What to Watch For: June 16, 2017
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The Rio will be busy on Friday as huge crowds are expected for the Seniors Championship and THE GIANT. Meanwhile, champions will be crowned in THE MARATHON, the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed, and the $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw events. Here are the top storylines heading into Day 17 of the WSOP.
Event #23: THE MARATHON - $2,620 No-Limit Hold'em
The long run of THE MARATHON is down to the final stretch with only 13 players remaining from a field of 1,759. Joseph Di Rosa Rojas leads the way with 10,575,000 — the only player above eight figures. He's followed in the counts by Tim Reilly (7,220,000), Andrew Jernigan (6,270,000), Maurice Hawkins (3,630,000) and Faraz Jaka (3,215,000). Hawkins, a 10-time WSOP Circuit ring winner, got into an epic hand against Reilly on Day 4 when Hawkins ran his top full house into Reilly's royal flush. Reilly used those chips to build a chip lead late in the day, but Rojas went on a torrid run in the last two levels to take control.
Play will resume at 1 p.m. on Friday and won't end until a winner of THE MARATHON is crowned. You'll want to follow the updates for this exciting finish.
Event #27: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em 6-Handed
Max Silver takes an overwhelming chip lead into Day 3 of Event #27 after amassing a stack of 2,219,000. The next biggest stack is just under half that of Silver at 1,160,000, and that belongs to Morten Mortensen. Rounding out the top five are Jerry Payne (955,000), Chris Moorman (906,000), and Onur Unsal (893,000).
Also still in contention to win gold are two-time bracelet winner Steve Sung (840,000), Michael Gagliano (840,000), Ryan Tosoc (709,000), Nacho Barbero (382,000), James Chen (283,000), and Pratyush Buddiga (169,000).
The six-handed action continues Friday at noon where 21 players will attempt to claim the $498,682, so keep your browsers locked to PokerNews as we follow this to its conclusion.
Event #28: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw
The remaining six players in will return Friday and play for the $109,967 first prize and the WSOP gold bracelet. Brendan Taylor (714,000) will enter the finale as the chip leader and the only player at the final table who has won a WSOP gold bracelet. Right on his heels is former German football star Max Kruse, who will enter the day second in chips with 635,000 and a chance to jumpstart his already promising poker career. Dean Kerl (190,000), Jason Riesenberg (270,000), Rick Fuller (78,000), Brian Brubaker (549,000) round out the final table. Tune in here for all of the updates starting at 2 p.m.
Event #29: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em
Day 1 of Event #29 attracted a total of 1,086 entries, up from 1,045 last year — one of the few events that has seen growth year-over-year in this series. The prize pool combined for a total of $2,443,500, paying out 163 spots. With just 239 players remaining, the money bubble should burst within the first few levels on Friday. Spain's Pablo Fernandez will take the lead into Day 2 with 193,600. Michael Wang managed to work his stack up to 170,700 to come second in the counts, with Benjamin Francisco rounding out the top three with 159,500.
Some of the notables that made it through to Day 2 include Matt Salsberg (147,300), Jason Wheeler (78,900), Kristen Bicknell (73,700), Chad Holloway (63,400), Manig Loeser (40,700), and Natasha Mercier (27,200). First place will be paying out a coveted gold WSOP bracelet and a hefty prize worth $456,822. Play resumes at noon on Friday and you can follow all of the action right here at PokerNews.
Event #30: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
The top horse leading the field into Day 2 of Event #30 is defending champion Jason Mercier, who bagged an impressive 384,500 to claim the top spot. Mercier was a late addition to the field but it clearly didn't hinder the five-time WSOP gold bracelet winner. Joining Mercier on top of the counts are Mack Lee (347,500), David Bach (278,500), Tom McCormick (224,500), and Mark Gregorich (222,500). A total of 64 players will return at 2 p.m. on Friday with a huge prize of $383,208 up for grabs. All of the Day 2 updates can be found right here.
Event #19: THE GIANT - $365 No-Limit Hold'em
A total of 1,629 entrants took part in the first weekly flight of THE GIANT last week, and another huge turnout is expected today. Players will start with 20,000 in chips and play 18 20-minute levels on Day 1b. Only 124 advanced on Day 1a, with Jeffrey Brin bagging the top stack of 718,000. That'll be something to shoot for when players begin play at 7 p.m. Follow the updates right here.
Event #31: $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em Championship
Wake up, early risers! The Seniors Championship begins at 10 a.m. and expects to attract another mammoth field. All poker played 50 and older are eligible to compete for a bracelet in this annual event. Last year, Johnnie Craig finished on top of a field of 4,499 entries, collecting a huge $538,204 prize. That attendance mark set a new record, and we wouldn't be surprised if a new record was set this year. Be sure to follow all the action for all three days here at PokerNews.
Event #32: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix
$1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix event rounds out one of the busiest days of the summer. Allan Le took down this tournament last year for $189,223 after defeating a field of 668 players. All of the coverage can be found at PokerNews starting at 3 p.m.
