flop of and Vamplew bet 155,000 and Mayer called.

The turn was the and Vamplew bet 370,000 and Mayer called.

The river was the and the Scottish pro bet 695,000 and Mayer called.

Mayer turned over for top pair and Vamplew showed down for the bluff.

15.42

Luca Fiorini Has Been Eliminated in 6th Place

In the first hand after the level break we have lost another player here at WPT Venice.

Alessio Isaia opened to 130,000 under the gun and everyone folded around to the short-stack, Luca Fiorini, who was sat in the big blind with 515,000 chips.

Fiorini moved all-in and Isaia called and when the cards were turned over Fiorini was in good shape.

Fiorini:

Isaia:

Fiorini rose to his feet and Isaia stayed seated. The flop was good for Fiorini and so was the turn . Then just as Fiorini thought he was home and dry the dropped on the river and you could see the devastation etched on the face of Fiorini as he was eliminated.

15.20

David Vamplew raised to 100,000 on the button and Emmanuel Rodrigues three-bet to 300,000 from the big blind and Vamplew called.

The flop is full of spades .

Rodrigues checked and Vamplew bet 365,000 forcing the fold out of Rodrigues.

15.13

Alessio Isaia raises to 115,000 to take down the blinds and antes.

David Vamplew raises to 100,000 on the button and Szabolcs Mayer calls in the small blind and the big blind folds.

The flop is and both players check.

The turn is the and Mayer bet 300,000 and Vamplew mucked instantly.

15.00

Chip Counts

It is difficult to update the chip counts on the live table. We will endeavour to update them at the break.

14.50

Max Lykov is Eliminated in 7th Place

Max Lykov’s hopes of winning a WPT title have been ended here in the Casino de Muncipale Venezia.

Emmanuel Rodrigues raises to 100,000 in early position and Max Lykov calls on the button. David Vamplew folds in the small blind and Szabolcs Mayer calls in the big blind.

The flop is .

Rodrigues bets 130,000 and Lykov moves all-in. Mayer folds and Rodrigues calls.

Rodrigues:

Lykov:

Rodrigues has a set of aces and Lykov has a flush draw and needs a club. The turn was the and the river and Rodrigues doubles up and Lykov is left with 400,000.

In the very next hand Lykov was eliminated.

Lykov looked down at his cards and moved all-in. Mayer called in the small blind and so did Adrien Garrigues from the big blind.

Flop:

Mayer bets ~300,000 and Garrigues moves all-in from the big blind and Mayer calls.

We have a huge three-way all-in and the pot is over 600,000.

Mayer:

Garrigues:

Lykov:

The turn is the and the river is the . Lykov is eliminated and Garrigues and Mayer share the pot.

14.28

Tatjana Pasalic speaks to our final tablists.

Check it out!

14.24

Max Lykov bets 100,000 from the cut off and takes down the blinds and antes

Emmanuel Rodrigues raised to 100,000 under the gun and Max Lykov called in the hi-jack. The action folded around to Adrien Garrigues who squeezed out a three-bet from the big blind making it 455,000 to play. Rodrigues stared hard at Garrigues who covered his face with his hood. Eventually Rodrigues and Lykov folded and Garrigues took home the chips.

14.14

Szabolcs Mayer raises from early position to 115,000 and Alessio Isaia defends his big blind with the call.

The flop is and Isaia checks to Mayer who bets 175,000 and Isaia folds

14.02

Luca Fiorini Doubles Up Through Vamplew

The short stack at the table has just doubled up courtesy of our chip leader David Vamplew.

Fiorini was sat on a stack of 360,000 when he moved all-in from the cut- off. The action folded around to Vamplew who was seated in the small blind and he made the call before the big blind folded.

Showdown

Fiorini:

Vamplew:

So Fiorini was in a world of hurt; that was until the flop delivered his lifeline . The turn maintained Fiorini’s lead and the river confirmed that the Italian would move up to 720,000 in chips.

13.50

Renato Paolini Has Been Eliminated in 8th Place

Renato Paolini moved all-in for ~400,000 and Max Lykov also moved all-in to his direct left – both players were in early position.

Everyone else folded and we had our first all-in showdown of the day

Paolini:

Lykov:

Flop:

Turn:

River:

No Jack for Paolini and he takes home €31,960 for his 8th place finish

13.31

Mayer Takes a Hand Away From Lykov

Max Lykov raises from early position making it 100,000 to play and Szabolcs Mayer called from the button.

The flop was and Lykov bet 135,000 and Mayer called.

The turn was and Lykov slowed down and checked to Mayer. After a brief pause Mayer bet 250,000 and Lykov called.

The river was the and Lykov checked again before Mayer also checked the felt.

Mayer took the pot at showdown with and Lykov had

13.28

Hand Number One

Renato Paulini moves all-in for 405,000 and everyone folds.

13.23

Nearly There!

The players have all taken their seats and the lights of the camera’s have blinded each and everyone of them.

Kara Scott is going around the table introducing all of the players and wishing them good luck.

Most of the players are wearing the same attire that they have worn on previous days with the exception of Alessio Isaia. The Italian currently sat in 2nd place in the chip count has arrived fitted out in a resplendent tuxedo.

We are minutes away from hearing those famous words “shuffle up and deal!”

