Friday, May 19, 2017 11:27 PM Local Time
Jonathan Poche Bags Chip Lead in Flight A of NOLA Main Event
Flight A Chip Leader Jonathan Poche
The first of two starting flights in the Circuit Main Event at Harrah's New Orleans got a total of 311 entries and 58 players survived the day. The big stack at the conclusion of play was 244,000 chips and belongs to Jonathan Poche, won the Circuit Main Event here the last time he played, which was in 2011.
After Poche, Jeffrey Trudeau Jr. bagged the second most chips with 234,500, followed by Brett Connally (218,000), Ken Barlow (200,000), and Brock Gary (192,000) to round out the top five from Flight A.
Other well-known players to bag in this flight include two-time WSOP bracelet winner Loni Harwood (133,500), who would love to add another ring to her collection of three, and fellow bracelet winners Phil Hui (54,500) and Kyle Cartwright (111,500).
Doug Carli also made it through, with 127,500. Carli holds the record for most cashes all-time in Circuit events. Three-time ring winner Robert Georato will bring a stack of 51,500 to Day 2. DJ Alexander has one Circuit ring and got fourth in the WSOP Circuit in Choctaw in January. He bagged up a healthy stack of 187,000.
Some other WSOP bracelet winners played today, but were unfortunate to bust before the end of the night. These were Cord Garcia, Ben Keeline, Larry Wright, and two-time bracelet winner Josh Arieh. November Niner Dennis Phillips also made an appearance, but busted halfway through the day. Multiple ring winners Valentin Vornicu, Robert Hankins, Caufman Talley, John Holley, and Charles “Woody” Moore also played today but didn't make it through. Several of these players will be sure to show up tomorrow to give it another go.
The Flight A survivors will have a day off in New Orleans tomorrow as players in Flight B fill the room. Those who make it through tomorrow's flight will join the 58 from today for Day 2 Sunday at noon.