MPT News

Congratulations - Tommy Pavlicek wins the MPT Day One

Took him 13 hours but he did it. Tommy Pavlicek is the first winner at the Portomaso Casino cracking Joses aces with J10. The flop showed Q89 and there was no more doubt, Tommy has put another tick in his brilliant poker career. Excited but tired - was the first thing he said after receiving 30 000 Euro and popping the champagne. He took off to change his clothes and took his friends out to celebrate the long day he had and gave himself little bit time to rest since he has another long day coming tomorrow as the Day 2 starts in less than 12 hours.

We also want to congratulate Jose on his second place and the patience and great game he showed throughout the day.

Stay with us for regular updates, regards from the NoiQ team.

Malta Poker Tour Day One - Highlights

After almost 13 hours of game, there are 3 players left in the game. Tommy is still the chip leader as Jose and Alexander keeping up and not letting go, playing tight and safe against Pavlicek.

While waiting for the results of the final table and the heads up we bring you highlights of the day, reminding you that it's still not over as there is two more events to come. Talking to the players that went out earlier today, we find out that they are very pleased with the organisation and the support of the tournament. Some of them were more excited about meeting the people that they have been playing against online for months and spent the evening catching up on stories about the online tournaments they have played on NoiQ.

Current status on the tournament is:

• TOMMY PAVLICEK - 260 000
• JOSE QUINTAS - 60 000
• ALEXANDER DIGHOLM - 135 000

Player Profile - Tommy Pavlicek

Tommy is a poker player from Edmonton, Canada also known Skier_5. Some can say he is young but his future in poker looks very promising as he already cashed out in three big events in the last two years.

Nice and easy going, this pro is really keeping it cool. He came straight from the airport and sat down at the table. Not even a trip from Dublin managed to tire him out, he was fully concentrated since the start and it did not take long before he took over the lead in the tournament. While waiting for the results on his tonight action, we give you info on his success so far and wish him good luck throughout all three days of the MPT.

• At the EPT Scandinavian Open, Season 4, held on February 23, 2008, playing No Limit Hold'em, finished 11th and collected $48,294;
• At the EPT Prague, Season 4, held on December 14, 2007, playing No Limit Hold'em, secured 22nd place and cashed out $16,579;
• Competing in the Main Event of the Johnny Chan Poker Classic, held on May 11, 2007, playing in the No Limit Hold'em category, took 6th place and won $45,103.

MPT Day One - Player report - Juuso Leppanen

Tournament started with 10 000 chips and 25/50 blinds. My plan was to play tight in the beginning and see what is going to happen in my table. I didn’t know anything about the other players when the tournament started. Soon I found out who is playing tight and who is loose at my table. I managed to get AQ in early position during second level and I raised. Button called and the flop came. "Lovely" - I tough - KQQ. I made normal continuation bet which made button fold so I couldn’t get much value out of my monster but It was good for me to win the first pot I was involved and break the ice at table.

Later on I managed to get good action with KK when 2 guys went all in before me. Guys turned AQ and AJ and Pocket Kings holded up. I got more than double up and nice stack to go forward in the tournament. Later I found Kings from my hand again and knocked out shortstack in pre flop all-in.

Later on I didn’t manage to build my stack any bigger so I started to go down. I didn’t get action out of my good hands and got re-raised when I was moving with air. I ended up going out against Tommy Pavlicek when I was quite short. I bet-called his all in pre flop with A9 against his JJ which maybe wasn’t one of my best moves but blinds were going up fast and I needed to make the move very soon anyway. Tommy was the chipleader and I knew he is capable of making big moves so I ended up calling 9 big blinds more and drawing 3 outer.

Malta Poker Tour - Day One - Final Table

Day One is not even close to coming to the end as 10 players fight for the points to win the NoiQ Poker bracelet at the end of the tournament.

Every event will have 25 winners that gets points. The player with the most points will receive this bracelet together with an entrance for next MPT Tour.Total package is valued for €7000 with bracelet worth €3500 alone created by gold.

Ten players collecting points at the moment are:

Bubble Bursts

An incredible hand and we have a bubble guy. After 3 folds, Arash Hafezi raises from the button to be re-raised by the Alexander Digholm from the big blind. After some thinking, Arash shoves over the top.

Digholm goes into the tank and eventually makes the call. He shows A8 off-suited and is way behind after Hafezi tables the red aces for a dominating hand.

Flop is dealt and Digholm gets a redraw with 79T on the board. The 6 on the turn, leaves Hafezi drawing dead, and then the final table is ready to be played.

Day one

The tournament started at 13.30 as 97 players were dealt their starting hands. Unfortunately, 3 players missed their planes and due to delays missed out on their first day of MPT. Hopefully luck will be on their side tomorrow when they arrive and test their skills on the biggest Texas Hold'em event ever held in Malta.

The first player to go out of the tournament, Felix Bleaker (left, top), received a beautiful watch from the NoiQ Poker and said that he couldn't have been more satisfied since he didnt expect a reward like that from NoiQ and took off to show his new bling to the girls.

Players were very satisfied with the hospitality NoiQ team showed them and as they were going out of the tournament they continued playing sit and go's waiting for the results of the final table that is approaching.

At the moment there is 18 players, blinds are 1500/3000 and the average stack is 55 000.

The four chipleaders are:

• TOMMY PAVLICEK (picture on the left) - 180 000
• DEAM LYELL- 120 000
• ALEXANDER DIGHOLM - 100 000
• BJORN KAMMERMANN - 90 000

First Event

October 2nd – The first €100,000 are at stake. During the morning most of the players were enjoying the sun by the Hilton pool area. The first players starting arriving at the casino at around 12:00. They were attended by NoiQ team members and the casino staff to have their passes and tickets sorted for the 3 tournaments.

Within the hour everyone was present at the casino and most players were eagerly waiting for the event to start. We had a ballot system for seat allocation which players took upon the entrance of the tournament area. Once everyone was seated the CEO of NoiQPoker gave a speech and thanked everyone for coming to Malta for the MPT. After that the Tournament Director gave a small speech and kicked of the event.

MPT Bracelet

Apart from the €300,000 guarantee, we have decided to crown a winner for the 3 tournaments. A leader board for the top 25 players in each tournament will be created. The one having the most points with take home a bracelet and an entrance for the next MPT tour. Total value of €7,000, bracelet being worth €3,500.

MPT Kick-Off

1st October – The majority of the players arrived today. The NoiQ team was welcoming all the players at the airport and coordinating their transport to the Hilton hotel.

Once the players arrived at the hotel, they were once again welcomed by the NoiQ crew, had their check-in, and then redirected to the NoiQ Hospitality Desk. At the hospitality desk players were given a NoiQ shirt of their choice, and a package with information.

In the evening the MPT official party was launched at Club 22 in the Portomaso tower. This was a great event with an amazing turnover of players and kept going till the early hours of the morning.