Stories to Follow on Day 2 at the NHC

It’s moving day at the NHC. We are live today from 11 pt until after the leaderboard is final. Click here to listen.

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All you need is a chip in a chair.

That’s a famed poker axiom and Dave Gutfreund, who’s had plenty of success on the felt and with horses, is going to have to live up to today.

“After all that hype and excitement, yesterday was dreadful,” he admitted. Of his 18 picks, none finished first or second.

“I have arguably spent too much time analyzing the debacle and have come to the lame conclusion that it just wasn’t my day,” he wrote. “Looking at results and trying to figure what (with my views/opinions) I could have had for winners, there just wasn’t much for me.”

Still, he remains philosophical. “A miracle of miracles is needed to even get into contention,” he said. “It’s not likely but will try my best, that’s all I can do.”

He maintained his sense of humor, tweeting a pic of a donut very much like the one that accompanies this blog post. He reflects on his day more over on twitter, making a bunch of good points about gambling and life.

Steve and I had the pleasure of having him on the show yesterday for a long stretch and he was fantastic, lots of great information for tournament players. I’ll post a link to that when it gets archived.

ROSEN BONUS HUNTING

Little Red Feather Partner Joe Rosen, who won the NHC Tour, is playing for a $1 million bonus in addition to the $800,000 first prize. “I’m just blown away,” said Rosen, who is a dual qualifier. “I got a little lucky on that first mandatory race. I had the favorite that got scratched right at the beginning and got my pick switched to the longshot I also liked at 15-1. That gave me a good start to the day.”

WHT FORM WORKING OUT WELL

Three players in particular from the World Horseplayers’ Tour final table are in good spots, Frank McGoey, Garett Skiba and Tony Zhou. All are known more for live-bank play but their understanding of game theory – especially fantasy sports game theory – makes each man a threat no matter the format.

Zhou is 12^thwith $140.60, McGoey is 34^thwith $111.40, and Skiba is 47^thwith $102.60.

Justin Mustari, 23, isn’t far behind Skiba in 62^ndwith $94.80, and Tom Arndt is 120^thwith $77.20.

LITTLEMORE BIDS FOR HISTORY

Defending NHC champion Chris Littlemore is sitting in 18th with a bankroll of $130.40, a spot he feels more than sets him up for a shot at making history to become the tournament’s first ever two-time champion.

“It’s about the same. I think I’m five bucks ahead of last year,” Littlemore said. “I was doing brutal and all of a sudden I hit three in a row and went from zero to $92 in about 20 minutes and that’s how it worked out.”

PAULS LURKING

Hall of Famer Paul Shurman has finished in the top ten at this event three times before, and he’s in a good spot heading into today, 26^thwith $122.

Former champ Paul Matties is a bit further back but it’s notable that he has two entries in the $80 range. That gives him leverage in his bid to advance to the semifinals. Most players are guessing it will take between $175 and $185 to stay in the top 10 percent of the field and continue on to play on Championship Sunday.

Full standings, which update after mandatory races, can be viewed online at NTRA.com.