The 2,930 players who entered Event #35: $500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em got whittled down over the course of 11 hours to just 132 who will start Day 2 with their dream of winning the WSOP gold bracelet still alive.
Leading the way is Ukrainian pro Denys Chufarin. Chufarin was one of the first to crack one million chips and takes 1,500,000 into Day 2. Close behind him is Nipun Java (1,295,000), a two-time bracelet winner and No. 2 on India’s all-time money list with more than $2.7 million in live earnings.
Shaun Deeb steadily accumulated chips for most of the first day and begins Day 2 with an above-average stack of 865,000. Daniel Buzgon (645,000), Kyna England (585,000), as well as bracelet winners Mike Takayama (410,000) and Joey Weissman (260,000), are also still in the mix.
The schedule calls for the final 132 to play down to a winner tonight, so expect the action will be fast. Blinds begin in Level 23 at 15,000-30,000, with a 30,000 big blind ante, meaning the average stack is less than 20 big blinds.
Play resumes at 12 p.m. PST. Levels are 30 minutes long, with a 15-minute break every four levels.
PokerNews will be on hand to provide all the live updates until a new WSOP champion is crowned by the end of the night.
