The World Series of Poker is Here!

PokerNews' Live Reporting team would like to warmly welcome you to our exclusive coverage of the 2009 World Series of Poker! For the next seven weeks, our staff will be working away tirelessly to bring you all of the action directly from the tournament floor, and we couldn't be happier to provide you with live updates for all 57 bracelet events.

After ten long months of planning and preparation, it's one again time for the most exciting spectacle in all of poker. Today at nooon, the Series officially kicked off with the $500-buy-in Casino Employees event, the only event scheduled for this opening day. The event was been moved to the front of the schedule to get the ball rolling in the Rio, setting the stage for what promises to be a memorable summer. As the final loose ends are being tied up in the tournament room, dealers and floor staff have come from all over the world to take part in this opening event, and to fight it out for the first bracelet of the 2009 World Series.

PokerNews is on hand in the cavernous Amazon Room, and we'll be keeping an eye on Event #1 throughout the day. They'll play through level ten today before returning tomorrow for the run to the final table, where one lucky employee will ring in 2009 with a shiny new piece of jewelry.

Ladies and gentlemen... let the games begin!