Day 1E/F – MPF Autumn 2024

Dubau’s “Gut Feeling” Pays Off with a Lucky River!

Level 14: 2000/5000 (5000)
Entries: 124/508

Kieran Collins opened the pot, only to face a 3-bet to 25,000 from button player Marvin Dubau. Collins made the call, and the flop came 8♣J♥9♣. After Collins checked, Dubau bet 10,000, which Collins quickly raised to 40,000. Without hesitation, Dubau snap-shoved for 182,500 – call, and both went to a showdown:

• Marvin Dubau: 10♥4♥ (open-ended straight draw)
• Kieran Collins: J♠J♦ (set of jacks)

Dubau chuckled, “I don’t know why I did that,” as the dealer turned the 5♣. Then, the river 7♦ completed Dubau’s straight, prompting him to shout, “It’s coming! That’s why I’m doing it!”

Meanwhile, Collins was left reeling, shaken by the tough beat that his set of jacks cost him.

Kieran Collins – 40,000
Marvin Dubau – 430,000

Kelly Saxby Can See The Future

Level 14: 2000/5000 (5000)
Entries: 134/508

Down to her last 7 big blinds, Kelly Ann Saxby shoved and was called by Mikael Skantze in the big blind. Saxby showed pocket tens 10♠10♥, while Skantze held A♣8♥.

The flop came 7♥A♥4♦, giving Skantze the lead with a pair of aces. The 9♣ on the turn prompted Saxby to quip, “You gotta stand up, because you know it’s gonna happen,” as she rose from her chair.

To everyone’s surprise, her prediction came true as the 10♦ hit the river, completing her set! Laughter erupted around the table as Saxby scooped the pot and stayed alive.

Kelly Ann Saxby – 75,000
Mikael Skantze – 120,000

Hays Makes Smyth Reconsider on the River

Level 13: 2000/4000 (4000)
Entries: 142/508

Antonin Hays raised 3x from the small blind, and Barry Smyth quickly called from the big blind. The flop came J♣7♠K♠, and Hays continued for 12,000, with Smyth snap-calling.

On the turn Q♥, Hays fired again, this time for 35,000, and Smyth responded with another instant call. The river 3♣ saw Hays take his time before shoving all-in for 68,500. Smyth, who had a similar stack, asked for a count before ultimately folding.

A bold play by Hays, who scooped the pot and left Smyth wondering what could’ve been.

Antonin Hays – 201,000
Barry Smyth – 73,000

Tournament Updates – Main And Side Events in Full Swing!

It’s a busy day here at the Malta Poker Festival, with multiple tournaments underway, and here’s the latest on each one:

• Main Event Day 1E: A massive 508 entries were recorded, with 156 players still in the running. Out of these, 76 will advance to Day 2 and secure a minimum cash.
  
• Main Event Day 1F: Currently at 135 players out of 188 entries, with late registration open for 3 more levels. Plenty of time for players looking to take their shot!
  
• Main Event Day 1G Turbo: The turbo flight has 65 out of 82 entries still in action, with just over an hour left for late registration. This is one of the final chances to join the Day 2 action.
  
• MPF – PLO Knight Crusaders hosted by Mayoman: Only 18 players remain out of a strong 117-entry field. With just 15 spots paying, competition is fierce for the top prize of €7,650.
  
• Luxon Pay Mystery Bounty Day 1: This popular event has 62 out of 420 players still competing, and the excitement is building as they approach the bounty phase, Day 2 will be played tomorrow at 10:00.

Best of luck to everyone still in action, and stay tuned as we get closer to the bubble and beyond in each of these thrilling tournaments!

Florio Survives With A Crucial Double-Up!

Level 13: 2000/4000 (4000)
Entries: 169/508

Alessandro Florio opened the pot to 8,000 and was quickly 3-bet by Fikri Basaran seated just one spot to his left. The rest of the table folded, and Florio wasted no time, shoving his 48,500 chips into the middle. Basaran made an instant call, and the cards were revealed:

• Alessandro Florio: Q♠Q♦ – seat 3 on the picture
• Fikri Basaran: A♣J♦ – – seat 5 on the picture

Florio was ahead but at risk, and the flop was a nail-biter: 7♣8♣9♣ gave Basaran outs for both a flush and a straight with a ten. The turn 9♠ and river [invalid notations]7d paired the board twice, and Florio’s queens held strong, dodging an array of dangerous outs to secure an important double-up for the Italian.

Alessandro Florio – 107,000
Fikri Basaran – 60,000

Danilo Mercuri Scores A Massive Pot

Level 11: 1000/2500 (2500)
Entries: 236/508

Danilo Mercuri (pictured below) opened from early position and was met with a 3-bet to 16,000 from Jesper Skeel of Denmark on the cutoff. The action folded back to Mercuri, who made the call. The flop came K♠2♣10♦, and both players checked.

The turn brought a Q♥, and Mercuri checked to Skeel, who bet 20,000. Mercuri responded with a bold check-raise to 53,500, which Skeel snap-called. The river 8♠ brought rapid action: Mercuri bet 69,000, and Skeel instantly shoved all-in for Mercuri’s remaining 133,500. Just as quickly, Mercuri called.

Skeel tried to muck his hand, but the dealer revealed K♦J♦ for one pair. Mercuri turned over A♥J♥ for the nut straight, securing a massive pot worth over 400,000 chips!

Danilo Mercuri – 410,000
Jesper Skeel – 20,000