The US Poker Open Kicks Off with Event #1: $10,000 No Limit Hold'em
The build-up has been widespread. Poker players are itching to get on the felt. Fans are waiting with great anticipation. It is finally here! The US Poker Open begins today at 2:00 P.M. local time inside the Aria Resort and Casino. The first of the eight-event series will open with the $10,000 No Limit Hold'em.
When the players take their seats, they will be given a 100,000 chip starting stack and the option to re-enter two times throughout the first nine levels. The Aria high-rollers rules will be in effect, with a big blind ante and a 30-second shot clock being enforced. The blinds will begin at 500/1,000 with a 1,000 big blind ante. All tables will be six-handed and the levels will be 30-minutes in length with a 10-minute break after every three levels. The tournament staff is encouraging everyone to register on time as the registration fee will be waived for all players that do so.
This second major event, following the Poker Masters in September of 2017, will gather the best players in the world for an 11-day event. The buy-ins will range from $10,000 and $25,000 preliminary events to a $50,000 Main Event to wrap everything up. Along with the Poker Masters format, the player who earns the most amount of money throughout the entire series will be crowned US Poker Open champion and take home the coveted trophy. What's unique about the US Poker Open, is there will be a Pot Limit Omaha event along with an Eight-Game Mixed Championship incorporated into the schedule.
Event Schedule
| Date | Event | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|
| February 01-02, 2018 | USPO #01 – $10,000 No Limit Hold'em | Buy-in: $10,500 |
| February 02-03, 2018 | USPO #02 – $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha | Buy-in: $10,500 |
| February 03-05, 2018 | USPO #03 – $25,000 No Limit Hold'em | Buy-in: $26,000 |
| February 05-07, 2018 | USPO #04 – $25,000 Mixed Game Championship | Buy-in: $26,000 |
| February 06-07, 2018 | USPO #05 – $10,000 No Limit Hold'em | Buy-in: $11,000 |
| February 07-08, 2018 | USPO #06 – $25,000 No Limit Hold'em | Buy-in: $26,000 |
| February 08-09, 2018 | USPO #07 – $25,000 No Limit Hold'em | Buy-in: $26,000 |
| February 09-11, 2018 | USPO #08 – $50K NLH Main Event | Buy-in: $52,000 |
With such a high-stakes tournament series, some of the best poker players will be taking to the felt throughout the entire event. It is still unsure who will all show up to demonstrate their mixed-game abilities, but is to be noted that there will be a new champion crowned. Purple Jacket winner and Poker Masters Champion, Steffen Sontheimer, has confirmed via Twitter that he will be staying in Germany and not partaking in the festivities. Some players that you can expect to see on the felt include Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, Dan Smith, Justin Bonomo, Nick Schulman, and Brian Rast. The 2013 WSOP Main Event winner, Ryan Riess, has also confirmed that he is excited to get the US Poker Open underway today.
US Poker Open starts today at @AriaLV!!! Looking forward to it. Hope it gets a good turnout
— Ryan Riess (@RyanRiess1)
Side Betting
As with the Poker Masters, Negreanu has reached out to his fellow competitors for a little side action, maybe for some bragging rights of who is truly the best poker player in the world.
Ok @BrynKenney and others, I’ll bet $50,000 on a must win US Poker Open Trophy #
— Daniel Negreanu (@RealKidPoker)
To summarize the bet, anyone who accepts and wins the trophy, Negreanu will owe that person $50,000. However, if Negreanu were to raise the trophy at the end of the series, each person will be sending $50,000 his way. If neither wins the trophy, then it's a wash.
The list isn't quite as long as the Poker Masters, but Benjamin Pollak and Bryn Kenney have already accepted. There is still time for others to jump on board and play for a little extra cash this coming week.
Where to Watch the Action
For those fans looking forward to watching their favorite player in action, look no further than Poker Central itself. All of the final tables will be live-streamed with a 30-minute delay on PokerGO. There has recently been some feedback about the lack of mixed-game coverage on TV. However, Poker Central is willing to test the idea of how well the mixed-game format translates to the live stream and fans can now look forward to watching all of the action.
| Date | Time | Event | Featuring |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 2 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #1 | $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Final Table |
| Feb. 3 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #2 | $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Final Table |
| Feb. 5 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #3 | $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em Final Table |
| Feb. 6 | 8:00 p.m. | Event #4 | $25,000 Mixed Game Championship Day 2 |
| Feb. 7 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #4 | $25,000 Mixed Game Championship Final Table |
| Feb. 8 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #6 | $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em Final Table |
| Feb. 9 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #7 | $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em Final Table |
| Feb. 10 | 8:00 p.m. | Event #8 | $50,000 Main Event Day 2 |
| Feb. 11 | 4:00 p.m. | Event #8 | $50,000 Main Event Final Table |
The PokerNews live reporting team will also be on the tournament floor throughout the entire event to bring you all of the live updates as the action unfolds.
and Condon hit one of the best flops he could ask for, despite being dominated by both of his opponents. The turn brought the 
and it was Condon's turn to turn a flush to wrap up the main pot. 
on the river and Marchese spiked a two-outer to crack Park's aces.
and there was already around 27,000 in the pot. Andrew Lichtenberger checked and Stephen Chidwick tossed in a bet of 20,000. Lichtenberger check-raised all in and Chidwick called off his last 104,500 chips.
on the river paired the board and Chidwick doubled up, leaving Lichtenberger with around 10,000. He would go on to bust in the next couple of hands.
and Park's aces held up to soar to the top of the leaderboard.
and Haxton slightly had Kirsch covered.
and Negreanu was still in good shape to win the hand. The 
on the turn gave Shak a flush draw and the 
landed on the turn and Kempe was left drawing dead to the 
giving Young the lead with a pair of aces. The 
on the river changed nothing and Riess was eliminated on the money bubble.
and Chidwick's pair of eights held on to provide the first dent in Park's stack.