Day 1A - Final Chip Count

Rupinder Bedi is chip leader at 273,000 closely followed by Shane Dempsey on 268k. Possibly the most intriguing chip count is the player who is third in chips Richard 'Chufty' Ashby. Chufty is more familiar with million dollar swings on his sponsors site but perhaps flushed with success after his recent success in Baden (winning the prestigious 7 card stud tournament) he is trying to make a name for himself in tournaments.

Local favourites Dara O'Kearney Paul Smallwood and Garrett McNally are all still in the hunt along with a plethora of French & German players.

Ashby is the best-placed Sunderland shirt wearing bounty, also still in the hunt for the bounty prize is Toby Booth, 93k James /Dempsey 79k Scott Gray 62k. For most players having 2 big blinds would be panic stations but defending Poker Million Champion Marty Smyth is not a man to panic and will still fancy his chances even with a paltry 2 Big Blinds (12k).

Some big names hit the felt today including Julian Gardner, Noel Furlong, Liam Flood Keith Hawkins George McKeever Rory Liffey Neil Channing Jesse May and Jude Ainsworth. Stay tuned for the latest news, videos and interviews.