Busting out of the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event before the second-to-last day allowed some of poker’s biggest names - and deepest pockets - to make their way over to the Hilton Metropole hotel in London for the Wednesday start of the European Poker Tour’s £20,000 High Roller Event.

Included in that group was Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan, Barry Greenstein, Bertrand “eLKy” Grospellier and current world champion Peter Eastgate. A total of 75 players plunked down the £20,000 ($31,975 US) buy-in to put the total prizepool at £1,500,000 with first place walking away with £542,000.

After 44 players were eliminated during the ten levels of play on Day 1 Ilari “Ziigmund” Sahamies rose to the top of the chip counts with 373,800. Sahamies managed to dominate the first day of play despite showing up nearly five hours late. He’s being chased by Adolpho Vaeza who finished with 319,500. Also still in contention are Erik Cajelais (264,600), Dennis Phillips (113,000), Joe Hachem (68,700) and Justin “BoostedJ” Smith (84,800).

Players who saw their tournament end on Day 1 included Ivey, Dwan, Vanessa Rousso, Chris Moneymaker and Grospellier. Missing from the event is defending champion Jason Mercier who’s busy leading the final table of the 2009 WSOP Europe Main Event.

Day 2 kicks off at Noon BST.

EPT London High Rollers Event Day 1 Top 10 Chip Counts

1. Ilari Sahamies - 373,800
2. Adolpho Vaeza - 319,500
3. Erik Cajelais - 264,600
4. Eugene Katchalov - 213,700
5. Joel Nordkvist - 190,600
6. Matt Glantz - 185,600
7. Sargon Ruya - 181,800
8. Shane Reihill - 181,200
9. Vicky Coren - 152,000
10. Juha Helppi - 128,400

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