The three opening flights of the 2020 WSOP Main Event are over and now, just 181 players are left fighting for a share of $6,470,400.
Days 1B and 1C of the $10,000 hybrid event played out on Saturday and Sunday. The former attracted 171 entrants, while the latter welcomed 257.
Combined with Day 1A’s total, that means 674 players flocked to GGPoker for the international leg of the 2020 WSOP Main Event.
Stars Assemble for WSOP Main Event
Despite the unique online/live dynamics of the tournament, the allure of a WSOP bracelet brought out many of poker’s finest. Bertrand Grospellier was among the pros lining up for what will be known as the Main Event’s first hybrid title.
The Frenchman started strong, but couldn’t make it through Day 1C. He joined a long list of fallen WSOP bracelet holders that includes Mike Leah, Asi Moshe, and David Kitai.
It's time for the @wsop Main Event on @GGPoker
Can't remember last time I registered a tournament 300 bbs deep 🤣
Final day 1 today, let's go !#poker pic.twitter.com/S2NSfFGN1K
— ElkY (@elkypoker) December 6, 2020
Also on the list of European, Australian, and Canadian casualties are Dario Sammartino, Benjamin Rolle, and Noah Boeken.
One player who did make it through to Day 2 was Senthuran Vijayaratnam. The man known online as Prodigal Sen came out on top on Day 1C, and of the event overall.
Vijayaratnam got a large part of his stack from Samuel Vousden. The two got into a pre-flop raising war toward the end of Day 1C. Vousden eventually moved all-in with pocket sevens, but found himself in trouble when Vijayaratnam called with queens.
The 6♣ 5♠ K♣ 4♣ 10♥ board didn’t alter the dynamics and left Vousden without any chips. Vijayaratnam, on the other hand, took his stack over the 900,000 mark. That put him more than 300,000 chips ahead of than man in second place overall, Jesse Wigan.
From GGPoker to King’s Casino Rozvadov
Play in the 2020 WSOP Main Event on GGPoker will resume today at 18:00 GMT. The bubble is set to burst when someone hits the rail in 81st place. From there, everyone left will be guaranteed at least $15,277 and play will continue until just nine remain.
That’s also where things get interesting. Per the event schedule, the final nine will switch off their computers and head to King’s Resort for the final table.
The good news is that the casino is open again. COVID-19 restrictions in the Czech Republic forced King’s Resort to close on Oct. 8. Attempts to reopen in November were thwarted but, thanks to an easing of restrictions, the venue is ready to welcome players back.
♥️♠️ WEEKEND FUN ♦️♣️
King’s Resort is open, so start the weekend with live games like Roulette or Black Jack, and Slots. Enjoy a great meal at the Radimský restaurant, relax in the wellness center and stay at the King’s hotel 😎🤩🥳 pic.twitter.com/gOryI6Q1q1
— King's Resort (@PokerroomKings) December 4, 2020
That means the WSOP’s plan to host a live final table should be OK. Given how 2020 has played out so far, nothing is certain, of course. However, the aim is to end the international leg of the WSOP Main Event at King’s Casino.
The winner will take home $1,550,969 and earn a spot in the second live finale in Las Vegas. There, they’ll take on the champion of the US bracket in a winner-takes-all match worth $1 million.
