button in SafariDefending Champ Lauer is Among the Big Stacks
James Lauer, the reigning Borgata Summer Poker Open $600 Deep Stack Kick Off champion, is picking up right where he left off 12 months ago.
Lauer has built one of the biggest stacks in the room and currently sits on 609,000 chips. The only player ahead of him is Leo Saiag, who has edged into the overall lead with 620,000.
Meanwhile, George Small isn't living up to his surname. He's up there in the counts with 370,000 as the tournament heads toward the money bubble.
There are 69 players remaining, with 48 spots paid. Play will continue until just 31 players remain, at which point the survivors will bag up and return for Day 2.