The €1 million guaranteed Main Event was off to a hot start at Olympic Park Casino and the Hilton Tallinn Park with 139 runners getting into the action.

Finland's Joni Rantamaki (pictured above) was the star of the day as after 10 levels of 40 minutes each he parlayed his 50,000 opening stack into a massive pile of 272,000 to lead the 63 Day 1a survivors.

Estonia's Igor Pihela Sr. isn't too far behind in second place with 257,000 and his son Igor Pihela Jr. also managed to bag a top-five stack with 210,000.

In between the father and son duo were Taiwan's Yi-Zhan Peng (215,000) and up-and-coming Dutch superstar Gilles Simon (211,500).

It appeared that two-time WSOP bracelet winner and all-around Finnish baller Juha Helppi (pictured above) would also bag a big stack as he was cruising along most of the day near the top of the chip counts. He first got unlucky against 2018 Estonian Championship of Poker Main Event Champion Ermo Kosk as he witnessed his queens go down the toilet against tens after a ten spiked the river.

Shortly after, Helppi lost another big hand to Pihela Jr. that helped the latter catapult to the top five of the Day 1a chip counts when his two-pair proved to be no match against a straight. He was left with crumbs after that before handing them over the Ilya Nikiforov after jamming in the dark with five-three and not getting there against queen-jack. Helppi is the consummate pro who will shake off his misfortune at the end of the day and has confirmed he will be back battling tomorrow for Day 1b.

The live reporting crew at OlyBet.tv will be back Wednesday at 12 p.m. from when cards are in the air for Day 1b. Best of luck to all of the Day 1b players tomorrow!

Finland's Joni Rantamaki led the way among the 66 survivors on Day 1a. Check out the full chip counts below and stay tuned for a recap within the hour.

WSOP bracelet winner Juha Helppi (pictured below) was cruising all day long but noticeably missing from the end-of-the-day chip counts.

During the final level of mayhem at the end of the day, Helppi's stack fell apart. It all began with a bad beat delivered by Ermo Kosk who doubled through Helppi when his tens got their on the river against queens.

Igor Pihela Jr. then took most of the rest of what Helppi had left when he nailed a straight against Helppi's two pair. The crumbs then went to a third Estonian in Ilya Nikiforov when he jammed in the dark with five-three and didn't get there against queen-jack.

We will likely see Helppi back tomorrow as he shared with us earlier today that he is here only to grind the Main Event and perhaps also the €3,000 6-Max High Roller if he isn't deep in the Main Event on Day 3.

Players are bagging chips for Friday's Day 2. Stay tuned for the final chip counts of the day along with a recap shortly.

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 66/138

Teemu Toikkanen went into the tank for several minutes facing a bet by Gilles Simon for 32,500 into a pot of around 50,000 with the on the board after the river.

Eventually, Toikkanen found a call only to muck his hand moments later after Simon turned over the for Broadway.

The floor just stopped the clock with nearly 11 minutes remaining on Level 10 and informed the players that each table will play five more hands before bagging up their stacks to Friday's Day 2.

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 68/138

Marko Harkonen was at it again on the  board keeping up the aggression that got him a big stack so far, he bet another 15,000 into the pot and Joni Rantamaki called. 

The river came  and it was Harkonen's turn again, he threw 35,000 chips in the middle, and shortly after Rantamaki made the call.

Marko Harkonen: 
Joni Rentamaki: 

The great read from Rantamaki earned him a pot worth more than 120,000 chips as we are 15 minutes away from ending Day 1.

Level 10: 1,000/2,000 (2,000)
Entries: 73/138

Joshua Stewert, who has already managed two final tables in his first two WSOP Circuit Events, was involved in another flip as he opened the pot to 4,000 and was re-raised to 12,000 by Ken Okada from the small blind. Stewert made a four-bet to 27,000 which was followed by a quick all-in for Okada's remaining 45,000 chips.

Joshua Stewert:
Ken Okada:

The flop didn't bring Stewert any luck and he was still behind in the hand. The turn was and the river was which secured the pot for Okada.

Joshua Stewert:

Level 9: 1000/1,500 (1,500)
Entries: 77/138

Johannes Levola three-bet an early raise from the small blind. Igor Pihela Jr. three-bet jammed from the big blind for 61,000. Levola didn't hesitate and called the all-in for his remaining 56,000 chips.

Johannes Levola:
Igor Pihela Jr:

The flop was a mixed-bag for Pihela Jr. as he was now behind and drawing to a nine or a flush. The turn was and the river came completing the full-house for the Finn.

Pihela was left with only 5,000 chips and he busted the tournament shortly after.

