Main Event
Day 1b Started
2018 WinStar River Poker Series
Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
2018 WinStar River Poker Series
Buy-in
$2,500
Prize Pool
$2,000,000
Entries
807
Level
30
Blinds
60,000 / 120,000
Ante
20,000
Big Names Looking for Another Shot on Day 1b
In what was a successful turnout for Day 1a that saw 378 entries take part in the $2,500 WinStar River Poker Series Main Event, organizers are expecting an even busier Sunday for Day 1b. With a $2,000,000 guaranteed prizepool up for grabs, there will be many big names returning to the felt today after a poor showing on opening day.
The poker gods got the best of the poker superstars that showed up to the WinStar World Casino, the largest casino in the world, for Day 1a. The likes of Rainer Kempe, Allen Kessler, Marvin Rettenmaier, Mike Wang, David Pham, Ben Zamani, and River Poker Series ambassador Maria Ho all fired at least one bullet but to no avail. They will surely be back in their seats today looking for their shot at the top prize.
The action is slated to get started at 12:00 noon again with each player starting with a stack of 25,000 chips. The blinds will begin at 50/100 and will be increased every 40-minutes. That will change for Day 2 and 3 where the blind levels will be increased to 60-minutes in length. There will be a 15-minute break after every three levels and a 60-minute dinner break after level nine.
Late registration will remain open until after the dinner break which will be at approximately 7:30 pm. An unlimited number of re-entries will be permitted within the late registration time period. The field will once again play down to 12% before bagging and returning on Monday for Day 2. The final table will commence on Tuesday for Day 3 and play down to a winner.
Follow along with the PokerNews live reporting team as we bring you all of the live updates from the tournament floor.
Level: 1
Blinds: 50/100
Ante: 0
Shuffle Up and Deal
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
The cards are in the air on Day 1b of the $2,500 Main Event with 172 entries kicking things off.
Notables in Their Seats
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Some early notables in their seats early on include Anthony Spinella, Tyler Patterson, and Mike Wang.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
Early Aggression from Minkin
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
There was a raise to 225 from middle position and the small blind called along with Kelly Minkin in the big blind. The flop came 
and the action checked around to the 
on the turn.
The small blind led out for 550 and Minkin raised to 1,600. The preflop raiser folded and the small blind came along to see the 
on the river. He checked and Minkin tossed in a bet of 3,500. The small blind wasted little time before sending his cards to the muck and Minkin dragged in the pot.
"Big blind special," she announced.
"It was a good bet," her opponent responded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
27,000 | 27,000 |
More Additions to the Field
Level 1
: 50/100, 0 ante
Marvin Rettenmaier and Men "The Master" Nguyen have taken their seats in the first level today.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
Level: 2
Blinds: 75/150
Ante: 0
Patterson Returns to Starting Stack
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
Tyler Patterson lost a few small pots to start the day but has since returned to his near starting stack. With the board reading 
, the action checked to Patterson on the button who checked back.
The river was the 
and the hijack checked again. Patterson tossed in a bet of 2,000 into a pot of around 3,500 and his opponent paid him off. Patterson turned over 
which proved to be enough to win the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
24,500 | -500 |
The Field Continues to Grow
Level 2
: 75/150, 0 ante
There are currently 265 entries part way through the second level of the day. The 2016 WSOP Colossus winner, Ben Keeline, is one of those entries as he looks to spin up a stack in the early going.
The tournament staff has advised that they need around 465 entries today to meet the $2,000,000 guarantee. Late registration will remain open until approximately 7:30pm so there is still plenty of time to get in on the action.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |
|
25,000 | 25,000 |