The second-ever MSPT stop in Ohio kicked off Thursday with the first of three starting flights in the $1,100 buy-in, $300K GTD Cleveland Poker Open. Day 1A attracted 157 entries to JACK Cleveland Casino, crushing last year’s opening flight of 111 entries. After 15 levels of play only 22 remained with Joel Brink and his stack of 400,000 leading the way.

The rest of the top five stacks include “Italian Mike” Iacovone (285,000), Jack Benge (248,000), Anthony Carbone (244,500), and Alex Visbisky (239,000). They were joined by John Nelson (207,500), former MSPT FireKeepers champ Mike Shanahan (198,500), Rob Wenger (138,000), and reigning MSPT Player of the Year Aaron Johnson (38,500).

Among those to try and fall on 1A include Nick Guagenti, Tom and Sherry Hammers, Frank Lagodich, MSPT Meskwaki champ Taylor Howard, last year’s runner-up Daniel Wagner, and former WPT Jacksonville champ Shawn Cunix.

Those players, as well as any newcomers, have two more opportunities to jump back in action. Day 1B will kick off at Noon local time on Friday, while the third and final flight, Day 1C, will take place at the same time on Saturday. The surviving players from each flight will then return at 11 a.m. on Sunday to play down to a winner.

Join us tomorrow as we continue to bring you all the action and eliminations straight from the tournament floor of the JACK Cleveland Casino!