2024 International Poker Open Main Event: Day 2 Recap
In the heart of Dublin, the stakes are high and the atmosphere electric as the 2024 International Poker Open Main Event continues at the Bonnington Dublin Hotel. After an intense Day 2, the competitive field of 909 entrants has been narrowed to just 13 players, all vying for the coveted title and a slice of the substantial prize pool.
Niall Campbell Leads the Charge
Emerging as a formidable competitor, Ireland’s Niall Campbell has taken the lead with an impressive chip stack of 6,130,000. His prowess at the table has more than doubled the stack of his closest rival, Tom Dunne, who has 3,000,000 chips. On the heels of Dunne is Audrius Daugvilavicius from Lithuania, rounding out the podium with 2,175,000 chips.
Despite having only around $8,000 in live tournament earnings, mostly from local Irish events, Campbell’s strong performance positions him favorably as Day 3 approaches. The anticipation builds as the next stage of play begins at 1 p.m. local time.
Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
Here’s how the top ten players stack up as we head into the final day of play:
| 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 |
Highlights from Day 2
Day 2 commenced with 167 eager players ready to navigate the complexities of the game and survive until the final day. The stakes were raised as the €274,745 prize pool surpassed its €250,000 guarantee. The champion of this year’s Main Event will not only take home the prestigious title but also pocket a breathtaking €51,000 for their victory.
As the play unfolded, players hustled to overcome the money bubble, and the tension peaked when Neil Higgins found himself all-in with ace-king against Aidan Quinlan‘s jacks. Although an ace on the flop hinted at a possible reprieve, a heartbreaking jack on the turn sealed Higgins’ fate as the bubble boy, securing a payout for the remaining 135 players.
The following hours saw key players drop out, including notable names like Liam Chevalier, Stephen Leahy, and Paul Carr, as they sought to capitalize on their moment in the spotlight. Among the exits, Quinlan himself succumbed to a crushing defeat when his kings were dethroned by Campbell’s pocket queens.
The Path to the Final Table
As the clock wound down, only 23 players remained, all fighting fiercely to secure their spot for the final showdown. Rodrigo Diaz, who began Day 2 as the chip leader, experienced a rapid decline, culminating in a 22nd place finish due to a fumbled bluff.
As the level’s conclusion drew near, Michael Murray found himself cornered, ultimately eliminated in 13th place following a dramatic showdown that left Daugvilavicius rising to third place on the leaderboard.
Remaining Payouts
The payouts for the €350 Main Event are as follows:
| Place | Prize | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | €51,000 | 7 | €6,725 |
| 2 | €30,900 | 8 | €4,790 |
| 3 | €21,730 | 9 | €3,790 |
| 4 | €16,320 | 10-11 | €3,130 |
| 5 | €12,690 | 12-13 | €2,800 |
| 6 | €9,400 |
Looking Ahead to Day 3
The final day promises to be exhilarating as it kicks off at 1 p.m. local time on Monday, October 28. With blinds starting at 30,000/60,000 and levels extended to 60 minutes, viewers and players alike can expect a spectacular climax to this riveting tournament.
As we prepare for action, be sure to follow PokerNews for comprehensive coverage, insights, and live updates directly from the tournament floor as we search for the next champion of the International Poker Open.
