Shaun Deeb Clinches Chip Lead at the End of Day 1b of Event #84: The Closer - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em
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Over ten hours of fast-paced action, it was Shaun Deeb who made a late break to finish at the top of the counts, with 1,172,000 chips bagged as Day 1b drew to a close. With a fast structure, 724 entrants were reduced to just 45 here at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino.
Deeb was in a strong position for much of the tournament but it looked like it was going to be Denis Gnidash��s day, as he was the first player to hit one million in chips. Gnidash stayed out in front until the last level, when Deeb pipped him to the post. Gnidash will have to settle for second place in the counts, taking 1,058,000 through.
Jeff Gross also had a fantastic late run, chipping up to 813,000 after eliminating two players in the space of a few minutes. Not long before the bubble burst Gross was down to just eight big blinds, but by the end, he finished with the third biggest stack.
Rex Clinkscales (599,000), five-time bracelet winner Michael Mizrachi (242,000), Kiryl Radzivonau (205,000) and Joe Cada (202,000) were also still in. Though Cada has a short-stack, his survival means he will continue defending his title when he returns for Day 2 on Monday 15th July at midday.
It wasn't good news for all the big names, however, with Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, Max Pescatori, James Romero, Jonathan Little, Kathy Liebert, Barry and Allyn Shulman, Matt Affleck, Calvin Anderson, Maria Ho, Kenny Hallaert, Maria Konnikova and Kelly Minkin all busting during the day.
A special mention goes to Minkin for busting in spectacular fashion. She got it all in on a jack-high flop with pocket aces against two players, both of whom held a jack. The final jack in the pack fell on the turn, signalling an unlucky end to another deep run for the pro.
All those who bagged now have a day off tomorrow before they return for the second and final day on Monday, where play will continue until the new winner is crowned. In the meantime, there will be another 20 levels of play on the clock as the third and final starting day gets underway tomorrow, Sunday 14th July at 11 a.m. As always, PokerNews will report on all the action from start to finish.