Junker Streaks Ahead of Closest Challengers on Day 1b
Day 1b of the PokerStars Eureka Hamburg Main Event has concluded here at Casino Schenefeld, with 52 players progressing to Day 2 from the field of 208, bringing the total numbers of players bagging for Day 2 to 92 thus far. The prize pool currently stands at €355,300, with a final starting flight to come.
Axel Junker of Germany has bagged the chip lead from Day 1b, and holds the overall lead for the tournament thus far, amassing a huge stack of 421,500. He streaked ahead of his closest challengers, Mengshi Tian of China (262,500) and his fellow countryman Stefan Teckenburg (212,000).
Junker's largest live cash is for $35,000 and he will be hoping to bag a pay day in that region in this event. Tian is approaching $100,000 in live cashes and will be aiming to reach that milestone this week, while Teckenburg's biggest live result is for just under $10,000.
Day 1b Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Axel Junker | Germany | 421,500 | 140 |
| 2 | Mengshi Tian | China | 262,500 | 87 |
| 3 | Stefan Teckenburg | Germany | 212,000 | 70 |
| 4 | Mateusz Sikora | Poland | 208,500 | 69 |
| 5 | Marcin Puczylowski | Poland | 203,500 | 67 |
| 6 | Andre Hegendorf | Germany | 192,500 | 64 |
| 7 | Nicola Karl | Germany | 191,500 | 63 |
| 8 | Tommy Eriksson | Sweden | 177,000 | 59 |
| 9 | Yves Thalmann | Switzerland | 173,000 | 57 |
| 10 | Bernd Reich | Germany | 172,000 | 57 |
Other players who have progressed include Yves Thalmann (173,000), Patrick Gerritsen (161,500) and PokerStars qualifier Jonas Degen (119,500). PokerStars Power Path Silver Pass winner Heiko Fiehn also found a bag for Day 2 (117,000).
PokerStars Team Pro Felix Schneiders was not so fortunate and will fire again in the final flight, while Croatian football star Ivan Klasnic, Nicklas Dehli and Robert Lundh all exited before the close of play.
The final opportunity for players to book their spot takes place Friday, July 5 at 4:00 p.m. local time, following the same structure as previous flights.
Players will start with 30,000 chips at blind level 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante, with the flight featuring 40-minute levels. Play will continue until the end of Level 13. Each flight permits a single reentry.
The tournaments then moves towards a conclusion with Day 2 on Saturday, July 6 at 3:00 p.m., with the final day beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. Days 2-3 will feature 60-minute levels.
Be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all your coverage of the action.