- A lot at some of the big names was big stacks as we enter day 3 of the WSOP:ME.
There’s no more letters in the starting days, no more days off in between. Today is Day 3 of the WSOP Main Event and finally all of the players who have survived each of their flights come together under one roof to battle it out. It’s when moves are made and big stacks clash as all of the chips in the tournament are in play and the remaining 1753 players try to position themselves to make the money and, potentially, history.
While everyone has their eyes on chip leader Mark “P0ker H0” Kroon (507,300) there are a number of big name players with massive chip stacks to follow closely as Day 3 gets underway.
Top 40
Michael Mizrachi (394,600): Everyone knows the legend of “The Grinder” and in his first two days of action he has been accumulating chips in rollercoaster fashion. The 3-time Bracelet Winner and 2-Time WPT Champion bullied his opponents on Day 1 and was up over 550,000 on Day 2 at one point before taking some hits. Mizrachi, a former November 9er, has a storied history in the Main Event and we don’t expect him to slow down now. @TheGrinder44
Rupert Elder (342,500): This young UK pro is both fearless and dangerous and with over $3MM in lifetime earnings from both live and online tournaments the 2011 EPT San Remo Champion has amassed enough to make big moves here on Day 3. @ruperte
Jean-Robert Bellande (320,900): How will the expert in “broke living” do now that he’s got some chips? It was just a couple weeks ago that one of Bellande’s backer famously blasted him on Twitter; now the polarizing pro is sitting in the top 40 in chips in the Main. Could this be JRB’s year to be more than just a Survivor? Or will fate wave him “bye-bye” yet again? @BrokeLivingJRB
Christian Harder (304,500): Bracelets? None. WPT Championships? Not yet. EPT victories? Pass. But still, you know his name. Christian Harder, one of the young circuit grinders to emerge from the online era, may be without a major championship but he’s always in the mix with over $4MM in winnings to his name, 20 WSOP cashes and a rock-steady reputation. Perhaps this is his time to rise above the rest. @realcharder30
Other big names in the top 100 to focus on as they day progresses:
Glen Chorny (302,800): EPT Monte Carlo Grand Final Champ is looking to rise the ranks and score another massive payday. @chorneyg
Steve Gee (300,600): The November 9er who blasted them off in a semi-bluff last year has some chips and is hoping to make up for his past poker sins.
Tony Gregg (254,500): The One Drop High Roller Champ has already proven to be a threat in tournaments with top competition. @wwwBETHEREcom
Don’t forget the Champs
Carlos Mortensen (295,400): 2-time bracelet winner, “The Matador” is 12 years removed from his own Main Event victory. In the meantime he has proven to be one of the toughest competitors from the pre-Moneymaker era, collecting 3 WPT titles and over 10MM in live earnings. If things break the right way, Mortensen is poised to make another deep run, right along with…
Greg Merson (275,600): The defending WSOP Main Event Champion is picking up right where he left off last year: Accumulating chips at a rapid, deliberate pace (while sporting a jersey). Former champs Peter Eastgate and Greg Raymer famously made deep runs the year after they took down the main—will Merson best them both by returning to the final table?
One thing is for sure, history is not going to influence Mersen. Greg will get it in at anytime, unafraid to go broke, making him one of the most dangerous players toward the top. @Gregy20723
It’s only Day 3, so there’s a long way to go—but the drama and intrigue of this massive tournament is what makes the WSOP Main Event one of the highlights of the poker year.
