button in SafariGenzo Vlaemynck Dominates Day 1c of WSOPC Middelkerke Main Event
The queue outside Casino Middelkerke has never been longer this week than it was today. Unfortunately for the €1,500 World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event, however, the crowd had gathered for another non-poker event rather than to boost the numbers in the tournament's final two starting flights.
With 124 entries on Day 1c and 50 more on Day 1d, the 2026 WSOPC Middelkerke Main Event did not match last year's 414 entries, recording 259 entries and generating a total prize pool of €328,671. However, with a smaller field, the 40 remaining players have an even better shot at taking home a gold ring and a $5,000 package to the next WSOP Paradise, both awarded to the winner.
Among them, Genzo Vlaemynck might already be dreaming of those prizes tonight after leading the remaining 19 players from Day 1c with a massive 1,200,000-chip stack. He had already built up a big stack by the end of late registration, but it continued to grow after winning a big pot with aces over kings, shortly before getting lucky to burst the bubble.
End of Day 1c Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genzo Vlaemynck | Belgium | 1,200,000 | 100 |
| 2 | Wladimir Stepanian | Netherlands | 923,000 | 77 |
| 3 | Michal Anzulewicz | Poland | 826,000 | 69 |
| 4 | Mark Roovers | Netherlands | 406,000 | 34 |
| 5 | Olivier Arnault | France | 379,000 | 32 |
| 6 | Krzysztof Sluzek | Poland | 328,000 | 27 |
| 7 | Rachid Oufaska | Netherlands | 265,000 | 22 |
| 8 | Xavier Sitruk | France | 261,000 | 22 |
| 9 | Frederic Petit | Belgium | 254,000 | 21 |
| 10 | Levi Mulders | Belgium | 211,000 | 18 |
Wladimir Stepanian also came close to the million-chip mark with 923,000, ahead of Michal Anzulewicz (826,000), who has more than twice the stack of Mark Roovers (406,000).
Olivier Arnault (379,000), Krzysztof Sluzek (328,000), Rachid Oufaska (265,000) and Xavier Sitruk (261,000) follow. The Frenchman had a bigger stack after the last break but doubled up Fabian Bartuschk (186,000) twice, losing half of his chips in the process.
Houssem Meftahi fired several bullets but still managed to make the money with 76,000. Mateusz Moolhuizen seemed relieved to bag 62,000, while Alexandre Teulade had to double up just two places away from the money to secure his place on Day 2. However, he has just 49,000 and sits at the bottom of the chip counts.
Meanwhile, eight more players out of 50 entries survived Day 1d. Iurii Senchylo (696,000), Koen de Visscher (479,000), Sofian Benaissa (361,000) and Louis Ho (208,000) were among those who made it through. Even Day 1b bubble boy Bechara Koyess qualified, although he came close to bubbling again with just 44,000.
The 40 remaining players are expected to return to the tables this Saturday, November 14, at 1 p.m. local time for Day 2 of the Main Event. Play will resume at Level 16, with blinds at 5,000/10,000 and a 10,000 big blind ante, and levels will now last 60 minutes.
The detailed payout structure will be revealed at the restart, and the goal for the day will be to reach the final table of eight players.
As always, stay tuned to PokerNews as we provide you updates until a winner is crowned!