When I qualified for UKIPT IOM, I looked forward to the idea of my first UKIPT. I knew it would be another good tournament and an great opportunity to visit PokerStars headquarters. I did not imagine it would be the most surprising and enjoyable tournament of the year.

I expected a heavily-secured PokerStars headquarters protecting the global poker system, the integrity of the game, and all the players' dreams. I found that, but I also found something else: a heartwarming company .

The lady who welcomed us at the airport had a particular obliging tone, and from that minute on I noticed that, in the Isle of Man, everybody is trying to offer you a little bit more than just hospitality .

PokerStars' staff was for the first time ever invited to play the official "home" tournament, and they all looked so happy to play. Some were tight as rocks, others were adventurers, but all of them looked like children at the Christmas tree of poker tables. Most of the faces were unknown, but all welcomed me with a friendly, surprising, touching, "Hello Pierre." It felt like an old family reunion where we were all happy to meet again after years!

Most surprisingly, all the personal comments about PokerStars were unanimously loving ones. I never experienced 100% of the employees of a world-wide leader speaking with such praise about their company: "Ah, yes very happy to work here."... "They take care of us so nicely." ..." Enjoying the family company spirit"..." "Great to be an active part of that great adventure."

It went on and on.

It is no secret that PokerStars is successful because it takes such good care of their customers, but I discovered the roots of their success lie in the remarkable care for their people. Even the top Team Pro members who had made a long journey contibuted a special atmosphere in the £1K tournament. Daniel Negreanu was all smiles and came to share his recent triumphs at my table.

Gifts were everywhere and varied; even my two English teachers followed one another at my table. I'm still trying to reach a decent level of English. I usually learn the most from the charming words of Vicky Coren from her abundant online chat, and from the colorful, imaginative, and literary PokerStars Blog posts Brad Willis writes.

The local fairies offered me both, and I was almost ashamed when my luck of cards busted them. But in all fairness, I was delighted to steal a kiss from Vicky and shake hands with the top poker blogger. Brad might have thought that I said "thank you " for his chips, but my thanks were only for his great contribution to the growing love of poker world wide.

I appreciated the Hendon IOM flag from a final table, but above all I realised here in Douglas, Isle of Man, and in the middle of all of these marvelous people how blessed I am to have been elected among millions of poker fans as a Friend of PokerStars. I am more than grateful to share so many heartfelt friendships. I am honoured to have been invited in their team of young geniuses to share with them my experiences and...age diversity.

May the PokerStars shine with luck on all of you!

Pierre Neuville is a Friend of PokerStars and one of the most frequent satellite qualifiers in the world.

Being a local girl living a stone's throw from the venue hosting the first ever PokerStars Isle of Man UKIPT and harbouring a newly discovered passion for Texas Hold'em, I was, to say the least, excited! As I also have aspirations of entering the 2014 Barcelona EPT Main Event, deciding to enter the Sunday Deep Stack Turbo side event was inevitable.

Recently, I have been researching professional women poker players, including Fatima Moreira de Melo, to understand what makes them so good and to, hopefully, learn from them. So, when I entered the event, I felt prepared. I even had a strategy. I was going to take Fatima's advice about staying calm and collected and ask for help when needed. Knowing that she was sitting somewhere behind me nailing the Main Event made me feel it was all possible. I hoped to somehow channel her success, like magical poker ether!

I aimed to follow Liv Boeree's example in shrewdness and planned to play tight until the antes were introduced. Then, when there were juicy pots to steal, I was going to come out fighting with Vanessa Selbst-style aggressiveness. I saw there feeling like the inevitable culmination of my poker experience; this was where all my hard work was going to pay off ... I hoped.

Unlike the casino tournaments I have played before, the Isle of Man UKIPT was streamlined. They were equipped with big screen TVs in each corner, displaying information regarding the blinds and antes, and the chips had values on them. Keeping track of my chips was something which I struggled to keep up with in the past, so it alleviated some anxiety. I felt comfortable. I was to discover it was a false a sense of security.

It was going well. I was chatting to the players, taking in the unique UKIPT atmosphere. Then, about an hour into the game, I was dealt pocket aces. It interfered with my strategy. I was out of position and going against the chip leader. But pocket aces! Hell, I had to play those. Right?

Already I was overconfident, so after what seemed a harmless flop, I checked, anxious to grow the pot. But I let it get out of hand, and even though I caught a third ace on the river, it gave my opponent his straight. When he turned over king-jack, it still took me a while to notice it and understand why the chips were being raked away from me.

I lost most of my chips in that hand, together with my confidence. I was left with a dwindling stack, and although I managed to bolster it with a few all-ins, I still went home about 150th of about 190 entrants.

This experience taught me two things:

1. Pocket aces may be desirable, but they don't always pay out.
2. Overconfidence is a dangerous thing.

It also goes to show how many variables are involved in any one hand. I have since learned that pocket aces will still lose against two face cards about 20 percent of the time. Aces don't guarantee the pot; they still require the right game play. Knowing this is where the skill lies and what separates the professionals from the amateurs.

So, for me, it's back to the drawing board. As much research as I have conducted, playing in that side event left me feeling that the more I learn, the less I understand. But I also have newfound respect for the game and the people that play it well enough to earn a living from it.

Having an UKIPT in the Isle of Man was an amazing experience and will undoubtedly bolster the local poker community. I know it has already piqued the interest of many of my female friends, and I aim to build on this. But for now, I and the local residents who have been caught up in this poker fever are left with that same desolation we feel after TT week, when the fun is over and normal life has to carry on.

So, until next year, we will all have a giant poker-shaped hole in our lives!

I can tell you that a lot of people are very excited about this (inside and outside of the company). The much anticipated UKIPT Nottingham six-max Main Event starts tomorrow with the first of three days 1's. If you want to play - and who wouldn't want to play a £500,000 guaranteed six-max tournament? - then the good news is that you still have time to qualify through PokerStars. This is the first time ever that a UKIPT has gone short-handed for its Main Event. It should make for a pretty incredible atmosphere at the Dusk Till Dawn poker club, a must-play poker location.

Half-a-million pounds!
The £500,000 guaranteed Main Event runs 27 Nov - 2 Dec but that's not the only action you can find. There are ten tournaments taking place at the Dusk Till Dawn casino in Nottingham with four tournaments that you can enter for just £110. Those with bigger bankrolls might like the idea of the £2,200 High Roller as well as the six-max £1,100 Main Event and full ring £330 Notts Cup. Team PokerStars Pros Vicky Coren, Jake Cody and Liv Boeree will all be there. Tap them up for a drink (so long as you don't say that we suggested that you do). Failing that, there is a UKIPT Player Party taking place on Staurday, 30 November with drinks flowing from 9pm. Check out the full UKIPT Nottingham schedule here.

Qualify today!
There's three key qualifiers running tonight, all of which have their own feeder tournaments.

20:02: £100 2x Chance (3 seats guaranteed - seat only)
21:02 £11+R 3x-Turbo (1 seat guaranteed - seat only)
22:32 £100 Hyper-Turbo (2 seats guaranteed - UKIPT package)

Find the satellite tournaments in the PokerStars lobby by clicking 'Events' > 'More' > 'UKIPT'.

Rick Dacey is a staff writer for PokerStars Blog. Follow the @PokerStarsBlog Twitter account.

4.17pm: Break time
We've reached the halfway point of today's play and the participants are now on a 15 minute break. It's time to give this blog page a well earned rest too, you'll find level five updates in a new post. -- NW

4.15pm: Don't hit the road Jack
I joined the action to see Kyriacos 'Greek Jack' Dionysiou all-in for 11,350 on the turn of a [10c][6h][5h][Kd] board. There was around 6,000 in the pot and Huseyin Houssein was weighing up the odds. "Will you show if I fold," he asked before pulling a bit of a pump fake with his chips to try and get a read. Eventually he called and showed [Ah][10d]. He was behind as Greek Jack had [6s][5s] which held up on the [Qs] river. "Nice hand," said Houssein who turned to the masseuse who was working on his back and said: "Twenty minutes more please." -- NW

4.05pm: From Billy Joel to 50 Cent, something to talk about
The main talking point among players as we approach the end of level 4 is not the poker, but the music. Dusk Till Dawn is a venue designed with the poker player in mind, with every need catered to in a relaxed, comfortable environment. That includes background music.

Somehow staff at Dusk Till Dawn have assembled a catalogue of tracks that seems to cover every piece of music released during the high school years of each player. Given the broad age range of the playing field that includes everyone from Neil Diamond and Billy Joel, through to Arrested Development and Snow Patrol. While waiting for Brahms, 50 Cent used his talents just now to tell us he was a m*****f**** P.I.M.P., bringing us up to date.

Regardless of the quality, it gives players something to talk about every three and a half minutes. Well most players. Others have their game faces on, including Ben Vinson, intent on rebuilding his stack, and doing so against Philip Hepburn.

The same goes for Renee Xie. Struck earlier in a pot against Tamara King, Xie just sent Scott Murdoch-Aitchison to the rail, flopping a set of eights to easily undo Murdoch-Aitchison's pocket queens. Understandably he didn't look too happy about it. -- SB

3.45pm: Phan down
We've lost another play as Van Tuan Phan is the latest player to bust. He was down to just 1,275 when he moved all-in from under-the-gun. He picked up two callers, they checked it down on a [kh][4d][6s][5d][6c] board, Phan was already out of his seat by the time Micheal Hawkins showed pocket threes to claim the pot. -- NW

3.40pm: Two more exits
A couple more exits to tell you about, my thanks to Rich Prew of BlondePoker for providing the details on both.

The first involved Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree, On a [ac][9d][7d][6h] board she bet 1,500 holding [9s][7s], Simon Brooks moved all-in for 9,250 with [Kd][6d] and Boeree who was a 68% favourite to win the hand did just that as the river bricked.

Then Abdul Valimahomed who had already doubled up once against Iqbal Ahmed couldn't repeat the trick when he shoved with [7d][2d] on a [kd][td][6h] flop only to run into Ahmed's [kc][qh]. The [3s] turn and [2h] river keeping last year's runner-up in the lead. -- NW

3.35pm: O'Connor wins battle of Leeds
Jamie O'Connor and Richard Hawes are both part of the burgeoning Leeds poker scene. The city which is home to players such as Jake Cody, Matt Perrins, JP Kelly, Dave Nicholson and Tom Middleton to name a few, can justifiably lay claim to being home to the best group of poker players in the UK outside of London and perhaps including London.

I only caught the river action but with 5,300 in the pot O'Connor - who final tabled UKIPT4 Isle of Man - bet 3,100 leaving himself around 5,000 behind. Hawes eyed up O'Connor and then fixated on the [6h][3c][8d][Jc][Ah] board, he eventually made the call but grimaced when O'Connor showed [Ac][3s] for a rivered two-pair. He's up to around 16,500 whilst Hawes drops to 10,200. -- NW

3.30pm: Burghardt into the lead
With three and a half levels played it looks like it is David Burghardt who holds the chip lead. He just moved up to around 60,000 in a hand against UKIPT regular David Rawnsley.

David Burghardt

There was betting and calling all the way on a board of [6h][7c][jh][2c][qs], each time Rawnsley letting Burghardt lead before putting his own chips into the middle. Rawnsley had something but not enough to beat Burghardt's two pairs with [qd][js]. Rawnsley mucked with a flash of irritation. Burghardt meanwhile has a large stack of gold chips in front of him. - SB

Blinds up: 100/200, ante 25

3.10pm: Souped up
Liv Boeree and Adam Reynolds are winning pots on Table 25. It might be something to do with the soup. Boeree ordered some earlier and is up to more than 25,000. Reynolds is trying the same, spooning it down between hands, the most recent strong of which were raised by him and taken uncontested.

Meanwhile over on table 32 Ben Vinson is badly in need of the soup. He could only shake his head as Matthew Gray bet on the river, with the board reading [jh][8s][9h][kh][3c]. There was about 15,000 in the middle and Vinson wanted it. But he couldn't have it. With regret he folded his hand as the colour returned to Gray's face. A stack of 26,000 in level three will do that.

Vinson right now can only dream of such amounts, sitting with 14,000. - SB

3pm: Propping up the bar
There are many ways to dull the pain of an early exit from a poker tournament. Alex Martin, second out today, has chosen to prop up the bar. I should be clear that he's prescribed himself a hot beef injection not a cold beer injection. In between eating his burger he was kind enough to tell me what had happened in the run up to his exit, given that his stack had been cut in half by this point.

It was essentially a tale of ace-king suited gone wrong. In the first significant hand that he played he'd raised with [Ah][kh], picked up two callers only for David Burghardt to squeeze. "I four-bet because I didn't want it to go four ways," said Martin. "He then five bet and I called. I bricked the flop and folded."

Then a few hands later he raised with [As][Ks] and got three callers to a [8][5][X] two spade flop, Martin bet, only to get raised again by David Burghardt. He smooth called and they then checked through the [8] turn and [8s] river and Burghardt showed pocket fives for a full house.

Still Martin seems in good spirits and will be sticking around for the festival. -- NW

2.40pm: Queen Tamara King
There are three women in the field today, two sitting side by side on table 34. Renee Xie and Tamara King just faced off against each other. Xie can claim the mantle of being the only player in the field wearing earrings, but her fortunes are on the wane at the expense of King.

Tamara King

As the board was dealt [5s][kh][3c][qd][4s] Xia tried betting to shake off King, but there was no sign of any abdication. King held on, calling Xie's river bet of 1,200. Xie showed pocket sevens and hoped it would be enough. But King had that beat, chasing Xie's sevens to the middle of the table with pocket tens.

Renee Xie

King is on something of a tear right now, up several thousand on her starting stack. Xie meanwhile grins, but is down to less than 10,000. - SB

2.35pm:Triple up for Valimahomed
The talk on table number 33 has been jovial throughout, even when a big pot has just taken place. Such was the case when, whilst eavesdropping on their chatter, it became apparent that Abdul Valimahomed had recently tripled up through Iqbal Ahmed and Oliver Cooper.

The victor was kind enough to connect the dots for me on what had happened to boost his stack to around 12,000. He opened to 400, Ahmed made it 800, Cooper four-bet to 3,300, Valimahomed moved in for 3,875, Ahmed re-raised to 8,000 and Cooper folded ace-king. Ahmed had the same hand, whilst Valimahomed had pocket tens. The pair held up and Valimahomed is now in a much healthier position, Cooper is down to around 10,000 whilst Ahmed is back to starting stack. - NW

2.16pm: Chip counts
As the players sit down for level three here's how some of the names and notables stack up:

Julian Thew - 20,125
Liv Boeree - 26,000
Andrew Wayman - 21,000
Marcin Milde - 17,800
Kyriacos Dionysiou - 17,700
Iqbal Ahmed - 24,000
Neil Rawnsley - 30,000
Mitch Johnson - 24,000
Dave Jones - 17,000
Richard Hawes 23,000
Ben Vinson - 22,000

Blinds up: 75/150

2.01pm: Break time
That's the end of the first two levels of play, the number of entrants has trickled upwards to 51 over the first two levels. The remaining players will be back in 15 minutes. -- NW

2pm: Martin's life ended by 999
Alex Martin has just become the second player to exit Day 1A of UKIPT Nottingham six-max.

Pre-flop David Burghardt opened to 300, Martin 3-bet to 850 and Burghardt made the call. The flop fell [9d][3s][5c] it was checked to Martin, he bet 1.150, Burghardt made it 2,550, Martin moved in for 9,950 and Burghardt made the call.

Martin: [Qs][Qc]
Burghardt: [9c][9h]

Martin was drawing thin and he didn't connect with the [4s] turn or [5h] river, he wished the table good luck as he left. -- NW

1.55pm: Boeree up
Liv Boeree is up to around 25,000 after a level and a half of play, enjoying a buoyant first spell. In the space of a few minutes she lost a pot, then won another worth more than what she'd lost. Her head nods occasionally to the music pulsing through her headphones.

Were she not wearing them she would have heard the conversation on the next table, fleeting snippets about a 'free bar in Ireland'.

As more players arrive the tournament staff have more work to keep them busy, except for one, who boldly introduced himself to one of the waitresses in hot-pants and leg warmers and then tried out his patter. No self-consciousness, just the brass of an off-duty poker player. - SB

1.35pm: More bums on seats and some bums lucky to still have a seat
Turning up late for a poker tournament is nothing new and some would say not a bad tactic. Three of those to employ that tactic today are Ben Vinson, John Bousfield and Mitch Johnson. The latter is a regular in the club and has taken the seat vacated by Andrew Gillett.

One player lucky to still be in the tournament is Renee Xie, "Did you write about the set over set hand?" she inquired of me. I had not. "I had a set of eights on a k-10-8 rainbow board," she told me. "Seat one (Scott Murdoch-Aitchison) had a set of tens."

Looking at her stack Xie still has around half of it and you'd imagine she did well not to lose more of it in that nasty cooler. -- NW

1.20pm:Manning up while Kitchen sinks
There are now eight tables in play thanks to a few late arrivals turning off the A52 Clifton Boulevard. The latest has been pressed into action at the far end of the room. It looks like a standard table, with players in caps, headphones and watching iPads propped up on a table. They all seem to be wearing coats too, the memory of the November weather all too recent.

On a flop of [jc][6h][ts] Liam Kitchen made the first of three check-calls against David Manning in seat 6. On the flop Manning made it 475, chewing gum vigorously. Then he bet 1,200 on the [2s] turn and another 1,100 on the [8h] river.

Kitchen, still wearing a woolly hat, called, but immediately conceded when Manning turned over his [as][js]. He's up to around 22,000 while Kitchen drops to 16,500. - SB

Blinds up: 50/100

1.05pm: A couple of hands from table 33
I wandered over to table 33 to check on the progress of Iqbal Ahmed, who was runner-up here in Season 3. He's going incognito today, wearing a beanie hat and he was a mere bystander as a couple of pots played out around him.
In the first Neil Rawnsley opened to 150 from the hijack and Oliver Cooper flat called from the big blind. On the [10d][Jd][6d] flop Rawnsley c-bet full pot, firing out a bet of 325, Cooper made the call. Both players checked the [6h] turn and the [5s] completed the board. Once more Cooper checked, Rawnsley took the opportunity to bet, 400 was the price and it was one Cooper liked as he made the call. Rawnsley rolled over [Ad][Jc] and it was good.

On the next hand Rawnsley raised it up to 150 again, it would cost him more to see a flop on this occasion though as Abdul Valimahomed (who was back from his cigarette break) made it 500 to play and Cooper then cold four-bet to 850. That was enough to force out Rawnsley but Valimahomed decided to stick around to take a [3c][3d][7s] flop. First to act Cooper c-bet 750 and Valimahomed showed [ad][10d] as he folded. -- NW

1pm: Affordable fag breaks as others go eyeball to eyeball
With the blinds at 25/50 and starting stacks of 20,000, the structure at this stage accommodates the poker-playing nicotine addict. Taking advantage was Abdul Valimahomed on table 33, who got up, to the delight of Iqbal Ahmed who drummed the table in anticipation of taking his big blind.

Valimahomed laughed as he patted his pockets. Then he became annoyed. "S**t," he said. "I've left my fags in the car."

As he dashed off to the car park the others took part in that kind of early event conversation. Nobody has done anything to harm anyone else so everyone is friendly and confessional. One player even admitted to having once folded his small blind while the big blind was absent.

But serious faces soon returned, starting with that of Daniel Scothorne, who raised on the button for 150. Both the blinds called, as did an early limper Ahmed in the hijack, who had been the drummer boy earlier.

The flop came [4s][9h][2d] which was checked to Ahmed in the hijack who bet 450. Scothorne folded on the button and David Rawnsley in the small blind did the same. Matthew Gray was in the big blind though and called for a [js] turn. Both remaining players eyeballed each other as the [7s] hit the river. Gray checked before Ahmed, in an elaborate high arm chip drop bet 2,200.

There came a pause. If Valimahomed had found his fags he was now not missing as much as he may have feared. Ahmed was still staring and Gray knew the game was up, at least this time. - SB

12.45pm: Ace start for Smith; Gillett first exit
We suspected six-max might lead to greater action in the early levels. We were right - the first player has just busted. Andrew Gillett is the man to fall, Kev Smith his executioner.

It was Smith who started the action, making it 150 to go from under-the-gun. Two seats along, Gillett bumped it up to 500 the action passed to Micheal Hawkins in the small blind. The big blind was absent from the table, so Hawkins was closing the action - or so he thought, as he put out a call of 150, not realising that Gillett had raised. When told of his error his decided to call the 500 and the action was then back on Smith.

He didn't call; instead Smith made it 1,700 to go. Gillett then moved in for around 9,000 (he'd earlier lost around 7,000 to Hawkins then bled some away), Hawkins folded and Smith made the call.

Smith: [Ah][As]
Gillett: [Js][Jc]

The [Qc][Kd][Qd][Ac][10s] board gave Gillett a straight but also gave Smith a full-house. He's up to 29,500 after that hand and an early candidate for chip leader. -- NW

12.30pm: A look around the room
Dotted amongst the seven tables currently in use are a number of familiar faces from the UK poker scene. On table 22 sits Alex Martin who final tabled a WSOP event back in 2011 finishing fifth for $114,414. Sitting two to his left is a player with some success closer to home; this home in fact. Kyriacos Dionysiou, affectionately known as Greek Jack, is local to Dusk Till Dawn and his largest lifetime score of £28,519 came here when he won the £300 monthly deepstack in May 2011.

