Menes and Geisel Among Early Casualties

Gigi Menes is no longer in the tournament and was spotted in a room nearby, while fellow Australian Daniel Laidlaw had gotten her entire stack and more than doubled in level one already.

And then there was Fabian Geisel, who became the next early casualty on Day 1a. Geisel squeezed to 900 on the button and then called a reraise to 2,100 by Zihan Cong in early position. On the flop, Cong continued for 2,600 and Geisel called before the Chinese then checked the turn. Geisel bet 6,000 and Cong was sent into the think tank, which prompted Daniel Dvoress next to him to call the clock.

Just as the tournament director arrived, Cong called and quickly checked the on the river. Geisel moved all in and Cong snap-called to see the German roll over , Cong had for the nut flush and the stacks were counted. Geisel had around 20,500, while Cong had that covered with 21,700 to eliminate his opponent.