2010 World Series of Poker Day 42: Jesper Hougaard, Cole South and Johnny Chan Among Leaders
After eight levels of intense tournament poker, Day 2A of the World Series of Poker Main Event has come to a close. Approximately 1,260 players have booked themselves a place on Monday for Day 3, and it seems as though Boulos Estafanous will be leading the charge with 344,100 in chips. Snapping at his heels, however, are Randy Dorfman (337,000) Jesper Hougaard (316,200), Rodney Sherry (316,000), Sam Abueid (314,000) and Cole South (304,200).
Also in the unofficial top ten is two-time WSOP Main Event Champion Johnny Chan. He chipped up late in the day to over 200k when on a 4♣7♦2♦ board, Chan, in early position, check-raised his opponent all-in holding the 10♥7♥ with his opponent making the call with the J♦10♦ for a diamond draw. The turn was the K♣, the river was the 3♥, and Chan stacked up about 281,000 in chips while sending his opponent to the rail.
Corwin Cole began the day as the tournament chip leader but saw his stack slide downward as those around him began closing ground. On top of the leaders, cash-game specialist Patrik Antonius and Robert Mizrachi also rose toward the top of the leaderboard on Saturday.
Throw in a chipped-up Sammy Farha, the dangerous Jason Somerville and Carter Phillips, along with Lauren Kling, Jennifer "Jennicide" Leigh and many other tournament veterans and amateurs, and it's safe to say this year's main event is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
Unfortunately, many players' dreams ended on Friday, including those of previous champions Carlos Mortensen, Berry Johnston, Tom McEvoy and Bobby Baldwin, along with 2010 bracelet winners Dutch Boyd and Daniel Alaei. The international brigade shrunk slightly, as well, with James Akenhead, Marcel Luske, Rob Hollink and Luca Pagona out and ready to book flights for home.
Make sure to join the PokerNews Live Reporting Team tomorrow at 12:00 p.m as the cards hit the air for Day 2B when players will again begin jostling for a position where they can mount a challenge for the prize everyone is chasing — the coveted gold bracelet, title of champion and $8,944,138 in first prize money!
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