Ivey, Hellmuth & Pique Among the Masses Returning for Day 2c
Two days ago the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event saw 3,768 players (the largest WSOP Main Event starting field in history) pack the Rio All-Suite Casino for Day 1c action. After five two-hours levels of play, 2,571 had advanced to Day 2c. Today, those players will return for five more levels of play as they look to punch their ticket to Day 3 and come one step closer to making the money.
Eric Tracy will begin today as the chip leader with 206,175, though Phil Ivey is hot on his heels with 187,025 after winning one of the last hands of the night on Day 1c. Others starting the day with big stacks are Ronald Pease (181,850), Nick Yunis (171,100), Tom Sarra, Jr. (168,100), Martin Hansen (167,250), Jared Bleznick (165,200), and Blair Hinkle (161,650).
Another player returning to action today is Pauly "Walnuts" Bianchi, who was in Chicago hours before the Main Event on Day 1c and gambled his way in thanks to three hands of blackjack. He will be joined by 13-time gold bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth (49,425); footballer Gerard Pique (23,325); NFL star Richard Seymour (27,100); NBA player Paul Pierce (60,400); 2002 WSOP Main Event champ Robert Varkonyi (60,900); 2005 WSOP champ Joe Hachem (48,175); winner of the $1,000,000 Big One for One Drop Daniel Colman (49,225); and "The Great Dane" Gus Hansen (90,550).
All of those players will be looking to survive the day, much like 822 did on Day 2a/b. That is when Tim Stansifer bagged up 481,500, the mark to beat today for anyone looking to advance to Day 3 as the overall chip leader. Others who've already advanced to Day 3 include Antonio Esfandiari (277,800), Abe Mosseri (260,500), Eric Cloutier (236,000), 2003 WSOP Main Event champion Chris Moneymaker (222,000), Faraz Jaka (195,000), Ole Schemion (180,900), Marvin Rettenmaier (173,200), Erik Seidel (130,600), Allen Cunningham (114,400), 1996 WSOP Main Event champion Huck Seed (96,500), and reigning champion Ryan Riess (84,900).
Cards will be in the air at 12 p.m. local time, which is less than two hours from now. Of course the PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be on hand to bring you all the action from Day 2c, so stay tuned!
While you wait, check out this video on actor comedian Kevin Pollak as he makes Day 3 of the Main Event: