While one World Poker Tour event was wrapping up in the Czech Republic, one of the most popular WPT events of the year was starting at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. The WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic Main Event saw 519 entries for Day 1 on Monday with 385 players advancing to Tuesday’s Day 2. Robin Hegele has the unofficial chip lead with 185,000 chips; the official chip counts should be released later this morning.
There is still a long way to go, but if Hegele can keep up the good work, he will be on his way to the best cash of his live tournament career. According to TheHendonMob.com, Hegele has just shy of $24,000 in live tournament earnings. His largest cash came just last month in the WPT Caribbean Main Event, where he finished in 36th place for $10,000.
Hegele reached the top of the chip counts largely in part to his ability to abuse Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu. During Level 3, Hegele raised pre-flop to 400 (it’s not often we see notable hands with bets that low) and Negreanu re-raised to 2,000. On the flop of K-K-5, Hegele checked, Negreanu bet 2,000, and Hegele called. Hegele checked again with the 2 on the turn and then called a 6,000 chip bet from Negreanu. Both players checked the J on the river. Negreanu had nothing, failing to hit a spade flush, while Hegele had K-Q for trips. That took Hegele’s stack up to 103,000, while Negreanu busted shortly thereafter.
This tournament, though, allows unlimited re-entries through Level 8 and Negreanu had already re-entered four times. He decided to keep trying, so he and Hegele tussled again a bit later. In another key hand, Peter Neff raised to 400, Hegele re-raised to 1,200, and Negreanu four-bet to 5,000. Lily Kiletto then moved all-in for 10,250, forcing a fold from Neff. Hegele then decided to move all-in himself, so Negreanu called off his remaining 33,000 chips.
When the cards were turned over, Hegele had A-K of spades, Negreanu had pocket Jacks, and Kiletto had pocket Tens. Hegele ended up pairing his Ace on the turn to eliminate both opponents and grow his stack to 163,000 chips.
That was not the last time Negreanu would fire another re-entry bullet. He did finally make through to Day 2 with 80,825 chips.
Day 2 begins at noon PT. As mentioned, re-entries are available through Level 8; Day 2 will begin with Level 6. The largest field the WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic Main Event has ever had is 664 in 2007, so with unlimited re-entries continuing, it looks like there is an excellent chance that record will be broken.
2016 WPT Five Diamond World Poker Classic Main Event – Day 1 Chip Leaders
1. Robin Hegele – 185,000
2. Lucas Blanco Oliver – 139,325
3. Andjelko Andrejevic – 136,400
4. Jennifer Tilly – 134,225
5. Chris Wieners – 121,000
6. David Pham – 120,100
7. Soren Jensen – 116,975
8. Lazaro Hernandez – 106,975
9. Corey Hochman – 106,150
10. Nicholas Manganaro – 104,350
