Berlin Cup Exceeds Expectations; Joseph Cheong Leads Select Macau Millions Field

Busy Day 1B at the Berlin Cup

When the registration books had finally closed, the total number of entrants for this year’s EPT Berlin Cup had settled on 911.

The impressive turnout helped push the prizepool way beyond the €500,000 and create a winner’s bounty of €180,000.

At the close of Day 1B it was Esben Guenther who scooped the biggest stack. Indeed, by the time the session was brought to a close the Norwegian grinder was able to bag 265,000 chips.

That haul was enough to take him above Day 1A’s leader, Frederic Vacher (239,200), and start Day 2 as the main contender for the title.

However, while Guenther has the chip lead, his place in the finale is by no mean guaranteed as a number of world-class pros also made it through to Day 2.

Amongst those still vying for the top prize when the action kicked off earlier today was: Vladimir Geshkenbein, Maxim Lykov, Kevin MacPhee and Craig McCorkell.

A winner will be crowned on Sunday and we’ll bring you a full recap of the finale in Monday’s news update.

Cheong Leads Macau Millions

It might not be the busiest tournament taking place at the moment, but the Asian Poker Tour’s Macau Millions has certainly attracted a number of notable players.

While the masses flocked to Berlin for the €1,100 Berlin Cup, an elite selection of pros headed to Macau to play in the APT’s $129,000 tournament.

Sam Trickett, David Benefield, Philipp Gruissem and Joseph Cheong were all brave enough to risk a portion of their bankrolls against the group of kamikaze businessmen with a touch more money than poker knowledge.

In total 17 players took to the felt, with two of those exercising their right to rebuy thanks to a $250,000 cash injection from the Genting Club. Overall the prizepool of $3 million has created a winner’s prize of $1,300,000.

The first day of action saw 10 players hit the rail as Joseph Cheong assumed the role of chip leader. After collecting 738,000 chips, Cheong started today’s session just ahead of Thomas McDonald (695,000) and Peter Chan (688,000).

End of Day 1 Chip Counts:

1              Joseph Cheong – 738,000

2              Thomas McDonald – 695,000

3              Peter Chan – 688,000

4              Richard Yong – 416,000

5              Paul Phua – 350,000

6              David Benefield – 253,000

7              Tore Lukashangen – 180,000