A total of 4,186 made their return to the Rio this week for the second day of poker shenanigans in the WSOP Main Event.
Spread across a two-day period - with Days 1a and 1b consolidated into one day - players set their sights on survival and the prospect of an $8.3 million first prize.
Black Belt Poker boasted three needles within the poker haystack, spearheaded by Kevin Williams who was carrying over a moderate stack of 45,800.
However, Day 2 would prove the initial spark of the firework display as Kevin proceeded to escalate his stack to uncharted heights, and a shot at a deep run.
Edging up to 72,075 by the first break, Kevin ascended to 134,000 by dinner before finishing the day with 125,100 - a figure that would have been more if it weren't for a late straight-versus-flush encounter.
Day 3 produced a lineup tougher than a two-dollar steak with the likes of Liv Boeree, Mark Flowers, Matt Stout and Jean-Robert Bellande (not "Bellend", as mistakenly named in a recent Channing interview) providing the obstacles.
"Early read on JRB," Tweeted Kevin as he feverishly ambushed social media platforms, "asked the dealer if he was serious when asked for ID and called Liv 'Liz'. Jury's out."
But despite the opposition, Kevin ignited his jet pack by chipping up to 205,000 before doubling up to 415,000 with A-A versus the K-K of Bellande. By the dinner break, he had a tasty 503,000.
The tables threatened to turn when A-K failed to out-flip Q-Q for a 130,000 pot, but the Poker Gods blessed Kevin soon later when his K-K "got there" against A-A to bring him up to 679,000.
By the end of the day, Kevin was perched in the leading pack with a gargantuan 808,500 in chips, and wearing a smile wider than the M1 motorway as the leading Brit in the field.
Also tackling the Day 2 fun and frolics were Black Belt Poker online qualifiers James Morris and Iain Brassell. Although the former bust Day 3, the latter will be joining Kevin for Day 4 with 42,500 - alive, but in danger with less than 10 big blinds.
A foreboding 666 from the initial 6,352 remain with America's Maxx Coleman riding high as the only player over a million - 1,071,500. Snapping on his heels like a starved alligator is Joshua Prager with 993,000, while Max Steinberg sits on 987,500.
Flying the flag for Her Majesty alongside Kevin are a plethora of names from the UK circuit including Jake Cody, John Eames, Rupert Elder, Ashley Mason and affable rogue Luke Schwartz.
With 648 paid, the money is looming like an upcoming eclipse - squeaky bum time beckons with players looking to eek into the cash prizes and continue their WSOP dream. Keep your eyes peeled on the site to see if Kevin and/or Iain make the cut.
No comments:
Post a Comment