• Steve O’Dwyer wins Super High Roller for HK$8,460,830
• Fedor Holz finishes second for HK$6,749,170

8:45pm: Steve O’Dwyer wins it all for HK$8,460,830
Level 24: Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

While the deal making took a long time, the heads up bout did not. Steve O’Dwyer took a few small pots off Fedor Holz, before we had our first all in and call.

Holz made it 475,000 on the button, O’Dwyer jammed and Holz called quickly.

Holz – 6♣ 6♦
O’Dwyer – 10♦ J♦

Holz was ahead but would need to fade plenty. He couldn’t even get past the flop though, which brought the 3♣ A♥ 10♣ to pair O’Dwyer’s ten. The turn was the 7♦ , the river the 3♠ , and we now have our Super High Roller champion. It’s the same man who took down the $10K HR in Panama – the lucky mango himself, Steve O’Dwyer.

While O’Dwyer wins HK$8,460,830 courtesy of the chop, Holz also wins HK$6,749,170 for his efforts. This guy is just unbelievable when you think about it. He rarely plays, but when he does, he always does well!

You can find a full report of this entire event here. –JS

8:35pm: Done deal
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

A deal has been struck and this is what the players have locked up:

Steve O’Dwyer: HK$8,160,830
Fedor Holz: HK$6,749,170

There’s $300,000 left to play for. For reference the original payouts were $8,974,000 and $6,236,000.

With this cash Holz has now climbed above Phil Hellmuth to sixth on the all-time money list. O’Dwyer leapfrogs Jason Mericer into 13th spot. –NW

8:25pm: To me, to you, to me, to you
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

Suffice to say deal discussions are not on a shot clock. They’re still talking…

8:10pm: Heads-up chip counts
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

The clock has been paused as the two remaining players are looking at the possibility of a deal once again. As it stands Steve O’Dwyer has a near four to one chip lead over Fedor Holz.

O’Dwyer: 17,295,000
Holz: 4,525,000

8:05pm: Loeser out in third place (HK$4,124,000); clash of the titans for title
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

We’re heads-up in Macau and it’s Manig Loeser who’s gone in third place. He shoved for 1.7M from the small blind with 10♣ 3♣ and Steve O’Dwyer called with pocket eights from the big blind. The 6♦ 7♦ Q♥ J♣ K♣ board meant we lose Loeser.

Manig Loeser

They’re now heads up, the two players who don’t know how to do anything but win. –NW

7:55pm: O’Dwyer O’Dwyer and more O’Dwyer
Level 24: Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

Nothing new here – just more pots going Steve O’Dwyer’s way. In the biggest one, Fedor Holz opened to 450,000 on the button and O’Dwyer called, bringing a 4♦ 2♠ 8♠ flop. O’Dwyer insta-checked and Holz continued for 425,000, which was called.

The turn was the Q♠ and both checked, leading to the 7♠ . Now O’Dwyer led out for 1.25 million. Holz used up his time bank before letting it go. “Very suspicious…” he said towards O’Dwyer, who didn’t respond.

Right now O’Dwyer has 15.8 million, Holz has 4.5 million and Manig Loeser is in bad shape with 1.7 million. –JS

7:40pm: Steve’s in charge
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

Despite play still being three-handed we may have just witnessed the pot that decides the destiny of this title as Steve O’Dwyer now has a commanding chip lead. In the hand in question Manig Loeser opened to 650,000 from the small blind and O’Dwyer called from the big.

Loeser checked the K♥ Q♣ 2♦ flop to O’Dwyer and he bet 450,000. Call from Loeser. On the 7♠ turn O’Dwyer bet 1.075 million and he did so using one of the green plaques (worth 1 million each) that have been introduced. Again Loeser check-called. The 3♣ rounded off the board and, after O’Dwyer bet 2.7 million Loeser completed a hat-trick of post flop check-calls. O’Dwyer rolled over K♦ 9♥ for top pair and it was good.

He now has 13.5 million (and all six of the plaques in play), Loeser is now down to 3.8 million. –NW

7:35pm: Mostly O’Dwyer, but a little Loeser
Level 23: Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

It’s been all Steve O’Dwyer since play has resumed. He’s won five of the seven hands so far if memory serves, with this one being the most dramatic.

Manig Loeser opened to 450,000 on the button only for O’Dwyer to shove for 7.8 million. For a little while Loeser looked serious about calling, but in the end decided against it.

Loeser did just take down a pot against Fedor Holz though. Holz limped the small blind and Loeser checked his option to go to a 9♦ J♣ A♣ flop. Holz then led out for 225,000 and Loeser called.

The turn was the 6♥ which both checked, resulting in a 8♥ river. It went check check again and Loeser’s J♥ 3♣ beat Holz’s 3♦ 3♥ . –JS

7:20pm: No deal
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

To the surprise of very few, these three have decided against a deal. They will play on. — HS

Fedor Holz, Manig Loeser and Steve O’Dwyer: The smoke from the papal conclave was dark

7:10pm: Still talking
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

They are still negotiating. Could be a while…

6:40pm: Chips and numbers
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

The remaining three players have decided to look at potential chop numbers, so we’re taking a short break. Here’s how they stack up right now:

Manig Loeser – 9.1 million
Steve O’Dwyer – 6.74 million
Fedor Holz – 5.98 million –JS

6:30pm: Burns busts to Holz
Level 24 – Blinds 100,000/200,000 (ante 25,000)

The rise of Fedor Holz continues, as after two hands he’s collected all of Kahle Burns’s chips.

