Raichura Finishes With Top Stack; Defending Champ McNeil Bags
Kal Raichura bagged up 68,100 to notch a slim chip lead over Konstantin Puchkov (65,800) here at the conclusion of Day 1 of Event #14: $1,500 Limit Omaha Hi-Low. Puchkov already has a World Series of Poker bracelet and more than $2 million in live cashes to his name, while the Canadian has $122,000 in cashes.
The winner of this one will take home $283,275 for outlasting a total field of 1,036 runners, a very slight increase over last year's field of 1,014, topped by Calen McNeil. McNeil returned to defend his title, and he had a very swingy day, ultimately gasping to the finish and bagging just 7,400. He'll certainly have his work cut out for him tomorrow.
Other notables bagging stacks included Eric Baldwin (43,000), George Danzer (39,300), Allen Cunningham (36,200), the legendary Phil Ivey (33,500), Stephen Chidwick (32,100), former WSOP Player of the Year Frank Kassela (31,600), Erik Seidel (29,600), David "Gunslinger" Bach (20,300), and former Main Event champion Greg Raymer (10,800).
A total of 220 survivors made it through the 10-level grind today, and they'll return for Day 2 tomorrow at 1 p.m. in the Amazon Room. Be sure to tune back in to PokerNews as we let you know what happens as the field is pared down and the money starts flowing.