Kirk Adams, Chip Leader

The 11 am flight is in the books and the chip leader is Kirk Adams (St. Pete Beach, FL) who bags 206,100 and is thrilled to be playing close to home.

“I travel a lot,” said the full time pro, “so to have a series 45 minutes away is awesome.”

Adams is one of 18 players who bagged chips and will return Sunday for Day 2. Second in chips is Dean “Jimmy” Dowda (Orlando, FL) who finished with 177,300 after leading earlier in the day.

Adams’ good start continues his best year to date in poker as he has a couple of final tables and $30,000+ in tournament earnings alone from Biloxi, Mississippi. He’s been playing professionally since 2006 when he was doing well enough online to quit his job as a bartender.

“I miss bartending, the social aspect of it,” said the 34-year-old Adams, but he doesn’t bring that part of his personality to the table. “You’re trying to take their money. It’s not like sitting around to watch a football game,” he said.

And speaking of football, Adams is staying put Saturday to watch the SEC Championship game, which meant poker was out of the question.

“I had extra incentive to play well (today), said Adams, “I’m doing it for Auburn. War Eagle”

The 18 remaining players will join the remainder of Flights 1A & 1B at noon Sunday to play for their piece of the $150,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool