The High Spark of Lowball Pros Shines on Day 2 of Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw
Day 2 of Event #60: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw lived up to its promise, as some of the best players in the world clashed in what some call “the purest form of poker.” Multiple WSOP bracelet winners, Main Event Champions, and those vying to add a first bracelet to their illustrious careers did battle, winnowing their way from 159 hopefuls to a select 24 who will meet again on Day 3 to crown a champion.
Among those distinguishing themselves on Day 2 include nine-time bracelet winner and WSOP Hall of Famer Erik Seidel, who operated all day as a silent assassin, continuing the dominance he showed on Day 1. Seidel placed himself in a prime position to join Johnny Chan and honor the legacy of Doyle Brunson as the only ten-time bracelet winners. Chan himself fell short of an 11th bracelet, busting out early on Day 2.
Five-time winner Adam Friedman also finds himself among the leaders, sparring with Seidel often as they sat alongside each other for a sizable portion of the day’s endgame.
Chip leader Ryan Moriarty continues to surprise in 2023 WSOP lowball events, having finished second to Nick Pupillo in Event #52: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball (which combines 2-7 triple draw, A-5, and Badugi) just last week.
Bracelet winners Nick Guagenti, Chad Himmelspach, Robert Campbell, and Richard Ashby fill out the top ten chip counts, along with surprise challenger Robert Massman.
Massman is a longtime lowball pro from California who returned to the WSOP streets after a long absence. With his son (who himself cashed a Main Event satellite Tuesday) as his biggest supporter on the rail, “Razzman” will return on Day 3 to make a run at a potential heartwarming Cinderella story.
Top Ten Day 2 Chip Count
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Moriarty | United States | 1,035,000 | 52 |
| 2 | Nick Guagenti | United States | 990,000 | 50 |
| 3 | Jonathan Glendinning | United States | 835,000 | 42 |
| 4 | Chad Himmelspach | United States | 815,000 | 41 |
| 5 | Robert Campbell | Australia | 805,000 | 40 |
| 6 | Richard Ashby | United Kingdom | 800,000 | 40 |
| 7 | Adam Friedman | United States | 720,000 | 36 |
| 8 | Robert Massman | United States | 715,000 | 36 |
| 9 | Erik Seidel | United States | 680,000 | 34 |
| 10 | John Holley | United States | 650,000 | 33 |
Phil Hellmuth, who has had so many deep runs this year, was unable to complete his pursuit of a 17th bracelet, and a second in no-limit 2-7.
Among others coming up short of lowball glory on Day 2 were John Monnette, Barry Greenstein, Benny Glaser, Brian Hastings, Brian Rast, Michael Moncek, Tom Schneider, Greg Raymer, Chris Vitch, Jim Collopy, Koray Aldemir, Allen Kessler, Ryan DePaulo, and Chino Rheem.
Day 3 will restart on June 28 at 1:00 p.m. local time at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas and play down to the eventual winner. There will be 15-minute breaks every two levels and a dinner break that is yet to be decided.
Follow all the action right here on PokerNews to see who is crowned the next WSOP champion.