Slow and Steady Wins the Race: An Orbit With Day 1a Chip Leader Martin Jacobson

Martin Jacobson is a regular on the European Poker Tour, finishing second (twice) and fourth in EPT Main Events in 2010 and 2011 alone. Last year, the Swede reached the final table of the One Drop High Roller, finishing in sixth for $807,427, and altogether he has over $4.8 million in career live tournament earnings.

Jacobson entered Day 2a as the chip leader in this contained area of the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, but he doesn't seem to be getting out of line or playing like a maniac. After all, since 2007, Day 1 chip leaders haven't had the greatest success:

Brett Collson @brettcollson

Since 2007 only 14 out of 26 @WSOP #MainEvent Day 1 chip leaders have made the money. Two reached the final table: @BenbaLamb and @cada99.July 08, 2014

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In a recent orbit at his table, we witnessed the Swede's patience.

Hand #1: Jacobson started the orbit with 244,800 chips and the button, and the action folded to him. He raised to 1,400, and received no callers.

Hand #2: The action folded to Jacobson, who folded as well.

Hands #3-6: There were no opens or limps in front of Jacobson, and he chose to fold four more times.

Hand #7: Jacobson was the first player to act, and he raised to 1,500. Two players called - one in the cutoff and another out of the big blind - and the flop fell . The player in the big blind checked, Jacobson bet 2,500, and only the player in the cutoff called. The turn was the , Jacobson checked, and his opponent fired out 4,000. Jacobson folded.

Hand #8: The action folded to the player on Jacobson's right, and he raised to 1,500 out of the small. Jacobson called, then folded to a bet on a flop of .