$1,700 Main Event
Day 1b Started
2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Thunder Valley
$1,700 Main Event
Day: 1b
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 1b
2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Thunder Valley
Buy-in
$1,700
Prize Pool
$627,210
Entries
414
Level
31
Blinds
60,000 / 120,000
Ante
120,000
Entries
273
Players Left
65
Welcome To Day 1b of the WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley $1,700 Main Event
The second of two initial starting flights is set to begin today at the 2019 World Series of Poker Circuit Thunder Valley $1,700 Main Event. After 141 entries got in on the action during yesterday’s Day 1a, a bigger field is expected to turn out for their final shot at advancing to Day 2.
Thirty-one players have already advanced to Day 2 action which will begin on Sunday at noon. Noel Rodriguez entered immediately after a sixth-place finish in the $3,250 High Roller event for $6,605 and got right back to business, ultimately ending the day as the chip leader with a stack of 315,500.
Rodriguez was joined by several other known players, including Alex Condon (285,500), Eli Ross (205,500), and Allen Kessler (160,000).
Many others were not fortunate enough to advance and are expected to try their hand when cards go in the air for the final flight. Brett Murray, JC Tran, Kelly Minkin, Craig Varnell, and Farhad Sinaei are among those likely to be seen throughout Day 1b action with even more newer faces getting in the mix.
Cards fly at noon local time with blinds starting at 100/100 and levels lasting 40 minutes in length through the duration of the day. Fifteen levels are on the docket with 15-minute breaks at the completion of every three hours and a 75-minute dinner break after Level 9. Players will be allowed one re-entry should they find themselves eliminated, with late registration remaining open until the beginning of Level 13.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for updates as the day unfolds.
Level: 1
Blinds: 100/100
Ante: 0
Shuffle Up and Deal
Level 1
: 100/100, 0 ante
Day 1b is underway at the Thunder Valley Poker Room.
Faces in the Crowd
Level 1
: 100/100, 0 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
|
30,000 | 30,000 |
Big Turnout Expected for Day 1b
Level 1
: 100/100, 0 ante
With 141 entries on Day 1a, the WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley Main Event got nearly halfway to making the $500,000 guaranteed prize pool. If today's early numbers are any indication, the Day 1b registration numbers could get the total prize money well over that half-million guarantee mark,
Less than 15 minutes into Level 1, more than 100 entries are already registered for the Day 1b flight, and that number is growing rapidly.
Varnell Back in the Hunt
Level 1
: 100/100, 0 ante
After playing through most of yesterday's Day 1a flight, Craig Varnell was eliminated in the final level of the day.
The well-accomplished tournament pro is right back at it today, however, seated for Level 1 of the day 1b flight. Varnell took down an early small pot with a 1,000 bet on a 
board, from the button. Phillip Harvey made the call from the big blind blind, and Varnell showed 
for the full boat.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
32,000 | -8,000 |
|
28,000 | 28,000 |
Hada Gets an Early KO
Level 1
: 100/100, 0 ante
The under-the-gun player had 1,200 in front of him and found preflop action back on him after Michael Hada had put in 4,000 from middle position and already been called by the small blind. He folded and action proceeded heads up.
The flop came 
and the small blind went all in. Hada quickly called.
Michael Hada: 
Opponent: 
"Nice hand," said the small blind as the runout finished with the turn 
and river 
. "I almost made a nice laydown," he added as he got up from the table and left the tournament area. Meanwhile, Hada finds himself with over two starting stacks early in Day 1.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
62,400 |
Kowalk Finds a Double
Level 1
: 100/100, 0 ante
There was 13,500 in the pot on a board of 
and Curtis Kowalk had checked from the small blind. His opponent was in the hijack and put him all in for his remaining 18,100. After about a minute, he dropped in his stack to call.
Curtis Kowalk: 
Hijack: 
Kowalk found his set of jacks behind his opponent's flush, facing the potential music that his hand would be no good. He began pushing back from the table in his seat as the river fell 
. The dealer pulled down the jack from the runout, pointing to the deuce as she stated Kowalk's was best with four other spades on board.
"Wow, I was looking for the board to pair," said Kowalk as he scooted forward with newfound life.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
49,700 |
Level: 2
Blinds: 100/100
Ante: 100