The field in Event 1 ($350 No-Limit Hold’em) has dropped below 310 players, and the tournament staff has asked the dealers to complete the current hand and then stop the action. As soon as all the tables finish their current hand, the Money Bubble will begin.

The final 306 players will finish in the money, guaranteed at least $407.

Action will continue tonight until the field reaches the final table or 3:00 am, whichever happens first.

A careful scan thru the field of Event 1 ($350 No-Limit Hold’em) at the break turned up about a dozen players with more than 500,000 in chips. Here’s a look at the top of the leaderboard:

1.  Robert Malloy  –  780,000  (130 bb)
2.  Brayden Fritzshall  –  715,000  (119 bb)
T-3.  Zachary Kessler  –  645,000  (107 bb)
T-3.  Angelo Miele  –  645,000  (107 bb)
5.  Francis Margaglione  –  605,000  (100 bb)
6.  Marvin Young  –  600,000  (100 bb)

There were 375 players remaining at the break, and 20 minutes later, that number has already fallen to 342. The field will reach the money at 306 players.

There is a lot of action out in the field, and there has already been some movement at the top of the leaderboard since the break. Robert Malloy and Brayden Fritzshall have both fallen below 700,000, and Angelo Miele has taken the lead with about 720,000.

Miele may have the tournament chip lead, but he’s not in a great position at his table. Marvin Young is sitting on his immediate left, now with about 675,000 in chips.

Zachary Kessler was poised to take the chip lead after David Diaz moved all in from the button for 104,500 with . Kessler called with a dominating .

But the board came , and Diaz rivered a queen-high straight to win the pot and double up to about 230,000.

If his A-Q would have held up, Kessler would’ve had the chip lead with about 780,000, but instead he has fallen to about 550,000.