button in SafariSecond Batch of Hopefuls Try Their Luck on Day 1b of the Gateway Poker Classic Main Event
More than 100 players have already taken their shot at the RunGood Poker Series championship ring, and hundreds more are expected to join them when Day 1b of the Gateway Poker Classic $800 Main Event begins at 5 p.m. local time.
The Hollywood Casino & Hotel poker room will be busy today for the second of four starting flights. The first opening flight yesterday saw 105 total entries, with 13 players already securing their tickets for Day 2. Stephen Martines ended up as chip leader with 615,000, followed by Cameron Dugan (611,000), Jeremy Drewery (462,000), Casey Blakeley (413,000), and Muharem Dulic (399,000). RunGood ambassador Jeffrey Copeland also made it through with 260,000.
Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stephen Martines | United States | 615,000 |
| 2 | Cameron Dugan | United States | 611,000 |
| 3 | Jeremy Drewery | United States | 462,000 |
| 4 | Casey Blakeley | United States | 413,000 |
| 5 | Muharem Dulic | United States | 399,000 |
| 6 | Brad Johnson | United States | 340,000 |
| 7 | Mike Chilton | United States | 298,000 |
| 8 | Jeffrey Copeland | United States | 260,000 |
| 9 | Travis Burch | United States | 247,000 |
| 10 | Brandon Butler | United States | 216,000 |
The players trying to join them today will begin with a 40,000 starting stack. Levels will be 30 minutes, with a break after every four levels. Unlimited reentries are available, and late registration remains open for the first eight levels of the day. Play will conclude once 12.5 percent of the field remains.
There are still two more starting flights taking place tomorrow. All surviving players then combine for Day 2 on August 9 at noon to play down to a champion. The action on Day 2 picks up on the earliest finishing time from one of the four flights. Day 1a ended with 25 minutes remaining in Level 18 with blinds of 8,000/16,000 and a 16,000 big blind ante.
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