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

01-20-2023 17:48 UTC+2

Friday Evening Sees Another 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Flight

Will Shillibier

It's time for the second starting flight in the 888poker LIVE Madrid €888 Main Event!

Yesterday 50 players advanced from a field of 108, and another bumper field is expected on Day 1a. This event comes with a €300,000 guarantee, and Day 1b gets underway later today at 17:00 local time.

Another flight is scheduled for tomorrow (Saturday), with the last flight — a Turbo Day 1d — taking place at 12:00 on Sunday. The field combines for Day 2 at 17:30 that same evening.

Date	Time	Event	Buy-in	Guarantee
20th January, 2023	17:00	888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Day 1b	€ 888	€ 300,000
21st January, 2023	17:00	888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Day 1c	€ 888	€ 300,000
22nd January, 2023	12:00	888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Day 1d (Turbo)	€ 888	€ 300,000
22nd January, 2023	17:30	888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Day 2	-	€ 300,000
23rd January, 2023	14:00	888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event Final Table	-	€ 300,000

Starting stack is 88,000 chips, with 11 45-minute levels played on Day 1. The levels will increase for 60 minutes from the final table.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the action from the Casino Gran Via in Madrid.

01-20-2023 18:09 UTC+2

Simpson Jumps Straight in to Day 1b Field

Will Shillibier

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

After getting his trip off to a good start in the €2,200 High Roller, Ian Simpson is one of the first players in the field on Day 1b.

"[The High Roller] was a small field, but it was a really good experience," he told PokerNews. "I got up to three and a half starting stacks and was doing really well...but then I didn't get dealt a good hand for three hours, had a bad beat and that was it!"

Nevertheless, Simpson said it was a great way to get ready for the €888 Main Event.

"For sure, it's nice to have a warm up. I mean, I'd rather the warm up was a €300 event but it was still nice to help aid the transition from online back to live poker — you're back with a slower pace of play, you're on the look out for live tells and everything that comes with the live poker experience here at 888poker.

"So it's nice to be warmed up for the Main Event, and obviously I'm really looking forward to it!"

Stay tuned to PokerNews to see how Simpson gets on.

Player	Chips	Progress
Ian Simpson	88,000 88,000	88,000

Tags: Ian Simpson

01-20-2023 18:12 UTC+2

Update Your Own Chip Count Using the PokerNews MyStack App!

Will Shillibier

Level 1 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

PokerNews has activated the MyStack App for this event, allowing you to directly adjust your chip counts in our live reporting blog using your iPhone or Android phone.

You can download the app for iPhone or Android now to get started. Then, create a new PokerNews account or update your current one to start updating your status immediately. Your followers can see all the live action that you're involved in.

Click here to download the My Stack app for iPhone, or click here to download the My Stack app for Android.

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	80,000

Tags: Slaven Popov

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 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 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	130,000

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	60,000

Tags: Abel Aspas

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	25,000

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.