PSPC 2023: Krasimir Yankov Leads 255 Survivors After Day 2; No Indians in the Field

Day 2 of the 2023 PokerStars Players No Limit Hold’Em Championship (PSPC) had 678 players returning for a shot at winning the second edition of the richest $25K poker tournament, and nine players made use of the late registration option. It was a short day with just six one-hour levels playing out, leaving 255 players in the race to become the next PSPC champion.

With late registrations open till the start of level 11 on Day 2, the $25K buy-in rake-free Freezeout tournament drew a player field of 1,014 entries from 63 different countries, generating a whopping $24,843,000 prize pool. The top 175 finishers are assured a payday with a min-cash worth $35,100. The top six places will earn seven-figure payouts, while the 2023 PSPC champion will take home $4,053,200 and the sought-after PokerStars trophy.

The frontrunner for the title is Bulgaria’s Krasimir Yankov, who, with 1,002,000 in chips (167 BBs), is also the only player with a seven-figure stack. The other top stacks in the field include Brazil’s Philipe Pizzari (965,000 – 161 BBs), five-time bracelet winner Jeremy Ausmus (791,000 – 132 BBs), USA’s Dylan Destefano (696,000 – 116 BBs), and the Day 1 chip leader Chris Moorman (685,000 – 114 BBs).

Bracelet winners Justin Liberto (658,000 – 110 BBs), Tommy Nguyen (642,000 – 107 BBs), Ignacio Gonzalez (610,000 – 102 BBs), Renato Minicuci (585,000 – 98 BBs), Christian Dressler (562,000 – 94 BBs) cap off the top ten stacks in contention.

Running alongside the 2023 PSPC was the $250K PokerStars Players Championship Super High Roller. Day 1 attracted a star-studded field of 25 entrants, and after only four levels of play on Tuesday, 20 players advanced to Day 2. With late registrations and re-entries open till the start of Level 9 on Day 2, the final numbers will grow. Artur Martirosian (726,000) leads the pack, followed by Chris Brewer (547,500) and Henrik Hecklen (465,000).

Coming back to the 2023 PSPC, at least four Indians were in the mix, and Nikhil Segel (67,500 – 45 BBs) was the only one from the team to carry a stack to Day 2. Segel, the only Indian to win the coveted PSPC Platinum Pass twice, was constantly tweeting updates of his progress.

And we are all set for the first hand. #PSPC @PokerStarsLIVE pic.twitter.com/Xejp8AAXj1

— Nikhil Segel (@NikhilSegel) January 31, 2023

Unfortunately, the sole Indian survivor failed to advance to Day 3. Segel was eliminated in 417th place after his was cracked by an opponent’s as the board turned a . He tweeted the news.

Busto bled down to 20 bb then AJs vs KJs. K turn and we head to the showers in the #PSPC. Was fun while it lasted

— Nikhil Segel (@NikhilSegel) January 31, 2023

Soon after busting, Segel started promoting his $50 buy-in Nikhil Segal Platinum Pass Winners Invitational (Event #301) scheduled for February 2.

While I busted today and was sad, @WillieElliot_PS & the team @PokerStars decided to cheer me up. If you are a #PlatinumPass winner at the #PSPC we have a treat for you and your +1’s !

The funnest game at the PCA is the PlatinumPass Invitational!

Do Not Miss it ? 7PM 02Feb pic.twitter.com/OT5WjOEdHC

— Nikhil Segel (@NikhilSegel) February 1, 2023

Several other big names made it to Day 3. These include 2023 PCA Main Event champion Michel Dattani (258,000), former WSOP Main Event champions Chris Moneymaker (404,000), Martin Jacobson (229,000), and Espen Jorstad (38,000), along with PokerStars Ambassadors Alejandro Lococo (473,000), Sam Grafton (377,000), and Arlie Shaban (259,000).

PokerStars streamed the Day 2 action on its YouTube channel. You can watch it below.

Top 10 Chip Counts After Day 2

1. Krasimir Yankov – 1,002,000
2. Philipe Pizzari – 965,000
3. Jeremy Ausmus – 791,000
4. Dylan Destefano – 696,000
5. Chris Moorman – 685,000
6. Justin Liberto – 658,000
7. Tommy Nguyen – 642,000
8. Ignacio Gonzalez – 610,000
9. Renato Minicuci – 585,000
10. Christian Dressler – 562,000

Content & Images Courtesy: PokerNews & PokerStars

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Note: This article was edited on February 2 at 11 AM.