Live Updates
Haxhia Bags Day 1b Chip Lead
March 8, 2026 @ 09:49 PM
The tables are set for Day 2 of the 2026 Bar Poker Open Florida World Championship as Day 1b came to a close at the Palm Beach Kennel Club Poker Room. A total of 101 entries produced 11 players who advanced to Day 2, where the qualified players will compete for their share of the estimated $100,000 prize pool.
Vangjel Haxhia was the top finisher on Day 1b as they bagged the only seven-figure stack with 1,004,000. Haxhia was followed by Ron Mangiarelli (474,000) and Pat Aguiar (380,000) as the top three stacks that came out of Day 1b.
Day 1b Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | League | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vangjel Haxhia | United States | New York Free Poker | 1,004,000 | 84 |
| 2 | Ron Mangiarelli | United States | Pikes Peak Poker | 474,000 | 39 |
| 3 | Pat Aguiar | United States | Eastern Poker Tour | 380,000 | 32 |
| 4 | Chris Thatcher | United States | No Limit Pub Poker Tour | 272,000 | 23 |
| 5 | David Silva | United States | No Limit Pub Poker Tour | 219,000 | 18 |
| 6 | Thomas Heinlein | United States | No Limit New York | 190,000 | 16 |
| 7 | Tony Gately | United States | No Limit Pub Poker Tour | 187,000 | 16 |
| 8 | Domenico Armano | United States | Eastern Poker Tour/No Limit Pub Poker Tour | 119,000 | 10 |
| 9 | Rich Stepanian | United States | Eastern Poker Tour | 87,000 | 7 |
| 10 | James Shelton | United States | No Limit Pub Poker Tour | 66,000 | 6 |
| 11 | Jolanda Tedford | United States | Str8 Luck | 34,000 | 3 |
Haxhia spoke with PokerNews after his successful Day 1b and how he feels entering Day 2 of play.
"I've been playing BPO (Bar Poker Open) since their first tournaments," Haxhia said. "I've made the final day several times, but I've never been chip leader. I feel that maybe it's going to be my day."
Day 2 will begin at 11:15 a.m. local time at the Palm Beach Kennel Club Poker Room. Play is scheduled to continue until a winner is determined. Gorilla Gaming will provide a live stream with cards-up coverage of the final table.
Play will resume at Level 18 with 15:51 remaining on the clock and blinds at 6,000/12,000. Every player advancing to Day 2 is already in the money.
Check back here at PokerNews for all your updates on the 2026 Bar Poker Open Florida World Championship.
