Sergey Bagirov Leads the TonyBet OFC World Championship Main Event
Day one of the TonyBet OFC World Championship Main Event witnessed 118 entrants whittle down to 12 by the time the day ended. Russia's Sergey Bagirov ended the day in the lead with 552,000 chips with his fellow country-mate Sergei Illarionov currently residing in second place with 472,000 chips.
The day witnessed many big names enter the event only to be eliminated before the money bubble broke including last year's Main Event winner Mikal Blomlie from Norway, last year's TonyBet OFC Championship High Roller event winner Jennifer Shahade from the USA, yesterday's high roller runner-up Evgeny Kocherov from Russia, and this year's Progressive Pineapple event winner and TonyBet Poker Ambassador Isabelle Mercier.
Also in attendance and eliminate from play today were Italy's Max Pescatori, Norway's Claus Carlsen, Russia's Sergey Rybachenko, and Norway's Claus Carlsen.
There were 40 players of the original 118 entrants to survive through dinner break. When play resumed, eliminations began fast and furious until Singapore's Yuanxi Chen - who came out to Prague just to play in the OFC events - was eliminated in 16th place.
Shortly afterwards, it was China's Ping Lin and last night's high roller winner Maxim Panyak from Russia eliminated in 15th and 14th places respectfully for �1,548.
Almost two blind levels passed before we saw the final elimination of the day, when Germany's Mario Kuhl was eliminated in 13th place for �1,548.
Play for the final 12 will resume at 15:00 CET when every player remaining is guaranteed a �2,009 payday. While Sergey and Sergei duo from Russia are in the best position to collect the �30,007 top prize and the championship belt, as we have seen earlier throughout the day, it only takes a chip and a chair to reverse fortunes.