With a record-breaking 753 entries, and a total prize pool of more than $5.3 million, the Season XIV edition of the WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star is the largest in World Poker Tour history. The final 72 players will finish in the money, with a first prize worth $1,298,000, a luxurious Hublot watch, and a seat into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.
When the last hand was dealt for the day, the original field was trimmed down to 159 with Ari Engel leading the way (294,100). Joining him at the top of the counts are Ali Mohammadi (272,000), Amir Shayesteh (238,000), and Season XIV WPT Five Diamond champion Kevin Eyster (220,000).
Among those who survived the day today with healthy stacks include Mike Matusow, Joe Kuether, Eric Baldwin, Lee Markholt, Dan O’Brien, Tom Marchese, Sam Soverel, Mike Leah, Adam Levy, Jason Mercier and Dominik Nitsche.
The 121 players who survived Day 1A will combine with today’s survivors for Day 2 on Wednesday with cards getting in the air at 11 a.m. PT. The remaining 292 will play until the tournament is down to its final 36 players.
Check out the Day 2 seating table here.
Not everybody was on Lady Luck’s good side, though, with plenty of well-known pros hitting the rail before the day’s end. Kelly Minkin, WPT Champions Club Member Aaron Mermelstein, WPT Commentators Mike Sexton and Vince Van Patten, Sorel Mizzi, Ray Qartomy, Paul Volpe, Joe McKeehen, WPT Champions Club Member Erik Seidel, WPT Champions Club Member David Paredes, Champions Club Member Darren Elias and David Sands were just a few of the players who were unable to survive.
Player who plan to complete the California Swing at WPT Rolling Thunder can take advantage of a free shuttle to Thunder Valley Casino Resort. One shuttle leaves at 3 pm on Wednesday from Staybridge Suites, and another leaves at 3 pm on Thursday from the same location.
Follow WPT.com for complete coverage of the entire Cali Swing.
Photography by Joe Giron / PokerPhotoArchive