Action Underway in WPTDeepStacks Marrakech Main Event, Sow Among Day 1a Leaders
For the fifth year in a row, Casino de Marrakech, part of the stunning Es Saadi Resort in the popular Moroccan city of Marrakech, sets the stage as host for a WPT event. It's the second year the 13,200 MAD WPTDeepStacks Marrakech Main Event graces the calendar, and the highlight of the nine-day festival plays out over the course of four days.
Today, the first of two starting days has wrapped up with 53 out of 161 surviving the first day. While the sun was shining early the day with temperatures surpassing 30 degrees Celcius, the weather suddenly turned overnight and a rare rainstorm overtook the African city by surprise.
It appeared the rainstorm raged inside Casino de Marrakech as well, as chips were flying everywhere right off the bat. Once the dust was settled, it was Yves Rolland who claimed the Day 1a chip lead with 212,500. Rolland was closely followed by Boubekeur Benhalima (200,000), Jim Azazgour (190,500) and Kalidou Sow (190,000). Sow, who gained notoriety after winning three large tournaments in a row in December and January, is the biggest name that popped up in the top of the counts.
Sow was on a tear today and nearly claimed the chip lead start to finish on Day 1a. However, a late slump set the French giant back a bit, and he had to relinquish his lead after being close to 300k not long before. Other notables that made it through include Jeremy Saderne (105,000), 2017 WPTDeepStacks Europe champion Tobias Peters (86,000), Jimmy de Barros (85,000), and Said El Yousfi (56,000).
On Friday, September 28, Day 1b will kick off at 1 p.m. local time, sporting the same recipe as 1a. It means twelve levels of 40 minutes await the players, and reentries can be made up until the start of level 10 before the total playing field will be finalized. PokerNews will be right back in Casino de Marrakech to cover the action until a new WPTDeepStacks winner is crowned on Sunday, September 30.
flop as Alawadhi simply ripped it for more than 100,000.
turn. The 
rubbed salt in Alawadhi's would by giving him an inferior two pair and he paid off Peters.
, Francois Tosques had a bet of 24,700 in front of him and Jim Azazgour called it off after thinking for a minute. Defeated, Tosques flung 
open for the failed blocker play, Azazgour rolled over 
for a set of deuces and scooped up the sizable pot.
on a 
board. The pair of nines was good for the French pro, who 
flop, it got checked to Resevskis who bet 5,100. Taylor check-raised to 15,000, Sanhaji and Sow folded, Resevskis shoved around 25,000 after some thought and Taylor snap-called it off.
. Resevskis has until the start of level 10 if he decides to reenter himself back into it.
