LIVE EVENTS

Day 1A of the Playground 1000 got off to a slow start but picked up speed throughout the day, taking in a total of 128 entries, to get this multi-day event off to a great start. Of the Day 1A entries, 18 players opted to exercise their re-entry option, a figure which will surely be higher on the remaining starting flights.

Karim-Olivier Kamal jumped out to the early chip lead this afternoon, but was overtaken by John Pentefountas by the second break. Pentefountas kept the chip lead for most of the flight, but, by the time the chips went into the bag, he was overtaken by two players, Matthew Wilkins and Allan Puzantian. Wilkins made a steady climb up the leaderboard throughout the flight, while Puzantian went on a tear in the late stages to seize the chip lead at the very end of the day. Click here for the complete Day 1 results.

There are two more starting flights for the Playground 1000. Day 1B runs tomorrow at 11:00am, and the final starting flight, Day 1C, kick off on Sunday, February 2 at 11:00am.

There are only two levels of play left in Day 1A. The field stands at 71 players, as the slowly mounting blinds begin to change the dynamics of this flight.

There is a widening gap between the big and small stacks in the field. Those with lots of chips will try to turn up the pressure, while the small stacks will have to tread carefully and choose their spots wisely.

Here is a look at the action from level 10:

The late registration and re-entry period is now closed. The total number of entries on Day 1A reached 128 before the buzzer sounded to indicate the start of the tenth level of play. There are still 77 players in contention, fighting for the 12.8 million in chips in play.

John Pentefountas remains the chip leader, with a stack of 188 big blinds. Matthew Wilkins has been on a tear since his arrival after the first break and now controls the second largest stack in play.

An average stack is enough for about 64 big blinds in level 10, so nearly everyone in the field will get to enjoy deep-stack play until the end of this starting flight.

With more than half of the flight in the books, the end of the late registration and re-entry period is in sight. Players have until 6:30pm to (re-)enter Day 1A. At this stage, the total number of entries might still tick up, but, judging by the lack of new players in the last level, it will not go too far beyond the current total of 124 entries.

The field is still playing very deep poker. The chip average provides nearly 87 big blinds, and many are playing with far more than that.

Samuel Pouliot has overtaken John Pentefountas for the chip lead. But all the players who found a spot on the leaderboard are still in contention with above-average stacks.

Here is a look at the action from level 7:

Day 1A has a new chip leader. John Pentefountas was fourth in chips at the first break, but he trailed Karim-Olivier Kamal by nearly a starting stack. Since then, both players have added to their stacks, however, Pentefountas went on a hot streak took him to the top of the leaderboard.

Pentefountas now controls roughly 312 big blinds, which is more than triple the current chip average.

The midpoint of Day 1A is fast approaching, as this flight has just entered the sixth level of play. Since the last update, a handful of players capitalized on the extended late registration and re-entry period to join the fray and a few others made their second kick at the can by exercising their re-entry option.

Karim-Olivier Kamal has maintained one of the top stacks in play, but the player to his right, Samuel Pouliot, has been building a stack that will soon rival Kamal’s.

Here is a look at the action from level 5:

The field just keeps growing. Although this flight has only taken in five re-entries so far, new players have been steadily growing the ranks. There are now over 10 million in chips in play, with 99 players still in their seats. And there is still plenty of time for this flight to take in many more (re-)entries, as late registration is available for four more hours.

Here is a look at the action from level 4:

Play is set to resume in level 4 following the first break of the day. Since the last update, a second player has re-entered, and a handful of new players has brought the total number of entries on the day up to 86.

The current chip leader, Karim-Olivier Kamal, has piled up some impressive results in past events at Playground, like winning the MILLIONS Open in 2018, and is off to a great start today. After doubling up early on, he used the big stack to his advantage to accumulate nearly three times his starting stack.

Day 1A is steadily picking up pace. New players continue to join the field at a steady rate. And the ice has been broken on the re-entries. Although only one of the four players who hit the rail has opted to re-enter, there will certainly be many more before the day’s end.

The field now counts 71 players who are putting some high-level poker on display. Three- and four-bets are becoming increasingly common, and showdowns are few and far between.

Here is a look at the action from level 2:

Players have been steadily joining the field since play began at 11:00am to bring the total number of entries up to 60, as Day 1A nears the end of the second level of play.

This flight will run for 12 levels, with the late registration and re-entry period ending at the beginning at 6:30pm when level 10 begins.

Players took a cautious approach to the first level of play while they were still settling in. But at least one player, Karim-Olivier Kamal, managed to double up his starting stack.

Here is a look at the field from level 1:

Event #16 of the World Cup of Cards, the $1000 + $100 Playground 1000, kicks off today with the first of three starting flights. Featuring a prize pool guarantee of $400,000, this premium event is sure to be action-packed. 

Players will start with 100,000 in chips to play through 12 45-minute levels on each Day 1. Play will begin 10-handed before moving to 9-handed play as soon as possible. 

This is a single re-entry event with one entry and one re-entry permitted until the end of the late registration period on each Day 1. Players may play additional Day 1s even if they have survived a previous Day 1 with chips. Players who qualify for Day 2 more than once will resume play on Day 2 with their largest qualifying stack; all other qualifying stacks will be forfeited.

Each starting flight will have an extended late registration and re-entry period, giving players the chance to (re-)enter until the beginning of level 10, which will arrive at 6:30pm on Day 1A.

Good luck to all!