Yorky Pud

The 2011 PCA Main Event is now officially in the money after the record 1,560 strong crowd has been whittled down to just 173 players, and there are still a number of British players well in contention for the $2,300,000 first place prize.

Day 1a saw 647 part company with $10,300 and after 10 levels of play only 272 of those still had chips left. Amongst those who would return for Day 2 included Phil Ivey and the overnight chipleader, Pieter de Korver, who won the 2009 EPT Grand Final. The second of the Day 1's saw a bumper crowd of 913 reduced to 373, meaning 645 players would return to the Atlantis Casino & Resort on the beautiful Atlantis Paradise Island each with a chance of winning a life-changing sum of money.

One by one the players headed for the rail after being eliminated, including EPT San Remo Champion Liv Boeree, Dario Minieri and the aforementioned Ivey. However, the man who's elimination everyone will remember will be that of Marco "CrazyMarco" Johnson who finished in 233rd place, also known as the money bubble.

In the hand the action folded around to Johnson in the small blind and finding himself with slightly over five big blinds, moved all-in for 26,000. William Reynolds, who won the 2010 PCA High Roller Event, snap-called from the big blind and both players revealed their hands, Johnson held Kc9c whilst Reynolds held the advantage with Ad9h. Both players paired their nine on a flop reading 9d-2c-7d but Reynolds was way in front with his ace-kicker. The Tc on the turn brought some "ooohhhhs" from the gathered crowd of media and players as it gave Johnson extra outs to the flush draw but it never came as the Qh fell on the river to bust Johnson on the bubble. All he gets for his trouble is a round of applause from the surviving players, each now guaranteed $15,000.

Amazingly, in the hour that followed another 59 players headed for the rail, many willing to gamble in order to pick up chips for Day 3 or go bust trying. Sat at the top of the chip counts when play came to an end for the day were Adam "csimmsux" Geyer on 909,000, Ilan Rouah with 795,000 and Chris Oliver who will return with 792,500 chips. As mentioned a number of British pros are safely through to Day 3 including Tom Middleton (410,500), Toby Lewis (402,500), Jake Cody (357,500) and two-time WSOP bracelet winner JP Kelly (254,000)