If you've been in the Isle of Man this week you'll know that this tournament has been billed as 'PokerStars Official Home Game.' Tomorrow there's a strong possibility that the UKIPT5 Isle of Man Main Event trophy will not only be staying on the island, but also taking up residency in PokerStars HQ.

Three players in the final eight call the Isle of Man home and they include the chip leader. When play restarts at noon tomorrow Paren Arzoomanian, who works in Poker Room Management for PokerStars, will be the one sitting with the biggest stack. He'll start with 2,257,000 and a lead of some 25 big blinds over his nearest challenger.

The 31 year-old, who is originally from Sydney, is no office boy who dreams of giving up the day job to play poker, this is a professional poker player who gave up the day job to work for PokerStars. Before he did though he'd ticked off the 'win a major poker tournament' lifetime achievement. In 2009 he won the ANZPT Sydney Main Event for a staggering A$ 246,500 ($174,186). He played this tournament last year too and finished 35th for £2,000. If he wins tomorrow he'll cash for over 13 times that as first prize is £26,600. He's not the first PokerStars employee to go deep in this event with Chris Jonat (4th, 2013) and Ian Marmion (11th, 2014) the standard bearers.

This is how the final table shapes up:

To learn a bit more about the final eight click here.

The nearest challenger to Arzoomanian when play begins at noon tomorrow will be a player who knows what it's like to make a final table in this event. Back in 2013 Dan Stacey finished sixth here and will be hoping to do better than that tomorrow. He was near the top of the chip counts for much of the day and had that potent combination of winning lots of small pots and then holding up in the big pots that mattered.

His aces held in a sizeable pot against Scott Byron's pocket kings and he won a 1,600,000 pot with tens against ace-king pot to eliminate Nick Smith in 13th place. He was the first player to breach the two million chip mark before falling back to an end of day 1,714,000.

With ten one hour levels scheduled today the general consensus was that play would probably end with around 10-12 players left, but despite play being deep throughout when the final level of the night started just 11 players remained. That soon became nine when Christopher Knights (11th) and Joe Grech (10th) were eliminated.

When the unofficial final of nine started it was James Walsh who was the shortest. The Irishman had just over seven big blinds to his name, whilst Craig Sewell was next in the firing line with a stack of 17 big blinds and it would be he who blinked first.

His open shove with pocket eights was called by Michael Fletcher with [As][Qh] the [Qd][4d][7s][Jc][9c] board connected with Fletcher's overcards and ended play for the day.

The exit of Sewell in ninth was, of course, the second important bubble to burst today in the Main Event and Sewell would be involved in both incidents. At noon local time 97 hopefuls returned knowing that only 47 of them would be leaving with something to show for their efforts. By the time the tournament was down to the bubble, the likes of Christin Maschmann, Kelly Saxby, Daragh Davey, Dara O'Kearney, Team PokerStars SportStars Fatime Moreira de Melo and Team PokerStars Pro Chris Moneymaker had hit the rail.

Moreira de Melo's exit meant that she was denied a UKIPT5 Isle of Man hat-trick, having finished in the money in both previous Isle of Man Main Events.

The clock was paused with 48 players left but there would be no painful wait for those clinging to a few big blinds as on the very first deal of hand for hand play Dylan Coady, who works for PokerStars as the VIP Club Manager, lost a coin-flip to exit in the most painful spot in a poker tournament. The Canadian three-bet all-in with [Ac][9c] but lost the race against Sewell's pocket sixes.

The bubble burst at 3:20pm local time but it would take over eight hours to reach the final table during which plenty of names and notables cashed but crashed: Luke Staudenmaier, a former poker pro turned PokerStars employee, was first out in the money earning £770. He was followed shortly later by Diego Gomez, the enigmatic Spaniard picked up the same payout for his 45th place finish. The last UKIPT champion in contention was also the last UKIPT champion as Bristol winner Pierrick Tallon battled his way to a 31st place finish, which earned the Belgian an Isle of Man flag and £990.

It was also two UKIPT Main Event cashes in a row for Deborah Worley-Roberts. The American, who now lives Brighton, followed up her 18th place finish in Bristol with another deep run before busting out in 28th place for a cash of £1,057.50. Adrian Filiczkowski started in pole position today and the Day 1 chip leader managed to make the money but not the final table as he finished 26th, David Clarkson secured his fourth UKIPT Main Event cash of the Season but he'd probably trade them all for one deeper run as he added a 25th place finish to previous 42nd, 31st and 42nd place cashes on the tour.

David Hill was the Isle of Man's best performer in Season 4 as he finished third in the Main Event and he racked up another cash this time round before falling in 20th. The Irish contingent has been a bit thin on the ground at this event but one of their best, David Lappin, scored another UKIPT Main Event cash and his highest finish to date before departing in 19th.

To catch up on all today's action click the links below, join us for Sunday's final table which starts at noon, here's a reminder of what they're playing for:

Levels 13-16
Levels 17-22
Prize pool and payout information

All photos are copyright of Mickey May, don't steal them, it's bad for your hygge.

Fancy joining us on the UKIPT but not got a PokerStars account, Click here to sign up.

7:50pm: Dan Stacey wins UKIPT Isle of Man (£24,170); Paren Arzoomanian second (£19,000)
It always felt like it was going to take a cooler to end this four hour heads-up battle and so it proved...

In the final hand Paren Arzoomanian opened to 200,000, Dan Stacey three-bet to 530,000 and Arzoomanian made the call. On the [8d][6d][Th] flop Stacey bet 385,000 and Arzoomanian flat called.
The [9h] was hardly a brick and Stacey slowed down, checking it to Arzoomanian who bet 575,000. Back on Stacey he elected to move all-in, snap call from Arzoomanian.

Stacey: [Ts][9s]
Arzoomanian: [7d][7d]

It was top two against a straight with Arzoomanian being at risk for 3,185,000, but Stacey barely had him covered. Whilst the TD was verifying the stacks Stacey turned to the dealer and said: "I'll love you forever if you put a nine on the river."

The two hands and the board were then announced over the microphone and a large crowd gathered around the table to see the river which was the...[9d]. Stacey jumped out of his seat and shouted: "Yes," and the two or three members of his rail congratulated him.

Meanwhile the large contingent who had come to support Arzoomanian broke into spontaneous applause as they acknowledged their own man's effort and a new UKIPT champion. -- NW

7:40pm: Sixes can't lose; Arzoomanian doubles up
For the third time today, player holding pocket sixes have won a race. Paren Arzoomanian lost once with to them but he just won with them for a second time to double up.

His stack had suffered since play resumed, to the point that when he four-bet all in it was for 1,8750,000. He'd opened to 200,000 and Stacey three-bet to 535,000 and called the shove.

Arzoomanian: [6d][6h]
Stacey: [ad][kd]

The board ran [5s][6c][4s][jh][th] to make Arzoomanian a set. "I'm never folding sixes again!" he declared.

Arzoomanian - 3,760,000
Stacey - 4,965,000

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 50,000/100,000, ante 10,000

7:13pm: Break time
The players are on a 15-minute break. Stacks at present are:

Dan Stacey - 6,200,000
Paren Arzoomanian - 5,525,000
-- MC

7:10pm: Arzoomanian's stack dwindles
Paren Arzoomanian is down to around 2,500,000 after losing a big pot to Dan Stacey.

It started, as many of the pots this level have, with a raise to 175,000 from Stacey and a call from Arzoomanian. On the [5s][6d][Td] flop Stacey c-bet 100,000, Arzoomanian check-raised to 275,000 total and Stacey smooth called.

On the [5h] turn Arzoomanian came out firing, betting 350,000, call from Stacey. The [7d] completed the board and Arzoomanian slowed down, checking the action to Stacey, who bet 500,000. The Australian capped his cards and settled in for a think. "Do you have an overpair?" he asked of Stacey. It looked at various points as if he was considering the full spectrum of option, but eventually he settled on call and Stacey showed [9c]5s] for two pair and Arzoomanian mucked.

That win takes Stacey up to 6,225,000. -- NW

7pm: Reduced levels?
Both players know they're very deep and have spoken about the potential of reducing the levels to 30 minutes each. They've decided to play out this level and discuss at that point. -- MC

6:45pm: Arzoomanian shoves
Dan Stacey has noticeably upped his three-bet percentage in this level and most of the time its worked but it didn't just now as Paren Arzoomanian elected to four-bet shove. He'd opened to 175,000, Stacey had three-bet to 500,000 and then the Australian shoved for what looked to be about 3,500,000. There was no hollywood act from Stacey as he simply released his cards right away. -- NW

6:35pm: Four in a row for Stacey
Dan Stacey has opened up a chip lead as he's just won four pots in a row. He's got around 5,200,000 to Paren Arzoomanian's 3,525,000. -- NW

6:30pm: Poker, beers and Rugby
Both players have selected their standard raise sizes for this level and 175,000 it is for both of them. A fair few flops have been seen as the pace of the game moves swiftly along. Neither player has seemingly connected enough with said flop at the same time, so the pots have remained slow.

A rail is gathering to watch the heads up match and the Rugby World Cup game on the big screen. The atmosphere is jovial, especially amongst the PokerStars staff watching, hoping, for their man Paren Arzoomanian to take the title and trophy to the office tomorrow. -- MC

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 40,000/80,000, ante 10,000

6:10pm: Paren Arzoomanian doubles through Dan Stacey
Paren Arzoomanian had been knocked down to about 2,200,000 after losing that big pot to Dan Stacey (see below) but the two players are now almost even in chips again as he just got a full double up.

Pre-flop Stacey opened to 125,000 from the small blind and called when Arzoomanian three-bet to 275,000. On the [7h][9s][2d] flop Arzoomanian led for 210,000 and Stacey stuck around. The [4h] was the next community card off the deck and Arzoomanian slowed down, checking the action over to Stacey. The action didn't slow though as Stacey announced all-in and Arzoomanian snap called, he was the at risk player all-in for 1,705,000.

Stacey: [6d][5d] - for an open ended straight draw
Arzoomanian: [7c][4c] - for two pair

Arzoomanian's rail called for a face card and they got their wish as the [Qd] fell on the river, Arzoomanian is up to 4,400,000 now whilst Stacey has 4,325,000. -- NW

6pm: Stacey up three to one
Dan Stacey has stretched out to a three to one chip lead after hitting the river to win a big pot...

He opened to 125,000 on the button and Arzoomanian put in the extra from the big blind. The [Ks][Js][5c] flop was checked through and the [7c] fell on the turn. Arzoomanian elected to lead for 150,000 and Stacey stuck around to see the [Qd] complete the board and this is where things got interesting.

Arzoomanian bet again, this time 250,000 but Stacey didn't call, instead he slid out a raise as he made it 900,000 total. Arzoomanian began muttering to himself about getting rivered again and his instincts were correct as when he called Stacey showed [As][Td] for the nuts. - NW

5:45pm: Stacey fights back
Dan Stacey is back in the chip lead after winning some small pots and then one big pot, let's focus on that one.

He raised to 125,000 on the button and Paren Arzoomanian flat called from the big blind. On the [Kc][2s][6d] flop Stacey c-bet 100,000 and Arzoomanian check-called. The turn was the [3s] and Arzoomanian check-raised Stacey's bet of 300,000 to 700,000. Call from Stacey.

The [7h] completed the board and Arzoomanian grabbed all his remaining black 100k chips and began riffling them, eventually he bet what looked like 900,000 and Stacey almost beat him into the pot and showed [Ks][2c]. Arzoomanian couldn't beat that and he mucked his cards.

Rough stacks are now 5,400,000 for Stacey and 3,325,000 for Arzoomanian. --NW

5:25pm: Back and forth
No big pots to report with the players simply trading small to medium pots. Dan Stacey has though won more than his fair share of those and has added about 500,000 to his stack. It's still Paren Arzoomanian who leads though. --NW

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 30,000/60,000, ante 10,000

5pm: Break time chip counts
The two players are now on a 15 minute break. The chip counts are as below:

4:55pm: Arzoomanian back in control
Two big pots on the bounce for Paren Arzoomanian have put him back in control of this heads-up contest.

In the first he opened to 100,000 and called when Dan Stacey three-bet to 300,000 total. On the [3h][4c][Qh] flop Stacey c-bet 285,000 and Arzoomanian smooth called. The Englishman slowed down on the [Qd] turn and when Arzoomanian bet 300,000 he elected to fold.

The second went all the way to the river but again ended with Stacey folding. He was the pre-flop aggressor, raising to 100,000 from the button and Arzoomanian flat called from the big blind. On the [9d][6d][5h] flop Stacey bet 115,000, Arzoomanian check-raised to 275,000 and Stacey flat called. On the [6c] turn card Arzoomanian fired out 350,000 and Stacey smooth called again.

The [Th] fell on the river and fairly swiftly Arzoomanian fired out a bet of 550,000 and Stacey tank folded. He's down to about 2,700,000 whilst Arzoomanian has around 6,000,000. --NW

4:35pm: Stacey takes the lead
Another nice pot for Dan Stacey has seen him take the chip lead for the first time since heads-up play began.

He raised to 100,000 pre-flop and Paren Arzoomanian smooth called. The PokerStars employee then proceeded to check-call bets of 80,000, 175,000 and 235,000 on the [3d][8h][5s][Ac][Qd] board and he mucked when Stacey turned over [Qs][Jh].

It's roughly 4,725,000 vs 4,000,000 in Stacey's favour now. --NW

4:20pm: Almost even
A big pot for Dan Stacey means he almost got parity with Paren Arzoomanian...

The Englishman opened to 100,000 on the button and Arzoomanian thought that was a fair price to see a flop. The first three community cards came [Jc][Jh][8h] and Arzoomanian check-called another 100,000. The [2d] turn was where it got interesting, the action was checked to Stacey, he bet 200,000, Arzoomanian check-raised to 500,000 total and Stacey smooth called pretty quickly.

The [Qs] completed the board and both players opted to take a free showdown, Arzoomanian showed [4d][4c] but Stacey had [Qh][9h] for a big draw that turned into top pair on the river.

Stacks are now roughly 4,500,000 for Arzoomanian and 4,300,000 for Stacey. --NW

4:05pm: Stacey doubles again
For the second time in this heads-up match Dan Stacey was all-in and at risk with the best of it. This one was a coin-flip though as Paren Arzoomanian four-bet shoved with [Ah][Kh] and Stacey called all-in for 1,460,000 total with pocket sixes.

The Englishman was a 52.27% favourite to double up and the paid held on the [2c][9c][Qs][7d][9d] board. Stacks are now roughly 2,930,000 for Stacey and 5,795,000 for Arzoomanian. --NW

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 25,000/50,000, 5,000

3:50pm: Almost back to where we started
Dan Stacey has dropped to about 1,550,000 after losing a couple of post-flop skirmishes. In the first he opened to 80,000 from the button and then called when Paren Arzoomanian three-bet to 220,000.

The flop fell [5d][Ah][Ac], Arzoomanian bet 175,000 and Stacey stuck around to see the [Kd] turn. Another street of aggression from Arzoomanian was enough to win him the pot.

In the other significant pot they played Stacey was the pre-flop aggressor as he three-bet to 245,000 from the big blind and Arzoomanian made the call. Stacey then continued for 190,000 on the [7d][5c][Kh] flop before check-folding to a bet on the [3d] turn. -- NW

3:40pm: Stacey doubles before a deal is struck
The clock was paused after Dan Stacey doubled and the two players came to a quick deal before play resumed.

Paren Arzoomanian limped in from the button and Stacey checked his option before a [5s][qc][4d] flop was spread. Arzoomanian bet 40,000 and Stacey check-called to to the [ks] turn. Arzoomanian bet another 75,000 before shoving after Stacey raised to 300,000. Stacey called all in for 1,315,000.

Arzoomanian: [kh][4h] for two pair
Stacey: [5h][5c] for a set

The river came as [7s] and Stacey doubled to 2,795,000. Arzoomanian dropped to 5,915,000.

Arzoomanian then asked Stacey if he wanted to discuss a deal. Stacey said yes and then immediately agreed when Arzoomanian offered an even chop of £19,000 each, leaving £5,170 to play for. That might be the quickest deal ever seen on the UKIPT. -- MC

3:30pm: Heads-up chip counts
PokerStars employee Paren Arzoomanian has a large chip lead going into heads-up play, it's roughly 7,400,000 for him and 1,400,000 for Dan Stacey. -- NW

3:25pm: Mick Fletcher eliminated in third place (£12,560)
The shortest UKIPT final table ever was about four hours when Max Silver streamrolled the final table at UKIPT1 Dublin, this one though has a shot at being even shorter as Paren Arzoomanian continues to accumulate chips and knock out opponents.

In Mick Fletcher's exit hand he raised to 85,000 from the small blind, Arzoomanian moved all-in from the big blind and Fletcher snap called all-in for about 950,000 total.

Fletcher: [Ad][Td]
Arzoomanian: [6c][6d]

"I've been good at these so far," said Fletcher.
"So have I," joked Arzoomanian and it would be the Australian who continued that trend as the [7d][6s][2h][4s][6h] board meant Fletcher was drawing dead after the turn and the rivered quads was simply overkill.

