News

West Palm Beach, Fla. (February 14, 2015) – Saturday was a special Valentine’s edition of the World Series of Poker Circuit. A large group of singles (and poker players with very understanding significant others) descended on the Palm Beach Kennel Club for Day 1B of Main Event at the latest stop of the Circuit. Despite the occasion, the atmosphere of love gave way to the tournament’s intense competition, and when the dust settled at the end of the night, only 48 of 248 entries still had chips. Day 2 will be played on Sunday as those 48 players join the 51 who survived yesterday’s Day 1A.

The chip leader at the end of Day 1B is Bardia Jahann, who finished with 257,500 in chips. However, he is not the overall leader heading into Day 2. Barry Hutter finished Day 1A atop the chip counts with 310,000, and he’ll carry that lead into Sunday. And in fact, two other players from Day 1A enter Day 2 ahead of Bardia: Daren Stabinski (285,000) and Anthony Spinola (266,500).

Both starting days of this event attracted a field of tough, high-profile players. The biggest name in the room today was 2006 WSOP Main Event champion Jamie Gold. He was joined by another player who made a mark for himself at the WSOP Main Event, John Dolan, who made the 2010 November Nine. Dolan advanced to Day 2 with 64,500 in chips. Gold, however, fired two bullets and busted out both times. Also in the field today was Tristan Wade, who won the Main Event the last time the Circuit came to the Palm Beach Kennel Club. He busted out, though, and will not be a repeat winner. Other notables who played today include seven-time Circuit ring winner Ari Engel, David Levi, and two bracelet winners from last summer, Greg Kolo and Sam Jaddi. Of those players, only Levi (28,500) advanced to Day 2.

The quality of the field today was not a surprise after seeing the turnout for yesterday’s Day 1A. Players from 1A who advanced to Day 2 include Mukul Pahuja (69,500 in chips), bracelet winner Leo Wolpert (102,000), Joe Kuether (187,000), Matt Stout (145,000), Jason Mercier (29,500), and WSOP Circuit points leader Paul Sokoloff (103,000).

Yesterday, there were 289 entries for Day 1A, and the combined field featured 537 entries. The top 54 finishers will make the money, so almost half of the 99 players who come back for Day 2 will leave empty-handed. The official prize pool will be announced Sunday, but indications are the winner will earn more than $173,000.

The winner also receives a free entry into the 2015 WSOP National Championship (a $10,000 value). The dates and location of the National Championship will be announced soon.

Day 2 begins Sunday at noon in the tournament area here at the Palm Beach Kennel Club.

Here are the top ten chip counts heading into Day 2. Complete chip counts are available in the “Reports” tab, above.

1 – Barry Hutter – 310,000
2 – Daren Stabinski – 285,000
3 – Anthony Spinola – 266,500
4 – Bardia Jahann – 257,500
5 – James Salmon – 244,500
6 – David Dowdy – 240,000
7 – Rob Gill – 235,000
7 – David Nowling – 235,000
9 – Victor Figueroa – 212,500
10 – Matt Chapman – 194,500