PokerStars EPT Grand Final -- Day 1A

The 6th season of the PokerStars European Poker Tour is coming to a close with the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo and with 351 players entering on day 1A, it looks like the season will end on a high note.

Tournament officials expect an even larger field on Monday and satellites are still running in the Salles des Etoiles to ensure that happens. With 30,000 in starting chips and 60-minute levels, play moved surprisingly quick as the field trimmed itself down by nearly half in the nine alotted levels.

When the dust settled, it was Simon Munz (pictured right) of Germany and long-time pro Chris Bjorin who finished neck and neck for the chip lead. Bjorin’s aces took out Dennis Phillips and his kings to give him 171,100, but it wasn’t enough to edge out Munz and his 175,200.

Among the pros who failed to survive the day were Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Barry Greenstein, Patrik Antonius, John Cernuto and even former EPT Grand Final Champion Gavin Griffin. Phil Ivey (pictured left) also saw a quick end to his tournament when his nut flush draw went up against Eric Sadoun’s quad eights. Ivey was crippled and eliminated short thereafter.

Those who survived the day included Team PokerStars Pro members Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer, along with Owen Crowe, Neil Channing, David Sands, Men Nguyen, Kevin MacPhee and Noah Schwartz. They’ll join the other survivors with an off day on Monday when the day 1B field enters the picture.

Be sure to tune into Card Player when the action resumes at 6:00 a.m. EST. What else do you have to do on a Monday morning?

*Photos courtesy of PokerStars Blog.

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