3:15pm: Rodger Reynolds eliminated in fourth place (£10,170)
It didn't take long before another one bit the dust and this time Rodger Reynolds had to go.

He three-bet all in for 650,000 from the small blind after Dan Stacey raised from the button. Call.

Reynolds: [as][3s]
Stacey: [7h][7d]

The board ran [4s][jc][jd][tc][qc] to hand the pot and scalp to Stacey who moved up to two million. -- MC

3pm: John Lawson eliminated in fifth place (£8,020)
Local lad John Lawson received the warmest round of applause from the entire room after he was eliminated by chip leader Paren Arzoomanian.

He three-bet all in for 626,000 after Arzoomanian opened to 80,000. Call.

Arzoomanian: [as][qh]
Lawson: [ah][6d]

The board ran [js][kc][9d][qd][jh]. Arzoomanian moved up to 5.45 million. -- MC

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 20,000/40,000, ante 5,000

2:45pm: Official break time chip counts

2:32pm: End of the level
Level 24 has come to an end and the players are celebrating by taking a 15-minute break. The chip leader, Paren Arzoomanian, is off to get an ice cream as he spotted a friend with one earlier. Belgian chocolate flavour in case you were wondering. -- NW

2:30pm: John Lawson doubles through Paren Arzoomanian
A popular double up this as John Lawson's from the Isle of Man and he has a few friends on the rail and a few more playing side events.

Paren Arzoomanian opened to 60,000 and Lawson then three-bet shoved for 350,000 total. After getting a count Arzoomanian called and said: "You might have me dominated," before showing [Ah][Js]. "I'm two ahead of you," replied Lawson turning [Ac][Ks] face-up on the felt.

The [Qc][9d][7d][Td][5c] board kept Lawson in front and he doubled to over 700,000. -- NW

2:22pm: Chris Swinden eliminated in sixth place (£6,120)
Chris Swinden was the latest player to bust after he made his move with second pair, only for Dan Stacey to have top pair.

He opened to 77,000 from the hijack and called after Stacey three-bet to 175,000 off the button. The flop spread [6h][jc][ac] and Swinden moved all in for 364,000. Call.

Swinden: [qh][jd]
Stacey: [ad][kh]

The board ran out [3h][7c] and Swinden left to a round of applause. Stacey moved back up to 1.68 million.-- MC

2:10pm: Chris Swinden doubles through John Lawson
Down to just 188,000 Chris Swinden moved all-in from under-the-gun and John Lawson gave him a spin. Swinden showed pocket kings, whilst Lawson had [Ac][Qs]. A [7h][Qc][4c][6c][Th] board got increasingly 'sweaty' for Swinden but his hand held to double him to around 400,000 whilst Lawson drops to 430,000 as a result of losing that hand. --NW

2pm: Arzoomanian gets his chips back from Stacey
It's the Paren Arzoomanian and Dan Stacey show right now as the two just played another massive pot.

In this clash it was Arzoomanian who started the action, raising to 60,000 from under-the-gun+1, Stacey called from the small blind and the two players went heads-up to a [8h][7s][9h] flop. it checked to Arzoomanian, he bet 75,000 and Stacey called. The pattern repeated itself on the [Ac] turn with Stacey check-calling a bet of 125,000.

The [Jd] fell on fifth street and Stacey elected to lead for 182,000. "You like this check-call, check-call, bet line don't you," said Arzoomanian, who then raised to 600,000 total. Stacey tanked for about 10 seconds before making the call. "Nuts," said Arzoomanian turning over [Qc][Ts], Stacey showed [Ad][Th] for the second nuts.

After that hand Arzoomanian is back up to 4,400,000 whilst Stacey drops to 970,000. --NW

1:50pm: Chip counts

1:40pm: Here comes Stacey
Somebody had to take on Paren Arzoomanian and Dan Stacey was that man. The two battled over two hands and Stacey's stack rose to 2.1 million and Arzoomanian's dropped to 3.5 million.

Stacey raised from under the gun and was called by Arzoomanian on the button and John Lawson in the big blind. Stacey then went on to bet 62,000, 117,000 and 159,000 on each street of a [ts][qc][ad][2d][3h] board. Arzoomanian called him all the way but mucked upon seeing Stacey's [ac][jc].

Two hands later, Arzoomanian opened to 60,000 from the hijack and was only called by Stacey in the small blind. The board ran out [ad][kc][6c][5d][qd] and Stacey check-called 75,000 and 120,000 before leading out for 225,000 on the river. Arzoomanian called and was shown [tc][jc] for a straight. -- MC

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 15,000/30,000, ante 4,000

1:20pm: Arzoomanian continues to accumulate
Paren Arzoomanian has roughly half the chips in play as he continues to bulldozer his way through this final table with sheer aggression.

Again Mick Fletcher and Dan Stacey were his victims as he took pots from both to climb above the 4,000,000 chip mark. In the first of those pots Fletcher opened to 62,000 from the small blind, Arzoomanian three-bet to 162,000 from the big blind and Fletcher called. A c-bet of 150,000 on the [2s][Th][Ts] flop was good enough to win him the pot.

And he bullied Stacey off another pot by three-betting to 175,000 from the big blind after Stacey had raised to 50,000 from the cut-off, Stacey folded and Arzoomanian said: "I'll show you one," before turning over [Ad][Kc]. -- NW

1:10pm: Arzoomanian crushing
The man from down under, just like the Australian rugby team yesterday, is going to take some stopping on British soil (or close to it). Paren Arzoomanian has moved up to 3.875 million after winning two pots on the bounce.

First up, he opened to 50,000 from under the gun and then four-bet to 250,000 after Dan Stacey three-bet to 128,000 from the button. Stacey folded.

The next hand, he peeled from the big blind after Michael Fletcher raised to 62,000 from the small blind. The flop fanned [td][5d][4c] and Fletcher continued for 80,000. Arzoomanian raised this up to 180,000 only for Fletcher to three-bet to 380,000. Arzoomanian wasted little time in setting Fletcher all in for the 1.15 million he had behind and that was good to take the pot down. -- MC

12:50pm: James Walsh eliminated in 7th place (£4,500)
Having successfully laddered one spot James Walsh didn't take long to get his meagre stack in the middle. On the hand after Elliott Hayes was eliminated he shoved from the button for just 84,000 and Paren Arzoomanian called from the small blind.

Walsh: [Ah][Jc]
Arzoomanian: [8d][8h]

The [5c][9h][2d][5s][Qs] board favoured the chip leader and Walsh was out in seventh spot. --NW

12:45pm: Elliott Hayes eliminated in 8th place (£3,307)
Elliott Hayes had been the most active player at the final table in the opening 30 minutes and he raised to 50,000 and called when Mick Fletcher three-bet to 120,000 total.

On the [8h][5d][5h] flop Hayers, checked, Fletcher bet 125,000, Hayes check-raised all-in for around 500,000 total and Fletcher snap called.

Fletcher: [Js][Jd]
Hayes: [6h][6s]

The [Qd] turn and [4d] river kept Fletcher in front and Hayes shook hands with the seven remaining players before heading to the pay out desk.

The happiest man in the room - apart from Fletcher who now has 2,075,000 - was James Walsh as the Irishman has less than four big blinds. -- NW

12:40pm: Like London buses
You wait all final table for an elimination and then two come along in back to back hands. Details to follow. --NW

Blinds up: 12,000/24,000, ante 3,000

12:35pm: Eric Hollresier talk DFS and New Jersey
The play has yet to gain much traction. It seems as if the players are waiting for James Walsh, who's super short with fewer than 100,000, to bust or double before getting too involved. To keep you entertained for now, check out this video that Sarah Grant did with PokerStars' Head of PR, Eric Hollresier:
--MC


12:20pm: The rich get richer
Paren Arzoomanian just won the first significant pot of the day and as a result he's extended his chip lead over the field.

He raised to 40,000 from mid-position and Elliott Hayes called from the cut-off. On the [Ad][Th][5d][2h][Ac] board Arzoomanian bet every street and Hayes called bets of 65,000, 130,000 and 250,000 on the flop, turn and river respectively.

At showdown Arzoomanian showed [Ah][5c] for a full house and Hayes mucked. -- NW

12:07pm: Shuffle up and deal
Cards are in the air for the UKIPT Isle of Man final!

There are 24 minutes left of level 22 and then the players will head straight into level 23. -- MC

11:55am: Eight into one doesn't go...quietly
Eight players remain but only one can become UKIPT5 Isle of Man champion and scoop the first prize of £26,600. If you were a betting man (yes you!) your money today would be on Paren Arzoomanian. The 31-year-old who's originally from Sydney, now calls the Isle of Man home as he works for PokerStars in the Poker Room Management department.

The former poker pro leads a final table that shapes up like this:

Check out these final table profiles we made earlier

There are a number of intriguing story lines at this final table. Dan Stacey finished sixth here in 2013 and will be looking to do better today, whilst John Lawson and Christopher Swinden will be hoping to keep the trophy on the Isle of Man. Whatever happens it's going to be interesting.

Cards are in the air at noon, keep it right here for updates. -- NW

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at UKIPT5 Isle of Man: Marc Convey and Nick Wright. Photos by Mickey May

Today's UKIPT Isle of Man final table was a tale of two halves. The three-and-a-half hours it took to get from eight to two players and the four-and-a-quarter hours from there to crown a winner. When the dust settled 25-year old Dan Stacey was on top, after making a great comeback to claim the title and £24,170. Paren Arzoomanian represented all staff members well with a top performance, taking home £19,000 for his runner-up finish.

When heads up play began Stacey had a little more than 1.3 million chips (to 7.5 million) but quickly doubled with a set versus two pair. It was at that point that Arzoomanian offered an even chop deal, even though he had more than twice his opponent. They'd both be guaranteed £19,000 and leave £5,170 to play for. It came as no surprise to see Stacey immediately accept the deal.

Arzoomanian stretched further ahead but he couldn't finish off his opponent. Stacey doubled with pocket sixes versus ace-king and the stacks were close to even for the first time. The battle was back and forth for the next couple of hours - neither player could win when they had their opponent all in. Something had to give, and it finally did just before 8pm local time.

The chips went in on the turn during a hand in which Arzoomanian held a straight to Stacey's two-pair. The river made Stacey a full house and he shouted out in delight. The (mainly) Arzoomanian supporting crowd gave both players a big round of applause which was thoroughly deserved. Stacey spoke with the PokerStars blog shortly after his victory.

On being so far behind when heads up play began, "Things turned round and I got more confident."

Stacey came sixth here two seasons ago and is growing fond of the place, "It feels like I should live here!"

This time he managed to finish off the job, "I wanted the trophy dead bad."

Back to the start of the day and Arzoomanian came tearing out of the blocks and extended his lead. Elliott Hayes ran into his full house and that left him in a position with not a lot of wriggle room. He got his chips in with pocket sixes on an eight-high flop but Michael Fletcher was sat with pocket jacks, made the call, and eliminated Hayes.

That exit opened the floodgates. Next to depart, just moments after, was James Walsh. The Irishman came into the final as the shortest stack and had just a few big blinds left when he moved all in with ace-jack. Arzoomanian woke up with pocket eights, called, and sent Walsh on his way after a blank board.

The extra chips gave Arzoomanian the license to open up and he used his stack very effectively, soon gathering half the chips in play. The one player willing to take him on was Stacey. The two tangled in a few pots with honours just about even. After they dominated the table's play for a couple of orbits, there was another elimination before the first break and then three quick ones in a short space of time after the break.

Day 1B chip leader Chris Swinden was the first of the bunch to go. He flopped second pair in a three-bet pot against Stacey and decided to move all in. His timing was off though as Stacey had flopped top pair and made an easy call to send him to the rail. Swinden got a generous round of applause from the local crowd (in to play the day's side events) but it was nothing compared to the reception John Lawson got after he busted.

He three-bet all in with ace-six but, unfortunately for him, Arzoomanian had opened with ace-queen and made the call. He went on to make two pair and Lawson seemed genuinely touched seeing a whole room of players put their hands together for him. He must be a damn good taxi driver round the local roads! A lovely side story is that Lawson has now won enough money to join his partner on her trip back to the Philippines to see her family - a promise he made if he made the final table.

Rodger Reynolds failed to get much going today and the first time he was all in he was all out. Stacey had opened the button with pocket sevens and he called after Reynolds moved all in with ace-three from the next seat. He failed to catch up and left with a five-figure payday for his troubles. Fewer than ten minutes later and the tournament was a heads-up affair after Fletcher was eliminated. He got his chips in with ace-ten in a battle of the blinds with Arzoomanian, who went on to make quads with his pocket sixes!

That's all for the UKIPT's visit to the homeland, the next stop will be the always-popular Edinburgh, taking place from 19-22 November. The UKIPT Super Series will be taking place before that though, once again being hosted by The London Hippodrome from 14-18 October. Satellites are already running online for both events so get involved.

We'll leave with a highlights video that shows some of the fun things that have happened during our time here this week. Also, you'll see who earned what today and a link to today's coverage.

Full payouts and all today's action.

Photos copyright of Mickey May. Steal her pictures and she'll take you up Snaefell and leave you there

Phish has nothing on the Villa Marina and PokerStars. If you're not into jam-band music, you might not be aware of the cult-attracting (and South Park parodied) group that brings trance-dance jams and mind-bending light shows to for-the-moment hippies around the globe.

Well, Trey Anastasio, have a look at this:

That's right - a couple of thousand people from the Isle of Man got to enjoy this each night of the UKIPT, courtesy of PokerStars. And the soundtrack was, honestly, quite danceable.

Which was, perhaps, thematic of the whole extended weekend. We call our big poker tournaments "festivals", but nowhere is the term more apt than when the Isle of Man hosts the UKIPT.

161 PokerStars employees (2/3 of the entire office) turned out on Wednesday evening, along with a handful of PokerStars pros and local celebrity ringers, to create the biggest live staff tournament in PokerStars history.

The tournament room at UKIPT Isle of Man

And that was before the whole thing officially kicked off - though Toby Stone and his team managed to squeeze in a satellite to the main event that evening.

From then on, the party never seemed to end. The cash games kicked off and ran until 4:00am; the next morning everybody would be back at it (modulo, perhaps, those who closed the cash games at 4:00 in the morning), ready to play more poker, greet new and old friends, walk along the prom, or enjoy an ice cream cone while watching the Irish Sea roll into the beach.

Maybe it was the Villa Marina with its theater seating that just begged people to sit with a pint or a cup of coffee hard on the edges of the poker action, kibitzing and chatting about the most recent bad beat.

Maybe it was live traditional Irish music in the foyer on Saturday that caused the manager of the Villa Marina to come out, near tearful with joy, to offer a free round of drinks to the musicians.

Striking up the band

Maybe it was the "Build Your Stack" event, where PokerStars and Full Tilt employees who had won seats to an official final table played it out on the top stage of the Villa with the whole room watching. With Chris Moneymaker, Fatima de Melo, and yours truly taking short turns dealing to them.

The final table in action

Or maybe... maybe it was the giant crowds of PokerStars employees and Manx locals gathered shouting around the final table of the main event as Manx poker stalwart John Lawson and PokerStars staffer Paren Arzoomanian both battled for the title. Ultimately, John busted in 5th place, but Paren went right down the wire, finally succumbing to Daniel Stacey in a brilliant heads-up match.

Actually, I think I've hit the point of it right there. You know, when we first fired up the UKIPT on the Isle of Man two years ago, there was great consternation about the idea of having PokerStars employees play in the main event. People wondered, "What will happen if a PokerStars employee wins?"

Well, we came within a handful of outs of a PokerStars employee winning. Having seen the rail as Paren and Daniel contested for the trophy, I'm prepared to make a prediction: the place will go berserk. But, the thinking goes, will the larger poker community accept the idea of a PokerStars employee winning a major PokerStars-sponsored main event?

I'm prepared to make a prediction on that too: hell, yes. Certainly not to my surprise, the poker community expects PokerStars people to know a thing or three about poker and to take the game seriously. They love playing poker with us just as much as we love playing poker with them. They totally get that the cards don't give a damn if their recipient is wearing a PokerStars staff patch. What the people want is great poker, on a level playing field, and may the best player, regardless of affiliation, win. They got all of that.

And oh by the way, could we please have that great poker in an awesome turn-of-the-20th-century seaside venue, with live music, ice cream, a massive charity event, with celebrities and PokerStars Team Pros in attendance?

And a wicked 3-D lightshow. Gotta have a lightshow.

With thanks to Marina Corkhill from PokerStars for some of the images included in this post.

11.50pm: Break it down!
That's the day 2/3 done with 8 or the slated 12 levels completed!

The remaining players have milled out of the tournament arena to enjoy their 15 minute temporary cessation of poker duties.

They'll be back shortly - as will we.

See you then!

11.30pm: Shattered dreams
At some point all these players will have imagined themselves potentially winning this tournament, trophy aloft in their hands as the crowd bayed their name sang songs of their glorious triumph.

Perhaps the dream has died on this occasion but there's always tomorrow!

Good game...

