888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Day 1b | 2023 888poker LIVE Madrid

01-21-2023 04:02 UTC+2

Ian Simpson Bags Chip Lead on Day 1b of 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event

Will Shillibier

Level 11 : Blinds 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante

There was another exciting day of poker at the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event with 131 players entering on Day 1b and just 61 advancing. This brings the total number of entries to 237 with two more flights to come.

Day 1c gets underway on Saturday at 17:00 before the Turbo Day 1d starting at 12:00 on Sunday. The field combines at 17:30 on Sunday for Day 2, with late registration and unlimited re-entry available for one more level.

Day 1b Top 10 Chip Counts

Rank	Player	Country	Chip Count	Big Blinds
1	Ian Simpson	United Kingdom	556,000	185
2	Matteo Ferrara	Italy	468,000	156
3	Marcus Normark	Sweden 402,000	134
4	Fabio Gutierrez	Spain	373,000	124
5	Oscar Gironella	Portugal	358,500	120
6	Ruben Lopez Ruiz	Spain	355,500	119
7	Beltran Garcia	Spain	350,000	117
8	Nico Giuri	Spain	339,000	113
9	Philip Hollederer	Germany	318,000	106
10	Omar Del Pino	Spain	309,500	103

There was plenty of action early on in the Day 1b field, with 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson quickly running up a stack and vying for the chip lead. He would eventually bag XXX, good enough for the chip lead.

"I just played brilliantly," he joked with PokerNews shortly after bagging. "No but seriously I never really had to bluff all day, and when that happens it tends to be a good day."

However, there was less luck for fellow 888poker Ambassador Alexandre Mantovani.

Mantovani joined the field after the dinner break and was seated at the same table as Simpson, but failed to pick up any traction and would fall short of Day 2.

888poker LIVE Bucharest 2022 Main Event champion Slaven Popov was also eliminated on Day 1b along with Kees van Brugge, Carmen Zainescu, Jaime Sanchez and Jan-Mickael Kesanen.

Day 1c of the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event gets underway on Saturday at 17:00 local time with eleven more 45-minute levels scheduled. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the action from the Casino Gran Via.

Tags: Alexandre Mantovani Carmen Zainescu Ian Simpson Kees van Brugge Slaven Popov

01-21-2023 02:40 UTC+2

Grab a Slice of $300,000 with The Wizard's Spell from 888poker

Will Shillibier

Level 10 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

Something magical is happening at 888poker between now and April 23, an ongoing promotion that sees you rewarded with the chance to win a share of $300,000 from freerolls. The Wizard's Spell is the latest freeroll-focused promotion from 888poker, one that everyone can get involved with.

There are daily, weekly, and monthly freerolls, some with guarantees of up to $60,000, waiting for you to play your way into. Find out how you can secure your seat.

01-21-2023 01:46 UTC+2

Elimination Moves Simpson into Chip Lead

Will Shillibier

Level 9 : Blinds 800/1,600, 1,600 ante

On a flop a player check-called a bet of 10,000 from 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson.

The turn was the and it checked to Simpson again. He bet 15,000 and his opponent instantly check-raised all in for 50,000. Simpson called.

All-In Player:
Ian Simpson:

Simpson had flopped top set but the turn had improved his opponent to the flush. However, holding the ace of spades would prove pivotal as the river improved Simpson to a better flush and eliminated his opponent, moving Simpson to over 400,000 chips in the process.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ian Simpson	425,000	75,000

Tags: Ian Simpson

01-21-2023 00:14 UTC+2

Alexandre Mantovani Joins 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson in Day 1b

Will Shillibier

Level 7 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Alexandre "Cavalito" Mantovani has joined the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Day 1b field towards the end of Level 7. Not only that, but he's been drawn at the same table as fellow 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson.

So how is Mantovani going to deal with Simpson two seats to his direct left?

"I'm just going to do my thing," said Mantovani. "Play very tight and see what happens."

Simpson remain tight-lipped with a smile.

"It should be fun," said Mantovani.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ian Simpson	180,000	-5,000
Alexandre Mantovani	88,000

Tags: Alexandre Mantovani Ian Simpson

01-20-2023 23:42 UTC+2

An Orbit With Ian Simpson

Will Shillibier

Level 7 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

PokerNews kept an eye on 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson for an entire orbit to see what he got up to, and whether he was able to increase his stack at all...

Hand #1: After a limp and a raise to 800, Simpson raised to 3,000 on the button and went multi-ways to the flop. On it checked to him and he continued for 8,000. He got one caller and the turn was the .

Again it checked to him and he bet 10,000. His opponent called and both players checked the river. His opponent mucked, but Simpson still opened for two pair on the table and took down the pot.

Hand #2: After an open to 2,500, Simpson folded the cutoff.

Hand #3: After two limps and a shove, Simpson folded the hijack.

Hands #4 & #5: Simpson open-folded from middle position.

Hand #6: Simpson folded after an under the gun open and a call.

Hand #7: The button opened to 2,000 and Simpson folded his small blind.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ian Simpson	185,000	25,000

Tags: Ian Simpson

01-20-2023 23:21 UTC+2

Aspas Back in Action

Will Shillibier

Level 6 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Defending champion Abel Aspas didn't manage to find a bag on Day 1a, but he's back in the field of the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event on Day 1b after the dinner break and is sitting on just under starting stack.

Player	Chips	Progress
Abel Aspas	60,000	60,000

Tags: Abel Aspas

01-20-2023 21:37 UTC+2

"Tell Them I Have Chunks Now" says Simpson

Will Shillibier

Level 5 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Having started Day 1b of the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event on the feature table, 888poker Ambassador Ian Simpson is back in the main tournament room.

He had to endure some teasing from commentators David Tuchman and Nick Wealthall on the stream, but things have taken an uptick and he now sits on close to double starting stack.

"I had heard," he said, when PokerNews asked if he was aware of the teasing that had occured. "Tell them that I have chunks now!"

Player	Chips	Progress
Ian Simpson	180,000	130,000

Tags: Ian Simpson

01-20-2023 21:28 UTC+2

Grab a Slice of $300,000 with The Wizard's Spell from 888poker

Will Shillibier

Level 5 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

Something magical is happening at 888poker between now and April 23, an ongoing promotion that sees you rewarded with the chance to win a share of $300,000 from freerolls. The Wizard's Spell is the latest freeroll-focused promotion from 888poker, one that everyone can get involved with.

There are daily, weekly, and monthly freerolls, some with guarantees of up to $60,000, waiting for you to play your way into. Find out how you can secure your seat.

01-20-2023 20:07 UTC+2

888poker Shares $2.5M GTD XL Winter Series Schedule

Will Shillibier

Level 3 : Blinds 200/400, 400 ante

The XL Winter Series is well underway on 888poker and runs all the way until the end of the month.

There is plenty of excitement in store including Mystery Bounty tournaments galore, as well as the $250 buy-in $500,000 guaranteed multi-flight Main Event.

Head to 888poker to check out the full schedule and find out how you can win your way to the Main Event for less! Or click here to find out more about the XL Winter Series.

01-20-2023 20:00 UTC+2

2022 888poker LIVE Bucharest Champion Popov in the Field

Will Shillibier

Level 3 : Blinds 200/400, 400 ante

Back in June 2022, Slaven Popov secured the 888poker LIVE Bucharest Main Event title after a heads-up deal with Alexandru Arnautu. Popov walked away with €35,000 in what was his first career tournament victory.

He's now back in action in the 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event — can he go all the way for a second time?

Player	Chips	Progress
Slaven Popov	80,000	80,000

Tags: Slaven Popov