Arieh and Bonomo Top Characteristically Slow Day 1 of PPC
While the highly anticipated Event #58: $50,000 Poker Players Championship kicked off on Monday, Day 1 served up the usual minute morsels of action.
While plenty of hands were played across the 11 hours that players graced the Amazon Tan section, only one player got felted and only a couple of the grinders were able to climb to twice the starting stack.
After six levels of play — really, three double levels — Josh Arieh and Justin Bonomo are pacing ahead of the 63 players remaining. Arieh finished with 658,500 while Bonomo slightly trails him with 646,100.
Arieh got the honor of playing sole executioner on the day as he sent former champ Mike Gorodinsky packing in just before the end of the night to prevent an unusual 64-for-64 bagging time. As is typical in the early PPC stages, it was the big bet games that did it, with Gorodinsky's pet pot-limit Omaha proving his demise. He found a decent spot to get his chips in with a set on the turn, but Arieh's monster draw got there.
It was the cherry on top of a fine day for Arieh, who registered early on and quickly moved over 400,000 and then 500,000, where he remained most of the day.
Bonomo waited slightly longer to hop in, but while he drew a seat on Phil Ivey's right that most players would be eyeing warily, Bonomo was able to extract chips from the legend in a few spots en route to a second-place bag.
A few 2019 bracelet winners also had solid days. Adam Friedman (462,100), John Hennigan (444,300) and Stephen Chidwick (411,000) each grinded their ways north of 400,000. On the other hand, Daniel Negreanu (72,700), Anthony Zinno (65,300) and especially Julien Martini (18,900) endured frustrating Day 1s and will be looking to recover on Day 2.
Said Day 2 will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Tournament organizers will be hoping the 64 entries ticks up as it's a bit behind pace of the 77 who registered on Day 1 last year. Still, registration remains open for several hours on Day 2, so plenty of time remains. Check back in with PokerNews to follow the action as more impactful play develops on Day 2.
flop. Arieh led for 27,000 and Gorodinsky called. On the 
turn, Arieh bet 83,000 and "Gordo" shoved for about 130,000 total. 
with hearts, good for a massive combo draw, while Gorodinsky had slightly the best of it for the moment with 
turn and checked the 
river. Rast bet 33,000 and Benyamine thought awhile and called.
for a flopped straight but was no good as Benyamine held 
for a boat. Benyamine's tablemates couldn't resist ribbing a little in the aftermath.
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but Esposito had it beat with 
flop and was called by Chris Vitch on his left. Michael Mizrachi made it 10,500 in the small blind and Vitch was the only caller. Mizrachi bet 18,000 more on the 
turn and then just 2,000 on the 
for trips.
, Arieh bet and both Gorodinsky and Vitch called.
for aces and tens with the nut low, Gorodinsky mucked and Arieh scooped the pot.
, Ohel bet 40,000 and Zack thought for a little while before he folded.
and Benyamine check-called 3,000 from Galfond.
, Benyamine bet 9,500 and Galfond called.
