As the World Series of Poker summer enters full swing, Wednesday’s schedule is jam-packed with tournaments reaching all stages of progression, but two events will crown a new champion today.
After attracting 7,761 entries, Event #20: $1,500 NLHE “Millionaire Maker” heads to a fourth and final day of play with just 14 runners remaining.
Via the live updates provided by PokerNews, bracelet Sportsbook Ralph Perry leads with 7,765,000 chips to work with, but he’s trailed closely by Daniel Chan (7,585,000), while Bryce Yockey (6,315,000), Yuriy Boyko (5,300,000), and Alexander Farahi (5,295,000) round out the top five.
Everyone left is guaranteed to pocket at least $68,022 for making it this far, but $1,221,407 waits up top for the eventual Sportsbook.
Over in Event #24: $1,500 Limit Hold’em, just 15 hopefuls remain in contention from the 616-player field.
Nancy Nguyen is the player to beat at this point, having built a big stack of 574,000 to put herself well clear of Mark Bassaly (461,000), Ray Henson (373,000), Michael Reed (364,000), and Shane Buchwald (343,000).
All eyes will be on Poker Hall of Famer and three-time WSOP Sportsbook Barry Greenstein, as the Ace on the River author brings 316,000 chips – but a wealth of experience contesting the tournament endgame – to Day 3’s battle for the bracelet.
Whenever seven tournaments are on the schedule the Rio is always buzzing with activity, but railbirds will have a special sweat in Event #26: $10,000 Razz World Championship. Only a few days removed from winning his third bracelet, 2010 WSOP Player of the Year Frank Kassela is at it again.
With the starting field of 97 carved down to a more manageable 38, Kassela sits on a stack of 364,500 – making him the only player aside from Don Zewin (303,000) to top the 300,000-chip plateau when Day 1 ended. Decorated pro Anthony Zinno (254,000) is lurking in third, while Andrey Zhigalov (241,000), and Konstantin Maslak (216,500) fill in the top five.
Maurice Hawkins dominated the WSOP-Circuit this year to the tune of three gold rings – giving him the all-time record of 10 Circuit wins – but he’s still searching for his first bracelet.
Hawkins appears poised for a breakthrough in 2017, and he enters Day 3 of Event #23: $2,650 “The Marathon” with a huge chip lead.
Hawkins has 920,000 at his disposal –300,000 more than his closest competitor in Alexander Lynskey (618,000).
Click here to see poker reviews and WSOP qualifier specials.
Related News
