The last time Cengiz Ulusu was at the feature table it was in EPT Dortmund in season five. Facing a call all-in for his tournament life, the unpredictable Turk took a coin from his trouser pocket, flipped it, and took the result to mean that he should call. He did and was out in eighth place about 15 seconds later.
He may not have employed “the Ulusu move” today, but he didn’t need to, amassing a stack of 242,800 chips to lead tonight, someway ahead and possibly seeking to put right the memory of that final; by calling “tails” perhaps.
Chip leader, Cengiz Ulusu
Ulusu’s lead, which is the overall lead for day one, came after a day that featured several leaders, the first of which being Dan Smith, before Team PokerStars Pro Victor Ramdin assumed the role.
For Ramdin though the day would soon peak; his role gradually turning from bar setter to bar customer over the course of several painful levels. Andreas Vlachos then took a turn out front, as did Konstantino Tsirakidis, before Davidi Kitai became the first player to push at the 200,000 mark, finishing on just a little less.
Victor Ramdin
But it’s Ulusu who bags up most of the 200 or so survivors today, taking an advantage into Day 2 tomorrow, when the field, which was measures at 502 today (745 in total), unites, with the final table on Saturday their goal, where a first prize of €825,000 awaits.
The list of those pursuing Ulusu, loose change left firmly in pocket, is legion, and listed on the chip count page, a list that includes Viktor Blom.
The other Viktor, Blom
Meanwhile a long list of others have made their way to the rail, including Arnaud Mattern, Chris Moorman, Jonathan Duhamel, Steve O’Dwyer, Pius Heinz, Frederik Jensen, Victor Ramdin, Eugene Katchalov, Fatima Moreira de Melo, Lex Veldhuis, Roberto Romanello (now free to clean up in side events), Mike McDonald, Liv Boeree and Johnny Lodden.
Pius Heinz
Their plight, along with everyone else’s, is detailed in live coverage from today, which can be found on the relevant live coverage page. Features from the day can be found listed below.
Marching into Day 1B
Big names out in force
Day 1B seat draw
We’re not in Campione anymore…
Beyond the Horizon at Casino Spielbank. Das Musical!
Haunted Icaofano still knocking at the door
Jensen looking to capitalize on good form
Poker players, thousands of them (well hundreds)
Franklin’s 13 (make that nine) Virtues of Poker
Twitter is your friend
Temperature rises with inevitable consequences
Can Ulusu hold on when play resumes? It’s a coin-flip at best. Join us when play restarts at 12 noon tomorrow when the field of around 320 players will return.
The Sony Centre
Until then, it’s goodnight from Berlin.
All photography © Neil Stoddart
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