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$3,000 NLH Main Event
Day 1b Completed
2026 Potomac Summer Poker Open
$3,000 NLH Main Event
Day: 1b
Players Left 22 / 280
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Chip Counts
Chip Counts
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Waleed Mian kicked off the day by knocking out three players within the first hour. He ended it by taking out tournament crusher Justin Arnwine on his way to building a massive chip lead on Day 1b of the Potomac Summer Poker Open $3,000 Main Event.
Mian became the only player to reach the million-chip milestone, ending up with 1,185,000 and far in front of the 38 players who made it through the day. His run through the field included busting Arnwine in the closing moments when his ace-nine had Arnwine’s ace-eight dominated.
Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waleed Mian | United States | 1,185,000 | 148 |
| 2 | Kyle Lin | United States | 586,000 | 73 |
| 3 | Kyle Smith | United States | 565,000 | 71 |
| 4 | Changfeng Fan | United States | 488,000 | 61 |
| 5 | David Kinane | United States | 477,000 | 60 |
| 6 | Andy Schmegel | United States | 454,000 | 57 |
| 7 | Yonnas Banteamlak | United States | 440,000 | 55 |
| 8 | Terry Breeden | United States | 402,000 | 50 |
| 9 | Rishi Tangri | United States | 366,000 | 46 |
| 10 | Matthew Faust | United States | 331,000 | 41 |
The rest of the field is led by Kyle Lin, who ended up in second place with 586,000. Lin entered the Main Event coming off winning the $1,100 High Roller yesterday. He then earned a big double up with two pair to continue his hot streak this week at the MGM National Harbor.
Kyle Smith (565,000), Changfeng Fan (488,000), and BetMGM qualifier David Kinane (477,000) round out the top five. Others through to Day 2 include Yonnas Banteamlak (440,000), qualifier Dejan Ristov (250,000), Michael Bohmerwald (216,000), podcaster Tim Pool (210,000), Russ Dunlevy (120,000), and Elia Ahmadian (111,000).
A total of 180 players packed into the MGM National Harbor poker room today. Among those sent to the rail were Daniel Iachan, last year’s runner-up Lucas Vergara, Aaron Pinson, and Matthew Su.
The field was set at 280 total entries through the two starting flights, with 58 players returning tomorrow for Day 2 at noon local time. The action picks up on Level 16 with blinds of 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 big blind ante. Levels will be extended to 60 minutes tomorrow, and the plan is to play down to the final table. The official prize pool should be announced shortly after the start of play.
PokerNews will be back to follow all the action tomorrow, so stay tuned for more updates on the road to the final table.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Day 1b has ended with 38 players remaining out of 180 entries.
Stay tuned for chip counts and a recap of the day's action.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
James Blake raised to 17,000 in early position before Andy Schmegel three-bet to 52,000 in the big blind. Blake then moved all in for 210,000, and Schmegel snap-called.
James Blake: Q♠Q♣ 
Andy Schmegel: A♥A♠
Blake turned over two queens, but he ran right into Schmegel's aces. Schmegel then spiked top set on the A♦8♦7♥ flop, and the rest of the board ran out J♠7♣ as Schmegel finished with a full house to send Blake to the rail.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
A player on the button moved all in for his last 45,000 on the J♣3♠Q♥ flop, and Kyle Smith put him at risk in the cutoff.
All-In Player: K♠Q♦
Kyle Smith: A♠K♦
The at-risk player was ahead with top pair, while Smith was on a straight draw. The turn was the 4♠, but Smith spiked the A♦ on the river to win the pot and send his opponent to the rail.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Kevin Kwak bet 13,000 from early position on a flop of 10♠2♣K♠ before Lynell Laws raised to 40,000 in the small blind. Kwak then moved all in for 113,000, and Laws called.
Kevin Kwak: 10♥10♣
Lynell Laws: K♥10♦
Laws had flopped top two pair, but Kwak turned over a set. The board ran out Q♦J♥, and Kwak doubled up.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Tournament officials announced that each table will play six more hands before the players bag up their chips for the night.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Elia Ahmadian raised to 15,000 in the cutoff before Atharv Kumar moved all in for 70,000 on the button. "Alright buddy, are we flipping? Or are you ahead?" Ahmadian asked as he called.
Atharv Kumar: A♠Q♥
Elia Ahmadian: 10♥10♠
It turned out to be a flip, and Ahmadian took a big lead once the 10♣4♦9♣ flop gave him top set. The 3♠ turn left Kumar drawing dead, while Ahmadian improved to a full house on the 9♠ river to seal the pot and send Kumar to the rail.
Level 15
: Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante
Justin Arnwine moved all in for 131,000 in the cutoff and Waleed Mian called on the button.
Justin Arnwine: A♥8♣
Waleed Mian: A♠9♦
Arnwine found himself dominated and at risk, and Mian's nine-kicker continued to play after the K♠3♠2♥4♣2♣ to earn him the pot and send Arnwine to the rail in the closing moments of the day.