Terence Jordon
Marios Andreas
Antonio Battaglia
Benjamin Fergus-Woolf
Khadir Khoshawy
Dino Brivati
Nicholas Zambas
Krishna Nagaraju
Qilin Hu
Benjamin Lake
Yonatan Sagis
Leo Madden
Christos Kyprianou

11.05pm: Christodoulou leads the pack
It's a dogfight in the upper echelons of the chip counts but right now it looks as though Elias Christodoulou
has risen like a Greek god to sit stop his figurative Mount Olympus of chips to look down upon his lesser mortal foes.
He has 80,000 - can he maintain this ascendancy as we reach the latter stages of the day?

10.48pm: Victims of variance
Tough times for the following who have all been relieved of all their chips.
Bad news but on the plus side, they can re-enter tomorrow should they so desire and the various distractions of London are now in their grasp. Enjoy!

Nick Cawdron
Jie Tian
Edmund Yeung
Nicholas Hennessy
Jack Germaine
Vadim Seriozeckin
Chaz Chattha
Kah Lok Chin
Baber Raja
Alexander Glogar
Ryan Kelly

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 300-600-75

10.30pm: The Tomorrow War - Capacity Limit
An important notice regarding tomorrow's registration over the two "days" being played out.
Day 1B will kick-off at 1.00pm with Day 1C scheduled for 7.30pm.

The field capacity is limited at 180 which given the impressive number of entrants who arrived today could well be exceeded. This may mean late registrants are unable to gain a place at the tables immediately.
However, alternates are being shuffled into the pack as people are eliminated and you will get a guaranteed seat as an alternate if you register. You just may experience some unavoidable delays.

Don't miss out on what should be a cracking day's poker.

10.20pm: Ladies of fortune
The male to female ratio in the tournament is weighted strongly toward the former, however there are at least two ladies vying to beat the odds and send their testosterone-fuelled opponents off to the bar early.
Cayetana Pastor Belsue has had a slow start over the first four levels - her stack having drifted south to 16,600 - she still has plenty of ammunition to make a recovery however.
Doing better is Irina Nikolaidi - the Lithuanian having confidently accumulated 36,000 in the opening levels.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 300-600-50

10.06pm: Cheema applies pressure
Rapinder Cheema showed his chops earlier in the year in storming to victory during the January UKIPT London event. The £75,000+ score he picked up there demonstrated to the world that the man could play some impressive poker and his 2015 story may have further twists to come.

He is on the up here, moments ago three-betting Vadim Seriozeckin's cut-off open to 1,650 to 3,575 from the blinds.

The [Kd][5c][3c] board saw him lead out for 3,500, only for a pensive Seriozeckin to go into the tank and emerge with a raise to 7,300 under his belt.

Cheema looked tense but was in no mood to buckle under the pressure from the Lithuanian and confidently picked up his stack - another 11,500.
It was Seriozeckin's turn to feel the heat - and after another tense stand-off, he was the one who melted under the pressure - folding with around 8,000 back.

Cheema looked a happy man, his meaty fist gently banging the table as he raked in the pot.

Is he on the path to an incredible double? He's up to 37,000 now so it's a good start...

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 200-400-50

9.55pm: Level 5 in effect
The break is over and the players are back to resume arms. Who will rise from the pack?

9.35pm: Break it up!
The players have bet, raised, folded and ante'd their way through the opening four levels and their reward?

A fifteen minute break to spill out into the cavernous Hippodrome Casino to grab a recuperative coffee and indulge in some banter before returning to the felt for level 5.

We'll be back in 15 minutes.

9.20pm: Fallen Warriors
It looks as though we have 88 official registrants as of now. Already over the first near-four levels we have seen 13 of these depart - the unlucky few numbered below.

May your poker souls rest in peace!

Saman Rezapour
Albert Sapiano
Jan Mohammad Nader Zadeh
John Rigolli
Connor Ross
Martins Adeniya
Jamie Neale
Celal Kopuz

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 150-300-25

8.55pm: Forde escort-ed out
Christopher Forde is one of the early exits here at the Hippodrome. We missed the details of his exit as he politely wished everyone goodbye but it looked like he ran into beneficiary Mats Rosen Pihl's aces. A happy Pihl meanwhile has risen to 40,000.

8.38pm: Ante Post
The antes have arrived! All hail! The snappy levels mean we are already well into level three and that means the players are less free to luxuriate in their 25k stack depths. Expect the number of eliminations to begin to rise inexorably.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 100-200-25

8:26pm: Nothing else Matas

Matas Cimbolas, one of Lithuania's most successful poker exports has taken his seat at the tables.

With over $750,000 in tournament winnings including success at UKIPT5 Nottingham where he finished runner-up in the High Roller, he has shown he has all the qualities to really challenge for the title.

First though, he will have to contend with the mercurial talents of Albert Sapiano at his table if he has designs on proceeding further...

8.10pm: The floor rules
There was a minor procedural dispute early on. Two players were heads up on the turn and the second player had bet out of turn.

"Floor" called the dealer and the Floor manager was called to adjudicate.

"The first player can make any bet, but if it is anything other than a check, ie the action changes, then the full range of options becomes open to the second player."

There was some disagreement from the out of position player at the table but the rule was repeated and stood.

(He ended up folding to the bet after checking.)

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 75-150

7.55pm: Spotted in the crowd
Poker journalist cum editor cum talented grinder Duncan Wilkie has taken his place at the tables after a short sabbatical from the game.

From the fiery look in his eyes, it seems as though the old passion for the game has returned. Table 6 beware!

Also present is Hitsquad member Chaz Chattha. Chaz has an outstanding poker record peppered with impressive scores from around the globe. Can he add to his $1.3 million in tournament winnings here at the Hippodrome?

7.46pm: Fast and furious
25,000 chips may sound like a veritable mountain. No-one can go broke in the early levels surely?

Well, stranger things have happened. A set over set/ flush versus flush or similar cooler can put paid to someone's chances in the blink of an eye. Those poker gods are unforgiving arbiters of fortune at times. In fact we have already lost one player! Details of this bustout as they arrive. Watch your backs players...

7.30pm: Cards in the air!

That's it the dealers have been primed and the players have engaged battle. Good luck one and all!

UKIPT Super Series in effect!

Welcome to The Hippodrome Casino on this crisp autumn evening. As usual the West End of London is awash with wide-eyed tourists snapping selfies, revellers looking for a pre-weekend slice of fun amidst the bright lights and of course a slew of keen-as-mustard poker players looking to test their luck and skills at the felt here at this UKIPT Super Series.

Some of the more eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed an additional word slipping stealthily into the title of the event - the Super there to denote the fact that the buy-in is double that of the standard UKIPT series events.

Double the buy-in, double the prizes, double the drama. Yes we anticipate twice as much fun as a usual UKIPT Series event and there will be a fascinating four days ahead of us as we navigate our way through the tournament.

At this point, let's run over some of the salient information:

The buy-in, as stated, is double that of the usual UKIPT Series events - £500, which should ensure a healthy prize pool once the full list of entrants are booked in and tallied.

There are three starting days - note that tomorrow, Friday 16th October has the honour of hosting two of these in their entirety - the first starting - 1.00pm and the second at 7.30pm - convenient for those who want to join in the fun without missing out on any time at their day job.

Cramming two full poker days into one standard earth day might seem to be a logistical task of gargantuan proportions, but it is made possible by the breezy 30 minute-levels. Play will be fast and snappy with no room to hide as the blinds circle the table chasing chips like pacman after dots.

Note however that day 2 will see the blinds rise to 40 minutes whilst the final will consist of 50 minute blinds - the structure accordioning out as the stakes rise - very fair.

The players all start with 25,000 chips - a giant stack allowing plenty of space to showcase their full range of poker skills.

We're moments away from the scheduled 7:30pm start - with 57 players registered and rising...

The dealers and players are seated, the baton is raised and the orchestra are about to start playing.

Let this ride begin...

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

2.05pm: End of Day 1A
As anticipated, the final level played out with chips making frequent journeys from one stack to another. The tournament landscape changed dramatically with numerous stories of heartache and corresponding, although diametrically opposite feelings of elation.

29 players made it through with Rouxel Julien the final leader - his 174,200 good for the chip lead.

To read a summary of the day's play, click here.

1.48pm: Pay Pal
It seems that's what has been going on recently Rupoom Pal winning a number of pots to find himself the new chip big dog in the tournament.

Irina Nikolaidi was the latest victim to suffer at the hands of the smiling assassin - her jam with [Ad][Qc] running into Pal's dominating [Ah][Ks]

"Queen, queen!" urged Nikolaidi preflop more in hope than expectation, yelling out a mild expletive with a smile when the board bricked out [Ts][8c][2h][7d][8d].

It was all over for her although like the rest of the eliminees, she has the opportunity to take another shot during one of the two days tomorrow.

It's all coming up rosy for Pal now though as he rises to 140,000 - virtually assured of a day 2 berth now.

1.35pm: The last level
It seems scarcely possible we have crammed in an entire 12 levels of play today but in 30 minutes, that will be undeniably the case.

32 players remain, although expect this number to drop dramatically as players take a few chances, not to mention that insidious blind pressure bearing down on the players all the time.
We could well see some interesting twists and turns during the final. The chip lead is up for grabs with plenty of opportunity for the status quo to change, however Frenchman Julien Rouxel leads the way for now.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 1,000-2,000-300

1.28pm: Leading the charge
Several names have crept out of the shadows to stand at the forefront of the chip counts.
Here's how the big stacks are lining up right now:

Julien Rouxel - 120,000
Daniel Laming - 110,000
Rupom Pal - 110,000
Noel Broadbent - 90,000
Andrew Christoforou - 90,000
Krishna Nagaraju - 90,0000

1.10am: Wilk-come double for Duncan
It's been a grim day of hard poker slog for Duncan Wilkie but he has kept himself in the game by the skin of his teeth and moments ago earned himself a double-through.

Holding [Ac][Kh] he jammed his 11,700 into the middlw - the big blind eventually making a reluctant call with [Ad][4h].

A board of [7h][6c][8d][2s][7s] saw Wilkie home and dry though a long way from the chip leaders still with 24,000 or so.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 800-1600-200

12.52am: The reaper cometh
It's hard work keeping your poker life intact out there right now. The hefty blinds are ripping chunks out of the players stacks and the wars for their ownership are becoming increasingly vicious.
Here are the latest men to have fallen foul of the poker reaper, his scythe cleaving their hopes and dreams asunder.

Poor fellas! See you tomorrow for more fun!

Christos Kyprianou
Onur Guven
Matas Cimbolas
Philip Gregg
James Copeland
Vasile-Cosmin Stancu
Winston Anthony Cotgreave
Sachin Joshi
Victor Victorovich Ilyukhin
Philippe Souki
Trevor Pearson
David Phelan
Alban Juen
Mark Shepherd
Edgard Cuenca

12.50pm: Squeezing out value
Davide Magnan just executed the perfect squeeze play. After Rapinder Cheema had raised to 2,700 from late position, and Cayetana Pastor Belsue made the call, Magnan assessed both stacks, before firing in a hefty 9,700 re-raise.
A tough bet to simply flat-call, both players were put in a ropey spot here, Cheema making a fold after a few seconds consideration and Spaniard Belsue making an even faster decision to let her hand go.

A satisfied Magnan elected not to show his holding as he swept up the chips, moving to 55,000 neatly without a showdown.

Belsue sits on 25,000 now having mounted a small recovery whilst Cheema's stack is close to the 60,000 average stack mark.

12.45am: The field thins, the plot thickens
Over half the field is now propping up the bar, heading home or railing more successful friends at the felt right now.

Just 37 players remain as we speak...

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 600-1200-200

12:30am: Cheema rises further
A limped pot including Rapinder Cheema saw three players see a [7d][2h][4s] board.

Davide Magnan led out for 1,000, called by two players, including Cheema in position.

The [2d] on the turn saw Magnan check, the third player do likewise and Cheema throw out a 1,000 chip, check-raised to 3,000 by Magna.
Cheema looked surprised but made the call, the third player laying down his holding.

A further 5,000 on the river from Magnan saw Cheema call - and claim the pot when Magnan showed pocket eights to his [Ac][2c] for turned trips.

"I thought you had it," someone said to Magnan, Cheema murmuring "So did I" in assent.

Luckily he was wrong and is now on 58,000.

12.20pm: The home straight
We're back for the final furlong as the last four levels will play out here in London on this opening day of teh UKIPT Super Series.

It's been an interesting day so far, nearly half the 88 strong field shorn away - just 46 remaining as we head into the latter stages. One of those going strong is Rapinder Cheema, winner of UKIPT5 London back in January this year. Rapinder clearly loves playing here at The Hippodrome Casino and has the momentum with him at the moment.

It should be a gripping finale so stay with us as we bring you all the thrills and spills of the remaining levels.

To read updates from levels 1-8, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at UKIPT5 Super Series - London: Rod Stirzaker. Photos by Mickey May.

Day 1A saw a surprisingly fulsome 88-strong field arrive at the Hippodrome to take their shot at tournament glory and when the day had drawn to a close, it was Frenchman Julien Rouxel who led the 27-remaining players with a mighty stack of 174,200.

12 whip-sharp 30 minute levels ensured the 25,000 stacks the players started with were soon shredded and redistributed - players busting out with great regularity throughout the day.

Some interesting stories developed along the way. The field was largely male dominated although the two ladies who did buy-in - Spaniard Cayetana Pastor Belsue and Lithuanian Irina Nikolaidi - both made hay and ran their stacks deep into the day.

Nikolaidi would perish just short of the end of the day - a victim of the rampaging Rupom Pal, who finished up in second place on the chip counts with 153,400. Belsue however managed to stave off elimination, though her short stack means there is a tough journey ahead of her if she has designs on the title.

One man who has made a name for himself already at The Hippodrome Casino is Rapinder Cheema - winner of the UKIPT5 London Event back in January this year.

Cheema's chip graph had a generally upward trend throughout the day, although it was the final level that saw him really fly - reaching 143,400 at the close - he will be well in contention when day 2 begins.

Here's how the top 5 stacks lined up at the close of play:

Julien Rouxel France 9 8 174200
Rupom Pal United Kingdom 8 2 153400
Rapinder Cheema United Kingdom 1 3 143400
Fengzhu Yu China 7 5 129100
Sebastien Jung France 3 4 123300

Click here to see the full chip stacks for all remaining 27 players.

Day 2 starts Saturday 17th at 1.00pm but before then we have the two remaining starting days back-to-back tomorrow to play through. With Day 1B starting at 1.00pm and Day 1C starting at 7.30pm, it will be a day packed with interesting poker.

To read updates from Levels 1-8, click here.

To read updates from Levels 9-12, click here.

Join the blog at 1.00pm for this epic day of poker- you won't want to miss how this will pan out. We'll see you then.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at UKIPT5 Super Series London: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

5:20pm: End of level 8; break
The end of level eight signals it is time for the players to once omre pour out of the card room to recharge batteries with caffeine, nicotine, fun and general frolics.

We'll be back in 15 minutes for level 9 which will resume in a new post. See you shortly!

5.10pm: Sapiano hits downward spiral
It appears Sapiano's streak of upward form has abandoned him - his stack dipping perilously close to that danger zone of 10-15BBs - a glum, slumped demeanour expressing how his luck has turned.

Recently he bought himself a little time - somewhat fortunately running his jacks into kings in a preflop tussle and coming out on top when a jack spiked.

"Ouch," commented an interested onlooker adroitly.

It looks likely two of the beneficiaries of Sapiano's misfortune are well-stacked tablemates Scott Glover
(85,000) and Andrey Dimitrov, whose earlier shortstackedness has dissolved in a fanfare of trumpets as he is now potentially the chip leader of the tournament with 98,000.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 400-800-100

4:55pm: Snapshot of the felt
Here are a couple of the stacks that might be of interest to you out there.

First there is Jake Cody. We have yet to capture Jake Cody play out a pot of note, and his stack is sitting at a slightly-below-average-though-above-starting-stack amount of 27,000.

Next up we have Chaz Chattha, making steady, quiet progress, having risen to 39,000.

Finally there is popular young UK pro Alex Goulder. Goulder registered late but this has not proved an impedement to his chip accumulation skills and he has a comfortable stack of 33,000 right now.

4:41pm: Wellings on march from zero to hero
The pacy structure and aggressive nature of play here at the Hippodrome means players' fortunes can fluctuate and alter in the blink of an eye.

Just ask David Wellings, who in his own words "was going home a few minutes ago." Several pots later - the most recent seeing him oust Vincent Pritchard ace-king versus ace-queen - his fortunes have been transformed.

The big beaming smile on his face tells the whole story. He isn't amongst the chip leaders just yet with his circa average 35,000 stack but the dream of glory and riches lives on for now.

4.32pm: Guven exits as Davage trips up Zadeh
Onur Guven has just expired - his final act to push his chips in with [Td][7d] on a [Qd][2c][6d] board.

The major portion of the pot however was played out between Glen Davage and Jan Nader Zadeh - a series of raises culminating in Davage moving all-in.

A pensive Zadeh uhmmed and ahhed over his action, scrunching his face in various different ways before saying, "ok" and throwing in the call with pocket aces.
The mental coin flip fell the wrong side however - Davage showing down a flopped set of deuces and duly winning the pot as the board bricked out.