Action folded to Burns in the small blind and he shoved, which brought a snap-call from Holz in the big. It was A♣ 10♠ against the A♠ 5♠ meaning Burns was dominated, and he couldn’t find any help on the A♦ 9♦ J♣ 7♥ 10♣ runout.

Burns thought he was out and started saying his goodbyes, but it turns out Holz had 2.63 million and Burns had slightly more, leaving him with 170,000.

In the very next hand, Steve O’Dwyer limped under the gun, Burns called all-in, but Holz raised it up to 1.2 million. Everyone folded and the two were heads up again, this time Holz’s 9♣ 9♥ against Burns’s K♦ 3♣ . An A♠ J♣ 10♠ A♦ 7♥ runout kept Holz in front and sent Burns to the cage to collect his HK$3,228,000. –JS

Kahle Burns bids farewell

6:20pm: Chop pot
Level 23 – Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

From under the gun Kahle Burns opened to 350,000 and the action folded to Steve O’Dwyer, who was in the big blind. O’Dwyer moved all-in and Burns was faced with a decision for his stack of around 20 big blinds. He tanked and then, as time ticked down, made the call.

O’Dwyer showed A♦ 10♣ and Kahle had the same hand, A♠ 10♥ to be precise. A 6♣ 7♦ Q♦ K♠ 8♣ board meant the two players chopped the blinds and antes. –NW

6:10pm: Holz finds a way
Level 23 – Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

Are you really surprised that Fedor Holz has doubled up?

Of course not. But the way he got it might surprise some of you.

After Manig Loeser opened to 380,000 under the gun, play folded to Holz in the big blind, and despite only having 1.25 million he just called. The flop came 5♥ 7♠ J♣ and Holz checked to his fellow German, letting Loeser continue for 190,000. Again, Holz just called.

The 4♠ hit the turn and Holz checked once more. Loeser then bet enough to put Holz all in, who then snap-called and flipped over the [5]5♣ for a flopped set. Loeser had the Q♠ J♦ and was drawing dead.

Slow playing worked out for Holz and he now sits with 2.6 million, while Loeser still has 9.4 million. –JS

6:05pm: Loeser extends his lead
Level 23 – Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

Manig Loeser has broken through the 10 million chip barrier after winning a pot against Kahle Burns. Our chip leader raised to 380,000 from the button and Burns called from the big blind. On the 8♦ 4♦ A♠ flop Loeser bet 330,000 and Burns wasn’t budging.

The 3♠ turn checked through and the 3♣ completed the board. Burns came out firing for 830,000 and Loeser looked him up. Burns had J♦ 6♦ for a busted flush draw and Loeser took the pot with 9♠ 9♣ .

After that hand Loeser has 10.4 million and Burns is down to 3.5 million. –NW

5:55pm: Wang falls in fifth
Level 23: Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

As my colleague Nick Wright just mentioned to me, Fedor Holz has managed some pretty sick laddering at this final table, having had a short stack for almost the entirety.

He’s guaranteed at least fourth-place money now as Zuo Wang just got eliminated by Manig Loeser. The latter opened to 380,000 in the cutoff and Wang jammed for a little over 1.5 million in the big blind. Loeser got a count, then called.

Loeser – A♦ 10♥
Wang – A♣ 7♣

Wang was dominated and needed help, but couldn’t find on the 9♠ 6♠ Q♦ K♦ 4♠ board. He’s off to collect $HK2,603,000 (in US, that’s roughly $334,962), while Loeser is up to 9.1 million. –JS

Manig “Cannot” Loeser

5:40pm: Burns doubles through Wang
Level 23 – Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

Down to just 1.635 million Kahle Burns moved all-in from the cutoff. Zuo Wang was on the button, he re-raised all-in and everyone else left them to it.

Burns turned over 10♠ 9♠ and Wang showed A♦ K♥ . The 10♦ 9♥ 3♣ flop brought a “Wow” from Wang. The 5♣ 10♦ turn and river changed nothing and Burns doubled.

A wow from Wang

Burns is up to 3.5 million, while Wang drops to 1.43 million. –NW

5:30pm: Holz jolts then bolts
Level 23: Blinds 80,000/160,000 (ante 20,000)

Not much to report at the moment other than Fedor Holz is getting a little frustrated at the lack of shoveable hands he’s being dealt.

The closest he’s come to calling all-in was just now, as Zuo Wang jammed the small blind. Holz, in the big, immediately sat up, rolled his eyes and puffed his lips as he worked out what to do. He’d decide to fold, despite his calling temptation.

He just gave the player to his left, Manig Loeser, a walk too, tossing his hand away with disgust in the small blind.

