There was a discussion of foregoing the dinner break and the players agreed. The plan was quickly nixed by the working crews, who insisted on the break. Without much arguement the final four headed out on dinner break, and if they haven’t had enough of each other already they could all head over to Hungs and grab a 4 top to spend a little more time together while enjoying some barbeque duck.

Daniel’s aversion to meat, and that they have been playing together for days and will continue to sit in close quarters until a champion is reached makes it more likely that the final 4 break apart and go their own ways on the break to contemplate their strategies for four handed play when they return. The blinds will be a nice even 25k / 50k with a 5k ante when they return.

Play got down to the final four when Daniel Negreanu eliminated Markus Ristola. At the time the blinds were 20k / 40k with a 5k ante and Daniel had opened to 100k. Ristola then moved all in. Daniel made the call with the A5 and was running slightly ahead of the KT held by Ristola. A nothing flop left Daniel in front but a king on the turn jumped Ristola to the lead. In true goo for TV suspense there was a long pause and then BAM - A on the river, ship the pot to Negreanu. Markus Ristola (right), the only unknown (to the people I talked to at least) at the final table had a strong showing but ultimately fell in 5th place for £200,367.

Before eliminating Ristola there had been another all in where Daniel doubled up Praz Bansi. Daniel had opened for 100k and when Bansi moved in for a little over a million he made the call. Bansi had the best with his pocket queens against the AJ for Negreanu. Daniel made a pair on the jack high flop but the Q on the turn ended all the suspense and Bansi doubled to even the stacks of the four remaining players.

Final 4 Chip Counts:

• October 1, 2009 -- The Mighty Has Fallen: Mercier 4th
• October 1, 2009 -- Dinner and a Double
• October 1, 2009 -- Action: Hawrilenko Out 8th, Saout 7th, Bjorin 6th
• October 1, 2009 -- Next Up November: Akenhead Eliminated 9th