515 Players Enter €1,100 EPT National Day 1a, 159 Remain
After ten levels of play, Day 1a of the €1,100 EPT National has been wrapped up with 159 out of 515 entrants surviving. Although they bagged up for the night, play has simply been suspended as Day 1a will continue on Thursday. At noon local time, cards will be back in the air until 73 players are remaining. Each of them will then be in the money and Day 1a will subsequently be concluded.
Topping the chipcounts throughout the day, as well as at the end, was Andreas Iaokimedes, a recreational player from the United States. Iaokimedes usually prefers the lower buyins on the American circuit events, most notably the Heartland Poker Tour, but is here in Monaco on holiday and to play some poker. Asking Iaokimedes about his poker plans in Monte Carlo, the American responded he's playing the earlier €10K (since busted), the €1,100 EPT National and the Main Event before flying back home. Iaokimedes finished the day with 409,400 in chips, way ahead of his nearest challengers.
Among those that bagged chips for the night was Maria Konnikova, Friend of PokerStars and PCA $1,650 National winner. The writer finished the day with 82,300, after being up to 160,000 at one point. Konnikova appeared to have a ton of fun at the table today and had a good number of laughs with her fellow tablemates, especially with Joao Vieira.
"She's super, super nice," the Portuguese pro pointed out, who was in good spirits himself as well. After busting the €10K earlier today, one would think Vieira being all smiles after bagging a €1K wasn't expected. However, Vieira doesn't let an unfortunate result in a bigger event dictate his focus for smaller events.
"You have to get into the habit of always trying your best, always focus 100%," Vieira said, "otherwise you won't make it. I needed a few minutes after a 10K, but after that I get into the habit again. The 1K was a bit more chill but my focus stays the same." The focus surely was there, as Vieira brings a healthy stack of 213,800 forward.
Day 1a won't be the only starting day that wraps up on Thursday, as Day 1b and Day 1c will kick off and finish on the same day as well. While Day 1a sports 60-minute levels throughout, Day 1b will feature shorter levels of 30 minutes and Day 1c will speed it up even more with just 20 minutes per level. Each day plays until the money has been reached, before all surviving players will come back on Friday, April 27. The winner of this big event will be crowned on Saturday evening in Le Sporting Casino in the Monte Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, and will receive a Platinum Pass on top of the first place prize.