One table to their left you'll find Ben Dobson, who's got some history with the UKIPT. Back in Season 1 he finished eighth at UKIPT Coventry and more recently took down two side events in three days at EPT/UKIPT London in October this year. Both of those victories came in turbo events so he'll surely have no problem adapting to the need to play more hands in a six-max tournament.

He's sharing a table with Jamie O'Connor: the Leeds-based player finished seventh at UKIPT Isle of Man and showed himself to be a very competent and aggressive player.

Accounting for 33% of table 33 are last year's runner-up Iqbal Ahmed and Neil Rawnsley. The latter is somewhat of a satellite beast on PokerStars and qualifies for tournaments near and far online.

Over on table 34 sits Marcin Milde; he led after Day 1A of this event last year and will be hoping to repeat the trick today.

One player who we had on the player list today but will not be playing is Team PokerStars Online's Mickey Petersen. He will instead be playing the High Roller and playing the Main Event on Friday.-- NW

Off to Nottingham and @dusk_till_dawn_ to play the #UKIPT High Roller tonight and then Main Event on Friday, both events are 6-max too!

— Mickey Petersen (@mickeydp) November 27, 2013

12.10pm: A closer look at the field
A player approached with a question. "35?"

"No", I said. "I'm 37, but you're close." Then I realised it was the table number he was looking for and he strode past to find his seat.

At first that would suggest there were at least 35 tables in action. But the reality is a little different.

There's a boutique feel to Day 1A, consisting as it does of just five tables of six so far, clumped in the middle of the tournament room that arcs beautifully around a central feature table which at any moment could be cleared away to allow Frank Sinatra to sing and introduce the day's action.

That said, with registration open for several hours, more players are expected, not to mention those jetting into Robin Hood International Airport/Nottingham's Broadmarsh Bus Station tomorrow, and the day after that.

By far and away the standout table is that featuring local boy Julian Thew and Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree.

Thew was involved in a few pots early, losing both. The first against Adam Reynolds on the button with trip threes and the next backing out on the re-raised river against Oliver Price and Simon Brooks. But both pots were small and of no real concern. - SB

12pm: Cards are in the air
Action is underway. -- NW

Hello and welcome to Nottingham's Dusk Till Dawn, Europe's premier poker venue. There have been many firsts over the four seasons of the UKIPT, a PokerStars tournament in the Isle of Man for instance. This event though is the first time ever that a UKIPT has gone short-handed for its Main Event.

Not that much of a big deal you may think, six-max tournaments are common online of course where dealer and space resources are of less concern. They're also frequent parts of Dusk Till Dawn, EPT and WSOP festivals, but never before has PokerStars run a six-max Main Event. One of the most noticeable shifts of six-max play is that every position at the table has an established name: under-the-gun, hijack, cut-off, button, small blind and big blind. Expect action and lots of it.

It's not all about the Main Event though; another UKIPT first sees the High Roller start today - a £2,200 single re-entry six-max tournament. Team PokerStars Pros Vicky Coren and Jake Cody are both playing, they'll still be able to take a seat on Day 1C of the Main Event as the High Roller will be wrapped up in two days.

Key UKIPT Nottingham facts

- 20,000 starting stack
- Blinds starting at 25/50 for 400 big blinds
- One hour levels, we'll play eight today with no dinner break meaning play will end around 8.45pm
- Late registration is open until the end of level four.
- Three starting days, then Days 2, 3 and 4 will be a combined field to a UKIPT champion (cue winner's photo, trophy swinging around, celebrations in the bar).
- There's still time to win your way to the event either live at the club or online. Full live tournament schedule here.There are three more online satellites tonight on the client.

Cards should be in the air at midday and we'll bring you all the action from the floor.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham six-max: Stephen Bartley and Nick Wright. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

"In poker, you can still win while losing," Fatima told us after her second place finish at the UKIPT Isle of Man Main Event. "All in all, I felt like a winner, just not THE winner."

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the sentiment of a person who is a winning poker player.

When the UK & Ireland Poker Tour decided to add a stop to its 2013 season on the Isle of Man, many Team PokerStars Pros wanted in on the action, not only to play the unique tournament but to visit the home of PokerStars. Team SportStar Fatima Moreira de Melo was one of them.

She is no stranger to PokerStars tours, but this was different, as she became the star of the UKIPT Isle of Man Main Event show. She ended up finishing second in that tournament - the best finish to date for Fatima in major tournaments - for £59,660.

How Fatima did it

The soft-spoken Netherlands native started making a splash on the first day of that £1,000 buy-in tournament, finishing the night second in chips. She walks us through her thought process:

"I played calmly," Fatima said. "I picked the right spots without playing overly tight or aggressive. I made a big decision for my tournament life and called with A-K suited in a three-way pot, deciding to go for the win or go home. I ended up winning that hand and going from 98K to 270K. After that, I played more pots and ran up my stack because people at my table were playing pretty tight."

Going into the final table as the short stack, she had to adopt a new strategy. Her decision was to "play optimally considering ICM. Don't shove too lightly because the stacks were not that far apart. I still had like 23 big blinds, and I just told myself that I wasn't going to get anxious, just stick to my push-fold scheme that worked for my stack size."

And that was what she did. She did manage to double up early in the action, but she didn't get too overconfident. "I really just played every hand as it came."

How Fatima won by finishing second

As for finishing second, Fatima was honest in her reply: "I would have loved to hold the trophy and go home with the first prize, but I still felt like a winner. In poker, I've learned to be realistic and accept loss, much better than I was able to when I was still an athlete competing in the Olympics. In poker, you can still win while losing. I just felt like I didn't make many mistakes and was very fortunate to run good, so all in all, I felt like a winner."

It also helped that she had a group of PokerStars staff members and friends in the crowd, cheering her on. "It kinda felt like playing for a home crowd. It felt like, by doing well, I was able to give them a sense of pride by being one of the faces that is allowed to represent all the hard work they're doing behind the scenes. It felt nice."

Advice from a winner

Fatima has advice for tournament play that she practiced at the UKIPT Isle of Man. "The best thing to do at live events, I think, is to observe the other players at your table. Most players give away a lot of useful information, either when they're playing a hand or talking about themselves at the table. Watching them keeps my occupied, which means I'm not on my phone the whole time or playing too loosely out of boredom."

She continued with one of the most important lessons for any poker player. "Patience is key. Don't get nervous when you don't play a hand for a while; just keep in mind that anything is possible at any moment in the game. I don't mean to become passive, just calculated, considering your stack size and the dynamics at your table."

What's next?

Fatima already added another notch to her poker belt. She headed to the Master Classics of Poker series in Amsterdam and played a €1,500 NLHE side event, in which she finished 15th for €6,027. "I felt so confident that my decision-making process was good that I was able to make good laydowns and calls."

As the holidays approach, she plans to play a tournament at the Belgian Poker Challenge in Namen, and then she'll head to Prague for the EPT stop in December. She also alluded to filming "some real exciting global poker content" but can't reveal more at this time.

She is evidently good at keeping secrets, too.

Meanwhile, Fatima is also looking forward the PCA in the Bahamas in January. "Really looking forward to that!" she admitted. And in general, "I just want to play a lot, live poker as well as improving my online game."

Clearly, her plan is working. She just finished fifth at the final table of the Women's Sunday, even with a $700 PCA Mega Satellite ticket bounty on her head.

That's what winners do.

Jennifer Newell is a PokerStars freelance contributor.

9pm: Done for the day
It looks as if 24 players have made it through to Day 2 from the 61 who started today. That means the average stack is 50,900, a man with way more than that is local cash game player Mitch Johnson. He's bagged up 171,500, the story on how that happened and much more will be in the end of day wrap. That'll be on its way shortly and we'll upload overnight chip counts to the blog as and when we receive them.

We'll be back tomorrow for Day 1B from noon. -- NW

8.55pm: Boeree bounced at the death
Just a few hands from the end of the day Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree was eliminated from the tournament,

She opened under-the-gun with ace-queen suited, Adam Reynolds three-bet to 4,200 with pocket queens, Boeree shoved for around 18,500 and Reynolds called. There was no ace or flush on the board for Boeree and she was out.

Meanwhile that boost to around 93,000 mean Reynolds will be second in the overnight chip counts.

8.45pm: Last three hands
The clock has been paused and they'll be three more hands before play ends for the day. -- NW

8.40pm: Johnson bossing it
Mitch Johnson has in his own words, "got the lot now." He has indeed as he's up to 150,000 after eliminating Kyriacos 'Greek Jack' Dionysiou in a near 100,000 chip pot.

Pre-flop Dionysiou raised to 2,000 from the button with [K][J] off-suit and then called when Johnson three-bet from the small blind with [Q][7]. The flop fell [q][10][3] with two hearts and I'll let Johnson take up the story. "I checked, he shoved for about four times the pot, I called and held." -- NW

8.25pm: This dealer is not a bricklayer
A huge hat tip to Rich Prew of BlondePoker for relaying the information on what has to be the largest and frostiest pot of the day so far.

David Manning raised it up, Kevin Smith three-bet, John Bousfield called and Manning did likewise. A tasty looking [K][Q][J] rainbow flop hit the felt. In a flurry of bets the chips flew in, Smith was all-in first, Bousfield re-shoved and Manning, the shortest stack of the three was the last to get his chips across the line. The reason for all the action soon became clear when the cards were turned over.

Smith: [J][J]
Bousfield: [Q][Q]
Manning: [10][9]

Wowsers. The turn and river didn't alter the scheme of things and meant Manning trebled up to 48,000, Bousfield won the side pot, which at 60,000, was bigger than the main pot and Smith was eliminated.

That one's going to sting for a while. -- NW

8.15pm: Down to 30
Just 30 of the 61 players who started today remain with Joshua Hart the latest to exit. He moved all-in for around 15,000 with pocket fours over the top of Barkatul Mohammed's open. The latter called with [Ah][Qh] and got there, eventually, on the [3s][5d][Jd][10s][Kc] board to climb to 38,000.

There's 30 minutes left in the day. -- NW

8.05pm: Simon Trumper on six-max tournaments
Simon Trumper, who's Dusk Till Dawn's Director of Live Poker was kind enough to give me his thoughts on the subtle differences between six-max and full-ring tournaments in terms of the pace of the tournament. "The average stack should be higher throughout as players go out quicker," he said. "For instance with this structure we'd expect to lose 50% of the players in the first eight levels. But I expect we'll finish with less than 30 players tonight."

So if we can take any lesson from that, it's don't bet against Simon Trumper in any under/over bets to do with numbers of runners. -- NW

Blinds up: 400/800, ante 100

7.50pm: Thew floored
The latest player to exit the main event is EPT4 Baden champion Julian Thew. According to Adam Reynolds, Thew open shoved for around 20 big blinds with K-J, Reynolds isolated with nines and the pair held up. He's up to roughly 55,000.

37 players left.

7.45pm: Pot to Vinson, Vinson, Vinson, Vinson, Vinson and Vinson
As reported earlier Ben Vinson leads the main event. Watch him play for a few minutes and it becomes obvious why.

From the button he bet 1,300 but got no takers. Then from the cut off he again made it 1,300, but got no action. He did the same from the hijack as the others at his table flinched. This continued until he was under-the-gun, at which point he paused slightly before betting, but the result was the same.

Everything changed though when he was in the big blind. This time he didn't even have to reach for his chips to win the pot, being given a walk instead.

Now in the small blind he tried something new, limping against David Manning in the big blind. When the flop came [3h][td][ks] he bet his standard 1,300. Manning folded immediately. On the seventh hand, back on the button, he rested. - SB

7.40pm: Exits
There have been five exits thus far in level seven including last year's runner-up Iqbal Ahmed. The five who are alive no longer are: Jamie O Connor, Marios Arkadiou, Iqbal Ahmed, Matthew Gray and Nick Jenkins. -- NW

7.25pm: Three times a lady
Although roughly 33% of the field has been eliminated thus far, all three females that started today are still alive. Tamara King has 36,100, Renee Xie has 26,000 and Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree has 22,000.

That is somewhat less than she started level seven with, Julian Thew, who's at the same table now has 30,000 which is double what he started level seven with. The two may well be connected. -- NW

7.15pm: No value in the High Roller, everybody's solid
A well known tournament titan, both live and online who'll remain nameless, was leaning at the cash desk, I suspected to buy-in to the High Roller. "No mate, I'm smarter than that," he said to me. "Have you seen the field, there's like two spots in it."

The man may well have a point, there's currently 30 players registered and here's some of the names already in: Mickey Petersen, Dermot Blain, Jake Cody, Chris Brammer, David Vamplew, Dominik Nitsche, JP Kelly, Rob Yong, Craig McCorkell, Ian Simpson, Matt Moss, Mick Graydon, Ross Logie and Jon Spinks. Oh and if that wasn't enough Tom Middleton and Paul Foltyn have just shown up. -- NW

7pm: Vinson leads
He may have faced setbacks earlier in the day but Ben Vinson has spent the rest of the afternoon putting that right.

Chip leader Ben Vinson

He leads the main event going into level 7 with a stack of 84,000, which is some way ahead of the next best, David Clifton-Burraway, with 65,500. He's followed by Mitchell Johnson on 61,000

Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree, who admitted earlier that six-max allows her to loosen up, is proving her point with a stack of 57,000 while the early leader David Burghardt has slipped a little, but still plays 50,000.

For all the chip counts so far, check out the chip count page. - SB

6.50pm: Back at it
The 43 remaining players are now back in their seats and will play two more levels until bagging and tagging their chips. We'll have chip counts of everyone left in for you veyr soon. -- NW

Blinds up: 300/600, ante 75

6.25pm: Living like a King
Tamara King remains enthroned at the end of her table. Limping from the small blind Iqbal Ahmed thought he'd have a go at snatching that. Instead King fired back with a three-bet, to which Ahmed immediately folded.

Her former rival Renee Xie, now at a different table, was enjoying a different type of hand, the precarious type whereby you bemoan your own situation without actually taking part.

She'd just folded ace-jack after Weswell Ellis and Scott Murdoch-Aitchison got their chips in with ace-jack and ace-king respectively. She was still in two minds as to whether she should have acted differently as the flop came [6h][th][7s]. Then followed [3d] and [9d] on the turn and river.

With the stacks counted it was a double up worth nearly 22,000 for Murdoch-Aitchison. Ellis meanwhile dropped to 17,000. - SB

6.15pm: Chip counts
There's a near two-way tie at the top of the leader board as Phil Hepburn (64,000) is just a couple of big blinds ahead of Mitch Johnson (63,000). Other players still in include:

Liv Boeree - 51,600
Julian Thew - 9,800
David Clifton-Burraway - 48,000
Dave Jones - 34,000
Kyriacos Dionysiou - 15,400
David Burghardt - 50,500
Iqbal Ahmed - 22,500
Ben Dobson - 16,300
Ben Vinson - 47,000
Jamie O'Connor - 24,000

6.10pm: More exits
It's the end of the road for Andrew Wayman, after a raise to 1,000 from Daniel Tighe, he moved all-in from 1,175 from the button. Before the next player could act, Tighe pointed out that Wayman's all-in was an under raise so the other players could just call and he'd not be able to raise. Wayman, understandably felt this breach of etiquette was a little bit out of order. But no matter as Daniel Shapiro three-bet to 3,500 from the small blind and everyone else got out of the way.

Wayman: [Ah][7h]
Shapiro: [Qc][Qh]

The [6d][9d][2s][qd][4c] board sent Wayman to the rail and he shook hands with his opponents as he exited.

And Liam Kitchen is also out, he ran jacks into the aces of Philip Hepburn, the latter is up to 64,000 and the probable chip leader. -- NW

5.55pm: Pigott on parade
If you don't have the chips to boss people around, at least look the part. Liam Pigott did this, betting 950 in the cut off before leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. Barkatul Mohammed called on the button as did Konstantin Puchkov look-a-like Kyriacos Dionysiou in the big blind.

On the flop of [9h][ks][kc] the action was checked to the turn, a [3c]. Still looking the picture of ambivalence Pigott bet 800, which Mohammed called before Dionysiou folded. It brought up the river card [jc]. Again, breaking free from his crossed arm position, Pigott bet a last 1,300. This at least raised the eyebrows of Mohammed, who thought, then passed.

Pigott may have a motive, wishing to make it clear as he changed table, of what's in store for his new opponents. His seat previously belonged to David Rawnsley (see below). -- SB

5.45pm: Exits
As level six gets underway just 47 players remain, including David Hawksworth and Phil Pritchard. Neil Rawnsley the latest to exit. Rawnsley said: "My opponent outplayed me and induced me to shove with sevens, he had queens."

Blinds up: 200/400, ante 50

5.30pm: Chip leaders
Whilst David Burghardt still leads, he's got a couple of players closing in on his stack of 60,000. Second in chips right now appears to be David Clifton-Burraway, who has a stack of 54,000. Philip Hepburn is likely in third place with around 41,000, which he got to by winning a three way pot...

From under-the-gun Liam Kitchen made it 750 to play, Ben Vinson called from the button and Hepburn did likewise from the big blind. On the [6d][6s][4h] flop Kitchen c-bet 1,350 and Hepburn was the only caller. On the [3c] turn Hepburn changed tactics, leading for 2,600 and after some thought Kitchen sunk his cards into the muck. -- NW

5.20pm: Out the door
A few more exits, no details I'm afraid but: Oliver Price, Oliver Cooper, Daniel Charlton and Huseyin Houssein are all out. 50 players still have chips in front of them. -- NW

5.15pm: Jones at the double
A significant boost for Dave Jones, who was runner-up at UKIPT1 Coventry, as I just saw him double up through Scott Murdoch-Aitchison. I missed the pre-flop action but given that there was 4,850 in the pot it stands to reason that Murdoch-Aitchison raised from the button, Jones three-bet the small blind and Murdoch-Aitchison called.
On the [3h][9h][7d] flop Jones c-bet 3,500, Murdoch-Aitchison set him in for 10,000 total and Jones called it off.

Jones: [Ad][9d]
Murdoch-Aitchison: [As][8s]

The [5d] turn and [Jh] river kept Jones in the lead and boosted him to 24,850 whilst Murdoch-Aitchison slips to 14,325. -- NW

5.05pm: Boeree on the 6-max format
This being the first six-max event of this kind it naturally appeals to poker players for various reasons. It may look like a regular event, but this difference can be huge, as Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree spoke about earlier today.

Liv Boeree

"The trouble with full ring games is that so often your hands are tied," said Boeree. "You shouldn't be playing that many hands and in this situation you get to play really deep stacked with a great structure against a range of players, and you get to be a little creative.

"Of course there's room for creativity in full ring games, but it's more so in six-max. You really get to learn about your opponents a bit more depth than you would nine-max.

For Boeree that means a greater enjoyment to the game, which shows in the way the Team Pro has been playing for the first half of the day.

"I've always really enjoyed 6-max. It makes me play in a different style. I'd say out of my comfort zone, but I feel comfortable in it. I just turn into a different person, so I'm having lots of fun."

How much fun will be determined in the coming hours and days. - SB

4.55pm: Boeree versus Thew
There are two EPT Main Event champions in the field today and thanks to a quirk of the table draw they're sat at the same table.

I talk of course of Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree and Julian Thew and whilst I'm sure, given that Thew is button to Boeree's big blind, they've clashed in pots already I just saw it play out live for the first time today.

It folded to Thew who raised to 600, Adam Reynolds folded and Boeree put the extra in from the big blind. The [jc][6s][4d] flop checked through and the [Jd] hit the turn. First to act Boeree bet 800 and Thew called. The [6c] completed the board, both players checked, "I turned the world," said Boeree showing [5d][3d], Thew had [Ac][7s] for two-pair,ace kicker to win the pot. -- NW

4.40pm: The numbers are in
With the start of level 5 the numbers for Day 1A are confirmed. A total of 61 players sat down to play the main event today.

4.25pm: Chip counts
Blinds have now ticked up to 150/300 with an ante of 25 and I can tell you that the following stacks currently sit in front of these names and notables:

Julian Thew - 16,025
Liv Boeree - 34,500
Andrew Wayman - 21,025
Kyriacos Dionysiou - 29,075
Iqbal Ahmed - 30,000
Neil Rawnsley - 17,800
Mitch Johnson - 12,300
Dave Jones - 6,150
Richard Hawes 5,100
Ben Vinson - 32,000

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham six-max: Stephen Bartley and Nick Wright. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

Dusk Till Dawn was designed and built specifically for poker players, and events like the 6-max UKIPT Main Event today made it clear why.

It may not have been rammed, with just nine tables in action on what is the first of three opening flights, but the atmosphere was one of friendliness, which is not always present for a game that pits individuals against each other. If you're a poker player at Dusk Till Dawn you're among friends (even down to a complimentary buffet). There are worse places to find yourself defeated.

Dusk Till Dawn

It's also the newest temple for British poker players, who flock here for the reasons stated above. So, it's no surprise when some of them thrive on days like this, such as British pro Mitch Johnson who leads tonight.