When will his time come?–JS

5:15pm: Break time counts

Here’s how they stand going into the 80,000/160,000 (20,000) level.

5:10pm: Two more pots for Holz
Level 22 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

The final two hands of the level both played out in the same fashion. Fedor Holz shoved and everyone else folded. Holz’s first shove was for 915,000 so he’s up to around 1.425 million now. We’ll be getting full chip counts during the 15 minute break that has just begun. –NW

Two shoves, no calls for Fedor Holz

5:05pm: Unlucky, Fedor
Level 22: Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

With just 900,000 in front of him, Fedor Holz needed some action. He must have felt like a double up was on its way when action folded to small blind Zuo Wang, but unfortunately for Holz, Wang gave him a walk.

Holz picked up his cards so only he could see them, and with a wry smile and a little frustration he showed the table the A♠ . Judging by his behaviour, I’d guess he was snap-calling a shove with that hand. –JS

4:55pm: Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi!
Level 22 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

A double up for Kahle Burns, with the Australian making a nice river call. The action was started by the uber-stacked Manig Loeser. He opened to 260,000 and Burns called from the big blind. The K♥ 10♣ 3♣ flop checked through and the Q♦ fell on the turn. Burns checked, Loeser bet 140,000 and Burns called.

The 7♥ completed the board and when Burns checked again, Loeser set him all-in. Burns had just 475,000 back but he clearly had a tough decision. He had two time-bank chips left and needed to use one of them. As he was halfway through his additional 30 seconds he called. Loeser smiled and showed 8♠ 6♠ for just eight high.

Burns flipped 10♠ 8♣ for third pair. A fine call and one that’s boosted him to 1.75 million. Despite that dent Loeser is still in the lead. He has 7.8 million. –NW

4:50pm: The mango claims another victim
Level 22: Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Steve O’Dwyer’s lucky mango is now so popular it has its own rail. I just saw it toasting with a plum after O’Dwyer most recently knocked out an opponent.

Qiang Lin is the man no longer with us. O’Dwyer came in for a 240,000 open under the gun and only Lin called out of the big blind. The dealer spread a 2♣ 8♠ K♠ flop and Lin checked to the raiser, letting O’Dwyer continue for 200,000. But now Lin raised it up to 675,000, leaving himself 1.66 million behind.

Steve O’Dwyer in unstoppable mood

O’Dwyer thought for a few moments while counting out some chips, and eventually slid in a raise to 1.6 million – essentially putting Lin all-in. Lin obliged and jammed, O’Dwyer snap-called and the cards got flipped.

Lin – K♥ 10♦
O’Dwyer – K♦ J♠

Both had hit top pair but O’Dwyer had not only the bigger kicker, but the flush draw too. That played after the A♠ turn and 2♠ river. Lin was sent packing, while O’Dwyer is up to 7.5 million.

Someone on the rail (who may be the person who gave him the lucky fruit) then leant in holding a plum, and O’Dwyer was more than happy for it to touch his mango. –JS

4:40pm: Mango magic continues; O’Dwyer eliminates Chen in seventh
Level 22 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Steve O’Dwyer didn’t need his magic mango to win this hand. A pair of kings were of more assistance to “Mr Super High Roller” in the hand that eliminated James Chen.

The latter shoved for 1.805 million from the hijack and O’Dwyer re-raised all-in from the cutoff.

James Chen: All the way to seventh

The action folded to Zuo Wang and there was no immediate release of his hand. He looked to have a really close decision and as his time ticked down he folded with some force. After Fedor Holz folded the big blind it was time for showdown.

Chen busts to O’Dwyer

Chen turned over A♥ Q♠ and O’Dwyer showed K♠ K♥ . A 6♣ Q♣ 7♣ 9♦ 3♥ run out wasn’t enough to save Chen. He collects HK$1,605,000 (approx $206,536) for his deep run. –NW

4:30pm: Chen’s the Loeser in this one
Level 21: Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

It’s been a little uneventful over the last orbit or two but we’ve finally got a sizeable pot to tell you about. It started with a 260,000 open from Manig Loeser, which James Chen called on the button, followed by Kahle Burns in the big blind. The three went to an 8♥ 6♦ 4♥ flop, and it checked around.

The board paired on the 8♠ turn and this time it checked to Chen who made a bet of 450,000. Burns left the action, but Loeser called. Finally the K♦ completed the runout and Loeser checked a final time. Chen bet 750,000 and Loeser didn’t take long to call it.

It turned out both had hit a king on the river, but Loeser’s A♣ K♥ was best against K♠ J♠ . That makes his chip lead even bigger with an 8.7 million stack, while Chen drops to 1.8 million. –JS

4:20pm: Loeser shoves on Lin
Level 22 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Qiang Lin started this final table as chip leader with a stack of just over 5 million. He’s now down to just 2 million after losing a pot against Manig Loeser.

