Day 1B is in the books at the WPT Borgata Poker Open and 425 players have survived from the 813 that entered. The strong turnout today led to another stellar attendance number, and the field rounded out at 1,189 total runners. From that number, 591 combined survivors will return for Day 2 on Tuesday.
Paul Volpe (pictured above) won the $5,000 bonus, leading the field with 231,850 chips at the end of the day. Anthony Castelli bagged up a second-place stack of 210,100 chips to earn a $3,500 bonus. Jeremy Stein (206,100), Norberto Camacho (203,950), and local pro Nick Frangos (199,975) were among the others who accumulated big stacks over the course of the first eight levels. ClubWPT.com Qualifier Jerry King has his work cut out for him, but his 18,650 chips keep him in contention heading to Day 2.
One who deserves a separate mention is WPT Founder Steve Lipscomb, playing in his first open WPT event this week at Borgata. Lipscomb was the life of the party on Day 1B, and he and his 32,025 chips will return to the tables on Tuesday.
Lost along the way were Mike Sexton, Ronnie Bardah, Tony Cousineau, Mike Vela, Matt Waxman, Doug Lee, Jessica Dawley, Kevin Calenzo, ClubWPT.com Qualifier Larry Norton, and Season XII One to Watch Jeff Gross.
The field of 1,189 creates a prizepool worth $3,805,989. The winner will take home $825,099, and the top 110 players will cash for at least $7,123 apiece. The additional $17,000 is set aside to pay those chip leader bonuses for Days 1A and 1B.
Tune back in at Noon ET on Tuesday for Day 2 action from the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.