Ivan Karatayeu Leads Day 1B of WPT Cambodia Championship with 599,500 Chips

The WPT Cambodia Championship is heating up. Ivan Karatayeu leads Day 1B with an impressive 599,500 chips (187 big blinds). His chip count also makes him the overall chipleader heading into Day 2. Karatayeu’s performance on Day 1B sets him up as a strong contender in one of Asia’s most prestigious poker events.

Day 1B Recap: Huge Field, Strong Performances

Day 1B attracted 403 entries. This brought the total entries to 750, creating a prize pool of $2,400,750, surpassing the $1.5 million guarantee. As Day 1B ended, 133 players advanced to Day 2. Only the top 94 players will make the money. The first-place winner will take home $390,650 along with a seat at the WPT World Championship.

Ivan Karatayeu’s Exceptional Run

Karatayeu started with a solid stack and built it throughout the day. His 599,500 chips put him in a commanding position. He’ll be looking to maintain his momentum and protect his lead on Day 2. Other notable performances include Daniel Neilson, who bagged 483,000 chips, and Dylan DeStefano, who finished with 471,500 chips. Thi Bao An Nguyen and Supakit Anukoolpitaknil rounded out the top five, with 392,000 and 387,000 chips, respectively.

Prize Pool Breakdown and Payouts

The $2,400,750 prize pool will pay out across multiple tiers. Here’s a look at the top payouts:

• 1st place: $390,650
• 2nd place: $255,000
• 3rd place: $189,000
• 4th place: $142,000
• 5th place: $107,000

The full payout structure rewards poker players at various levels, ensuring strong compensation for those who make it deep into the tournament.

What’s Next for Ivan Karatayeu?

Day 2 begins tomorrow at 11:30 AM PST. Players will face five 90-minute levels or until the money bubble bursts. Karatayeu has a strong edge as the chipleader, but with seasoned pros and rising stars still in contention, anything can happen. The competition is fierce, and Day 2 promises to bring more excitement.

The WPT Cambodia Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling event. Keep an eye on WPT.com for continuous updates. As we head into the next stages of the tournament, one question remains: Can Ivan Karatayeu maintain his lead and claim the first-place prize?

Sources and Credits:

• World Poker Tour (WPT) Official Website – All tournament details, prize pool information, and player updates are sourced directly from WPT.com.