Sun Seekers Follow UKIPT to Marbella

Sun Shines on UKIPT Marbella

Day 1A of UKIPT Marbella held a wave of promise for a number of reasons. Not only was it the first event of the new season, but it was this plucky writer’s chance to make the headlines instead of writing them.

Tearing myself away from the poolside and joining the 352 player field for the opening day of the 1,100 Main Event, my eyes were set firmly on the lion’s share of the minimum prizepool of €500,000.

Having joining with the popular Estrellas Poker Tour, UKIPT Marbella was poised to be the perfect tonic for those not competing in Las Vegas and as the action commenced any thoughts of the WSOP were a million miles from the players inside the plush Casino Marbella.

Being part of the field I had a unique chance to see the action first hand and while my stack declined, I witnessed those around me grow. Indeed, an unfortunate river left me heading for the rail towards the end of level four, but running well and exercising their considerable experience over the field during the early offing was the likes of Tom Hall and Alex Ferguson who bolstered their stacks.

While the UKIPT stalwarts continued to perform well on the tour, it was Russian grinder Andrey Vladimirovich who ended the day with the chip lead. As the masses dispersed, Vladimirovich bagged 202,500 chips, just ahead of Robert Wybrew (181,000) and Pawel Keller (152,700).

After ten levels of play the tournament clock was finally paused and, when the final counts were in, a total of 113 players had made it through the day. Indeed, once the final bagging and tagging had been completed the players were free to retire to their rooms ahead of a day’s rest whilst Day 1B got underway.

UKIPT Marbella Day 1A Top Ten Chip Counts:

Andrey Vladimirovich Shubin – 202500

Robert Wybrew – 181000

Pawel Keller – 152700

Konstantinos Nanos – 148000

Chris Derrick – 142500

Ondrej Vinklarek – 126900

Tanel Tääker – 126800

Eugenio Antonio Celume Mualim – 121400

David Taborsky – 119000

Javier Diaz Sanchez – 118100