Johnson, from nearby Derby, is usually a cash game player at DTD but today dipped his toe into the Main Event. It was a good decision. Moments before the end of play he scored a big pot against "Greek Jack" Kyriacos Dionysiou to bag up an impressive 171,500 chips at the close, a high watermark that will be difficult to top before Day 2.

Mitch Johnson

For a while it had looked like there would be a different leader tonight.

Ben Vinson did not have an easy start, losing a few high-wire pots early in the day. But he rallied, and rallied well, leading at the last break of the day and showing just why he was out front in the run-up to the bell. He may not lead, but his 82,700 was well-earned today. That's good for fourth place behind Adam Reynolds on 93,100 (see below) and Dave Jones on 92,300.

Ben Vinson

Up against both today was a field of 61 players, of which only 24 will return for Day 2 on Saturday.

Most notable among them was Team PokerStars Pro Liv Boeree. She openly stated her fondness for 6-max events at the start of the day and demonstrated just what's so good about them, increasing her stack to around 50,000 with two levels to play. But the wheels came off in the last level when the Team Pro was sent to the rail by second-placed Adam Reynolds with queens vs. ace-queen.

Liv Boeree

Boeree was buoyant about the 6-max format for a simple reason: it is the first Main Event of its kind on the UKIPT. It's perhaps only a small degree of history to be written, but written it was, a welcome addition to the Season 4 schedule.

Elsewhere there were good days for Tamara King (65,800), David Clifton-Burraway (75,800) and John Bousfield (66,000), all of whom finished well with stacks at fighting weight and ready for the weekend. A full list of counts for those who finished today can be found on our chip count page.

Tamara King

Inevitably there were bust-outs, players who are as we speak flirting with late entry into the High Roller. David Rawnsley was among them in 50th place, alongside Liam Kitchen who departed in 46th, Iqbal Ahmed joined them in 41st place while local hero Julian Thew was eliminated in 38th place. David Burghardt had led earlier in the day, but his one-time stack of 60,000 was gradually eroded as level after level drifted by. His day ended in 35th place.

Julian Thew

Play has now ended for the night, with the second opening flight due here tomorrow for a noon start.

In the meantime, you can catch up on the events of the day by clicking on the link to our coverage of levels 1 to 4, and also levels 5 to 8.

Dusk Till Dawn today

For now, it's goodnight from Nottingham. Join us tomorrow.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.

4.15pm: Break time
That's the end of level four, you'll find level five updates in a new post. -- NW
4pm: Chip counts
A scooch round the room reveals the following stacks are in front of the names and notables that we're tracking on the chip count page:

Robbie Bull - 7,000
Paul Foltyn - 23,000
Ludovic Geilich - 33,000
Paul McTaggart - 22,300
Jack Ellwood - 11,000
Rick Trigg - 22,300
Richard Evans - 31,000
Chris Sly - 27,500
Marc MacDonnell - 23,000
Alex Goulder - 8,700
Simon Deadman - 19,000
Dominik Nitsche - 19,500
Alan Gold - 40,000
Ben Jenkins - 8,200

Dave Nicholson - 33,500
Mick Graydon - 6,000
Jason Wheeler - 42,000
Vicky Coren - 14,000
Jon Kalmar - 29,000
Jamie Sykes - 50,000
Brett Angell - 19,000
Kevin Allen - 8,000
Andrew Hulme - 56,000
Scott Shelley - 37,000
Matt Perrins - 16,400
Fraser Macintyre - 14,500
Devilfish - 29,000

3.40pm: If you're all-in, be sure to stand up
For all the beginners out there here's a valuable tip. If you're all-in, and behind, but have outs, stand up. I cannot stress this enough.

Mark Kirkpatrick was out of his seat when he shoved with pocket fives and got called by Michael McGee with pocket fours. McGee had flopped a set.

But that wasn't the end of it. Kirkpatrick may have been ready to go but the board was looking ominous: [4][3][2][9] and then [6].

The river gave Kirkpatrick the straight, and plonked him firmly back in his chair (he had McGee covered slightly). Instead, the formerly seated McGee was now standing, all out of chips, and pretty annoyed at the general situation.

As he strode off Kirkpatrick sat back down and stacked his new wealth.

"As soon as you stood up, I knew..." said Marc Foggin in seat 5. Of course he did. - SB

Blinds up: 100/200, ante 25

3.15pm: High Roller update
The eight remaining players in the £2,200 UKIPT4 Nottingham 6-max High Roller are all in the money, they're not all at the final table though. With the loss of one more player the remaining seven players will combine at one table and play to a winner. The final table bubble has been going on for around 75 minutes now according to the tournament supervisor.

It's a field that wouldn't look out of place at an EPT containing as it does: Jon Spinks, Chris Brammer, Craig McCorkell, Dermot Blain and Team PokerStars Online's Mickey Petersen. This is how they stack up at the moment, blinds are currently 1,000/2,000 ante 300.

Table 1:
Jonathan Spinks - 205,000
Craig Mccorkell - 40,000
Mickey Petersen - 200,000
Giuliano Bendinelli - 38,000

Table 2:
Thomas Middleton - 120,000
Dermot Blain - 100,000
Alex Lindop - 55,000
Christopher Brammer - 180,000

As I was compiling the chip counts it looked as if the bubble might burst on two separate occasions. On the first Alex Lindop opened to 4,200, Chris Brammer three-bet the button to 11,500, Lindop made it 22,000 with 55,000 back and Brammer smooth called. On the [Qh][5h][Kc] flop Lindop check-folded when Brammer set him in.

Meanwhile on the other table Jon Spinks opened to 4,500, Craig McCorkell three-bet to 11,200 but both folded to Mickey Petersen's cold four-bet. We'll keep you updated on the progress of the event, everyone has £3.840 locked, with £31.680 up top for the winner. -- NW

(Edit: Shortly after this post was written Alex Lindop was eliminated in eight place when he moved all-in with pocket nines for 24 big blinds against Dermot Blain who held king-jack, hitting a king on the turn.)

3.10pm: Ellwood in control
Sometimes players look like they're in charge, sometimes they play like they are. Jack Ellwood does a bit of both.

Ellwood, who has the jaw, hair and stubble of one of the beautiful people, has taken the initiative at his table, rarely letting a pot go by without having a say.

Jack Ellwood

He opened for 350 from the cut off. Sean Randall called in the button for a flop of [kc][3s][4c]. Ellwood then bet 425 to take the pot.

Ellwood lost the next hand to Richard Trig, but was back at it a hand later, when Paul McTaggart opened on the button for 450. Ellwood called on the big blind, as did Randall under-the-gun. The flop came [qc][ad][jc]. Both Ellwood and Randall checked to McTaggart who bet 775. Ellwood called. Both checked the [tc] turn card for a [kc] river card. Ellwood's bet of 1,300 was good for the pot.

He won the next one too, quietly plugging away and occasionally looking over his shoulders as if worried someone was watching him. Some already are. Ellwood up to 24,000. - SB

3pm: Entries and exits
The number of total entrants today refuses to budge upwards from 125 but the number of players left in continues to steadily decline. Just 118 remain now with Mark Baxter, Kevin Finnie, Dan Stancer and Thomas Busst the players to exit during level three. -- NW

2.45pm: Bull takes wrong turn
UKIPT4 London champion Robbie Bull has seen his stack more than cut in half during the opening two and a half levels. I saw his latest hiccup and it happened in a hand against David Montague. The latter was small blind, Bull was the big blind and there was already 2,400 in the pot when the [6c][7d][3h] flop was dealt.

Montague bet 1,175, Bull raised to 2,700 and Montague made the call. On the [Kd] turn Montague checked to Bull, he bet 2,650 from his stack of 10,200 but folded when Montague moved all-in.

After that hand Bull is down to 7,400. -- NW

2.30pm: Exit information
Although I missed the first two exits, thanks to the excellent DTD software I could identify the table at which they were sat at the time so went in search of information from those still seated there.
Turns out that Jamie Sykes was responsible for Steven Hamlani's exit and he was kind enough to tell me what happened. It transpires that Hamlani raised under-the-gun, picked up one caller and Sykes then called from the button with [8h][7h].

The flop came [Q][9][6], it checked to Sykes, he bet 650, Hamlani check-raised to 2,100 and Sykes smooth called. The [5s] hit the turn completing Sykes straight but also meaning there were two flush draws now on board, Hamlani bet 3,200 with just 6,000 back and Sykes smooth called. The [Qs] hit the river pairing the top card and bringing in the backdoor flush draw. Hamlani jammed, Sykes called and his opponent simply mucked his cards, Sykes is up to 36,000.

And Samuel Weston paid the ultimate price for limping aces as the hand went five-way to a [Q][4][2] flop, Paul Grummitt flopped top two and Weston couldn't get away from it. -- NW

2.15pm: Back underway
And back we go, 122 of 125 entrants remain on Day 1B. -- NW

Blinds up: 75/150

2pm: Break time
That's the end of the first two levels and the players are now on a 15 minute break. Three players have been eliminated in the opening two levels: Kevin Asquith, Samuel Weston and Steven Hamlani the players to fall. -- NW

1.55pm: Chip counts
With big stacks and little blinds there's not been that much movement over the opening couple of levels but here's how some of the names and notables stack up:

Robbie Bull - 15,300
Paul Foltyn - 26,000
Ludovic Geilich - 12,200
Paul McTaggart - 31,000
Jack Ellwood - 9,500
Rick Trigg - 27,400
Richard Evans - 27,200
Chris Sly - 24,000
Marc MacDonnell - 26,500
Alex Goulder - 22,000
Simon Deadman - 20,500
Dominik Nitsche - 15,000

Alan Gold - 28,000
Ben Jenkins - 17,000
Dave Nicholson - 23,000
Mick Graydon - 18,000
Jason Wheeler - 23,000
Vicky Coren - 13,500
Jon Kalmar - 24,000
Jamie Sykes - 21,500
David Gent - 20,025
Brett Angell - 16,700
Kevin Allen - 17,100
JP Kelly - 24,000

1.50pm: The Devilfish doubles and then some
It hadn't been the best start for Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott, he had slipped down to around 6,000 but he just doubled up through Tim Chung. I only saw the denouement of the hand but Devilfish held [7d][3c], Chung held pocket nines and the board had come [7h][2h][3s][8c][Kh] to boost Devilfish back to around 12,000.

Andrew Hulme, who's at the table told me that the majority of the money went in on the turn, Hulme is up to 38,000 and it was he who won a big pot against Devilfish to leave him short. A couple of hands later Devifish got his hands on more chips as he squeezed to 1,100 and got two callers. He then c-bet 1,300 on a [3h][6h][2d] and got it through, flashing ace-king as he took the pot. -- NW

1.45pm: Yes, Mr Barraclough
Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott, one of a few players today to grace company in a collared shirt, is down a bit. His chips aren't stacked as such, but spread out in little piles. But he just took a sizable pot to kick-start his day.

A table along Tamer Kamal, who cashed in both the EPT Main event and High Roller, was looking at a flop of [9s][7s][6h] from the button. Under the gun was David Barraclough, who bet 300 which Kamal called.

Both checked the [4c] turn card for an [8c] on the river. Barraclough checked leaving Kamal to make it 500 to play. With a pause, Barraclough called.

"Two pair," said Kamal. Barraclough let the cards do the talking, turning over pocket fours for a set. Kamal showed nine-eight off-suit. - SB

1.30pm: Saxby up
Fresh from her recent win in the EPT London Ladies event is Kelly Saxby, who just added to her stack in a pot against Paul Grummitt in the small blind and Samuel Weston.

Saxby opened for 450 in the cut-off as the action passed to Grummitt. Grummitt has a degree of dash, thanks mainly to a pair of red-rimmed reading glasses on a chain around his neck. It gives his play a clinical air, a degree of authority. He called, as did the neat and well-trimmed Weston, for a flop of [6h][7h][th]. The blinds checked to Saxby who wasted no time in betting 425, forcing folds from the others.

A table along, a flop of [as][9s][td] was causing Enzo Gomez to get busy. Gomez bet 200, which Guy Barron called for a [kd] turn. Another 350 from Gomez who you wondered if he wasn't beginning to force things, particularly as Barron raised to 2,600. Gomez called for a [6d] on the river.

Gomez tapped the table. The writing was on the wall and Barron was happy to read it, betting 2,600, which proved more than enough to force out Gomez, who mucked. - SB

1.20pm: Jenkins wins one
A good start for Full Tilt Poker Ambassador Ben Jenkins as he just won a pot against Chris Sieder. It was the latter who opened the action, making it 200 to go from the hijack, Jenkins smooth called from the button and the blinds folded.

On the [3h][6s][10d] flop Sieder c-bet 300 and Jenkins flat called, the [7s] hit the turn, Sieder checked, Jenkins bet 525 and Sieder made the call. The [5c] completed the board, both players checked, Jenkins showed two red eights and they were good enough to win the pot. -- NW

1.10pm: More faces
The fun table draws just keep on coming. Added into the mix at table Jamie Sykes/Dave Nicholson are Jason Wheeler and Mick Graydon. Wheeler has over $1.2M in lifetime earnings, whilst Graydon is closing in on $500,000 in lifetime cashes.

Elsewhere JP Kelly, David Gent, Kevin Allen and Brett Angell are seated together on table 46. 108 players are in according to the tournament board. -- NW

Blinds up: 50/100

1pm: So sick, so painful
It's not often you see a 400 big blind pot in level one and get neither a showdown nor an elimination but that's what just happened on table 35.

By the time I arrived at the table there was 5,600 in the pot and a complete board of [Qd][9d][10c][Qs][Jd] on the felt. Marc Foggin (big blind) bet 3,600, one seat along Michael McGee flat called only for Lorenc Boci to raise to 8,200 total. Back on Foggin he let his hand go but McGee was not so quick to release his hand. "I was more worried about him (Foggin) than you," said McGee. "Will you show if I fold," he asked Boci. "No, but you've already folded and just don't know it," replied Boci.

McGee then started running the hand through his head out loud, "You don't raise nines here, queen-ten, pocket tens, Q-J, I don't know. Man this is so sick, so painful, we're not even in level two yet."

Eventually Victor Ilyukhin called the clock but no sooner had he done so then McGee mucked his hand. Neither player showed but Foggin then said: "I folded pocket nines, I think he (Boci) had queen-jack." -- NW

12.45pm: Nitsche Nixed
German pro Dominik Nitsche is among those foreign raisers making their living on British shores, as well as with occasional excursions further afield to the European Poker Tour. Today he plies his trade in the East Midlands of England, although trade isn't so good in this first level.

Dominik Nitsche

He just tangled with Alan Gold in a pot that reduced Nitsche to around 14,000.
On a board of [4s][8h][5s][ts] Nitsche, on the button, was looking at Gold with intent. Gold had bet from the small blind and was doing his best to keep a straight face as he waited. Nitsche tilted his head, looked back at Gold, then called.

On the river card [6s] Nitsche looked only at Gold, only looking at the board when Gold bet again. Nitsche raised an eyebrow, called, and then mucked with a grin as Gold showed [qc][qs] for the flush. - SB

12.35pm: Keep them coming.
We're up to 95 players now, every few minutes the music is interrupted by an announcement for players to take their seats at tables that have just opened. However, interrupted is probably the wrong word given that one of the High Rollers described the music playing in the club as 'Now That's What I Call Slit Wrist,' he has a point, it is dreary.

Anyway, I digress. The calibre of the players being informed to take their seats is, as you'd expect of latecomers, high.

Jamie Sykes, Dave Nicholson, Kevin Allen, Jon Kalmar, Paul Foltyn, Ludovic Geilich, Scott Shelley and Team PokerStars Pro Victoria Coren are among those who've taken their seats since the tournament got underway. Shelley, Coren and Kalmar, in that order are sharing a table. -- NW

Ludovic Geilich

12.20pm: Playing today...
As play gets underway there are approximately 66 players fully paid up and with bums on seats. Dotted amongst them are a number of familiar faces. None more so than Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott, he's sat to the left of Full Tilt Poker Ambassador Ben Jenkins, who in turn is to the right of Andrew Hulme. He was one of 11 players who made Day 2 of the High Roller but he bust that shortly after it started and hopped into the Main Event.

Elsewhere Jack Ellwood is at the same table as Rick Trigg, UKIPT3 Champion of Champions Richard Evans is to the right of Sam Trickett's best bud Chris Sly and UKIPT4 London champion Robbie Bull is also in the field today.

The toughest table of all though, in this writer's opinion, contains Simon Deadman, Dominik Nitsche and Alan Gold who are sat in that order on table 26. I witnessed an early skirmish between Deadman and Nitsche. From the hijack Deadman raised to 150 and Nitsche flat called from the cut-off. On the [8d][Jc][9c] flop Deadman check-called a bet of 225 and the [2s] fell on the turn. The pattern repeated itself with Deadman check-calling a bet of 600. The [7s] completed the board, again Deadman checked, Nitsche took his time before betting 1,800 into the pot of 2,025.

Deadman grimaced and went into the tank, after a couple of minutes he elected to fold and said: "Nice hand," as Nitsche took the pot. -- NW

Welcome back to Nottingham, or to a virtual glimpse at least, for Day 1B of the UKIPT Nottingham 6-Max main event.

If you were with us for yesterday's coverage you'll know that 24 of the original 61 Day 1A players survived eight levels yesterday. Today the field will be increased in size, with another 100 or so players pulling up outside the ornate entrance of Dusk Till Dawn, also known as Europe premier poker venue.

Dusk Till Dawn

While outside England's bleakness is all too clear--no sun, no warmth, no shine, no flowers, November!--(to savage the work of Thomas Hood), inside the world is a cosy sanctuary of artificial light and plush reds and grays. It's also centrally heated, perfect for those with nothing else to do, a ready grand, and the unswerving conviction that this is their's to win.

Here's how things will work today.

- 20,000 starting stack
- Blinds starting at 25/50 for 400 big blinds
- One hour levels, we'll play eight today with no dinner break meaning play will end around 8.45pm
- Late registration is open until the end of level four.
- Three are two remaining starting days, then Days 2, 3 and 4 will be a combined field to a UKIPT champion.

Cards will be in the air at midday.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham six-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

9.10pm: Jon Spinks wins UKIPT4 Nottingham High Roller
The High Roller finished slightly before the Main Event wrapped up for the day and Jon Spinks defeated Chris Brammer heads-up to win his second UKIPT High Roller title.

The full payouts were, after a three-hand deal, as follows:

1st. Jonathan Spinks , £23,554
2nd. Christopher Brammer, £21,128
3rd. Mickey Petersen, £21,368
4th. Dermot Blain, £10,500
5th. Thomas Middleton, £8,150
6th. Giuliano Bendinelli, £6,250
7th. Craig Mccorkell, £5,050

9pm: Play is over
And that is that for Day 1B. A total of 54 players have advanced to Day 2, with David Price leading the way with a stack of 156,600. There are a raft of players close behind including Jack Ellwood who finished on 114,200.

A full wrap of the days play is on the way and keep an eye on the chip counts page for the overnight chip counts which we'll upload there as soon as we get them. We'll be back at noon for Day 1C, thanks for reading. -- NW

8.40pm: Last three hands
The clock has been paused and they'll be three more hands before the remaining players bag and tag their chips. -- NW

8.35pm: High Roller update
The heads-up battle between Jon Spinks and Chris Brammer continues. At the moment Spinks has a 570,000 to 320,000 advantage with blind currently 3,000/6,000. -- NW

8.30pm: Chip leaders as we enter the final 15 minutes
The overnight chip leader is likely going to be David Price as he's got 156,000 at the moment. However those who might have a say in it include:

Thomas Barratt - 103,000
Jack Ellwood - 95,000
David Harris - 80,000
Paul McTaggart - 80,000
Matt Perrins - 80,000

There are still two UKIPT winners left, Alan Gold has 40,000 and Richard Evans is on 42,000. And Devilfish is still going strong as he's got 50,000. -- NW

8.15pm: Float like a butterfly sting like a cowboy
Jamie Sykes is up to 80,000 after taking a pot from Ben Spraggons, who as a result has slipped down to 38,000.

I only caught action from the flop but Sykes (small blind) checked to Spraggons (under-the-gun), he bet 1,600 and Sykes called. On the [As] turn the pattern repeated itself with Spraggons betting 2,500 and Sykes making the call. The river was the [Kc], both players slowed down and Sykes showed [Kd][10c] to take the pot. -- NW

8.10pm: Quadzilla
I know not how the chips went in but at the tail end of the last level I saw Matt Perrins counting out 24,975 and passing it to Dahe Liu. His cards were already in the muck but Liu's cards - [Ah][6h] were plain to see - the board was [6d][6s][Jd][Kh][6c] meaning that Liu had, by the river, made quads. Perrins is down to 63,000 as a result. -- NW

8pm: Exits
A total of 12 players were eliminated during level seven meaning that just 61 players remain as we enter the last level of the evening. Among the fallers during the last hour were: Ben Jenkins, Dale Garrard, Raul Paez and John Kalmar. -- NW

Blinds up: 400/800, ante 100

7.55pm: M and M have epic battle
I heard a loud, "for f***s sake," sound behind me and swung round to see what had happened. There was a [9s][10c][Js][Qh][3s] board on the board and it was Dominic Mahoney who had uttered the expletive. He had [K][Q] in front of him whilst Kyle Maguire had the [7s][6s] on the felt.

