Event #9

Big Lead for Levy

Level: 5
Small Blind: 800
Big Blind: 1.6K
BB Ante: 1.6K
Chip Average: 133K
Remaining: 174
Entries: 232

January 24, 2020 | 2:31pm | Playground

The players have just returned to their seats, and play has resumed in level 5. More new players and re-entries came in during the break, bringing the total number of entries up to 232.

The fast action of the early levels helped several players build up their stacks, but none more so than Gil Levy. Levy was fortunate enough to flop a nut flush and get maximum value on the last hand before the break to bring his stack up to almost unfathomable heights. With over 480 big blinds in his possession, Levy has more than double the chips of his next closest rival.

First Name	Last Name	Stack
Gil	Levy	780,000
Jean Michel	Mazingarbe	360,000
Raffi	Garabetian	330,000
David	Richard	289,000
Philippe	Laudy	265,000

Over 200 Entries Through Four Levels

Level: 4
Small Blind: 700
Big Blind: 1.4K
BB Ante: 1.4K
Chip Average: 128K
Remaining: 167
Entries: 214

January 24, 2020 | 1:58pm | Playground

The players are about to take their first break of the day, as Day 1E just keeps growing. There were 214 entries tallied during the first two hours of play, a figure driven by the steady stream of re-entries, which is now up to 35.

As expected, the chips were flying in the early stages. The players in attendance got up to speed quickly this afternoon, looking to build their stacks as quickly as possible.

Here is a look at the action from level 4:

14 Advance from Online Day 1E

January 24, 2020 | 1:14pm | Playground

The final online starting flight for the Grand Prix Canada, Online Day 1E, was held last night on partypoker, taking in 99 entries. These online slights proved to be very popular, as they collected a total of 495 entries, which allowed 71 stacks to advance to Day 2 and lock up a payout of at least $400.

The two largest qualifying stacks came from the online flights, showing that the online option is not only convenient but potentially more lucrative than a live flight. Timothy Ulmer and Alexandre Fournier made it through their Online Day 1s with 2,807,000 and 2,282,000 in chips, respectively. To see the combined Day 1 results, click here.

Off to a Fast Start

Level: 2
Small Blind: 500
Big Blind: 1K
BB Ante: 1K
Chip Average: 109K
Remaining: 155
Entries: 169

January 24, 2020 | 12:58pm | Playground

After less than an hour of play on Day 1E, this flight has already taken in 169 entries. So far, 13 players have already opted to fire a second bullet, a figure which will likely grow exponentially before the end of the late registration and re-entry period at 5:30pm.

The huge early turnout bodes well for this flight, which is shaping up to be the largest yet!

Get Set for Day 1E!

January 24, 2020 | 12:00pm | Playground

The Grand Prix Canada has already proven to be a hit, as players from far and wide have flocked to both the live and online starting flights. So expect huge fields of players today and tomorrow, as the last six starting flights will take over the tournament hall. Day 1E starts at noon, followed by Day 1F at 5:00pm and Day 1G Turbo tonight at 10:00pm.

For all live starting flights, players will start with 100,000 in chips to play through as many 30-minute levels as needed to reduce the field to one in seven entries, at which point the money will be reached and the remaining players will advance to Day 2. Each live Day 1 will start 10-handed and move to 9-handed play as soon as possible.

The Grand Prix Canada is a re-entry event with unlimited re-entries permitted until the end of the late registration period at the beginning of level 11, which will arrive at 5:30pm on Day 1E. Players may enter additional Day 1s even if they have survived a previous Day 1 with chips. Players who qualify for Day 2 more than once resume play on Day 2 with their largest qualifying stack; all other qualifying stacks are forfeited. Players would, however, retain the associated cash prize for every forfeited stack. Over 170 players have already qualified for Day 2. To see the combined Day 1 results, click here.

Day 1E is about to begin. Good luck to all!

Thomson Bags 2,167,000 Chips To Lead 29 more Qualifiers To Day 2

January 24, 2020 | 3:54am | Playground

Day 1D of the $200 + $20 Grand Prix Canada attracted a total of 200 entries (including 52 re-entries) putting 20 million chips into play. It was an action packed evening and stacks started to get built right from the start. By the time the first break came around, the chip leader had amassed a stack of 425,300. Play slowed down going into the second break and then stacks started to reach for the sky.

Alain Chikani was dominating for most of the night but it was Graham Thomson who bagged the lead with an impressive 2,167,000 chips to lead the 29 Day 1 qualifiers into Day 2. Chikani bagged 1,866,000 chips and Etienne Leduc was the third biggest stack with 1,577,000 chips.

