Big Name Players Out in Force in Master Classics of Poker Main Event
Day 1b of the Master Classics of Poker got underway this afternoon and the poker aficionados were out in force. Not just the local Dutch community signed up, a small legion of internationally renowned poker stars entered as well. In the end, 86 players survived the day of 168 that entered.
The second starting day had another 9 levels in store for the players. When the first shuffle up and deal wat heard, 100 players had chips in front of them. That number gradually climbed throughout the day, eventually halting at 168. Amongst them, big stars like John Juanda, Ben Heath, Ivan Luca, and Byron Kaverman.
John Juanda never got anything going for himself, and failed to make Day 2 on his first bullet. Fortunately for the number 7 of poker's all-time money list, he's allowed to reenter before the start of Day 2.
The Dutch were out in force as well, trying to get themselves in the best position to become the next MCOP champion on home soil. Hakim Zoufri, who won the event last year, failed to make Day 2 on his first 2 bullets. He first busted with a pair and open-ended in a 3-bet pot to Jasper Wetemans. His 2nd try ended with sevens against tens.
Noah Boeken, another former champion, wasn't too lucky on Day 1b either. He got rivered after he got it in well ahead on the turn to bust his first bullet. His second bullet, he ran second pair into top-pair and never caught up. With only a single reentry allowed per starting day, Boeken only has a single option to reenter left.
Leading the pack of 86 survivors of Day 1b is Igor Yaroshevsky. The Ukrainian player changed his 30,000 starting stack into 146,700. Close on his heels is Krasimir Yankov with 141,300. The best Dutch player sits in 3rd, Joris Ruys collected 125,200. The shortest player coming back for Day 2 is Fatima Moreira de Melo, she bagged just 2 chips: 10,000.
Action resumes on Day 2 with blinds at 500 and 1,000. PokerNews.com will again be present to cover all the important hands and bring you all the updates one can ask for.
gave Refos a flush draw but those outs were counterfeited with the 
on the turn. Lavrijsen just needed to dodge the aces, queens, and the case deuce. He did just that with the 
on the river. Refos flush wasn't beating Lavrijsen's full house and the former said his goodbyes before departing.
preflop all in against 
. He flopped a set on 
but his opponent made a flush on the 
turn. The 
on the river didn't pair the board and Nevanlinna parted ways with a sizable chunk of chips.
and a continuation bet followed. The small blind gave up but Boeken shoved for about 13,000. The initial raiser called.
on the turn and 
on the river were of no help to Boeken and he exited. Boeken busted out earlier today already, so he won't be able to enter Day 1b again. If he so wants, he can enter Day 1c which started 15 minutes ago and plays in a turbo format. Or, if he's not into playing turbo, he can still reenter tomorrow before the start of Day 2.
and Tounnouti and Yan checked. Boyaciyan bet two-thirds of the pot and just Tounnouti called, Yan folded.
on the turn and the 
completed the board. Tounnouti bet out 6,000 and Boyaciyan raised to 15,000. 
for the flopped flush. Boyaciyan quietly mucked. The former MCOP champion (and one-time runner-up) and 2-time EPT Prague finalist, now sits on 40,000 in chips.
on the turn and 
on the river were blanks and Peters exited the tournament area after shaking hands with Walthaus.
