JP Kelly Becomes First Brit to Win A World Series of Poker Europe Title

After defeating 608 players, English punter JP Kelly became the first U.K citizen to win a World Series of Poker Europe title after snagging the £1,000 Pot-Limit Event #1 for £136,803. Having won a WSOP bracelet in June in the WSOP Pot-Limit event, Kelly becomes this year’s first transatlantic WSOP bracelet winner and fourth player to win two bracelets this year. Despite starting heads-up play against the day’s starting chip leader, Fabien Dunlop, Kelly was able to pull off the victory in stunning fashion by overcoming a 3-1 chip deficit on his way to victory. Dunlop collected £84,512 for finishing second.

The WSOPE’s second event, the £2,500 half pot-limit hold'em and half pot-limit Omaha event, also got underway yesterday as 158 players wagered £2,500 hoping taking down the series' second WSOPE title. Featuring a prize pool of $640,401, the tournament attracted some of the game's elite as 18 players sought the money bubbly. By day's end, only 22 players remained.

Leading the way into the second day of play is Canada's Erik Cajelais with 144,900. He is followed closely by London's Tristan Clemencom (118,400), U.S. pro Allie Prescott (88,100) Hoyt Corkins (80,600), Men "The Master" Nguyen (75,800), Sweden's Mats Gavatin (66,900), and English pro Ian Frazer (44,700). Other big-name players still in the mix are Full Tilt big daddy Howard Lederer (21,800), Dario Alioto (13,300) and 2009 WSOP star H.O.R.S.E.Vitaly Lunkin (53,900).

Monday's action may push on until a winner is declared Tuesday to make sure that there is enough room for the pot-limit Omaha event.

The top ten chip counts going into today’s Day Two are:

1. Erik Cajelias - 144,900
2. Tristant Clemencom – 118,400
3. Allie Prescott – 88,100
4. Hoyt Corkins -80,600
5. Men “The Master” Nguyen – 75,800
6. Mats Gavatin – 66,900
7. Harri Suni – 66,500
8. Dino Brivati – 58,400
9. Brian Johnson – 58,400
10. Robin Keston – 57,000

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