Zadeh drops below 20,000 then, and Davage was left happily arranging his newly-acquired 55,000 stack.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 300-600-75

4.10pm: Trouble in paradise
With some players careering up the rankings, others' paths are correspondingly bleak and some, such as the following, have seen all hope of a deep run in Day 1B dissolve like salt crystals in hot water.

Here are the latest players with something to brine, er...whine about as they are out. Bad luck guys.

Barny Koumis
Lucas Blanco
Victor Victorovich Ilyukhin
Michael Quinn
Shantanu Banerji
Simon Brooks
Rahim Tadj-Saadat
Jiaqi Fan
Stuart Richardson
Wentao Pei

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 250-500-50

3:48pm: Double for Dimitrov
A poor day for Andrey Dimitrov might just be turning around.

He's been sitting on a shortish stack for a while, picking up the odd set of blinds with a shove all-in.

Finally though he has found a double-through, jamming pocket kings for his 7,300 stack and getting an understandable call from Tyrone Campisi-Green with [Ad][Ks].

The board ran out [Th][4h][4d][Tc][4s] to turn his 70% equity in the pot into 100% and he is back above 15,000 - still short but with a modicum of wiggle room at least. Campisi-Green meanwhile could well afford to take the hit as he still has over 40,000 to his name.

3.36pm: Sapiano climbs through counts
Albert Sapiano, one of the handful of re-entrants, has been going along much better today than yesterday - having already accumulated 58,000, close to the Day 1B chip leaders.

As we joined his table he was busy three-betting a tablemate and winning the pot before showing down pocket sixes. He seems confident and in the zone right now...
3.28pm: Number crunched
The vagaries of poker variance mean there will be victims of misfortune as the day progresses.

These are the players to have found themselves on the wrong side of all-in showdowns during the initial stages.

Laurent Alix
Christopher Scholes
John Eric Tavss
Mustafa Kubilay
Se Jin Hwang
Vasile Cosmin Stancu
Hui Jin
Christakis Trattou
Panikos Chattalou
Neophytos Neophytou
Marghidan Gabriel

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 200-400-50

3.20pm: The big thaw - back for level 5
The players have been de-frosted and are ready for action once more. 90 players remain of the original 100 to have entered and are back and ready to enter the fray.

Good luck all in level 5.

3.05pm: Frozen in Time
That's the first four levels of the day in the bag! It's been an exciting start and there is likely only more drama to come so rejoin us in 15 minutes once the players have had a breather and we'll resume arms once more. See you then!

3.02pm: Ravindran heading the counts
It's early days but with close to four levels under our belts, it looks like Ravindran may well be the chip leader with 53,000.

We think most of this came courtesy of a big preflop war with Jiaqi Fan, whose stack was left devastated after the hand - down to 3,700.

It looked like at showdown Ravindran held the winning hand of 3-2 - showing he has some unorthodox plays in his arsenal.

We'll keep an eye on how this interesting player progresses as the day goes on. He clearly didn't earn his nickname Superman without good cause!

2.50pm: Far from idle Chattha
Chaz Chattha has had a better start to day 1B than finish to Day 1A.

Moments ago he sent Marghidan Gabriel to the rail, picking off his turn bluff with A-Q on a [Ad][5d][4h][Qc] board.

Gabriel had turned [8h][9h] into an airball bluff and with no equity he departed the table even before the irrelevant [Kc] appeared on the river.

Chattha up to 39,000 and looking in good position to go deeper than he managed yesterday.

2.36pm:Bitter pill for Trattou as Quinn-in strikes
Michael Quinn has taken down a medium-sized pot courtesy of the second Trattou plying his trade in the field - Nicholas Trattou the man to suffer on this occasion.

The hand opened with a raise to 550 from under-the-gun man Trattou, called by Michael Quinn, Martin Comitti and big blind Jake Cody, lurking out of position to the three.

A board of [Jh][9s][2c] failed to entice any action, the four active players checking it down.

Come the turned [6c] however, Trattou was the first man to take an aggressive action, betting out 1,250 - Quinn being the sole caller.

The [Ah] on the river saw Trattou fire again - 3,500 the bet - and again Quinn made an instant call.

There was now a short delay as both players refused to turn their hands over.

"Throw your hand away if you don't want to use it," urged Quinn, prompting Trattou to turn over [Ks][Ts] for king-high.

Quinn exposed [Ac][4c] for a turned flush draw that had become top pair to claim the pot.

He rises to 36,000 - Trattou dropping below his 25,000 starting stack. Cody, attired in baseball cap and PokerStars branding, watched on quietly for now. He is slightly down from his starting stack to around 20,000.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 150-300

2:25pm:Bumper field
It was pleasing to see 88 players arrive to take to the felt yesterday evening and strangely today, we have exactly 88 so far once more!

This number has been bolstered by at least four or five players who have availed themselves of the oppportunity to take a second bite of the cherry, after falling afoul of variance in Day 1A.

Numbered in their midst is Chaz Chattha, a member of the fabled Hitsquad and a man with impeccable poker credentials.

Watch out table 6!

2.11pm: Invasion of the antes
We told you the structure would zip past in quicksmart fashion. Already level three has seen the introduction of antes, making those preflop pots and blinds that little bit more juicy and the battles over them that little bit more fiercely contested.
It's a subtle but significant change in the course of the tournament and as we saw yesterday, this will really serve to stimulate the action.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 100-200-25

1.50pm: Hwang barrels out
An inauspicious pot from Se Jin Hwang saw him take a super aggressive line early doors - only for Andrew Purser to pick him off.

The hand in question saw Purser lead for 800 on a [Kd][8s][3h] board - raised to 2,300 by Hwang. Purser made the call.

The [6c] on the turn saw Hwang fire barrel two for 3,500. Purser again check-called.

A rivered [Qd] was met with a slow check from Purser and Hwang munched on some food before moving his full stack (10,000+) over the line.
Instant call from Purser and the look of anguish on Hwang's face showed he had a strong feeling he was behind. Purser tabled K-Q for top 2 to take down the pot and send Hwang on his way.

"When I call the turn, I've really got to call the river" Purser added as Hwang grabbed his things and departed. Purser up to 45,000...

1.32pm: Double Trouble
The opportunity to buy in twice has been taken by several of yesterday's unfortunate busters.
One of those is Albert Sapiano. Sapiano has been a mainstay of the English poker scene for some time and his unorthodox style can pose problems for his opponents.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 75-150

1.20pm: Wells Go Far?
Dominic Wells is a familiar face to patrons of the Hippodrome Casino, having made many deep runs at various events here.

He clearly enjoys his sojourns to the heart of London and he has already seen his stock rise in the opening levels.

His upward trend has come larely courtesy of tablemate Christakis Trattou.

The first pot of note saw Wells lead out for 500 on the turn of a [As][Td][5c][Kh] board - only for Trattou to make it 1,500. Wells called and the [Qs] on the river saw both players check it down - Wells exposing [Ac][7c] to scoop the pot.

The next hand Trattou made it 400 to go and in-position Wells put in a big three-bet to 1,550. Call from Trattou.

The board fell [Kc][Jd][7d] - Trattou checked, Wells led for 1,500 and Trattou called.

The [8c] on the turn saw a similar pattern, check 2,500 barrel from Wells, call.

The rivered [Ac] was checked once more - Wells rubbing his chin in contemplation before deciding to "empty the clip" - barrel number three a chunky 4,500.

A quick call from Trattou with [As][Qd] was no good versus Wells' dominating top two [Ah][Ks].

A big pot for Wells at this stage - he moves to 36,000 - amongst the chip leaders at this early stage.

1.00pm: Cards in the air
The TD has directed the dealers to begin proceedings so we're off! Let's see how this interesting day pans out...

Day 1B of the UKIPT5 Super Series

Welcome back to The Hippodrome Casino for Day 1B - and later 1C - of the UKIPT5 Super Series London. Yesterday we saw Day 1A play out with drama and alacrity - the impressively large 88-strong field being whittled down to just 27 survivors in 12 swift, action levels.

Click here to read how the day played out.

Today's contingent of players will find themselves immersed in the same environmental conditions as yesterday's group:

- 25,000 in chips;

- 30 minute levels (with a welcome 15 minute break following each batch of 4)*

* Note that on Day 2 the level lengths will be extended to 40 minutes and the final will be comprised of 50 minute levels - the structure extending as the stakes rise, which should be an attractive proposition for the players.

As we said before, there are two days' worth of poker being packed into today's schedule with Day 1B beginning at 1.00pm and Day 1C will follow hot on its heels at 7.30pm.

This close density of punchy poker should ensure we have plenty of exciting tales to bring you as the day progresses so keep those eyeballs fixated on the blog - we wouldn't want you to miss out!

We're moments away from the start so good luck one and all.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

7.34pm: End of Day 1B - Dimitrov leads
Day 1B has drawn to a close and there is a furious exchange now as the remaining 37 (to be confirmed) players bag their chips up while the new tranche of players arrive to play out Day 1C.

It looks as though Bulgarian Andrey Dimitrov will be confirmed as the chip leader in due course - his 189,400 putting him firmly at the top of the tree.

Full chip counts can be found by clicking here but for now thanks for following. We'll be moving to a new page for Day 1C and we'll have a wrap-up of both days once all 12 levels of Day 1C are done and dusted.

7.30pm: Chattha "Live gangster" ends with a bang
Chaz Chattha has had a very productive last level of the day, the final hand seeing him effectively jam over the top of a Chris Yong raise and flat call.

Yong and opponent folded leaving Chaz to sweep up the pot.

"Online gangster!" he was called.

"Online?" he said quizzically.

"LIVE gangster!" Chaz looked happier about this as he bagged up 137,400 - in the upper echelons of the chip counts.
7:13pm: Slipping on banana skins
As we enter the last level of Day 1B, Yue Tu and Dimitrios Leventis are the latest players to slip up just shy of the end of the day.

It's a minefield out there. You can't get away from the destiny fated for you.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 1000-2000-300

6.55pm: End of days
We saw yesterday that the final level of the day can be a brutal affair with the blinds large - the stakes high and some aggressive players at the felt.

There are 41 players remaining as we head into the final level of Day 1B and we anticipate a fiery end - not least because some players will look at the potential of re-registering for Day 1C (beginning immediately after the end of this level) as a useful safety net should they fall afoul of the poker gods during this 30 minute period.

Hold tight - a storm may be brewing.

6:40pm: Top of the tree
Here are some of the players with big stacks at this stage -

6:22pm: Heroes at the felt
Kelly Saxby - Kelly goes from strength to strength - she's up to 73,500 now, having sent David Wellings to the rail.

Wellings found himself short and jammed on Saxby's big blind - Saxby calling with [As][6s].

"Oh that's not good," she pointed out as Wellings flipped queens, before a flop of [Ad][Th][3s][Ac][Ah] saw her make quads to send a laughing Wellings on his way with a rueful smile.

Andrey Dimitrov is the man everyone is chasing right now, the Bulgarian having accumulated a gargantuan 142,000 in chips - roughly three times average.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 800-1600-200

6.03pm: All that glitters....
...is not Gould-en. Alex Goulder has just departed - his tale of woe delivered in typically upbeat fashion by the young British Pro.

Having lost a chunk of his stack with eights versus Queens, he found kings on the button and a sweet spot to increase his 10,000 stack.
The cut-off raised, Goulder re-raised and a player in the blinds now found ace-king, committing his chips.

Goulder made the call but on this occasion his luck didn't hold, his opponent winning the 30% showdown to leave Goulder high and dry.

"No problem!" he cheerily noted as he melted into the cold October air.

5.45pm: Recent fallers
The following horses have all been gently shepherded toward the entrance of the glue factory.

Good game all.

Benjamin Heath
Jonas Ferrut
Benjamin Morrison
Vincent Pritchard
David Clarkson
Alejandro Perez Torres
Javier Gomez Zapatero
Philip Gregg

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 500-1000-100

Welcome back to the Hippodrome Casino for level 9 of the UKIPT Super Series Event.

There is a neat symmetry to the day, we are 2/3 of the way through and 1/3 of the players have been eliminated with 64 of the initial 100 starters still in contention.

Numbered amongst those still in contention are Jake Cody with a slightly sub-average stack of 28,000, Dominic Wells, who is showing why he has a string of results ehre at The Hippodrome Casino - he has 62,000.

Also going well is UKIPT regular Kelly Saxby - her 51,000 chips giving her a well above average stack at this point.

To read updates from levels 1-8, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Series 2: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

11.55pm: Break Time!
It's been an epic day and we are 8 levels into the second of the two days being played out today.

The players are taking their final 15 minute break of the day before resuming for the last four levels. Who will rise from the pack and challenge the current chip leaders? Back soon to find out.

11.48pm: It's SHOWTIME!
Regular patrons of The Hippodrome will be familiar with the Showgirls who appear at regular intervals to entertain inhabitants of the casino. It's always a good test of the poker players' powers of concentration.

Who will be lured away from focusing on the tournament by the glittering dresses of the scantily clad-girls dancing opposite?

We have to say - this looks like a pretty dedicated bunch. Remarkably few players paid the girls much attention.

Of course our photographer extraordinaire Mickey May is too on the ball to miss a photographic opportunity like that. She captured this moment...enjoy!

11.28pm: The Prizepool
Apologies for the tardiness of this information. Usually we are very un-tardy (you should see the state of the media desk.)

Anyway without further delay click here for the full payouts.

The main information to extract from this list of numbers is a prizepool totalling £141,135 - a first prize of £28,300 and the payout spots paying the top 39 players. Very juicy!

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 400-800-100

11.15pm: Torres topples towers
Alejandro Torres just had a moment of rage, the quiet Spaniard having sat and played his cards in reserved fashion for the rest of the tournament.

He was back at it with his sparring partner from earlier - Krisha Nagaraju - who was one river away from elimination.

This hand saw Torres raise to 1,500 from early position, called by Nagaraju in the big blind.

The board fell [9d][5h][4c] - Nagaraju checked and Torres led for 1,400.
Check raise to 3,300 by Nagaraju. Call.

The turn was the [5d]. 4,800 from Nagaraju. Call.

The [Kd] on the river saw Nagaraju pick up 8,300, around 2/3 of his remaining stack and fire it into the middle.

A long tank from Torres, punctuated by frequent eye rubs, saw him pick up the required chips and eventually make what looked like a reluctant call.

He got the bad news from Nagaraju - his [Jd][4d] having made a backdoor flush.

Torres exploded momentarily, his hand smashing the chips down on the table, sending several of them flying into the pot and some into another player's stack, making it tough to see just where all the chips were.

The dealer looked a tad perplexed and called "Floor!"

After coming over, there was a long period reconstructing the pot and ensuring Torres had paid the correct amount into the pot. Once it was established he had, he was given a one round penalty for his lack of self control.

Once the dust had settled - Torres removed himself from the table to calm down - his stack cut to around 25,000.

Nagaraju meanwhile has made the most of his earlier fortune - now up to the 40,000 mark adfter being one card from elimination earlier.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 300-600-75

10.58pm: Level 7 arrives We are entering that period of the tournament where the pots get to sizes that mean the only way to play them is by risking your tournament - for the smaller stacks at least.

Expect a host of shoves, bluffs, late position raises, squeezes and steals to occur this level.

The action is coming, hold tight!

10.45pm: Cody rack rubs
Look away Jake Cody fans, he has not had the best day of his largely stellar poker career - left wiht just a handful of chips from his second buy-in of the day.

Moments ago his table was broken and he picked up his chips in his hand to mvoe to a new table. "You have to put them in the rack," the dealer explained, Cody cracking a broad smile as he placed his 6 lonely chips into the rack.

If he needed a reminder of better times however, at that moment, a player grabbed him and asked for a selfie - Cody duly obliging before relocating to his new table.

10.37pm:No bad beat for bad beaten Joe Stapleton
Joe Stapleton is out.
We think he was unfortunate in his demise although he refused to reveal the exact circumstances of his fall from poker grace.

Immediately after his elimination he was offered comfort from Dave Curtis. "Would you like a hug Joe?" offered Curtis.

"If by hug you mean would I like to repeatedly punch someone in the face then yes I would very much like a hug," joked Stapes, struggling to come to terms with his bustout.

Later on, he calmed down enough to come over and talk to the blog. "Nobody cares," he said. "Write that...but make me look like a man, not just looking for sympathy, even though I am. Just write this whole conversation down."

Stapes has now gone to rail his partner in crime James Hartigan.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 250-500-50

10.23pm: Paying the Bill If you thought the intrepid EPT commentating duo had the monopoly on incessant converation - believe it or not they have been eclipsed so far by William Kassouf, who has shown remarkable powers at maintaining interminable monologues during hands.

Let's give you an example. We joined Kassouf heads-up with Benjamin Winsor on the river of a [Qd][Qs][7d][8d][9s] board.

Action was on Kassouf. Verbal diarrhoea engaged.

"Time for a trip to value town....What year were you born...I was born in 1981, you were probbaly the same right....let's make this bet colourful [Kassouf counts out 8,100 in various denominations]....8,100 for 1981...that's a good bet...[Winsor goes into tank considering the bet]....what have you got?....you don't want to say?....I'm trying to help you...talk to me...I deserve to win this pot for the speech alone...got a queen right?...maybe queen-jack...[winsor folds]....wow after all that you fold...I deserved that."

