LAS VEGAS (AP) — A 26-year-old poker professional who used to play online before federal indictments shut down the top poker websites to Americans has taken the chip lead at the World Series of Poker main event.
Phil Collins of Las Vegas picked up 3.5 million chips during the first two hours of play Sunday as 27 players were eliminated from the no-limit Texas Hold ’em tournament.
Collins — who had more than 3 times as many chips as the next highest player at his table — is using an aggressive style to put his opponents to tough decisions.
Collins says he’s playing the best poker of his life.
Ben Lamb is still in the tournament and has overtaken 11-time bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth Jr. in the series’ Player of the Year race.
