Alan Sternberg Leads Day One $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em

American Alan Sternberg holds the chip lead on 260,600 after the first day of the $10,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em event of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas.

With countless high-quality pros entered in a 474-strong field to create a $4,455,600 prize pool, the 10 levels of play reduced the field by 312 to 162 as all the survivors chase the incredible $1,158,481 top prize and gold bracelet.

There had been serious concerns that, following the $5,000 version of this tournament having attracted 732 players, event #46 would struggle to even garner half that for the opening day.

But the unexpected 474 entrants created that massive prize pool which will see the winner leave with the first seven-figure payout at this year’s WSOP.

A trio of Americans fills the next three spots in Kevin Saul (242,600), Benjamin Lamb (223,000) and PokerStars Team Pro member Joe Cada (208,800), who moved into contention midway through the day.

Also in contention at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino are James Sowers (203,900), Jake Cody (198,900), McLean Karr (196,800), Farzad Bonyadi (190,800), Jamie Armstrong (190,000) and Nicholas Grippo (185,600) – and they are also all Americans.

Top 10 chip leaders after day one of the WSOP 2011 $10,000 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em event:

1. Alan Sternberg (USA) – 260,600

2. Kevin Saul (USA) – 242,600

3. Benjamin Lamb (USA) – 223,000

4. Joe Cada (USA) – 208,800

5. James Sowers (USA) – 203,900

6. Jake Cody (USA) – 198,900

7. McLean Karr (USA) – 196,800

8. Farzad Bonyadi (USA) – 190,800

9. Jamie Armstrong (USA) – 190,000

10. Nicholas Grippo (USA) – 185,600