World Series of Poker Europe: Main Event Day 1B

You know you are at a poker tournament in Europe when the field is spread across different parts of a casino filling out every nook and cranny of empty space. That was the case on day 1B at the ₤10,650 World Series of Poker Europe main event today in London. A large field of players flooded the Empire Casino in Leicester Square and most of them were the top professionals in the game.

The full official prize pool has yet to be released, but the 209 that started the day combined with the 137 that played yesterday means that the WSOP Europe main event has grown from last year, when 334 players created a ₤3,340,000 with a ₤801,603 first-place prize. That top prize money last year went to Card Player’s Publisher Barry Shulman and he was in action today to defend his title. He had a strong day after he doubled up to 50,000 early and he ends the night with 86,325. Barry’s wife Allyn Jaffrey Shulman was also playing in the main event today but she busted before the end of play.

The increased number of professionals in action created a crowded atmosphere on the rails, as many Londoners tried to catch a glimpse of such poker professionals as Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, and Bertrand Grospellier. Recent WSOP Europe bracelet winner Phil Laak started his tournament journey today, as did his good friend Antonio Esfandiari and the two could foster a talkative and competitive atmosphere if they both make a deep run in the event. Laak played a focused game today despite his recovery process from a broken arm and dislocated elbow that he suffered in an ATV accident in August.

The last two men standing in the heads-up high roller tournament, Gus Hansen and Jim Collopy, were also in action today. Another poker professional that made some noise on the felt was none other than Viktor Blom, the young Swedish player who set the ranks of high-stakes online cash games on fire recently as the alleged “Isildur1.”

The only bad thing to come from the abundance of talent present in today’s field meant that many of them would hit the rail before the final bell tolled. The biggest relief for many in the poker world had to come when Tom Dwan busted, which brought his last chance to make good on the multiple bracelet bets he had booked for 2010 to a close. CardPlayer TV caught up with Dwan earlier today just before his bust out hand:

Other big names to make an early exit into the chilly London evening included Card Player Player of the Year contender Thomas Marchese, David Benyamine, Men Nguyen, Vanessa Rousso, James Akenhead, Bernard Lee, William Thorson, Jeff Madsen, and 1999 world champion Noel Furlong, who made a rare appearance in today’s field.

There were 117 players that survived through day 1B and they will combine with the 78 that advanced from day 1A. Play begins at noon local time tomorrow (4 a.m. PST) and Card Player will bring you all of the action from the heart of Theatreland here in capital city of England.

Official chip counts from the World Series for day 1B are as follows:

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