Endearing or not? You decide!

Whatever you think, it is working for Kassouf - he is up to 48,000...almost as many chips as words spoken during this tournament.

10.05pm: Hartigan looks to stop rot
Not a reference to some pre-existing medical condition, James Hartigan's poker chops are the ones showing signs of ill-fortune at the moment , having lost 2/3 of his stack over the opening four levels.

"I'm just playing badly," he explained glumly. Chin up James - a double-up is just one outdraw away!

10.00pm: Back in effect
Croissants consumed and jaegerbombs chugged by all(*), the players are back at the tables to cross swords once more. 95 players remain from the initial 101 entrants. We expect this to be confirmed as the final number shortly meaning the prizepool should be with us presently.

*Pure supposition. The bar does not serve croissants.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 200-400-50

9.44pm: Four in the bag is worth 15 in the bar That's our cryptic way of saying it's time for a 15 minute break with the first four levels of the day having been played out.

The vast majority of the players have navigated these early stages with skill and guile and can discuss their various small victories and defeats over a cappucino. We'll be back shortly for level five. See you then!

9.30pm: Victims of fortune
Where there is glory, there must also be defeat. It is the way of the world - the ying and yang of life keeping the cosmos in order.

These are the men who have enabled greatness to flourish - by being eliminated.

Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed.

Saman Rezapour
John Bassett
Stephen Whelan
Marco Lanni
Onur Guven
David Clarkson

9.12pm: 101 and counting!
We knew that 100 mark would be breached. With 101 official entrants so far, this is now the biggest of the three starting days.

Does that mean at the close, someone will have bested the impressive 189,400 chips accumulated by Bulgarian Andrey Dimitrov over Day 1B's twelve levels?

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 150-300-25

9.02pm: Ha-re moment for Krisha It's been an inauspicious start for Krisha Nagaraju, who had seen his 25,000 stack decimated in the early stages, reduced to a paltry 7,075.

Holding [Ac][Jh] he fired his remaining chips into the middle - Alejandro Torres making the call with the dominating [Ah][Ks].

It looked likely Torres would send Nagaraju on his way right up to the death - the board providing the classic sting in the tail as it peeled [Qs][6s][8c][Ts][Kc] to make Nagaraju the nut straight right at the death.

A tablemate drew in breath audibly to represent sympathy for the beat. Torres looked unmoved as he handed over a chunk of his stack.

Nagaraju meanwhile beamed at his good fortune - his game back on track somewhat as he rises to 16,000.

8.56pm: Stapleton bladders up

At the risk of neglecting the other players in the tournament - don't worry, we will come back to them - it seems a shame not to mention Joe Stapleton just challenged James Hartigan to a "bathroom last longer."

"No," Hartigan responded firmly.

"I stand no chance of winning." "I'll give you odds," countered Stapleton. "You might win enough for kidney surgery," he added.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 100-200-25

8.38pm: The full set

Anyone playing EPT commentator snap* out there will be delighted with the news that both of the EPT double act have elected to take a shot at the tournament.

Also present is Stapes' co-host James Hartigan, another man renowned for his vocal skills - good luck to those who are in the vicinity of both - specialist ear doctors are on standby for emergency eardrum repair if (when) required.

*Given recent scientific discoveries in quantum mechanics and theories on parallel universes, somewhere this game must be playing out. UKIPT Floor staff top trumps is allegedly Saturn's most popular pastime.

8.24pm: You can't be serious!
Poker fans will be delighted to know Joe Stapleton has decided to bid for glory (donate his buyin) to the poker tournament and already the garrulous EPT commentator's dulcid (un-blockoutable) strains have been heard trilling through the poker room.

"You can't be serious!" he was heard saying (bawling liike John McEnroe in his pomp).

"5-3 didn't hold up!" Expect more outbursts from the engaging young comedian/ poker commentator as the day progresses.

8.12pm: Final chip standings from Day 1B

To see the full array of survivors along with their chip counts from day 1B, click here and enjoy!

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 75-150

8.10pm: Pushing toward a century With 100 players in the earlier Day 1B, it looks like day 1C might be on course to exceed even this. We currently have 95 official registrants and this number is on the rise all the time, shuffling toward that imposing three figure mark. Any guesses on the final number?

We're going for (arbitrarily) 106!

7.40pm: Cards in the air!
The whirlwind turnround is complete and a whole new* slew of players are seated and champing at the bit to be the next star crowned at the Hippodrome Casino.

*Well, new-ish. There will be at least a few double registrants, who played Day 1B, busted, and are back for a second bite of the cherry.

We'll have some of the big names gracing the felt shortly as well as the final chip standings from the end of Day 1B.

7.35pm: Day 1C begins
Welcome to the Hippodrome Casino for Day 1C of the UKIPT5 Super Series event. We are in the second part of this double-day - 12 levels of Day 1B having played out prior to day 1C starting.

We've already seen some exciting poker played out and there's no reason why this evening's events won't be equally as fascinating.

To read how day 1B played out, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series London: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

2.05pm: End of Day 1C - Dale Garrad leads overall chip Counts!
The final level saw a number of circa 150,000 stacks vying for the chip lead, but it was Dale Garrad, friend of Pokerstars LIVE! at The Hippodrome Casino, who stormed ahead.
He had a few fortunate hands in this run, but his slick finish meant he bagged up an incredible 214,000 in chips.

Quite a performance from Garrad, he was beaming at the finish to no one's surprise.

It looked as though Mario Trattou, runner-up at the UKIPT Series 6 event here at The Hippodrome Casino last year, finished up in 2nd place with 178,000 and Steve Watts was also well-placed at the death with 164,200. Let's not forget James Hartigan, who battled gamely through the day and finished up with 54,000 or so. Great powers of endurance sir!

We'll have a final wrap up of this incredible day - both Day 1B and Day 1C - but for now thanks for following. Full chip counts will also follow shortly.

2:01pm: Final four hands
With 13 minutes left in the day, it's been determined just four more hands will be played.

1.50pm: The home stretch
The players are almost home and dry - just 35 of them left. Mario Trattou, who has form here at The Hippodrome Casino, leads the pack as we speak.

How will this last level play out?

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 1,000-2,000-300

1.31pm: Stacks of note
As the tournament enters its final phase, here are some interesting players and their totals for your delectation:

Mario Trattou - 130,000
Oliver Bassett - 120,000
Colin Lovelock - 80,000
Martins Adeniya - 58,000
Charlotte Godwin - 37,000

1:15pm: Thick and fast
The slowdown in pace during the middle stages has merely served as an incendiary catalyst for action in these latter four levels. We've seen the field ripped apart as shortstack after shortstack has busted.

We're now down to just 44 players - more in line with the other two days.

The latest players who were unable to keep the dream alive include:

Simon Brooks
Marius Lietuvninkas
Fabio Vizzarro
Duncan Wilkie
Cristina Ilie
Winston Cotgreave
Mousa Nader Zadeh
Alejandro Perez Torres

Well played all! The battle continues.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 800/1,600/200

1:05pm: On yer way, Ladd
Graeme Ladd's tournament has come to close.

He went for a double up, jamming his final 20,000 or so chips on a [7c][7h][6c] board - only to be picked off by Oliver Bassett
's pocket queens. The board bricked out [Jh][5d] and Bassett - who is almost certainly the chip leader as we speak - was up to 120,000.

12:50pm: Roll-call of the damned
No luck for the following players - they've all hit the skids in the latter period.

Khadir Khoshawy
Nagaraju Krishna
Bober Raja
William Kassouf
Lee Glover
Qilin Hu
Stephen Miles
David Lloyd
Bo Bundgaard Thorsen
Brett Kennedy
Mark Shepherd
Graeme Ladd
Simon Brooks

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 600-1200-200

12:35pm: Hartigan the poker genius It's been a tough day's grind for James Hartigan but his patience is being rewarded.

He just played a pot of immense skill, doubling up with aces in the big blind versus the small blind's kings.

"It's an underrated skill waking up with aces versus kings in the blinds," he said, a nugget of poker wisdom that will surely echo through the ages.

12.25pm: Battle to the finish
The 72 players remaining have sat themselves down at the felt - chip shuffling and riffling as they are wont to do.

The game is on, the stakes are high and the stage is set. Bring it on!

To read updates from levels 1-8, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series London: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

The Hippodrome Casino bore witness to a tsunami of poker activity today as UKIPT5 Super Series Days 1B and 1C both played out to a finish.
At the close of play it was Andrey Dimitrov who topped the Day 1B rankings whilst on Day 1C, friend of PokerStars LIVE! at The Hippodrome Casino, Dale Garrad, had the kind of end game poker players dream of - his chip count blazing skyward in the closing levels to ensure he will return for Day 2 poised in prime position.

Day 1B started bright and early (for poker players at least), the 1:00pm start time drawing in a 100-strong field to test their luck. Numbered in their ranks were a mix of world famous sharks and lesser-known faces. One of the sharks, PokerStars Team Pro Jake Cody, jumped off a plane straight from Miami to take his shot at the tournament and although his run in Day 1B ended in ignominious

elimination, he turned his luck round with his second bite of the cherry.

Day 1C proved a happier hunting ground - Cody brushing off a barren period in the early stages to rise to a 72,600 stack at the finish.

The swift thirty minute levels ensured the players waged constant war against each other and we were treated to some showtime, aggressive poker. Hitsquad member Chaz Chattha, dubbed "Live Gangster" in the course of the tournament, was in his element, a strong finish ensuring he bagged up 137,900 at the end of day reckoning. It was Bulgarian Andrey Dimitrov however who crushed the competition to accumulate a gargantuan stack of 189,400 - and all despite being close to crashing out in the early levels.

In all just 35 players survived the epic maelstrom to earn their right to partake in day 2. Day 1C saw another block of hundred players disseminate themselves around the poker card room and engage in battle at the felt.

Day 1C played out in a slightly different fashion to the earlier days - the pace a little more sedate in the early stages. EPT commentator James Hartigan got the better of his co-commentator Joe Stapleton during this lull - progressing with 54,000 after nursing a smallish stack effectively all day.

This gentle pace was all to change however as the day wore on - the pendulum swinging back to create a devastating last few levels that witnessed knockout after knockout.

During this period several players rose to the fore. Mario Trattou, who had finished runner-up at UKIPT6 in 2014, showed this deep run was no fluke, building some giant towers which left him sitting pretty in 2nd place with 178,000 at the close.

Steve Watts, 2013 Irish Open Finalist, also had a positive run, bagging up 164,200 at the close - a stack which gives him every chance of snagging the title when they return tomorrow.

However Dale Garrad's impeccable finish to reach 214,000 ensures the rest of the field will be chasing his coat-tails when play resumes Saturday.

Day 2 will begin at 1.00pm tomorrow. the remaining 92 players looking to play down to a final table. The levels will be gently massaged out to 40 minutes however we don't anticipate that will diminish the aggression on show - expect another day of pedal-to-the-metal poker to play out.

You won't want to miss this exciting day of poker, so see you there tomorrow. History beckons for one of these lucky players.

To read updates from Day 1B, Levels 1-8, click here.
To read updates from Day 1B, Levels 9-12, click here.
To read updates from Day 1C, Levels 1-8, click here.
To read updates from Day 1C, Levels 9-12, click here.

The combined chip counts at the end of both days can be found by clicking here.

The final prizepool can be found here.

Stars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

3.55pm: Break Time!
Another two levels in the bag and the tension has deflated from the arena like a balloon releasing air as the players stream out for a well-earned 15 minute break.

We'll be back shortly with 44 players remaining, just 5 spots from the cash positions. See you then!

3.48pm: Trouble for Yu
As expected the approach of the bubble has slowed down the players - everyone looking to hammer down a cash return for their efforts.

One man who will miss out though is Fengzhu Yu - the shortstacked player getting it in with K-5 versus K-2 and looking good for a double till a spiked deuce dashed his hopes. 44 remain...

3.34pm: Bubble Trouble!
Yes with 46 players left and 39 paid, we have reached that frightening and fascinating part of the tournament where the potential to leave without remuneration can cause players to freeze up. The big stacks will be licking their lips, knowing their fold equity has just increased dramatically. A critical period - everyone is focusing hard at the tables right now, the atmosphere taut.

3.25pm: Standing Tall
Here are the latest chip counts for you to peruse - Dale Garrad maintaining his chip lead for now. Click here to view.

3:22pm: The Unforgotten
Their collective dreams may be over but they will be forever memorialised in this post. They would probably prefer a statue or bronze bust but for now this is the best we can do!
Alexios Zervos
Ali Chaaban
Rory MacDonald
Ranno Sootla
Dominic Wells
Jan Nader Zadeh
Noel Broadbent
Dahe Liu
Marius Zalpys
Vasile-Cosmin Stancu
Neil McCulloch

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 2,500-5,000-500

3:12pm: Hartigan picks up pace
James Hartigan is showing he has the potential to make it deep here - his stack really starting to grow.

Most recently, he picked up a nice pot raising to 8,500 preflop from UTG+1 - the big blind the sole caller.

Board: [Jh][Th][6c] Check - 9,000 from Hartigan, call.

Turn: [2c] Check - 17,500 from Hartigan, call.

River: [4c] Check, snap-check from Hartigan who tabled queens. The big blind could not match or best this and threw his hand away leaving a focused Hartigan to move to 155,000...

3:08pm: Trattou and Cody share light moment
Two of the bigger stacks right now are Mario Trattou and Jake Cody. Cody is growing stronger all the time - moments ago raising and c-betting to win another pot without showdown.

"It's easy when you have table presence isn't it," said Trattou.

Cody's serious face broke and he smiled. "I had a good hand!" he protested.

"Sure you did..." Trattou responded with a touch of incredulity.

"I always have a good hand," Cody added.

"That's why you are where you are," said Trattou with a touch of apparent admiration and a wink to the rail.

Cody now up to 200,000. Trattou remains well-stacked with 175,000.

3.02pm: Shuffled off the poker coil
No longer with us - casuaties of this whirlwind start to proceedings are the following. Good game all.
Mats Rosen
Christopher Yong
Adam Reynolds
Stuart Butts
Ravi Sharda
Thomas Young
Lev Belskiy
James Catany
Lee Scott Glover
ohammed Suhail A
ndreas Achillea

2.43pm: Super Mario's Land
Mario Trattou has impressive pedigree here at The Hippodrome Casino with a number of deep runs, the pick of which was his runner-up spot at UKIPT Series 6 last year.

He was one of three Trattou brothers bidding for glory in this Super Series event - both he and his brother Nicholas (not Luigi as you might think) making it through to Day 2.

"There are 9 of us [Trattou brothers] in total. I think my mum wanted a girl so she kept going!" he said with a smile.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 2,000-4,000-500

2:37pm: Back in the zone
The players have re-seated themselves ready for level 15. 39 spots are paid remember - we are just twenty places off that now so there might be some literally nail-biting moments ahead.

2.25pm: Break Down
Those opening levels just flew by. Two levels in and we are down to 61 players. The players can now take their regular 15 minute sabbatical to refresh and recharge. We'll be back shortly.

2:22pm: Quad Erat Demonstrandum
The cream will rise to the top. QED. Jake Cody is a beast when things aren't rolling his way.

When he gets quad sixes for a full double-up however(as achieved moments ago), he becomes a monster. Cody up to 160,000...

2:10pm: Hartigan travelling
James Hartigan has had a welcome opening to the day with that early double. He's being put through his paces by the tournament direction too, having moved tables twice in the early levels. "It's nice to get a tour of the room!" he boomed in typically audible fashion.

1.58pm: Garrad crushing
Dale Garrad came into the day as chipleader and the early going has only served to reinforce his dominance. He has just eliminated Tyrone Campisi-Green, who possesses the most impressive afro being sported in The Hippodrome Casino but sadly no longer possesses any chips. Garrad's [As][Jc] bested Campisi-Green's [Kc][Th] on a [Jc][Tc][8d][6h][3h] board - a gracious Campisi-Green offering a sincere wish of "good luck" as he bowled out of the arena. It's looking more and more like Garrad's day right now.

1.45pm: Bombastic Start
Wow! We can barely keep up with the cries of "ALL-IN!" and "CALL!" resounding throughout the poker room. We are already down to 68 players. Yes that's right in the space of a single level we have lost 24 players. Here are the most recent eliminations on the rail: Tyrone Campisi-Green United Kingdom George Alexander United Kingdom Martins Adeniya United Kingdom Joseph Craig United Kingdom Otto Castle United Kingdom Alistair Woods United Kingdom Davide Magnan Italy Allan Pike United Kingdom

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 1,5000-3,000-400

1.33pm: Hartigan rocks and rolls
James Hartigan has shown that a bit of patience and application can really work wonders in a poker tournament. He bounded over from his seat to tell us he has doubled up from his dangerously smallish 50k stack courtesy of a kings versus 9-T suited coup.

The EPT commentator is full of beans - and could now pose a real threat to the chip leaders.

1.22pm: Seat of death
The seat vacated by Otto Castle was duly filled by Sebastian-Jacob Heijnen and the shortstacked Dutchman's journey lasted little longer - losing out to Chaz Chattha when his [Jd][Qs] came second to Chattha's [Ac][8d] over a [Jh][7s][2h][As][Ks] board.

