2016 WSOPC Caribbean Main Event: Jean-Luc Adam Leads 55 Survivors After Day 1b
As expected, the second and final starting day of the 2016 World Series of Poker Circuit $1,675 Main Event at the Casino Royale, Sint Maarten attracted an even bigger field than the strong turnout of Day 1a. A total of 108 unique players and 17 re-entries made for a field of 123 to bump the total attendance to 215 entries so far. However, that is not the final number yet with registration open until the first card is dealt on Monday at 3:30 p.m. local time. The initial guarantee of $250,000 has already been smashed.
After 11 levels of 40 minutes each, it was Jean-Luc Adam (lead photo) who bagged up the lead with 207,500 followed by Craig Rubinstein (158,600) and Robert Price (124,300). Other notables and big stacks include Matthew Fallon (114,000), Marvin Browne (107,500), two-time WSOPC Caribbean ring event winner Martin Ryan (100,000), Werner Eder (99,700), Chester "CJay" Baughan (86,600), Joachim Lob (83,900) and Jason Rivkin (73,100).
Baughan, who calls the Scarlet Pearl Casino in Biloxi his home ground, knocked out Ryan but the player from Trinidad & Tobago re-entered and quickly ran up a stack again. Robbie Bakker busted two bullets and fell victim to Ryan towards the end of the day when his ace-queen for top pair was drawing dead against the four-six suited of Ryan on an ace-high turn.
Jean-Pierre Didier started the day in spectacular fashion by tripling up in a three-way all in with top pair against bottom set and a gutshot and flush draw combo. The turn and river brought runner runner straight for Didier, who won the first WSOP Circuit ring here at the festival, and the Frenchman ultimately bagged up 59,700.
Rubinstein was among those to re-enter successfully and the American took most of Mario Eder's chips with a full house versus straight. Eder busted soon after against Robert Cheung. Other familiar faces of the festival thus far that didn't make it through included John Yocca, William Hicks, Arman Bosnakyan and Ingrid "Machine" Bevin.
The day ended with a bang when Adam busted two opponents in a three-way preflop all in with kings versus aces and queens - a king showed up on the turn. The Frenchman will return as second in chips, as Luca Giovannone retains the overall lead with 235,500.
Top 10 Chip Counts Day 1b:
| Position | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jean-Luc Adam | France | 207,500 |
| 2 | Craig Rubinstein | United States | 158,600 |
| 3 | Robert Price | United Kingdom | 124,300 |
| 4 | Matthew Fallon | United States | 114,000 |
| 5 | Marvin Browne | Sint Maarten | 107,500 |
| 6 | Martin Ryan | Trinidad & Tobago | 100,000 |
| 7 | Werner Eder | Austria | 99,700 |
| 8 | Jozef O’Neil | Sint Maarten | 87,200 |
| 9 | George Griffith | Barbados | 86,900 |
| 10 | Chester Baughan | United States | 86,600 |
The 40 survivors of Day 1a, along with the 55 hopefuls that survived Day 1b, make for at least 95 players that return to the tables of the Casino Royale for Day 2. This number may still increase as registration remains open until the start of level 12 with blinds of 600-1,200 and a running ante of 200. As of Day 2 and also for the final table, the level duration increases to 60 minutes each.
Besides Day 2 of the flagship tournament of the festival, the penultimate WSOP Circuit ring-awarding tournament will kick off at 6 p.m. with Day 1 of the $365 NLHE Event #32. All players receive 10,000 in chips and a total of 15 levels of 30 minutes are scheduled to take place. As of 9 p.m. local time, there will also be a $135 Survivor Event.
