WSOPE Main Event, £10,000 NLHE Day 2: Andy Bloch Heads Star-laden Leaderboard

September 29 2008, John "Falstaff" Hartness

One hundred and seventy-nine players returned for Day 2 action in the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event. Among the competitors were superstars Doyle Brunson, John Juanda, Phil Hellmuth, Mike Matusow and chip leader Daniel Negreanu. Several of the 2008 WSOP Main Event final table players were in the field on Day 2, including David "Chino" Rheem, Scott Montgomery, Kelly Kim and Ivan Demidov, who finished the action among the chip leaders. The internet studs were well represented as well, with top online pros like Jeff "ActionJeff" Garza, Tom "durrrr" Dwan, Brian "sbrugby" Townsend and Isaac Haxton in the field.

With a field full of top pros and a WSOP bracelet on the line, it didn't take long for the bustouts to begin. One of the early eliminations was Tom Dwan, who headed to the rail courtesy of Scott Montgomery after his second all-in move of the day. Montgomery led out with a bet on the flop of , and Dwan moved all in over the top. Montgomery called with , and Dwan tabled for the flush draw. No help on the turn or river arrived for Dwan, and he was done early. Other early eliminations included Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Dario Alioto, Chino Rheem and Scotty Nguyen.

Phil Hellmuth's quest for his 12th WSOP bracelet ended for 2008 when he was eliminated by WSOPE HORSE champion Sherkhan Farnood. Ironically, it was Farnood who eliminated Hellmuth from the HORSE tournament as well, after Hellmuth called him "the worst player in the world" during that event. After his pocket fives flopped a set on a board of to crack Hellmuth's , Farnood remarked, "I'm trying to prove I'm only the second worst." Other notable eliminations included Vanessa Rousso, Roland de Wolfe, John Tabatabai and Doyle Brunson.

Daniel Negreanu started Day 2 with the chip lead, and finished among the biggest stacks after a long day of steady play. He picked up chips late in the evening at the expense of Ben "milkybarkid" Grundy, who headed to the rail as the day drew to a close. Negreanu raised from under the gun and Grundy was the lone caller. The flop came down , and both players checked. The turn brought the , and Grundy bet out. Negreanu called to see the on the river, and Grundy checked. Negreanu fired at the pot, and Grundy thought for a moment before calling. Negreanu showed -x for the straight, and Grundy's stack took a serious hit. Grundy headed to the rail just a few hands later when he open-shoved from the button with , only to run into the big blind's from the big blind. The board brought no help for Grundy, and he was done.

Erik Seidel was a big climber on Day 2, finishing the day with the chip lead. He picked up a huge pot against Jean Thorel that moved him to the top of the leader board. The board read , and Thorel led out with a bet. Talal Shakerchi called, Seidel raised, and Thorel called. Shakerchi folded, and the turn came down the . Thorel checked the turn, Seidel led out, and Thorel made the call. Thorel checked again on the river, and Seidel moved all in. Thorel called, only to see Seidel table for the pot and, at the time, the chip lead.

67 players made it through Day 2, including Phil Laak, Johnny Lodden, Alexander Kostritsyn and Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott. Andy Bloch overtook Brian Townsend late in the day to finish the session with the lead. The top ten players after Day 2 play:

Andy Bloch - 321,600
Brian Townsend - 290,100
Erik Seidel - 282,300
John Juanda - 252,500
Philippe Rouas - 233,300
Christopher Elliott - 231,900
Chris "Moorman1" Moorman - 219,500
Justin "BoostedJ" Smith - 217,700
Daniel Negreanu - 203,700
Brandon Adams - 190,000

Join PokerNews at 1PM local time on Tuesday as the field will narrow to 27 players, all taking their shots at the WSOP-Europe Main Event bracelet.


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