Main Event
Day 1b Completed
Day 1b Completed
Live Highlights
Record-Setting Day 1b in Marrakech; Alexandre Viard Claims Chip Lead
Day 1b of the WSOP International Circuit Main Event in the Es Saadi Resort in Marrakech is in the books and set a new record. With 339 entries on Day 1b, combined with the 172 on Day 1a, a record-breaking number of 511 players took their shot at WSOP Circuit glory. Alexandre Viard bagged the Day 1b - and overall - chiplead with 345,000. 104 players survived Day 1b and will join the 49 survivors of Day 1a on Saturday for Day 2. On Sunday night, the winner will be crowned.
After two starting days, the top 5 is as follows:
| # | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandre Viard | France | 345,000 |
| 2 | Fernandez | Spain | 268,000 |
| 3 | Rodrigo Strong | Brazil | 250,000 |
| 4 | Fabrice Soulier | France | 241,400 |
| 5 | R. Sxias | - | 232,000 |
Like yesterday, the day started off slowly, with dealers at many tables unable to start dealing due to an insufficient number of players. It didn't take long for the players to show up in droves, creating a densely packed poker room in Casino de Marrakech. After twelve levels of 45 minutes, 104 out of 339 found their way to the second day.
A lot of players fell on Day 1b, with Guillaume Darcourt being one of the first to go down. Darcourt, who was the chipleader after Day 1b last year, was also unsuccessful on his second bullet. Many other notables busted in the early stages as well, including Clyde Tjauw Foe, Alexandre Moreau, Gwendoline Laurent and Said El Yousfi, but every one of them rebought themselves right back in. Not every attempt was successful, but Tjauw Foe was among those to make it to Day 2. Jerome Sgorrano was the last to bust out, as he went down in the final hand of the night.
In the end, it was France's Alexandre Viard who claimed the overall chip lead. Viard went on a rampage during the last three levels, which included a takedown of high-roller Erwann Pecheux. When the dust settled, Viard was left with 345,000, enough to claim the overall lead. Spain's Fernandez sits in second with 268,000, while Reda Berbibah (227,100), Selim Oulekki (190,200) and Moroccan poker legend Abdelhadi Kondah (131,800) also had a strong showing. French soccer star Camel Meriem finished the day with 30,000 and is still in contention for the coveted gold WSOP Circuit Ring.
A total of 153 players will return for Day 2 on Saturday. Play will resume at 1 p.m. and levels will be 60 minutes. The prize pool and payouts are being finalised overnight and will be announced at the start of Day 2. The PokerNews live reporting team will be on the floor to provide start-to-finish coverage of this exciting Main Event.
End-of-the-Day Big Stacks and Notables
|
|
345,000 | 25,000 | ||
|
|
268,000 | 118,000 | ||
|
232,000 | 232,000 | |||
|
|
|
227,100 | -22,900 | ||
|
|
190,200 | 40,200 | ||
|
|
|
181,000 | |||
|
|
160,000 | |||
|
|
135,000 | 135,000 | ||
|
|
131,800 | 21,800 | ||
|
|
97,000 | 27,000 | ||
|
|
30,000 | -20,000 | ||
|
|
19,000 | -21,000 |
End of Day 1b
Twelve full levels have been played and Day 1b of the WSOP International Circuit Main Event is in the books as well. 105 out of 339 players have survived the second starting day. Alexandre Viard has amassed the biggest stack on Day 1b and is the overall chipleader after both starting days.
Chip counts of the big stack and an extensive recap follow shortly. All counts will be added later on.
Clock Paused
With 12 minutes remaining in the last level of the day, the clock has been paused. The last four hands will be played together before the chips will be bagged for the night.
Haziza Takes A Big Bite Out of Rizzo
Denys Shafikov raised to 3,500, Frederic Rizzo called in late position and David Haziza defended his big blind. The flop 
got checked to Rizzo, who bet 6,500. Only Haziza came along with the call.
On the 
turn, Haziza checked, Rizzo bet 10,000 and Haziza instantly check-raised to 25,000. Rizzo gave it some brief thought before making the call.
The river was the 
and Haziza bet a quick 43,000. Rizzo took almost three minutes, then put in the calling chips with a loud thump.
Haziza showed 
for the turned straight and a disgusted Rizzo flung his hand into the muck.
|
|
240,000 | 240,000 | ||
|
|
120,000 | 120,000 |
Viard Loses One
Alexandre Viard had to surrender some of his newfound chips to Hafid Kinany. After opening to 3,500, Viard called a 21,500 shove from Kinany.
Viard held 
but was in terrible shape against Kinany's 
. The 
flop all but sealed it, and the 
secured Kinany's double. With 320,000 left, Viard is still in great shape to finish the day as the overall chipleader.
|
|
|
320,000 | -35,000 | ||
|
|
|
55,000 | 55,000 |
- Level:
- 12
- Blinds:
- 800/1,600
- Ante:
- 200
Counts
While we were writing up the last post, Alexandre Viard went on a rampage and ran his stack up to a whopping 355,000. He is currently the overall chipleader as we head into the last level of the day.
|
|
|
355,000 | 355,000 | ||
|
|
|
250,000 | 250,000 | ||
|
|
|
160,000 | -5,000 | ||
|
|
|
150,000 | 5,000 | ||
|
|
150,000 | 150,000 | ||
|
|
|
145,000 | 145,000 | ||
|
|
|
120,000 | 120,000 |
Carré Out Of Nowhere Saves Saboor
Down to his last 7,600 in chips, Fidaly Saboor shoved all in from under the gun. Leonard Kensmil called to his left, as did Karim Benamrouche behind him.
In middle position, Sergio Da Silva had different plans and he shoved all in as well. It was 40,000 total, which proved too much to call for Kensmil and Benamrouche.
Fidaly Saboor: 
Sergio Da Silva: 
Saboor was in great shape to quadruple up, but went aghast when the dealer flipped the 
in the window. The flop got completed with the 
and 
, leaving Saboor drawing to the two remaining nines.
"Oooooh", yelled Saboor upon seeing the turn, shaking with joy. The on the river made his eyes lit up even more.
"Carré!", he gasped, as he pumped his fists in excitement. With all the dead money involved, Saboor is suddenly back to a healthy stack.
|
|
|
35,000 | 35,000 | ||
|
|
32,000 | -33,000 |