It was just the two of them to a 3♠ K♣ 10♣ flop. Loeser was the pre-flop aggressor and he continued for 240,000. Call from Lin. On the J♦ turn Loeser slowed down. He checked, and Lin bet 600,000. Loeser checked his cards a couple of times and then moved all-in. Lin didn’t like it and he never really looked like calling and he mucked his cards. –NW

4:15pm: Precious time
Level 22 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

Here’s how many time-bank chips each of the final seven have left. Hats off to James Chen for acting speedily throughout the tournament so far.

1 – Fedor Holz – 0
2 – Manig Loeser – 1
3 – Qiang Lin – 2
4 – James Chen – 3
5 – Steve O’Dwyer – 2
6 – Kahle Burns – 2
7 – Zuo Wang – 1

4:10pm: Great call from O’Dwyer
Level 22: Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

It wasn’t the biggest bet in the world that Steve O’Dwyer had to call, but never the less he just made an excellent call against Kahle Burns.

The hand wasn’t the most exciting either. A small blind limp from O’Dwyer, a check from Burns, a 4♣ A♣ 4♥ flop, and two checks brought us to the 10♣ turn. O’Dwyer now led out for 100,000 (this hand took place at the end of the last level) and Burns called. On the 6♥ river, O’Dwyer reverted back to checking, and Burns came in for a 260,000 stab.

O’Dwyer counted out calling chips and looked up at Burns. O’Dwyer flashed him a smile (Burns might have smiled back, but all I could see was the back of his head) and made the call with K♥ 8♦ for king high on the board. That was good, as Burns just had the J♣ 8♥ . –JS

4pm: Ciao to Zhao
Level 22 – Blinds 60,000/120,000 (ante 20,000)

We’ve moved into Level 22 and both blinds and antes have gone up. Here’s how they stack up now, in seat order:

1 – Fedor Holz – 3.3 million
2 – Manig Loeser – 1.15 million
3 – Dan Smith – 860,000
4 – Zhao Hongjun – 1.05 million
5 – Qiang Lin – 5.5 million
6 – James Chen – 950,000
7 – Steve O’Dwyer – 2.1 million
8 – Kahle Burns – 1.8 million
9 – Zuo Wang – 4.9 million

4pm: Ciao to Zhao
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

And then there were seven. The action folded to Manig Loeser in the small blind and he jammed all-in. It was for an effective 10 big blinds as Zhao Hongjun, who was in the big blind, had roughly 1 million total. Hongjun announced call and it was time for the showdown.

Zhao Hongjun: Out in eighth

Loeser opened a less than premium 9♣ 2♣ but he was live against Hongjun’s A♠ 8♣ . The former flopped best on 4♥ 6♣ 2♦ and neither the 3♣ turn nor Q♦ river could save Hongjun.

He was in for three bullets here, so his $1.215 million payout represents a $15,000 profit. –NW

3:55pm: The mango strikes again
Level 21: Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Steve O’Dwyer and his lucky mango were just all-in and at risk. They had the best hand though, so it wasn’t all luck.

James Chen opened to 200,000 and O’Dwyer jammed to his immediate left for 1.035 million. Back to Chen, he made the call with the A♣ 3♦ which trailed O’Dwyer’s A♠ 9♠ . That kicker held up after the 2♠ J♥ 6♥ 8♠ K♣ runout to bring O’Dwyer up to 2.3 million, and bring Chen down to 3.15 million. –JS

3:50pm: Burns doubles
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

The action continues to come thick and fast, with an all-in and call on just the second hand of the final table. Kahle Burns was the man who got his chips across the line. He shoved for 1.16 million from under the gun and, after getting a count, Qiang Lin made the call. Burns flipped J♦ J♠ and he was in good shape against Lin’s A♦ 9♦ .

Kahle Burns is sticking around

The 3♣ 6♣ 8♦ 4♣ 4♠ board kept Burns in front and he’s now back in the comfort zone of a 25 big blind stack. –NW

3:45pm: Chen takes the first
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

James Chen is quickly into his stride, making position pay in a pot against Qiang Lin. Lin raised from the small blind, making it 200,000. Chen three-bet the big blind, putting 700,000 out there and Lin called.

The flop was the 6♠ 5♣ J♣ and, after Lin checked, Chen bet 600,000 and picked it up. — HS

3:40pm: Off they go again
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Cards are already in the air for this final. They’re very short relative to the blinds — an average of 27 BBs apiece — so this is going to be frantic. — HS

Final table players in Macau (l-r): Qiang Lin, Zuo Wang, Kahle Burns, Steve O’Dwyer, Mango, Manig Loeser, James Chen, Fedor Holz, Zhao Hongjun

3:35pm: Last eight chip counts
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Here’s how they line up as the final table begins:

3:30pm: Down to eight
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

We are down to an official final table of eight, with Dan Smith busting to Manig Loeser. Both these players just doubled up but here’s how it ended:

Loeser opened to 215,000 from late position and Smith jammed. Loeser called with 8♣ 8♠ and was racing Smith’s A♠ K♥ .

The pain ends for Dan Smith

The board bricked for Smith. It ran 3♠ 9♦ 3♦ J♣ 8♦ and that was the end of that for Smith. He hit a two-outer to survive on the bubble, but his run has come to an end. He takes HK$947,000 (approximately US$121,863). Loeser, meanwhile, vaults to second in the counts.