From post-hand commentary I'm fairly certain the chips went in on the flop, it was a big pot too as Mahoney is down 14,500 whilst Maguire is up to 75,000. -- NW

7.45pm: Hulme and Leonov round two
Andrew Hulme didn't hang on to his new found chips for long as he just doubled up Viktor Leonov. Pre-flop Leonov limped the button, Hulme made it 2,400 to go and Leonov called. On the [4h][6h][9c] flop Hulme bet and Leonov called. The [9d] hit the turn and this time Hulme decided to check-call a bet from Leonov. The [Ah] completed the board and, after Hulme checked, Leonov moved all-in for 16,450.

Hulme mulled it over before announcing call, Leonov showed [9d][8h], Hulme nodded and mucked his cards. He's slipped to 32,000 whilst Leonov is up to 55,000. -- NW

7.45pm: Reeves takes chips from Foggin and Nicholson
Marc Foggin opened from the cut off for 1,300. Lucas Reeves on the button called, as did David Nicholson in the big blind.

The flop came [9h][8d][4h] and Nicholson bet out 2,800. Foggin, who started this all, backed out, while Reeves called for a [jd] turn. Nicholson, cautiously checked while Reeves bet 4,500. Nicholson had a last look at his cards to say goodbye, and folded. He's down to 28,000 while Reeves moves up to around 25,000. - SB

7.30pm: Hulme goes down, then goes up
DTD regular Andrew 'Stato' Hulme has been a presence near the top of the chip counts for most of the day. However after losing a pot of roughly 15,000 to Waheed Ashraf he'd slipped to a below average 28,575 when the following hand occurred.

He opened to 1,200 from under-the-gun, Paul Grummitt then moved all-in for 9,350 from the button and Viktor Leonov cold called from the big blind. Back on Hulme he shoved for 28,575 total and after getting a count Leonov called the extra.

Hulme: [10c][10d]
Leonov: [Ac][Kh]
Grummitt: [Qd][10s]

The [5d][6c][8s][2h][10h] board meant Hulme took both the main and side pots to climb to over 66,000, Grummitt was eliminated and Leonov is down to 24,000. -- NW

7.25pm: Ellwood is good
Jack Ellwood continues to dominate, now up to close to 100,000 chips. Two recent pots went his way, in much the same way as all the others had.

On a flop of [js][jc][5s] Paul Mctaggart checked to Ellwood who bet 700. McTaggart called though, watching as a [4s] landed on the turn. Both checked for a [7h] river card and checked that also. [qs][8h] for McTaggart, but a winning [ah][2h] for Ellwood.
It was a similar story on the next hand.

Jason Wheeler opened for 1,250 which Ellwood called from the small blind, as did Sean Randall in the big. The flop came [2s][9s][jc]. The blinds checked to Wheeler who bet another 2,500. Ellwood tanked for a moment, then reached for his chips, peeling off six gold ones for a re-raise to 6,000. Randall knew when he was beaten and folded. Shortly after Wheeler came to the same conclusion. - SB

7.15pm: High Roller update
Dermot Blain was eliminated in fourth place and the three remaining players decided to do a deal.

Chopped #UKIPT HR 3-handed with @JonSpinks and @BrammPoker, playing for £5k and the trophy now.

— Mickey Petersen (@mickeydp) November 28, 2013

Unfortunately Team PokerStars Online's Mickey Petersen was out third:

Out in 3rd for £21k, got a huge cooler for 90% of the chips with AKs vs AQs but Spinks flopped a queen. No shame in losing to those guys, gg

— Mickey Petersen (@mickeydp) November 28, 2013

That means Jon Spinks has big chip lead over Chris Brammer, we'll bring you the result when we have it. -- NW

7.05pm: Angell on the rail
Brett Angell is among the recent fallers. His ace-high flush looked fairly good as he got his chips in. But his opponent, Sean Randall, turned over nine-eight, which, thanks to eights on the turn and river, gave him the full house and sent Angell to the rail. - SB

7pm: Selected chip counts
Here are some of the counts of the names and notables at the start of level seven, you can check out everyone's chip count by clicking here.

Ludovic Geilich - 16,000
Richard Evans - 38,300
Chris Sly - 12,400
Scott Shelley - 46,400
Simon Deadman - 20,500
David Gent - 16,000
Devilfish - 31,000
Luke Reeves - 37,000
Jon Kalmar - 9,000
Matt Perrins - 45,000
Paul McTaggart - 51,000
Brett Angell - 24,000
Robbie Bull - 20,000
Dave Nicholson - 25,000
Andrew Hulme - 35,000
Ben Jenkins - 16,400

6.50pm: Top 10
Below are the top 10 stacks at the beginning of level seven, Jason Wheeler still leads with 94,000.

Jason Wheeler - 94,000
Jack Ellwood - 76,000
Alan Gold - 73,300
Derek Leach - 72,800
David Price - 71,000
Mark Kilpatrick - 70,000
Jamie Sykes - 65,700
Viktor Leonov - 60,600
Charles Akadiri - 60,000
Chin Chai Koh - 60,000

Blinds up: 300/600, ante 75

6.30pm: Break
That's the end of level six and players are now on a 20 minute break. -- NW

6.30pm: Kirkpatrick on the rise
Among the chip leaders right now is Mark Kirkpatrick with close to 50,000. His stack wasn't harmed in a hand against Lorenc Boci. On a board of [2d][js][8s][7c][8c] Boci turned over [tc][2c] only to watch and shrug as Kirkpatrick flipped up [5c][5s]. - SB

6.25pm: Bull market on the way up
Earlier today UKIPT4 London champion Robbie Bull was down to around 7,000, it was still over 40 big blinds but was well below the average. He's now back at around average chips having climbed to 30,000 after eliminating Saulius Tumosa.
The latter was all-in for around 5,000 with pocket threes, Bull held [10c][9c] and got there on the [10d][Kh][7s][2s][6h] board. -- NW

6.15pm: Chip leaders
We're hopefully going to get eyes on counts of the biggest stacks on the next break, which is 20 minutes from now, but to give you a flavour of who's got chips as the end of the level 6 approaches here's the approximate stacks of the chip leaders:

Jason Wheeler - 95,000
Alan Gold - 85,000
David Price - 72,000
Jamie Sykes - 67,000
Matt Perrins - 65,000
Lucas Reeves - 60,000
Viktor Leonov - 60,000
Jack Ellwood - 60,000

6.05pm: Prested presses on
A bet of 800 from Jonathon Prested in the high jack to start what would prove a big hand. Thomas Horton was in the big blind and called for a flop of [4h][8h][js]. Horton checked to Prested who bet 1,050. But Horton was not done, and check-raised to 2,300. Prested looked at his cards again, and called, waiting for Horton's reaction to the [7s] turn card.

Horton bet another 3,600. Prested, with his fist to his mouth, as if he was about to cough, thought about things. He called the check raise, and now called the bet, the [3h] landing on the river. At this point both players were happy to check, Prested showing [qc][jh] which proved good enough to take the pot. - SB

5.55pm: Fallers
Just 86 players remain now from the 132 who started the day. Big name fallers include: Paul Foltyn (88th), Marc Macdonnell (94th) and Kelly Saxby (95th). -- NW

5.50pm: Pots for Jenkins and Hulme
There's more than one reason to watch the table that has Devilfish on it as there seems to be an interesting hand or two every time I pass by and my latest visit was no different.
In the first hand I saw Devilfish raised to 600 from the cut-off and Ben Jenkins called on the button and Vaidas Siriunas did likewise from the big blind. The three of them saw a [Ah][Qs][2c] flop, Devilfish bet 1,000 and Jenkins was the only caller.
The [Ac] fell on the turn, Devilfish slowed down by checking to Jenkins, he bet 1,500 and Devilfish folded.

On the next hand it folded to Andrew Hulme on the button, he was getting a massage but that didn't stop him from raising to 700, both blinds called and it was three-way to a [jh][6h][Kd] flop. All three players checked and the [8d] hit the turn. First to act Vaidas Siriunas bet 1,050, Joseph Tully raised to 2,500 and action was on Hulme. He put out two blue 5K chips and said a figure, I didn't hear it for sure but I think it was 6,200. Either way it was enough to take the pot and keep Hulme near the top of the chip counts. -- NW

5.45pm: Taxi for Gomez
There's something about playing poker with your coat on. It suggests impermanence. Not in a Buddhist way, more a "not going to be here for much longer" one. That was what Enzo Gomez was inadvertently suggesting to his table mates.

Turns out it was more pertinent than first thought.

There was also the fact that Gomez was almost sitting side on in his seat, as if he had a taxi waiting. Suddenly, on a board of [ts][7s][8h][kh] Gomez did what he'd been telegraphing for so long. He shoved. When Adam Prickett called with [js][9c] Gomez said: "ahhhh", but nobody was convinced. Gomez was gone. - SB

Blinds up: 200/400, ante 50

5.35pm: Wheeler loses, but is winning
I just saw Jason Wheeler lose a pot to Derek Leach but despite the dent Wheeler has around 108,000 and is the current chip leader.
The American fired out 5,200 on the turn of a [9h][8h][10c][4d] board and Leach called. The [3s] completed the board, Wheeler shut down as did Leach. First to show Wheeler opened [6h][2h] for the missed combo draw and Leach showed pocket queens to take the pot. -- NW

5.25pm: Nitsche is no more
My thanks to Rich Prew of Blonde Poker for sharing the details of Dominik Nitsche's exit hand with me.

Jim Moult raised under-the-gun with [Qc][7c], Nitsche three-bet the button with[Ks][Qh], Alan Gold called from the small blind and Moult did likewise.
Nitsche c-bet 3,000 on the [kc][3c][8d] flop and Moult was the only caller. On the [3c] turn Nitsche shoved for 12,000, Moult made the call with his flush and Nitsche was drawing dead. -- NW

5.15pm: Pressure and pain for Trigg
Richard Trigg is now playing "under massage". The massage therapist has an elbow in his spine to force the badness out. The cup of coffee next to his chin is there to put it back in again.

Helping the coffee are the likes of Jack Ellwood, who is up to nearly 40,000 chips, and Alex Lynskey in the seat to Trigg's immediate right.

With a little pre-flop action they both saw a flop of [9h][8h][ad]. Lynskey bet and Trigg called for a [kd] turn card. Now Lynskey bet 2,100. Swaying gently back and forth from the wincing effects of being given the elbow, Trigg called and watched the [7s] land on the river. Both checked though, Lynskey showing [as][tc] to win the pot as Trigg pushed his cards to the muck. - SB

5pm: Snippets
Here's a snapshot of what's happening here on Day 1B:

- UKIPT4 Galway champion Alan Gold is challenging for the chip lead, he's up to 70,000.
- Registration has closed with 132 the number of runners today
- Jamie Sykes (47,000) has been moved to the same table as Jon Kalmar (32,000) and Jonathon Prested (30,000)
- Kevin Allen, Alex Goulder and Fraser Macintyre are all out
- The Devilfish is in mid flow about a pool match he played against someone for £5,000.
- The High Roller is down to four players: Dermot Blain, Jon Spinks, Mickey Petersen and Chris Brammer are the awesome foursome. Tom Middleton (fifth), Giuliano Bendinelli (sixth) and Craig McCorkell (seventh) those to have exited since the final began.

4.50pm: The life of a travelling poker player
Professional poker player Jason Wheeler is an American, who lives in Mexico, who's been in Europe since EPT London in October, won't return home until after EPT Prague in December and is using Amsterdam as a base during his trip. He's also the chip leader here in Nottingham with around 75,000.

Wheeler, like many Americans was affected by Black Friday and says: "I was one of the first three Americans to relocate to Mexico, I live in Tijuana and you can literally see America from my back yard."

He has to travel 37 kilometres to San Diego for a legal game of cards in America but says the nearest casinos with decent games are in Los Angeles, which is around two and a half hours away. And despite being one of the first to relocate he doesn't actually spend that much time in Mexico. "I spend a lot of fall and spring in Europe, summer in Vegas so I'm really only in Mexico during winter."

He final tabled a £1,000 side event at EPT London and made the final two tables of a side event at the recent Masters Classic in Amsterdam and looks set fair to score a third cash on this trip. -- NW

4.40pm: All the way from New Jersey (via Kent), Kelly Saxby
What is someone from New Jersey doing in the Nottingham? Kelly Saxby's route to the East Midlands is not exactly straight forward, but DTD has become somewhere she's seem more and more.

Saxby is originally from New Jersey, but after meeting and marrying an Englishman, she now lives in Kent, and while her father taught her poker when she was seven, only recently returned to the game which is proving a profitable side-line to her recruitment business.

It was here last summer that Saxby scored her biggest live win, a third place finishing in a £500 deep-stack event worth $25,373. More recently though, she earned some EPT silverware, winning the EPT London ladies event for another $5,934, a feat she is rightly proud of.

"It was awesome," said Saxby. "Nice to catch a good score with a little bit of recognition and a trophy!

Ladies events are still a source of dispute between those for and against. But to view it from a rigid position, of equality say, it's too easy to dismiss them as unnecessary. On paper they might not look right (as Saxby said, she would hate to be turned away from a men only event) but in reality they do seem to serve a greater purpose.

"It was a really good tournament, said Saxby. "The nice thing about women's tournaments is you just end up meeting other women, in primarily a man's environment. It's a little bit harder to make friends as a girl so it's nice to have people to talk to about poker who are on the same wavelength as you.

"There's a mix. Some women enjoy the socialising. It's a diff level of play I think. In some ways a little bit softer but at the same time you want to be the best of the women so you play a little bit harder."

For Saxby that's a formula that works. She's played the past three EPT ladies events and cashed in them all. Now though her focus is on playing well here, in a club she'd become familiar with.

"I had my biggest result over here last summer," said Saxby. "It's a long drive for me but I do try and come at least once every 2-3 months. I wish it were closer."

Despite being American a decade living in Kent has stripped her accent to a point where she's mistaken for English back in the United States. She drops her "Ts" and lengthens her vowels like everyone else. Saxby, the poker player, blending right in. - SB

4.30pm: Coren and Kelly gone as we reach halfway stage
We're now halfway through Day 1B of the UKIPT4 Nottingham 6-max Main Event and 106 of 130 players still remain in the mix.

Three players who aren't are Team PokerStars Pro Victoria Coren, Mick Graydon (who a few years ago was Ireland's first ever SuperNova Elite) and two-time WSOP bracelet winner JP Kelly.

They've been joined on the rail by Jamie Roberts, Tim Chung and David Barraclough. Cards are now back in the air. -- NW

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham six-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

Opening days have a habit of looking the same. Just like yesterday, Day 1B started this afternoon with a generic crowd of poker players, converging on a familiar poker room, to slog it out for eight levels; the reward for surviving them being another day of the same on Saturday.

The tournament room

But on closer inspection there were some differences - the most notable being the increase in numbers, with 132 payers taking seats: double that of yesterday and then some, bringing the total to 193. With a guarantee set at £500,000 it offers potential value for passing trade come the start tomorrow.

Most likely to benefit from any of that right now is tonight's chip leader David Price.

Price, 32, from Essex, took the lead late, winning the biggest pot of the day worth 72,000 chips: a 4-bet pre-flop pot with pocket kings against jacks. It was good to leave him with 156,600 at the close. But while that's the lead on the day, he still trails overall, some way behind yesterday's leader Mitch Johnson, who closed on 171,500.

David Price

Others at the top end of tonight's chip counts include Viktor Leonov on 116,200, Jack Ellwood on 114,200, Mark Kirkpatrick on 112,800, Paul Febers on 111,000 and Tom Barratt with 107,400.

Ellwood stood out on occasion today; the man from Newcastle got a hold of his table in his teeth and shook it until all the chips fell to him. It was a powerful performance and one that should leave him in good shape to carry on in much the same way come Saturday.

Jack Ellwood

There are also four former champions still in the field Alan Gold and Richard Evans returning on Day 2, along with Robbie Bull and Ludovic Geilich. For a full list of those joining them, check out the official chip count page.

Alan Gold

For Team PokerStars Pros it was a mixed day. As Mickey Petersen was finishing third in the High Roller event (ultimately won by Jon Spinks), Vicky Coren was headed for the rail.

Coren was in good company, with the names of those eliminated today reading like a proverbial UKIPT 'who's who'. The likes of JP Kelly, Jamie Roberts, Tamer Kamel, Dominik Nitsche, Kelly Saxby, Paul Zimbler and Jon Kalmar all made their way to the rail, either to congregate around the bar or leap straight into a side event.

Vicky Coren

For those remaining, there will be a day off tomorrow before they return for Day 2 on Saturday. Before that though another opening flight, starting tomorrow at noon and playing in the same way as today and yesterday.

Dusk Till Dawn this evening

For a full recap of all of today's events you can catch up with our live coverage, with links to levels 1 to 4 here, and levels 5 to 8 here.

For now that's everything from Nottingham. Join us again tomorrow for more coverage.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.

3.15pm: Five betting
Joe Grech opened on the button for 300, which would be his last positive act in the hand. Next to him in the small blind was Robert Sherwood who immediately raised to 900.

This had the effect of sending Mark in the big blind, into the tank. He had something and wasn't ready to back out. Quite the opposite. Baker reached for his chips and four-bet, 2,500 in total. Needless to say Grech folded.

With the action back on Sherwood he now tanked briefly before lumping a stack worth 16,000 into the middle.

Sherwood leaned back and took a sip of coffee. Baker leaned back and took a gulp of what looked a little stronger. He wasn't prepared to take this any further though and passed. Pot to Sherwood. - SB

2.55pm: No back to back winner
Duncan McLellan triumphed at UKIPT4 Isle of Man, winning £94,090 when he defeated Team PokerStars Sport Star Fatima Moreira de Melo heads-up.

He won't be able to join the exclusive club of double UKIPT winners just yet though as he's been eliminated from this tournament in 230th place. Currently 227 of 245 runners remain. -- NW

2.50pm: Bradpiece folds the river
As mentioned below (see 2.30pm post) table 53 is one of the tougher ones in the room, full of aggressive players and I just saw two of them clash in a pot. I caught up with the action on the turn of a [6h][10c][4s][Qd] board, Caicai Huang (under-the-gun) bet 1,400 into a similarly sized pot and Jerome Bradpiece made the call. The [6d] river paired the board, Huang bet 3,500 and after a long old think Bradpiece released his hand. -- NW

2.40pm: Bet call, bet call
Simon Hemsworth opened for 350 in the hijack and Benjamin Sweetman called to his immediate left for a flop of [4c][qc][6s]. Hemsworth bet another 425 which Sweetman called, all matter-of-factly for an [8s] on the turn.

This time Hemsworth fired 900 into the middle and again Sweetman promptly called for a [3c] on the river. One last bet from Hemsworth, 1,700. One last call from Sweetman, who mucked his cards when Hemsworth turned over [ah][ac]. - SB

2.30pm: Newcomers
New tables are still being opened as players continue to arrive. One such table is 53, it contains Team PokerStars Online's Dale Philip, Jerome Bradpiece, EPT winner Zimnan Ziyard and UKIPT4 London seventh place finisher Patryk Slusarek.

Two-time EPT runner-up Max Heinzelmann is also in the house. -- NW

2.20pm: Exits
The number of runners today is up to 237 but just 225 of those players remain. The exits in the first two levels were: Leon Campbell, Marius Ciamas, Chris Gordon, Tina Ainsworth, Cato Vonheim, Philip Butt, Ryan Mandara, Ian Simpson, Stephen Ayres, Giuliano Bendinelli, Jeremy Wray and Robert Toplak. -- NW

2.10pm: Chip counts
I whipped round the room with about 15 minutes left in the level to grab some chip counts, here's what I saw:

Jake Cody - 20,200
Dan Carter - 20,800
Daniel Stacey - 22,500
Mickey Petersen - 18,300
Jon Spinks - 38,000
Tom Hall - 21,400
Senh Man Ung - 12,000
Willie Tann - 26,000
John Eames - 26,000
Simon Hemsworth - 22,000
Steve Watts - 12,000
Ben Martin - 19,150
David Docherty - 19,500

Emmett Mullin - 17,000
Osman Mustanoglu - 18,000
Fintan Gavin - 22,000
James Atkin - 16,000
Ross Jarvis - 19,600
Rupinder Bedi - 26,000
Sin Melin - 15,600
David Vamplew - 19,400
Thomas Ward - 19,800
Nick Wealthall - 20,050
Craig McCorkell - 9,500
Chris Brammer - 17,700
Dara O'Kearney - 26,000

Blinds up: 75/150

2pm: Break time
Players are now on a 15 minute break.

1.45pm: Watts asking questions
Steven Watts just got beaten up in successive pots. In the first Benjamin Sweetman opened for 225 in the cut off which Ben Martin called from the button. Watts was in the small blind and raised to 750 which Sweetman called before Martin passed.

The flop came [qh][5c][6s] and Watts kept at it, betting 1,000. But Sweetman re-raised, forcing Watts into the tank, emerging only to fold.

In the next hand he opened for 300 in the cut off. John Eames was on his left on the button and raised to 800. The action was folded back to Watts who made the call.

On the flop of [4c][4h][7h] Watts check called Eames bet of 700 for a [kh]. Watts then check-called again when Eames bet 1,100 ahead of a [jd] river card. Watts stuck to his plan and checked to Eames. For his part Eames paused for a second before betting 1,600.

