Asipauskas Takes the Lead in the Main Event
This year's €5,300 WSOPE Main Event set new records in entries and the prize pool, leaving only one question: who will claim the record-breaking prize? After Day 3, only 85 players remain in the chase for the €2,000,000 prize. Out in front is Lithuanian Rokas Asipauskas, with a hefty 6,000,000 chip stack.
The third day brought many intriguing stories, but the return of legendary Annette Obrestad has attracted the most attention. She is the youngest ever bracelet winner, back in poker after nearly a decade, and still competing with a 1,025,000 stack.
Joining Obrestad is Shiina Okamoto, a two-time Ladies Championship bracelet winner, who is in an even better position with 3,130,000 chips, just outside the top 10.
On the other hand, local firebrand Martin Kabrhel has exited the tournament, along with other big names like Shaun Deeb, Espen Jorstad, and Jesse Lonis.
Top 10 stacks after Day 3:
|
Position |
Player |
Country |
Stack |
|
1. |
Rokas Asipauskas |
Lithuania |
6,000,000 |
|
2. |
Giovanni Zanette |
South Africa |
5,715,000 |
|
3. |
Werner Lootsma |
Netherlands |
5,300,000 |
|
4. |
Jack Loraine |
United Kingdom |
5,290,000 |
|
5. |
Johan Espholm |
Denmark |
4,315,000 |
|
6. |
Chris Hunichen |
USA |
4,050,000 |
|
7. |
Sondre Stormyr |
Norway |
4,020,000 |
|
8. |
Roberto Romanello |
United Kingdom |
3,830,000 |
|
9. |
Safwane Bahri |
France |
3,720,000 |
|
10. |
Sonny Franco |
France |
3,680,000 |
Pedro Faustino Takes Monster Stack Glory
Event #8: The €1,650 Monster Stack drew 902 players, with Pedro Carvalhas Faustino triumphing at the final table. The Portuguese player not only earned his first gold bracelet but also took home €221,770 from a prize pool of €1,353,000.
In the final heads-up, Faustino faced well-known Korean vlogger Jinho Hong, who aimed to add another bracelet to his collection. Yet, the determined Faustino allowed no drama.
The decisive hand came on a board of Q d J h 7 d J d K h, where Faustino completed a flush with 9 d 6 d, eliminating Hong, who held Q h 7 c.
|
Position |
Player |
Country |
Prize |
|
1. |
Pedro Carvalhas Faustino |
Portugal |
€221,770 |
|
2. |
Jinho Hong |
South Korea |
€147,440 |
|
3. |
Stig Borg |
Sweden |
€102,570 |
|
4. |
Andreas Goeller |
Italy |
€72,540 |
|
5. |
GG-MAN |
Germany |
€52,170 |
|
6. |
Lukáš Timko |
Czech Republic |
€38,160 |
|
7. |
Valentino Konakchiev |
Bulgaria |
€28,400 |
|
8. |
Lukáš Záškolný |
Czech Republic |
€21,510 |
|
9. |
Edgaras Kausinis |
Lithuania |
€16,590 |
Scandal Looms Over Birger Larsen in PLO Championship
The Pot Limit Omaha Championship with a €5,300 buy-in attracted 379 entries, creating a €1,895,000 prize pool. After the second day, the field was narrowed to 24 players. American Michael Moncek leads with a 2,820,000 stack heading into the final day. However, the tournament was overshadowed by an incident involving Norway's Birger Larsen.
Larsen was disqualified from 30th place due to aggressive behavior towards staff and opponents. Witnesses reported a loud Larsen under the influence of alcohol. After warnings from the floor manager and subsequent penalties for aggressive conduct at the table, Larsen reportedly struck the hand of someone trying to calm him down. Despite his disqualification, he retained a €13,000 prize, but his chips were immediately removed from play, ending his chances for the title and bracelet.
Top 10 stacks after Day 2:
|
Position |
Player |
Country |
Stack |
|
1. |
Michael Moncek |
USA |
2,820,000 |
|
2. |
Joachim Haraldstad |
Norway |
2,380,000 |
|
3. |
Manuel Stojanovic |
Austria |
2,305,000 |
|
4. |
Quan Zhou |
China |
1,805,000 |
|
5. |
Dimitrios Michailidis |
Greece |
1,360,000 |
|
6. |
Rasmus Larsen |
Denmark |
1,355,000 |
|
7. |
Roberto Sagra |
Argentina |
1,125,000 |
|
8. |
Juha Salminen |
Finland |
1,120,000 |
|
9. |
Sardor Shagulyamov |
Switzerland |
965,000 |
|
10. |
Erik Bauer |
Netherlands |
865,000 |
Source: WSOP Live, PokerNews, YouTube
