Rafal Michalowski, a big winner online under the nicknames driftdc5 and lilfishy897, is the chip leader with 632,000.
Markus Gonsalves (502,000), Trevor Pope (465,000) and Ismael Bojang (463,000) join Vamplew (452,000) and Marchese (446,000) in the top six.
Vamplew, a former EPT London champ, is looking to top his best WSOP finish of fourth while Marchese is one of the most talented players in the world still without a bracelet.
Serock, Rast, Benger, Kelly All Still Battling
Among the remaining 28 players are a slew of impressive names led by Joe Serock.
A former WPT Player of the Year, Serock sits just behind the leaders with 372,000. Also close on the heels of the top pack are two-time bracelet winner Brian Rast (270,000) and EPT Berlin High Roller champ Griffin Benger (265,000).
Dan "djk123" Kelly (224,000) and David "Doc" Sands (172,000) are also still in the mix. The top ten in chips heading to Day 3:
1. Rafal Michalowski 632,000 2. Markus Gonsalves 502,000 3. Trevor Pope 465,000 4. Ismael Bojang 463,000 5. David Vamplew 452,000 6. Tom Marchese 446,000 7. Joe Serock 372,000 8. Darryll Fish 354,000 9. Tony Gargano 304,000 10. Brian Rast 270,000Action will pick up again from the Rio at 2 pm and wil play down to a final eight. With 481 total entries, top prize is a tidy $553,906 along with the bracelet.
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Nishijima Leads After Day 1 in Event #3, $1k No-Limit Hold'em
Over on the other side of the Rio one of the massive, signature $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em tournaments was getting underway with two Day 1 flights.
A total of 1,821 players took a crack at it with Brazilian pro Thiago "XTheDecanoX" Nishijima emerging as the leader to start Day 2 with 108,509.
The top 10 in chips:
1. Thiago Nishijima 108,509 2. Jerry Payne 99,425 3. Charles Sylvestre 85,600 4. Caufman Talley 56,525 5. Thiagara Arumugam 54,225 6. Abraham Araya 51,375 7. Leo Wolpert 45,375 8. Burt Boutin 45,100 9. Trevor Kirkland 43,950 10. Howard Reid 42,12518-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps also hung around for Day 2 with 8,825. Play picks up again at 1 pm from the Rio.
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