Lehr Leads After Day 1; Defending Champion Deeb Among Big Stacks in Event #45: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller
One of the most prestigious events of the 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has kicked off at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino and the four-card specialists showcased their talents on Day 1 of the Event #45: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller.
The previous four editions of this very event have seen a bigger field emerge year-after-year and the fifth installment is on track to continue that trend thanks to 221 entries within the first ten 60-minute levels. The record so far stands at 230 entries and that number is within reach to be surpassed, as the registration period remains open for the first two levels and following break on Day 2 until approximately 4.15 p.m. local time.
Defending champion and reigning WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb, who narrowly missed out on his fifth bracelet during the 2019 WSOP so far, made it through with a top ten stack of 518,500 after entering mid-way through the day and spinning up his stack. On the way there, he scored a crucial double through Tyler Smith when his top two pair (and third pair, too) held up against top and bottom pair as well as the nut flush draw of Smith.
Ultimately, it was a close race for the overnight lead and Keith Lehr beat Paul Volpe to the top spot among 128 survivors after bagging up 692,000. Volpe follows close behind with 682,000 and the third-biggest stack belongs to Firas Sadou (625,000). Other notables with big stacks after Day 1 include Dario Sammartino (595,500), Ludovic Geilich (590,000), Alexey Makarov (584,500), Niko Soininen (574,500), Ka Kwan Lau (492,500), Noah Schwartz (441,000), and Isaac Baron (435,000).
The first-ever WSOP $25,000 PLO High Roller Anthony Zinno advanced with a stack of 239,000. James Calderaro, who claimed the gold bracelet in and finished 4th one year later, was among the more than two dozen players who took advantage of the single re-entry and failed to bag up chips for Day 2.
Big names that won't be returning for Day 2 anymore are Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, Johannes Becker, Warwick Mirzikinian, Artem Babakhanyan, Phil Galfond, Chance Kornuth, and 2019 Player of the Year contender Dan Zack. The elimination of Mizrachi in fact vaulted Lehr into the top spot when his flush draw and gutshot got there. Mizrachi called all in after the river, was shown the nut straight and mucked, mentioning in table chat he had a set of sixes.
All those that only busted once or haven't even taken part yet can still enter in the first two 60-minute levels on Day 2 and it is expected that another record for the PLO High Roller will be set.
Previous WSOP $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Rollers at a Glance
| Year | Player | Country | First Prize | Players | Prize Pool |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Shaun Deeb | United States | $1,402,683 | 230 | $5,462,500 |
| 2017 | James Calderaro | United States | $1,289,074 | 204 | $4,868,750 |
| 2016 | Jens Kyllonen | Finland | $1,127,035 | 184 | $4,370,000 |
| 2015 | Anthony Zinno | United States | $1,122,196 | 175 | $4,156,250 |
Day 2 will resume at 2 p.m. local time with blinds of 1,500/3,000, which provides new entries 50 big blinds worth in the first level of play. Once the registration closes, the prize pool information will be released and the second of four tournament days is expected to whittle down the field close to the money bubble as another ten levels of 60 minutes each are scheduled.
The PokerNews team will be on the floor to provide all the action of the most-expensive PLO event of the 2019 WSOP until a champion is crowned.