$5,150 Championship Main Event Day 1 | 2008 World Series of Poker Circuit - Atlantic City

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

12-14-2008 13:01 UTC-4

Shuffle Up and Deal!

[user66118]

With those most famous words in poker, uttered by Tournament Director John Arthur, the World Series of Poker Circuit event is underway here in Atlantic City!

12-14-2008 12:57 UTC-4

The tournament time is drawing ever closer, and the room is set to go. The dealers have stacked out the chips, checked and double-checked the decks, and the players have begun to file into their seats. We expect to be underway close to noon, so sit tight.

We'll be right back for the start of play!

12-13-2008 20:20 UTC-4

2008 World Series of Poker Circuit: Harrah's Atlantic City

[user66118]

Welcome one and all to Atlantic City, New Jersey for PokerNews' continuing coverage of the 2008 World Series of Poker Circuit. The Circuit has already made one stop in town this year (at Caesars), but the action has moved off of the boardwalk this time around. Now we find ourselves on the blustery shores of the Absecon Channel as the Series returns to Harrah's Resort and Casino, which has been fully decked-out in World Series regalia. The side events here at the WSOP-C have been running since last Friday, and the series will culminate tomorrow with the $5,150-buy-in Main Event which is expected to draw a pleasing mix of pros and amateurs alike.

He may have snuck up on people in the past, but all eyes should be on John Racener this time around. In 2006, Racener worked his way from anonymity to a third-place finish here, marking his best effort at a Circuit event. His best effort, that is, until he found himself at the final table again one year later. In 2007, he turned that second consecutive final table appearance into a victory, outlasting 243 players to take home the title. Racener pocketed nearly $400,000 in addition to a shiny gold ring, and we expect him to be on hand once again to make a run towards his third straight deep finish at Harrah's.

Play gets underway at 12:00 noon local time (EDT) Sunday, so join us then for all the flops, turns, and rivers as we crown our next WSOP-C Champion!