Aria Summer Classic

Upeshka De Silva

The much-anticipated $3,500 BetMGM No Limit Hold'em Championship is the crown jewel of the Aria Poker Classic, and it lived up to the billing on Day 1A. A total of 740 entries took their shot in the first of two flights, generating a massive $2,368,000 towards the eventual prize pool, with another starting flight still to come tomorrow at 12 PM.

By the end of the night, Mitchell Halverson bagged the overall chip lead with a towering 1,031,500, putting himself in great position heading into Day 2. Right behind him is Petre Ionescu, who ended with 762,000 and will also be near the top of the counts when play resumes.

Davidi Katai

But most of the buzz surrounded the players in third and fourth place—two of the most accomplished names in the field. Davidi Kitai, a three-time WSOP bracelet winner and triple crown winner. He is one of Belgium’s top all-time players and he ended the night with 627,500. Right behind him is Upeshka De Silva, a WSOP bracelet winner and longtime tournament crusher, who finished with 603,000.

Also making a strong push into the top ten was Bin Weng, one of the hottest players on the tournament scene in the past two years, who bagged 452,000. 

BetMGM ambassador Darren Elias also found a bag and will return for Day 2 with a healthy stack as he looks to add another major title to his resume.

All told, 224 players advanced from Day 1A and will return for Day 2 on Sunday at 12 PM. The second and final flight will kick off tomorrow—also at 12 PM—offering one last chance to enter this record-setting championship.

Here’s a look at the Top 10 chip counts from Day 1A:

1. Mitchell Halverson – 1,031,500
2. Petre Ionescu – 762,000
3. Davidi Kitai – 627,500
4. Upeshka De Silva – 603,000
5. Michael Berk – 548,500
6. Adam Tolander – 460,500
7. Gilles Simon – 455,000
8. Bin Weng – 452,000
9. Diogo Cardoso – 433,000
10. James Romero – 425,000
11. Full seat draws will be made available before the start of Day 2.

Tons of notable names took their shot on Day 1A, including Patrick "Pads" Leonard, Ren Lin, Shannon Shorr, Chris Moneymaker, Cherish Andrews, Matt "Casino King" Gothard, Eric Baldwin, Kiat Le, BetMGM ambassador Abby Merk, Justin Young, Jonathan Tamayo, and many more.

Abby Merk

Some punched their ticket to Day 2, while others will try their luck again tomorrow—but the stars were definitely out at the Aria Poker Classic.

Play has concluded in the first flight of the $3,500 BetMGM No Limit Hold'em Championship. Players are getting their chips in a bag for Day 2.

Stay tuned for a full recap soon.

Blinds: 1,500/3,000/3,000 - 229/740 remain

The action was picked up on a flop of .

A player in the blinds led before Michael Gagliano moved in for about 85,000. A player in late position tanked for a bit before folding, and the action was back on the player in the blinds. After some thought, he put in the rest of the chips while covering Gagliano. He quickly got the bad news.

Gagliano tabled for the nuts, and his opponent tabled for the bottom end of the straight. The turn and river were bricks, and Gagliano scooped as the floor called for the last three hands of the night. 

The much-anticipated $3,500 BetMGM No Limit Hold'em Championship is the crown jewel of the Aria Poker Classic schedule, and the players came out in droves to show their support.

A star-laden field of 740 players almost took out the guarantee in just one flight. These players added a whooping $2,368,000 to the prize pool, and there is still a flight left to be played tomorrow. 

This is shaping up to be a record-setting championship event.