The best shake off frustration and forge ahead. They take a hit, wipe off the dirt, and come back swinging. Such was the case with Ludovic Lacay Sunday as he came back from the disappointment of a runner-up finish in the 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe €3,000 Mixed-Max Pot Limit Omaha Event to emerge as the Day 1B chip leader of the WSOP Europe €10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event. Obviously, there is a long way to go for Lacay and the rest of the 61 survivors from Day 1B, but perhaps his run to the top of the leader board yesterday will be some consolation.
One of Lacay’s highlight hands, and likely one that let him enjoy his day a bit more than he might have otherwise, was a bluff that came about an hour before the end of the night. Pre-flop, Lacay re-raised to 3,500 after one player called the original raise. Mikolah Zawadzki four-bet to 7,600 and Lacay was the only one to call. Neither bet until the river on a board of 7♠-8♦-Q♥-6♦-5♦, at which time Lacay bet 22,000. It took a while, but Zawadzki finally folded. He was suspicious that Lacay had bluffed him off his hand and after asking him, Lacay did, in fact, show pocket Tens.
About 200 players registered for Day 1B. When combined with the Day 1A players, the total field amounted to 375, creating a €3,600,000 prize pool. Payouts will start at €20,250 for 40th place, while the champ will take down a cool million Euros.
This tournament is the last chance for the WSOP Player of the Year (POY) points leaders to add to their totals in an effort to capture the coveted honor. The current leader, Matthew Ashton, registered late on Day 1B, but was unable to make it through the day and will earn minimal points. Daniel Negreanu and Loni Harwood, the second and third place players in the POY standings, did move on to Day 2, though, and are still mathematically alive for the crown. It will take an amazing effort for them to pass Ashton, but it is still possible.
The tournament has already picked back up at Casino Barriere in Enghien-les-Bains as more than 100 players, plus any who registered before the start of Day 2, continue to march towards the final WSOP bracelet before November.
2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event – Day 1B Chip Leaders
1. Ludovic Lacay – 163,075
2. Ravi Raghavan – 155,225
3. Igor Kurganov – 136,475
4. Jordan Cristos – 116,250
5. Sam Greenwood – 113,250
6. Loni Harwood – 112,950
7. Jason Duval – 110,500
8. Remi Castaignon – 107,000
9. Giuseppe Sammartino – 105,300
10. Dan Steinberg – 103,775
2013 World Series of Poker Europe Main Event – Overall Chip Leaders
1. Ludovic Lacay – 163,075
2. Ravi Raghavan – 155,225
3. Paul Kuzmich – 145,825
4. Martin Hanowski – 142,150
5. Igor Kurganov – 136,475
6. Jerome Huge – 118,800
7. Jordan Cristos – 116,250
8. Sam Greenwood – 113,250
9. Loni Harwood – 112,950
10. Jason Duval – 110,500