Watts was stumped. After a few moments of stillness he turned to Eames and said something, but didn't get much of a reaction. So he tried again with a few words to Eames, this time getting a laugh. None of which changed things though. Watts folded, leaving a pot of around 5,000 for Eames. - SB

1.30pm: What Fintan said...
A total of 228 players have entered Day 1C so far and there's still time to get yourself into this amazing tournament. If you don't believe me on that second point then believe Fintan Gavin. He's a man who's played a lot of poker in a lot of places.

Playing Day 1C @UKIPT, the best poker tour in the world in the best poker club in the world. Late Reg for couple more hours @dusk_till_dawn_

— Fintan Gavin (@fintangavin) November 29, 2013

1.30pm: Prew can play too
Richard 'Tightend' Prew is a man who spends a lot of time around poker tables. Very little of that time is spent playing though. Through various roles in the poker industry he's probably watched more poker than anyone (including Jesse May) in the last few years.

Much of that poker has been watched here at Dusk Till Dawn and on the opening two Day 1s he's been here blogging for poker forum Blonde Poker. Today though, thanks to donations from various members of that forum who appreciate the hard work he puts in, usually for free, he's playing 'Tighty's tourney'. And for a man who told me that he hasn't played a hand of poker for three years he's not doing too badly so far.

Into the world of update tweets. 25k in level 2, flushed with 63dd. Old guys rule. #ukipt pic.twitter.com/YVZFO0iWIT

— Rich Prew (@tighty) November 29, 2013

He's got Chris Brammer on his table, although Prew does at least have position on him -- NW

1.20pm: Coolers everywhere
Some information on two of the exits mentioned below. Giuliano Bendinelli must be sick of the sight of Jon Spinks, they both final table the High Roller (which Spinks won) and Spinks eliminated Bendinelli on the first hand he played. Spinks flopped a straight with [7][5] on a [3][4][6] flop and Bendinelli connected heavily with it too as he had pocket sixes. There was no getting away from it and he's out.

And Jeremy Wray also flopped the second best hand with top set as on a [kh][9h][2h] board he had pocket kings, but Milorad Dobrijevic had [6h][5h] for the flopped flush. Ouch. -- NW

1.15pm: Five out already
A level played and there have already been five eliminations, including Irish Open Champion and UKIPT London runner-up Ian Simpson. He wasn't the first to go. That honour went to Robert Toplak, who was followed by Jeremy Wray, Giuliano Bendinelli and Stephen Ayres. - SB

1.05pm: Brammer back
After losing a pot to Tommy Bingham earlier, Chris Brammer just got his own back just before the break, and more without even having to show a card.

On a flop of [ac][tc][3h] Bingham in the big blind checked to Brammer, in the under the gun position, who bet 300, which was called by Bingham. On the [7d] turn Bingham again checked, as Brammer went for his chips, betting 800. Bingham then went to his chips, check raising to 2,025 with his hand covering his mouth.

Brammer paused, then called for an [ad] on the river. Bingham checked, but got no pleasure in watching Brammer do the same. Bingham sheepishly pushed his cards forward, mucking them. Brammer, now up several thousand, did the same. - SB

Blinds up: 50/100

12.55pm: Table mates
There are now over 200 players in the field today and there are some interesting table match ups amongst the 30 plus tables in play. Here are a few of them:

Table 11 - Joe Grech and Rob Sherwood
Table 23 - Jonathan Weekes and Dermot Blain
Table 54 - Jon Spinks, Mickey Petersen and Stu Barnett
Table 57 - Fintan Gavin and James Atkin

Table 58 - David Vamplew and Sin Melin
Table 63 - Jake Cody and Daniel Stacey
Table 64 - Senh Man Ung and Tom Hall
Table 65 - Simon Hemsworth, Ben Martin, Steve Watts and John Eames
Table 66 - David Docherty and Ducan McLellan

We'll be keeping an eye on these match ups throughout the day. -- NW

12.45pm: Betting all the way
James Conway opened in the hijack for 150, which Max Heinzelmann called in the cut-off, as did the player in the big blind. The flop came [as][ts][2s] which was checked to Conway who bet another 250. Heinzelmann, a double EPT runner-up, called before the big blind folded.

The turn came [2d] and Conway bet again, 550 this time. Heinzelmann peeked at his cards again and made the call for a [3d] river card. So Conway tried again, betting another 1,200. That did the trick, as Heinzelmann folded. - SB

12.35pm: Old school
There aren't too many people still playing poker who can claim that they were at the Poker Million back in 2000 and have played on Late Night Poker. One man who can though is Osman Mustanoglu. The Turk took down a £500 pot-limit Omaha event at the Poker Million, beating Pascal Perrault heads-up and defeating a final table that included Paul Phillips and Jeff Duvall.

He then appeared on Late Night Poker 6 in 2002, bowing out at the semi-final stage. He's got cashes going back to 1997, with his biggest lifetime score coming in 2006 when he won £90,000 for winning a £5,000 event in London, besting a field that included Mark Goodwin, Liam Flood and Willie Tann. The latter is also in the field today.

Mustanoglu has landed himself an interesting starting table, he's in the six seat, whilst one seat to his right is Jeremy Wray, the hedge fund manager and former chairman of Swindon Town FC has a far greater claim to fame though. He won the 2013 PCA Stress Star competition!

And to the right of Wray is Emmett Mullin, the Irishman took down UKIPT3 Galway in February 2012. -- NW

12.30pm: Good start for Bingham
Tommy Bingham just won an early pot against Chris Brammer. He opened in the hijack for 150 which Brammer called in the cut off, as did Colin Worgan on the button and Wesley Hutchinson in the big blind.

The flop came [5h][jc][td]. Hutchinson checked to Bingham who bet another 250. Brammer called while the button and big blind folded. On the [5c] turn Bingham checked, his hand covering his face. He then, in the style of Action Man or GI Joe, made Eagle Eyes at Brammer, who responded by betting 700. Bingham called.

Both then checked the [kh] river card, Bringham turning over [kd][6d] to win the hand. - SB

12.20pm: Names, names, names
New tables for players are being opened at a rate of knots in the opening minutes of Day 1C. The tournament clock shows me that 174 players are spread across 30 tables. Players like Keith Hawkins, Ian Simpson, Team Online's Mickey Petersen and Dale Philip, UKIPT Host Nick Wealthall, UKIPT winners Fintan Gavin, Emmett Mullin and Sergio Aido, Thomas Ward - the man Aido beat to win the title - Jonathan Weekes, Dara Davey and Rob Sherwood. They're all here. It should be a cracker. -- NW

There's double the bustle at Dusk Till Dawn this morning as the third of three opening days gets under way.

Over the past two days 193 players have taken seats in the 6-max Main Event. Today a bumper field is expected to clog up the halls, bar and car park, with a guaranteed £500,000 on the table.

The tournament room at Dusk Till Dawn

In the usual way the last of the opening flights is bigger, and pocked with the bigger names usually found gracing the chip counts.

Regular players like Jake Cody, David Vamplew, John Eames, Dermot Blain and Dara O'Kearney take their seats today, as does Chris Brammer, who finished second in the High Roller event yesterday.

Here are the details for the day:

- 20,000 starting stack
- Blinds starting at 25/50 for 400 big blinds
- One hour levels, we'll play eight today with no dinner break meaning play will end around 8.45pm
- Late registration is open until the end of level four.
- This is the last of three starting days, then Days 2, 3 and 4 will be a combined field to a UKIPT champion.

Cards will be in the air at midday.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.

9.01pm: Done for the day
Players have bagged and tagged their chips, a full wrap is on the way and we'll also upload chip counts to the blog in the next hour or so.

Day 2 starts at noon and we'll be playing eight levels. -- NW

9pm: Petersen doubles near end of day
Mickey Petersen got a full double up during the last four hands. He four-bet shoved for 26,975 with pocket queens and Max Heinzelmann called with [As][Qc]. The [5c][5s][10h][6c][8c] board kept the PokerStars Team Online member in front. He dropped a little though and ended the day on 47,500. -- NW

8.45pm: End in sight
Tournament staff have stopped the clock and have announced there will be four more hands played today.

8.35pm: Chip leaders
With just 15 minutes left in the day there's, by my reckoning, four player vying for the overnight chip lead. Benjamin Rivera has 105,000 and appears to be top at the moment. He's closely followed by Rupinder Bedi (100,000), Ryan Spittles (94,000) and Emmett Mullin (90,000). I earlier reported that Bedi was out, which according to the DTD software he is. But, he's very much alive and set next to fellow Movemberite Richard Blacklock. -- NW

8.20pm: Cody's run curtailed
I spotted Jake Cody at the bar chatting to, amongst others, Tom Middleton, Paul Foltyn and David Gent. Not a good sign.

"I ran A-4 into kings for about 10,000." he told me. "I'd lost with K-10 to deuces before that," he added. A little bit of investigative work reveals it was UKIPT4 London seventh place finisher Patryk Slusarek who had the cowboys in Cody's exit hand. -- NW

8.10pm: Old guys can play too
Think back to what you were doing in December 1993. I was 12 years-old and was in my first year of secondary school, football mad and my card game of choice was knockout whist.

It's possible that a fair few players in the field today weren't even born, but Willie Tann was and he was busy taking ninth place in a £50 event at The Vic's Christmas Cracker festival.

He's since gone on to amass over $1.6M in lifetime earnings, winning a WSOP bracelet back in 2005. Some would say 6-max is a young man's game but you try telling that to Tann. He's up to 75,000 and well above average. He's not the biggest stack at the table though. That honour goes to Tim Slater who has around 85,000. And Slater extended that lead when he took a pot from Tann. The latter raised to 2,000, Slater three-bet to 5,500 from the blinds and Tann folded the [5h] face up. Slater showed pocket tens as he took the pot. -- NW

7.55pm: Exits
There were 24 exits during level seven meaning that 149 players remain in contention to make Day 2. Among the exits in the last level were: Thomas Middleton, Rupinder Bedi, Tommy Bingham and Nathan Davies. -- NW

Blinds up: 400/800, ante 100

7.45pm: Hutchinson undone by Brammer
Chris Brammer continues to instil fear and frustration in opponents, in equal measure. Next in line for this treatment was Wesley Hutchinson.

He opened for 1,200 in the cut off and found himself called by Brammer on the button. The flop came [7s][7h][js] and Hutchinson wasted no time betting 1,600. Brammer, permanently under headphones and permanently looking like a man trying to remember the last ten years, showed no fuss in his actions, and called for a [6c] on the turn.
Again, Hutchinson acted like a man up against the clock, and bet quickly, another 2,000. Brammer, in no rush, called ahead of a [6s] on the river.

Chris Brammer

Hutchinson again went to his chips and, with conviction, bet 3,200. Brammer called. Hutchinson flipped up [jh][ad] and assumed his jack would be good. Brammer though turned over [ts][8s] (it's always a bad sign when your opponent shows their cards). At first Hutchinson couldn't work out why he had lost. Then a small voice from somewhere said "flush". It was Brammer. Hutchinson banged the table in disgust. Brammer up to 50,000. - SB

7.35pm: Chip counts
Here's how some of the names and notables stack up:

Mickey Petersen - 13,000
Jake Cody - 10,000
Zimnan Ziyard - 37,000
Patryk Slusarek - 14,000
Tim Slater - 44,000
Dan Carter - 35,000
Dara O'Kearney - 34,000
Sergio Aido - 64,000
Dermot Blain - 36,000
Jonathan Weekes - 15,600
Nick Wealthall - 11,000
Fergal Nealon - 23,500

Jen Mason - 41,000
Sin Melin - 36,000
Harry Lodge 25,000
Fintan Gavin - 21,000
David Docherty - 38,000
Tom Hall - 13,000
Rich Prew - 13,500
Simon Hemsworth - 26,000
Chris Brammer - 56,000
Ross Jarvis - 57,000
Rob Sherwood - 34,000

There's about 70 minutes left in the day. -- NW

7.20pm: Atkin's diet of chips all gone
James Atkin is one of the latest fallers, I was told on the break by Ross Jarvis that Atkin lost a 60,000 chip pot all-in pre-flop with [A][K]. So what did his opponent have? Aces, kings, queens? No, jack-nine suited apparently. That's a sickener.

166 players left. -- NW

7.15pm: Huang in the ascendancy
Caicai Huang continues to ascend the chip counts, moving into second place with brutal effectiveness. Dressed in a coat of fur, she just took chips from Patrick Slusarek in seat one, and from the new player to her left. The previous occupant is now gone. All that's left of him is his fur, which is draped across Huang's shoulders. - SB

7.05pm: What's at stake
The final numbers are in meaning that the payouts have now been finalised. The winner on Monday will walk away with a first prize of £100,000 while a min-cash will be worth £1,800, which is guaranteed for the last 71 players.

A full list of the payouts are below:

1st £100,000
2nd £60,450
3rd £43,200
4th £34,000
5th £26,750
6th £20,700
7th £15,500
8th £10,700
9th £8,400
10th to 11th £7,150
12th to 13th £6,100
14thto 15th £5,300
16th to 17th £4,700
18th to 20th £4,200
21st to 23rd £3,700
24th to 29th £3,200
30th to 35th £2,800
36th to 41st £2,500
42nd to 47th £2,250
48th to 59th £2,000
60th to 71st £1,800

TOTAL: £500,000

Keep an eye on the payouts page tomorrow as we'll be in the money late on Day 2. -- SB

6.55pm: Chip leaders
As we head into level seven these are the current top 10 chip stacks:

Emmett Mullin - 120,000
Caicai Huang - 85.500
Abhishek Khaitan - 73,800
Rupinder Bedi - 67,800
Alex Lindop - 65,000

Ben Mayhew - 62,500
Tom Kugelstadt - 60,000
Jonathan Spinks - 60,000
Luke Hallinan - 55,000
John Eames - 54,700

Some talented players in the leading bunch then with Mullin, Bedi, Lindop, Mayhew, Kugelstadt, Spinks and Eames all having had big scores in the past. -- NW

6.45pm: Official numbers
We can tell you that the total number of runners today was 265 bringing the total number of runners to 458. We'll bring you the official payouts when we can.

There are currently 171 players left today. -- NW

Blinds up: 300/600, ante 75

6.36pm: End of the level
That's the end of level six and the players are now on a 20 minute break. -- NW

6.35pm: More for Mullin
I think Emmett Mullin must've lost some chips to Milorad Dobrijevic but he just won them back and then some as he's up to around 107,500 after winning a big pot.

I joined the action on the turn of a [Kd][Jh][10h][9c] board, Dobrijevic checked, Mullin bet 8,475 into a pot of roughly 15,000 and Dobrijevic tank called. The [Kh] completed the board, once more Dobrijevic checked, after some though Mullin cut out a bet of 13,375 and placed it over the line.

His opponent had 40,000 back and after a longer tank than on the turn he made the call, Mullin rolled over [Qh][9h] for a flopped straight and rivered straight flush! Dobrijevic flashed [Ad][As] as he mucked. -- NW

6.25pm: Chip leader
The top dog is still Emmett Mullin, he's got 95,000 at the moment. During the next break - 10 minutes from now - tournament staff are going to get the count of the biggest stack at each table and we'll have a clearer idea of the players challenging Mullin for the lead. -- NW

6.20pm: Heinzelmann has more beans
To finish runner-up in one EPT might seem unfortunate, two a touch careless as Max Heinzelmann might attest to.

He's flying high here in Nottingham as he's up to roughly 60,000 after eliminating Kathleen Padovani. I only saw the river action, there was a full board of [4c][3c][As][7s][6c] on the felt and around 14,000 in the pot. Heinzelmann (big blind) set Padovani all-in for around 20,000 and she went into the tank. Eventually she emerged and said: "Well, if you've got it you've got it," and called. Heinzelmann showed [9h][5d] for the rivered straight, whilst Padovani showed [Ac][6s] for two pair. -- NW

6.10pm: Cody's eureka moment

6pm: Stancu Huanged out to dry
Vasile Stancu is out, leaving behind him an empty seat and a half eaten burger. He was just the latest victim of Caicai Huang, who ruthlessly dispatched him and has in front of her a stack of about 85,000.

In the next hand Dale Philip opened from under the gun. With the action on Huang in the big blind she called for a flop of [8h][5c][kh]. Huang checked to Philip who bet 1,800. Huang happily called and then checked the [as] turn, as did Philip, for a [6h] river card. This time Huang made it 3,000 to play. It was too much for the now defeated Philip and Huang scooped the pot. Make that 90,000. - SB

5.50pm: Cody hits the turn to avoid hitting the rail
Jake Cody in gets there shocker...

We jest of course its a bit of a myth that Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody has more luck than your average poker player. What is undeniable though is that he just got very lucky in a pot against Ryan O'Donnell.

O'Donnell opened, Jeraint Hazan flat called and Cody moved all-in for 10,500 with pocket fives, O'Donnell called with pocket nines and Cody was in bad shape. That was until he turned a five to stay alive. The next hand he took a small pot from Sin Melin - she's recently moved to that table - and he's up to 24,000 whilst O'Donnell is down to 27,000. -- NW

5.40pm: Olympios falls, a bit
Revenge is sweet for Kathleen Padovani who just took a chunk of chips back from Andreas Olympios, bringing them back to their rightful owner.

She opened, only to see the familiar site of Mount Olympios raising again. So, as before, she called.

The flop came [2d][8h][tc]. Padovani checked to Olmpios who, in text book fashion, raised to 2,200. But this time Padovani had a trick up her sleeve and was ready with a re-raise. Admittedly it was an under raise, but with the numbers corrected she waited, chin up, as Olympios, winded slightly, made his decision. He folded.

Padovani, triumphant, showed pocket deuces for a flopped set. "He keeps doing it," she said. "I'm not going to let him get away with it!" -- SB

5.35pm: Exits
A total of 28 players were eliminated during the last level. Among the fallers were:Dale Philip, Sunil Mistri, Thomas Ward, Patrick Leonard, Daniel Stacey, Colburn Tomlin and Jerome Bradpiece.

199 of 265 entrants remain, they include EPT10 Barcelona champion Tom Middleton who's a late arrival. -- NW

Blinds up: 200/400, ante 50

5.15pm: Chip counts
Emmett Mullin appears to be the current chip leader as he has around 65,000. "I had aces and an opponent had kings, easy game," he told me.

Other counts are:

Mickey Petersen - 26,000
Jon Spinks - 51,000
Dale Philip - 13,000
Zimnan Ziyard - 30,000
Patryk Slusarek - 37,000
Tim Slater - 41,000
Dan Carter - 15,000
Dara O'Kearney - 14,000
Sergio Aido - 38,000
Craig McCorkell - 6,000
Dermot Blain - 24,000
Jonathan Weekes - 16,000
Nick Wealthall - 17,000
Fergal Nealon - 13,200

Jen Mason - 30,000
Thomas Ward - 12,000
Sin Melin - 31,000
Neil Raine - 11,500
Tim Davie - 12,000
Fintan Gavin - 26,000
James Atkin - 12,000
David Docherty - 19,900
Rupinder Bedi - 18,000
Osman Mustanoglu - 21,000
Max Heinzelmann - 31,000
John Eames - 42,000
Tom Hall - 33,000
Willie Tann - 55,000

5.05pm: Olympios Games
Kathleen Padovani just saw a portion of her stack make a leftward jump, into the arms of Andreas Olympios.

She opened for 600 on the button but Olympios re-raised in the small blind to 2,000. Padovani held firm, and called the raise for a flop of [8h][3c][as], but perhaps regretted doing so when Olympios bet 2,500. Padovani folded. - SB

5pm: Life is sweet for Ben
"You just missed set over set on this table," said Ben Sweetman to me and he went on to explain that he'd flopped a set of queens at the same time as Ben Martin flopped a set of threes, so one Ben is up to 38,000, whilst the other is down to 3,000.

Due to this I did see Steve Watts exit though, he moved in for 3,500 with [Kc][4c] and Simon Hemsworth, who was closing the action, called with [As][6s]. The [4d][10s][Ad][3s][Qd] board sent Watts to the rail and boosted Hemsworth to 18,500.

4.50pm: Prew loses one to Brammer
During the last break Rich Prew told me that Chris Brammer had been raising roughly four out of six pots every orbit and folding to three-bets about 50% of the time. Well the two of them just played a pot where Brammer didn't fold to resistance.

Pre-flop Brammer opened the button, Prew three-bet and Brammer peeled to create a pot of 4,700 as the flop fell [7s][3h][3s], Prew led for 2,500 and called when Brammer raised to 6,000. The [Jh] hit the turn, Prew checked to Brammer, he moved all-in for 11,125 and Prew took a few seconds before calling.

Brammer: [4c][3c]
Prew: [Qs][Js]

Prew had outs but he missed them all on the [6h] river, he slips to 8,000 whilst Brammer is up to around 40,000. -- NW

4.40pm: Four-king hell
Peter Craw did everything right. He opened for 700 and then moved all-in when Jorge Bretti re-raised to 1,525. So he must have felt pretty good turning over [ac][as] against Bretti's [ks][kc].

