The Amazing Sam Trickett Leads Going Into Day 2 of EPT Sanremo 2012

Sam Trickett, the UK's top live tournament player, is chip leader going into Day 2 of EPT Sanremo, with 178,000. The 26-year-old Aussie Millions champ already has total tournament winnings of more than $17.4 million and was runner-up to Antonio Esfandiari in the WSOP One Drop event in July for $10.1m. Close behind is Swedish pro Alex Roumeliotis, who came second in the IPT High Roller on Friday for €83,200, and American Justin Bonomo, who won the Monte-Carlo®Casino EPT Grand Final Super High Roller event in April.

A total of 258 players survived Day 1b including Team PokerStars Pros Liv Boeree, Eugene Katchalov, Nacho Barbero, Chris Moneymaker, Angel Guillen, Theo Jorgensen,Andre Akkari, Pier Paolo Fabretti and Johnny Lodden as well as Team PokerStars SportStar Fatima Moreira De Melo. Combined with yesterday's 172 survivors, that means 430 players will be returning for Day 2.

A total of 797 players from 52 countries entered EPT9 Sanremo (477 on Day 1b today + 320 for Day 1a yesterday), generating a total prize pool of €3,865,450.

The winner will get €800,000 as well as the champion's trophy and a stunning Slyde watch worth nearly €5,000 from luxury Swiss brand HD3, the Official Watch Sponsor for EPT9 Main Events. 120 places are being paid.

The EPT Sanremo Festival runs October 3 - 11, 2012 at Casino Sanremo.