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

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!

12-14-2008 12:57 UTC-4

Almost Set to Go

[user66118]

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!

12-14-2008 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!

Level: 1

Blinds: 25/50

Ante: 0

12-14-2008 13:13 UTC-4

Familiar Faces

[user22113]

There are still plenty of empty seats, but among the players here so far are Shaun Deeb, Eric "sheets" Haber, Brett "Gank" Jungblut, Mark "The Omaholic" Roland, Jason Young, Brock Parker, Mike Sica, Dan Shak and John Spadavecchia

12-14-2008 13:27 UTC-4

A Few More Notables

[user66118]

We've also spotted Matt Brady, Billy Gazes, Eugene Todd, defending champion John Racener, and two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Jim McMahon amongst those in today's field.

There are more than 160 runners registered already, and players will continue to trickle in for the first two hours. We'll have the final tallies and prize pool information as soon as registration is finalized.

12-14-2008 13:30 UTC-4

Gazes Gets the Best of Todd... Bro

[user22113]

With the board reading {A-Clubs}

, Bill Gazes checked to Eugene Todd who bet 1,500 into the pot with about 3,000 in the middle. Gazes called and Todd showed {A-Hearts}

for top pair, but Gazes held {7-Hearts}

for two pair and dragged in the pot.

Bill Gazes is off to a nice start with 22,500, while Eugene Todd slips down to 17,000.

Tags: Bill Gazes Eugene Todd

12-14-2008 14:01 UTC-4

One Boring Level Down

[user66118]

As expected, the play is deliberate and measured here in the early going. The vast majority of the pots are being won with a single preflop raise or reraise, or a single bet on the flop.

"One minute remaining in this level," comes the digital voice over the speaker system. Time will tell whether or not the feeling-out period has ended with the conclusion of the first level.

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

12-14-2008 14:24 UTC-4

A Trio of Disguises

[user66118]

We join a three-way pot involving Brett "Gank" Jungblut right next to us on Table 1. The flop shows {8-Diamonds}

, and action is on Gank. He leads out with a bet of 650, which is quickly called by both opponents behind him.

The turn brings a troublesome {A-Diamonds}

. Jungblut checks, as does the man next to him, but the player on the button fingers his chips pensively for several minutes before flicking out 2,600 chips. Gank thought for a minute and then asked the dealer, "Is he allowed to wear a hat, sunglasses, and headphones at the table?" When the dealer nodded, Gank smiled and said, "It just doesn't seem fair."

Finally, he and the other player released their cards, and the pot was pushed to the player on the button. Gank is still healthy, sitting now just over his starting stack of 20,000.

Tags: Brett Jungblut Gank