Main Event
Day 1a Completed
2017 European Open Special Edition
Main Event
Day: 1a
Joseph Wertz Tops Day 1a of European Open Special Edition as 44 Players Remain
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
Day 1a of the European Open Special Edition has come to a conclusion with just 44 players remaining as Joseph Wertz tops the leaderboard after nearly 16 complete levels of poker action.
The day began with 259 players taking to the felt to see a slightly larger-then-expected turnout for the opening flight of the European Open Special Edition. Players ranging from the local recreational player, to the tournament veteran, to multiple WSOP bracelet winners made their way to the Wynn Las Vegas, along with a bevy of Unibet Poker online qualifiers from all across Europe.
With players allowed one re-entry per flight, the action was fast and furious as players jostled for position on the leaderboard that would ensure players a near in-the-money finish once play wrapped up for the night. As chips flew early, it would be an early day for the likes of Unibet Ambassadors David Lappin, Ian Simpson, Rauno Tahvonen, Dehlia De Jong, Espen Jorstad, Mateusz Moolhuizen, Dara O'Kearney, and Daiva Byrne. However, some Americans wouldn't fare much better as Matt Affleck, Allen Cunningham, Scott Clements, Barry Shulman, Eric Baldwin, Phil Laak, Jon Turner, Ryan Riess, Ankush Mandavia, Jeff Madsen, and Jordan Cristos were just a handful of the players unable to survive into Day 2.
Once the dust settled and players chips were bagged and being carted away by the tournament staff, it would be Joseph Wertz topping the leaderboard with 305,500 in chips. Wertz ascended to the top late in the day with some aggressive play, however, he wouldn't be the only player blessed with an abundance in betting discs come Sunday. Matthew Levine held the chip lead for the majority of play after dinner when he turned a straight in a massive pot and eventually finished with 246,000. Rex Clinkscales had a few hiccups here and there before eventually ending with 249,500 in chips. Casey Stewart (280,000), Karel were the only other players in the 200,000-chip mark while Joe Serock (162,000), Darren Rabinowitz (124,500), Ting Ho (64,000), and Kirk Morrison (58,500) were some of the other notables surviving into Day 2 on Sunday.
Saturday will see the final day 1 flight, and the tournament staff are expecting an even bigger turnout of somewhere in the 300 to 400 player range. The PokerNews Live Reporting Team will be back on the floor of the Wynn Las Vegas once Day 1b play starts at 12:00 p.m. (PST), so make sure to stay tuned to PokerNews.com for all the action from the European Open Special Edition.
End-of-Day 1a Chip Counts (full)
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
305,500 | -4,500 |
|
280,000 | 280,000 |
|
249,500 | 26,500 |
|
246,000 | 22,000 |
|
223,000 | 223,000 |
|
218,500 | 8,500 |
|
210,500 | 5,500 |
|
209,000 | 209,000 |
|
|
189,500 | 189,500 |
|
174,500 | 50,800 |
|
168,000 | 62,600 |
|
162,000 | |
|
153,500 | 153,500 |
|
149,500 | 149,500 |
|
146,000 | 146,000 |
|
|
136,000 | 136,000 |
|
131,500 | 36,500 |
|
126,500 | 126,500 |
|
124,500 | 81,500 |
|
|
107,000 | 107,000 |
|
103,500 | 6,500 |
|
94,000 | 94,000 |
|
93,500 | 93,500 |
|
84,500 | -25,500 |
|
83,500 | 83,500 |
Play Concludes
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
Play has concluded for the day, and it appears as though 44 players remain.
A complete set of end-of-day chip counts, along with a detailed wrap of all the action will posted shortly.
Some of the Chip Leaders
Double Knockout for Simonas Eigminas
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
On the final hand of play, following an all in for 40,000, Simonas Eigminas moved all in for 67,000 before a third player moved all in for 47,000.
Eigminus held 
and was up against 
and 
.
The final board ran out 
and Eigminas eliminated two players and bagged 162,000 in chips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
162,000 | 132,500 |
Eigminus Doubles
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
Following a raise to 6,500, Simonas Eigminas moved all in for 29,500 and his opponent looked him up.
Eigminus: 
Opponent: 
The board ran out 
and Eigminus doubled through to nearly 70,000 in chips.
Set for Wertz
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
Joseph Wertz opened to 7,000 from middle position and the player on the button called to see a 
flop that both players checked.
The turn landed the , and again both players checked as the completed the board on the river.
Wertz tossed in 5,000, and his opponent called.
Wertz tabled his 
for a set, and his opponent mucked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
310,000 | 15,000 |
Play Resumes
Level 16
: 2,000/4,000, 500 ante
The cards are back in the air.
The plan is to currently play roughly 20 minutes of this level and reach roughly the 42-player mark before calling an end to play for the evening.
Level: 16
Blinds: 2,000/4,000
Ante: 500