The scene at Day 1b of the PokerStars European Poker Tour Grand Final in Monte Carlo included players standing at tables. Line-ups at the bathrooms. And a record-setting field playing in the biggest EPT Grand Final in the five year history of the tour.

The 539 players who showed up on Day 1b pushed the total number of players to 935 - 93 more than hit the felt in 2008. The chip leader after both starting days wrapped was Lee Nelson who bagged up 253,600 chips on Day 1a. The largest stack from Day 1b belongs to Canadian Amicha Barer who ended the day with 207,800. The next three largest stacks also belong to players who started their quest for the title on Wednesday. American Dan Dyke has 179,700, Niccolo Caramatti is the top-rated European player with 176,500 and Dag Palovic has 173,200.

Also in contention are David Williams (148,600), Sami ‘LarsLuzak’ Keloporu (133,500), Nenad Medic (123,100), Annette Obrestad (112,000) and EPT Dortmund champion Sandra Naujoks (110,600). However it wasn’t all good news for some of poker’s biggest name. Defending champion Glen Chorny was busted early in Day 1b action as was Season III champ Gavin Griffin. Katja Thater, Liv Boeree, Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott and rapper Nelly were also eliminated on Wednesday.

Official payouts have yet to be released but the €9.35 million ($12.44 million US)  prize pool is the second largest of the season just barely behind the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in January which had a $12.64 million purse.

Action resumes at 2 pm local time on Thursday.

EPT Grand Final Top 10 Chip Counts

1. Lee Nelson - 253,600
2. Amicha Barer - 207,800
3. Dan Dyke - 179,700
4. Niccolo Caramatti - 176,500
5. Dag Palovic - 173,200
6. Luca Pagano - 169,600
7. Anthony Donald Venturini - 160,000
8. Thiago Nishijima - 159,000
9. Steve Berdah - 156,000
10. Faraz Jaka - 155,900

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