ALGARVE 09 SUMMARY

The Unibet Open in the Algarve was a major success with over 400 players creating a prize pool of over €600,000, with a first prize of €151,000. After four days of top-level poker, Andre Dias from Portugal was crowned the Algarve Unibet Open champion, defeating a tough final table.

The tournament took place at Casino Vilamoura – a stunning venue which offers a wide range of entertainment in addition to its state-of-the art gaming facilities – surrounded by turquoise beaches and drenched in glorious sunshine! Unibet Poker has run the event at various European locations since 2007, and in during the last 2 years, the Unibet Open has grown to be Europe’s second-largest poker tour.

The Algarve event was a star-studded affair with big names from around Europe including F1 driver Robert Kubica, rally driver, Kristian Sohlberg, world-famous shot-putter, Joachim Olsen and former Heavyweight Boxing Champion and racing driver Mihai Leu. All-star names in the poker world included WSOP bracelet winner, Mats Rahm, one of Europe’s top cash games players, Christoffer “No-Name” Egemo, Åge Spets, and one of Norway’s best female players, Vivi Sætheren.

Gorgeous as ever was Miss Belgium 2008, Alizée Poulicek and NHL legend Esa Tikkanen, who went into day 2 as one the chip leaders. EPT winners Pieter de Korver, Constant Rijkenberg and Joao Barbosa were all looking to pick up a second big title, while heavyweight Scandinavians Jan Olav Sjavik and Henning Granstad, and Dutch actor Frank Lammers also made an appearance.

The final table was made of three Portuguese, three Finns, one Dutchman, one Romanian and one Slovakian though it was Daniel Ferrieira who went out first, followed by all three Finns, as Dias eliminated Kiiskila giving him a million chip advantage over everyone else.
Dias had taken over the chip lead late at the end of day 2, running well when he needed too while knocking out several players with just two tables bet, cementing his advantage for the final table.

Eventually, a crucial pot between Martin Jørgensen and Marcus Sullot (Queens versus Ace King) was pushed the way of the latter and Sullot faced Dias heads up in an epic battle lasting several hours that saw multiple swings both ways with each in for their very lives several times.

Finally, Sullot was all-in with 2d 2h against Dias’ Ac Th and the board ran out 9h 8d 7h Kh 6h making the straight and the flush for the local player who was received warmly by a loud supportive crowd.

After this, it’s next to the UK for the Unibet Open in London in mid-July. Could you be the next person to win the trophy?

TOP WINNERS FROM
UNIBET OPEN ALGARVE ‘09

1.				Andre Dias	€ 151,749
2.				Marc Sullot	98,191
3.				Martin Jørgensen	65,460
4.				Mario Soares	47,608
5.				Dan Murariu	37,193
6.				Martin Sujak	25,292
7.				Jarmo Mattila	18,745
8.				Okko Kiiskila	13,390
9.				Daniel Ferreira	10,712