Qualifer Josh Cranfield Bags Massive Lead; Kaverman Looks to Continue Stellar Year
Welsh partypoker.net online qualifier Josh Cranfield bagged a massive overall chip lead with 176,400 on Day 1b of the 2015 World Poker Tour Prague Main Event, followed by the GPI Player of the Year leader Byron Kaverman. Kaverman's been on a tear this year with 11 six-figure cashes and a total of $3.4 million in earnings, and it looks like he's not done yet, bagging up 109,800 after Day 1b.
The second of two starting days drew a crowd of 173 players, of which 112 managed to make it through to Day 2. Combined with Day 1a's 60 entries, the total field of this WPT main tour stop now sits on 233, with late registrations and reentries available until the start of play on Day 2.
Just like on Day 1a, it was a who's who of the international poker circuit with a slew of top professionals filling up the room. Stephen Chidwick reentered on Day 1b, but he was once again not successful. European Poker Tour Malta High Roller winner Charlie Carrel doubled through Chidwick and ultimately bagged up 38,100 in his first-ever WPT. His good friend, Ben Heath, also playing his first WPT, finished on 58,300.
One of Spain's biggest names, Pablo Gordillo, had a linearly positive day, as we saw him accumulate throughout play. Gordillo bagged up 68,500, which was just a bit less than Frenchman Erwann Pecheux, who raked in 72,700.
Brits Tom Hall (64,800) and Oliver Price (60,500) made it through as well, and even Fedor Holz made a comeback from 1,200 in chips to bag up 30,300 at the end.
Play will resume at 2 p.m. local time on Thursday, as the players will play six 90-minute levels. PokerNews.com will be back for more live reporting, and until then we wish you a good night from Prague.