Diamond Poker Series: A New Era with the PLO Grand Slam
The Diamond Poker Series is making headlines with its inaugural event, the PLO Grand Slam, which is well on its way to accumulating an impressive €1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool. Held at the vibrant Arena Casino in Tirana, Albania, this event kicked off with the €5,200 Opener, where the anticipation and excitement of players reverberated throughout the venue.
Day 1a: A Competitive Start
The first day of the tournament, Day 1a, saw a total of 95 entries. While this number is just shy of half the entries needed to achieve the guarantee, there remains a buzz of anticipation as players prepare for another opportunity in Day 1b. The day saw a fierce competition among a talented field, setting the stage for high drama and wonderful plays.
As the chips were dealt, notable players took to the felt, and it wasn’t long before some began to distinguish themselves from the pack.
Leading the Charge: Chip Leaders Emerge
Norway’s own Tom-Aksel Bedell stole the spotlight, multiplying his starting stack of 200,000 a staggering tenfold, ultimately finishing Day 1a with a commanding 2,165,000 in chips. This extraordinary performance positioned him as the chip leader heading into day two. Following closely behind was Sergio Martinez Gonzalez, who also enjoyed a prosperous day, amassing 2,010,000 in chips.
Another remarkable performance came from poker bracelet winner Max Kruse, who secured a top ten finish with a solid stack of 1,170,000. With such notable names in the mix, the competition was already shaping up to be intense.
| Day 1a Top Ten Chip Counts: | Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Day 2 Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom-Aksel Bedell | Norway | 2,165,000 | 144 | |
| 2 | Sergio Martinez Gonzalez | Spain | 2,010,000 | 134 | |
| 3 | “Tony” | 1,780,000 | 119 | ||
| 4 | Pavel Izotov | Belarus | 1,575,000 | 105 | |
| 5 | Christoforos Chrysochoidis | Greece | 1,195,000 | 80 | |
| 6 | Max Kruse | Germany | 1,170,000 | 78 | |
| 7 | Dimitri Steinfeuer | Germany | 1,090,000 | 73 | |
| 8 | Grzegorz Derkowski | Germany | 1,075,000 | 72 | |
| 9 | Lautaro Guerra | Spain | 940,000 | 63 | |
| 10 | Borislav Bogdanov | Bulgaria | 810,000 | 54 |
Day 1b: Another Chance to Shine
As the action continues, Day 1b is set to kick off today at 3 p.m. local time. Players who did not survive Day 1a can take another shot at building their stacks, as the tournament structure allows for full late registration until the start of Day 2.
Today’s participants will also start with a stack of 200,000, with blinds initially set at 500/1,000, incorporating a 1,000 big blind ante. The action will be fast-paced, with three 45-minute levels before the first scheduled break, allowing players to regroup before diving back into the heated competition.
A dinner break after Level 6 will give players a chance to recharge before resuming the quest for dominance, and with unlimited reentry options available throughout the day, the potential for thrilling plays and dramatic comebacks remains high.
Looking Ahead: The Structure for Day 1b
The tournament will follow a detailed structure throughout the various levels:
| Level | Duration (min) | Small Blind | Big Blind | Big Blind Ante |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 45 | 500 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| 2 | 45 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 1,500 |
| 3 | 45 | 1,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 |
| Break | 15 | |||
| 4 | 45 | 1,000 | 2,500 | 2,500 |
| 5 | 45 | 1,500 | 3,000 | 3,000 |
| 6 | 45 | 2,000 | 4,000 | 4,000 |
| Break | 45 | |||
| 7 | 45 | 2,000 | 5,000 | 5,000 |
| 8 | 45 | 3,000 | 6,000 | 6,000 |
| 9 | 45 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 8,000 |
| Break | 15 | |||
| 10 | 45 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 10,000 |
| 11 | 45 | 6,000 | 12,000 | 12,000 |
Conclusion
With Day 1b on the horizon, the Diamond Poker Series’ PLO Grand Slam is shaping up to be an unforgettable event. As players vie for chips and glory, spectators and fans alike are sure to witness astonishing poker action. Stay tuned to PokerNews for updates as the tournament progresses, ensuring you don’t miss any of the explosive four-card poker dynamics that make this event one for the books!
