Day 1c of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event proved to be the biggest and baddest of the starting days, topping out at 3,467 players and surpassing last year's record-second field of 3,418 that was largest one-day Main Event field in history. Combine that number with Day 1a's 943 players and Day 1b's 1,942, and you've got yourself a grand total of 6,352 entrants. The field created a prize pool of $59,708,800, and the eventual winner will be taking home $8,359,531.
As so often happens, the player emerging as the chip leader of the final starting day claimed the overall top spot. That man, Mark Kroon, bagged up 246,300 in chips and will lead the way heading forward. Kroon has cashed once prior in the WSOP Main Event, placing 399th in 2011 for $30,974.
Kroon took out Ylon Schwartz in the final hand of the night to snatch the chip lead from Imari Love, who bagged up 214,300. Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi was another player amongst the leaders for much of the day, and he bagged up 176,100.
As expected, poker's elite were out in full force today. Phil Ivey, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Jason Mercier, Joe Hachem, Allen Cunningham, Nick Schulman, Antonio Esfandiari and Ben Lamb were amongst those in action today, and they'll all be advancing. From that bunch, Ivey bagged the most chips with 119,650. Two other very well known faces in poker, Gus Hansen and Tom Dwan, both "played" the Main Event today, but didn't actually show up and play a single hand all day long. Instead, their stacks were put into play and blinded off. Hansen's stack was 17,975 at the end of the day, and Dwan finished on 18,075.
Arguably the most world-renowned person in the field was not a professional poker player, but rather a professional soccer player, Gerard Piqué. The 26-year old defender is widely regarded as one of the best centre backs in the world, playing for FC Barcelona and Spain, and his résumé includes a World Cup win, a Premiere League title, four La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, and three consecutive selections (2010-2012) to the UEFA Team of the Year. While Piqué began the day on the rise, climbing to nearly 100,000 in chips, he slipped in the final two levels of the night. He was able to find a double and get back to 19,400 to finish out the day, though.
The survivors from Day 1c will have Tuesday off while Day 2a and 2b play out inside the walls of the Rio. On Wednesday, today's survivors will be back in action to continue their quest.
For us at PokerNews, we're done for the night, but you can catch us right back here tomorrow at 12 p.m. for the start of Day 2a and 2b. See you then!
. Piqué checked to Olsen who fired off a bet of 2,000. Piqué called to see the 
on the turn. On the turn, Piqué checked again to Olsen who effectively moved all in with a covering stack on Piqué. After about a minute in the tank, Piqué called for his last 4,450 and it was off to a showdown.
and Piqué was able to earn a crucial double up here at the end of the night.
![[user198217]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
, and Kroon threw out a continuation bet of 2,400. Schwartz raised it up to 5,200, which was enough to see the other two players muck their hands. Kroon called, as the 
fell on the turn. Kroon bet out 13,500 and was called. The 
completed the board, and Kroon bet out 12,125. Schwartz tanked for a few minutes, before moving all in for over 30,000, which was snap called.
, before jumping up from his chair. “Boom!” he repeated. Kroon was so excited; he could hardly hold it in.
. He had flopped the nut straight and no one else in the hand even held a heart for the flush. The board completed with a 
, no help to Deeb. Hellmuth took the pot, bringing him up to 38,500, and Deeb made his exit.
, not giving him any extra outs. The turn was the 
that Schwartz needed, allowing him to pick up the knock out and all the chips.
flop.
landed on the turn and Negreanu was faced with a bet of 1,700. Negreanu took a few moments to contemplate a decision before tossing in two yellow 1,000-denomination chips into the pot to signify a call.
. His opponent, Jean-Jacques Philippe, moved all in for 24,675, and Chan went deep into the tank.
, 
