Thrilling Showdown: Day 2 of the 2024 International Poker Open Main Event
As the cards were dealt for Day 2 of the 2024 International Poker Open Main Event, anticipation filled the air inside the Bonnington Dublin Hotel. The competition began with a formidable field of 909 entrants, who had come from all corners of the world to chase the prestigious title. After a gripping day of poker, the field has been sliced to just 13 players, with Ireland’s Niall Campbell leading the charge.
Niall Campbell: Chip Leader
By the conclusion of Day 2, Niall Campbell had amassed a staggering 6,130,000 chips, firmly placing him at the top of the chip counts. This achievement is particularly significant as it gives him a substantial edge over his closest competitor, Tom Dunne, who trails with a stack of 3,000,000 chips. Rounding out the top three is Lithuania’s Audrius Daugvilavicius, holding 2,175,000 chips. Campbell’s impressive chip stack is more than double that of Dunne, setting him up for a promising Day 3 that commences tomorrow at 1 p.m.
Despite his current success, Campbell’s tournament earnings—just over $8,000—primarily stem from Irish events, making this a golden opportunity for him to significantly boost his career earnings.
Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Place | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Niall Campbell | Ireland | 6,130,000 | 102 |
| 2 | Tom Dunne | Ireland | 3,000,000 | 50 |
| 3 | Audrius Daugvilavicius | Lithuania | 2,175,000 | 36 |
| 4 | Vitalijs Polukejevs | Latvia | 2,150,000 | 36 |
| 5 | John Vogelaar | Ireland | 1,965,000 | 33 |
| 6 | Rory Liffey | Ireland | 1,930,000 | 32 |
| 7 | Mircea Rus | Romania | 1,785,000 | 30 |
| 8 | Steven Lee | Ireland | 1,620,000 | 27 |
| 9 | Noel Murphy | Ireland | 1,270,000 | 21 |
| 10 | Stephen Henderson | Ireland | 1,225,000 | 20 |
Day 2 Action
The day started strong with 167 players vying for a spot among the top 135 who would benefit from the €274,745 prize pool, significantly surpassing the €250,000 guarantee. The atmosphere was electric, with players eager to grind their way past the bubble for a min-cash of €540.
The bubble burst dramatically during the first hand of hand-for-hand play. Neil Higgins, known for his aggressive play style, found himself all-in with ace-king against Aidan Quinlan‘s pocket jacks. With an ace hitting the flop, Higgins looked promising until a crushing jack on the turn sent him to the rail as the bubble boy, and the remaining 135 players rejoiced as they secured their cash.
As the day progressed, notable players exited the money, including Stephen Leahy (126th), Super High Roller finalist Ivan Tononi (87th), and previous champions like Liam Chevalier (27th) and Thomas Murphy (26th)—each faced elimination at particularly pivotal moments.
The Road to Day 3
As the competitive spirit heightened in the later stages of Day 2, the remaining players were eager to survive into Day 3. Not everyone was so fortunate, however. Rodrigo Diaz, who began Day 2 as the chip leader, faced a gut-wrenching elimination after a failed bluff and an unfortunate run-in with Jarl Malmstrom.
By the end of the day, Michael Murray’s fate was sealed with a harrowing turn of cards, unable to improve on the last hand before the end of Day 2, finishing in thirteenth position.
Remaining Payout Structure
As the players prepare for the final stretch, they are aware of what lies ahead in terms of payouts:
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | €51,000 |
| 2 | €30,900 |
| 3 | €21,730 |
| 4 | €16,320 |
| 5 | €12,690 |
| 6 | €9,400 |
| 7 | €6,725 |
| 8 | €4,790 |
| 9 | €3,790 |
| 10-11 | €3,130 |
| 12-13 | €2,800 |
Looking Ahead
The excitement will continue as Day 3 of the tournament kicks off at 1 p.m. local time on Monday, October 28. With blinds poised to start at 30,000/60,000 and a big blind ante of 60,000, the players are ready to fight for every chip. Players will now enjoy 60-minute levels, ensuring more thrilling action as the tournament draws nearer to crowning its champion.
Stay tuned to PokerNews tomorrow for live updates and all the action directly from the tournament floor. The stakes are high, the players are hungry, and the title of IPO Main Event champion is at stake!
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