Wednesday, June 29, 2016 2:05 AM Local Time
Eduards Kudrjavevs Leads Final 49, Michael Mizrachi Hot on his Heels
Michael Mizrachi sits toward the top of the chip counts
Day 1 of Event #48: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em (30-minute levels) is
officially in the books. Eduards Kudrjavevs bagged the chip lead to end the day with a stack of 640,000.
Hot on Kudrjavevs's heels is none other than three-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Michael Mizrachi. Mizrachi scored several eliminations throughout the day and sat toward the top of the chip counts since the early levels. He bagged second in chips with 608,000. Rounding out the top three is Ankush Mandavia with 590,000.
Other players returning for Day 2 include Kyle Julius (488,000), Chance Kornuth (405,000) Keith Lehr (390,000), Mike McDonald (327,000), Jason Mercier (311,000), Daniel Strelitz (288,000), and Phil Hellmuth (122,000).
This event accumulated a total prize pool of $2,462,000. The top 79 players made the money and were guaranteed at least $7,507. A spot at the prestigious final table is worth $35,636. From there, each remaining player will have their eyes on the top prize of $548,139 and the gold bracelet that accompanies it.
The day began with 524 entrants hoping to achieve poker
immortality by winning the latest World Series of Poker bracelet. Due to
the fast nature of this structure, eliminations came at a rapid rate
throughout the day. By the end of the day, the clock read that just 49 players remained.
Dozens
of poker's elite hit the felt with the hopes of bagging up for Day 2.
Unfortunately, that dream was dashed for a vast majority of the field.
Some of those to fall before the money bubble burst include Greg Merson,
Ryan Riess, Gaelle Baumann, Erik Seidel, Taylor Paur, Liv Boeree, Bart
Hanson, and reigning champion Kevin MacPhee.
The money bubble burst during the last hands of Level 18. Two eliminations occurred simultaneously before the break (one of which was 2010 WSOP Player of the Year Frank Kassela) and each player of the remaining 79 players were guaranteed a payday of at least $7,507.
Some of those eliminated in the money include Dan Kelly (78th), Anthony Zinno (70th), Olivier Busquet (69th), Keven Stammen (61st), Antoine Saout (59th), and Paul Volpe (52nd).
Play resumes at 12 p.m. local time on Wednesday where the remaining field will play down to a champion. As always, be sure to check back with WSOP.com for all of the latest updates from the felt.