All you need to know about Deauville

This woman sat next to me for a good part of the day. Cameras were clicking on her all day, and it was funny. She rode a short stack for most of the day, and many of the guys at my table were wishing she would ride someting else. This pic doesn't do her justice, and it was really amusing to watch all the guys at the table drool, and fall all over her.

EPT Deauville

Thanks to everyone who read, and followed along. Thanks to Jen for keeping the blogs coming. Overall, I hqad a good time, but ultimately, the cards did not cooperate. The way I play, I need some help from the deck. Unfortunately, I really felt outclassed this time, though that might have been because every move I made went down in flames.

I did want to clarify one thing that was covered in some of the blogs (including this one). The way the hand played out when I doubled up with Jacks. It wasn't all the money going in preflop...way to early in the tournament for a move like that.

On a stack of about 9,000 I made it 900 to go (blinds 150/300) from middle position with JJ. A guy who had been playing every pot I opened (and taking most of the pots) called from the small blind. The flop came 8 6 3, rainbow. He checked, I led out for 1,000. The guy immediately makes it 5,000. I did think QQ was a possibility, but ultimately, he was staring at me, daring me to call. I moved in for my last 7,000+, and he called with AK. Turn & river were blanks, and I was up to 18,000.

Thanks for everyone's comments, and the pics from Gutshot, and PokerStars. outclassed, or not....I will return to the EPT. The facility is top notch, and Conrad, and everyone at Poker Stars make these events a pleasure.

The Schecky-coaster is over

Thanks for following along everyone. John just left the room after his Jacks lost to Aces. It was the best hand he'd seen since dinner. There are 99 people left, and they're in the 8th level with blinds at 300-600. It's now 11:00 p.m.. Marcel Luske, Carlos Mortensen, and Tiffany Williamsen are also out.

Howard, who is the kind gent writing the PokerStarsBlog, wrote up a bit about John in his post, "Making the News."

Chip Counts

They are on another break. For those watching John, he lost about 8k or so right before dinner. Another level and he's down to 7.8k. The average chip stack is 17,863k. It's quite the roller coaster again. He says we're near going home. I'm trying to get him to think positive, but it's no easy task. Now, he's off taking a meeting.

LEVEL 7, blinds 200-400. Time is 10:00 p.m.

Our hero John Cardwell 7.8k

Carlos Mortensen 5,000

Roy 'The Boy' Brindley 26,500

Marcel Luske 14,000

Ram Vaswami 28,000

Noah Boeken 10,000

Ross Boatman 11,000

Jeff Duvall 26,900

Patrik Antonius 35,000

Roland de Wolfe 16,000

Mark Teltcher 15,000

Chip counts are courtesy of GutShot. Thanks David and Stephen!

Pics from the EPT French Open sponsored by PokerStars.com

People are going out right and left. But, thes ones that really matter are still in.



Our guy John Cardwell sitting next to lady luck. Apparently, the guys at the table fold to her. That was before dinner. I saw her eating a lollipop since, must be to ensure it continues.

Marcel Luske doing some homework.

Great shirt.

Better shirts. Everyone needs luck when they're playing poker.

I think Carlos is terrific.

There's Ram.

John is going strong at the 2nd break

John is supposedly sitting next to one of the Poker Queens and has 17.5k in chips. The average chip stack is 12,440k. The dinner break will be in another 30 minutes.

He's ALL-IN

A few minutes ago I took a peek at John and saw that his inch of chips had doubled a bit, but he was no where in the clear. Then, my GutShot eyes came over and told me that he'd gone all in. John's Jacks went up against the 7th seat's AK. I was told that John had stood up and everything. Luck looked his way, and he's doubled up again. An eyeball's read says he's got about 12k in chips. The blinds are 100-200, with 42 minutes on the clock.

There will be an hour+ dinner break after this level. He's passed word to me that we'll be going to the player's buffet.

First Break

The players are on break and there are 198 players left from 209 that sat down including Marcel Luske, Carlos Mortensen, Ram Vaswani, and Tiffany Williamsen, among others. Apparently 470 players signed up for the tournament.

John has lost half his chips already and figures we'll have a free day tomorrow. I think he meant on the 10th as tomorrow will be flight two. He'll either be doubled up or out any time now after they resume. That's what he says anyway.

I am going to think double up double up double up double up. The 1,000 chips are yellow. So lets do a bit of positive thinking for him.

Come on Shchecky, you can do it!

chip stack, Chip Stack, CHIP STACK!!!

For full tourney coverage, check out GutShot.com.

Schecky's Return to the EPT French Open

Jen here—we've arrived after a full day and a half of planes, trains, and taxis. Deauville is charming and quaint, you know, the two words no travel writer is ever supposed to use. Many thanks to PokerStars, who have put us up in a five star hotel connected to the casino. Our room at the Hotel Normandie normally goes for 300+ Euros/night. It has an open window that looks out over the village. Hermes, Hugo Boss, and other high end stores just around the corner.

Last night we attended a cocktial party hosted by Poker Stars. I had a lovely time chatting with the Poker Stars blogger, Howard Swains, who already has some pictures up of our hotel and the goins on. Greg Raymer was also at the party, but thought it was a drag and left early.

John will be playing today, the first of two Day ones. I'm in the media area with the GutShot crew. Isabelle Mercier is three seats to my right, in a mini skirt and her black PokerStars shirt, typing away on a mini lap top. You can read her recent article, "On the Road," on GutShot. I'll be reporting as long as John is in the tournament.

Here are the dealers, at their station. The room is grand. There are high celings with eight chandeliers. The players are lining up to take their seats. John is at table 15, seat 4. He just walked in and I was able to say good luck before he took his seat.