The excitement of the 2024 PokerStars North American Poker Tour (NAPT) festival kicked off in splendid fashion at Resorts World Las Vegas, as the highly anticipated Day 1a of the $5,300 Main Event unfolded late Tuesday night. Each player came with hopes of clinching a share of the enormous estimated prize pool, and as the day concluded, reigning Global Poker Index (GPI) Player of the Year, Bin Weng, emerged as the formidable leader, amassing a staggering 359,000 chips—equivalent to an impressive 239 big blinds.
Top Contenders on Day 2
Weng’s commanding performance sets him a step above the competition, but he will not be alone on Day 2. Other notable players who advanced with sizable stacks include Michael Lavenburg, Martin Carnero, and PokerStars qualifier Andrew Voor, all of whom performed admirably on Day 1a. Their substantial chip counts will provide them with an advantageous edge as the tournament progresses.
Notable Chip Counts:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bin Weng | United States | 359,000 | 239 |
| 2 | Michael Lavenburg | United States | 307,500 | 205 |
| 3 | Andrew Voor | United States | 281,000 | 187 |
| 4 | Martin Carnero | United States | 267,000 | 178 |
| 5 | Eric Medved | United States | 240,000 | 160 |
| 6 | Jonathan Newman | Canada | 232,500 | 155 |
| 7 | Colton Blomberg | United States | 216,500 | 144 |
| 8 | Eric Blair | United States | 213,500 | 142 |
| 9 | Nathan Wasson | United States | 211,500 | 141 |
| 10 | Zhiqin Zeng | United States | 209,500 | 140 |
Day 1a Highlights
The NAPT Main Event kicked off after four action-packed days of preliminary events, touted by participants in Resorts World’s expansive venue. Day 1a lured a talented field of 276 players, propelling the event toward its ambitious $3 million guaranteed prize pool.
Among the participants were Gold Pass qualifiers such as Steven Maddison, Xavier Pacheco, Lee Jackson, and Michael Harris. Their presence added a competitive yet entertaining flavor to the field as they clashed with seasoned professionals like Chance Kornuth, Ryan Riess, Martin Jacobson, and PokerStars Ambassadors like Maria Konnikova, Maria Ho, and Barny Boatman.
Memorable Moments
Day 1a was rife with exhilarating moments and strategic plays. One of the standout incidents involved Kenzo Ishida, who took an agonizing five minutes to ponder a decision on whether to fold a nearly unbeatable straight. Meanwhile, Nathan Wasson grabbed attention by dramatically cracking the aces held by acclaimed mixed-game expert, Dylan Linde. These highlights contributed to an atmosphere thick with adrenaline and anticipation.
Upcoming Events
With Day 2 just around the corner, two more starting flights are scheduled for November 5. Day 1b will commence at noon local time, featuring the usual structure, while the turbo-structured Day 1c will get underway at 6 PM. Players will jump back into the fray at Level 11, with blinds escalating to 1,000/1,500/1,500—setting the stage for even more intense competition.
Stay tuned as PokerNews continues its on-site coverage, bringing you live updates and insights from this thrilling event. You can keep track of all the action via the NAPT live reporting hub.
As the stakes rise and the players push their limits, one thing is certain: the clash for the title in the 2024 NAPT Main Event is only just beginning!
