This year’s EPT Barcelona saw a huge increase in the number of entrants – 758 v. 2009’s 468 – but that number has been systematically whittled down to just 112 following Day 2 action on Wednesday. The last man eliminated was Koen de Visscher, who earns (pardon the pun) the dubious honor of being the last of the vanquished to finish out of the money. The first person eliminated on Day 3 will earn €7500, but since €825k awaits the overall winner this Saturday, few would admit to being satisfied with anything less.
In keeping with his country’s imminent national holiday, American Bryn Kenney is thankful to be the current chip leader at 693k, with Roman Makhlin and Giuseppe Pantaleo not too far off the pace with 643k and 622k respectively. Day 1b leader Luis Rufas is still in the hunt in sixth place, unlike Day 1a leader Loic Sa, who will have to try his luck again next year. Just behind Rufas is WSOP bracelet holder Pascal Lefrancois, who must be hoping a little of fellow Montrealer (and WSOP 2010 champ) Jonathan Duhamel’s luck will extend his way.
Over in England, the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour main event gets underway at London’s Grosvenor Victoria Casino on Thursday.
