Day 3 Preview: Nick Maimone Leads the Final 111; Esfandiari, Charania, and Sexton in the Top 10

Photo:  Chipleader Nick Maimone

Welcome to Day 3 coverage of the WPT L.A. Poker Classic!

Registration closed on Day 2 with 521 entries, creating a prizepool of $5,001,600. As Day 3 begins, there are 111 players remaining in the quest to capture a WPT title and the first-place prize of $1,001,110, which includes the winner’s $15,000 entry into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.

On top of the chip counts for the second consecutive day is Nick Maimone with 567,400.  The accomplished pro is in search of his first cash on the World Poker Tour, and appears well on his way to making that happen. The top five is rounded out by a stacked group of professionals including Matt Berkey, two-time WPT champion Mohsin Charania, Daniel Strelitz, and Bryce Yockey. William Vo, who final tabled the WPT Legends of Poker earlier this season, is sixth in chips, followed by Season II L.A. Poker Classic champion Antonio Esfandiari.

Rounding out the top 10 in chips is none other than WPT commentator and Champions Club member Mike Sexton, who won his first WPT title back in November.

The final 66 players will earn their share of the $5 million prizepool, and the Money Bubble is expected to burst in the late afternoon or early evening. Here is the full list of payouts:

1st:  $1,001,110*
2nd:  $672,190
3rd:  $431,340
4th:  $300,690
5th:  $230,380
6th:  $191,490
7th:  $161,320
8th:  $128,650
9th:  $96,640
10th-12th:  $80,280
13th-15th:  $64,130
16th-18th:  $53,760
19th-21st:  $45,380
22nd-24th:  $37,950
25th-27th:  $32,610
28th-36th:  $27,780
37th-45th:  $23,990
46th-54th:  $20,300
55th-63rd:  $17,150
64th-66th:  $14,160

* First-prize amount includes the winner’s $15,000 entry into the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions.

Day 3 of the WPT L.A. Poker Classic begins today at 12:00 noon PT, so stay tuned to WPT.com for continuing coverage of all the action as the field makes its way into the money.

Photo:  WPT Champions Club member Mohsin Charania begins Day 3 third in chips as he looks for his third WPT title.