Day 1 Draws 578 Entries at First-Ever WSOP Circuit Foxwoods Main Event; Aryeh Cohen Leads
It was a long day at Foxwoods Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut as both Day 1a and 1b completed twelve 40-minute levels of play in the latest World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event. It marked the first time the WSOP Circuit had visited the colossal property, so it was no surprise that players turned out in full force.
A hefty 350 players tried their luck on Day 1a, which began at 11 a.m. ET, but only 123 of them would advance. Leading the pack with 143,100 was Eric Rando of East Providence, Rhode Island. We didn't catch Rando's big hand, but according to Andy Frankenberger, he got plenty of chips when his 
overcame 
and in a three-way all-in situation.
On Day 1b, which allowed for re-entries, 228 runners took to the felt, of which 73 advanced. Finishing with the chip lead from that flight, and the overall top spot, was Aryeh Cohen, who bagged up 180,000.
Another player who advanced from Day 1a, albeit with a less impressive 72,300 in chips, was the ever-consistent Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler. He managed to win a decent pot in Level 11 (500/1,000/100) against Zachary “zackmorris99” Donovan, who won the WSOP Circuit Foxwoods Event #1 $365 NLHE Re-Entry for $48,112.
In the hand, Kessler opened for 2,500 from the hijack seat and the player in the cutoff seat called. Donovan then moved all in from the button for 10,700, the blinds folded, and Kessler made a quick call. The cutoff seat took his time before folding and the cards were turned up.
Donovan: 
Kessler: 
Kessler had Donovan out-kicked, and according to the PokerNews Odds Calculator, he was a 64.50% favorite to win the hand. The 
flop saw that increase to 79.19%, while the 
turn left Donovan, who only had a 6.82% chance of surviving, asking for a three to chop or ten to double. Unfortunately for him, the dealer did not oblige, and he was eliminated from the tournament.
Day 1b saw many of the fallen fire another bullet, but it didn’t prove fruitful for the likes of Kurt Jewell, Ronnie Pease, Micah Raskin, Roland Israelashvili, Chris Tryba, Victor Ramdin, Jamie Kerstetter and the Massey Bros. — Ralph and Aaron.
"They got me," Ralph Massey yelled to his brother from across the room in Level 9 (300/600/75). It happened when Massey opened for 1,300 and received calls from three opponents, one being Bobby Corcione. Massey then bet 2,850 on the 
flop, Corcione raised to 10,000, and the other players folded. Massey responded by moving all in for a bit over 30,000 and Corcione called.
Corcione: 
Massey: 
Massey got it in good, but he needed to dodge the flush draw and backdoor straight draw of Corcione. He did so on the 
turn, but he wasn't so fortunate as the 
spiked on the river to give Corcione the flush.
While many players fell throughout both starting flights, a number of notables advanced to Day 2. They include Greg Raymer (89,500), Nancy Birnbaum (109,500), John Dibella (30,400), Andy Frankenberger (94,000), Erek Gaines (133,600) and John Pito (124,900), all of whom advanced from Day 1a; while players like Igor Borukhov (180,000), Buck Ramsey (158,600) and Ylon Schwartz (73,900) all made it through from Day 1b.
Day 2 is set to resume at noon ET on Sunday. Be sure to join the PokerNews Live Reporting Team then for more great poker action from Foxwoods Casino!