Esposito leads WSOPC New Orleans

2008-05-20 16:25:11

Lou Esposito tops the provisional chip count table after day one of the World Series of Poker Circuit's (WSOPC's) finale in New Orleans.

He leads with about 101,000 chips, putting him ahead of David Fox, Mike Browne and Blake Purvis.

Approximately 249 competitors turned up at Harrah's New Orleans to play the $5,000 buy-in tournament and several of poker's top names fell victim to the rail.

Included in this list were World Series of Poker luminaries TJ Cloutier and Bill Edler - and World Poker Tour titlist Gavin Smith.

Surviving the cut was Tim Vance - who has been the sixth best competitor in the world since January 1st according to Card Player's player of the year list - and reigning WPT number one Jonathan Little.

The remaining players are competing for a prize fund of $1,245,000 in what is traditionally seen as one of the best warm-up tournaments for this summer's WSOP.