Day 1D has turned out to be the largest single day field for a World Series Main event. Lindy will get you the final numbers later but it looks like the field is in the neighborhood of 2200, which will surpass the old record from Day 1D of 2006. This means that the ‘08 Main Event will be larger than ‘07 and second only to ‘06.
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With every table in all five locations around the Rio in play today, some of the tables were playing ten-seated. As registration closed after the first two levels the first order of floor business was to break those tables down to nine players before any other tables were broken and players were moved. All-in-all the process went smoothly.
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Today was clearly the Day One of Choice for the professionals, even with the huge number of tables in play, it was easy to stroll through any of the venue sites and spot big names among the online wannabes and the next Jerry Raymer, Chris Yang or Greg Moneymaker.
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Not quite sure why there is an off day tomorrow. Last year the Day 1A & 1B players were back to play Day 2A and then the Day 1C & 1D players were on for Day 2B. Then we had the day off on the 7th day. This year with tomorrow off, it will be Day 2A on Tuesday and Day 2B on Wednesday and Day 3 on Thursday. This means the Day 2B players will have to go back-to-back, while the Day 2A players get another day off. Wonder why?
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Until today I have been impressed by the stamina of the media corps this year. While this has been WSOP-lite for me in 2008, many others were in the trenches every day and the survival rate has been high. Today, I noticed the tell tale signs that a few of my colleagues have been in one place far too long. It’s not Vegas, it’s one big poker room with the same story over and over. Hard to find the “story of the day” for six straight weeks.
As expected Day 1C was a much bigger field than either 1A or 1B. Estimates for tomorrow’s Day 1D are all over the board with many predictions of over 2,000. To match last year’s Main Event total the magic number is 1,985.
Lots of name professionals are playing tomorrow and plenty of other players are coming in after spending the Fourth of July with family and friends. So, “close” will be the operational word tomorrow for all of those over/under wagers on the total runners in the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event.
TODAY: 2008 Main Event Day 1C: 1928 entrants [4,373 three day total]
2007 Main Event Day 1C: 1743 entrants [4,575]
2008 Main Event Day 1B: 1158 entrants [2455 two day total]
2007 Main Event Day 1B: 1545 entrants [2832]
2008 Main Event Day 1A: 1297 entrants
2007 Main Event Day 1A: 1287 entrants
2008 Day 1D: Sunday?
2007 Day 1D: 1783 entrants
As expected a much bigger field showed up for this Day 1C on a Saturday. Both the Amazon and the Brazilia rooms at the Rio were near full. Rumors were that Day 1D tomorrow was sold out but we can confirm this is only a rumor and seats remain available for Sunday. Lindy will provide accurate numbers when they become available.
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The Mega Satellites were smaller yesterday but those fields have come back big today too. The 1 PM Mega Satellite was sold out and seats for the 4 PM,6 PM, and 9 PM were going fast.
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Another “two of my favorite players” sighting today. Mike Matusow was playing at the ESPN feature table and doing well. Liz Lieu was also in the field and after a Diva-like tardy arrival, she also was on the upside of the chip race.
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Interesting that some of the media, who came in only for the main event, are now complaining about the long hours. My fellow full-time, full-tournament media friends can only laugh at those who find covering one tournament a day for only five rounds to be a tough assignment.
This year Day 1B was smaller than Day 1A, unlike 2007 when the field grew each successive day. But we still have two big fields to count on Days 1C & 1D.
In 2007 the final two days had much bigger fields and that is anticipated again this year; some early registration numbers indicate Saturday and Sunday will be much larger.
2008 Day 1D: Sunday?
2007 Day 1D: 1783 entrants
2008 Day 1C: Saturday?
2007 Day 1C: 1743 entrants
2008 Main Event Day 1B: 1158 entrants [2455 two day total]
2007 Main Event Day 1B: 1545 entrants [2832]
2008 Main Event Day 1A: 1297 entrants
2007 Main Event Day 1A: 1287 entrants
The field for Day 1B is clearly smaller than for Day 1A, there are sixteen empty tables in the main tournament area. Cash games continue in that section of the room. Final number for today will not be avaiable until at least the end of round three (the dinner break).
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All five of the multi-table satellites yesterday had over 225 players. The largest was the $330 with 390 starters. Numbers were a bit off today with the July 4th holiday. A full slate of satellites are running tomorrow and a final 8 AM Mega on Sunday.
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Two of my favorite players were in the field today. Bill Edler and Kristy Gazes. Two very good players and just plain great people. Kristy has three cashes so far this Series; Bill has been blanked this year but we all remember his bracelet last summer and his great run in the Main Event (23rd). I like to point out players like these two, if only to balance the other side of poker offered by the Doctor of Darkness Pauly.
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The online qualifiers were even more prominent today with the new t-shirts, hats and stick-on logos seemingly at every other seat.
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I took in the Life Style Expo during the first level, I was hoping for one real hi-lite. Just when it looked like I was going to have to settle for a Doyle book signing; I discovered the Cyndy Violette clothing emporium with Cyndy herself there to smile happiness into anyone’s day.
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I also stopped by the Cardoza Publishing booth. I predict the Cardoza display will be one of the hottest attractions at next year’s Life Style Expo.
A comparatively small field (1400ish) turned out for the first of four Day One flights. Speculation on just what that means for the total 2008 Main Event can wait a couple of days; I would point out this is Thursday with a big weekend in front of us and tomorrow is the Fourth of July here in the States. But just a couple of days will tell all we need to know.
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There is a 25 table Mega Satellite ($1060) going on across the hall which will produce another two dozen players for the Main Event. I spotted Kenna James and Steve Dannenmann playing for a cheap seat. Another Mega goes off at 9 PM tonight. Two more tomorrow and two more Saturday.
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Michael Craig and Dave “Devilfish” Ulliott were involved in four hands heads up in just the first hour of play. Michael dragged all four of those pots. Methinks the Devilfish will be after Michael the rest of the day. Maureen Feduniak is also at this table and I expect her to stay away from the boyz squabble, unless she can stack one of them. [Update: Suhail Falchouri ended the Devilfish vs. Craig confrontations by taking QQ against Ulliott’s 99 and he Devilfish is gone]
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I spotted one of my personal favorite players today, Dale Pinchot, he has been active though, we just have missed each other. He has two cashes in the Series this summer to go along with his two from last year.
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I have been catching up with many of the dealers I know from past WSOP summers and have heard some interesting stories about this WSOP and the overall dealer climate in Las Vegas. I will save those for a “dealers only” article later on in the Main Event.
A lot of people seemed surprised that today (Day 1A) “only” had as many entrants as last year. Seems like a pretty good number for a Thursday and one full table ahead of last year.
2008 Main Event Day 1A: 1297 entrants
2007 Main Event Day 1A: 1287 entrants
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