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 85/138

Algirdas Saveikis opened for 3,500 from the cutoff and was called by Kaupo Tenno from the button before Stanislav Smeljov three-bet shoved for 51,000. Saveikas went into the tank before he called off his stack of 45,500 while Tenno opted to fold.

Algirdas Saveikis:
Stanislav Smeljov:

Saveikis won the flip to double his stack and leave his opponent with crumbs after Smeljov failed to connect with the runout.

Players are coming back from the break. Most attended the awesome Meet & Greet organized by our hosts.

Check out some of the biggest stacks from around the room at the break below:

The live music is here and the mission is clear. Now that the Main Event has arrived, it is time for some fun with a Meet & Greet ceremony with free drinks and live entertainment.

Due to the planned entertainment, the break that the players just went on will be extended from 20 to 30 minutes. Action should resume for the final two blind levels of Day 1a at approximately 6:30 p.m. local time.

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 93/138

After under the gun raise the pot was re-raised to 8,000 by Marko Harkonen from the cut-off followed by an all-in from Ilya Nikiforov for 45,000 on the small blind.  The bigger stack Harkonen called and we went to show down.

Marko Harkonen:
Ilya Nikiforov:

The flop looked great for Nikiforov and he won the hand after the  turn and   river completed the board to give the Estonian a full double-up.

Marko Harkonen was left with 120,000 chips, while Ilya Nikiforov doubled up to 92,000

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 92/138

Karlis Kreslins open-jammed for 25,100 from the hijack and was looked up by Aurelijus Sipavicius from the blinds.

Karlis Kreslins:
Aurelijus Sipavicius:

It wasn't looking good for Kreslins until he improved to a set on the flop. Sipavicius still had some hope alive to get back into the hand after the turn gave him a flush draw but the blank river completed the bad beat delivery service by Kreslins to Sipavicius.

Meanwhile, Maksim Petrov at the same table was sitting on one of the biggest piles of chips in the room with around 200,000.

Level 8: 600/1,200 (1,200)
Entries: 96/138

Erik's Krumins had his stack of around 40,000 committed into the pot with against Tornike Tchitadze with on a board.

Tchitadze's flush was a strong hand but he doubled up Krumins who was even stronger with a full house.

"Good river for both of us," Krumins said after the hand.

Level 7: 500/1000 (1000)
Entries: 96/137

Henrik Puija opened from the cut-off and Toms Civcs called from the small blind. 

The flop went check-check, but action unfolded on the turn where Puija bet 3,000, and shortly after Civcs raised to 9,000.

Civcs fired out for 30,000 on the river and was called by Puija.

Civcs revealed his  and Puija mucked his hand saying: "I had an ace .."

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 99/137

There wasn't much in the pot when Janis Zablovskis (picured below) jammed for 8,000 on the flop. Martin Zobel called while Mauri Dorbek folded.

Janis Zablovskis:
Martin Zobel:

Zablovskis flopped top pair but Zobel was far ahead after he improved to two pair. Neither the turn nor the river saved Zablovskis and he was on the rail at least for now.

Level 7: 500/1,000 (1,000)
Entries: 103/136

There wasn't too much in the pot when Henri Vaisanen check-jammed the flop. Heiki Laja already had a good portion of his 16,400 stack committed when he made the call.

Heiki Laja:
Herni Vaisanen:

Vaisanen's cowboys were unable to hold despite improving to a set on the turn. The problem was this improved Laja to a flush. Vaisanen was unable to further improve to a full house or quads on the river and Laja doubled his stack instead of hitting the rail.

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 103/134

While most tables went on break, one table took a little longer. Ignacio Garrido jammed a short stack from the small blind with . Koit Kann snap-called with from the big blind.

Garrido pulled ahead on the flop but Kann was back on top in the hand after the turn. A blank river completed the board and Garrido will need to re-enter for a chance at advancing to Day 2 and beyond.

Players are on a 20-minute break. Blinds will increase to 500/1,000 along with a 1,000 big blind ante when the action resumes.

We will provide an update with some of the biggest stacks around the room after the break.

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 108/132

Andrey Koks is having some fun over on Table 19 and just talked Tonis Viik into a call.

The was on the flop with not much in the pot when Koks checked. Viik was getting a massage and bet 1,500. Koks jammed for 21,400 and Viik went into the tank.

Viik asked for a count before tanking some more. Koks decided to try some table talk at this point in time.

"I have nothing on the flop," Koks said with a smile. "No connection, or maybe I am joking. Give me a double-up or I go rebuy."

