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Chris Moneymaker and Qui Nguyen Advance in 2019 WSOP Main Event Day 1a

In case you missed it, the 2019 World Series of Poker Main Event kicked off on Thursday at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. This is the 50th anniversary of the World Series of Poker and organizers are hoping that the event will be the largest in WSOP history.

Day 1a brought out a strong field with 962 players advancing to Day 2 play. By the end of the day, Bryan Campanello finished as chip leader and several big names managed to survive the first day, including 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker.

Day 1a Draws 1,335 Players

It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for the 2019 WSOP Main Event, but it kicked off on Wednesday with a strong field of 1,335 players looking to navigate their way to one of the largest prizes in professional poker.

While Day 1a isn’t as massive of a field as the other two starting days, plenty of big names came out to take their shot. Among those that came out and survived Day 1a were Alex Foxen, Billy Baxter, Stephen Chidwick, Faraz Jaka, Brian Hastings, Erik Seidel, Elio Fox, and six-time WSOP bracelet winner Jeff Lisandro.

Just as notable was the number of big names that didn’t make it out of Day 1a with a stack. Liv Boeree was knocked out of the event by her boyfriend Igor Kurganov and was just one of many notables that left this event early. Other big names busting on Day 1a included David Williams, Frank Kassella, Chris Moorman, Bryn Kenney, Luke Schwartz, Kristen Bicknell, Brandon Shack-Harris, and Daniel Alaei.

Both Past Champions Survived Day 1a

Just two past Main Event champions entered the 2019 WSOP Main Event on Day 1a and both managed to move through to Day 2 with sizable stacks. 2003 Main Event Champion Chris Moneymaker survived Day 1a with a 95,000 stack. Prior to the Main Event, news broke that Moneymaker managed to satellite his way into this year’s Main Event via an $80 online satellite, similar to what he did in 2003. Can Moneymaker do the improbable and win this event for a second time?

The other past Main Event Champion to survive is the 2016 WSOP Main Event Champion Qui Nguyen. Nguyen has yet to do anything of note after winning it all in 2016, but he finished Day 1a with 180,500. His stack should give him enough ammunition to make a run at this year’s event.

Former champs went different directions while @WAFoxen went on the attack. 🔀💥

Recap the Day 1A action before #WSOP50 Main Event coverage returns to @ESPN and @PokerGO later today. ➡️ https://t.co/ipuVnicJs2

— Poker Central (@PokerCentral) July 4, 2019

The lack of past champions playing in Day 1a is a bit odd as you usually see a handful trying to navigate their way through the shorter field. Others prefer to come in on a later day to take advantage of the dead money in the field.

Bryan Campanello Finishes as Day 1a Chip Leader

Bryan Campanello has the dubious honor of being the Day 1a chip lead for the 2019 WSOP Main Event. He is the only player to finish above 400k, finishing with 417,500 in chips. Raymond Rice is second in chips with 335,000. Timothy Su, Quentin Roussey and Takehiro Kato of Japan all round out the top five.

In addition to Qui Nguyen, three other bracelet winners finished strong in chips. Jesper Hougaard has 190,000 going into Day 2. Daniel Strelitz has 185,300 in chips while six-time WSOP bracelet winner Jeff Lisandro has 180,100 going into Day 2.

Photoblog from Day 1A of the greatest tournament in the world is live on @PokerCentral….The hero @b_campanello45 bagged a pile and drank some beers. #merica https://t.co/fGVvOmsNq2 pic.twitter.com/iq4r4ZOfxM

— Drew Amato (@drew_amato) July 4, 2019

Day 1b of the WSOP Main Event will play out on Thursday and everyone is excited to see how many players show up. With 1,335 players showing up on Day 1a, the event is on pace to break 10,000 players based on past years. The 2006 WSOP Main Event is the largest Main Event in history with 8,772 players.

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