Euro City Poker Tour Madrid Open 2008
MADRID SPAIN, 2008
The ECPT Madrid Open, sponsored by Titan Poker, is taking place from May 9th-12th at the Casino Gran Madrid, about 30 kilometers outside the city centre.
Players come from a plethora of countries, including Austria, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, The Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Venezuela.
Friday, May 9th
Players took a bus from their respective hotels to the casino on Friday night, May 9th, to attend the beautiful Titan Poker reception, held in the casino’s exquisite Mandalay room.
Players gather prior to the start of the reception.
The reception included a variety of appetizers, where the players could sample various forms of Spanish cuisine. There was also an open "mojito bar" as well as a live DJ. Not surprisingly however, players preferred to rush to the poker room afterwards, to either participate in or watch the Super Satellite taking place, which awarded an additional three players seats to the Main Event, which started at 17:00 on Saturday, May 10th.
Saturday, May 10th
A total of 150 players started in the ECPT Madrid Main Event, on Saturday May 10th.
Players socialize in the waiting area while they wait for the tournament’s start.
Interviews were filmed with a few lucky players. For several players, this is their first Live tournament, and nerves were running high in the minutes leading up to the event.
A dealer sets up for the big Day 1
Tournament director explains the rules of the event, and we are underway!
Players at the start of Day 1
Bruno Peyrou of France decides his next move.
Bruno and his wife Marise are no strangers to Live Tournaments. His wife struck gold first in 2007 when she won herself a seat to the Pokerface 2007 Tournament, held in Las Vegas. Then Bruno had his turn in January when he won a seat to play at the WPS in Costa Rica! This is now their third trip "on Titan" and Marise knows the next one will be on HER!
Kenneth Tomming stacks up!
Kenneth is also becoming used to playing live. He joined Titan Poker at the EPT San Remo this past April, where he had the thrilling experience of playing at the same table as poker celebrity Daniel Negreanu!
Players enjoy tapas at the Day 1 player dinner
Players were treated to Spanish cuisine for the second time on their dinner break, which took place after level 3. It will be a long night of poker with another 6 levels starting at 10pm! But these players would have it no other way.
Following the dinner break, the prize structure was revealed:
1st – 40,000 Euro
2nd – 23,000 Euro
3rd – 16,300 Euro
4th – 13,300 Euro
5th – 10,800 Euro
6th – 9,000 Euro
7th – 7,400 Euro
8th – 5,900 Euro
9th – 4,400 Euro
10th – 2,900 Euro
11th-20th – 1,500 Euro
Xavier Souchet of France just after a bad beat got him out.
He went all in with A Q, against an opponent with A J. The flop had the ace…but he lost the hand when the river card was a J. Souchet still thanks Titan Poker for the incredible experience of playing live here in Madrid.
Players are "Pretty in Pink" here in Madrid!
Players completed eight levels, playing down to 46 players.
Play will resume on Sunday at 17:00.
Sunday, May 11th
Kevin Quenot, 24 from France began Day 2 as the chipleader with 83,425
Kevin has only been playing poker for one year, and this is his biggest Live Tournament to date. Titan Poker is his favourite site by far, as he loves the colour, the lobby and especially the superb support. "I feel confident going into Day 2," he said, just as he was sitting down to start.
Hertmut Renken of Germany checks out his cards.
Heiko Wulf of Germany and Greg Metzak of Canada
This is not only Greg’s first ever Live Tournament, but also his first trip to Europe. "Thanks to Titan Poker, I have a week in Madrid – who could ask for more?" Aged 23 from Vancouver, Greg studies psychology and works as a surveyor for an agricultural company. Heiko Wulf began Day 2 with 9175 chips and Greg Metzak with 22,250.
Boris Routier of France, thanks Titan Poker for one of his greatest weekends ever.
Boris has been playing on Titan Poker for two years, and enjoys the benefits of being a Titanium VIP player. He adores the site’s VIP service and layout. After a long Day 2, he finished just outside the money in 23rd place. He had J Q up against an A 6 and there were two 6s on the flop. Lucky for Boris however, he will have another chance at the end of this month, as he has already qualified to play in the APT Manila! We wish you excellent playing again Boris!
14th place – Bruno Peyrou and wife Maryse of France – he wins 1500 Euros
13th place – Javier Etayo of MADRID, Spain wins 1500 Euros
12th place – Niklas Heinecker of Latvia wins 1500 Euros
11th place – Kevin Quenot, the Day 2 starting chipleader, wins 1500 Euros
FINAL TABLE STARTING CHIP COUNTS
10th – Greg Metzak – Titan Poker – Canada - 31,300
9th – Dani Vargas – Titan Poker – Dominican Republic – 41,600
8th – Daniele Vesco – Italy - 58,700
7th – Juan Manuel Pastol – 63,700
6th – Ingo Nassall – 73,200
5th – Agustin Sevila – 81,800
4th – Carlos Lopez – 92,000
3rd – Juan Maceiras – 109,700
2nd – Nanarran Melwani – 300,500
1st – Zack Chesses – 334,100
Greg’s chip collection
Carlos Lopez, a local who bought in, finished in 3rd place, winning 16,300 Euros
Titan Poker’s VIP Manager, Melanie Preston, writes a rather large cheque
Titan Poker Player Ingo Nassall from Germany, finished in 2nd place, winning 23,000. He was then off to catch his 6:30 am flight!
AND THE WINNER IS………………………
GREG METZAK from Vancouver, Canada!
Greg qualified for his seat to Madrid when he won a VIP freeroll. He participated in a promotion that allowed him entry to this freeroll if he earned enough Titan points within one week. Well Greg – the effort surely paid off! Greg cashed in at 40,000 Euros. When asked who would receive the first excited phone call, he replied "No, I think I am going to wait until I get home and when people ask how it was, say ‘well, you know…poker’s a tough game…anything can happen…’"
Greg shakes hands with the Tournament Manager
Speaks for itself!
GREG SMILES IN PROUD DISBELIEF!
