Heat 4 of the PartyPoker.com European Open III saw 12th place finisher at the WSOP John Magill, Barry Hearn, Jonny Greek, Mika Tanttu, Ian Cleary and
Dave Garbacz all fighting for a place in the Semi-Finals.
 
John Magill started this heat like it was going to be his last ever game of poker, he won four out of the first five pots and took the lead with $162000 chips.  He then increased his lead when he knocked out Jonny Greek, when his pocket rockets beat Greek’s pocket queens.
 
Magill was playing like a man possessed, he was dictating play and his table talk was also helping him.  He kept winning pot after pot and his lead was now $329,000 chips.
 
Barry Hearn who has an incredible record in these televised events, couldn’t really get going, the cards were never there for him.  He looked down and saw Ah, 9d and went all in.  Dave Garbacz who was unlucky in last years European Open II had As, Kd called.   The board of 10c, 6s, Qc, 10h, 5c didn’t help Hearn, and last year’s third placed finisher was sent back to the green room.
 
Garbacz then had to make a move to stay in the game, he went all in with Ad, 4d and Magill called with Jh, Qc.  Magill paired his queen on the flop and that was the end for Dave Garbacz.  At least it was not as bad an exit like the one he experienced at the European Open II when he and Andy Pyrah both held A, J.  Pyrah hit a four straight clubs to knock him out.
 
Mika Tanttu who qualified through PartyPoker was hanging in by the skin of his teeth.  He went out when Ian Cleary completed his full house when he hit an ace on the turn.
 
The heads up battle between John Magill and Ian Cleary was completed in 6 hands.  Cleary went all in with Ks, Qc and Magill called with pocket 6’s.  The Board came down Jd, 2d, 2h, 5h, 9c.
 
Magill lead from the start to finish and looks dangerous, will he continue this form in the Semi-Finals.  He joins Dave Gregory, Nick Persaud and Scott Fenton.