Anything over 306 runners would've set a new record for a Eureka Bulgaria Main Event and with 185 runners in Day 1A it was really a case of by how much that number would be eclipsed as Day 1B usually attracts the bigger field. Could they really break the 400 mark? You bet they could, a Day 1B field of 222 meant that 407 players have entered the €1,100 Eureka3 Bulgaria Main Event.
When the numbers were crunched it was revealed that the winner of this tournament will collect €93,000, the runner-up €62,500 and anyone who makes Sunday's final table €9,200. In total 48 players will make the money with the minimum pay out set at €2,020, the bubble will definitely burst tomorrow.
Of the 222 runners who took to the felt today best placed after nine one-hour levels is Denys Chufarin, the Ukranian Full Tilt Qualifier finished on 152,800 to claim not only the Day 1B chip lead but the overall Day 1 lead. "I played only one big all-in day with A-K against A-Q for a 30k pot," he told me. That though is just about the difference between him and Ievgen Lozinskyi who finished on 133,400.
Other players to have good days at the felt included WSOP bracelet winner Ivo Donev (121,000), Adam Sipos (119,400) and Gabriel Dragomir (111,200). But Donev wasn't the only bracelet winner in the field today as Bulgaria's Simeon Naydenov, winner of a bracelet this summer finished on 68,300.
The Red Spade was represented by both Team Pro and Team Online on Day 1B. For Team PokerStars Pro Marcin Horecki made the trip from Poland, we caught up with him on the last break, he finished on 20,600 but was his typical optimistic self.
Mada day 2 of Eureka Poker Tour Varna with 20,600 from 20,000 starting! ;) #profit
— Marcin Horecki (@MarcinHorecki) July 25, 2013
Representing PokerStars Team Online was Scotland's Dale Philip, he had an up and down day but finished up on 29,700. His one sentence summary was instead one word, "Meh," these onlie kidz love to shorten everything they do.
Of course what goes up does also come down and the two Full Tilt Poker Ambassadors in the field couldn't make it through the day. Both Andras Nemeth and Hana Soljan were sent to the rail, the latter was particularly unlucky as she ran kings into aces to bust that way for the second time in three years in this casino.
But those players who did make it through will return for Day 2 at noon tomorrow and we'll be back to bring you all the action as we reach the bubble and burst it. To catch up with all today's feature articles, including a chat with Marcin Horecki click here. Overnight chip counts will be posted on the blog before the start of play, keep an eye on the tab at the top right of the screen. But, until tomorrow good night from Varna.
All photos are copyright of Tomas Stacha