Day 1D of partypoker Presents: WPT500 at ARIA Resort & Casino attracted 780 entrants, creating a four-day total of 2,036 entrants with two more Day 1s to come. That number means the $1 million guaranteed prizepool has been surpassed and the winner of this event now stands to walk way with more than the $200,000 previously assured. Official payout numbers will be released once a final tally has been reached after Day 1F.
That was the big story of the day, as the first two starting fields averaged 400 entrants each, and Day 1D attracted nearly twice as many. It was a day of long lines, and alternates waiting around to take their seats. Late registration closes at the beginning of Level 9, and the last alternate wasn’t seated until the middle of that level.
Play was scheduled to continue until the field was down to 5% of the field — in this case, the final 39 players. But since four players effectively busted at the same time at the end of the night, Day 1D will only be advancing 36 players to Day 2.
Here’s a look at the overall tournament to this point:
Friday, July 4th, 12:00 noon: Day 1A (433 entrants; 22 survivors)
Saturday, July 5th, 12:00 noon: Day 1B (366 entrants; 18 survivors)
Sunday, July 6th, 12:00 noon: Day 1C (457 entrants; 22 survivors)
Monday, July 7th, 12:00 noon: Day 1D (780 entrants; 36 survivors)
Tuesday, July 8th, 12:00 noon: Day 1E
Wednesday, July 9th, 8:30 am: Day 1F (TURBO, 15-min levels)
Wednesday, July 9th, 1:00 pm: Day 2 (Play to a Winner)
Of the 98 players who have survived to Day 2 so far, the overall chipleader is Messadek Soufiane, who finished with 1,143,000 on Day 1B. That is a massive amount of chips at this stage, and it is unlikely that anyone will pass him in the final two starting fields.
Day 1E begins at 12:00 noon today, with late registration open until about 4:30 pm PT. It is already well past the sellout point, with over 300 alternates.
If you’re interested in playing the last-chance Day 1F Turbo (with 15-minute levels) at 8:30 am on Wednesday, it’s recommended that you register early before it fills up as well.