When we arrived at Keven Stammen's table, he was putting in 2,100 to call a preflop raise from Antonio Estorino Da Silva, who was under the gun. Stammen check-called 2,000 on the flop, but the turn prompted him to come out betting with 3,600. Da Silva called, and the finished out the board. Stammen blasted out 8,000, but Da Silva was far from intimidated by the big bet, as he slid in all of his big chips, which appeared to be 24,000. Stammen folded quickly.
Noted poker author James McManus is here taking part in the Main Event and is chatting it up with his table mates about his hometown of Chicago. McManus has had some success at the felt as well with a fifth place finish in the 2000 World Series of Poker Main Event at a final table that included T.J. Cloutier, Mickey Appleman, Tom Franklin, Jeff Shulman, Hassan Habib, and eventual winner Chris Ferguson. McManus chronicled that finish as well as the tale of the Ted Binion's murder in the best-selling book, Positively Fifth Street.
Chris Klodnicki has also just taken his seat, directly to the left of Anthony Gregg.
From the small blind, Michael Aron check-called 2,000 from cutoff Justin Bonomo on a board. Aron checked once more on the turn, and Bonomo fired 5,000 after thinking for awhile. Aron considered for a minute or so and tossed in a blue chip to call, and Bonomo quickly turned over for ace-high. Aron showed to take the pot with top pair.
The 2014 World Poker Tour Championship Event winner Keven Stammen came to his table and upon seeing that he would be sitting immediately to Scott Seiver's left said "yes" as he did a small fist pump. Others recently taking their seat include Michael Katz and Marco Johnson.
After the community came , a player in middle position fired 5,000. Dominik Nitsche shoved all in for what looked to be about 13,000, and his opponent mucked fairly quickly.
Nitsche claimed his third bracelet this summer when he took down a $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em event for $335,659, and the young German pro has nearly $3.8 million in live cashes to his name.
With 400 in the pot, the 2014 winner of this event Dominik Panka checked on a flop of . His opponent, Daniel Colman, bet 500 and was called by Panka.
The turn was the and Panka checked again and this time Colman bet 2,500 into the 1,400 pot. Panka quickly folded and Colman, who is perhaps the hottest poker player in the planet right now, added to his stack.
Among the latest arrivals are Matt Haugen and Jeff Madsen. Haugen made a notable run in last year's Main Event, leading the counts after Day 4 before ultimately busting in 28th for more than $230,000. He has about $730,000 in career live cashes. Madsen, a three-time bracelet winner, has more than $4.6 million in live cashes.
With 1,200 in the pot and the board showing , 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event runner up John Racener put out a bet of 600 first to act. His opponent thought for a moment before calling and Racener turned over for a pair of queens. His opponent slid his cards to the dealer and Racener took down the small pot.
flop, but the 
turn prompted him to come out betting with 3,600. Da Silva called, and the 
finished out the board. Stammen blasted out 8,000, but Da Silva was far from intimidated by the big bet, as he slid in all of his big chips, which appeared to be 24,000. Stammen folded quickly.
board. Aron checked once more on the 
turn, and Bonomo fired 5,000 after thinking for awhile. Aron considered for a minute or so and tossed in a blue chip to call, and Bonomo quickly turned over 
for ace-high. Aron showed 
to take the pot with top pair.
, a player in middle position fired 5,000. Dominik Nitsche shoved all in for what looked to be about 13,000, and his opponent mucked fairly quickly.
. His opponent, Daniel Colman, bet 500 and was called by Panka.
and Panka checked again and this time Colman bet 2,500 into the 1,400 pot. Panka quickly folded and Colman, who is perhaps the hottest poker player in the planet right now, added to his stack.
, 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event runner up John Racener put out a bet of 600 first to act. His opponent thought for a moment before calling and Racener turned over 
for a pair of queens. His opponent slid his cards to the dealer and Racener took down the small pot.