With late registration due to close at the end of the break, Liam McVeigh (212,500) currently tops the standings, holding a reasonable lead over his closest challengers, Eamon Doran (158,500) and Alex Coughlan (126,000).

The following players comprise the top three at the first break in The Opener:-

1. Eamon Doran – 120,000
2. John O’Boyle – 107,000
3. Joey Pyne – 104,000

Joey Pyne, the first player to buy-in for the festival, is off to a great start here in The Opener, busting Shane Dillon shortly after securing a full double-up.

Dillon got his stack of around 17,000 in the middle with Q♥2♥ on a flop of 10♥9♥3♦, but his flush draw ran into Pyne’s 10♠10♣ for top set tens, and the K♠ turn and K♦ river were bricks, sending Pyne over 80,000.

Sia Browne opened to 300 from early position, and was faced with a three-bet to 900 by Florent Eastwood from middle position. Action folded back to Browne, who called.

On the 10♠9♠6♦ flop, Browne check-called a bet of 600 from her opponent.

The 3♠ rolled off on the turn, and Browne checked once more. Not to be deterred, Eastwood fired out a bet of 2,200, which Browne quickly called.

The 10♥ river completed the board, and was checked through.

Eastwood showed A♦Q♠ for a pair of tens with ace-high, but Browne showed 8♦8♠ for two pair, tens and eights.