Eventually, Viik found a call and despite not connecting with the board was ahead at that particular moment with the players more or less flipping.

Andrey Koks:
Tonis Viik:

The turn improved Koks to a wheel but he wasn't out of the woods yet.

"Well, you can still get a ten," Koks said.

No ten came. Instead, it was the river to complete the board and Koks doubled through Viik instead of re-entering.

Level 6: 400/800 (800)
Entries: 108/132

Yi-Zhan Peng checked with 35,000 in the pot and the on the board before Irmantas Bzeskis bet 12,500. Peng paused for about 20 seconds before he tossed in a chip to call.

Bzeskis turned over the for ace-high before Peng showed the to win the hand with the top pair.

The final table of Event #5: €660 Mystery Bounty has kicked off. You can check out the action at OlyBet.tv.

Time will tell who will win the €10,000 top prize and the €10,000 mystery bounty.

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 108/125

Jelissei Levin donk-jammed the turn for 12,000 with the on the board after the turn and was called by Rene Peterkopf.

Jelissei Levin:
Rene Peterkopf:

Levin was behind but any heart would win him the hand. However, the blank river completed the board and Levin's chips went into Peterkopf's stack.

Level 5: 300/600 (600)
Entries: 109/125

Oliver Kullman bet 5,000 into a pot of around 15,000 with the on the board after the river.

Jussi Hakkinen tanked for about 30 seconds before raising to 15,000. Kullman instantly turned over his cards showing his for the second nut flush.

"Show your cards," the dealer said to Kullman. "It is not a fold when you show your cards."

"My mistake," replied Kullman. "I thought he just called."

Although everyone at the table appeared to agree, just to be safe the floor was called over. The floor confirmed exactly what the dealer told Kullman and he subsequently announced a call.

Hakkinen showed the and had his opponent drawing dead after flopping a flush to win the hand.

Level 4: 200/500 (500)
Entries: 102/114

Martin Zobel fired out for 10,000 into a pot of approximately 15,000 with the on the board and Tomasz Mros quickly called.

"Ace-five," Zobel said before seconds later turning over the .

Mros rechecked his hand before mucking his cards for Zobel to win the pot with trip fives.

Level 4: 200/500 (500)
Entries: 96/108

Both Joni Rantamaki and Juha Helppi (pictured below) got tangled up in a pot from the blinds when both players checked the  turn with already 15,000 in the pot.

Rantamaki fired out for 3,800 after the river completed the board. Helppi tanked for a minute before he raised to 15,000 and Rantamaki quickly called.

Helppi immediately turned over the for a full house.

"Nice hand," Rantamaki said as he tossed his hand face down into the muck.

Meanwhile, Taago Tamm lost his stack around the same time and will need to re-enter if he wants a shot at WSOPC Tallinn Main Event glory.

American Samuel Richards is easily the chip leader at the first break with 180,000. He shared during the break that he got it in with kings and was up against aces and queens. The kings got there to give him a lion's share of what he is sitting on now.

Check out the biggest stacks on break below:

Level 4: 200/500 (500)
Entries: 98/106

A handful of players hopped into the Main Event on the break to bring the Day 1a field past 100 entries and counting.

Main Event players are on their first 20-minute break. Blinds will increase to 200/500 with a 500 big blind ante when the action resumes.

Level 3: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 91/99

Ukraine's Daniel Korsunskyy fired out for 7,200 into a pot of around 12,000 with the on the board after the turn and was called by Rinalds Zimka.

The river completed the board and Korsunskyy tanked for a minute before betting 9,400. Zimka tanked for several minutes. He stared briefly at Korsunskyy who was stoically looking down at the table. A minute later, Zimka gave up on the hand and the dealer pushed a decent pile of chips towards Korsunskyy.

Level 3: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 91/97

Juha Helppi and Oleh Bohdanov (pictured below) got their stacks in on the turn with the  on the board with Bohdanov at risk but far ahead.

Oleh Bohdanov:
Juha Helppi:

Bohdanov appeared to be primed to double or worst case to chop the pot if the board double pair. However, Helppi nailed his three-outer to improve to a full house and send Bohdanov to the rail after the river completed the board.

"Easy game," Helppi said with a smile.

Level 3: 200/400 (400)
Entries: 86/89

Ori Hasson opened for 900 from the cutoff and was called by Taago Tamm from the button and Vadim Guk from the small blind.

Three monotone clubs came on the flop. Guk and Hasson both checked before Tamm led out for 1,100. This was enough for Guk to fold but Hasson had a different idea and raised to 3,500. Tamm called to see the turn.

Hasson paused for about 30 seconds before he bet 8,600. Tamm tanked for about as long before he called.

