Down to 70 players, the 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe Main Event heads into Day 3 Tuesday. Taking control late was Germany’s Dominik Nitsche, who ended the night with 504,800 chips, the only player over the half-million mark. Ludovic Lacay, the chip leader going into Day 2, had another successful day, finishing in second with 406,200.
As mentioned, Nitsche grabbed the lead late. So late, in fact, that many players were sealing up their chip bags, preparing to hit the sack. According to the updates at WSOP.com, there were already 100,000 chips in the pot on the river with the board reading 8♣-5♠-A♠-J♥-5♦. Nitsche checked and his lone remaining opponent, Eric Sfez, bet 61,200 chips. Nitsche thought and thought, trying to get Sfez to give up any sort of information on his hole cards. Eventually, he did call, and Sfez revealed 8-7, a bit of a semi-bluff, considering the community cards presented much more dangerous possibilities. Nitsche flipped over pocket Queens, prompting one of the other players to say, “That was one of the best calls I’ve ever seen.”
As we mentioned yesterday, this event could have ramifications for the WSOP Player of the Year (POY) race. With just the High Roller event remaining before the conclusion of the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas, there is not much opportunity remaining for players to make a move in the standings. Matthew Ashton currently leads with 688.25 points, but he is out of the WSOP Europe Main Event, so he will only receive minimal points. Daniel Negreanu is next with 598.34 points and is still alive in this tournament; he must finish at least seventh place to overtake Ashton. Also with a shot is Jeremy Ausmus, who is ninth on the POY leader board with 428.46 points. He will have to win the WSOP Europe Main Event to pass Ashton.
Loni Harwood, who is third in the standings with 487.20 points, was eliminated on Monday, so she will not move up in the POY standings. Two of this year’s November Niners – Jay Farber and Mark Newhouse – are still playing in the WSOP Europe Main Event and could soar up the POY standings if they make a similar run here as they have the Vegas Main Event.
Though just over 300 players have been eliminated from the tournament, there is still a ways to go. The money bubble will burst today with the ouster of the 41st place player; play will then continue until there are 16 players remaining. The tournament will be narrowed to eight players tomorrow, after which there will be an off day before the final table.
2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Europe Main Event – Day 2 Chip Leaders
1. Dominik Nitsche – 504,800
2. Ludovic Lacay – 406,200
3. Benny Spindler – 345,700
4. Ariel Celestino – 325,000
5. Fabrice Soulier – 319,000
6. Guillaume Marrucho – 301,800
7. Jay Farber – 293,700
8. Adrien Allain – 289,200
9. Flavien Guenan – 286,200
10. Dario Sammartino – 283,800
