Jackson and Brenes Take the Lead to End Day 1
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With one day down in this edition of the $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em bustament, the field has already been cut from 2,521 to under 280. Zheng Jackson used the last levels of the day to surge to the top of the leader board with 151,000. Humberto Brenes hit a rush after dinner and terrorized his table, shark in tow, to finish with 146,400. Darren Spurlock, who dominated the field for most of the day, ended the night in third with 142,400. Grayson Ramage brings 130,000 into Day 2, and notables Mike Sowers and Carter Phillips both have over 120,000.
At 21, Phillips would love a chance to become the youngest player to win two bracelets in the same year, but he's got his work cut out for him on Day 2 first. Phillips and the other big stacks will be joined by plenty of other tough opponents who made it through a day full of firing, flipping, and folding. To keep their chips, they'll have to fight off the likes of Arnaud Mattern, Nam Le, Jude Ainsworth, and Shannon Shorr.
When the remaining players return to the Rio at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, they'll be less than one table away from bursting the money bubble. Once that happens, it will be a beeline for the final table and a shot at a bracelet and the sweet $604,222 first prize. Check back here for all of the action as it happens.