Event #39: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout Gets Underway at 11 a.m.
At 11 a.m. local time, Event #39: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout will begin with the first of three rounds that will take place over the course of the next three days. Last year’s champion Ben Maya from Israel won his first bracelet by beating Belgian hopeful Thomas Boivin heads-up. The tournament had 1,025 entries that created a total prize pool of $1,383,750. Maya walked away with the coveted gold WSOP bracelet and the first-place prize of $257,764.
Other notable players on the final table last year were Tim West, Alex Rocha, Steve Foutty, Paul Michaelis and Jonathan Little. They all have been spotted in the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino already and are expected to show up to try and improve on their previous finishes. In 2017, Day 1 started with 120 tables with each winner locking in a cash and advancing to the second round on Day 2.
Players will start with 7,500 in chips. Stacks will be in play from the start and blinded off into the well for players that register late. The late registration period will be open until approximately 1:15 p.m. A 15-minute break will take place after every three levels. Levels last 40-minutes each and play will continue until each table has one winner bagging their chips for Day 2.
The PokerNews live reporting team will be there from the start until the final card has been dealt so make sure to follow the Shootout updates right here!