Huge boost for Manig Loeser

They’re now posing for a final-table photo and we’ll get the full official counts soon. — HS

3:25pm: Smith and Loeser double
Level 21: Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Fedor Holz made it 200,000 on the button after action folded to him, and Dan Smith defended his big blind to see an 8♦ 10♦ A♠ flop. Holz continued for 325,000 after Smith checked, only for the American to shove for 586,000 total. Holz quickly called with his 9♠ 7♥ up-and-down draw, but was trailing Smith’s 10♥ 7♣ for middle pair.

The 8♣ turn and 5♦ changed nothing and Smith increased to 1.7 million, bringing Holz down to 1.95 million.

In the next hand James Chen opened to 200,000 from utg+1 and Steve O’Dwyer flat-called to his left. It folded to Manig Loeser on the button and he shoved for 1.27 million, which got a fold from Chen but a snap-call from O’Dwyer.

Loeser – A♣ K♠
O’Dwyer – 10♥ 10♦

It was a race, and one that the German would win after an A♥ Q♦ 3♠ K♥ Q♥ runout. Loeser now has 2.98 million, while O’Dwyer is down to 1.32 million. –JS

3:20pm: The river saves Chen
Level 21 – Blinds 50,000/100,000 (ante 10,000)

Huge hand; massive double. Oh boy was this a good one.

James Chen opened the action by raising to 200,000 from middle position. Zuo Wang called on the button and the two of them went heads-up to a 5♠ 4♦ 3♦ flop.

Chen checked, Wang bet 260,000, Chen check-raised all-in for 1.645 million and Wang snap called. The reason for all this action soon became clear. Wang had 5♥ 5♦ for top set and Chen held A♦ 7♦ for a flush and straight draw. The 7♥ was a blank but the 2♠ meant Chen rivered a wheel to double up and survive.

He’s now up to 3.9 million while Wang is down to 2 million. –NW

3:15pm: Holz feels the Burns
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

It’s been a great start to this final table for Kahle Burns. He’s doubled through German superstar Fedor Holz in the second hand.

The first hand saw Manig Loeser jam from the UTG+1 seat for 1.225 million and get it through. Onto the next one, it folded to Burns on the button and he stuck his five big blind 540,000 stack into the middle, which Holz called out of the big blind.

Holz was ahead with the A♦ 3♣ , but Burns had a good flopping hand with the 10♠ J♦ . That proved to be the case when the J♠ 9♠ 7♥ hit the felt, followed by the 7♠ and 10♥ .

Burns is up to 1.2 million, while Holz dips to 2.75 million. –JS

3:05pm: Deuce at the double for Chen
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

On the first hand of the unofficial final table we almost reached the official final table. James Chen shoved from the button for 865,000 and Kahle Burns called straight away from the big blind. Chen opened K♥ 2♣ and was behind to A♦ J♥ . The 4♣ 6♣ 10♣ flop meant that Chen flopped a flush draw. He got there the hard way though as the 2♦ put him into the lead and he held on the 6♦ river.

So Chen is up to around 1.8 million while Burns drops to just 600,000. –NW

3pm: Last table line-up
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Final table seat draw:

1 – Fedor Holz – 3.3 million
2 – Manig Loeser – 1.15 million
3 – Dan Smith – 860,000
4 – Zhao Hongjun – 1.05 million
5 – Qiang Lin – 5.5 million
6 – James Chen – 950,000
7 – Steve O’Dwyer – 2.1 million
8 – Kahle Burns – 1.8 million
9 – Zuo Wang – 4.9 million

Qiang Lin: Leader

3pm: No joy for Choi brings us to final table
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

And then there were nine.

The player who won’t be attending the unofficial final table is Stanley Choi. He opened to 255,000 on the button and Qiang Lin defended his big blind to see a K♥ 2♠ 7♠ flop. Both checked and the turn brought the 2♣ , which proved to be the action card.

With the board now paired, Lin led out for 550,000 and Choi shoved all-in over the top. A quick call from Lin meant the cards were turned up, but Choi’s J♦ J♣ had been overtaken by Lin’s 6♦ 2♦ for trips.

Stanley Choi: Time to rest up after finishing 10th

The river bricked and Choi exited in 10th place for HK$727,000 (roughly $93,553). Lin is up to 5.5 million now.

Players are currently drawing seats for the final table. –JS

2:55pm: Short-stacks doing what short-stacks do
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

The three players at the bottom of the chip counts are all on Table 2. It’s leading to a lot of shoves and there were two in consecutive hands a short time ago.

The first of these involved Stanley Choi, who raised to 250,000 from under the gun, and Zhao Hongjun. The latter shoved from the big blind for 1.05 million. Choi got a count, tanked and then folded.

On the next shuffle Dan Smith was under the gun and he moved all-in for roughly 850,000. He didn’t have to sweat too hard though as none of his opponents as much as requested a count. You sense an all-in and call isn’t far away. –NW

2:35pm: Break time
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

That’s the end of Level 20 and players are taking their first 15-minute break of the day. Full counts are on the chip-count page, but here, I’ll save you a click:

2:25pm: Smith stuck
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

These are the frustrating times for Dan Smith. A shorter stack in a shallow tournament, it doesn’t give you much room to manoeuvre.

