Chip-and-a-Chair Dream and a Massive Chip Lead on Day 5 of EPT Monte Carlo Main Event
Day 5 of the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour �5,300 Main Event is underway, with 16 players returning to Sporting Monte-Carlo in pursuit of the title, trophy, and the �1,000,000 prize awaiting the champion.
Action begins at 12 p.m. local time, expected to conclude when the tournament reaches its final six players.
Day 4 started explosively, with 14 players eliminated in the first level of play, many within the first half-hour. At the forefront heading into the finale is Philipp Wenzelburger (6,545,000), who staged an impressive comeback from just 13 big blinds.
Following at a considerable distance is Jonathan Guedes, holding the second spot with 3,570,000 in chips. In close pursuit are Jovan Kenjic (3,255,000), Natan Chauskin (3,180,000), and Canadian player Jamil Wakil, ending the day with 2,470,000.
EPT Monte Carlo Main Event Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philipp Wenzelburger | Germany | 6,545,000 | 164 |
| 2 | Jonathan Guedes | Brazil | 3,570,000 | 89 |
| 3 | Jovan Kenjic | Serbia | 3,255,000 | 81 |
| 4 | Natan Chauskin | Belarus | 3,180,000 | 80 |
| 5 | Jamil Wakil | Canada | 2,470,000 | 62 |
| 6 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | 2,405,000 | 60 |
| 7 | Boris Angelov | Bulgaria | 2,395,000 | 60 |
| 8 | Rania Nasreddine | United States | 2,135,000 | 53 |
| 9 | Jonathan Pastore | France | 2,060,000 | 52 |
| 10 | Francisco Benitez | Uruguay | 1,845,000 | 46 |
| 11 | Derk van Luijk | Netherlands | 1,660,000 | 42 |
| 12 | Niclas Thumm | Germany | 1,430,000 | 36 |
| 13 | Jozef Cibicek | Slovakia | 1,400,000 | 35 |
| 14 | Javier Caballo | Spain | 1,105,000 | 28 |
| 15 | Nathan Tetart | France | 750,000 | 19 |
| 16 | David Docherty | United Kingdom | 40,000 | 1 |
Rania Nasreddine, the last woman standing, held the second-highest chip count on Day 2. However, she started Day 4 with one of the lowest chip stacks, but managed to climb back into the middle of the field. Nasreddine typically plays live poker in the USA and is only on her second tour stop.
David Docherty still clings to the chip-and-a-chair dream after losing almost his entire stack on the final hand of the previous day, attempting a bluff against Adrian Mateos. Docherty was left with just one big blind as the day concluded.
It was Docherty who dealt the final blow to Alexander Seibt, known as "Wolfgang Poker," eliminating him in 18th place, with only one more player remaining before the tournament's temporary conclusion.
Kenjic sealed the end of yesterday's proceedings by sending Vladimir Troyanovskiy to the rail in 17th place.
All players have secured a minimum payout of �40,600, which increases to �48,800 after the first elimination of the day. Today's goal is to play down to the final six players, who will compete tomorrow to determine the champion. Currently, there are 47 minutes and 20 seconds left in level 25, with blinds set at 20,000-40,000 and a big blind ante of 40,000. After this level, the blinds will increase to 25,000/50,000.
You can catch all the live stream action, featuring cards-up coverage and commentary, on the PokerStars YouTube and Twitch channels. PokerNews updates will be posted with a 30-minute security delay to align with the broadcast.
Keep following PokerNews for live updates as the tournament progresses towards the final table.