But the Gods had other ideas, delivering a board so heavy in Bretti's favour that it nearly tipped up the table, coming as it did [kd][3c][4c][kh][2s]. Craw managed to laugh, possibly because the alternative was to cry. Craw out. Bretti up to around 50,000. - SB

4.25pm: Into the next level
With four levels now played we move sequentially into level 5. Click here for coverage from levels 1 to 4.

Play in full swing

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham 6-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

So that's that. The opening day of the UKIPT Nottingham 6-max Main Event is finally at an end. It took three days, 24 levels, and processed 458 players. Now the surviving 191 players will unite as one tomorrow, and play on towards a first prize of £100,000.

This third of the three openers was by far the biggest. Some 265 players arrived this morning, many tempted by the promise of added value, with a guaranteed prize pool of £500,000 on offer. They came, they played, and 151 departed. But not Benjamin Rivera who leads tonight, bagging up 135,000 after eight levels of play in the saloons of Dusk Till Dawn.

Rivera's performance was one of many so far this week that have stood out. The Spaniard may not have got his lead in formidable style but will be among the leaders tomorrow, new territory for a man with only two live cashes in Spain to his name. But as much as he leads tonight it is not quite the overall lead. That remains in the hands of Mitch Johnson, who closed Day 1A with 171,500 chips.

Chip leader today, Benjamin Rivera

Others caught the eye as they worked up sizable stacks tonight.

Rupinder Bedi returns with 110,000, as does Emmett Mullen with 101,800, Sin Melin on 96,000, Ryan Spittles with 91,400, Jonathan Spinks with 81,600, Mickey Petersen with 47,500 and Dermot Blain on 37,200, each of whom live to play another day. The full list of players who had chips at the end of play today can be found on our official chip count page.

Sin Melin

Chris Brammer, who is well acquainted with the concept of victory, is one of those rare players who is fascinating to watch play. It's not just about the cards with Brammer, but about this unusual aura he brings with him, a kind of bewildered genius in headphones.

A rare smile from Chris Brammer

He finished with 35,900 today, and spent the day bringing frustration to others at his tables who either banged the table in irritation or took him on directly, with predictable results. His stack may be on the short side, but he will remain a threat come tomorrow as we inch towards the money.

Many will not be returning.

Jeremy Wray, Martins Adeniya, David Vamplew and Jerome Bradpiece all departed today, as did Sunny Chattha, Gordon Huntly and EPT winners Thomas Middleton and Jake Cody. It was a long list of eliminations.

Team PokerStars Pro Jake Cody

For now though attention is not on those we have lost, but on those who will return tomorrow for Day 2 of the Main Event. It could easily prove the defining day of this tournament, the day that the big stacks establish their places, while the others to their best to hang on.

It all starts at midday tomorrow, with the evening turned over to the PokerStars player party. Before the carnage of that, the carnage of eight levels.

For now, you can catch up on the events of today at the following links, the first detailing coverage of levels 1 to 4, and the second doing the same for levels 5 to 8.

Join us tomorrow for Day 2 of the Main Event.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.

5.25pm: Hand for hand continues
Dara O'Kearney doubled-up twice to deny the rest of the field a guaranteed cash finish.

His first double-up came with 74 players left with a pair of sixes against the pocket threes of Paul Delaney. That kept him going a little longer but not for long. And so with hand for hand play ongoing he shoved again, getting a call from David Jones.

The pair then waited for all other tables to be concluded before showing their cards. O'Kearney looked pretty calm as he waited and it would become clear why. He flipped up two black aces while Jones could only manage [ah][qh].

There was always the threat of hearts, which two players who had come over to watch ungraciously pointed out with an eye on their own skins. But none came. The board ran out [4s][ad][2c][6c][jc] to double up O'Kearney.

"It's the only hand I'm shoving," he said. - SB

5pm: On the bubble
With the exits of Michael Charlton, Richard Griffiths, Basharat Mahmood, Adam Reynolds and Michael Fernley we're now on the bubble.

Those at risk of bursting it include: David Docherty (35,000), Sean Randall (35,000) and Luke Hallinan (30,000). -- NW

4.40pm: Top chips counts at the start of level 13
Maurice Samuels -- 325,000
Ben Mayhew -- 325,000
Richard Kellet -- 280,000
David Jones -- 249,000
Adam Forsyth -- 242,000

4.35pm: Play resumes
Play has resumed in level 13 with 77 players remaining. The top 71 will finish in the money. Check out details from levels 9 to 12 for the story so far.

Dave Ulliott's chips

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham 6-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

We expected Day 2 to sort things out. It didn't fail. After the end of eight levels, we slashed the field by 164, burst the bubble, and found ourselves a well known chip leader, setting us up nicely for a day of play tomorrow that will reduce the field to a final six.

The man out front is Chris Brammer.

We wrote yesterday of the likelihood that Chris Brammer could be one of the players to beat on Day 2, not least after his performance in the High Roller event where he finished second. It proved accurate. After what proved a brutal day he got the edge over Tim Wong, who led until the final stages, the pair bagging up 646,000 and 623,000 respectively.

Chip leader tonight, Chris Brammer

Tim Wong

The difference was owing to two hands played in the closing stages. Earlier today Wong had seized the lead with a great call. Now he would lose it to a great call, made by Ben Mayhew in a pot worth 100,000.

Meanwhile Brammer was doing the opposite, sending Sin Melin to the rail with ace-jack vs. ace-six, Melin being all in for 90,000. Her departure secured Brammer the lead.

Sin Melin

With the eight levels played on the day 31 players will return tomorrow for what should be a thriller.

Falling in behind Brammer and Wong are Tony Salmon, who bagged up 537,000 at the close, Spaniard Sergio Aido, a UKIPT winner in London in October, who closed on 511,000 and Abhiskek Khaitan on 493,000.
Other notable players will include John Eames with 388,000, Ben Vinson with 317,000, Richie Lawlor on 310,000, Jamie Skyes on 281,000 and Rupinder Bedi with 196,000. A full list of the chip counts is below:

Christopher Brammer - 646,000
Tim Hong Wong - 623,000
Tony Salmon - 537,000
Sergio Aido - 511,000
Abhishek Khaitan - 493,000
John Eames - 388,000
Joe Laming - 383,000
Viktor Leonov - 355,000
Colin Tang - 327,000
Ben Vinson - 317,000
Adam Forsyth - 313,000
Richard Lawlor -- 310,000
Robert Sherwood - 307,000
Ben Mayhew - 305,000
James Sykes - 281,000
Simon Deadman - 275,000
David Jones - 258,000
Emmett Mullin - 238,000
Nicholas Gavriel - 235,000
David Price - 201,000
Rupinder Bedi - 196,000
David Clifton-Burraway - 194,000
Charles Akadiri -- 188,000
Ganesh Jayaraman - 185,000
John Stokes - 185,000
Daniel Lukacs - 129,000
Nigel Pemberton - 125,000
Brendan Keenan - 120,000
Sarbjit Kular - 104,000
Ben Spraggons - 77,000
Iason Riziotis - 77,000

There was no time wasted on the way from 195 players to the bubble, which took a little longer than five levels. After nearly an hour of hand-for-hand play the bubble burst, to the relief of the final 71 players. That relief didn't extend to Dave Ulliott. He was the first to depart, sauntering to the rail after his pocket sixes ran into pocket queens. He would find plenty of company before the day was out.

Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott

Dara O'Kearney, who had doubled up twice on the bubble, secured a cash finish but departed in 66th place. David Docherty went out in 54th place while the combined Day 1 chip leader Mitch Johnson was eliminated in 46th place. Matt Perrins departed in 40th place, immediately followed by Jack Ellwood in 39th. Another big name Jason Wheeler was out in 35th place.

Dara O'Kearney

At one stage it looked as though Mickey Petersen had a place in Day 3 locked up. He doubled up three times in the evening session, taking his stack from eight big blinds to more than 250,000. But then down again to a handful of blinds he shoved with eight-seven of hearts, only for Nicholas Gavriel to stop him with aces. Petersen went out in 36th place.

PokerStars Team Online's Mickey Petersen

It means 31 players will spend at least part of their Sunday playing for a place at the final table. It also leaves them the difficult choice. Do they choose discipline--an early night to be well rested for tomorrow? Or instead opt for ill-discipline--a short walk into the marquee and the PokerStars players party, specifically it's free bar, which is now well and truly open.

That choice will no doubt be written on the faces of the players tomorrow when the action restarts at midday. For now you can catch up on the events of today at the following links, this one for levels 9 to 12, and this one for levels 13 to 16. And you can see who's cashed for what so far right here.

For now though it's good night from Nottingham.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.

4.35pm: Break time
The players are now on a 15 minute break. You'll find level 21 updates in a new post. -- NW

4.30pm: Sykes wins a big one from Clifton-Burraway
I only caught the action from the turn, but Jamie Sykes fired out 75,000 into a pot of 130,000 with the board showing [kh][2c][10s][9s] after a long tank David Clifton-Burraway made the call.

The [8d] completed the board, Sykes went deep, betting 300,000 which was about the size of the pot. Cue a longer tank from Clifton-Burraway but an eventual fold. -- NW

4.25pm: Mayhew doubles up, a broken man
Ben Mayhew may be still in the Main Event, but it's coming at a price. He just "got lucky" a third time and plays on, albeit sheepishly.

This latest hand came against Sergio Aido. Mayhew shoved with [qd][td] and Aido called, turning over [ks][kc]. The flop looked suspicious, coming [jd][3d][9s]. then a turn card [kh] and a river card [qh].

To look at Mayhew was to see a man busted and broken. Actually he was alive and embarrassed, the straight doubling him up.

"Please leave that one off," he said, looking over at me. "Can't have three in a row like that." -- SB

4.15pm: Brammer among the leaders
Chris Brammer has leapt towards the chip lead in a massive hand against big stack Tony Salmon.

With the board already reading [9h][9c][td][qh] Salmon checked to Brammer who bet 60,000. Salmon then check-raised to 150,000. Brammer tanked for a while. Then quietly, but with his usual conviction, announced that he was all in. Salmon called in a flash and turned over [js][9s]. But Brammer had that beaten, turning over [jd][ks] for the straight. The river, a [2s] changed nothing. Suddenly Brammer is up to more than a million, whilst Salmon drops to a little less. - SB

4.05pm: David Price doubles through Ben Vinson
From the cut-off David Price opened to 26,000, one seat along Ben Vinson bumped it to 56,000, Price then shoved for 300,000 total and Vinson called it off.

Price: [Jd][Jh]
Vinson: [Ks][Qd]

It was a race, but not for long as the run out was [Jc][4d][3d][6h][9d] to boost Price to 600,000 and drop Vinson to 730,000. -- NW

4pm: Approximate chip counts

11 , 1 , Ganesh Jayaraman 360,000
11 , 2 , David Clifton-burraway 440,000
11 , 3 , Adam Forsyth 1,250,000
11 , 4 , Tony Salmon 1,500,000
11 , 5 , Christopher Brammer 460,000
11 , 6 , James Sykes 700.000

13 , 1 , David Price 250,000
13 , 2 , Ben Vinson 1,050,000
13 , 3 , Richard Lawlor 600,000
13 , 4 , Ben Mayhew 300,000
13 , 5 , Tim Hong Wong 800,000
13 , 6 , Sergio Aido Espina 950,000

3.55pm: All change
With a new seat draw it was all change for the players who racked up their chips and went in search of their new seat. All except for Ganesh Jayaraman who could carry his chips and his fork, but not his plate of food.

From the off Ben Vinson came out firing. Sergio Aido opened for 25,000 in the hijack. Vinson then made it 58,000 on the button before Aido four-bet 142,000. Vinson had a solution to this nonsense, which was to shove, which he did, getting an immediate fold from Aido. - SB

3.45pm: Final two table redraw
Here's the seat draw of the final two tables, we'll get eyes on chip counts when play restarts.

Table 11:

11 , 1 , Ganesh Jayaraman
11 , 2 , David Clifton-burraway
11 , 3 , Adam Forsyth
11 , 4 , Tony Salmon
11 , 5 , Christopher Brammer
11 , 6 , James Sykes

Table 13:

13 , 1 , David Price
13 , 2 , Ben Vinson
13 , 3 , Richard Lawlor
13 , 4 , Ben Mayhew
13 , 5 , Tim Hong Wong
13 , 6 , Sergio Aido Espina

Blinds up: 12,000/24,000, ante 2,000

3.35pm: Joe Laming eliminated in 13th place (£6,100)
Whilst David Clifton-Burraway was still stacking chips we had another all-in and call on a different table.

Pre-flop Joe Laming raised to 23,000 from the cut-off, Tony Salmon three-bet to 56,000 on the button and Laming made the call. The flop fell [Kh][10s][3h], Salmon c-bet 81,000, Laming check-raised all-in for 332,000 and after getting a count Salmon made the call.

Laming: [Jh][9h]
Salmon: [Ah][10h]

The [8d] turn gave Laming some straight outs but he missed them all on the [3s] river. Salmon now up to 1.1M.

There's now a short break whilst they redraw to the final two tables. -- NW

3.30pm: Abhishek Khaitan eliminated in 14th place (£5,300)
The pace of play just refuses to be anything other than all the way up to eleven.

Abhishek Khaitan has just succumbed to David Clifton-Burraway in a pot that has seen the latter climb to 1.15M.

I only saw the hand when the cards were on their backs, Clifton-Burraway held [Qs][Qh] and Khaitan had [Qc][9c] and the full board was [3s][10s][Qd][8s][Kc]. After he'd finished stacking his chips Clifton-Burraway told me that Khaitan had flat called pre-flop, check-raised the flop and then shoved the turn.

News of another exit coming right up. -- NW

3.30pm: Action, action and, oh yes, more action
Right where to start, how about with how Jamie Sykes is up to over a million.

Richie Lawlor opened to 20,000 on the button, Ben Spraggons three-bet to 53,000 from the small blind, Jamie Sykes then cold four-bet to 107,000 from the big blind. Lawlor passed, Spraggons shipped for 315,000 and Sykes snap called.

Spraggons: [Ac][Qc]
Sykes: [Ah][Kh]

The [10d][6d][7h][3d][4s] board kept Sykes in the lead and sent Spraggons to the rail in 15th place.

Meanwhile on table 11 the best ace was not holding up. Ben Mayhew had opened to 20,000 on the button, Sergio Aido three-bet to 53,000, Mayhew moved all-in for 284,000 and Aido called.

Mayhew: [Ad][10h]
Aido: [As][Kh]

The [Qh][Kd][6d] flop was definitely near the top of Mayhew's wish list, the [7d] turn another good card for him and the [3d] a belter. Aido leaned backed in his seat and took a sip of his beer as he took in the beat. He's still the chip leader with 1.3M though. "No wonder you can afford shirts like that," quipped Joe Laming to Mayhew as he stacked his chips. -- NW

3.15pm: Leonov out amid a flurry of all-ins
Viktor Leonov is the next faller, another victim of Sergio Aido. Leonov got his chips in with pocket nines against Aido's ace-king. An ace hit first on the flop, infuriating Leonov who found nothing else to help him. Out in 16th place while Aido pushes the 2 million mark.

Elsewhere there were all-ins galore, most of which came from Ben Mayhew who, reduced to 69,000. Mayhew confessed to wanting out, thanks to some earlier mishaps that had dampened his spirit somewhat. So he shoved, three times actually, without any takers. Each time he would enjoy an elaborate--ironic--celebration.

Ben Mayhew

Meanwhile Ben Spraggers called all in with [ad][6h] against the opening shove with [ks][9s]. The board ran [8d][5h][jh][7c][9h]. Spragger saw the nine on the river and assumed he was out. But it was pointed out to him he'd made a straight. Spraggers confessed he was worried only of a king or a nine.

Back with Ben Mayhew and a first proper double up, coming through Tim Wong. Mayhew had found [as][4d] against Wong's [9h][9c]. Mayhew hit the ace on the flop, the board running [3c][8s][ah][tc][7d]. A good double for Mayhew who seems less keen to depart now.

There was one last double to report, this one for Ben Vinson through Abhishek Khaitan. The chips were being repackaged as we caught up with it, Vinson showing ace-jack with two jacks on the flop against Khaitan's ace-queen. Vinson now up to around 850,000. - SB

3.05pm: Aido laying down the law
Two of the big stacks just clashed on table 11 with Sergio Aido coming out on top. He opened to 22,000 from the cut-off, Tim Wong three-bet to 72,000 from the button and Aido responded with more aggression, making it 185,000 total. After a long old think Wong sent his cards into the muck. -- NW

3pm: Nigel Pemberton eliminated in 17th place (£4,700)
After Richie Lawlor opened to 20,000 from the cut-off Nigel Pemberton moved all-in for 143,000 from the small blind. Back on Lawlor he counted out the call, counted out his remaining chips (roughly 335,000) and then made the call.

Lawlor: [2d][2h]
Pemberton: [Ah][Kh]

The [7s][10c][Jd][2c][9d] board kept Lawlor in front and he's now up to 625,000. -- NW

2.50pm: Riziotis out in 18th
There was no way back for the shortest of the 18 stacks as Iason Riziotis is out...

It folded to Joe Laming in the small blind he had [Ac][Kc] and set Riziotis in for his 11 big blinds, Riziotis called it off with [Kc][Jh] and watched on as the board ran [3s][3h][2c][4c][Qc]. Laming up to 500,000 as a result. -- NW

2.45pm: Seat draw at 18

11 1 Ben Mayhew United Kingdom PokerStars Player
11 2 Sergio Aido Espina Spain
11 3 Tim Hong Wong Malaysia
11 4 Viktor Leonov Lithuania
11 5 Joe Laming United Kingdom
11 6 Iason Riziotis  United Kingdom

12 1 Nigel Pemberton United Kingdom
12 2 James Sykes United Kingdom
12 3 Adam Forsyth United Kingdom 
12 4 Ganesh Jayaraman United Kingdom
12 5 Richard Lawlor Ireland  PokerStars Qualifier
12 6 Ben Spraggons United Kingdom PokerStars Qualifier

13 1 Christopher Brammer United Kingdom PokerStars Qualifier
13 2 Ben Vinson United Kingdom
13 3 Abhishek Khaitan India
13 4 Tony Salmon United Kingdom
13 5 David Clifton-Burraway United Kingdom PokerStars Qualifier
13 6 David Price United Kingdom PokerStars Qualifier

2.40pm: Down to 18
Simon Deadman has finally given up the ghost. After a spirited fight when his stack was cut short in an earlier all-in, Deadman called all in from the big blind with [ks][8c] after Ben Vinson shoved in the small blind with [kd][ts].

The board ran [2c][6h][ac][8h][th] to send Deadman out in 20th place.

With the elimination of Colin Tang play stopped with 18 players remaining. When Abhishek Khaitan opened for 23,000 Tang shoved for 180,000 and Khaitan called, turning over [ah][jh] against Tang's [js][jc].

The board ran [3c][6d][td][ad][tc], the turn card giving Khaitan a stack worth nearly one million and ending Tang's day in 19th place.

Details of the three-table re-draw coming shortly. - SB

2.30pm: Chip counts
Here are the chip counts of the 20 remaining players at the start of level 19:

Sergio Aido Espina, Spain, 993,000
Tony Salmon, United Kingdom, 855,000
Tim Hong Wong, Malaysia, 839,000
David Clifton-Burraway, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 610,000
Abhishek Khaitan, India, 580,000
Christopher Brammer, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 550,000
Ganesh Jayaraman, United Kingdom, 540,000
Adam Forsyth, United Kingdom, 520,000
James Sykes, United Kingdom, 507,000
Richard Lawlor, Ireland, PokerStars Qualifier, 439,000
Joe Laming, United Kingdom, 390,000
Ben Vinson, United Kingdom, 365,000
Viktor Leonov, Lithuania, 350,000
Colin Tang, United Kingdom, 350,000
David Price, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 320,000
Ben Spraggons, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 315,000
Nigel Pemberton, United Kingdom, 195,000
Ben Mayhew, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 138,000
Simon Deadman, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 130,000
Iason Riziotis, United Kingdom, 110,000

2.20pm: Back we go
The 20 remaining players are now back in their seats as play is underway. When we get down to 18 they'll be a complete re-draw. The top three at the moment are Sergio Aido (993.000), Tony Salmon (855,000) and Tim Wong (839,000). Full chip counts of the remaining players will be uploaded to the blog shortly. -- NW

2.10pm: Exits so far
A total of 11 players went out in the opening two levels. You can see them below and you can see all the in the money finishers here.

21st. Charles Akadiri, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, £3,700
22nd. John Eames, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, £3,700
23rd. Robert Sherwood, United Kingdom, £3,700
24th. John Stokes, Ireland, PokerStars Player, £3,200
25th. Rupinder Bedi, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, £3,200
26th. Emmett Mullin, Ireland, £3,200
27th. Nicholas Gavriel, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, £3,200
28th. David Jones, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, £3,200
29th. Sarbjit Kular, United Kingdom, £3,200
30th. Daniel Lukacs, Hungary , PokerStars Player, £2,800
31st. Brendan Keenan, Ireland, PokerStars Player, £2,800

Blinds up: 5,000/10,000, ante 75

2.01pm: Break
The players are now on a 20 minute break. -- NW

2pm: Sykes up, Riziotis down
James Sykes has doubled up. When Iason Riziotis shoved Sykes called all-in immediately, turning over [ah][ks]. Riziotis was behind, turning over [kd][qd].

