Manuela Serralheiro Bags Chip Lead After WPTDeepStacks Portugal Main Event Day 1A

After an entertaining Day 1A, just 34 players will advance to Day 2 of the World Poker Tour DeepStacks Portugal Main Event and be in with a chance of securing a share of the €200,000 guarantee here at Casino Solverde in the heart of the Algarve.

Portugal’s southernmost region is known for its gorgeous views out across the Atlantic Ocean, and with play not getting underway until 2 p.m. local time, there was plenty of time for players to enjoy some of the world’s most breathtaking beaches.

Once the third Main Event of the WPTDS European season got underway, players continued to trickle in until we had a total of 123 entries. With re-entry open until the start of Level 10, this included 16 re-entries.

Leading the way at the end of Day 1A is Manuela Serralheiro (pictured above) with 251,100 chips.

Serralheiro took a major step towards bagging the chip lead when she eliminated two players when she held Aces. One of these players was former EPT Vilamoura winner Antonio Matias. Another big stack advancing is the winner of 2016 WPT National San Remo Christophe Bouziane who narrowly failed to joined Serralheiro with a stack in excess of 200,000 when he bagged up 196,400.

Also in the field today was Omar Lakhdari. Lakhdari finished second in the WPTDS Cannes Main Event just two months ago and was looking for another deep run in a tour which he has become a regular face within.

Another name was Claudio Coelho (pictured above). The former Portuguese reality TV star won the WPTDS High Roller earlier at this stop, and also has a strong poker pedigree, with several final tables in his native Portugal.

Neither Lakhdari or Coelho managed to make it through to Day 2, but we will have to wait and see whether they will return tomorrow to have another shot at the WPTDS Main Event.

Day 1B starts at 2 p.m. local time, with late registration open until the start of Level 10. Players will definitely be taking advantage of the unlimited re-entries, especially with an attractive €200,000 guarantee.

Stay tuned to WPT.com for full chip counts from Day 1A and all the WPTDS updates live from Casino Solverde.