Sander van Wesemael has registered the €1,650 WSOPC Rotterdam Main Event at the start of the third level. Van Wesemael is just back from an incredibly successful trip to Barcelona, where he conquered a 2,648-strong field in the €330 PokerStars Cup to bank a whopping €127,000.
Think that's an impressive feat? Hear us out: Van Wesemael also won the €330 PokerStars Cup in Lille (€28,704 - 558 runners) and the €330 Marbella Poker Cup (€36,450 - 788 runners)! That's three cups in the span of three months, giving him the well-earned moniker cupfighter.
Van Wesemael has taken his seat at Table 14 in his quest to add a ring to all his silver work.
In a dark corner of the field, Niek Minten has taken his seat in the WSOPC Rotterdam Main Event. Minten is fresh off a very deep run in the PokerStars Championship Barcelona Main Event, where he finished 21st for €45,000. It was by far Minten's biggest live cash, who usually prefers the digital felt over the live arena.
"The online violence is starting next week, so I can play another live tournament," smiled Minten when asked about another rare live appearance.
Minten ended a five-year cashless draught with three live cashes in Barcelona and will no doubt be shooting for another big score over the course of the next days.
Raoul Refos has a solid start to the day and is up to 35,000 in the early stages. In a three-way pot, the cutoff bet 500 on a flop and Wladimir Stepanian called, Refos check-raised to 1,800 from the blinds, the cutoff called, and Stepanian folded.
Refos bet 3,000 on the turn and his opponent called again. On the river, Refos pushed all in, covering his opponent's remaining 8,000. The cutoff folded after minutes of thought and Refos collected the pot.
At the feature table, no less than four players put in 1,150 each preflop to see a flop appear. All players checked to R. Jonkers, who bet 5,500. Emile Aussems was the only player to call the bet.
On the turn, Aussems led out 11,000, around half his and Jonkers' remaining stack, and Jonkers folded his hand.
After the first 60 minutes, the field is up to 92 entries. These are the latest to take their seat and challenge for WSOP glory. Among them is 2008 WSOP bracelet winner and Dutch Poker Hall of Famer Rob Hollink.