ROBERT PANITCH LOOKS FOR BACK-TO-BACK CIRCUIT MAIN EVENT TITLES
As the $1,675 No Limit Hold'em WSOP Circuit Cherokee Main Event progresses towards Day 2, Robert "Uncle Krunk" Panitch sits toward the top of the chip counts and in position to make Circuit history by winning back-to-back Circuit main events.

Panitch bagged 280,000 after surviving Day 1B of the event and sits fifth overall heading into Day 2. He is coming off a win in St. Louis for $137,283 after defeating Robert Edelstein heads-up in an epic heads-up match that lasted almost 11 hours.

While Panitch has the most buzz going into Day 2, Michael Sewell has the most chips. Sewell also survived Day 1B and will head into the penultimate day of the event with 427,000 in chips. Sewell leads the 137 players who will make their way back to the tournament area on Sunday at noon.

Day 1A had 261 players show up with only 52 making it through the 15, 40 minute levels that were played. Phil Hui led all Day 1A players with 295,000 in chips. Cory Waaland, Ralph Massey, and Nancy Birnbaum joined Hui in making it through the day. Lee Childs also made it through Day 1A after having less than one big blind heading into the final break.

Those who busted 1A had a second chance at the event on Day 1B. Austin Buchanan, DJ MacKinnon, Joseph Hebda, and 2008 WSOP Main Event third-place finisher Dennis Phillips all took another swing at the event. Unfortunately, none of them were able to make it through the day and their hopes of a Circuit ring will have to wait until another stop.

2004 WSOP Main Event Champion Greg Raymer busted Day 1A as well, but made the most of his second chance. He started off the day slow, but hit his stride toward dinner break and quickly crossed the 100,000 chip mark. He finished the day with 177,500 in chips.

Other notables who were able to survived the 404 player Day 1B field included Daniel Lowery, Andrew Rothfolk, and Kyle Cartwright. The two starting flights combined for a total field size of 665 players, which generated a prizepool of $997,500 and guaranteeing the top two spots a six-figure score. 

When play resumes on Sunday, the money bubble will be looming over the heads of all the players. Of the 137 who return at noon, only 72 will earn themselves a payday of at least $2,793. While earning at least a min-cash will be the first thing on everybody's minds, the gold ring and the $204,487 first place prize money is what everybody is shooting for.

Here's a look at the top 10 chip counts:

1. Michael Sewell - 427,000
2. Jon Soule - 340,500
3. Peter Dominic - 311,000
4. Phillip Hui - 295,000
5. Robert Panitch - 280,000
6. Corey Bierria - 269,500
7. Krishna Kota - 265,000
8. Michael Whitney - 217,000
9. Jason Stover - 209,500
10. Norman Mckeldin - 205,500
 
 A full look at the chip counts heading into Day 2 can be found here.