button in SafariMatthew Faust Leads Final 23 in Day 1a of $100k GTD $500 Monumental Stack
The first flight of one of the biggest events of the 2026 Potomac Summer Poker Open wrapped up relatively early on Tuesday as 23 players found bags. Leading the way into Thurday's Day 2 in the $500 Monumental Stack is Matthew Faust with a stack of 1,840,000.
Faust is trailed by big stacks including Kyle Dishongh (1,430,000), Renato Labadan (1,385,000) and James D. Mason (1,085,000).
The remaining field also includes $500 Opener final tablist Valentine Lita, family man Clint Houck and Linda Swears, who has played with a special card protector throughout the series.
The 23 remaining players will join the survivor's of tomorrow's Day 1b flight on Day 2 on Thursday.
$500 Monumental Stack Day 1a Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew Faust | United States | 1,840,000 |
| 2 | Kyle Dishongh | United States | 1,430,000 |
| 3 | Renato Labadan | United States | 1,385,000 |
| 4 | James D. Mason | United States | 1,085,000 |
| 5 | Dan Nguyen | United States | 1,055,000 |
| 6 | Alphonso Johnson | United States | 1,025,000 |
| 7 | James Freeman | United States | 955,000 |
| 8 | Valentine Lita | United States | 940,000 |
| 9 | Jim Dike | United States | 850,000 |
| 10 | Al Mother | United States | 835,000 |