WSOP Day 2 Recap: Chance Kornuth Leads Final Five in $100,000 High Roller Bounty Event

Four bracelet events saw action on Day 2 of the 2022 World Series of Poker at Bally’s and Paris in Las Vegas. With the players in the $100,000 High Roller Bounty event reaching not only the money places but the final table too, some of the best in the world clashed in pots worth millions of dollars not just at the felt but in prize money too.

With the first bracelet of the 2022 WSOP claimed in the $500 Casino Employees event and two more bracelet events taking place, the action was non-stop.

Kornuth the King on Penultimate Day of High Roller Bounty Event

Chance Kornuth bullied some of the best players in the game as he reached the final five players in total command of the chipcounts. With a surprise late registration from Matthew Steinberg, 16 players took to the felt to resume the action, with just seven of them to be paid. It took no time at all for the field to be reduced by three, with Lazslo Bujtas, Frank Crivello and Erik Seidel all busting in the opening few hands. Seidel, a nine-time WSOP bracelet winner, was shot down with ace-queen by Dario Sammartino’s ace-king.

Bill Klein was the next player to depart and in unfortunate circumstances, as his two-pair on the turn saw the chips committed only for David Peters to hit a gutshot when he was all-in with a shot at Broadway and a flush draw. It was during this period that Kornuth took charge, doubling up through Justin Young to grab the chip lead with ace-jack rivering a gutshot to triumph against pocket queens.

As Kornuth rose through the ranks to take a commanding lead into the late levels, others fell, often at his hand. After Cary Katz departed in 10^th place, play moved to a final table of nine players, and Kornuth busted Negreanu. The Canadian was extremely unfortunate, with his ace-king rivered by Kornuth’s ace-queen. Kornuth had more than double everyone’s chips except David Peters and after Phil Ivey busted Nick Petrangelo in ninth place with eights cracking kings the bubble was burst.

Ivey was next to go, cashing for $133,127 in eighth after his pocket sevens lost a flip to David Peters’ ace-jack. It was the inexperienced Steinberg who was the last man to leave the felt, busting in sixth for $180,872, the biggest cash of his career to date to Kornuth’s flopped bottom set. With five players left, Kornuth has a huge chip lead with which to attempt to win his fourth WSOP bracelet.

You’ll be able to watch all the action unfold on the PokerGO live stream as the first final table takes place under the lights at Bally’s in the newly designed ‘Thunderdome’ here.

Katie Kopp Wins Casino Employees Event

A dramatic final table in the opening event of the 2022 WSOP saw Katie Kopp win the $500-entry Casino Employees Event as she conquered the final four having been down to just five big blinds.

In an exciting conclusion to the event, the reigning winner of the 2021 Casino Employees event, Jimmy Barnett busted early on the final day to see Kenny Hallaert move into a commanding position in the field. The Belgian was unable to convert a top three stack and his vast experience into the win, however, sliding out of contention in 15^th place before the final table was reached.

With blinds shallow and players busting quickly, Kopp had to hang on to survive the early skirmishes, but after she made the final four, her short stack played itself into a coinflip double and that momentum gave her the opportunity to win. From there, Kopp – backed by a boisterous rail chanting “Can’t stop Kopp!” throughout – seemingly couldn’t lose. Winning two more flips with small pairs to take the lead into the heads-up battle against Wyatt Frost, Kopp cooled his jets with her ace-queen triumphing against his ace-nine in the final hand.

Surrounded by friends and family, Kopp was a deserving victor and has immediately won a bracelet for female players at the first available opportunity. If the rest of the WSOP players aren’t in love with the Paris Ballroom immediately, Katie Kopp is sure to be forever.

Freezout Field Cut Down to Size

In Event #3, the $2,500-entry Freezeout, Jesse Kertland ended the day on top of the field, with 941,000 chips, some way clear of Michael Moncek (873,000) and Casey Hatmaker (849,000). Big names made the top 10 throughout, with Shannon Shorr (670,000) putting himself in a top five position that will see him battle deep to bag his first WSOP bracelet.

Others to thrive included Chris Hunichen (543,000), David Benyamine (520,000) and Dylan Linde (495,000), but some failed to make the cut. Jesse Lonis, Kathy Liebert, Niall Farrell, Matt Affleck, Upeshka De Silva, Maria Konnikova, Joe Cheong, Byron Kaverman and Landon Tice were all out of contention by the close of play, with Maria Ho, Jake Schindler and Tamon Nakamura all needing to register for another tournament in order the break their bracelet ducks, with just over 100 players surviving from 732 entries.

Finally, in Event #4, the $1,500 Dealers Choice event, Dennis Eichhorn leads the remaining 123 players from 460 entries. It’s a star-studded top 10, with John Monette (213,500) and Ben Yu (192,000) both making the top five. Brian Rast (169,500) and Travis Pearson (165,500) both made the top 10, but while plenty of superstars made the cut, many others of note fell.

Mixed game specialist Benny Glaser, WSOP Main Event runner up David Williams, 2021 WSOP Player of the Year Josh Arieh and Robert Mizrachi were among the former bracelet winners who couldn’t survive to Day 2.

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