Thrilling Action on Day 1c of the €250,000 Guaranteed International Poker Open
As the sun set over Dublin, excitement filled the air at the Bonnington Dublin Hotel, marking the conclusion of Day 1c of the highly anticipated €250,000 Guaranteed International Poker Open (IPO). A robust turnout of 219 entrants signaled the strong interest in this prestigious event, with players vying for their chance to bag a chip stack and advance to the next round. After the day’s play concluded, only 34 players managed to secure their place in the Day 2 lineup.
Day 1c Highlights
The event has already seen a total of 459 entries across the first three flights of the IPO, establishing a solid foundation for an impressive prize pool. With three more flights scheduled, including the much-anticipated Day 1d tomorrow, the number of qualified players is expected to rise significantly. As of now, 67 players have successfully moved on, laying the groundwork for a thrilling continuation of the tournament.
Among the 34 qualifiers from Day 1c, Bolivia’s own Diaz Rodrigo has set the pace as the chip leader, boasting a substantial stack of 452,000 chips. This commanding position not only places him at the forefront for Day 2 but also gives him the opportunity to nearly double his current tournament earnings of over $30,000 if he navigates the competitive landscape to reach the final table.
Noteworthy Chip Counts
The competition was fierce, but the following players stood out at the end of Day 1c, making significant strides towards securing a position in Day 2:
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diaz Rodrigo | Bolivia | 452,000 | 90 |
| 2 | Aidan Quinlan | Ireland | 444,000 | 89 |
| 3 | Paul Carr | Ireland | 420,000 | 84 |
| 4 | Vaidas Budrys | Lithuania | 287,000 | 57 |
| 5 | Tom Dunne | Ireland | 285,000 | 57 |
| 6 | Marc Forde | Ireland | 272,000 | 54 |
| 7 | Vytautas Krasauskas | Lithuania | 267,000 | 53 |
| 8 | Stephen Henderson | Ireland | 254,000 | 51 |
| 9 | Kevin Duffy | Ireland | 248,000 | 50 |
| 10 | Toby Bradford | United Kingdom | 234,000 | 47 |
Rodrigo is trailed closely by fellow Irish player Aidan Quinlan, who bags up 444,000 chips, and Paul Carr, another Irish contender, who secured an impressive 420,000.
Local Legends and Rising Stars
Among the notable players who have made their mark is Joe Ward, who wrapped up Day 1c with a commendable stack of 226,000 chips. Having qualified twice, Ward’s larger stack from Day 1a will be the one that carries over to Day 2, showcasing his skill across varied flight formats.
Also in the mix is local poker legend Dara O’Kearney, finishing the day with 194,000 chips. O’Kearney is a seasoned player with tournament earnings nearing $1.4 million and boasts nine first-place finishes in events held in Ireland. His strategy and experience will undoubtedly make him a formidable opponent as the tournament progresses.
Looking Ahead: Day 1d and Day 1e
With the conclusion of Day 1c, the excitement is far from over. Both Day 1d and Day 1e are set to unfold tomorrow. Day 1d will kick off at 1 PM and will mirror the previous flights’ structure, featuring fifteen 40-minute levels. Later that evening, Day 1e will begin at 8 PM and introduce a turbo format, with each level running for 20 minutes.
As each flight allows for one reentry, players are keenly aware that their chances to qualify remain high even if they stumble in their first attempt. Importantly, should a player qualify more than once, only their largest stack will carry over to Day 2, ensuring strategic decision-making is crucial.
Conclusion
The action-filled Day 1c of the International Poker Open has set the stage for an electrifying continuation of the event. With players from various countries showcasing their skills and strategies, the stakes are rising, and the excitement is palpable. Stay tuned as PokerNews will be bringing you all the thrilling action from tomorrow’s flights. Will you be following along?
