Event 2 - $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Day 1a | 2008 World Series of Poker

05-31-2008 12:58 UTC-7

James Van Alstyne Unlucky with the Ladies

[user40108]

The chip stack of tournament veteran James Van Alstyne just took a considerable hit when his {Q-Clubs}

ran into the {K-Hearts}

of his opponent. The community cards were no help to "JVA" and with that hit he drops down to just 1,100 chips.

05-31-2008 13:00 UTC-7

Boyd is in Dutch

[user66118]

Dutch Boyd just became involved in a big pot, no more than a half hour after taking his seat. He and another player, Gabriel Alarie, saw a flop of {2-Spades}

, and were heads up to the turn.

Fourth street fell the {K-Spades}

, and Boyd made a small bet. Alarie raised it up, and Boyd made the call.

The river brought the {8-Spades}

, and Boyd checked to the raiser. Alarie bet out 800 chips, and Boyd went into the tank for several minutes, slowly shuffling his chips and staring down at the felt in front of him. Finally, he made his play, pushing his remaining 2,550 chips into the pot, which Alarie quickly called.

Boyd showed {10-Spades}

for the flush, but was over-flushed by his opponent who tabled {J-Spades}

.

On his way out, Boyd made the walk around the table to shake Alarie's hand, and even handed over his bandana as a bounty.

Tags: Dutch Boyd

05-31-2008 13:02 UTC-7

What Are the Odds?

[user40108]

Making a fashionably late arrival, young gun Alex Jacob and his girlfriend just arrived and took their seats in this event. Ironically enough, both Jacob and his ladyfriend drew seats in the Rio poker room, a statistical improbability in and of itself.

05-31-2008 13:02 UTC-7

Superstition Runs Rampant

[user38971]

In a sea of mostly unknown players, many have brought with them a little something they hope will help them reach the money. Of all the luck charms swimming in this poker sea, highlights include: a miniature skull, a container of Tabasco sauce, domino chips, a red snake toy, a Shrek Donkey Pez dispenser, and a small Lego bridge.

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

05-31-2008 13:09 UTC-7

One Chair per Player

[user66118]

A player just came over to our PokerNews table here in the Tropical Room and asked to take one of our spare chairs. Not knowing who he was, we obliged and he made his way off into the ocean of players with a seat in his hands.

A few moments later, a floor person spotted him sitting in two chairs stacked one on top of the other, putting himself a head above the rest of his table.

"That's highly illegal and dangerous," the staff member remarked.

From the other side of the table, a player retorted, "So is heroin!"

05-31-2008 13:10 UTC-7

Settling In

[user75032]

With an hour of play completed, most of the players (absent the early bust-outs) have mastered their nerves and are hunkering down for the long haul. Casual conversation has broken out at just about every table, with topics ranging from the previous night's cash games to the quality of the food at this year's WSOP. Mixed in, of course, are numerous bad-beat stories.

05-31-2008 13:14 UTC-7

Forrest Chopped

[user38971]

Ted Forrest was all in preflop against a single opponent. Once the dealer called for the players to reveal their hands, surprisingly they both turned over A-K. Either player probably would have preferred a double-up, but both were certainly happy to not be eliminated.

Tags: Ted Forrest

05-31-2008 13:16 UTC-7

Donkeybomber Bombs

[user42991]

The 2007 Player of the Year Tom "DonkeyBomber" Schneider has been eliminated from today's event. He will will have to wait until Monday before attempting a run at the 2008 Player of the Year title.

Tags: Tom Schneider

05-31-2008 13:17 UTC-7

Deeb Eliminated

[user38971]

Freddy Deeb has been eliminated. On a board of {K-Clubs}

he called an opponent's bet of 1100. The river brought the {5-Spades}

, Deeb checked, and his opponent put Deeb all in for his remaining 1125. Deeb made the call and his opponent showed pocket sixes for a set. Deeb said, "Nice hand" as he tossed his cards into the muck.

Tags: Freddy Deeb