Another week into the Las Vegas summer and more prize pools outside the Rio are building into seven-figure territory. Last week’s individual performances of Antoine Saout and Chris Moorman were replaced by big fields and huge numbers.

The Venetian Sets a New Record

The Mid-States Poker Tour $1,100 $3.5 million guaranteed event set a record for entries in a tournament at The Venetian. A total of 4,411 entries took part in the tournament to compete for a prize pool of $4.3 million. 451 players made the money and a few notable names found themselves deep to play for the $548,341 first-place prize.

Two-time WPT Season XVI final tablist Derek Wolters placed eight to collect $64,511. Former WSOP final tablist Owen Crowe was the last Canadian standing and earned $150,525 for sixth.

David Levine emerged victoriously and earned the over half-million prize for first. Levine’s largest tournament cash before the MSTP was $16,910 for an event at the 2018 L.A. Poker Classic.

Other relevant players to reach the top-50 include Iaron Lightbourne (12th), Nick Pupillo (29th), Joe Elpayaa (30th), and Mike Del Vecchio (32nd).

The second MSPT seven-figure event is currently on Day 2 at The Venetian. 2,779 runners crushed the $1 million guarantee for the $600 entry to put a $1.425 million pot up for grabs. Three more events are left on the MSPT/Venetian schedule with the $5,000 $1 million guarantee up next on Friday, June 15.

Familiar Names Come Close at Wynn

In the final days before the first multi-day event at the Wynn Summer Classic, a few well-regarded players almost made it to the finish line in a single day of work.

Christian Harder formally got on the board by placing third in the $1,100 $200,000 guarantee. Harder collected $29,876 with Andrew Hills winning the event and $72,799.

A few days later, Greg Raymer took second in the $550 Seniors Event. Raymer withdrew $34,416 from the prize pool and Nicole Honour earned first place along with $52,718.

The first multi-day event kicks off on June 14 when the first of two $1,100 $1 million guarantee opens up. Three starting flights are available for the tournament which is expected to draw close to 2,000 runners.

Michael Wang Almost Repeats

The choice between events can be a conflict at times and that was the case for bracelet winner Michael Wang. Stuck between Planet Hollywood and the Rio, Wang decided to defend his title in the $600 $1 million guaranteed clash he won in 2017.

Decision today between playing the WSOP 5k I won a few years ago and the PH 600 1M gtd I won last year. Went for the repeat equity and found a bag ITM with 193.5k. Finish the day getting my dinner paid for by a random stranger. How good do I run?

— Michael Wang (@miw210) June 9, 2018

In a field of 2,238, Wang placed seventh for $29,909 and is sure to be back in the final table mix again this summer. Other final tablists included Marshall White and Marvin Rettenmaier.

The 2017 version featured a field of 2,721 and Wang’s share for first place was $205,165.