"That's the bustout seat," Chattha observed with a grin. "We'll take that right!" he said to neighbour Kalamess - the other recipient of chips donated by victims of the seat.

1.10pm: Castle toppled
Tough start for Otto Castle, who has become a victim of Estonian Ergo Kalamees.

We didn't see his exit in entirety but it looked as though he held [Ad][3d] on the river of a [8d][2h][7d][Jc][Ts] board - his flush draw whiffing versus Kalamees' [9c][6s] straight draw which got there. Already well-stacked prior to the hand Kalamees is now closing in on the top few chip leaders with around 170,000.

1.00pm: Cards in the air
The players are seated, the dealers primed and the stage set. Let's get underway!

UKIPT Super Series Day 2
We're back at The Hippodrome Casino to continue on our journey to crown the UKIPT Super Series Champion. Yesterday was an incredible day of poker - two meaty poker days crammed into one standard day - twists and turns abounding over the 24 total levels played out. Day 1C created the overall chip leader - friend of PokerStars LIVE! at The Hippodrome Casino Dale Garrad blitzing his way through the last few levels to snatch the chip lead with an even 214,000 in chips. When they resume today, Day 1B's foremost chip gatherer Andrey Dimitrov will be the man best placed to topple Garrad's supremacy - his 189,400 giving him every chance of a destructive tun through the field. Neither should ignore the threat of the talented field lurking behind them however. The 92-strong field has top-notch players such as Hitsquad member Chaz Chattha and Triple Crown winner PokerStars Team Pro Jake Cody secreted away in its number. There's also the well-stacked Mario Trattou, one of two Trattou's in the field, who has shown he has what it takes to run deep at The Hippodrome having finished runner-up at UKIPT6 last year. Click here to view full chip counts at the start of the day. It should be a fascinating day's poker and we are really looking forward to seeing how it pans out.

Being day 2, the levels have been extended to 40 minutes, giving the players extra room to make some creative plays and the intention is to play to a final table - depending on how quickly things play out. We're starting at 1.00pm and the poker room is already beginning to fill up with enthusiastic staff and players. Good luck one and all!

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Series 2: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

9.30pm: The Final Table
After three days of hardcore poker, we have reached the cusp of this tournament's finale.

There are just eight men remaining in contention with the trophy just a fingertip away.

Here's how they will line-up when they return tomorrow:

Dale Garrad - 1,640,000
Rouxel Julien - 1,516,000
Andrey Veselov - 1,116,000
Steve Critchley - 786,000
Alex Kaczmarek - 704,000
Andy Purser - 630,000
Sebastian Jung - 421,000
Jorge Cortes - 408,000

Well that's it for today. Click here to view the wrap of the day's events. Thanks for following!

We'll be back with the rest of the staff, players and enthusiastic railbirds tomorrow to see how this plays out.

A champion is waiting to be crowned. See you tomorrow at 1.00pm sharp for his ascension!

9.20pm: Kai-boshed! (Kai Brown - 9th - £2,950)
Kai Brown was well in the danger zone and found himself unable to pull himself out.

Two big cards in [Qc][Jh] looked like a good hand to jam and pick up some blinds but when Russian Andrey Veselov made a snap-call, he must have suspected the worst.

It wasn't good news for him - Veselov tabling pocket aces.

A board of [Kc][Js][3h][Kd][Qd] saw Brown's slim hopes evaporate and he slipped away from the table hunting the £2,950 that was rightfully his for his 9th place finish.

And all those shenanigans meant out final table was set! Details to follow shortly...

9.05pm: Fontan runs dry (Paul Fontan - 10th - £2,470)
Julien Rouxel is an unstoppable force right now.

Paul Fontan was the latest victim - the pair warring preflop - Fontan with [Kc][Qh] and Rouxel [Td][Tc].

A painful(for Fontan) board of [6s][9s][Qc][Th][Kh] saw the Frenchman take another scalp - he rises to an even more commanding position.

Fontan meanwhile was left to visit the cash desk and collect his £2,470 for 10th place. Good game!

The players are now 9-handed thus being consolidated to a single table - although the final is officially 8-handed so we are one elimination away from Day 2 ending...

9.03pm: Chip Standings
Here's how the final 10 line-up - Julien Rouxel refusing to concede his stranglehold on this tournament.

Julien Rouxel France 1430000
Dale Garrad United Kingdom 970000
Steven Critchley United Kingdom 855000
Andrey Veselov Russian Federation 800000
Alexander Kaczmarek United Kingdom 735000
Andrew Purser United Kingdom 560000
Kai Brown United Kingdom 560000
Sebastien Jung France 480000
Paul Castrillon Fontan Spain 430000
Jorge Barcelo Spain 246000

9.00pm: Back in effect
The players are ready to do battle once more. Who will fall tantalisingly short of the dramatic finale to this tournament?

8.50pm: Break!
The players are taking their regular 15 minute interval following the end of level 22. We'll be back in a few shakes of a lamb's tail to play to the final. See you then.

8.46pm: Emil Georgiev eliminated in 11th spot - £2,470
Emil Georgiev has ridden his luck over the last few levels, surviving several all-in showdowns as a big to medium dog.

Finally though the huge stack of Julien Rouxel has swallowed him up, ironically on one occasion where Georgiev had the edge.

His [Ad][Kc] was beaten by the [Kd][Qh] of Rouxel over the [Qd][5d][6h][4c][Ts] board.

"****" expleted Georgiev as he left to collect his £2,470 from the cash desk.

8:28pm: It's a Jung-le out there (Antonio Battaglia eliminated in 12th spot - £2,170)
Sebastian Jung just picked off Battaglia'a aub-10 BB shove with pocket eights.

Battaglia was flipping with [Kd][Qh] but a board of [7h][9c][4c][Jc][6h] gave the Italian no help and he claims 12th spot for £2,170.

We continue 11-handed...

A long period of no eliminations, in which time we've seen several double-ups by the shorter stacks was finally broken, Rupom Pal the unfortunate shatterer of this pattern.

He jammed [Ah][4d] into Julien Rouxel's dominating [Ac][Jc].

There was no last minute outdraw to rescue him, Rouxel's hand improving to a straight and adding even more chips to his enormous, heaving pile.

Pal though ends up 13th for £2,170 - a very creditable performance.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 10,000-20,000-3,000

7:48pm: Low Watt-age(Steve Watts eliminated in 14th spot - £1,950)
It's all over for Steve Watts. The last of his chips went in with 2-4 against chip leader Julien Rouxel but he muttered "Jacks versus Aces" to his friend as he left glumly.

A good performance nonetheless from Watts who finishes up just short of the final table, his 14th place good for £1,950.

7:30pm: Watts gets shocking news
Nasty for Steve Watts. He got his chips in with pocket aces versus Steven Critchley's pocket kings but a board of [2h][9s][3c][Qs][Kh] saw Critchley overcome his equity disadvantage to win the pot and move to 640,000.

Watts was less than pleased.

"First time I've had 'em, and this happens!" He's down to 160,000 but still in contention.

7:20pm: Chapions roster trimmed
There can be only one winner here and the following have just been cut from the list of potential UKIPT5 Super Series champions.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 8,000-16,000-2,000

7:05pm: Patel move falls on stony ground
Vimal Patel just tried to pull a sneaky move on Dale Garrad.

With a [Ah][7s][5d][8s] board showing, .Patel led for 16,000 - called by Garrad.

The river came the [Qc].

Garrad led for 37,000 and Patel now check-raised all-in for 170,000. It put Garrad in a tough position, but eventually he made the call with [Ac][Tc] for top pair and Patel acknowledge a good call, tapping the table and getting his belongings.

"I had no idea what he had. I just decided it made no sense."

Garrad's star continues to rise - up to 750,000 or so now. Patel finishes 18th

6:50pm: Mario gets bowzered
It was always going to be a stuggle for Mario Trattou to recover after the break having returned to just a single small blind.

The task proved beyond him and he busts in a creditable 22nd place for £1,380. Well played sir - all the best to you and the rest of the myriad Trattou's!

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 6,000-12,000-2,000

6:40pm: Back for the final table run-in
We're back for the final table and the current chip counts have just been posted here.

Just as a teaser here's the top 5 stacks as we head into the end game:

6:25pm: Break-Time
The end of level 19 means the 22 remaining players get another chance to stretch their legs and explore the cavernous depths of The Hippodrome Casino.

We'll be back shortly to play down to the final table. Full chip counts of the remaining players incoming...

6:13pm: Harti-gone!
James Hartigan's dream of further tournament glory has ended, though he was upbeat about the whole experience.

"I ran A-Q into aces, and my final hand was inconsequential. I thoroughly enjoyed it though." He was slightly upset at swapping 10% with Joe Stapleton, backing it up with some mathematical proofs.

"10% of nothing is still nothing."

5.52pm: The dam bursts
It's fairly typical that the bursting of the bubble precipitates a cavalcade of eliminations - those shortstacks who had been gamely hanging in there freed to make aggressive moves with the certainty of a paycheck should it all go awry.

There have been a number of eliminations in this period - just 22 players remaining as the players approach their latest 15 minute break of the day.

Here's the order in which they have been busted.

23 Nicolas Athanasiou United Kingdom £1,380
24 Timothy Gray United Kingdom £1,240
25 Jake Cody United Kingdom £1,240
26 William Fasano United Kingdom £1,240
27 Andrey Dimitrov Bulgaria £1,240
28 John Lucarotti United Kingdom £1,100
29 James Hartigan United Kingdom £1,100
30 Rapinder Cheema United Kingdom £1,100
31 Andrew Christoforou United Kingdom £1,100
32 Xiaoyang Luo China £975
33 Gordon Strank United Kingdom £975
34 Danny Blair United Kingdom £975
35 Daniel Laming United Kingdom £975
36 Jonathan Rozema Netherlands £975
37 Elias Christodoulou United Kingdom £975
38 Alex Bounsall United Kingdom £975
39 Angelos Anastomoses Greece £975

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 5000-10000-1000

5.22pm: Cogito Ergo Zero Sum - The Bubble Bursts!
Lithuanian Ergo Kalamees is the man fated to occupy that ill-coveted position.

With around 11 big blinds (93,000) he made an understandable shove from the small blind for 93,000, only for big-stacked Frenchman Julien Rouxel to snap-call.

The Tournament Director was informed, the other players huddled round the table like eager beavers to witness the drama and the cards were flipped.

Rouxel :[Ah][Kh]
Kalamees: [Kc][Jc]

Kalamees looked miserable realising he was in bad shape to survive.

A board of [Ad][5d][5h][Qc][6d] confirmed his worst fears and he finishes without a payout.

Bad luck sir!

Meanwhile the rest of the players held a muted celebration at all cashing. Steve Watts was particularly happy as he had been all-in on the bubble in the same hand as Ergo.

Holding a flush draw on the turn, he spiked the heart required on the river, bellowing "'Ow do you like them apples!"

There was general laughter and one disbeleiving onlooker commented with a smile "Is he for real?"

Steve Watts is definitely for real and it is unlikely that's the last we've heard of the garrulous player.

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 4,000-8,000-1,000

4.43pm: Bounsall Taxed
A hairy moment for Alex Bounsall, calling all-in with jacks on the bubble - he was up against ace-king and survived the flip - his chances boosted by a two players folding ace-king and ace-queen.

"You can't be afraid of the bubble," he said, following his promotion from 53,000 to 130,000.

4.35pm: Hand for hand!
40 players left, 39 paid. The pressure is on.

4.30pm: Chattha flushed out
A harsh exit for Chaz Chattha who becomes a victim of Julien Rouxel in a horrible cooler - his [Jd][8d] making a flush against Rouxel's superior [Ad][4d].

"I had top pair as well," he lamented sadly as he left to a chorus of sympathetic noises from his table.

A miserable ending for the affable Chattha but we know we'll see this crusher back sooner rather than later.

4:25pm: Rowshanei scalped by Cody
Hamid Rowshanei saw the busy Jake Cody raise and saw an opportunity to potentially double-through with pocket threes, jamming all-in.

Cody made the call with [Ah][6h] and duly won the flip over the [As][2c][5h][Jd][Js] board to end Rowshanei's participation agonisingly short of the money.

Cody moves to 260,000.

42 players left. So close!

4.20pm: Back for the bubble
Just 43 players remain as the players retake their seats for level 17 and beyond.

It's tense out there and there will be 5 unhappy players before we breach those payout spots.

Who will be first to blink?

To read updates from Levels 13-16, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

Day 2 of the UKIPT5 Super Series held the promise of a rich day of poker full of incident and so it proved - a classic day's poker unfolding before our eyes as Dale Garrad, friend of PokerStars LIVE! at The Hippodrome Casino, translated his start of day chip lead into an an end of day chip lead - an impressively consistent performance.

92 players returned to The Hippodrome Casino's poker arena with hope in their heart, a glint in their eye and swagger in their step but precious few would survive the frenzied start that saw a third of the field perish in the wake of the first few levels.

With the waters of variance frothing like a group of frenzied sharks feeding in a bubble bath, player after player was sent flying to the rail, the field shorn apart in quicksmart fashion during this tumultuous period.

39 players would receive monetary compensation for surviving the carnage the players became naturally more reluctant to commit their chips as the payment cut-off point approached.

Eventually Ergo Kalamees was the man to miss out on payment by the slenderest of margins - one of Julien Rouxel's many victims of the day. Once the unfortunate Estonian had claimed the bubble for his own, the shackles were off and all-out war was resumed once more.

Jake Cody had come into the day with a shortish stack, but with the help of some useful cards and his usual high calibre of play, he began to look like a threat for the title.

His charge up the leaderboard took him well into the money but faltered prior to the latter stages. EPT commentator James Hartigan was another to make hay during the day and he too earned a berth within the cashspots before busting with a smile on his face.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," he beamed as he sauntered over to collect his hard-earned payday.

It was a less enjoyable experience for Chaz Chattha, the hitsquad member looking like making a run at the chip lead before a flush versus flush cooler against Julien Rouxel stopped him in his tracks 2 spots off the money.

Once the payments were assured, the earlier high attrition rate continued unchecked and in no time, the players found themselves nine-handed.

With the official final table just one elimination away, Kai Brown was the man to miss out - Russian Andrey Veselov polishing him off with aces.

That left the remaining eight players lined up as follows, Dale Garrad snatching the lead from fellow big stack Julien Rouxel right at the death:

The final table will play out tomorrow at 1.00pm. The players will have the luxury of 50 minute levels to engage in and it should be an absorbing tussle for the title.

A UKIPT champion will be crowned and we can't wait to see who it is. Join us as we find out who the latest man to taste UKIPT glory will be.

To read updates from levels 13-17, click here.

To read updates from level 17 onwards, click here.

For all the confirmed payouts and the final prize structure, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

5.00pm: Dale Garrad wins UKIPT5 Super Series for £28,300!

The heads-up may have started with Julien Rouxel in the ascendancy but from the moment it started, it was one way traffic - Dale Garrad blitzing his way to victory.

The pair traded a number of smaller pots but three large ones ensured the destiny of the title would head Garrad-wards.

The first saw a series of raises Julien Rouxel 180,000, Garrad 380,000, Rouxel 925,000 and Garrad shoved over the top instantly, leaving the Frenchman to fold just as quickly.

Garrad now had the lead.

The second key pot saw Garrad raise the button to 180,000 - called by Rouxel.

The flop of [Kd][Qc][8h] was checked by both players, but come the turned [6c], the action went check, Garrad 225,000 and Rouxel sprung into life with a check-raise to 475,000.

Garrad rubbed his chin and called.

The river saw a draw-completing [Tc] arrive - Rouxel leading for 700,000 and Garrad calling immediately.

Pocket sixes for Garrad - an exasperated Rouxel turning over [Ks][8c] for a flopped top two, undone on the turn.

View image

The end was imminent with Garrad now a 6-1 chip leader.

It arrived when Garrad raised the button to 150,000, called by the Frenchman.

The [As][9s][3h] board saw both players check.

A [Qh] on the turn however precipated the critical action.

Check, 150,000, check-raise all-in from Ruxel and call!

Dale held [Ac][7s] for top pair and Rouxel tabled [6h][8h] for a semi-bluff. Needing a heart to survive ROuxel instead watched the meaningless [3s] roll off - Dale's supporters cheering wildly as their man completed the heads-up destruction of Rouxel.

Rouxel smiled wryly, accepting that it was not to be his day - although the £18,800 he collects for second place will go some way to softening the blow of defeat.

It was Dale Garrad however who had bested the rest of the competition to blaze his way to glory, the trophy, the tournament win and a pleasant £28,300 in winnings.

"I'm exhausted, but it feels great," Garrad enthused following his victory.

Click here for a final wrap of the day.

Thanks to following and congratulations Dale Garrad, UKIPT5 Super Series Champion!

4.10pm: Andrey Veselov crashes out 3rd(£13,760)
He's been short for sometime, and finally Veselov found what looked like a good spot to pick up some chips, jamming pocket fours on the button.

Timing is everything in poker though and when Rouxel snap-called and showed down tens, it was looking bleak for th Russian.

