Corey Hochman Leads 48 Surviving Players from Day 1b of the MSPT Venetial $1,100 Main Event
Corey Hochman of Phoenix, Arizona ended Day 1b of the MSPT Venetian $1,100 Main Event as the chip leader after 48 players survived the 433 entrants to find a bag for Day 2. The 3-day event attracted 671 total entrants over Days 1a and 1b, and 27 players from Day 1a will meet the Day 1b survivors on Monday September 6 when the final 75 players play for the Mid-States Poker Tour main event title.
Hochman remained near the top of the leaderboard for the better part of the day, but the hand that clinched the chip lead came near the end when he eliminated the queens of Vongduane Sengseevong with an ace-high flush. Other names near the top of the leaderboard include Mark Babekov and Michael Berk, who found a big stack early and maintained his place among the leaders for the entire day.
Other Day 1b survivors include Ralph Massey, Ryan Laplante, Jason Obinger, Daniel Sepiol, and Chris Meyers.
The final 75 players will return on Monday September 6 at 11:00 a.m. local time where play will resume and continue until there is a winner. Play will continue in Level 15 with blinds at 3000/5000/5000. Players are encouraged to come early tomorrow in order to unbag their chips.
Stay tuned to PokerNews as we return for Day 2 on Monday to bring you all the action from the floor at the Venetian Poker Room.
. His opponent turned over 
.
and Sepiol made a flush on the river to score the final elimination of the day.
and the aces held to give Hochman a massive pot and the chip lead.
when Zach Donovan bet 27,000 into Michael Berk. 
for the straight and Berk's cards went into the muck.
, Ralph Massey bet 15,000 into Harlen Miller. Miller went into the tank for some time before ultimately making the call. Massey turned over 
to show a set of threes and Miller mucked his cards.
and both players checked. The turn was 
to beat the 
.
, giving Berk a set of sevens. The turn 
and river 
and Sleeth fired 9,500. Affleck took a short time to think before making the fold to give Sleeth a big pot mid-way through Day 1b.
and the Gantchev led out for 7,500. The player under the gun shoved for around 14,000 and Affleck got out of the way while Gantchev made the call. Gantchev turned over 