Like bees to nectar, the seven-figure prize pool has drawn in many of Europe’s big names into the France Poker Series in Deauville. Among those who made it into the tournament before registration closed were Team PokerStars Pros Eugene Katchalov (29,000) and Bertrand Grospellier (32,000), joining the likes of Marcin Horecki (22,000), Julian Brecard (35,000) and Christophe De Meulder (22,000) in the cavern-like setting of this underground bunker.

Team PokerStars Pro Bertrand Grospellier has had a solid, if not spectacular, start

You’ll notice that I only mentioned one of the De Meulder twins, that’s because Matthias was an early casualty today. The Belgian tweeted that he didn’t think he managed to win a hand in the four hours he spent at the tables. He’s not the only player to have suffered an early exit as last year’s EPT winner here Sotirios Koutoupas has also been eliminated – as has EPT2 Barcelona champion Jan Boubli, EPT10 London winner Robin Ylitalo and EPT8 Madrid winner Frederik Jensen. Others on the rail include Georges Yazbeck, serial Deauville casher Mat Frankland and Xavier El Fassy.

Team PokerStars Pro Eugene Katchalov finished second here in the EPT Main Event last year

There are many more well-known players still involved, Ilan Boujenah (60,000) and Arnaud Mattern (42,000) are both solidly above the average stack, as is Anton Wigg (33,000). Not going quite so well are Michael Tureniec (11,500) and Ludovic Geilich (10,000) while the latter’s compatriot David Vamplew (22,000) is just below his starting stack.

Deauville Cup Day 1B

For anyone who busts, there’s always Day 1B of the Deauville Cup which begins at 9pm tonight. Romanian player Constantin Calea lead the 45 players who made it through Day 1A.. There were 193 entries yesterday with two more start days to go. Although this is the first time the Deauville Cup has been held, it’s the equivalent of the Mini FPS which last year attracted 683 entries overall. Among the other Day 1A survivors are Annie and Jacky Noel, (husband and wife who both won side events here last year), French veteran Paul Testud, Erwann Pecheux, Timothee Marlin and Darko Stojanovic.

FPS Deaville update:

– Unconfirmed 882 players entered Day 1B of FPS Deauville
– The total number might not be confirmed until the start of Day 2
– Level 7, 250/500 (50)
– Around 690 players currently remain
– Prize pool is over €1 million

To get all the latest news, chip counts and payouts, don’t forget to download the EPT App on both Android and IOS.

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