Earlier this week we spoke to PokerStars Team Pro Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier, and he said that he was struggling on Day 1b with little sleep, but was enjoying playing in the beautiful Sochi Casino & Resort.
"Actually I didn't sleep much for the last few nights, so it's weird," he said with play getting close to the money in the Main Event, "I'm feeling good here. I'm focussed about the tournament and just trying to play my best game.
"Luckily there are very short days so it's not that hard to focus. It's not that hard to focus for six or seven hours a day Yesterday we finished at seven, today we'll finish at seven so it's not too hard. Definitely not the toughest schedule!"
Grospellier has been under the lights of the feature table for a couple of days, but says that he thinks players do change the way they play under the lights.
"Some players will play tighter because they don't want to look stupid. Some play crazy because they want to be able to show a nice bluff on the TV! It polarises their behaviour a little bit, so that adds an extra element.
"I'm neutral to it. The only thing I don't like is the way they slow things up for the all-ins. It just means we play slower than other tables. It's not completely fair.
Sporting some of his trademark sunglasses, Grospellier says that he's enjoying being able to wear them after his nose surgery.
"When I was in Monaco I was on the feature table for two days under the lights. And I couldn't wear my sunglasses because of the surgery, and it was brighter than in here, so I got this really bad headache."
With most players aiming for the cash, the Frenchman insists that he's not going to settle for securing a Russian flag for his Hendon Mob.
"I'd rather make the final table and win the championship than get a flag! I'm not here for the flag. That doesn't matter for me. If I need to go all-in on the bubble, I'll do it, especially if it means I have a bigger chance of winning the tournament."
turn and Isaev bet 17,500 and Kovalenko called. After the 
river, Isaev checked and Kovalenko bet 27,000.
and Passet was eliminated.
flop gave Kovalenko the lead. Needing a ten or any six or jack to make a straight, Kozyrev bricked out and was eliminated.
and both players checked and saw the 
.
not just for a straight but for a flopped nut straight. He now sits with just under 300,000 in chips.
, Zhadinsky check-raised from 18,000 to 55,000 and Lakhov called to see the pot grow to 158,000. Zhadinsky had 166,500 left and moved all in, and Lahkov called with the superior stack.
flop and the 
turn, but the 
river gave Zhadinsky a set and he busted Tonkikh.
. It looked certain to be three in a row for Zhadinsky after the 
flop, but Manashov imprved on the 
and that was it for Motorov.
