From the cutoff, Viliyan Petleshkov opened to 110,000 and Tue Ullerup Hansen called on the button. On the flop, Petleshkov continued for 115,000 and was called before firing a second barrel worth 130,000 on the turn. Ullerup Hansen raised it up to 375,000 and that forced a fold from Petleshkov.
With many smaller hands, the Dane has built the stack further and took over the lead.
Patrick Serda raised to 110,000 on the button and Ihar Soika defended the big blind. On the flop, both players checked. Soika then bet the turn for 145,000 and Serda called before the on the river completed a possible flush draw.
Soika bet 380,000 with 875,000 behind and Serda talked through possible hands. He eventually called and Soika showed for a full house. "Full House is good. I had one of the best hands to call with," Serda added.
After the end of this level, the players will be sent into a 60-minute dinner break. Down to two tables of five, the action on both is being monitored to ensure that a similar number of hands is played on each.
In the previous hand, Jussi Nevanlinna had shoved from the button and William Kassouf folded in the small blind. "I am getting it in with king high next hand," and Nevalinna joked "I will shove first."
Nevanlinna then folded the cutoff and Kassouf announced all in. "This is the hand. Thanks guys, merry Christmas to you guys." Patrick Serda folded in the small blind and Kassouf added "thanks Paul, cheers mate," before Paul Leckey had called. The other table was to finish his hand still and the showdown then took place.
William Kassouf:
Paul Leckey:
"Any kings about?" Kassouf asked, but the flop came . Matas Cimbolas leaned over and mentioned "you need a ten now," which Kassouf promptly asked for. Sure enough the came right away on the turn and Kassouf improved to a straight. "Brick please," the Brit asked for and the wish was granted with a blank on the river. Kassouf doubled for 445,000 and moved to just under 1 million.
Ihar Soika open-shoved from the small blind and Jussi Nevanlinna called all in from the big blind for his last 760,000. Once the second table was finished, the cards were turned over.
Jussi Nevanlinna:
Ihar Soika:
The flop of didn't change much, but Soika picked up a gutshot with the turn. After the river, Soika improved to sixes and fours, which eliminated Nevanlinna in 10th place and set up the unofficial final table. There will now be a short five minute break to move everyone over to one table.
The unofficial nine-max final table is set and play has resumed with 40:25 left on the clock on Level 26. Players will be on dinner break after the level is completed.
Ihar Soika raised to 140,000 from early position and Viliyan Petleshkov defended his big blind. on the flop, both players checked. Petleshkov bet the turn for 115,000 and Soika called before both checked through the on the river.
Petleshkov turned over for seven-high and a busted flush draw, while Soika claimed the pot with for a pair of jacks.
One hand later, Grzegorz Wyraz opened to 125,000 from the button and Petleshkov three-bet to 400,000 in the small blind. William Kassouf let go in the big blind and Wyraz folded as well.
Jens Lakemeier won a pair of small uncontested pots. He received some pushback on the next hand he got involved with.
Lakemeier raised from the hijack to 130,000 before Patrick Serda three-bet to 350,000 from the cutoff. The rest of the players mucked their hands and after a short time thinking, Lakemeier decided to call.
After that the betting slowed down as neither Lakemeier or Serda decided to reach for their chips as the board ran out . Lakemeier turned over for top pair on the flop, but the chips were pushed over to Serda after he turned over for a better pair after the river got him out ahead of his opponent.
flop, Petleshkov continued for 115,000 and was called before firing a second barrel worth 130,000 on the 
turn. Ullerup Hansen raised it up to 375,000 and that forced a fold from Petleshkov.
flop, both players checked. Soika then bet the 
turn for 145,000 and Serda called before the 
on the river completed a possible flush draw.
. Matas Cimbolas leaned over and mentioned "you need a ten now," which Kassouf promptly asked for. Sure enough the 
didn't change much, but Soika picked up a gutshot with the 
river, Soika improved to sixes and fours, which eliminated Nevanlinna in 10th place and set up the unofficial final table. There will now be a short five minute break to move everyone over to one table.
flop, both players checked. Petleshkov bet the 
turn for 115,000 and Soika called before both checked through the 
for seven-high and a busted flush draw, while Soika claimed the pot with 
for top pair on the flop, but the chips were pushed over to Serda after he turned over 
for a better pair after the river got him out ahead of his opponent.