$2,700 Main Event
Day 1a Completed
2023 Potomac Winter Poker Open
$2,700 Main Event
Day: 1a
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 1a
2023 Potomac Winter Poker Open
Buy-in
$2,700
Entries
533
Level
31
Blinds
125,000 / 250,000
Ante
250,000
Entries
223
Players Left
41
Jonathan Gilliam Leads 41 Survivors on Day 1a of Event #11: $2,700 Main Event
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
After 15 levels of play on day 1a of Event #11: $2,700 Main Event at the Potomac Winter Poker Open, 41 players remain from an initial field of 223. Of those 41 players, Jonathan Gilliam was able to bag the biggest stack after ending the day on 538,000. Right on his heels is none other than recent winner of of the $5,300 Return event at the Borgata and well known poker pro, Bin Weng (521,500). David Tiller rounds out the top three with a stack of 467,000.
Play remained at a fairly consistent pace throughout the day, with the tournament average stack settling right around the forty big blind mark during the latter few levels. This was not a surprise given that the money bubble will not be burst until the fields from the two starting flights combine on day 2.
There were a number of notables who were able to find a bag at the end of the night, including BetMGM Poker Ambassador Darren Elias (388,500), WSOP bracelet winner James Gilbert (234,000) and three time WSOP bracelet winner Brock Parker (50,500). Jacob Mitich, who was the beneficiary of a bizarre deal that saw him secure first place money without playing a single hand of heads-up poker in Event #6: $400 Monster Triple Stack, was also able to secure a seat in day 2 with a not too shabby stack of 209,500.
Some notable players to enter the fray but not make it to the end of the day include 2015 WSOP Main Event champion Joe McKeehen, WSOP bracelet winner Lara Eisenberg and winner of Event #1: $400 Mystery Bounty, Isiah Ditoto. They all have the option to take another shot tomorrow in day 1b should they choose to do so.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| RANK | PLAYER | COUNTRY | CHIP COUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Gilliam | United States | 538,000 |
| 2 | Bin Weng | United States | 521,500 |
| 3 | David Tiller | United States | 467,000 |
| 4 | Boris Kravets | United States | 454,000 |
| 5 | Chris Blackmore | United States | 450,000 |
| 6 | Gintautas Putinas | United States | 434,000 |
| 7 | Gary Schoengold | United States | 419,000 |
| 8 | Ryan Dougherty | United States | 391,000 |
| 9 | Darren Elias | United States | 388,500 |
| 10 | Richard Newman | United States | 382,000 |
The 41 players from day 1a will combine with the survivors from day 1b on Sunday, February 5th at 12 p.m. at which point play will continue until the field is whittled down to just six players. The Pokernews live reporting team will be on hand to provide timely and accurate updates throughout Event #11: $2,700 Main Event so be sure to stay tuned.
End-of-Day Chip Counts
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
538,000 | 538,000 |
|
521,500 | 236,500 |
|
467,000 | 467,000 |
|
454,000 | 454,000 |
|
450,000 | 450,000 |
|
434,000 | 434,000 |
|
419,000 | 419,000 |
|
391,000 | 391,000 |
|
388,500 | 163,500 |
|
|
382,000 | 382,000 |
|
362,500 | 122,500 |
|
354,000 | 354,000 |
|
344,500 | 344,500 |
|
334,500 | 334,500 |
|
334,500 | 334,500 |
|
330,000 | 330,000 |
|
329,000 | 329,000 |
|
306,000 | 181,000 |
|
282,000 | 282,000 |
|
261,500 | 261,500 |
|
261,000 | 261,000 |
|
|
250,000 | 250,000 |
|
|
249,500 | 249,500 |
|
234,000 | 234,000 |
|
211,000 | 211,000 |
End of Play
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Play has concluded for the night. Stay tuned for full chip counts from the field and a recap of the day to follow shortly.
Final Four Hands
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
The tournament director has just announced that each table will play four more hands before the remaining players bag up for the night.
Weng Does Not Pull Trigger
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Action folded around to Bin Weng in the small blind who limped. The big blind checked his option to send the two players heads-up to the flop.
The flop came 
and Weng led out for 6,000. The big blind called.
The 
turn did not cause Weng to slow down as he bet again, this time sizing up to 17,000. Once more, his opponent just called.
Both players checked after the 
river and the big blind tabled 
for a winner. As the big blind raked in the pot, Weng appeared mildly frustrated that he had not decided to fire a third barrel.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
285,000 | -10,000 |
Level: 15
Blinds: 3,000/6,000
Ante: 6,000
Weng Boats Up
Level 14
: Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante
A player opened to 12,000 in the cutoff and was called by Bin Weng in the big blind.
Weng checked to the initial raiser on a flop of 
and then called his opponent's 16,000 continuation.
The board pairing 
turn saw Weng take over the betting lead, firing off 15,000. The cutoff player responded by raising to 50,000. That did not dissuade Weng, who made the call to send the action to the river.
The 
river completed the board, prompting Weng to toss a single T-5,000 chip into the middle. His opponent quickly called but mucked after Weng turned over 
for the full house. 'You did not take the bait' Weng said as he stacked his newly acquired chips.
Elsewhere, Lara Eisenberg and Joe McKeehen were eliminated from day 1a.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
295,000 | 140,000 |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted |
Two Barrels Good For Eisenberg
Level 14
: Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante
Lara Eisenberg opened to 10,000 from the cutoff and was called by the big blind.
Action checked to Eisenberg on a flop of 
and she continued for 10,000, a bet that her opponent called.
The big blind checked for a second time following the 
turn. Eisenberg, unwilling to slow down, pushed a hefty 30,000 into the middle, representing around half her remaining stack. Her opponent gave it some thought but ultimately decided to lay down his hand.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
135,000 | 60,000 |
Level: 14
Blinds: 2,500/5,000
Ante: 5,000