The board ran [7d][jd][js][8c][2c] to the delight of Sykes. The pot was worth 239,000 which keeps Sykes alive a little longer, while Riziotis drops to 140,000 going into the break. - SB

1.55pm: Ben Spraggons doubles through Ben Vinson
It was the battle of the Ben's and this round has gone to Spraggons. He opened to 16,000 from under-the-gun, Vinson moved all-in for an effective 143,000 from the small blind and Spraggons said ok.

Spraggons: [As][Qh]
Vinson: [Ah][7d]

The [6c][8h][3h][Ac][2s] board kept Spraggons in front and he doubled to around 300,000 whilst Vinson is down to 370,000. -- NW

1.40pm: Akadiri doubles to put nail in coffin of Deadman
Charles Akadiri moved all-in with pocket nines which was called by Simon Deadman with ace-queen. The board ran [4c][jh][3s][th][8h] to double Akadiri while Deadman, reduced to less than 90,000 had work to do.

He was soon all-in. With his table four-handed he shoved with [qc][js] for 72,000 in what was effectively the button. Iason Riziotis was in the small blind and was ready to call with [ac][9h]. The board ran [7s][kc][kd][9c][jh] to double Deadman. - SB

1.20pm: Chip counts and table draws
Here are the rough chip counts and the seat draw of the final four tables

Table 11

11, 1 Abhishek Khaitan 520,000
11 , 2 , David Clifton-burraway 500,000
11 , 3 , Colin Tang 380,000
11 , 4 , Adam Forsyth 525,000
11 , 6 , David Price 425,000

Table 12

12 , 2 , Iason Riziotis 200,000
12 , 3 , James Sykes 200,000
12 , 4 , Ben Vinson 580,000
12 , 5 , Simon Deadman 170,000
12 , 6 , Charles Akadiri 120,000

Table 13

13 , 2 , Sergio Aido Espina 1,050,000
13 , 3 , Richard Lawlor 390,000
13 , 4 , Nigel Pemberton 220,000
13 , 5 , Ben Mayhew 260,000
13 , 6 , Tony Salmon 720,000

Table 14

14 , 1 , Ganesh Jayaraman 340,000
14 , 2 , Viktor Leonov 290,000
14 , 3 , Joe Laming 570,000
14 , 4 , Tim Hong Wong 600,000
14 , 5 , Christopher Brammer 700,000
14 , 6 , Ben Spraggons 170,000

1.20pm: Sergio Aido eliminates John Eames; claims the chip lead
Wowsers, we've just had the biggest pot of the tournament so far, a near million chip monster that has vaulted UKIPT3 London champion Sergio Aido to the chip lead and sent the dangerous John Eames to the rail.

Pre-flop Eames raised to 16,000 on the button, Aido three-bet to 44,000 from the small blind and Eames smooth called. The flop came [9c][Kc][4c] Aido c-bet 57,000, Eames raised to 122,000, Aido moved all-in and Eames called all-in for roughly 400,000 total.

Eames: [Ac][10s]
Aido: [4h][4s]

The Spaniard was a 71% favourite to win the pot and the chip lead, but should Eames make his flush he would have the chip lead. The turn was the [10d] and the river the [8h]. Eames shook the hands of his opponents as he left the table, Aido now has roughly 1,050,000 and the chip lead. -- NW

1.20pm: Sherwood out
Robert Sherwood is out in 23rd place. His was one of the more painful departures. Moments before he'd been on the verge of eliminating David Clifton-Burraway when the latter had moved in with pocket jacks. Sherwood called with ace-king but the board allowed the jacks to hold.

While Clifton-Burraway now had more than 200,000 Sherwood was reduced to about 75,000. He got this in good a few hands later, again against Clifton-Burraway, ace-eight vs. ace-deuce. All looked fine until the river, when a deuce promptly arrived to make this a forgettable afternoon for Sherwood.

He graciously wishes the others good luck as he walked bewildered to the rail. - SB

1.10pm: Bedi busts
Rupinder Bedi's reprieve didn't last long. He shoved for 16 big blinds with [Ks][8s] over the top of Chris Brammer's open only for Ganesh Jayaraman to find aces in the small blind. The aces held and we're now down to 24 players. -- NW

Blinds up: 4,000/8,000, ante 1,000

1.05pm: Brammer up again, Mullin out
There must be something terrible about playing against Brammer, betting and watching him pause for a second. In this case he paused to ask Laming and Jayaraman how many chips they had. Then he four bet, making it 80,000 to play. Jayaraman passed leaving Laming to take on the chip leader. He tanked for a moment but declined the opportunity, folding and sending another sizeable pot to Brammer uncontested.

Emmett Mullin meanwhile is the 26th place finisher. He shoved with ace-king and looked good up against Richard Lawlor's king-queen. But crucially the king-queen were hearts. There were two hearts on the flop, and a third on the river. - SB

1pm: Leonov levels Gavriel
Over on table 14 premium hands are definitely not at a premium. Just minutes after Rupinder Bedi doubled through Chris Brammer, a clash of two more top tier hands did for Nicholas Gavriel.

The action was started by Ganesh Jayaraman, he opened to 13,000, Viktor Leonov flat called and Gavriel then made it 48,000 to go. When it got back to Jayaraman he passed, but Leonov asked Gavriel for a count (he had about 160,000 back), Leonov moved all-in and Gavriel snap called.

Leonov: [Kd][Ks]
Gavriel: [Qd][Qc]

Gavriel looked disgusted when he saw Leonov's hand and it didn't get any better for him as the [Kh][Jh][5d][2h][6d] board kept Leonov in front and sent Gavriel to the rail in 27th place. -- NW

12.50pm: Brammer and Eames up as Jones departs
John Eames is up to 400,000 after a pot against Richard Lawlor. On a flop of [qh][2d][7h] Eames, in the big blind, checked to Lawlor who bet 16,000, which Eames then called for a [ah] turn card. Now Eames led the betting, making it 28,000 to play. That was enough to persuade Lawlor things were against him.

A table along there was a mess for Viktor Leonov on Chris Brammer's table.

On a flop of [5s][8d][3d] the action was checked to Joe Laming who bet 22,000. Chris Brammer then made it 60,000 but when it came to Leonov he called the 22,000 in error. He now had the option of either calling the 60,000 or losing the 22,000. He decided to call, for a turn card [qh].

Leonov then checked to Brammer who immediately seied on Leonov by moving all-in. It was a hand Leonov would rather forget. He passed.

There will be no more hands in this event for David Jones. He just departed in 28th place after shoving with ace-jack. Ben Vinson had pocket queens which held true on a [2d][2c][8s][kd][8h] board. Vinson is up to 600,000, while the field drops to 27. -- SB

12.45pm: Bedi doubles through Brammer
A much needed double up for Rupinder Bedi and it's come at the expense of Chris Brammer, who is still the chip leader despite this dent.

Bedi three-bet shoved for 72,000 from the button over the top of Brammer's open from the cut-off, Brammer called quickly with pocket jacks, but Bedi had him pipped with pocket queens. The [7s][Ah][4s][10c][Ad] kept him in front and he doubles to around 150,000 whilst Brammer is down to 720,000. -- NW

12.35pm: Easy come easy go for Kular
Just one hand after hitting the river to survive Sarbit Kular, he was out. He got it in with [Ad][Ks] against Adam Forsyth's pocket queens and the pair held and indeed improved on the [2d][4c][3h][8h][Qs] board.

Kular out in 29th for £3,200, Forsyth up to 465,000. -- NW

12.30pm: Sarbjit Kular doubles; Bedi getting short
A much needed double up for Sarbjit Kular, who called from the big blind with [Js][10s] for his final 71,000 after Rob Sherwood had set him in from the small blind with [Jc][9s]. An entertaining [4d][9c][Kc][7h][10d] run out ensued and Kular is up to around 148,000 whilst Sherwood slips to 230,000.

Elsewhere, Rupinder Bedi raised from the cut-off and Joe Laming called from the big blind. On the [8h][3d][Kc] flop Bedi c-bet 13,000 and Laming called. The [2s] turn slowed the action down, before Laming bet 25,000 on the [5c] river, Bedi called but mucked when Laming showed [Ks][7s]. After that hand Bedi has slipped to 60,000.

Brendan Keenan is also out, so we're down to 29 players. -- NW

12.20pm: Brammer up a bit while Lukucs heads for the rail
At one end of the room Chris Brammer just took 17,000 from Ganesh Jayaraman after he called Brammer's pre-flop raise from the small blind. Jayaraman, in the big blind, then folded to Brammer's bet on the ten-high flop.

At the other end of the room it was the end of the road for Daniel Lukacs. He got his chips in with king-deuce but was called by Simon Deadman with ace-king. The remaining kings quickly made an appearance, the board running [k][k][t][3][4]. - SB

12.15pm: Early action
Iason Riziotis has doubled up through Daniel Lukacs, all-in with jacks against ace-queen, Riziotis up to around 160,000, Lukacs down to 50,000.

And the fun and games between some of the more exciting table draws has already started.

John Eames opened to 12,000 and called when Sergio Aido three-bet to 21,000. They saw a [As][8s][7h] flop, Eames checked to Aido, he bet 24,000 and Eames called. The [8d] fell on the turn and Eames check-folded to a bet of 62,000. Round 1 to Aido.

On the adjacent table Jamie Sykes opened to 12,000 from the cut-off and called when Ben Vinson made it 23,000 on the button. Vinson c-bet 21,000 on the [Ac][3h][9s] flop and Sykes called. The [3c] turn checked through and the [4d] completed the board. Sykes bet 60,000, Vinson swiftly called, Sykes showed [8s][7s] but Vinson had [As][4c] to win the pot. -- NW

We're down to 31 players in the UKIPT Nottingham 6-max Main Event, and will play down to a final six today.

While yesterday was a day of broad strokes, with players eliminated by the dozen, today will be more of an intricate dissection of the field, as one by one they will make way for the others. For the neutral (do they exist in poker?) it should be a fascinating day of poker.

Leading them into the day is Chris Brammer. As we wrote last night Brammer surged to the lead at the close, overtaking Tim Wong for the overall advantage, eliminating Sin Melin. He returns with 646,000 chips today, slightly ahead of Wong on 623,000.

Here's the full list by seat

11, 1, Abhishek Khaitan, India, 493,000
11, 2, David Clifton-Burraway, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 194,000
11, 3, Colin Tang, United Kingdom , 327,000
11, 4, Adam Forsyth, United Kingdom , 313,000
11, 5, Robert Sherwood, United Kingdom , 307,000
11, 6, Sarbjit Kular, United Kingdom , 104,000

12, 1, Daniel Lukacs, Hungary , PokerStars Player, 129,000
12, 2, Iason Riziotis, United Kingdom , 77,000
12, 3, James Sykes, United Kingdom, 281,000
12, 4, Ben Vinson, United Kingdom, 317,000
12, 5, Simon Deadman, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 275,000

13, 1, John Eames, United Kingdom , PokerStars Player, 388,000
13, 2, Sergio Aido Espina, Spain, 511,000
13, 3, Richard Lawlor, Ireland , PokerStars Qualifier, 310,000
13, 4, Nigel Pemberton, United Kingdom , 125,000
13, 5, Brendan Keenan, Ireland , PokerStars Player, 120,000

14, 1, Ganesh Jayaraman, United Kingdom , 185,000
14, 2, Viktor Leonov, Lithuania, 355,000
14, 3, Joe Laming, United Kingdom , 383,000
14, 4, Nicholas Gavriel, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 235,000
14, 5, Christopher Brammer, United Kingdom , PokerStars Qualifier, 646,000

22, 1, Tim Hong Wong, Malaysia, 623,000
22, 3, Ben Mayhew, United Kingdom , PokerStars Player, 305,000
22, 4, Rupinder Bedi, United Kingdom , PokerStars Qualifier, 196,000
22, 5, Emmett Mullin, Ireland , 238,000
22, 6, Charles Akadiri, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 188,000

23, 2, Ben Spraggons, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 77,000
23, 3, David Price, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 201,000
23, 4, David Jones, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 258,000
23, 5, Tony Salmon, United Kingdom, 537,000
23, 6, John Stokes, Ireland , PokerStars Player, 185,000

All the way down to six today. Play starts at noon. - SB

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham 6-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

6.25pm: Salmon gets some juice
A big pot has just gone the way of Tony Salmon and he's claimed the chip lead as a result.

Salmon opened to 50,000 from under-the-gun, Richie Lawlor three-bet to 128,000 on the button and when it got back to Salmon he smooth called. The flop fell [Kh][10d][7s], Salmon checked, Lawlor bet 128,000 and Salmon flat called. On the [9h] turn Salmon led for 150,000 and Lawlor tank-called.

The [6d] completed the board, Salmon led for 200,000 and Lawlor went deep into the tank, so deep in fact that Salmon called the clock. He was given a countdown and his hand was ruled dead when it expired. As he took the pot Salmon showed [Ad][Qc] as he took the pot. He's up to 1,700,000. -- NW

6.15pm: Lawlor moves
Richard Lawlor is the player moved from table 11 to table 13. He sits to the immediate left of Chris Brammer.

6.10pm: James Sykes out in 11th place
After what felt like a long stretch another player has been sent to the rail. In a pot opened by Chris Brammer, James Sykes three-bet, Tony Salmon four-bet, and Brammer folded. Sykes then five-bet shoved which was called by Salmon who showed [ac][qc] to Sykes's pocket jacks.

The board ran [7c][qh][4h][4d][qd]. Sykes was out in 11th place while Salmon moves up to 1.6 million. - SB

6.05pm: Starting stack
The big blind is now the same as the stack everyone started with on Day 1. -- NW

Blinds up: 10,000/20,000, ante 3,000

6pm: Sykes calls the clock on himself
Jamie Sykes was taking so long over his river decision that he called the clock on himself!

The pot started innocently enough with David Clifton-Burraway raising to 32,000 and Sykes calling from the big blind. The board came [2c][5h][9d][2d][6h], Sykes check-called bets of 35,000 and 85,000 on the flop and turn and was then faced with a bet of 185,000 on the river.

"I don't think I've ever seen you bluff," said Sykes to Clifton-Burraway and he then asked the dealer to spread the pot. "Are you bluffing because I want me to think that you're bluffing or are you actually bluffing?" said Sykes out loud, before continuing to riffle the calling chips between his fingers.

He then apologised to the table and as the final seconds of the level ticked by he called the clock on himself. About 20 seconds later he folded his hand, but he didn't look happy about it. -- NW

5.50pm: Salmon leaps to a million
Ganesh Jayaraman opened for 41,000 which Tony Salmon called from the big blind. That brought them to a turn card on a board of [jc][4c][td][6h]. Salmon bet 51,000 which Jayaraman called for a [qc] river. Again Salmon bet, 55,000 this time. Jayaraman called but was helpless against the [kd][9h] of Salmon, the straight moving him up to around 1 million chips to Jayaraman's 520,000. - SB

5.45pm: Aido Vamosses his way back
Richard Lawlor opened for 32,000 and Tim Wong called from the small blind. Sergio Aido was in the big blind and shoved all-in for 295,000. Lawlor passed but Wong, after a series of elaborate hand gestures, called, showing [8s][8d]. Aido had over cards with [ks][ts]. Aido got relief on the flop, as the board ran [6c][td][5d][ad][ac]. Aido managed a "Vamos!" - SB

5.35pm: Stalemate
Not much to report in the last few minutes. Chris Brammer forced a fold from Ganesh Jayaraman by betting on the king-high flop. Then in a hand between Jamie Sykes and David Clifton-Burraway, a bet of 100,000 from Clifton-Burraway forced Skyes to fold on a board of [kh][8h][ad][as][jd]. - SB

5.20pm: Salmon getting fried
It's fair to say Tony Salmon has not had a good time of it since we combined to the final two tables. He started this period of play with around 1,500,000 and was the chip leader.

He's now down to around 630,000, in part due to doubling up Chris Brammer (see 4.15pm post) but having Brammer and Jamie Sykes to his immediate left has not proved fruitful.

In the latest example of this he opened to 30,000 from the hi-jack, Sykes three-bet to 80,000 from the button, Salmon four-bet to 130,000 and Sykes moved in. He had Salmon covered meaning he'd shoved for an effective 700,000. Salmon shot bolt upright in his seat and played with some chips in his hand, exasperated and the constant punishment.

Eventually he laid his hand down, pot to Sykes. -- NW

5.10pm: Forsyth's saga at an end
Adam Forsyth was the short stack at the start of the new level so was always under pressure. So when he found pocket sixes he pushed in behind a raise from Ganesh Jayaraman. Jayaraman thought about it briefly, then called what amounted to about 200,000. He showed pocket jacks.

The board ran [ks][7d][qd][8d][8c] to end Forsyth's day. With a big sigh of relief Jayaraman moves up to around 700,000. - SB

5pm: Cagey stuff
The number of players has been stuck on 12 for around 75 minutes of play and the cagey action has continued in level 21.

The only showdown I've seen was in a hand between Chris Brammer and Jamie Sykes in which the former made it 35,000 pre-flop from the cut-off and Sykes flat called from the big blind.

The two of them then proceeded to check it down on a [8d][10d][Ks][6h][3h] board, Sykes opened [Ah][Qd] to claim the pot.

Other than that most pots have been claimed pre-flop. -- NW

4.45pm: Chip counts going into the new level

11 , 1 , Ganesh Jayaraman 420,000
11 , 2 , David Clifton-burraway 1,100,000
11 , 3 , Adam Forsyth 280,000
11 , 4 , Tony Salmon 880,000
11 , 5 , Christopher Brammer 1,200,000
11 , 6 , James Sykes 1,100,000

13 , 1 , David Price 730,000
13 , 2 , Ben Vinson 600,000
13 , 3 , Richard Lawlor 870,000
13 , 4 , Ben Mayhew 505,000
13 , 5 , Tim Hong Wong 860,000
13 , 6 , Sergio Aido Espina 620,000

4.40pm: Play continues
Live coverage of the UKIPT Nottingham 6-max Main Event continues here. Click here to find all the details of the days play up to now.

The action continues

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham 6-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

It was a day full of surprises, but the final table of the UKIPT Nottingham 6-max now has a final table in place. The field was reduced from 31 to just six in a little more than eight-and-a-half hours, pushing former chip leaders and notables aside to make way for the cast who will be the main feature at Dusk Till Dawn tomorrow afternoon.

Of that six, that name that stands out is David Clifton-Burraway. He returns as chip leader tomorrow, bagging up 2,200,000 tonight and the advantage over the field. His play was thoughtful and effective today, rarely found to be putting a foot wrong and winning a key hand against Chris Brammer to cement his lead.

Chip leader going into tomorrow's final table: David Clifton-Burraway

Clifton-Burraway's lead was at one stage enormous, but was gradually pegged back. Close behind him is Tony Salmon on 1,996,000, part of the fierce line-up of competition to contest the £100,000 first prize tomorrow. Salmon continues to play great poker and seems never to have been far from the lead throughout the event. He used the same formula to find success today.

Tony Salmon

The same goes for the likes of Ben Vinson and Sergio Aido. Both though have shown exceptional talent, as well as the desire that will be required for success tomorrow.

Aido, on course for a UKIPT double following his win in London last season, was unlucky at times today (the Mayhew effect), but even when against the ropes showed patience and confidence to regroup, and regroup he did, closing on 1,342,000 tonight.

Sergio Aido

Vinson brought the day to a close eliminating Richard Lawlor to bag up 1,648,000. A regular at DTD and with close a million dollars in tournament earnings, he has yet to bag his first major title. That could change tomorrow.

Ben Vinson

Of all the players at the final table perhaps Ben Mayhew will look back and wonder how he'd done it. Mayhew is a talented player and was perhaps overly-graciouos at times, but that was only because he survived at least four double ups, often coming from behind, to survive.

Ben Mayhew

Down to 69,000 after a bad period midway through the day, he seemed most keen on getting out of here at one point, but went on a run of double-ups. It wasn't quite so bad, but Mayhew was sheepish after each, except for the last one which doubled him up through David Clifton-Burraway to the tune of 1,451,000.

The sixth player at the final was a former chip leader in the Main Event, Tim Wong, who seemed always to hover around average today, his knack of always being able to recover lost chips providing his salvation.

Tim Hong

But towards the close he had his eyes on a place in the final and his stack paid the price. He'll return as the short stack tomorrow with 447,000.

Here's how they'll line up for the final. You can find details of each on the player profile page.

1. Tim Hong Wong - 447,000
2. Sergio Aido Espina - 1,342,000
3. Ben Vinson - 1,648,000
4. David Clifton-Burraway - 2,200,000
5. Tony Salmon -- 1,996,000
6. Ben Mayhew - 1,451,000

The day started in much the same was it had left off. There was no shortage of eliminations as the returning 31 players got started this afternoon. Brendan Keenan was first to go and was quickly followed by the likes of David Jones, Emmett Mullin and Rupinder Bedi.

One of the early surprises was the departure of John Eames in 22nd place who clashed with Sergio Aido, who would be a central character throughout the day.

The eliminations would continue. Charles Akidiri followed Eames, with Viktor Leonov, Ben Spraggons and Abhishek Khaitan all making their way to the rail.

