VALENTIN VORNICU HIGHLIGHTS DAY 1B AT THE BIKE

11 December 2016 (Bell Gardens, Calif.) – The Main Event of the World Series of Poker Circuit at the Bicycle Casino started Saturday afternoon, and now both starting flights are complete.

The chip leader at the end of Day 1B is Mark Hamilton, who bagged up 303,500. He’s followed by Valentin Vornicu, who won this event a year ago. Vornicu is an eight-time WSOP Circuit ring winner, tied for second on the all-time list. If he is able to repeat his accomplishment from last year to earn his ninth ring, he’ll be tied with Alexandru Masek for the record. He carries 291,000 chips into Day 2. Third place on Day 1B is Brian Green, who bagged 283,500.

However, the overall chip leaders still Jared Jaffee and Mohsin Charania, who finished atop the leaderboard on Day 1A. Jaffee bagged 336,600, and Charania 305,500

Day 1B attracted 453 entries on Sunday. Combined with the 365 from Day 1A on Saturday, there are 818 total entries, and prize pool of $1,227,000. This could still increase, as late registration is open until the start of Day 2 on Monday. Full payout and prize pool information will be available shortly after registration closes.

A total of 152 players will return for Day 2 – 71 from Saturday and 81 from Sunday.

At the Bicycle Casino, just a few miles down the highway from the glitz glam of Hollywood, it’s become a virtual tradition for a few stars to play the tournament. The biggest was actor James Woods, who finished 30th in this event a year ago. Woods did not play on Day 1A because he was at the final table of a preliminary event, but he played the Main Event on Day 1B on Sunday. However, he will not match last year’s performance, as he was unable to advance to Day 2. Also playing on Day 1B was former NFL linebacker Chester Burnett, who made it to Day 2 with 57,000 in chips.

Other players from Sunday advancing to Day 2 include David Levi, Wendy Freedman, Melanie Weisner, Eddy Sabat, TJ Thondup, and WSOP bracelet winners Cord Garcia, Marco Johnson, Tony Ma, David “The Dragon” Pham, Jack Duong, and Anthony Spinella. They’ll be joined on Monday by the survivors from Day 1A, including Phil Laak, Alex Foxen, Scott Clements, Barry Hutter, Nipun Java, Matt Salsberg, Aaron Massey, Jordan Young, Tuan Le, and Ben Keeline.

Players who entered but did not survive Day 1 include 2016 WSOP Main Event runner up Gordon Vayo and bracelet winners Frank Kassela, Ronnie Bardah (who holds the all-time record for most consecutive WSOP Main Event cashes), David “ODB” Baker, Jean “Prince” Gaspard, Dan Heimiller, Mike Leah.

Day 2 begins Monday at noon in the tournament room at The Bike. Here are the top five chip counts heading into Day 2. For full chip counts and seat assignments, check out the Reports Tab.

1 – Jared Jaffee – 336,500
2 – Mohsin Charania – 305,500
3 – Mark Hamilton  – 303,500
4 – Valentin Vornicu – 291,000
5 – Brian Green – 283,500