The last Race Trophy semi-final is done and dusted and it's now time to look forward to the grand final in Vienna next month. The 6 lucky finalists have all secured themselves a minimum of $10,000 and will be fighting it out for the lion's share of the $500,000 prize pool.
There's still time though for a quick photo recap of this weekend's final semi-final in Italy. As usual, Sunday saw us head back to the track to watch the big races. As usual as well, we had the very best seats in the house in the VIP club. A highlight for the players was the gridwalk before the main race, which gave ..Mr77.., DK_DONKEY and STAMFORD05 the chance to have a chat with their compatriots Rydell, Poulsen and Priaulx. Getting to walk on the track and speak with the drivers like that really is an experience that money can't buy - you just have to play on PokerRoom.com!




It was then time for the famous farewell party. We headed to one of the oldest and best restaurants in Milan, Boeucc, for a sumptuous banquet and more than a few bottles of fine Italian wine. We were also joined by illusionista's Uncle who is also a Team PokerRoom member and is as we speak jetting off to Milan to take down the PokerNews Cup!

Heading back to the hotel, all that was left to do was drink the hotel bar dry, try and figure out how STAMFORD05 gave himself a black eye on the first night, and say our goodbyes. As ever, it's been a pleasure to get to know all the players (it really does make this job so enjoyable) and I hope I'll be seeing you all again at future events. Ciao for now!



Congratulations to the lady from Poland! She's taken down the final semi final and secures her seat at the $500,000 final in Vienna. G.Mendez shoved pre-flop with pocket 2's and after a few moments in the tank, Master7x elected to make the fall and flipped A7o. The flop brought 54J and things looked good for our Brit. The turn was a 3 and things looked even better. Sadly for him though the river was.... yes, a 7. Bad luck G.Mendez, you played superb poker throughout and with a bit more luck it'd be you in that final. Congratulations again to Masterka7x! Now let the celebrations commence....
Seat 4: G.Mendez 16600
Seat 6: Masterka7x 23400
Blinds are now at 400/800.

Masterka7x has done it again! She's busted doubleclubs to set up a heads up with G.Mendez in which she holds the chip lead. doubleclubs shoved with A2 on the button and was called by Masterka7x on pocket 5's. A 2 on the turn gave a glimmer of hope, but neither the Ace or another 2 turned up on the river. Hard luck doubleclubs but I know you'll be back!

Seat 3: doubleclubs 13600
Seat 5: G.Mendez 7900
Seat 6: Masterka7x 18500
She's just knocked out STAMFORD05, who's suffered a bad beat - KQ somehow managing to beat his AQ after she'd called his shove pre-flop. That was after she'd opened the betting with an initial 1800 bet. The flop was 39K with T and then 9 on the turn and river. Really unlucky STAMFORD05, you didn't do much wrong there, especially being short stacked. At least you haven't got as far to go home as Ragnash though!

Seat 1: doubleclubs 14500
Seat 3: G.Mendez 7900
Seat 5: STAMFORD05 3500
Seat 6: Masterka7x 14100
Blinds at 300/600
doubleclubs bets 1000 holding pocket 8's and Ragnash moves all-in for around 3000 on KQs. The Latvian calls and sets up the coin flip. Flop is J56 rainbow and the turn is the dream 8 for doubleclubs, giving him the set and sending our Australian friend to the rail. It's been a hell of a long way to come for Ragnash but it seems like he's had a great time on his first trip outside Australia. Maybe we'll see you at the Aussie Millions in January mate.

Masterka7x's Kings just held up against G.Mendez's AJ to double up and she takes the chip lead.
Here are those chip counts again:
Seat 1: doubleclubs 6775
Seat 3: G.Mendez 17900
Seat 4: STAMFORD05 3425
Seat 5: ..Mr77.. 5250
Seat 6: Masterka7x 3925
Seat 7: Ragnash 6650
Blinds now at 150/300.
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