The board of [Ts][2s][8s] was interesting, giving the Frenchman top set but the Russian a flush draw. He gathered his things but Garrad was sure he was fated to stay in. "put your coat back on...."

He was wrong however. The board bricked out [Ad][Jd] and Veselov's day was completed in 3rd spot - the princely sum of £13,760 awaiting him at the cash desk.

Heads up then for the trophy. 4,125,000 for chip leader Julien Rouxel and 3,085,000 for local favourite Dale Garrad.

Who will win this titantic struggle?

4.02pm: Rouxel goes straight for double
Three-handed most of the play has been between Garrad and Rouxel - the pair sparring regularly.

Given the dynamic between them it was no surprise when blind versus blind it all kicked off.

Garrad limped in, as he has been prone to do, and Rouxel checked his option.

A board of [7h][6d][4h] saw Garrad check, Rouxel bet 75,000, Garrad check-raise to 210,000, Rouxel make it 400,000 and Garrad shove.

Rouxel called, showing down [5d][8c] - the nuts!

Garrad sighed and rolled his eyes to the heavens as he turned over aces.

The turned [7s] gave Garrad some outs but despite Garrad's vocal rail calling for a 7 or ace, it didnt arrive and Rouxel had finally gained the chip lead back - up to 3,000,000.

Garrad meanwhile drops to 3 million.

3.32pm: Critchley departs in 4th place (£11,105)
Needing to make a move before the chunky 25,000/50,000 blinds swallowed him up, Critchley jammed his 560,000 into the middle with K-5, only for Garrad to make another good call with [Ks][Ts].

A board of [Js][6s][8h][7h][Ah] saw Garrad's equity advantage hold and Critchley departed with a series of handshakes and some heartfelt applause, his gutsy challenge for the title gunned down in 4th spot.

£11,105 awaits him at the cash desk but meanwhile we continue 3 handed - Garrad now a monster chip leader.

3.30pm: Garrad the cunning linguist
Dale Garrad has more than one string to his bow - regularly translating Julien Rouxel's French outbursts to his friends on the rail.

Just before the break Rouxel three-bet a Garrad 80,0000 open successfully - Garrad laying his hand down.

Rouxel conversed in French with his pals on the rail.

"I hope that means "I had it there," joked Garrad to some laughter.

3.25pm: Back in effect
The players have retaken their seats and we are back oin the game. Good luck all!

3.20pm: Chip counts
Here's how they stand as we move into the end game - Dale Garrad with a healthy advantage going into the final stretch.
Dale Garrad 3,455,000
Julien Rouxel 1,770,000
Steve Critchley 575,000
Andrey Veselov 1,420,000

3.10pm: Break Time!!
It's been non stop action at the felt since we sat down, these players playing this final table out with aggression and panache. The remaining four players now have a 20 minute sabbatical to catch their breath and perhaps indulge in another glass or two of champagne. We'll be back shortly to play to a winner.

3.03pm: Kaczmarek exits 5th(£8,710)
Alex Kaczmarek hasn't really been able to find too many spots to chip up today. He lost half his stack doubling up the mini stack of Steve Critchley - his A-2 losing out to Critchley's desperation shove with T-4.

He did manage to then double up with tens versus Dale Garrad's A-8, but his second attempt to pick up a double off Garrad was less successful.

This time when the pair battled preflop, it was Garrad who had the edge - his [Ac][Qd] winning out versus Kaczmarek's [Ad][Td] over the [8d][8h][5h][6s][2c] board.

Goof game Kaczmarek - enjoy your £8,710 in hard-earned winnnings.

2.44pm: Scratching the Critch
Steve Critchley just suffered a painful beat at the hands of Andrey Veselov to leave his stack in tatters.

The pair were three-way with Dale Garrad to a ten-high board and got their stacks in - Garrad deciding to escape the pot.

Critchley's K-T had a healthy edge over the Russian's [Qs][Ts] but spades on turn and river turned his backdoor flush into an actual one.

Critchley let out a strangled groan - left with just a pittance following the hand.

Veselov meanwhile moves up to 1,500,000, challenging for the lead following that slice of fortune.

2.30pm: Purser exits in 6th(£6,590)
The spate of quick eliminations continues - Andy Purser the next man to go. Holding pocket nines he was happy to jam over the toip of the busy Julien Rouxel's open to 80,000 for his 600,000 stack.
However Steve Critchley was lurking behind with pocket tens and made the cold call, duly eliminating the affable Purser when the board ran out [As][3s][Ah][2h][8h].

"Nice hand Steve," Dale Garrad offered as Purser departed to collect his £6,590.
Garrad is several glasses of champagne in at this point. "I hope I get to sit here drinking champagne all afternoon. I play better drunk anyway," he joked as the tournament continued 5 handed.

2.23pm: SPain-ful river sees Cortes out in 7th(£4,840)
Julien Rouxel and Jorge Barcelo Cortes both decided they liked the [8d][7s][6c] board so much they went to war, Rouxel jamming and Cortes making the call.

Cards on their backs Cortes had a healthy advantage with [Ks][9s] v Rouxel's [Th][5c].
However the board ran out [3c][9h] to sounds of "ouch" from the wincing rail and Cortes was out - his hand bested by Rouxel's straight.

He collects £4,840 for his 7th place finish and we continue 6-handed, Rouxel having vaulted into the lead once more.

2.15pm: Jung is first man down (8th - £3,555)
It's a surprise that no one has been eliminated yet. We've seena number of all-ins and finally one of the shortstacks loses out.

Sebastian Jung was that man, the Frenchman making an understandable button shove with [Kd][7s] - only for Garrad to make a good call with [Ks][Jh] in the small blind.

The board of [Js][9c][7d][6d][3c] saw Garrad home and Jung was left to shake hands, get a smattering of applause and disappear to the cash desk to retrieve his £3,555 for 8th place.

Well played sir! Garrad rises to 1,550,000.

2.10pm: Set up hand sees Rouxel rise again
Rouxel really has an aggressive game - so when he peeled a Critchley bet on a [4s][3c][6c] board - checked the [2s] turn along with Critchley and bet 450,000 on the [5h] river, it was no surprise Critchley was curious enough to pay him off,

This time Rouxel had it however - showing [7h][7d] for the straight. The unfortunate Critchley however rolled over pocket sixes for a flopped set! Nasty river - Rouxel back contending the chip lead once more with 1,500,000.

2.02pm: The lay of the land
Dale Garrad 790,000
Julien Rouxel 1,000,000
Jorge Barcelo Cortes - 366,000
Andy Purser - 520,000
Alex Kaczmarek - 490,000
Steve Critchley - 1,400,000
Andrey Veselov - 1,300,000
Sebastian Jung - 320,000

1.50pm: Jung survives tens moment
A little luck for Sebastian Jung has also seen him home to a double up - his [Ad][9d] connecting sweetly with the [5d][3d][2d][7c][2c] board to see him home to a double-through to 900,000.

The shortstacks are running very well versus the bigger stacks so far - the chip count landscape being turned on itsq head.

1.47pm: Veselov's knavery earns double
A preflop war between Andrey Veselov and Dale Garrad saw Garrad call Veselov's 650,000 re-shove with ace-king and lose out to the Russian's pocket jacks over a baby board.

"Nice hand," said Garrad charitably as he handed over a chunk of shis stack - down to 700,000 now.

1.40pm: Critchley on the march
A huge hand just played out - Steve Critchley jamming for his entire 701,000 stack over the top of a Rouxel open to 60,000.

Rouxel winced a littled but then made the call with pocket nines. He was in trouble as Critchley rolled over kings - duly winning the pot over the [8h][5d][3d][Kc][Jc] board.

"I wish I could fine tune my game to get kings every two hours," joked Garrad.

"Then I wouldn't have to raise with J-7 suited."

Not that I'm admitting to raising with that of course," he added quickly. The upshot of the hand was that Steve Critchley is now challenging chip leader Dale Garrad with 1,450,000. Rouxel has been knocked down to 800,000.

1.35pm: Rouxel applies pressure
Unperturbed by losing that early big pot versus Dale Garrad, Julien Rouxel has turned into a betting machine, applying pressure in a variety of spots and forcing folds from almost everyone entering a pot with him.

It's interesting as the players know if they get in a tangle with the Frenchman, their tournament life could well be on the line...

1.32pm: Champagne reception
The players have all been given a glass of champagne to celebrate their final table appearance. Bottoms up!

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 10,000-20,000-3,000

1.15pm: First blood Dale
You sense Dale Garrad and Julien Rouxel will have some intense battles out there today. The pair were at each other's throats yesterday and the early going suggests more of the same is in the offing.

Moments ago, Garrad limped in from the small blind on Rouxel's big blind. Check from the Frenchman.

The [As][Kc][3d][4s][Qs] board saw Garrad lead for 25,000 flop, 42,000 turn and 81,000 river, where Rouxel suddenly raised to 305,000.

Many people would have baulked at calling such a large portion of their stack but Garrad is made of sterner stuff than most, insta-calling with [As][8c] for top pair.

ROuxel tabled [Kd][7c] having turned his second pair into an unsuccessful bluff.

"Nice snap-call," said Rouxel with a wry smile.

"It's too early for that!" Garrad replied. Garrad up to 2 million, Rouxel takes a hit - down to 1.1 million.

1.06pm: Cards in the air
The players have been buffed, photographed, and are on their way.

Let's see how this final plays out...

The Final Table
Welcome to The Hippodrome Casino for the final table of the UKIPT5 Super Series London!

We've seen three fierce days of poker play out - the 291-strong field whittled down to these final eight competitors ready to vie for the trophy.

Here's how those players will line-up at the start of play.

Dale Garrad will lead the finalists by a slender margin from Frenchman Julien Rouxel, though the stacks are in close enough proximity that any of these players could easily make a chage at the title with a fair wind behind them.

To view full profiles of the final tablists, click here.

We're moments away from the start. Good luck to all the combatants. May the best man win!

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

The Hippodrome Casino staged the final of the UKIPT5 Super Series today and in just four swift hours Dale Garrad blitzed his way to the title, defeating Frenchman Julien Rouxel heads up to win the plaudits, trophy and £28,300 in prize money.

"I feel exhausted but great," he said with a beaming smile following his win. "It's nice to get some recognition for being able to play poker."

Three unrelenting days of poker preceding the final had condensed the field to 8 remaining players - lined up as follows.

Days 1A,B,C and 2 at the Super Series had been characterized by high quality, aggressive play and the final was no different. Barely a hand was checked down, the players keen to stamp their authority on the table whenever possible.

During the early exchanges , eliminations were at a premium, mainly as the shortstacks were running well at showdown, but that was all to change.

Sebastien Jung was the first of a rush of eliminations, the Frenchman busting out in 8th spot for £3,555 - the first of Garrad's victims on the final.

Julien Rouxel had been incredibly busy in the early levels and so it was no surprise he took the next scalp - sending Spanish computer programmer Jorge Barcelo Cortes on his way in 7th for £4,840 - Cortes unlucky his superior straight draw bricked out.

Steve Critchley had earned himself an early double -up and when he eliminated Andy Purser in 6th place for £6,590 with a pair of tens, he was starting to look a genuine threat for the title.

Alex Kaczmarek found the final table tough going - unable to find too many spots, he saw his challenge fade in a still highly-creditable 5th spot for £8,710 - Garrad doing the damage with a dominating ace once more.

Critchley's ascent up the leaderboard was halted by Russian Andrey Veselov - the advertising executive spiking a backdraw flush draw to win a huge pot and cripple him - an anguished, strangled scream from Critchley audible evidence of his pain.

He found himself unable to recover from this setback - ultimately crashing out in 4th place for £11,105 as he became a member of the ever-increasing "Busted by Garrad" club.

There had seemed an inevitability that the two most aggressive players over the final table - Julien Rouxel and Dale Garrad - would end up the two men contesting the trophy and so it proved - Veselov blinding down to a relatively low stack before running his fours into Rouxel's pocket tens.

£13,760 was the Russian's reward - leaving Rouxel and Garrad to blast it out between them.
"I get the feeling this won't last long," joked Garrad near the start of the heads-up and this slice of wisdom proved prescient as in less than one level he had turned round his starting deficit to best Rouxel and take the trophy down - Rouxel collecting £18,800 for his runner-up berth.

Final Standings

1 Dale Garrad United Kingdom £28,300
2 Julien Rouxel France £18,800
3 Andrey Veselov Russian Federation £13,760
4 Steve Critchley United Kingdom £11,105
5 Alex Kaczmarek United Kingdom £8,710
6 Andy Purser United Kingdom £6,590
7 Jorge Barcelo Cortes Spain £4,840
8 Sebastian Jung France £3,555

"He was a very good player," Garrad said of his beaten opponent. "I just had to try and keep control of him."

Asked about his plans later, Garrad was honest.

"I'm toying with the idea of getting drunk. I think that idea will win out!"

It's been an incredible four days here at The Hippodrome Casino. We've had a really exciting tournament, a riveting inferno of a final table and as usual the staff have played a huge part - putting in a massive effort to ensure the players have enjoyed their stay.

Huge congratulations to Dale Garrad - whose good humour and affability have won him many friends - and whose poker skill has won him many shekels.

We'll be back on the tour for the Edinburgh leg of the UKIPT 19th November - 22nd so if you fancy trying to emulate Garrad's achievement, there's your opportunity.

That's it from us for now though - thanks for following our coverage. Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

To read updates from the final table, click here.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.

Perhaps the sign of a true Champion is that they have no clue what the city they're in has going for it? It could be a place of cultural and architectural gems, but to the winner of a poker tournament it simply provides the scenery viewed from the taxi window on the way back to the airport.

Any UKIPT Edinburgh winner might tell you a similar story.

There are spectacular cities in which to play poker, and then there are places like Edinburgh. The Scottish capital is a location you can't help but stare at open mouthed and consider whether immediate elimination from the event you're playing might not be all that bad. Although that's hardly the attitude from which winners are forged.

All this is the long way of saying that the UK and Ireland Poker Tour is heading back Edinburgh for the latest leg of Season 5.

As anyone eliminated early from the UKIPT Edinburgh Main Event will tell you, it's a city with plenty to boast about, including the Castle, and a UNESCO World Heritage site that comprises an Old and New Town.

Last season Dean Hutchison saw none of that, as the Glaswegian pro defeated Team Pro Liv Boeree heads-up to first place and a winner's cheque of £93,900.

Dean Hutchison and Liv Boeree

This year we expect more of the same.

The Main Event runs from November 19-22 at the Genting Club Casino at the Fountain Park Entertainment Centre. The Main Event now has a £700 + £70 buy-in with side events to include a £500 + £50 Late Night Turbo on Friday November 20, as well as a £2,000 + £200 High Roller event on Saturday November 21. There will also be a £300 + £30 Edinburgh Cup featuring a single re-entry.

Think you've got what it takes to ignore one of the most beautiful cities in Europe? Stop by the UKIPT homepage for full details.

We'll let our players decide which their favourite PokerStars events are. But few would doubt how magnificent a place Edinburgh is to play.

It's with that back drop of culture and architecture which the UKIPT rolled into the Scottish capital today, with the festival opening with an undercard featuring a low stakes Turbo and a £100 + £10 freezeout into the Main Event, to be played at the Genting Club Casino at the Fountain Park Entertainment Centre.

For its part the Main Event, with a buy-in of £700 + £70, begins tomorrow at 12 noon. That's when Day 1A players will start their bid to repeat what Dean Hutchison did a little more than 18 months ago.

Heads up at UKIPT Edinburgh back in Season 4

That was the most recent visit the tour made to Edinburgh, back in January 2014. It proved a finale fitting an event with a £500,000 prize pool and a field of 427 players.

It came down to a heads-up encounter between Hutchison and Team Pro Liv Boeree, one in which Hutchison found a miracle river card to turn the outcome upside down. Hutchison denied Boeree a second major title of her career, while picking up a winner's check worth £93,900.

This will be the fifth visit for the festival, and a little digging around our UKIPT coverage page will lead you to results and stories from previous incarnations.

That coverage will commence tomorrow and the Main Event gets underway, continuing through to the final table on Sunday. Stay tuned to the PokerStars Blog for all the action.

That freezeout satellite we mentioned earlier starts at 8pm UK time tonight by the way. If you hurry you still have time to make it.

5:55pm: Dinner break
The players are now on a one-hour dinner break.

5:45pm:Davey amongst the departed
Daragh Davey had fallen along with a fair few players the last two levels. Around 80 players remain as the dinner break looms.

Davey informed Dara O'Kearney that he lost most of his stack on the river of a [ax][7x][8x][ax][2x] board holding pocket queens. He called an opponent's shove and was shown ace-seven. Then he shoved fumes with [8s][9s] and ran into aces.

He's joined on the rail by: Robbie Bull, Dean Nolan, Victor Ilyukhin, Steven Rinadi, Thomas Airlie, Katherine Breyer, Tufayal Ahrned, Daniel Coll, Matthew Ireland, Jamie MacLean, Adrian Yap, Min Ji, Xia Ke, Jose Jimenez,Danning Li and Matthew Davenport. -- MC

5:30pm: More counts
Here are some more chip counts, this time of some of the names and notables in the field:

Dominik Nitsche, 43,000
John Angus, 38,000
Dara O'Kearney, 37,800
Rapinder Cheema, 36,200
Rupert Elder, 35,800
Pieter Visser, 24,700
Richard Jones, 22,000
Leon Louis, 21,200
Michael Kane, 18,200

5:20pm: Eagers holds as Huxley slips
There was a bet of 1,500 (or at least some part of 1,500) in front of Phil Huxley (cut off) and an all-in shove in front of Patrick Eagers (button).

