Vanessa Peng Leads WSOP 2011 $5,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em Event

South Carolina’s Vanessa Peng is in a wonderful position to become the first woman to win a World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet at this year’s series after finishing day two of the $5,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em as chip leader in Las Vegas.

The 817-strong field had been cut to just 263 by the start of day two in the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, but that was further reduced to only 34 survivors as Peng moved top on 801,000, to be followed by Andrew Savitz (700,000), of Massachusetts, and Charlotte’s Narendra Banwari (699,000).

The action was fast and furious throughout last night’s 10 levels as the likes of Tony and Joe Hachem, Nick and Michael Binger, PokerStars Team Pro Lex Veldhuis, Justin Smith, Shannon Shorr, Andy Black and Jake Cody fell short of the money.

However, Nevada-based pro Sam Stein – who collected $420,802 for winning the $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event this year – finished in 53rd for $14,937, while Canada’s Mark Radoja picked up $17,817 for his 43rd-place finish and New Jersey’s Allen Bari left with $10,790 in 64th.

PokerStars Team Pros Gualter Salles (38th for $17,817), of Brazil, and Norway’s Johnny Lodden (59th for $12,633) also cashed, while Josh Arieh (69th for $10,790), of Georgia, and Florida’s John Racener (65th for $10,790) managed to make the money, as well.

Day one chip leader Mark Herm, of Pennsylvania, is also still in contention with a 265,000 stack, while numerous players – including Ryan Young, Jeff Sarwer, Dylan Wilkerson, Darryl Ronconi, Ben Volpe, Isaac Baron and Andrew Savitz – at one point held the chip lead before Peng took over at the top.

Vegas-based Eric Froehlich had come closest to breaking the one million barrier with about 120 minutes to play last night, but had dropped back down to 14th on 399,000 come the end of the 10 levels.

It will be interesting to see if Peng can outlast the other 33 competitors still in the event as the $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship kicks off this evening, although she will also face challenges from high-quality players such as Jeff Williams, Barry Greenstein, Vitaly Lunkin and David ‘Bakes’ Baker.

Top 10 chip leaders after day two of the WSOP 2011 $5,000 Triple Chance No-Limit Hold’em event:

1. Vanessa Peng (USA) – 801,000

2. Andrew Savitz (USA) – 700,000

3. Narendra Banwari (USA) – 699,000

4. Dylan Wilkerson (USA) – 646,000

5. Darryl Ronconi (USA) – 563,000

6. James Routos (USA) – 530,000

7. Felipe Montenegro (USA) – 527,000

8. Adam Geyer (USA) – 522,000

9. Jeff Sarwer (Canada) – 442,000

10. Benjamin Volpe (USA) – 431,000