For the first time ever, an EPT high roller event is being held before the main event which has apparently led to another first, Viktor “Isildur1” Blom is the chip leader of a live tournament after Day 1 with 208,200.

There were 58 players entered in the €25,000 buy-in EPT Madrid High Roller, although not all of them were there at the start of play. Tom Dwan was delayed by travel from the United States, showing up 7 hours late and with only 27,200 chips of his original 50,000. Interestingly, he faced his online nemesis, Blom, on the first two tables he played, although they didn't clash. Dwan's cards didn't allow for much action as he was blinded down to 16,900. Blinds will be 500-1,000 on Friday, so Dwan will need to get aggressive to make up for his slow start and coming into Day 2 as the shortest stack.

Some pros who fared well on Day 1 included Benny Spindler (208,269), Andrew "luckychewy" Lichtenberger (156,400), PCA champ Galen Hall and PokerStars pro Johnny Lodden (114,000).

Still alive but under their starting stacks are Bertrand 'ElkY' Grospellier, Vanessa Rousso, and Eugene Katchalov.

Thirty-seven players remain of the original 58 after level 8. Some notables to be eliminated on Day 1 included Vanessa Selbst, Martin Jacobson, WSOP champion Jonathan Duhamel, and Jason Mercier.

Viktor Blom Leads EPT Madrid High Roller After Day 1