Ben Spraggons

Perhaps the biggest surprise though came in the elimination of Chris Brammer.
The chip leader coming into the day, Brammer continued to add to his stack for most of the day. If he trailed it was only because others leapfrogged his stack, and he was never slow to regain the advantage. But then came a hand against Clifton-Burraway that could prove the defining hand of the tournament.

All smiles: Chris Brammer

It took about ten minutes to play, most of which to the sound of Clifton-Burraway's phone ringing in his pocket. That he didn't answer was testimony to how still he remained as his river bet of 500,000 was pondered by Brammer. The board read [kd][jh][7h][8s][7d] and after much thought Brammer called, only for Clifton-Burraway to show sevens over kings to take a massive pot.

The immediate effect on Brammer, like most things one assumes, was minor. He winced slightly and nodded, but that was all. But his stack was now just 400,000 strong, and while others chose to nurse such amounts Brammer made his move with [td][9d]. Clifton-Burraway called with pocket fives, made a set on the flop and took what little Brammer had left as he departed in seventh.

Seven handed action

That left seven around one table but the departure of Richard Lawlor brought play to an end,

Lawlor had played well throughout the day, coming alive after a seat change with two tables remaining. Suddenly he started playing more pots, attacking big stacks to transform his own. Then he suffered from the same volatility that 6-max had bestowed upon the others, and suddenly short, he pushed against Ben Vinson's ace-queen with pocket eights. The queen on the turn brought his tournament, and the day, to a close.

Out on the final table bubble: Richard Lawlor

For a full list of the day's finishing positions check out the official pay-out page.
Catch up on all the action from the day at the relevant links. This one will take you that from levels 17 to 20, while this one will do the same for levels 21 to 23.

Until tomorrow then, when the final table begins at the slightly later time of 2pm, it's good night from Nottingham.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter.

4.40pm: Approximate Chip counts

Tim Wong -- 400,000
Ben Vinson -- 800,000
David Clifton-Burraway -- 2,850,000
Tony Salmon -- 1,900,000
Ben Mayhew -- 2,700,000

4.35pm: Won hanging on
Tim Wong is the short, shorter, shortest stack and knows it. But as the cards are dealt he cannot seem to bring himself to push.

Meanwhile Ben Vinson opened for 110,000 in the cut off which Ben Mayhew raised to 235,000 in the big blind. Vinson called for a flop of [td][6s][9d]. Mayhew bet another 195,000 which Vinson called for an [8d] turn. Mayhew checked before Vinson lumped in 285,000. Mayhew then announced that he was all in, which forced the fold from Vinson, who drops down to 800,000. Mayhew on the other hand is now up to 2.7 million. - SB

Blinds up: 20,000/40,000, ante 5,000

4.25pm: Mayhew, Clifton-Burraway and Vinson at the centre of the action
In the last two orbits Ben Vinson has won three pots, Ben Mayhew has taken two, as has David Clifton-Burraway.

And when they've not been winning them, they've been losing them. The most significant action saw Ben Mayhew open to 80,000 from the cut-off, Clifton-Burraway three-bet to 260,000 and Mayhew then four-bet to 500,000. After a brief period in the tank Clifton-Burraway folded. -- NW

4.15pm: Sergio Aido eliminated in sixth place for £20,700
After more than two hours of play the first elimination, and it's Spaniard Sergio Aido that heads to the rail first.

Sergio Aido out in sixth

Aido open shoved from the small blind for what was roughly 700,000 (Ben Vinson would later admit to not looking), before Ben Vinson called from the big.

Aido: [ad][3h]
Vinson: [ac][qh]

The board ran [kh][as][8c][2s][jh] to send Aido out in sixth place. After handshakes all round Vinson stacked up 1.7 million chips. We're down to five. - SB

4.10pm: Glittering cash prizes
A reminder of what the final six are playing for today:

1st £100,000
2nd £60,450
3rd £43,200
4th £34,000
5th £26,750
6th £20,700

4.05pm: A couple of walks, one flop and not a lot else
It's still cagey here in Nottingham but we have had one flop. In the hand that made it that far David Clifton-Burraway raised to 80,000 from under-the-gun and Ben Vinson called from the big blind. The latter folded to a c-bet of 125,000 on the [6c][10d][7c] flop though. -- NW

4pm: Salmon mucks against Clifton-Burraway
Play continues with little more to report. The only hand of note came between David Clifton-Burraway who opened to 95,000 from the small blind, and Tony Salmon in the big blind who raised to 315,000. Clifton-Burraway then moved all-in. Salmon, after a minute or so of thought, mucked his hand. - SB

3.45pm: A couple of all-ins, but no calls
The calm before the storm continues with not a single flop to be seen in the past orbit. We had a couple of all-ins though. Tim Wong was the first to chance his arm, moving all-in from the hijack he got no action.

Three hands later Ben Mayhew opened the button and again Sergio Aido moved all-in, Mayhew thought it over for around 30 seconds before releasing his hand. Six handed play continues. -- NW

3.30pm: Not much to report
A quiet spell in the general scheme of things. Sergio Aido has been the main player, moving in twice, both times against Ben Mayhew. In between Ben Vinson was raised out of a pot by David Clifton-Burraway pre-flop. That though is about it for the past ten minutes. - SB

3.10pm: Chip counts
We're back underway here in Nottingham and these are how the final six stack up.

1. Tim Hong Wong, Malaysia, 720,000
2. Sergio Aido Espina, Spain, 1,095,000
3. Ben Vinson, United Kingdom, 1,240,000
4. David Clifton-Burraway, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 3,010,000
5. Tony Salmon, United Kingdom, 1,885,000
6. Ben Mayhew, United Kingdom, PokerStars Player, 1,130,000

Blinds up: 20,000/40,000, ante 5,000

3.10pm: Break time
The players are on a short break whilst the tournament staff colour up the 1k chips. -- NW

3.03pm: Clifton-Burraway extends chip lead
Just before the break David Clifton-Burraway took a mid-sized pot from Sergio Aido to extend his chip lead.

The Spaniard opened to 60,000 from under-the-gun and Clifton-Burraway called from the cut-off. The flop fell [9c][2s][7c], Aido c-bet 80,000 and Clifton-Burraway called. On the [5s] turn Aido ceded control of the pot and check-called a bet of 190,000 from Clifton-Burraway. The [Jd] completed the board, both players checked, Clifton-Burraway showed [10s][9s] to take the pot.

3pm: Ben Mayhew doubles through Tony Salmon
It folded to Tony Salmon in the small blind and he set Ben Mayhew in for his final 573,000. There was no instant action from Mayhew, he capped his cards and leaned back.

He took another look at his cards, then counted his chips and then looked at the tournament clock. There were less than 10 minutes until the blinds would go to 20,000/40,000/5,000, perhaps he was wondering if he would find a better spot? Eventually he placed his chips over the betting line and it was time for showdown.

Mayhew: [As][4d]
Salmon: [6d][6c]

"Nice hand," said Mayhew when he saw Salmon's hand. But the board came [4c][Ad][3h][Ah][9h] and Mayhew doubled to around 1,200,000 whilst Salmon slipped to 1,875,000. -- NW

2.55pm: Pots for Salmon and Aido
A couple of big pots to tell you about...

In the first Tony Salmon raised to 60,000 from the button, Ben Mayhew three-bet to 130,000 from the small blind and Salmon called. On the [7d][Qs][10c] flop Mayhew c-bet 105,000 and Salmon made the call. The [Ks] turn card made Mayhew slow down and he check-folded to a bet of 100,000.

The next hand Ben Vinson opened to 65,000 from under-the-gun and Sergio Aido called from the big blind. The [5c][6h][2h] flop was checked through and the [Qh] landed on fourth street. First to act, Aido led for 100,000 and Vinson smooth called. The [7c] fell on the river and Aido bet 175,000. After about 20 seconds Vinson picked up the 175,000 chips it would cost to call and placed them in his left hand and did a couple of pump fakes before ultimately folding. -- NW

2.50pm: Salmon clashes with Clifton-Burraway
Tony Salmon was soon in action again, calling a pre-flop raise of 60,000 by David Clifton-Burraway on the button. On the flop of [jc][8s][as] Salmon checked from the small blind before Clifton-Burraway bet 70,000. Salmon called.

The turn came [3d] which both players checked for a [3s] on the river. Salmon then bet 155,000, which Clifton-Burraway raised to 310,000. Salmon looked intently at Clifton-Burraway without finding any answers. He then flicked his cards away. He drops down to around 2.1 million while Clifton-Burraway moved up to close to 2.5 million. -- SB

2.45pm: Salmon shoves against Mayhew
Tony Salmon seems to be playing a part in the significant pots so far. In the first Ben Mayhew opened for 60,000 under-the-gun which Salmon called for a flop of [qh][3h][2s]. Salmon then checked to Mayhew who bet 53,000. Salmon called for a [6s] turn card.

Again, Salmon checked before Mayhew bet 133,000. Salmon asked him how much he had left and was shown about 600,000. "I'm all in," said Salmon. The effect on Mayhew was to make him perform a half spin in his chair. He looked at his cards again, and again before folding. Salmon showed him [ac][3c]. - SB

2.35pm: Mayhew continues to slide
Whilst Tim Wong continues to rise, Ben Mayhew continues to slide in the opposite direction. In his latest set back he raised to 60,000 from the hi-jack, David Clifton-Burraway called from the big blind and the two of them saw a [4c][Ks][2c] flop. It was checked to Mayhew, he continued for 50,000 and Clifton-Burraway called.

The [7d] turn checked through, Clifton-Burraway then bet 180,000 on the [9s] river and Mayhew didn't take long before folding. -- NW

2.25pm: Wong continues to trend upwards
It's been a fantastic start to the final table for Tim Wong who's increased his stack from 447,000 to roughly 750,000 without going to showdown.

He got his latest boost in a hand against David Clifton-Burraway, the chip leader opened to 60,000 from the cut-off and Wong, who was in the big blind, capped his cards and contemplated his action.

He counted his chips, leaned round to check the tournament clock and then flicked in the call. The flop came [3h][8d][Jh] Wong checked, Clifton-Burraway c-bet 65,000 but folded when Wong moved all-in. -- NW

2.15pm: First action of the day
Short stack Tim Wong shoved once, then twice without any callers. He picks up the blinds but is still some way behind the others.

The first notable hand of the day is not long in coming. Ben Mayhew opened for 30,000 under-the-gun which Tony Salmon called from the big blind. The flop came [ks][6c][3s] which Salmon checked. Mayhew bet another 53,000 which Salmon then raised to 155,000. Mayhew called.

On the turn card [8s] Salmon pushed forward all of his blue chips, worth 220,000. Mayhew tanked, but folded. - SB

2.05pm: Play underway
Play starts at the final table. There are 55 minutes left of level 24.

2pm: Almost ready
Play is about to start with blinds of 15,000/30.000 with a 4,000 ante.

1.45pm: Introducing the players
Welcome back to Nottingham for the final table of the UKIPT Nottingham 6-max Main Event. After five days of tournament play we're down to the last six players from a field of 458, one of whom will walk away with a first prize of £100,000.

Introducing the six finalists:

Seat 1: Tim Hong Wong, 45, Malaysia - 447,000
Wong, better known as 'Ken', is a 45-year old live poker player who lives in Vauxhall, London. Originally from Malaysia, Wong was a chef in a takeaway restaurant until 2006 when he started to play poker full-time. The 45-year old has promised to make the press team Kung Po Chicken if he takes home the title tomorrow!

Seat 2: Sergio Aido, 25, Spain - 1,342,000
Spaniard Sergio is no stranger to the UKIPT, having won UKIPT3 London last year - impressive since he's only been playing live poker for a year and a half. He is more familiar with the online game, and came 5th in the 2013 PokerStars SCOOP Main Event for $313,200. Sergio moved to Hammersmith eight months ago and although he professes to having spent most of the last few months concentrating on his poker, he still follows his local football club, Gijon.

Seat 3: Ben Vinson, 26, United Kingdom, 1,648,000
Ben Vinson is a vastly experienced 26-year-old professional poker player who is originally from London but now calls Derby home. That makes Dusk Till Dawn his local card room, but he's travelled far and wide in search of a game. He's made the trip to Macau on at least half a dozen occasions for high stakes cash games and has had big tournament scores in London, Deauville, Monte Carlo, Galway and Cannes, including a 13th place finish at the EPT Grand Final in 2012.

His Dad Alan is also a regular tournament player with over $750,000 in lifetime earnings; in fact Vinson Jr. must win tomorrow if he wants to better his dad's best live score of £83,000. If he does so then his Dad will be on hand to buy him a pint, as he's travelling up from London to rail.

Seat 4: David Clifton-Burraway, 30, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, 2,200,000
This 30-year-old Londoner is more used to playing cash games than tournaments but that hasn't stopped him from taking the chip lead to the final table. He made the transition from online poker to live poker about three years ago and now plays in £5/£10 games and higher at various London card rooms and says the biggest pot he's won is in the region of £25,000.

However, the Arsenal fan could've played against his all-time football hero Dennis Bergkamp had life panned out differently. A Youth Team prospect at Scunthorpe, the striker instead went to University and then did an MBA in America on a football scholarship. However, he says that if he wasn't playing poker he couldn't work a 9-5 job.

Seat 5: Tony Salmon, 50, United Kingdom, 1,996,000
Just like Robert Baguley did last year, Tony Salmon, 50, will be hoping to score one for the older gents and keep the UKIPT title in Nottingham. He's local to the club and qualified on Dusk Till Dawn Poker for just £100.

He's retired, having sold his company in 2008, and has been playing poker for six years. His biggest result came in 2008 when he finished 22nd in the Irish Open, winning €18,000. Although he's had several big scores at Dusk Till Dawn, he's already eclipsed his best cash here which is £8,500.

When not playing poker he likes to play golf and although he doesn't have an official handicap he reckons that he plays off 14. A father of three and grandfather of three, he has obviously passed on the poker gene, as his youngest son, who's 21, plays online with some success.

Seat 6: Ben Mayhew, 27, Bury St. Edmonds, PokerStars Player - 1,451,000
Professional poker player Ben is fairly new to the UKIPT, having played his first-ever stop of the tour at UKIPT4 Isle of Man last month. With at least £20,700 now guaranteed, Mayhew has now achieved his biggest-ever live win, with his previous record of £7,200 now obliterated.

He says, however, that it's all about the title for him and he will be coming back tomorrow with that at the forefront of his mind. Mayhew plays football for his local team, Stanton FC, but he says that he's sure his teammates will forgive him as he'll be buying the first round next week!

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT Nottingham 6-max: Nick Wright and Stephen Bartley. Photos by Danny Maxwell.

There were four reports that could have been written tonight, each detailing how a talented player took top honours in the UKIPT4 Nottingham 6-max Main Event.

All the finalists coming back to Dusk Till Dawn this afternoon were entitled to have one eye on the winner's trophy, having demonstrated the right king of "Stuff" to succeed at this level. But we spike all of those stories except for one, that being the one that tells of tonight's winner Ben Mayhew.

UKIPT4 Nottingham 6-max Champion Ben Mayhew

Mayhew survived this most unpredictable final table, in which the chips came and went for each player like a changing wind. But it was he who best weathered this storm, finally overcoming local man Tony Salmon heads-up to take the title, the trophy and a first prize of £72,840.

Mayhew and Salmon shake hands on the win

It had been a thrilling finale. Salmon held the advantage heads-up with 5.7 million to Mayhew's 3.4. But a double up for Mayhew swung the momentum in his favour and the chip lead would be his to keep, just like the trophy that would be in his hands ten minutes later. With the chips in the middle Mayhew, with ace-king, paired the king on the flop to crush Salmon's pocket sixes. Mayhew fell to the ground in triumph.

An emotional Ben Mayhew wins the Main Event

Mayhew's overcame several hurdles to claim the title. His Day 3 yesterday would at best be described as turbulent. At one stage he had been reduced to a handful of blinds, at which point, so downcast about how things had gone he told those at his table that it was time to get his chips in and go home. Well, he got his chips in, he just didn't go home.

Double up after double up followed, sometimes straight forward but more often than not involving some unlikely card that dug him out of a hole. As for hitting the cards he needed, Mayhew had his own explanation.

Mayhew in action

"I swear it's my old man," he said. "He passed away in March so I think he's certainly up there. Every time I needed a card it was there, bink! I survived five or six all-ins as an underdog and somehow I got there."

Mayhew pointed to the quality of the opposition at the final, and the fact that they ensured he never felt comfortable.

Heads-up

"You get tournaments where you're at the final table and you look at one guy and you think God, he's really bad, how did he get here? I think today that was me!"

Overall though Mayhew, who wiped back tears as he hugged friends on the rail as he won the last hand, was delighted.

Ben Mayhew hugs friends

"It's exhilarating," he said. "I don't really know what to say. I've had so much luck the last couple of days. I played really well on Day 1 and 2, then Day 3 was terrible. I felt I made so many mistakes.

"After Day 2, mentally I was exhausted and found it really difficult to compete. There were so many great players in the tournament and they were just beating me up. I'd kinda resigned myself to going home with a few quid extra for coming 20th or something."

That part of the plan well and truly failed.

For his part Tony Salmon served as the perfect foil. He had his own point to make, having played out of his skin to record the biggest live cash of his career. Salmon was always among the leaders this week, always in the same battered DTD cap, returning to the club he used to play at after an 18 month spell away from the live game.

Tony Salmon

Salmon was disappointed, but pragmatic in defeat.

"I made two bad decisions during the four days, which I know were bad decisions I got lucky on one," he said. "But apart from that I think I played reasonably well"

"I am pleased with the result, that's the first time I've played live in 18 months. I used to play in the DTD pub league, so I'm well happy about coming down here and finishing second. I'd like to have won it but it's wasn't my day."

Salmon watches the last hand unfold

Here are the full results from today's Main Event final, with the complete list of payouts available here.

1st. Ben Mayhew, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, £72,840*
2nd. Tony Salmon, United Kingdom, £64,296*
3rd. David Clifton-Burraway, United Kingdom, PokerStars Qualifier, £66,514*
4th. Ben Vinson, United Kingdom, £34,000
5th. Tim Wong, Malaysia, £26,750
6th. Sergio Aido, Spain, £20,700

* denotes three-way deal.

Of the six finalists Spaniard Sergio Aido and Tim Wong had the most work to do, and both went about different ways of doing it.

For Aido this meant trying to regain the chips he had lost yesterday, which he did by showing fearlessness about getting his chips into the middle. For the most part these shoves went unanswered, but finally, when he moved in with ace-three, he found Ben Vinson calling with ace-queen. Aido's stoic rear-guard was at an end in sixth place.

Sergio Aido

In contrast to Aido, Wong had opted for a different approach, one of patience and caution. In many respects it paid off. Wong, who was the only player with fewer than a million chips at the start of play, outlasted Aido. But at times Wong was hamstrung and unable to play in the manner that had seen him lead at earlier stages of the tournament.

Tim Wong

Finally Wong found ten-seven of diamonds which, with only a handful of blinds was good enough to shove with. Again it was Vinson doing the calling with queen-jack of clubs. Wong flopped another ten but the board was filling up with clubs, giving Vinson the flush. Wong out in fifth place.

The four remaining players then took to passing the chips around. Without exaggeration any of them would have graced the winner's photo. But it was Vinson who departed next.

Vinson had doubled through Clifton-Burraway to draw level, enough for a deal to be discussed. But with the numbers up it was Vinson who vetoed it, opting to play on. Some may say he was wrong in his judgement. Perhaps he was, but his desire to win seemed the more obvious characteristic, and the way he was playing made victory a distinct possibility.

Ben Vinson

Alas, it would not play out like that, with the two Bens, Vinson and Mayhew, getting their chips into the middle on the flop, Vinson making two pair, but Mayhew rivering a straight. It was the hand that crippled Vinson, who was quickly on the rail in fourth place.

The tournament returned to its regular stalemate, with each player trying to get a lasting edge on their opponents and each claiming the lead at some point. But few suspected it would be Clifton-Burraway who would depart next.

David Clifton-Burraway

Clifton-Burraway had been the rock at the final, not the tight type, just the character you expected to remain solid in seat 4 position. But despite leading again and again, he couldn't hold onto that lead all the way, losing back-to-back hands that ended his title dreams. The first saw his ace-king out-flopped by Mayhew's ace-eight. Then the second, when his jack-seven of spades was mauled by Salmon's ace-six of clubs. From being the mainstay at the final, Clifton-Burraway was now on the rail in third.

The rest was left to Salmon and Mayhew. It could have gone either way, but regardless the UKIPT got another great champion to ink into its record books.

Congratulations to Ben Mayhew on a memorable win, and to all the festival winners this week, including Jon Spinks in the High Roller event and Duncan McLellan in the Notts Cup.

Ben Mayhew presented with the winner's trophy by Simon Trumper of DTD, with Kirsty Thompson of the UKIPT and Tournament Director Toby Stone

That brings our coverage from Nottingham to a close. You can catch up on all the action from today at this link, which details all the day's play.

The UKIPT now takes Christmas and New Year off before returning in January, where Edinburgh will host the next leg.

For now, it's good night from Nottingham.

Stephen Bartley is a PokerStars Blog reporter. Photos courtesy and copyright of Danny Maxwell.