Parlafes first appeared on the international live poker scene in 2009, and his winnings already amount to nearly $500k ($488,192 so far) but – as he said yesterday after busting a player: "I'm the best at running good". He is now guaranteed at least €58,820 for making the final eight. Parlafes, who made the transition to poker from sports betting, is mainly a cash game player but he also plays some tournaments as he likes travelling with his mum and seeing new places. He reported a bunch of results in EPT and Eureka circuits but his best cash was in 2012 for $ 144,979 at the Vienna Poker Festival. He won his two weeks ago on PokerStars.fr.
Dimov has played numerous EPTs since the start of Season 10 including the PCA, Prague, London and Barcelona. Ranked #25 in the Bulgaria all-time money list for live events and a SuperNova on PokerStars, the 25-year-old from Veliko Tarnova finished 11th at EPT London last October for his best ever live result of €33,500. He was also 20th in the EPT Barcelona High Roller for €11,400. His first ever live results was also on the European Poker Tour when he finished 31st in a €1k side event at EPT Prague last season. His total live tournament winnings are already over $100k. Online, Dimov has been playing on PokerStars since 2009 and is a regular in the major tourneys. 2014 was a very successful year for him online – his best results were third in the $1,050 Super Tuesday ($400K Gtd) for $61,608 and runner-up in the $109 Sunday Rebuy ($225K Gtd) for $45,884. He also has multiple third and fourth place finishes in tourneys like the $215 Sunday Supersonic ($125K Gtd), $530 Sunday 500 ($300K Gtd).
After spending the last few years honing his skills online and avidly following the tour via EPTLive, Benjamin Buhr finally made his EPT debut this week. He said: “It has always been a dream for me to play the EPT in Deauville.” Buhr says his main goal for his first appearance at an EPT was to “gain experience”. With a seat at the final, a hefty chip-stack and a €543,700 first prize in sight, the 25-year-old is certainly getting more than he asked for! Buhr qualified in a €500 Double Vision satellite on PokerStars.fr on New Year’s Day (after bubbling the first one he played). He is a relative newcomer to live play (with only four cashes to his name, including a min-cash at this year’s FPS Main Event final) but an experienced online player under the moniker “FreeStyle324” ($94,561 in cashes on PokerStars.fr). Buhr is being supported here by his girlfriend as well as his mom, who’s been cheering from the rail since Day 1 (a cousin is also on the way - no info about aunts and/or uncles).
Every so often the EPT throws up a real character and there’s no doubt that Joseph Carlino – the all-singing, Tae Kwon Do-kicking bon vivant who has been entertaining EPTLive viewers for two days - is one of them. He came to Deauville after qualifying online for the FPS Main Event - and then won his EPT Main Seat in a live satellite. The ebullient part-time actor, who runs a restaurant in Lyon, is also a karaoke fan and amateur magician and having the time of his life here at Casino Barriere. He’s been playing poker since at least 2009 but now guaranteed by far his biggest lifetime cash. In fact, the €58,820 he’s guaranteed for making the final is way more than all his other live cashes put together.
Dany Parlafes opened to 85,000 from middle position. His neighbor Ognyan Dimov made the call and Benjamin Buhr next to him in the hijack came along as well.
Parlafes continued for 145,000 on and both players made the call.
The fell on the turn and Parlafes and Dimov checked. Buhr now bet out 265,000 and Parlafes didn't waste much time calling. Dimov thought about it for a little bit before folding.
The on the river made Parlafes check. Buhr almost instantly checked behind and the cards went on their backs.
Parlafes showed for the flopped pair and nut flush draw that stayed just a pair. Buhr tabled for the over pair and took it down. The two of them are now almost even in chips with a slight lead for Buhr.
From singing bakers to raging Romanians, all you need to know about the final table players at EPT Deauville. The PokerStars Blog has all the info you need.
Two big things on the docket this week, as Aussie Millions has wrapped up and the World Series of Poker schedule has been released. Donnie Peters and Rich Ryan recap the big festival Down Under and the team is then joined by "Kid Poker" himself, Daniel Negreanu, to discuss the 2015 WSOP schedule.
Triple Crown winner Davidi Kitai is known for his excellent ability to spot live tells and we asked him to give us some advice on the matter. Kitty has just shy of $6,000,000 in live tournament earnings and is among the most accomplished tournament players in the world.
Dany Parlafes opened to 115,000 from under the gun and found a call from Benjamin Buhr. It folded to Benjamin Pollak in the cutoff and he moved all in for his last 775,000. The rest of the table folded and Pollak lived to see another day.
![[user18957]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
and both players made the call.
fell on the turn and Parlafes and Dimov checked. Buhr now bet out 265,000 and Parlafes didn't waste much time calling. Dimov thought about it for a little bit before folding.
on the river made Parlafes check. Buhr almost instantly checked behind and the cards went on their backs.
for the flopped pair and nut flush draw that stayed just a pair. Buhr tabled 
for the over pair and took it down. The two of them are now almost even in chips with a slight lead for Buhr.