The river paired the board and Hasson fired out for 13,500.

Tamm counted out his chips before going into the tank for several minutes.

"Is it always aces with the ace of club or something else?" Tamm said.

Seconds later, Tamm called only to get the bad news with Hasson turning over the for the ace-high flush. This was enough as Tamm mucked his hand facedown.

"It was something better," Tamm said to Hasson as the dealer was getting ready for the next hand.

Level 2: 100/300 (300)
Entries: 79/81

Tornike Tchitadze fired out for 7,500 into a spread pot of a bit more with the on the board after the river.

Tomi Rasanen called and won the hand when his top set with was more than good against the top pair with held by Tchitadze.

Level 2: 100/300 (300)
Entries: 76/77

Latvians Olaf Karlins and Janis Zablovskis are both seated next to each other on Table 6 with both players holding around 75,000 in chips.

It wasn't these two players that locked up in a hand as instead it was Rauno Remmel and Martin Zobel battling it out.

We caught up with the hand with Zobel raising from the big blind to 3,800 and Remmel calling from late position.

Zobel fired out for 6,000 on the flop and Remmel called. The action slowed down on the turn with it taking more than a minute for Zobel to bet 15,000. Remmel tanked for several minutes before he laid down his hand.

Meanwhile, a different Estonian Hendry Kullamae was the first player to hit the rail in the Main Event.

Level 1: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 67/67

Mikael Gronvik hasn't had the best start to the day after losing three big pots. He shared one of the pots he lost involved ace-seven suited against ace-jack with two aces on the board. We caught the last of the three hands which brought him down to 11,500 from his 50,000 starting stack. Still plenty of big blinds but we are sure he'd like to restart the day.

Joel Lindpere checked before Mikael Gronvik checked. Torbjorn Larsen fired out for 7,100 into a pot of around double that with the on the board. Gronvik opted to call, while Lindpere folded.

Gronvik turned over the but his two pair wasn't good enough with Larsen taking down the pot with with a full house.

"I got very lucky there," Lindpere said to the table after the hand. "I had king-queen of clubs and was going for the flush."

If Lindpere hit his flush we would likely see him much lower in the chip counts. But that wasn't the case and, like Larsen, he is also above a starting stack.

Level 1: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 61/61

There were about 1,600 in chips in the pot with the already on the flop when Oleh Bohdanov check-called a 1,000 bet by Juha Helppi.

Bohdanov check-called a bigger bet by Helppi of 4,100 on the turn before leading out for 5,000 once the paired the board on the river.

Helppi tanked for close to a minute before he min-clicked it back with a raise to 10,000. Bohdanov tanked for more than a minute before he tossed a chip in to call. Helppi turned over the and won the hand after Bohdanov mucked his cards.

Level 1: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 45/45

WSOP bracelet winner Juha Helppi is easily the biggest name in poker already in the field. However, he isn't the only big name in action as former Estonian professional footballer Joel Lindpere also won a satellite yesterday and is in action.

Torbjorn Larsen, who was at the final table of Event #1: €555 No-Limit Hold'em, Mikael Gronvik, and Samuel Richards are among the other players to start the day with chips.

Level 1: 100/200 (200)
Entries: 42/42

Famous tournament director Teresa Nousiainen shared some announcements with the Main Event players before the action kicked off with 42 players in their seats.

Best of luck to all of the players and "Shuffle up and deal!"

The day we have all been waiting for is finally here as today is the start of the crown jewel of the inaugural World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) Tallinn with the first of four opening flights of the 2023 WSOPC Tallinn €1,500 Main Event kicks off on Tuesday at noon.

The four-day Main Event is a deep-stacked affair boasting four opening flights from Sept. 19-21 with players starting with 50,000 in opening chips. Blinds increase slowly at every 40 minutes during the first three opening flights with the final opening flight moving along a little quicker with 30-minute blind levels.

Players will have plenty of opportunities to accumulate chips with unlimited re-entries permitted throughout the four opening flights and during the first two blind levels of Day 2. The battle will continue on Sept. 22-24 until the first-ever WSOPC Tallinn Main Event winner is crowned.

We will see many big names, including Finnish poker legend Juha Helppi who arrived last night with his eyes on the Main Event gold ring awarded to the winner along with a healthy top prize and an invitation to a $1 million guaranteed 2023 WSOP Tournament of Champions freeroll where a WSOP bracelet is on the line.

Our coverage starts at noon with blinds at 100/200 and a 200 big blind ante. Follow the Main Event journey throughout the week while we report the biggest hands, bad beats, and stories until a winner is crowned.