PokerStars WCOOP 2020

The first day of WCOOP-71-H: $1,050 [8-Max PRO KO, Freezeout, Warm-Up SE] $1 Million GTD has come to an end after nine exhilarating hours of play. Day 1 saw a total of 1,185 entries, creating a prize pool that broke the $1 million guarantee that was set with ease. When the dust had settled at it was Jorge "jorginho88" Abreu sitting atop the leaderboard with a considerable chip lead.

Abreu coasted through the day, hovering well above average and it wasn't until the last few levels that he really started to kick it into overdrive. He won several healthy-sized pots during the last few rounds, catapulting up to a stack of 8,122,159, more than enough to secure the lead. The Portugal native is new to the poker scene but is coming off a massive $161,042 score just a few weeks ago.

Arbeu is in an optimal position to add another feat to his young and blossoming resume as he sits comfortably ahead of second place. Closest behind leader on totem pole is Daniel "Darsolation" Smyth who has 5,539,520. Rounding out the top five are Peter "twirlpro" Turmezy (5,529,815), Aliaksei "ale6ka" Boika (4,971,910), and Canada's Plyman416 (3,846,499).

Top 10 Stacks

Day 1 Action

The day had a constant exciting pace throughout, with more than enough action to keep anyone entertained. Some of the entertainment came from familiar faces that failed to make the cut and those to bring the action but fail to make a Day 2 included Shaun "shaundeeb" Deeb, Parker "tonkaaaa" Talbot, Mike "SirWatts" Watson, Sam "SamSquid" Grafton, and Luis "Turko_man" Rodriguez.

It was on level 19 that the tournament seemed to halt with the action-packed pace it had seen throughout the day as the bubble approached. It seemed like forever before the money was found but in reality, it was just one level and all players soon found a min-cash on level 20. Unfortunately for Fellipe "FellipeD" Drapichinski, he was the last player to take an exit without a payout. Drapichinski pushed his short-stack in with nine-seven off and ran into queens. The board ran out dry and all players then were guaranteed at least $1,194 for their efforts.

The remaining 55 players are all now getting at least $1,907 plus whatever bounties have been acquired, but all players will have their eye on that $81,357 first-place prize, along with a WCOOP title. The eventual winner will also be retaining their own bounty, adding onto that massive payday.

Day 2 will start Monday, September 21 at 1:05 ET and will have a live stream following all of the action. The blinds will remain at 20 minutes in length, with all players getting a five-minute break 55 minutes past every hour. The day will not end until a winner has been crowned, taking down the title and all of that cold hard cash.

The PokerNews live reporting team will be bringing you all of the action as the remainder of the tournament unfolds, so tune in tomorrow!

Joao Mathias "joaoMathias" Baumgarten opened to 100,000 from early position, Aliaksei "ale6ka" Boika called on the button and Arsenii "josef_shvejk" Karmatckii defended his big blind.

The flop came down and action checked to Boika, he bet 110,500. Karmatckii was the only caller and an landed on the turn. Action checked to Boika who bet 132,600 and again Karmatckii called.

An landed on the river, action checked to Boika and he fired in 464,100. Karmatckii folded and Boika took down the pot, late on Day 1.

Peter "twirlpro" Turmezy opened to 83,200 from the button, Michiel "utreg" Brummelhuis called in the small blind and "JoaquinMRuiz" defended their big blind.

The flop hit the board and action checked to Turmezy who bet 95,640. Brummelhuis folded and "JoaquinMRuiz" who called to see the turn card.

"JoaquinMRuiz" elected to push their stack into the middle for a total of 352,452 and Turmezy called, tabling for top two pair.

"JoaquinMRuiz" showed and the completed the board, changing not a thing as Turmezy took down the pot, eliminating an opponent.

The players will now be taking a five-minute break.

Job "DeadNylan" Greben opened from under the gun to 80,000 and Markku "markovitsus" Koplimaa was in the big blind when he three-bet, making it 320,000.

Greben called and the flop came down . Koplimaa bet 200,000, Greben called and an peeled off on the turn.

Koplimaa moved his 933,064 into the middle and Greben snap-called, putting Koplimaa at risk.

Koplimaa tabled for kings over dimes but was behind when Greben showed , giving him three tens.

A fell on the river and Greben's hand held on for the pot, sending Koplimaa to the curb.

"felipe52" opened to 70,000 from under the gun and Aliaksei "ale6ka" Boika called in middle position to see the flop.

"felipe52" check-called a bet of 61,695 from Boika and the peeled off on the turn. Once more action checked to Boika, he bet 175,945 and again "felipe52" check-called.

A completed the board, "felipe52" tapped and Boika fired in 387,079. "felipe52" called and instantly mucked when he saw the of Boika, sending a monster pot to Boika.