The inaugural $100,000 Super High Roller Bowl Mixed Games saw high-stakes poker elites gather at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas on Thursday. With a $100K buy-in and a stacked field, the event drew 25 entrants on Day 1, setting the stage for a thrilling battle. As the day wrapped up, 17 players remained, with Mike “Texas Mike” Moncek leading the chip counts and Daniel Negreanu close behind in second place.
A High-Stakes Affair Kicks Off
Poker fans were in for a treat as some of the game’s biggest names took their seats for this prestigious event. The tournament follows the conclusion of the PokerGO Tour Mixed Games Series, where Chino Rheem dominated the leaderboard for the second time in three years.
Day 1 was filled with intense hands, strategic plays, and big pots. The tournament structure allowed for late registration up until the start of Day 2, meaning more players could still enter the fray. But for those who already had chips in play, the focus was on bagging a strong stack for the next stage.
Moncek Leads, But Negreanu Stays Close
By the end of eight levels, Mike Moncek had climbed to the top with a stack of 1,438,000. His aggressive play and well-timed moves put him in a commanding position heading into Day 2.
Negreanu, a fan favorite and one of the most accomplished players in poker history, wasn’t far behind. With 819,000 in chips, he secured the second-highest stack, setting himself up for a deep run. The top five stacks at the end of Day 1 were:
| Rank | Player | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Moncek | 1,438,000 |
| 2 | Daniel Negreanu | 819,000 |
| 3 | Matthew Ashton | 781,000 |
| 4 | Benny Glaser | 780,000 |
| 5 | John Racener | 554,000 |
While Moncek and Negreanu controlled the top spots, a host of skilled mixed-game specialists remained in contention, including Scott Seiver (523,000), Chad Eveslage (422,000), and Poker Hall of Famer Brian Rast (285,000).
Negreanu’s Late-Night Surge
Negreanu’s climb up the leaderboard was boosted by a critical hand against Yuri Dzivielevski during a round of pot-limit Omaha. With the board showing Q♠ 10♣ 5♣ 4♣ and about 160,000 in the pot, Dzivielevski checked. Negreanu, sitting under the gun, fired a 60,000 bet.
Dzivielevski responded with an all-in check-raise, putting Negreanu to the test. Without hesitation, the six-time WSOP bracelet winner called for his remaining 137,000, revealing K♣ 6♣ K♠ 4♠ for a king-high flush. Dzivielevski had been representing the A♣ A♥ 5♦ 2♦ hand, but his ace-high flush draw never materialized.
This win not only kept Negreanu in the game but also catapulted him near the top of the leaderboard heading into Day 2.
The Road Ahead
With registration still open at the start of Day 2, the total field could expand, adding more prize money and competition. The stakes will only get higher as the event progresses, and with poker legends still in play, anything can happen.
A few key storylines to watch:
- Can Moncek hold onto his lead, or will the experienced pros chase him down?
- Will Negreanu continue his momentum and add another major title to his resume?
- How will late registrants shake up the dynamics of the tournament?
With an elite field, deep stacks, and plenty of action left, the Super High Roller Bowl Mixed Games promises to deliver more drama and excitement in the coming days.
