EPC Masters Chip Lead Unclear After Salerno Eliminates Ensan
PokerNews lists Salerno with 1.82 million and Kotowicz with 1.805 million, despite describing Kotowicz as the overnight leader.
Elia Salerno eliminated 2019 WSOP Main Event champion Hossein Ensan in a major pot late on Day 1 of the €2,000 EPC Masters, moving to the top of the field at that point. But PokerNews’ published chip-count details do not support the claim that Sebastian Kotowicz ended the night ahead.
The report gives Salerno 1.82 million chips, worth more than 18 starting stacks and 120 big blinds for the Day 2 restart. It also says Kotowicz won a big cooler in the final level to take the lead, yet lists his stack at 1.805 million, 15,000 fewer chips than Salerno’s stated total, while separately describing it as one chip more. The discrepancy leaves the overnight chip leader unclear from the available reporting.
There were 69 survivors from 346 entries. Frechdachs bagged 1.035 million and Alexandru Tarcau had 1.025 million, the only other seven-figure stacks listed.
The Day 1 action also left the three leading finishers from the €3,000 High Roller in contention. Mystery Kid returned with 585,000, Mihai Tabac had 525,000 and MajikMike held 190,000.
The €602,040 prize pool paid 52 places, meaning 17 returning players were still outside the money. A minimum cash was worth €4,230, while the winner was due €131,600. Day 2 was scheduled as the final day, beginning Oct. 5 at 3 p.m. local time at King’s Resort, with blinds at 10,000/15,000 and a 15,000 big-blind ante.
Ensan’s exit carried added weight because he won the 2019 WSOP Main Event for $10 million, defeating Dario Sammartino heads-up for the bracelet.
