The chips were shipped to Ganesh when all-in with A9 v K9 of Ian .. “I’ve had enough.  Call!”.  Then shipped back to Ian.  Then split pot when Ian has JT v 9T, when it goes in on the King river with 77T also on the board.  Then Ganesh takes the lead again only for Ian to double back up to 1.1 mil with A9 v 78 of Ganesh.  Then Ganesh makes a straight to take a chunk out of Ian to the point of tilted exhaustion. .. this final has lasted 10 and half hours. .. where he pushes with 52 only to be called by Ganesh with pocket Jacks. 

And it’s all over !

Ian Farrell finishes in second for £33,075

Ganesh Rao finishes in first place for £57,175

Entries: 189
No of players left: 2
Average stack: 945,000
Chip Leader: Ian Farrell
Blinds for Level 25: 25,000-50,000

Unbelievably, they’re still at it.  Ian currently in front with 1.3 million, but it’s to and fro.  Ian’s extra aggression is getting the better of it then Ganesh will trap Ian and get some change back.  One hand Ian flat called on the button with pocket KK’s and checked the 5 high flop and then the turn with no other scare card, but the Ace came on the river and Ganesh bet 80k and Ian called reluctantly.  Ganesh now held Aces and threes and Ian flashed the pocket pair before he mucked.  Plan went awry.

(Blinds now up to 30k - 60k)

Entries: 189
No of players left: 2
Average stack: 945,000
Chip Leader: Ian Farrell
Blinds for Level 24: 20,000-40,000 ante 2000

Ian now a massive chip leader after Ganesh moves all-in on a queen high flop.  “This is a bad call”, from Ian who turns over QJ.  It’s not though, ‘cos Ganesh has Q7 and kicker trouble. 

Ian had been losing it up to this point with Ganesh making good calls and aggressive all-ins to push Ian off pots.  It didn’t work for him this time, however as Ian was pot committed the way the betting went on the flop.

(blinds now up to 25k 50k)

Entries: 189
No of players left: 2
Average stack: 945,000
Chip Leader: Ian Farrell
Blinds for Level 24: 20,000-40,000 ante 2000

After a short break and James pushes all-in from the button and gets no callers.  Next hand and Ian makes it 120k and James all-in for 160k more.  “You can’t pass” says James.  He would prefer to, “I’ve got rubbish”, he sighs.  Ian closes his eyes and pushes the stack in to call.

James has A5 and Ian Q2

Second card out is a Queen and no help comes to save James and..

James Akenhead is 3rd for £23,625

Entries: 189
No of players left: 3
Average stack: 630,000
Chip Leaders: Ganesh Rao
Blinds for Level 23: 15,000-30,000 ante 2000

James has been more aggressive this level, but he’s slipped to 200k in chips.  It’s just not gone his way.  The main damage to his stack was when he called from the SB and Ganesh checked his option.  “Never lose your chips in an unraised pot!” The flop comes 7h3c3h and James bets 45k.  Ganesh raises 100k and James makes it 200k.  Ganesh “all-in” and called by James.

James has Jh4h and Ganesh has 8c3s.  The flush don’t come and Ganesh takes the chip lead (850k).

Ian Farrell back to his normal aggressive and makes a great 80k call against Ganesh on the river holding only bottom pair of 33’s.

Chip counts

Ganesh Rao 880k

Ian Farrell 780k

James Akenhead 230k

Entries: 189
No of players left: 3
Average stack: 630,000
Chip Leaders: James Akenhead
Blinds for Level 22: 12,000-24,000 ante 2000

Since the break Ian Farrell has been the most aggressive at the table, making stabs at the pots and taking them down, but most of all gambling.  He’s been from chip leader to third and last and back up to leader.  The main involvements were with Ganesh moving in over the top of his button raise for a further 225k and “let’s gamble” from Ian and calling with KT off suit !!  Ganesh with pocket 99’s which hold up.

Ian follows that loss up with more aggressive play and no-one wanting to tangle with him and back to the chip lead again.  James Akenhead very quiet ’til he wakes up with pocket QQ’s and doubles up through Ian who’s at it again with AJ from the button.  James takes the chip lead with 900k.  Ian still  has 400k.  Ganesh holding steady with half-a-million.

(as a footnote, Ian Farrell won his seat online in a freeroll.  He finished second to Cheryl Routledge to qualify for a super satellite, didn’t rebuy and won all expenses to here for zilch, nada, nothing)

Ian Farrell 760k

James Akenhead 723k

Ganesh Rao 419k

Entries: 189
No of players left: 3
Average stack: 630,000
Chip Leaders: Ganesh Rao, James Akenhead
Blinds for Level 21: 10,000-20,000 ante 1000

(45 minute clock now)

Mark raises to 40k from the button and Ian calls from the BB.  The flop is AhKd3c and Mark bets 20k and Ian raises and Mark “all-in!” and called by Ian with Ac3h.  Mark has Ks9c and needs some help.  It’s not to be and ..

Mark Dalimore is 4th for £16,075

The hit squad sweating their stablemate James Akenhead

Entries: 189
No of players left: 4
Average stack: 472,500
Chip Leaders: Ganesh Rao, James Akenhead
Blinds for Level 20: 8000-16000 ante 1000

In the very last hand of play in this level Ganesh Rao doubles up through Mark Dalimore.  Ganesh cannot bear to look as he’s all-in with his overpair of 88’s against Ah9h on a 5h6c7h flop.

The 9d on the turn gives Ganesh a straight and he gives a slight look up when he hears this announced.  Still doesn’t want to see a heart.  A 6s on the river and a huge cry of relief from Ganesh. 

Ganesh and James vying for the chip lead now.

(blinds up to 10k 20k 1k ante)

NB THE INFO ON THE MAIN LIVE UPDATE PAGE IS CURRENTLY NOT UP TO DATE.  THIS BLOG IS. THX.

Entries: 189
No of players left: 4
Average stack: 472,500
Chip Leader: James Akenhead
Blinds for Level 20: 8000-16000 ante 1000

James Akenhead takes the chip lead off Ganesh Rao when he turns a ten to make a set on a king high board.  He raised preflop to 50k and called by Ganesh.  Ganesh bet the 78K flop 50k and called by James.  James bets 130k on the river with his set and gets a call from Ganesh, who mucks when he sees it.

Then a series of no called bets, lots of all-in’s from Ian and Dave until 10 mins to go before the end of this level and David Allan is all-in from the button and gets insta-call from Mark on the BB who flips QQ’s over.  David with A7. 
David does hit a 7 on the all-club flop, but Mark with the Q of clubs in his hand to diminish David’s outs and ..

David Allan finishes in 5th for £12,275