Over at table one, Belgium's Tony Lefort has grabbed a monstrous chip lead after a massive clash with Kamel Atoui. The battle left Atoui without any chips and launched Lefort to a pile worth 270,000.
According to Lefort, he defended from the big blind with and flopped two pair on . Atoui held for top pair, kept firing on all cylinders, and eventually shoved all in on the river. Lefort called it off to send the Frenchman to the rail.
Level 9 is the last level of the day in which players can either jump in, or reenter the tournament. So far, there are 171 entries on the clock, of which 98 are still in the hunt for a WSOP Circuit ring.
After this level, the field will go on a dinner break, then return to play three more levels before Day 1a is concluded.
Roy Al Rineh is the presumed chiplead at the moment, sitting pretty behind a tower worth 150,000 in chips. Al Rineh just took down another pot to extend his lead by turning up the heat on Kamel Tir.
With both players at the turn, Al Rineh bet out 5,600 on an board. Tir called in position, allowing both players to see the fall on the river.
Al Rineh came up with a sizable bet of 21,300, which send Tir deep in the tank. Staring intensely at Al Rineh, Tir was looking for any information that could aid him in his decision. Eventually, after nearly four minutes of thought, the French Pro gave it up and Al Rineh won without showdown.
It hasn't been Barny Boatman's day yet, as another attempt at WSOP Circuit glory failed. The board read and the pot was up over 20,000. With action on Boatman, the Brit moved in with his remaining stack of 17,000.
Verhaegen needed just five seconds, then calmly flicked in a calling ship. Boatman instantly mucked his hand, but rules force hands to be shown in an all-in situation. Boatman was forced to open for five-high and Verhaegen showed to secure the elimination.
Patrick Vittet and Mounim Kaddouri had built a pot of over 40,000 already, when the latter shoved all in on a board. It was 14,000 total to Vittet, who was playing 20,000 behind. He elected to fold and Kaddouri raked it in.
and flopped two pair on 
. Atoui held 
board. Tir called in position, allowing both players to see the 
fall on the river.
and the pot was up over 20,000. With action on Boatman, the Brit moved in with his remaining stack of 17,000.
for five-high and Verhaegen showed 
to secure the elimination.
board. It was 14,000 total to Vittet, who was playing 20,000 behind. He elected to fold and Kaddouri raked it in.