$5,000 Circuit Championship Event Day 1 | 2008 WSOP Circuit Event - Council Bluffs

02-25-2008 01:26 UTC-5

2008 WSOPC - Council Bluffs

[user38449]

On Monday, February 25th, the World Series of Poker Circuit returns to the Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa for the 2008 version of its $5,000 Championship Event.

Last year's winner Kosta "Gus" Sengos took home over $200,000 in 1st place prize money after besting a field of 142 players that included 2000 WSOP Champ Chris "Jesus" Ferguson and multiple WSOP bracelet winner T.J. Cloutier.

PokerNews will be on site to bring you the latest news, chip counts and photos direct from the tournament floor. Live coverage begins at 12:00 p.m. local time. We hope to see you then!

02-25-2008 11:59 UTC-5

Play Scheduled to Begin in One Hour

[user40108]

The tournament room is still somewhat deserted, but in just over an hour, the seats will be filled and the championship event will be underway.

02-25-2008 12:30 UTC-5

The Venue

[user40108]

Opened is 1986 as the Bluffs Run Greyhound Park, the Horseshoe Casino is now a Harrah's property near the Missouri River in the Omaha suburb of Council Bluffs, Iowa. Boasting over 88,000 square feet of gaming space, including table games, slots, and the dog racing for which it got its start, the Horseshoe is one of a handful of casinos in the area which have grown to thrive in the wake of recent liberalization of Iowa gaming laws.

02-25-2008 12:58 UTC-5

Play About To Begin

[user40108]

Despite a sea of empty chairs, it has just been announced the play will begin within five minutes.

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

02-25-2008 13:07 UTC-5

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user40108]

After a brief summary of the rules, play is officially underway.

02-25-2008 13:12 UTC-5

Famous Face(s)

[user40108]

Pending some late arrivals, Brandon Cantu is the only notable spotted in the field thus far.

02-25-2008 13:27 UTC-5

Field Update

[user40108]

With roughly 55 minutes remaining until registration closes, there are currently 11 active tables. With play nine-handed and a few empty seats throughout, it doesn't take a mathematician to notice that this year's turnout failed to meet that of last years. Official numbers will be posted once they're available.

02-25-2008 13:51 UTC-5

Another Day at the Office

[user40108]

Giovanni Marcacci is another notable with his eyes on the final table of today's event. Marcacci has picked up $140,500 in career earnings, all of which have come from WSOP circuit events. Most recently, Marcacci finished in third place at the WSOP-C Tunica event for a career-best $129,760 payday.

02-25-2008 14:10 UTC-5

Player Down

[user40108]

Not long after the routine yell of "Seat Open," the tournament director just joked over the P.A., "Ok, players, you can gamble it up now...someone has been knocked out so you don't have to worry about being the first one."