Mon, 01/10/2011 – 22:34 – PokerPages Staff

Team PokerStars sponsored pro ‘Isildur1′ was finally unmasked on Saturday as the world’s biggest online poker site confirmed the identity of the high stakes sensation.

20 year old Swede Viktor Blom was presented to an excitable crowd and media gathering at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in the Bahamas before playing out a $20/$50 heads up match against Bertrand ‘Elky’ Grospellier.

The true identity of young nosebleed regular did not surprise many with Blom’s name being linked with the mysterious alias since his arrival on the scene in 2009.

‘Isildur1′ was considered one of the most feared No Limit Hold’em cash game players after battling against the likes of Tom ‘durrrr’ Dwan, Patrik Antonius and Phil Ivey on the virtual felt during that year.

Blom admitted in a PokerStars press release that he felt it was the right time for his identity to be revealed.

“I think a lot of people have known for a long time who I really am, so it does not make a big difference to me.”

He also spoke of his hopes for the year with a busy schedule of live tournament appearances planned.

“I will now be playing lots of EPT events and I really want to focus and win one in 2011. I also think I will have some great SuperStar Showdown matches at PokerStars.”

For more information about the biggest names in poker visit the PokerPages Popular Players section.

2011 January 10, Mickey Doft

The 2011 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure resumed on Monday with 645 players remaining from the starting field of 1,560 to battle it out on Day 2. Six levels were played today and when it was all said and done, 173 players are left in what was a fast and frantic day of poker. Just about everybody was surprised how quickly eliminations came today and the players are well into the money as a result. Ending the day at the top of the counts is Adam Geyer with 909,000. Following him are Ilan Rouah with 795,000 and Chris Oliver with 792,500.

Among those that failed to make it to the money today were Team PokerStars Pros Liv Boeree, Joe Cada, Nacho Barbero, John Duthie, and Dario Minieri. Joining them on the rail was 2010 PCA Champion Harrison Gimbel, unable to recover from the short stack he started the day with.

The hand that had everybody sweating today was the bubble hand. Action folded to Marco Johnson in the small blind and he moved all in for a total of 26,000 at the 2,500/5,000/500 level. William Reynolds was in the big blind and instantly called. Players and media swarmed the table as Johnson’s elimination would guarantee a pay day for everybody. When the cards were turned over, it looked like that would be the case:

Johnson:
Reynolds:

The flop came , not bringing much help to Johnson. He had some hope when the hit the turn, giving him a flush draw. However, the river brought the and Johnson was out in 233rd place.

Eliminations were fast and furious after that as 59 players busted after the money was reached to leave us with our returning field of 173 for Day 3. Some of the players that will return tomorrow are Team PokerStars Pro Chris Moneymaker (650,500), Dave Sands (617,000), Dwyte Pilgrim (489,000), and Faraz Jaka (447,000).

The top ten chip stacks heading into Day 3 are the following:

1. Adam Geyer – 909,000
2. Ilan Rouha – 795,000
3. Chris Oliver – 792,500
4. Harry Kaczka – 687,000
5. Chris Moneymaker – 650,500
6. Eric Buchman – 648,500
7. Oleg Perepletchikov – 641,500
8. David Sands – 617,000
9. Josh Bergman – 610,000
10. Bahbak Oboodi – 596,500

Play is scheduled to pick up at 12 p.m. EST tomorrow. Be sure to follow along right here as the PokerNews Live Reporting Team brings you all the action, eliminations, and drama from the 2011 PCA at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas. Good night!