Steve ‘MrSmokey1′ Billirakis already has a World Series of Poker bracelet and now he’s on his way to taking down the most important event on the World Poker Tour schedule, the WPT Championship.

Billirakis wrapped up Day 3 with 1,722,000 chips, good enough for the chip lead over the 61 other players still in contention. Matt Hyman sits in second place with 1,663,000. The rest of the top ten is a minefield of some of the game’s toughest players.

Mark Seif isn’t far behind the top two with 1,315,000 but he’s barely ahead of Nenad Medic who’s fourth with 1,306,000. David Singer (1,116,000), Blake Cahail (1,059,000), Phil Ivey (1,036,000), Nick Binger (1,036,000), David Baker (952,000), and Freddy Deeb (932,000) round out the top ten.

The day saw 106 players eliminated including the player who started the day with every expectation of surviving. Jean Noel Thorel, who began the day as the chip leader, was sent to the rail by Eric Liu. Other players who didn’t survive the day include Annie Duke, Alex Outhred, Shane Schleger, Joe Sebok, Johnny Chan and Justin Bonomo.

The payouts begin at #50, meaning the first 12 plaeyrs eliminated on Wednesday will go home empty handed. Finishing anywhere between 41st and 50th will earn each player $32,585. Action resumes at Noon PT on Wednesday.

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