Action has concluded in Day 1d of the the $600 Kickoff Event here at the Maryland State Poker Championship hosted by Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland. Of the 145 runners who started the day, only 19 players will return for Day 2 on Sunday, all of whom have already made the money.
Justin Arnwine emerged as the overwhelming chip leader of Day 1d, bagging an impressive 707,000. Arnwine chipped up steadily throughout the day, and propelled his stack to the top of the leaderboard with just 20 players left when found himself in the dream spot with pocket aces versus his opponent's pocket kings. Arnwine, who is no stranger to the Maryland poker scene, heads into Day 2 with a healthy stack in hopes of locking up another victory.
Finishing Day 1d second in chips is Maryland native Lara Eisenberg with 537,000. Eisenberg won a World Series of Poker gold bracelet in the 2021 $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Ladies Championship. Not far behind her in third is Sean Magness with 450,000.
Day 1d Top 10 Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Arnwine | United States | 707,000 |
| 2 | Lara Eisenberg | United States | 537,000 |
| 3 | Sean Magness | United States | 450,000 |
| 4 | Paul Kiem | United States | 349,000 |
| 5 | Wesley Clark | United States | 276,000 |
| 6 | Alan Gendelman | United States | 265,000 |
| 7 | Yevgeny Gans | United States | 235,000 |
| 8 | Michael Robinson | United States | 208,000 |
| 9 | Anthony Collurafici Jr | United States | 207,000 |
| 10 | Kirk Willis | United States | 205,000 |
The remaining 19 players all locked up a seat for Day 2 when Mark Castaldo was eliminated on the stone bubble, when he was involved in a three-way all in as the short stack at the table.
Day 1e began at 6:15 p.m. local time, and chip counts will be posted once the flight is completed.
Day 1f will begin August 3 at 11:15 a.m. local time, with blinds starting at 100/100 with a 100 big blind ante. Play will conclude once 12.5% of the field remains, and those who bag will be in the money for Day 2. At the end of every four levels, players will be sent on a 15-minute break. Day 2 will commence on Sunday, August 4 at 11:15 a.m. local time.
Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the entirety of the $600 Kickoff Event here at the Maryland State Poker Championship.
