Day 1a of the PokerStars.net European Poker Tour London Main Event began yesterday with a huge crowd that popped the original 500 person cap. In that group of 500+ players were such stars as Erica Schoenberg, John Phan, Patrik Antonius, Annette Obrestad, Joe Beevers, Shane Schleger, Ross Boatman, Chris Ferguson, Gavin Griffin, Freddy Deeb, and Gus Hansen.

Of that group, Hansen did the best for himself on Day 1a, finishing among the chip leaders with 74,000 in chips. Joining Gus on the EPT Day 1a leader board was Sorel Mizzi (92,500), Scott Mongomery (86,000), Erik Friberg (62,000), Carter Gill (78,000), and "The Italian Pirate" Max Pescatori, who ended the day first in chips (93,000) - well on his way to a guaranteed first prize of at least ?1 million (over $1,700,000 USD).

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