Welcome to Day 1a of the 2016 World Series of Poker Circuit festival at the King's Casino in Rozvadov. For the past two weeks, the festival in the snow-covered town has attracted players from all around the world, competing for one of the fourteen coveted WSOP Circuit rings up for grasp. With more than €2,250,000 in guaranteed prize money and a wide range of buy-ins, the festival offers something for everyone.
Last year, Poland's Mateusz Dziewonski stood tall over a field of 715 entries. After more than 14 hours of play on the final day, Dziewonksi won the inaugural WSOP Circuit Main Event and boosted his bankroll with a massive €206,927. Andrew King of Ireland finished runner-up, cashing €126,002. Denmark's Johnny Hansen rounded out the top three, winning €92,892. The final table was an international affair, with no fewer than eight nationalities represented among the final nine.
Today at 2 p.m. local time, Day 1a of the €1,650 Main Event will get underway, with a staggering guaranteed prize pool of €1,000,000. Plenty of amateurs and pros alike have traveled to the Czech Republic to take a stab at the massive prize pool, all vying to become the latest winner of a gold WSOP Circuit ring. 2016 November Niner Vojtech Ruzicka will be playing on his home turf and is one to watch in this tournament.
According to the structure, both Day 1s will feature 12 levels of 45 minutes each. The level duration will increase to one hour for Day 2 and the final day. Main Event players are allowed a maximum of four entries, with the option of a single re-entry on the same day. Players are allowed to buy-in for both starting days and will keep their best stack going forward if they manage to make Day 2 twice. (Re-)entering the tournament is possible up until the start of Day 2.
The PokerNews.com team will be here for the entire duration of the Main Event and will provide updates until the winner is crowned on Monday night.
Denmark's Johnny Hansen just entered the Main Event. Last year, Hansen went on a deep run in this tournament, eventually finishing 3rd for €92,892. He will no doubt be looking to accomplish the same feat this year.
One of the loudest mouths in the field belongs to Martin Kabrhel. The Czech, who's caliber of speech play might even put William Kassouf's to the test, is currently trying to spin up his second bullet of the day.
With two other players in the hand, Kabrhel saw a flop of appear. After two checks, Kabrhel made it 2,000, with only one player check-calling the bet. On the turn, Kabrhel's opponent check-folded to a 7,000 bet.
"What, fold? That is not correct!" exclaimed Kabrhel while raking in the pot.
Kabrhel might talk the talk, but he also walks the walk. Just three days ago, the Czech won the €8,888 Super High Roller at the WSOP Circuit festival here in Rozvadov, banking €48,450.
On a board of , Matas Cimbolas check-called a bet of 7,000 from his opponent. On the river, Cimbolas checked, which prompted his opponent to fire 15,000. Cimbolas moved all in for 45,000 and his opponent snap-called it off for nearly the same amount.
Cimbolas tabled for quad jacks, which crushed the of his eliminated opponent. The Lithuanian star scored an almost full double-up and now has one of the largest stacks in the room.
After hefty previous action, Alexander Lahkov and Martin Staskzo arrived on the turn on a board. Lahkov moved all in and Staskzo called it off for his remaining stack of 32,000.
Alexander Lahkov:
Martin Staskzo:
Staszko was behind with his pocket aces and needed to hit an ace, deuce or nine to survive. The river was the , ending the Czech's run in this tournament. The Russian is now the chipleader as we move to the last level of the day.
Ilie Smintance-Januzewski is currently sitting on a very healthy stack of 165,000. Better than that, the Frenchman made a Royal Flush earlier this day.
As a reward for hitting the most fabled hand in poker, a very happy Smintance-Januzewski received a brand new iPhone 6s from 888 Poker.
The first of two starting days of the 2016 WSOP Circuit €1,650 Main Event at King's Casino in Rozvadov attracted a field of 298 players. 33 players opted for a reentry after they busted, which brought the total number of entries to 331. After 12 levels of 45 minutes each, 146 players bagged up chips and advanced to Day 2 on Sunday.
After making a huge call against Alexander Lakhov in one of the final hands of the day, Francisco Arce bagged 317,800 in chips to claim the overall chiplead after Day 1a. Other notables to finish Day 1a with above-average stacks included Martin Slajer (204,900), Miroslav Forman (202,300), Matas Cimbolas (140,000), the aforementioned Lahkov (89,300), and Dominik Panka (38,000).
Players who failed to make Day 2 included Martin Staskzo, Tobias Peters, Bart Lybaert, Dan Murariu, Pierre Neuville, Johnny Hansen, Petr Jelinek, and Martin Kabrhel.
Day 1b will be open for players who bagged a stack after Day 1a as well, in case players like another shot in this tournament. After two starting days, they can carry over the bigger stack to increase their chances at taking home a portion of the €1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool.
The second starting day gets underway at 2:00 p.m. local time on Saturday. The PokerNews Live Reporting team will be back at the tables to cover a huge starting day.
appear. After two checks, Kabrhel made it 2,000, with only one player check-calling the bet. On the 
turn, Kabrhel's opponent check-folded to a 7,000 bet.
, Matas Cimbolas check-called a bet of 7,000 from his opponent. On the 
river, Cimbolas checked, which prompted his opponent to fire 15,000. Cimbolas moved all in for 45,000 and his opponent snap-called it off for nearly the same amount.
for quad jacks, which crushed the 
of his eliminated opponent. The Lithuanian star scored an almost full double-up and now has one of the largest stacks in the room.
board. Lahkov moved all in and Staskzo called it off for his remaining stack of 32,000.
, ending the Czech's run in this tournament. The Russian is now the chipleader as we move to the last level of the day.
