UKIPT Galway Day 1b Complete: Ruijs Leads But Abou Risk In Hunt For Third Title

February 18 2012, Matthew Pitt

Most live poker tournaments would be happy to see 298 players turn out for it but the PokerStars UKIPT are not most tournaments, so when 298 players entered on Day 1a they simply wanted more. Day 1b certainly did not disappoint as the Radisson Blu Hotel saw a further 400 player exchange €770 for 15,000 tournament chips and a first place prize that has been confirmed as being €114,900.

The man who finished the day with the most chips, and the most chips across both starting days, was Joris Ruijs of the Netherlands. Ruijs bagged up an impressive 108,100 chips by the time eight 60-minute levels had been completed. The Dutchman qualified for UKIPT Galway on PokerStars for a fraction of the price and is now looking to add a second score to his Hendon Mob page in Ireland, his only major cash at present being an 11th place finish in a €1,500 buy-in event at the Amsterdam Masters back in November. On that day he picked up €6,299 so he needs to finish ninth or better here to best that.

Although Ruijs leads the entire tournament the eyes of the media will be on a certain Nick Abou Risk when play resumes at 1200 this afternoon. Why? because the Canadian ended the day with a healthy stack of 65,500 which means he has a very realistic chance of winning an unprecedented third UKIPT Main Event title. Risk won UKIPT Edinburgh in 2010 and in December of the same year took down UKIPT Galway and now that he has chips he will be even more of a threat to the rest of the field.

Other notables who made it through to Day 2 include Kevin MacPhee (78,800), Andrew Teng (52,600), Barny Boatman (75,600), Marty Smyth (28,700) and Team PokerStars Online Pro Mickey "mement_mori" Petersen (68,300).

Play resumes at 1200 and will continue until a further eight 60-minute levels have been completed. The 136 players who survived Day 1a will combine with the 175 from Day 1b meaning there will be a room filling 311 players unbagging chips this afternoon.

Follow the action as it happens over at the PokerStars Blog (which was used to write this article) and tune in tomorrow for a recap of the action.

UKIPT Galway Payouts

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