Always a great conversationalist at the tables, Daniel Negreanu has definitely maintained that reputation today. He and tournament director Thomas Kremser were just discussing their favorite Internet videos. Negreanu is apparently quite a fan of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Funny or Die website (featuring the infamous sketch "The Landlord" where a foul-mouthed two-year-old girl plays Ferrell's landlord) and recommended that this reporter hit up YouTube and search for a video of hundreds of Filipino prisoners performing Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance (whaaat?) as well as one featuring a bird who dances along to Backstreet Boys songs.
Hey, anything to keep Day 1 interesting, I suppose!
Danny Silk and Ola Brandborn just clashed again. On an eight-high board with two hearts, Silk bet out 4,000 and Brandborn moved all in, having Silk significantly covered. Silk made the call and turned up pocket tens to Brandborn's (for a total bluff). The turn was a blank, but an ace hit the river, sending poor Danny back to Australia while Brandborn seized the chip lead with over 77,000 in his stack.
Noah Boeken checked in the dark before the flop came down. Daniel Negreanu moved a tower of blue 1,000 chips into the middle, setting Boeken all in for his remaining 2,875. After tanking for a few minutes, he made the call.
"I have nines," said Negreanu, flipping up .
Boeken turned up .
"That's what I thought you had, two overs!" exclaimed Kid Poker.
The turn was the , saving Boeken and leaving Negreanu drawing to the two remaining nines. The river was the and Boeken got a much-needed double-up to 10,000. Negreanu is still healthy, though, with 17,500.
Daniel Larsson had dropped to 4,700 and pushed with . He was looked up by a similarly-stacked big blind who had . The board was dealt out and Daniel doubled up with a straight on the turn.