WSOP Europe / Dave Allan / 22 September 2009 / Leave a comment

An eventful Day 1 in the Pot Limit Hold'em/Omaha event saw 158 players take their seats for a chance of the second bracelet in the 2009 WSOPE. Star names such as Devilfish, Sorel Mizzi, Annette Obrestad, Mike Matusow, Phil Hellmuth, John Juanda and Doyle Brunson were all to feel a pinch of disappointment as they were eliminated before the money stages. The 22 that remain are jam-packed full of household names and, as the players return later today, the action is sure to be fast and furious.

Topping the chip counts so far is Eric Cajelais. Cajelais was in contention throughout the day but he only overcame the huge lead of Tristan Clémençon later on following his elimination of Betfair's Annette Obrestad. Hot on his heels are a list of names that would send a shudder down the backs of even the most experienced poker player. Hoyt Corkins and Men "The Master" Nguyen are handily positioned with Vitaly Lunkin, Richard Gryko and John Kabbaj still in contention. Howard Lederer is still in the competition and despite his short stack cannot be written off.

Corkins tangled with Huck Seed in one of the last hands of the day. During a round of Omaha, Seed managed to get his average sized stack in the middle with 5s,7s,4d,8d on a flop of 7d,Js,4c. Corkins went into the tank but eventually called with Ah,Ad,2d,6s. A ten hit the turn, which gave Corkins a diamond flush draw then an ace hit the river to give the "Cowboy" a set. Seed sat motionless for a while, as Corkins gathered up his increased chip stack, before disappearing into the night.

Play resumes today at 2pm, UK time, and here are the 22 players and their chip counts hoping to make the final:

Eric Cajelais - 144900
Tristan Clémençon - 118400
Allie Prescott - 88100
Hoyt Corkins - 80600
Men Nguyen - 75800
Mats Gavatin - 66900
Harri Suni - 66500
Brian Johnson - 58400
Dino Brivati - 58400
Robin Keston - 57000
Vitaly Lunkin - 53900
Nikolay Evdakov - 52800
Ian Frazer - 44700
Sampo Lopponen - 41400
Richard Gryko - 31100
John Kabbaj - 29300
Jareth Bleznick - 26000
Michel Abecassis - 24300
Karelas Konstantinos - 22300
Howard Lederer - 21800
Chris Bjorin - 13900
Dario Alioto - 13300

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