Mike Cordell has the lead in the Baltimore Main Event, looking to earn his third Circuit ring
BALTIMORE, Md. (May 8, 2017) — Mike Cordell opened Day 2 as one of the shorter stacks in the field
with only 43,500, but at the end of the day it was Cordell who built
accumulated a stack of more than 4.5 million — more than half of the
chips in play — to lead the final six players into Day 3.
Cordell, a WSOP bracelet winner and owner of two Circuit Rings,
started the final table as chip leader and only increased his chip lead
from there, including a late elimination of Richie Smith, which really put distance between him and the rest of the field as play wound down.
Cordell (4,515,000) will be joined by Jeremy Stein (1,495,000), Rob
Garrett (1,260,000), Van Truong (660,000), Alex Queen (590,000), and
Joshua Vizcarra (480,000). The remaining players are all guaranteed at
least $28,671, but when Day 3 begins at noon Monday, they will all
chasing the top prize of $148,171, which comes with a WSOP Circuit Ring
and an entry into the WSOP Global Casino Championship.
Truong is in the midst of a second deep run in as many Circuit main
events. Just two weeks ago, Truong won the Main Event at Harrah's
Cherokee for $318,646.
With only 81 players returning for Day 2, the top 45 finishers would
earn at least a min-cash of $3,044. The chips were flying and there was
no shortage of action throughout the day, with the money bubble burstin
midway through the third level of the day when Rob Garrett eliminated Lara Eisenberg.
Once the players were in the money, the action continued move quickly
with players hitting the rail at a frantic pace. After six levels of
play, the original 81 players were trimmed down to the final 16, who
took a one-hour dinner break.
Players who made the money include Dennis Phillips (42nd), Daniel
Pearlman (38th), Justin Liberto (29th), Henry Meacham (28th), Andrew
Brokos (22nd), and David Aker (12th).
There were several notable pros who failed to last long enough to
secure a cash. A.J. Kelsall, Rex Clinkscales, Allen Kessler, Bob Beck,
Pete Lawson, and five-time ring winner Kurt Jewell were among the
casualties of Sunday's action that went home empty-handed.
When the final table was reached, much of the hype was surrounding
all-time ring leader Maurice Hawkins, who was near the top of the counts
and in the hunt for his record-extending 11th Circuit ring.
Unfortunately for Hawkins, things didn't go his way as the night
progressed and was eliminated the all-time WSOP Circuit Ring leader with
10, was eliminated on the very last hand of play.
When play resumes on Monday, blinds will be 15,000/30,000 with a
5,000 ante. A complete list of results can be found in the "Results" tab on the live updates page.
Here is a look at the seat draw for tomorrow's action:
Seat 1: Alex Queen - 590,000
Seat 2: Josh Vizcarra - 480,000
Seat 3: Jeremy Stein - 1,495,000
Seat 4: Van Truong - 660,000
Seat 5: Robert Garrett - 1,260,000
Seat 6: Mike Cordell - 4,515,000