Smith opened to 180,000 on the button and got a call from Qiang Lin in the small blind. James Chen defended his big blind too and the three saw an 8♥ 4♦ 9♠ flop, which checked to the raiser. Smith continued for 225,000, and Lin made a super-quick call. Chen folded.

The turn came the 2♥ and now Lin led out, putting Smith all-in for 950,000. Smith slapped a chip against his stacks with frustration, which attracted a crowd from the other table. With Steve O’Dwyer and Manig Loeser watching on, Smith made the fold. Lin is up to 3.22 million now.

Dan Smith: To call or not to call?

If you’re interested, a new 100K chip has been introduced to proceedings. –JS

2:15pm: Choi doubles through Smith
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Now I’m not saying Steve O’Dwyer – and his lucky mango – being moved from Dan Smith’s direct left was the reason for Smith losing the following hand, but at the end of it Smith did say: “I need that mango!”

It was Stanley Choi who moved first, he shoved for 900,000 from early position with 4♣ 4♥ , Smith got a count and then called with A♣ Q♥ . The K♣ 2♦ 4♦ flop gave Choi a stranglehold on the hand, but the 5♥ turn gave Smith hope. It was extinguished on the J♣ river though. Choi’s up to 1,970,000 and Smith is down to 1,300,000. –NW

2:10pm: Neilson and Egan both bust to Holz
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

OK, forget what I said a few minutes ago about Michael Egan being invincible. He’s just busted in 11th place, just after fellow Australian Daniel Neilson exited in 12th.

Neilson met his maker in Fedor Holz when he jammed from the small blind for 505,000 and Holz called from the big with the A♠ 3♦ . That was ahead of Neilson’s Q♥ 2♥ , and the 5♥ 9♦ 8♦ 7♠ 4♥ board brought him no help.

In the very next hand, Holz was in the small blind and he shoved when it folded to him. Michael Egan called from the big blind with the A♣ 6♦ , and was up against Holz’s K♣ 8♦ . The dealer laid out the 7♣ 4♠ 2♥ K♥ 10♠ giving Holz top pair and another consecutive elimination. He’s up to 3.55 million now.

Neilson wins HK$676,000 ($86,990 US), while Egan gets a pay jump to HK$727,000 ($93,553 US). –JS

2pm: Egan’s invincible
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

There’s no beating Michael Egan – the Aussie has just doubled up again.

He open-jammed for 300,000 in the utg+1 seat only for countryman Kahle Burns to re-shove in the cutoff. Nobody else got involved, so the cards were on their backs.

It turns out that Egan’s cards were the two of the four best in the deck – the A♠ A♥ . Burns had the 4♥ 4♦ and an ace on the flop sealed Egan the win.

At the beginning of the next hand, Egan was under the gun but still had to count his stack. He did it kinda funny, counting out small piles, breaking them into smaller ones etc, much to Fedor Holz’s amusement.

“I have never seen anyone count their chips like that!” the German said.

Anyway, Egan has 780,000 and Burns has 1.45 million. –JS

1:55pm: Wang Wang Wang Wang
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Zuo Wang is absolutely relentless. He just played four hands in succession on the feature table, winning three of them. The mystery of how he amassed that big stack is becoming clearer.

Kahle Burns opened to 180,000 from the cutoff and Wang three-bet to 550,000 from the button. Everyone, including Burns, folded.

Next up, Wang opened to 180,000 from the cutoff and Fedor Holz was brave enough to give him a spin from the big blind. Holz checked the J♥ 5♠ K♣ flop and then called when Wang bet 125,000.

Both players checked the 9♣ turn, then Holz bet 170,000 at the 3♦ river and Wang folded. That was the pot he lost.

The next hand, Wang opened to 180,000 from UTG+1 and won blinds and antes. The next hand, Wang opened to 180,000 from under the gun and Burns called in the big blind.

After Burns checked the K♠ 9♦ 10♠ flop, Wang put out a bet and Burns folded without needing to know how much it was. — HS

1:45pm: All aboard
Level 20: Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

The way Kahle Burns announced call at this end of this hand, all blunt and frustrated, gave an indication of his hand before he turned it over.

It all started with a small blind limp from Burns and a raise to 230,000 by big blind Zuo Wang. Burns made the call to see a 7♥ 10♣ 9♠ flop, which both players checked.

See if you can guess what Burns held at this point.

Then turn came the J♥ and now Burns led out for 205,000. Wang wanted to see a river and made the call, before the dealer put down the 8♦ . A straight was now on the board, meaning any queen would provide a higher straight, and king queen was now the nuts.

Burns checked it. Have you guessed what he had yet?

There was no checking from Wang though. He stuck in a bet of what looked to be around 400,000. Burns announced call so quickly that it was never even counted.

Wang showed the 9♥ 6♥ meaning he was playing the board, and Burns showed the J♦ 8♠ , meaning he’d flopped the absolute nuts but ended up chopping the pot in the end.

