The opening days of the European Poker Tour in Monte Carlo attracted almost 850 players. The numbers may have been down a little on 2009 but with travel chaos across Europe still, due to the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland, EPT organisers will be pleased at such a bumper turn-out.
With Day 2 about to get underway in one of the world's most opulent travel destinations, it's a Brazilian player that leads the pack. Thiago Decano took a grip of Day 1b and his aggressive style saw him end the day with a healthy chip advantage over Paul Berende in second place.
One player that did catch the attention of the watch media was Viktor Blom. The young Swede has long been rumoured to be the man playing as nose bleed stakes player Isildur1 on Full Tilt Poker. Sadly, the media darling couldn't progress any further than Day 1b after he was eliminated by Leo Margets.
Day 2 will get underway at noon local time today with a little over 400 players due to take their seats. Meanwhile the payouts for the events have been released and 128 players will leave Monte Carlo with a profit from this event this year. The top ten players will win the following:
1 € 1,700,000
2 € 1,000,000
3 € 700,000
4 € 500,000
5 € 400,000
6 € 300,000
7 € 200,000
8 € 140,000
9 € 100,000
10 € 100,000
Stay with us at Guide To Poker for the latest news from the EPT in Monte Carlo.
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