button in SafariMichael Dwyer Sets the Pace for Day 2 of EPT Barcelona Main Event
Both starting flights of the 2026 PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona have concluded. After two full days of poker, the tally stands at 1,684 entries, with 535 booking a ticket for Day 2. However, dozens more will join them at Casino Barcelona before the action kicks off at noon local time, boosting the already massive €8,217,750 prize pool even further, as late registration will remain open until the start of the day.
Those who enter last minute will sit down with the starting stack of 30,000. Anyone who wants to reach the top will have their work cut out for them, as chip leader Michael Dwyer already amassed over 12 times as much, with his 363,500 worth 242 big blinds at the start of play. Sitting in second is Dwyer's fellow Day 1a survivor and EPT champion Mark Teltscher (324,000), who hoisted the trophy in London no less than 21 years ago. Meanwhile, Day 1b chip leader Bharath Janardhan finished third overall with a stack of 321,000.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Dwyer | Ireland | 363,500 | 242 |
| 2 | Mark Teltscher | United Kingdom | 324,000 | 216 |
| 3 | Bharath Janardhan | India | 315,500 | 210 |
| 4 | Davide Marchi | Italy | 303,000 | 202 |
| 5 | Oliver Wulf | Germany | 294,500 | 196 |
| 6 | Andrija Cvetkovic | Croatia | 287,500 | 192 |
| 7 | Eros Calderone | Italy | 282,000 | 188 |
| 8 | Bartlomiej Kijak | Poland | 280,500 | 187 |
| 9 | Yurii Zabrodotskyi | Ukraine | 278,000 | 185 |
| 10 | Alan Raymundo | Argentina | 277,500 | 185 |
Teltscher will be joined by many of his peers today. Fellow EPT winners Anton Wigg (131,000), Sebastian Malec (129,500), Barny Boatman (125,500), Nicolas Chouity (106,500), and Tomasz Brzezinski (105,500) all bagged six-figure stacks as well, while Simon Wiciak (97,500), Jan Bendik (75,500), and Simon Brandstrom (60,000) also secured a Day 2 appearance. Defending champion Thomas Eychenne is still in the mix after taking down the PS Open High Roller for €589,395 earlier this week, but with 14,500, he is one of the shortest stacks in the field.
Meanwhile, five PokerStars Ambassadors have made it through the opening flights, all looking for their first EPT victory. Dario Sammartino leads them with 201,500, followed by Maria Konnikova (109,000). Poker couple Benjamin Spragg and Marle Spragg have both found their way to Day 2 as well, being close in stacks with 93,500 and 86,000, respectively.
Day 2 will begin in Level 11, which has blinds of 1,000/1,500 with a 1,500 big blind ante. From today onward, the levels will be 90 minutes long, with a break planned after every level. The shot clock will also be introduced today, with players having 20 seconds to act on their initial decisions and 30 seconds on each subsequent decision.
Currently, their are five levels scheduled for Day 2, with a 75-minute dinner break after Level 14, around 7 p.m. local time. However, depending on the pace of play and when the bubble will burst, this may be subject to change.
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The final number of entries, as well as the prize pool and payouts, will all be confirmed on Day 2 of the EPT Barcelona Main Event, so keep your eyes on the PokerNews live report, providing continuous live updates as the field makes its way to the bubble.