Well done if you guessed correctly. –JS

1:40pm: O’Dwyer drops some
Level 20 – Blinds 40,000/80,000 (ante 10,000)

Steve O’Dwyer is not having it all his own way on table two. He’s meeting plenty of resistance, principally from Qiang Lin.

In a hand that occurred right at the end of the previous level, O’Dwyer made it 140,000 from the button, Lin called from the small blind and James Chen came along from the big blind. There was no action on the 10♣ K♦ K♣ flop and the 2♥ landed on the turn. Lin checked, Chen bet 200,000, O’Dwyer called and Lin then check-raised to 590,000. Chen quickly folded and, although O’Dwyer seemed interested, he too folded.

That’s dropped him down to 2,950,000 and given Lin a boost to 2,805,000. –NW

1:35pm: Double ups for Chen and Egan
Level 19: Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

In simultaneous hands, James Chen and Michael Egan have both managed to double up.

Chen open-shoved for 665,000 from the hijack and it folded to Steve O’Dwyer in the big blind. He stood up, took a glance at the clock and the payouts, and announced “call”.

O’Dwyer’s A♣ 2♠ was dominated by Chen’s A♦ 10♠ though, and the Q♦ J♥ 5♠ 9♥ 10♣ runout secured Chen the win. He’s up to 1.4 million now, while O’Dwyer dips a bit to 2.95 million, giving Kahle Burns the chip lead.

On the other table, Egan managed to double up through Fedor Holz. I never caught the German’s hand, but Egan had queen-nine and had made a broadway straight by the river. Despite the double up, Egan’s 460,000 stack is still stuck in the dangerzone. –JS

1:25pm: Lots of stars. Lots of bucks.
Level 19: Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

What do Super High Rollers like more than money? Well, if the giant order of Starbucks that has just arrived is any indication, you’d have to say tea and coffee. As the players are now comfortably in the money, the floor staff have treated them all to a free ‘bucks of their choosing. With 12 left, they may need the caffeine to get them through the day. –JS

1:15pm: O’Dwyer extends his lead
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

A lesson for us all here. Don’t bluff Steve O’Dwyer.

James Chen is the player who just found that out to his cost and he’s now down to 10 big blinds. He called from the big blind, after O’Dwyer had raised from the the button. On the 4♠ 8♠ A♦ flop O’Dwyer c-bet 140,000 and Chen called. No chips entered the pot on the 8♥ turn and the 6♦ completed the board.

Chen came out firing on the river, betting 430,000. O’Dwyer went into the tank but with the countdown on he flicked in a single chip to call. Chen sheepishly showed 3♠ 2♠ for a busted flush and straight draw. O’Dwyer opened 6♥ 4♥ for a gutsy call. He’s up to 3.7 million and Chen is down to 600,000. –NW

1pm: Egan’s life support
Level 19: Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Michael Egan is down, but he’s not out. Not yet.

He very nearly was. On the hand immediately after Isaac Haxton’s elimination, he made it 130,000 to go from the cutoff. Kahle Burns moved all-in from the button and action passed through the blinds back to Egan.

Stacks were very close, but Egan called. That was bad news. Egan had A♣ Q♥ but Burns had found A♦ A♥ .

The aces survived the Q♠ 4♦ 6♥ 10♣ 8♥ board and the stacks were counted down. Burns had 1.415 million, which was precisely 115,000 more than Egan. It meant that Burns leapt to around 3 million and the chip lead, while Egan was left with fumes.

On the next hand, Fedor Holz opened to 135,000 and Egan figured he could fold this one. Burns, however, three-bet to 400,000 and Holz folded.

Egan got his chips in on the next hand, though. He only had 95,000 at this stage but jammed and Daniel Neilson called in the big blind. Egan’s K♣ 2♦ actually beat Neilson’s A♣ 6♠ after the board of Q♣ 10♦ 10♠ 2♥ J♠ .

Egan open-shoved from under-the-gun on the next hand, and nobody wanted to part with the 260,000 it would now cost. Egan was therefore able to fold the next hand, following an open from Burns under the gun. Holz three-bet Burns to 500,000 and won that pot. — HS

1:10pm: Hustle-Lin
Level 19: Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Yesterday, Qiang Lin was on Steve O’Dwyer’s left for the latter levels and was causing him a few problems. Today he’s picked up where he left off.

O’Dwyer opened to 140,000 in the cutoff and Lin called on the button to see a K♦ 2♣ 7♥ flop. Both checked it, and the dealer burned and turned the 5♣ . O’Dwyer now made a delayed c-bet of 200,000, only for Lin to raise it up to 540,000. The clock ticked all the way down to four seconds before O’Dwyer made the call.

The river came the A♦ , and there’d be no more betting on this street. O’Dwyer showed the 10♠ 7♠ for third pair, but Lin had him beat with the K♥ J♥ . –JS

1pm: Haxton’s outta here
Level 19: Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Unlucky 13 for Ike Haxton. He’s the latest player to fall, and the first to officially make some money.

