Brazilian Series of Poker delayed for Neymar Jr.

After 12 hours of play, the 288-entry field was whittled down to the final 19 and Neymar Jr. sat fourth in chips – he’d worked his 60,000 starting stack up to 1.391 million – while all of his buddies had fallen to the wayside, PokerNews reports. On Tuesday, the field returned to action with the plan of playing down to a winner, but when Neymar Jr. reached the final table of nine, an audible was called.

According to the PokerStars Blog, the football forward was set to attend a wedding as best man that evening. The other eight players generously agreed to postpone the final table until Wednesday, and in exchange the BSOP covered all extra expenses including the cost of a hotel and any flight change fees.

Neymar Jr., who had PokerStars Team Pro Andre Akkari on his rail throughout, will return to the final table sixth in chips with 1.93 million. Also still in contention are two-time LAPT champ Oscar Alache and reigning BSOP Player of the Year Affif Prado, who sit with 1.52 million and 2.015 million respectively.

The remaining nine are guaranteed at least R$35,550 ($9,500) in prize money while the eventual winner will take home R$341,050 ($90,000).

Action will resume at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday. Cards will get back in the air in Level 23 (25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante).