EVENT #1 DAY 2 OFF TO FLYING START

The start of Day 2 for Event #1 started off blazing. 9 players were eliminated in the first half hour of play, dropping so fast there were many hands I was unable to capture. Two tables side by side lost two players per table on the same hand. Here are some of the hands I was able to grab in the first 30 minutes.

- Chip leader Chris Lyon already dropped a few chips doubling up Jason Moreno, then he called an all-in by Christian Francia along with Mike Kalfa. Francia more the tripled up from his starting stack when his Kings held up against Lyon's AQ and Kalfa's mystery hand.

- On the next hand at the table, Moreno and Kalfa got all their chips in the middle on a Qh Ks 6h flop. Kalfa's AQ needed help against Merono who was sitting with Kings up with the 6. The turn brought no help but the spiked Ace on the river gave Kalfa a double up.

- Dominic Carlo and Margaret Martin where both all-in preflop with Martin being at risk. She was looking solid with her TT versus 66. Carlo asked the dealer for his "one time, I haven't sucked out all tournament". He got pulled his chips back with a chop when the board ran out 8 J 9 7 and the big Ten on the river.

- There were three-way all-ins at tables 4 and 5. I was only able to capture the action as Alejandro Rayas, Erick Rockwell, and Francis Cheung were looking at a big pot before the flop. Cheung had the other two covered when he tabled KK, up against the tens of Rayas and AQ of Rockwell. The dealer ran out nothing but baby cards and Cheung knocked out two players while nearly tripling up.

- Erwin Benz was drawing completely dead when all his chips went in the middle. He was all-in on a two Queen, two heart board looking for the nut-flush with his A6h. Unfortunately his opponent Patricia Barsanti-Chou was holding the mortal nuts with flopped quad Queens. Benz will return to his radio program at WTBQ with an extra $744 in his pocket.

- Just before the break, Mike Linster moved into the chip lead. After playing many hands during the first level, Rich Russell decided to look him up. On a three spade board, they both got all the chips in holding a fourth spade. Unfortunately for Russell, Linster was holding KK versus his 55 and never drew his miracle two outter. This pot moved Linster to over the 500,000 chips

The following players were eliminated during Level 16:

49 - Jason Kluska - $833
50 - Basile Khourg - $833
51 - Richard Russell - $833
52 - Orfilio Chaviano Jr - $833
53 - Donald Lawrence - $833
54 - Christian Francia - $833
55 - Steven Monaco - $744
56 - Michael Nitti - $744
57 - Robert Negrin - $744
58 - John Barberarie - $744
59 - Anthony Hill - $744
60 - Francis Gottron - $744
61 - Erwin Benz - $744
62 - Phen Su Khou - $744
63 - Anthony Debliech - $744
64 - William Prentiss - $655
65 - Alejandro Rayas - $655
66 - Nikolay Karman - $655
67 - Eric Rockwell - $655
68 - Tom Kracinovich - $655
69 - Matthew Gingras - $655
70 - Ronnie Bardah - $655

Event #1 trophy with Tournament Director Tab Duchateau