The second day of play in the 2015 World Series of Poker main event started Monday with Joe McKeehen still holding a massive chip lead on 91.3 million, and Israeli businessman Ofer Zvi Stern (37) in second place on 32.5 million.
Other players still in contention for the $7.6 million main prize at that point were Neil Blumenfield from San Francisco, Max Steinberg from Las Vegas and Joshua Beckley and Thomas Cannuli, both from New Jersey.
And in similar fashion to the first day, it took just two hands to see the first elimination of the day when low-stacked poker pro Cannuli (23) lost a clash with Steinberg and was sent to the exit in sixth place for $1,426,283….the only final table player at that stage not busted out by McKeehen.
That left Josh Beckley as the low-stack on 10 million, but the New Jersey player made a remarkable recovery later in the game after scoring off Steinberg and Stern, and when we went to press Tuesday morning he was running second on 42 million.
Ofer Stern was the next to head for the exit after falling dramatically from his Day 2 start second placing to the lowest among the chip stacks.
The Israeli player, who has attracted criticism for his prolonged playing decisions, tangled unsuccessfully with fedora-wearing Neil Blumenfield, but took the elimination in good spirit, holding up a Blumenfield “Fear the Fedora” T-shirt and shaking hands.
Stern’s fifth place finish was worth $1,911,423.
The atmosphere at the Rio was again one of excitement and fun Monday, with supporters wearing suits, T-shirts or fedoras, depending on who they were cheering on among the players.
The latest eliminations follow those of the first day, when Patrick Chan, Federico Butteroni and Pierre Neuville headed for the exit in that order.
Update: Max Steinberg eliminated in fourth place for $2,615,361 by Joe McKeehen. Steinberg was the last elimination of the day as officials called for the chips to be bagged at Level 38 with the blinds at 400,000/800,000 and Ante at 100,000.
Three remaining players, McKeehen, Blumenfield and Beckley, will reconvene Tuesday evening Vegas-time to decide the winner, with McKeehen still way out in front on chip counts, holding almost 67 percent of the chips in play.
Each remaining player is now guaranteed at least $3,398,298 in prize money, but the $7.68 million first prize will ensure a hard-fought finale.