To see all of the combined day 1 results, click here

The bubble lasted for quite some time until the elimination hand took place. Andy “Coach” D’Alessandro was nursing the shortest stack in play and finally got his his chips in when he picked up , only to be called by Gaetan Miron holding . D’Alessandro needed to hit a king but it wasn’t meant to be and he was sent to the rail, bringing the other 29 players into Day 2.

There are more Day 1 starting flights on Friday and Saturday. To see the structure sheet and schedule, click here

The Final Stretch: Chikani is Still the Massive Chip Leader

Level: 17
Small Blind: 10K
Big Blind: 20K
BB Ante: 20K
Chip Average: 571.9K
Remaining: 35
Entries: 200

January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 | 2:11am | Playground

There are only 35 players remaining with the top 29 moving on the Day 2 as the tournament is now in the final stretch. With the chip average just under 600K, Alain Chikani is still in the lead with a massive stack of 2,095,000 chips, effectively 105 big blinds.

Here is the final leaderboard of the night:

First Name	Last Name	Stack
Alain	Chikani	2,095,000
Graham	Thomson	1,552,000
Etienne	Leduc	1,330,000
Rong	Xu	901,000
Joseph	Sabbah	854,000
Gaetan	Miron	812,000
Yaseen	Siddiqui	788,000
Ramesh	Arya	757,000

The Big Boys

Level: 16
Small Blind: 8k
Big Blind: 16K
BB Ante: 16K
Chip Average: 434.8K
Remaining: 46
Entries: 200

January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 | 1:18am | Playground

With only 46 players left on the tables the tension is starting to build as everyone wants to bag a big stack to head into Day 2. Here are some of the biggest stacks in play right now:

Chikani Becomes a Millionaire

Level: 13
Small Blind: 4K
Big Blind: 8K
BB Ante: 8K
Chip Average: 317.4K
Remaining: 63
Entries: 200

January 24, 2020January 24, 2020 | 12:01am | Playground

The field has thinned out and only 63 players remain as level 13 commences. With 20 million chips in play tonight, the tournament has it’s first millionaire. Alain Chikani is playing a stack of 1,191,000 chips (149 big blinds), close to four times the average! There are quite a few other large stacks around the room and with play continuing until the field drops to only 29 players, it is a given that some stacks will will grow while players keep getting eliminated.

Here are the top stacks in play:

First Name	Last Name	Stack
Alain	Chikani	1,191,000
Gaetan	Miron	865,000
Joseph	Sabbah	854,000
Anthony	Grosso-Cecore	815,000
Etienne	Leduc	671,000
Daniel	Bukoff	644,000
Frederic	Pierre	628,000
Graham	Thomson	608,000

Late Registration is Now Closed; 29 Players Will Advance to Day 2

Level: 11
Small Blind: 2K
Big Blind: 5K
BB Ante: 5K
Chip Average: 266.6K
Remaining: 77
Entries: 200

January 23, 2020January 23, 2020 | 10:42pm | Playground

The late registration and re-entry period has now come to a close in Day 1D and the total entries reached exactly 200 (including 52 re-entries), putting 20 million chips into play tonight. The play will continue until the field drops to 29 players who will then be in the money and will bag their chips to play Day 2.

St Denis Leads 31 Day 2 Qualifiers From Day 1C

January 23, 2020 | 10:07pm | Playground

Day 1C of the Grand Prix Canada was the largest starting flight yet and showed the tremendous popularity of this epic event. It took in 217 entries, which allowed 31 players to advance to Day 2.

This flight was brought to an end fast than any of the players expected, as simultaneous bustouts on adjacent tables dispensed with the need for hand-for-hand play. Kevin St Denis emerged as the chip leader from Day 1C, with 2.13 million in chips, which is the largest stack from any of the live starting flights so far. Following Day 1C, 142 players have qualified for Sunday’s Day 2. To see the combined Day 1 results, click here.

There are many more starting flights for the Grand Prix Canada before Sunday. Starting flights run tomorrow at 12:00pm, 5:00pm and 10:00pm. To see the full schedule, click here.

Liakopoulos Out In Front at the Second Break

Level: 9
Small Blind: 1.5K
Big Blind: 3K
BB Ante: 3K
Chip Average: 184.3K
Remaining: 102
Entries: 188

January 23, 2020January 24, 2020 | 10:02pm | Playground

There are now 188 entries (including 42 re-entries) in Day 1D and late registration is still open until 10:30pm.

The average stack is at 184,300 chips and Peter Liakopoulos has jumped to the top of the leaderboard with exactly 400,000 chips (133 big blinds).

These are the top stacks in play from the start of level nine:

First Name	Last Name	Stack
Peter	Liakopoulos	400,000
Michael	M.	384,500
Brian	Morgan	380,000
Etienne	Leduc	370,500
Tony	Stratopoulos	360,000
Joey	Cournoyer	341,000

Become a member!

Playground

LIVE EVENTS