Fresh off the finale of the World Series of Poker Europe, poker’s international vagabonds have traipsed from Cannes, France, to San Remo, Italy, for the second Main Event on the European Poker Tour’s Season Nine schedule.
The Casino San Remo was filled with players looking to take down what has traditionally been one of the most popular events on the EPT schedule. Since Season Four, the EPT San Remo has been on the agenda for the tournament poker world and has drawn outstanding crowds for the event. In 2010, the EPT San Remo drew in 1240 players (crowning Liv Boeree the champion) and, although numbers dropped a bit last year (defending champion Andrey Pateychuk navigated a 837 player field), the Casino San Remo was stuffed to the gills as the cards hit the air.
Starting with 30,000 in chips, you would think that the players would ease into the day, but the exact opposite was the case. Within fifteen minutes of the opening bell, former EPT champion Michael Elier was sent to the rail when his pocket Kings were coolered by Thomas Gabriel’s pocket Aces. On the other side, Hendon Mob member Barny Boatman was able to double his stack before the players headed off to their first break of the day.
One table inside the Casino San Remo seemed to draw the most interest from the railbirds in attendance. 2010 World Champion Jonathan Duhamel faced off against 2005 World Champion Joe Hachem several times on their particular patch of felt, but neither would be able to work their way to the end of Day 1A. They were joined rail side by such notable players as Max Pescatori, Konstantin Puchkov, Arnaud Mattern, Anton Wigg and Jonathan Little as the day’s play wore on.
This doesn’t mean that there aren’t several top players that made it through the carnage. 2012 World Poker Tour Grand Prix de Paris champion Matt Salsberg is on the hunt for the second leg of poker’s mythical “Triple Crown,” finishing the day with 135,200 in chips. Former EPT champion David Vamplew is looking to become the first player to ever win two EPT Main Events, bagging up 119,300 chips at the end of the day. They are joined by other notables such as Ludovic Lacay, Mike McDonald, former EPT Grand Final champ Nicolas Chouity, Todd Terry and Andy Frankenberger, all who finished Day 1A with double the stacks they started with.
When the EPT officials rounded up the bags, 172 players were left in the battle and it was a previously unknown player that held down the top slot on the ladder:
1. Erion Islamay, 162,300
2. Michael Ferrell, 146,600
3. Matt Salsberg, 135,200
4. Alberto Musini, 125,000
5. Inge Forsmo, 123,700
6. Mustapha Kanit, 120,600
7. David Vamplew, 119,300
8. Brandon Barnes, 115,100
9. Ondrej Majercik, 113,200
10. David Peters, 111,400
Day 1B is currently in action at the Casino San Remo and the field is replete with powerful players. Pateychuk is back to defend his title and Boeree has popped up ready to try for a second EPT San Remo crown. Team PokerStars Pro is well represented with Daniel Negreanu, Bertrand ‘ElkY’ Grospellier, Chris Moneymaker and Eugene Katchalov carrying the banner and other pros such as Joseph Cheong, Davidi Kitai, Vadzim Kursevich and Faraz Jaka are also in attendance.
At this point, late registration is still in play, meaning that the official field size has yet to be determined. According to the tournament clock, more than 450 players have already entered the Day 1B proceedings and it should guarantee another million Euro payout to whoever becomes the newest champion on the EPT when the tournament concludes next Thursday.