EPT Monte Carlo gets under way as the WSOP gets closer and closer

Posted by pokerguru on April 30, 2009

As the WSOP looms in the very near future, poker players off shapes and sizes are trying to use the last couple of events on the schedule to tighten up their games and get ready for the big show. This was ever more apparent than at Day 1a of the EPT Monte Carlo. Looking around the room, you would have thought that it was a who’s who over poker.

With only one other major event going on, the WSOP Circuit Tour Event in Las Vegas, the majority of the professionals, especially Team Poker Stars chose to take the last opportunity to skip over the pond and enjoy Monte Carlo. With the Circuit Tour Event being held in Las Vegas so close to the WSOP, it is no wonder that they took the opportunity to skip town one last time before digging in for the 49 day event.

As usual, the room was littered with former World Champions and as usual, everyone in the field was gunning for them. The most notable of the day one massacres was Greg Raymer. He got his money in with a hand that is every player’s dream, gold old AA. However, he was up against KK and the K on the turn sent him to the rail.

In other news…

As we touched on above, the WSOP Circuit Tour Event is well under way in Las Vegas and a name that has not been heard from in a while is catching steam once again. Mike ‘the grinder’ Mizrachi took over a leader board spot and looks to get back to his winning ways just as the WSOP is getting ready to hit town. Mike made a huge impact just a few years ago and between cash games and WPT tournaments, he seemed as though he could not be stopped. He has cooled off a bit, but if he uses this tournament as a springboard, everyone at the WSOP better look out. There are few better at the game when he is playing his best.