As the second one-hour level begins and we make our way through the still mostly full Brasilia room once more, a few more familiar faces are appearing among the group, including Jennifer Leigh, Lauren Kling, Marsha Waggoner, Lizzy Harrison, Tiffany Michelle, Victoria Coren, and Shirley Rosario.
The big board is showing that the total field has already moved up over 900 entrants. Late registration remains open until the start of Level 5.
The tournament staff here at Event 51 are all looking especially suave, dressed to kill in 1920s-style striped zoot suits and cool dark hats with wide white brims.
A lot of well-dressed players here today, too. It probably goes without saying that fashion-wise, the ladies event is always going to be well above average. It's enough to make your humble blogger, donning the standard reporter's outfit of t-shirt and jeans, to feel underdressed.
A player raised from middle position and got three callers, including Lizzy Harrison on the button. The flop came . The small blind checked, the original raiser checked, the next player bet 400, then Harrison raised all in for her last 1,200. The small blind then reraise-pushed over the top for about 3,000, forcing folds from the other two players.
Harrison tabled for queens, while her opponent turned over for the flush draw. The turn and river brought a couple of hearts — and — completing the flush and sending Harrison railward.
It appears we've lost both Erika Moutinho and Jennifer Tilly during this level, as a return trip to their tables — yet to be broken — found empty seats.
"I do not know if any of you ladies are single, but the two guys I'm about to introduce to you are… rich!"
So said WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel as he introduced the two bracelet winners for today's ceremony which took place on the main stage here in the Brasilia Room, delaying the start of Level 3 for a few minutes. First up was Joey Weissman, winner of Event 46: $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em, followed by Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who took down Event 45: $50,000 Poker Players Championship.
The American national anthem was played to recognize both. Back to the poker!
Vanessa Rousso registered for this event after the first break. She took a seat at Table 16 and found herself seated between two fellow pros, Danielle Anderson and Erica Schoenberg. Vanessa and Danielle have already ordered shots from the cocktail waitress, so we'll be keeping an eye on this one throughout the day.