13.19

WPT Venice High Roller event is playing down to the final table today. From 13 down to 8. Here are the starting chip stacks today:

Minieri Dario – 162.175
Safina Giovanni – 72.950
Lindberg Bjorn Stefan – 52.700
Fontana Erminio – 44.025
Nitsche Dominik – 42.475
Atkinson Bruce – 46.950
Marigliano Marcello – 35.400
Neumann Marko – 34.625
Rabtsov Kirill – 25.150
Torelli Alec Michael – 22.125
Rosa Massimiliano – 17.350
Dato Andrea – 14.925
Martinez Massimiliano – 4.550

12.10

Welcome to the final table of the WPT Venice. Eight people will be trying to out-think and out-smart their opponents on their way to winning the WPT bracelet, the WPT trophy, the €380,000 first prize and the coveted title of WPT Champion! So who are our players? Let’s meet them.

Alessio Isaia

This 24 year old sponsored player from Italy is so close to his dream.

After two WSOP final tables, great results at IPT and local events, Alessio is about to outdo his biggest win (140 000 eur) and get his first bracelet if he manages to beat this table.

It has been 5 years since he started playing.

Looking up to Pierino Benelo, a very big name in the italian poker world, and after 3 WPT tournaments he has participated in, Isaia is ready to take this one down.

David Vamplew

Being a mathematician sure helps when you are playing poker and that is proven by the Sottish representative at the table.

David has been playing poker for over five years and the past 6 months have been the times of his life – he won an EPT and got a UKIPT TOC title.

Obviously, this time he is pushing it hard, if he gets the bracelet, it is the Triple Crown hunt for him.

David was born in Fife, Scotland, and has started playing poker with his friend at the Edinburgh Uni. So far he won 900 000 GBP, loves traveling, cooking , enjoys a game of badminton and, ladies, yes, you heard it here – he is still single!

Chat him up by talking about his favorite TV show – The wire or take him to a club to listen to some good old punk. “Och aye!”

Adrien Garrigues

One of the two French representatives, Adrien has been playing poker semi professionally for 2 years after learning how to play with his family.

Analysing Minieri and Dwan on ‘High Stakes Poker’ got him into the game with the big boys. So far he has cashed for 16k but things are about to change. If he gets J10 suited, which is his favorite hand, who knows what will happen.

Just like David, he is also single and loves football, rugby and is very devoted to his university.

When he is not wearing the same clothes every day, as that is one of his superstitions, Adrien enjoys some foie gras and listens to electro music.

Make sure you keep an eye on him, because if he doesnt make it big as a player, he might be doing your accounting – he is currently doing his masters in economy.

Emmanuel Rodrigues

Second French player at the table, Emanuel (32) is an engineer, and has been into poker for the past 6 years.

Its a tough field out there and he has only cashed for 20k so far but that does not mean he doesn’t have skills and he has proven that by making it to this final table today.

It is his strong belief in luck and skills that have made him leave his job a year ago and start putting hours into poker and it sure is already paying off.

When he is not at the table, Emanuel like to play chess and go cycling or spend time with his friend who are all here to rail him and take him for his favorite food, sushi, to celebrate his result.

Renato Paolini

Who said Italians cant play poker? Renato has already played 4 TV tables in his 3 year long poker career and cashed for 30k.

Seeing poker on TV intrigued him to start playing himself and this 38 year old did not make a mistake.

During the WPT Venice he got to meet his biggest idol, Dario Minieri and look at him now – at the final table with all of his friend cheering.

Renato will be hoping that he gets a lot of Aces today as he prefers them to any other hand and when he is done with the rough battle, he will pack his bags and head to his favorite destination in the world for vacation – Cuba.

Szabolcs Mayer

East Europe has their representative too! Poker is booming in Hungary and Mayer has been waiting for his chance for a long time.

After 6 years of hard work, this is his big chance – a WPT Final Table and a chance to join the biggest names in the industry as a part of the history.

Beware when playing against him cos apart from his scary looks, you might get scared of his music and film taste too – Pitbull and The fight club sure sounds aggressive and good for mood pumping before playing HU!

Luca Fiorni

Being the oldest at the table sure does bring a lot advantage because apart from poker, you will have life experience too.

Luca has it all – 40 years of life experience and 4 years of poker. Came to play, bought in himself and look at him now – battling it out for the biggest cash he has ever been close to in his whole life.

He would sure make Barry Greenstein proud if he took this one down since Luca celebrates every Barry win like his own.

Maxim Lykov

And last, but not least, the rough Russian, Max, will sure bring some interesting action to this table.

With the experience of winning an EPT in Kiev, cashing for over 330 000 eur and thinking of himself as the best poker player, this 23 year-old has a lot to show.

Decay, as he is called amongst friends, is not scared – after 5 years of playing poker he has seen it all. And he will take it all as well.

01.00

Isaia called and Mayer raised to 385,000 and Isaia folded.

-

Isaia raised to 325,000 and Mayer three-bet to 810,000 and Isaia folded.

-

Mayer raised to 320,000 and Isaia said “all-in”.

“How much?” asked a startled Mayer.

“5.5 million.” said the no nonsense Italian.

Mayer folded.

-

Isaia called and Mayer checked.

The board of was checked through and Mayer won the hand with