PokerNews Cups Sets Record-Breaking Prize Pool at the Golden Nugget
After almost 17 levels of play, Day 1c of the 2022 PokerNews Cup at the Golden Nugget came to a close with 76 players advancing to Day 2. The final starting flight drew 607 entries, making it the best-attended Day 1 of the event.
Those 76 players will join the 80 qualifiers from Days 1a and 1b and will return for Day 2 at 12 p.m. PDT on Monday, June 27.
The PokerNews Cup is also the main event of the Grand Poker Series at the Golden Nugget and it has proved to be a glittering success. Thanks to the 1,243 entries, it was confirmed that the event generated the biggest ever poker prize pool at the casino.
While the official prize pool is yet to be determined, it eclipsed the $1 million guarantee and the $1,015,500 previous record. Payouts and the number of paid places will be announced on Day 2.
There were some notable names who walked through the door on Day 1c with the likes of WSOP bracelet winners Brad Ruben, Chris Tryba and Yaser Al-Keliddar all hopping into the mix. Unfortunately, neither player could survive to bag and tag their stack for Day 2.
Famous Faces who had more fortunate days than the aforementioned players include Irene Carey, Justin Lapka and Scott Stewart.
Bagging best in Day 1c were Matthew Bretzfield (817,000), Aditya Rao and Scott Stewart (690,000).
Day 2 resumes on Level 16, with nine minutes left on the clock. Blinds will be at 3,000/6,000/6,000a.
Selected End of Day Chip Counts
| Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Bretzfield | United States | 817,000 | 136 |
| Aditya Rao | Australia | 753,000 | 126 |
| Scott Stewart | United States | 690,000 | 115 |
| Nicholas Lee (AZ) | United States | 550,000 | 92 |
| Eemil Tuominen | Finland | 461,000 | 77 |
| Dustin Brown | United States | 449,000 | 75 |
| Roy Salter | United States | 428,000 | 71 |
| Michael Moore | United States | 422,000 | 70 |
| Garen Zabien | United States | 404,000 | 67 |
| Steven Sarmiento | United States | 397,000 | 66 |
Be sure to return to PokerNews tomorrow at 12 p.m. to find out who makes the final table of the PokerNews Cup.
with a big pot of about 270,000 in the middle.
. Lapka pushed forward too stacks for a bet of 175,000. Rao jammed all in for what was counted to be 249,000.
face up. Rao gave away nothing and pulled in what was one of the biggest pots of the day.
. The pot had a lot of chips strewn about in it and added up to what was at least 175,000. From middle position, Marc Foggin bet 125,000 which was enough to put the remaining 110,000 of Nicholas Lee at stake.
while Foggin's hand was turned over since it was an all-in situation, the 
and Lee took down the big pot in a gargantuan spot.
. The big blind led again, this time for 75,000. Tuominen quickly called.
while Tuominen had the 
and the Finn gathered the big pot.
two pair. The river was a 
and just like that Vierling got her dog from under the table and headed out the door as her once big stack was now in the clutches of Rao.
on a board of 
.
, when Young was holding the 
. The turn connected the flush as the 
to bust Young and give Fillipe another pot in his rush of chips.
. Mokedi led for 5,500, Carey called.