After action folded to Michael Egan on the button, he jammed and Haxton peeked down at his cards and made a call for his last 250,000. Kahle Burns gave up his big blind and Haxton’s 10♣ 9♣ was up against Egan’s A♠ K♥ .

“This hand always wins,” said Egan, or something along those lines anyway. It didn’t this time though; the board ran out 4♦ 6♥ Q♠ 6♣ 6♠ to send Haxton out in 13th for HK$676,000 (approximately $86,990). –JS

Haxton – out in 13th

Holz takes a chunk out of Burns
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

The players who were second and third in chips just clashed in a chunky pot. Kahle Burns and
Fedor Holz were the men in question, Burns made it 135,000 from under the gun and Holz called from the button.

Burns gave up the betting lead on the 2♠ Q♦ Q♠ flop, but he called Holz’s bet of 130,000. On the 3♦ turn Holz fired another 350,000 and Burns called again. Both players checked the 10♣ river and Burns turned over A♠ 5♠ with the confidence of a man who expected to have the best hand. But, having bet with nothing, Holz had got there on the river with K♣ 10♠ . He’s up to 2,650,000 while Burns is down to 1,500,000. –NW

12:50pm: One to Wang
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Kahle Burns has been the prominent player at the “other” table–ie, the table other than the one that burst the bubble. He made a pretty gutsy call with king-high in a pot against Manig Loeser and was right. Loeser bet a missed straight draw. But Burns then gave the chips back to Zuo Wang.

On the latter hand, Burns opened to 130,000 from the cutoff and Wang called on the button. The flop fell 10♣ J♠ 2♥ and Burns led for 210,000. Wang called.

The turn brought the 9♥ and Burns now checked. But Wang seized his chance and bet 265,000. Burns called. The 3♣ completed the board and Burns checked again. Wang now pushed out 560,000.

Burns seemed interested, but not that interested. With about two seconds left on his clock, he folded. One to Wang. — HS

12:43pm: Behzad Ahadpour bubbles
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

On just the second hand of the day the bubble burst and it’s Behzad Ahadpour who’s the last to leave this tournament empty handed. He three-bet shoved from the big blind for 655,000 with A♣ 8♣ and Steve O’Dywer – who had raised to 140,000 from the button – called the extra.

Ahadpour sees the bad news

It was bad news for Adadpour has O’Dwyer had him dominated with A♥ 9♦ . A 10♥ K♣ 4♦ A♠ 6♠ run out meant Adadpour was done in 14th and everyone else has now locked up a min-cash at the very least. –NW

12:36pm: Smith hits case ten to double in very first hand
Level 19: Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

What an absolute dream start for Dan Smith. He got his money in and was behind, but hit a miracle one-outer to double through chip leader Steve O’Dwyer.

Action was on James Chen and he opened to 135,000 from middle position. It then folded to Smith in the cutoff, and he stood up to prepare himself before sticking in his 525,000 stack.

Smith’s good friend O’Dwyer was to his left on the button, and he re-jammed to isolate. The blinds folded and Chen folded too, so the cards were flipped.

Smith – 10♥ 10♠
O’Dwyer – Q♥ Q♦

It didn’t look good for Smith, but the 2♠ 10♣ 5♥ flop sure did. The A♥ and 9♥ completed the board meaning Smith doubled to 1.2 million and O’Dwyer dips to 2.5 million.

“Case ten!” said Chen after the hand. “I folded a ten!” –JS

12:35pm: Away they go
Level 19 – Blinds 30,000/60,000 (ante 10,000)

Let’s burst this bubble shall we. — HS

12:25pm: Holz first to sit down

There’s an old rule in tournament poker: the first player to sit down never wins. But get this: Fedor Holz was first in his seat for today’s final day of the Super High Roller, and if anyone can break a hoodoo, Holz can.

We’re looking good for an on-time start today. — HS

11:45am: Let’s crown a champion

Morning all and welcome back to the PokerStars LIVE! card-room at the City of Dreams Casino, Macau. We’re going to find a millionaire today.

Actually, when you look at the 14 players left in this $400,000 Super High Roller tournament, it’s pretty clear there are already a few millionaires among them. Steve O’Dwyer heads the field; Fedor Holz is second. At the other end of the ladder, Isaac Haxton and Dan Smith have got a fair few results as well.

But one of the following players is still going to leave this card-room empty handed today. We did not burst the bubble last night so they will return with that as the first order of business today. After that, it’s all about divvying up the near $33 million prize-pool. (That’s Hong Kong Dollars. Don’t get over-excited.)

Ladies, don’t get over-excited

Play begins at 12:30pm local time and this is the only place you will find live coverage in what approximates to English. Stick around.

How they stand:

Take a look at the official website of PokerStars LIVE, with tournament schedule, news, results and accommodation details for the PokerStars Championship Macau and all other Festival and Championship events.

Also all the information is on the PokerStars LIVE App, which is available on both Android or IOS.

PokerStars Blog reporting team on the $50,000 Super High Roller: Jack Stanton, Howard Swains and Nick Wright. Photography by Neil Stoddart.

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