Action was on Huxley and he requested a count of the shove - it was 7,725 in total - and he then went into the tank to consider his course of action. He remained there for a couple of minutes before saying. "Ok I call."

Huxley: [Ah][2h]
Eagers: [Qs][Qc]

The ladies held up as the board ran [7s][Kd][7h][Ts][8d] to drop Huxley back down to 24,000. -- NW

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 300/600, ante 75

5:15pm: Hutchison spikes river to survive
We've had some brilliant efforts by players defending their UKIPT title (Max Silver and Brett Angell spring to mind) but it's fair to say Dean Hutchison's day has gone only one way so far - south.

It just got a whole lot better though as he managed to double through Brent Burnett to survive. All the money went in pre-flop with Hutchison's shove amounting to 7,525 and the PokerStars Qualifier had the defending champion in a world of hurt as he held [Ks][Kd] to Hutchison's [Ac][Qs]. The [2d][Qd][Js][8s][Qh] board meant Hutchison spiked the river to survive and doubled up to over 15,000. - NW

5:05pm: Comeback and the big stacks
Mudasser Hussain dropped down to around 10,000 early on in this tournament but has recovered to around 65,000 for a top-ten stack, despite folding on the flop in a three-way pot.

Scott Brown opened to 1,300 from under the gun and picked up calls from Rapinder Cheema and Hussain in late position. The flop fanned [td][ah][9s] and the action was checked to Hussain who bet 1,300. Brown check-raised to 3,200 and Cheema was quickly scared off. Hussain took a little while longer to fold.

He sits amongst these fine players:

Grant Smith, 81,000
Kyle Maguire, 79,000
Anthony Sinott, 77,000
Colin McConaghy, 71,000
Kevin Whelan, 70,000
Roberto Morelli, 69,000
Arjin Singh Moti, 66,000
-- MC

4:45pm: Yap trapped
Adrian Yap is the latest player to bust out of the Main Event and it was John Angus who did for him. The latter opened to 1,100, Yap shoved for what looked like 7,000 and Angus made the call.

Yap showed [6d][5d] and was in deep trouble as Angus had [Ad][Ac], the [9h][Qh][2c][4s][Qs] board didn't give Angus any reason to sweat, Yap wished the table good luck as he left. 93 players from the 115 who started Day 1A remain. -- NW

4:38pm: Nitsche puts Whelan in his place
Kevin Whelan was cruising and clear chip leader on more than 75,000. Then Dominick Nitsche clipped his wings so he couldn't fly as high (62,000).

The two players were heads up and a [ah][9c][qs][3c][9s] board sat neatly in front of their dealer. Whelan's action was fast-paced; Nitsche's more considered. The former led for 4,500 and 6,500 on the turn and river as soon as the dealer had laid down the cards. His German opponent called fairly quickly on the turn but took longer on the river.

Whelan opened [as][kh] but lost out to Nitsche's [ac][qc].

"Nitty call!" commented one table mate.

"Very nitty!" replied Nitsche who rose to around 40,000.

"Can't win them all," Whelan muttered to himself. -- MC

4:25pm: Latest exits
This event is a straight freezeout which is bad news for: William Cheung, Andrew Ross, Andrew McAllister, Greg Disbrey, Majid Iqbal, Mark Eadie, Vincenzo Crolla and Daniel Bakchiev who are all out. -- NW

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 250/500, ante 50

4:05pm: Break time
The players are on their second 20-minute break of the day.

4:05pm: Action table sees two depart
"You should stay here," said Hai Tao Wu. "This is the action table!"

He wasn't wrong after two players departed in one hand.

Thomas Stewart opened to 1,000 from the hijack and was called by Arjin Singh Moti before Phil Huxley squeezed to 3,200 from the button. Tung Chun Wong was in the small blind and moved all in for 7,150. Stewart paused and then he too moved all in for 16,500. Moti gave it some though and made the call. All that action was enough to scare off Huxley.

Stewart: [jc][js]
Moti: [kd][ks]
Wong: [ah][ks]

The board ran a blank [7s][7h][4s][ts][2d] to send Stewart and Wong to the rail. Moti's stack rose to around 60,000. -- MC

4pm: Visser picks the wrong time to go fishing
Jacobus 'Pieter' Visser put up a fine performance in Season 4 here in Edinburgh, finishing sixth for £20,710. He was off to a solid start today but just lost a chunky pot to Jack Maskill, who also had success last time the tour was in town, taking down a £100 side event.

It started with Visser - which means fisherman in Dutch - raising to 900 from the cut off, Maskill three-bet to 2,500 out of the small blind and Visser flicked in the call. Maskill didn't slow down post-flop either betting 2,500, 5,300 and all-in for 11,050 on the flop, turn and river of a [7s][Jd][Qc][Th][2d] board. His Dutch opponent called the first two bets but couldn't call the third barrel. Pot to Maskill. -- NW

3:55pm: Wong doubles
Tung Chun Wong just doubled up through Stephen Ng but he got lucky to do so. He shoved for 6,400 from the button with [Ad][9c] and Ng called from the big blind with [Ah][Qh]. The [3s][7d][Jd][8h][Th] board meant Wong made a straight on the river to stay in the tournament. -- NW

3:50pm: Registration closed
Registration closed at the beginning of Level 5 and Day 1A has attracted 115 players. Many more are expected tomorrow with the hope of getting close to a 400-player total. -- MC

3:40pm: The lure of the UKIPT is strong for Nitsche
A few days ago, Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody tweeted his thoughts on the UKIPT:

Yes!! You won't find a better regional tour in the world #UKIPT #UKIPTEdinburgh https://t.co/PSyoypLgWw

— Jake Cody (@JakeCody) November 17, 2015

It should come as no surprise to hear that, despite being in Macau a few days ago, Dominik Nitsche was one of the last players to enter today. The German three-time bracelet winner has swapped playing High Rollers, big buy in Main Events and Super High Rollers in exotic locations to playing a UKIPT in drizzly Edinburgh. You just got to love this tour. -- MC

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 200/400, ante 50

3:25pm: #DoubleWithQuads
You don't win a UKIPT by giving up. It also helps if you flop quads every now and again. Rapinder Cheema has gotten back to his starting stack by doing just that.

He and Mudasser Hussain had made it to the river where the board rested as [jc][4d][js][td][3c]. Hussain checked from the big blind to face a 7,000 bet (5,125 behind) from Cheema on the button.

"Show if I fold?" asked Hussain. No response came but he decided to call anyway and then said, "Nice hand" when Cheema opened [jd][jh]. He dropped down to 10,850. -- MC

3:20pm: Creeping up
There's not long now until late registration closes and the tournament clock is currently showing that 114 players have elected to play Day 1A. Amazingly that number is incredibly close to the figure for last season's UKIPT Edinburgh event. Back then 116 players played Day 1A and Leon Louis topped the pile, he'll be hoping to repeat the trick today. -- NW

3:10pm: Lyall loses out to Smith
It's an early bath for Dean Lyall as a bluff against Grant Smith went wrong. The PokerStars Blog arrived at the table to see a complete board of [Qc][8s][Ks][5h][4s] on the felt. There was roughly 19,000 in the pot and on the river Smith had bet 3,500 and Lyall had shove for about 10,000 more.

At this point Smith was in the tank as he considered his options, he then announced call and Lyall - who finished fifth at UKIPT1 Manchester in 2010 was forced to show [Ad][Td] for just ace high, Smith meanwhile opened [Kc][8c] for two pair. He's now up to around 57,000 and is one of the early chip leaders. -- NW

3:05pm: The fallen
Six players have been shown the exit door so far on Day 1A. They are: Javed Ullah, Hamed Nikjeh, Chun Kit LeeAllan Ranaldi, Paul Hughes and Mark Docherty. -- MC

2:55pm: Phil hits double top
Phil Huxley has made a great start to the second period of play. He was dealt aces and used them to find more than a full double up to 44,000 (roughly).

Around 16,000 gathered in the middle of the table by the time the board read [5s][4s][7d][ac] and the action was still three-handed. Norbert Bobra and Andrew Ross checked to Huxley who moved all in for 13,150.

Bobra folded but Ross asked, "How much is that?" He started to run his head and then called with [ah][jd] for top pair. It was no good though as Huxley opened [ac][as] for top set. The river was the [2c] and Ross, who dropped to 5,500, said, "Nice hand." -- MC

2:45pm: Kane gets some back from Sharp
Just before the break Michael Kane got back some of the chips he'd previously lost to Eammon Sharp (see 2pm post). He opened to 450 on the button and both Victor Ilyukhin (small blind) and Sharp (big blind) called.

On the monotone [9s][2s][Js] flop Kane c-bet 700 and Sharp was the only caller. The [Qd] turn checked through and Kane then bet 1,500 on the [4d] river which was quickly called by Sharp. The Scotsman opened [9h][2c] and Sharp mucked his hand. --NW

2:40pm: Big stacks
As the players settle back into their seats for the fourth level of the days, here's a list of those on the up:

Omid Nikjeh, 56,000
Davie Gallacher, 55,000
Kevin Whelan, 54,000
Sunil Moti, 47,000
Tufayal Ahrned, 45,000
Patrick Francis Letham, 45,000
Shahid Sardar, 44,000

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 150/300, ante 25

2:20pm: Break
That's the end of level three and the players are now on a 15 minute break. --NW

2:15pm: Chip counts
We're up to 108 runners here on Day 1A and below are the counts of some of the names and notables in today's field:

Phil Huxley, 20,400
Dara O'Kearney, 29,500
Dara Davey, 26,600
Richard Jones, 25,800
Dean Lyall, 25,000 (just sat down)
Rapinder Cheema, 19,000
Rupert Elder, 18,000
Robbie Bull, 17,600
Dean Hutchison, 16,000
Michael Kane, 15,600

2pm: Sharp pain for Kane on the river
Michael Kane has dropped down to 16,000 chips after a straight on the turn went sour on the river.

He was heads up with Eammon Sharp to the river where a [tc][9h][2c][qs][6c] board rested. Kane bet a healthy 4,200 and Sharp made a quick call. Kane opened [jd][8h] for a straight but Sharp made a flush on the river with [qc][7c] and raked in the chips to rise to around 33,000. -- MC

1:45pm: Elder enters the fray
There's a strong contingent of poker players who call Edinburgh home with the likes of Dominik Nitsche, David Vamplew and Andrew Teng amongst them. Also part of that group is EPT7 Sanremo champion Rupert Elder and he's taken the number of EPT winners in the UKIPT5 Edinburgh field to one.

He's got almost $2,000,000 of live winnings to his names with $1,355,000 of that coming from his EPT victory where he defeated a field of 987 to claim the title. He's made infrequent appearances on this tour and is still searching for his first cash on the UKIPT. -- NW

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 100/200, ante 25

1:40pm: Tough times for UKIPT London champion Cheema
UKIPT5 London champion Rapinder Cheema finds himself at a tough table. To his direct left is Mudasser Hussain and across the table he can see Sunil Moti and Dara Davey.

To make life more difficult, he has dropped to 16,125 after a four-way pot. The flop was spread as [9c][ts][8h] and Cheema bet 750. He was only called by Moti in the small blind who led for 1,500 on the [jc] turn. Cheema called and tank called another 2,500 on the [2d] river. Moti announced he had a straight and opened [qh][2h]. Cheema shook his head and mucked. -- MC

1:25pm: Fashionably late?
Poker players aren't exactly known for their punctuality, missed flights and late arrivals to tournaments are common place and even sometimes intentional as players simply opt for more rest.

So on the face of it there was nothing unusual about Dara O'Kearney, Dara Davey, Gareth Chantler and Phil Huxley turning up at the start of level two, however Huxley informed the PokerStars Blog that all was not as it seems. "We got lost!" he stated. "We were wandering around a housing estate for about 30 minutes trying to find this place. I trusted Dara, he had Sat Nav."

Huxley is down on the player list as German, as that's where he spends most of his time but travelled up via train from Birmingham this morning for the event and plans to take in the sights should he bust out early. "It's a nice place to visit as well as play poker," he told us. "I busted a tournament in Blackpool last week and it was like a desolate wasteland outside." -- NW

1:10pm: There's a new sidekick in town
Dara O'Kearney runs best when he has a sidekick in town with him, but what's he do without David Lappin (usual sidekick) who, to our knowledge, has stayed back in Malta to grind online?

Find a replacement of course!

Poker player and writer, Gareth Chantler, has travelled over from Dublin with O'Kearney and seems a readymade replacement. The problem is he (literally) doesn't run as well as the Irishman...

So this Canadian wuss thought he could get through one of my Wednesday long runs but bailed out at twenty miles pic.twitter.com/VksXF6YguP

— Dara O'Kearney (@daraokearney) November 18, 2015

To be fair, if both run as well at the poker tables this week as they do on the roads, O'Kearney will beat Chantler heads up on Day 2. -- MC

12:55pm: Satellite success
Plenty of people won their seat to this event online and more got in via a live satellite that was held here at the Genting Casino. It was a £100+£10 freezeout which generated six seats. Donald Elliot, Robert Fenesi, Daniel Coll, Balint Pusztai. Jack Maskill and Pafsanias Lymperopoulos were those who got in on the cheap last night. For anyone wanting to satellite their way in the good news is that there's another £100+£10 satellite tonight at 18.00 GMT. -- NW

LEVEL UP: BLINDS 75/150

12:44pm: Long way home for Kane
Michael Kane is a very good friend of Dean Huchison and also had a deep run here in Season 4, coming 7th for £15,570.

Kane looks a little glass-eyed and it's no wonder why. He just landed back in Scotland this morning after travelling all the way from Montreal, Canada, where he was competing in a WPT event.

He wasted little time in getting into the swing of things, although had to fold. He three-bet to 600 from the hijack after a player to his direct right had opened to 200. After a call both players checked an [8s][6c][jd] flop. The turn was the [4h] and Kane folded a 1,500 bet from his opponent. -- MC

12:30pm: Another Scottish champion arrives
During Season 4 of the UKIPT for a time it seemed that only Scots were allowed to win the Main Event. The first three events of the season were taken down by Ludovic Geilich, Alan Gold and Robbie Bull. Heck the fourth was even won by someone who sounded Scottish - Duncan McLellan.

The only one of those four who we've spotted so far is Robbie Bull, he defeated Ian Simpson heads-up to claim his title in London. It was his second UKIPT final table as he'd previously finished third at UKIPT3 Bristol. He's not the only UKIPT London champion in the field though as Rapinder Cheema - who won this season's London event - is also here. -- NW

12:15pm: Seven tables to start
Seven tables are currently in use so far, but that number will continue to grow as players arrive and let their presence be known.

As we've already written, defending champion Dean Hutchison has already taken his seat, obviously keen to defend his title and, if he manages to do so, he'll be the first player to do so on the UKIPT.

Leon Louis and Jacobus Visser had deep runs at UKIPT4 Edinburgh as well and are already sat down. Louis came 51st but Visser made it all the way to the final table where he finished 6th for £20,710. -- MC

12pm: Cards in the air
Day 1A has started right on time, action is under way. --NW

11:50am: North of the border
We're back in Edinburgh and it's a new venue for the tour as the action this season will take place at the Genting Club Casino. Inside the casino there's everything needed for a successful tournament and outside, should you bust, you're right next to a Nandos. It's a poker players dream location!

The Main Event carries a £700+£70 buy-in and this leg is a straight freezeout, no second chances here. But there could be a second win for Dean Hutchison, he's already in the building and will be defending the title he won in Season 4. Back in January 2014, during heads-up play, he was one card away from elimination against Team PokerStars Pro's Liv Boeree and we were one card away from the fastest UKIPT final table in history. The Scotsman rivered a straight though and the two then went back and forth for around two hours before Hutchison got over the line.

Day 1A is due to start at noon and will comprise of a dozen 45-minute levels meaning play should wrap up around 22.45 GMT.

UKIPT5 Edinburgh key facts:
- 25,000 starting stack
- Blinds starting at 50/100 for 250 big blinds
- Levels are 45 minutes on Day 1 and they'll be 12 of them. From Day 2 onwards levels increase to 60 minutes.
- Day 1A is today, Day 1B takes place tomorrow, the field will then combine for the first time on Saturday, before (hopefully) playing down to a final table and then to a winner on Sunday. Cue mad celebrations and swigging of Iron Bru from the trophy.
- No re-entry here, this is an old school straight freezeout.
- Full UKIPT5 Edinburgh schedule here.
- There's a live satellite to the Main Event tonight, it begins at 18.00 GMT and the buy-in is £100+£10

Fancy playing a UKIPT? There are always plenty of online satellites, click here to get an account.

PokerStars Blog Reporting Team at UKIPT5 Edinburgh: Marc Convey and Nick Wright. Photos by Mickey May