WSOP 2022 Day 1: Event 1 Doubles 2021 Field
Day 1 of the 2022 World Series of Poker is in the books!
If this is any indication of what to expect for the entirety of the 2022 WSOP, it’s going to be big. Many people have predicted that this series could be big and full of new records, but only the numbers will prove that right or wrong. The first events show that it’s on the right track.
Event 1: $500 NLHE Casino Employees
The first of two days of this kickoff tournament delivered 832 entries, nearly double the 419 from last year. That 832 number even seriously eclipsed the 685 players in 2019, when things were “normal” before the pandemic.
The money bubble burst yesterday, and the final 82 players are into the money with payouts currently at $880 when play resumes today. Two eliminations will then take payouts to four figures ($1,006) and higher. And the action is scheduled to play down to a winner today.
| Event 1: Day 1 of 2 | $500 buy-in | NLHE Casino Employees (1 RE) |
| Total entries: | 832 | (419 in 2021, 685 in 2019) |
| Players remaining: | 82 | |
| Total prize pool: | $349,440 | |
| Players paid: | 125 | |
| Minimum payout: | $805 | |
| Winner payout: | $65,168 | |
| Top chip counts: | 1 | Shaun Colquhoun (USA) 885,000 |
| 2 | Arturo Jimenez (USA) 848,000 | |
| 3 | Kenny Hallaert (Belgium) 695,000 | |
| 4 | Jonathan Liu (USA) 660,000 | |
| 5 | Brandon West (USA) 656,000 |
(Link to PokerNews live updates)
Event 2: $100K NLHE High Roller Bounty
There has never been such a high buy-in event at the very start of the WSOP in the past. While there was a $100K buy-in last year, it was at the end of the series. It also wasn’t a bounty tournament. Still, this one can surpass last year’s number, as registration remains open for new players and reentries up until the start of play today.
This is one to watch, as there are big names in the field. Interestingly, one in the top chip counts has recently been accused of cheating in live and online tournaments. Ali Imsirovic created controversy by never addressing those allegations and then just showing up at the WSOP, as if nothing the accusations mean nothing.
| Event 2: Day 1 of 3 | $100K buy-in | NLHE HR Bounty (1 RE) |
| Total entries: | 45 (still open) | (64 in 2021, 0 in 2019) |
| Players remaining: | 15 | |
| Total prize pool: | TBD | |
| Players paid: | TBD | |
| Minimum payout: | TBD | |
| Winner payout: | TBD | |
| Top chip counts: | 1 | Justin Young (USA) 3,565,000 |
| 2 | David Peters (USA) 3,085,000 | |
| 3 | Koray Aldemir (Germany) 2,930,000 | |
| 4 | Ali Imsirovic (Bosnia 7 Herzegovina) 2,545,000 | |
| 5 | Bill Klein (USA) 2,180,000 |
(Link to PokerNews live updates)
Today’s Poker Menu
Event 1 will resume today at noon to play to its conclusion.
Event 2 will end registration when play begins at noon today and release final numbers soon after. This second of three days will try to play to the final table.
Event 3 will begin at 11am as a $2,500 No Limit Hold’em Freezeout tournament in its first of three days.
Event 4 will start at 3pm, the first of three days of Dealer’s Choice at the $1,500 buy-in level with 19 game choices.
Live look at everyone walking in to Day 1 of the WSOP. pic.twitter.com/s1xzWURxrT
— Johnnie VIBES (@JohnnieVibes) May 31, 2022
