$5,150 Circuit Championship Main Event Day 1 | 2009 World Series of Poker Circuit - Tunica

02-02-2009 14:47 UTC-5

By the Numbers

[user66118]

Today's field of 154 runners generated a total prize pool of $735,900. Eighteen players will earn paychecks at the end of the tournament, with the bottom level of cash being worth $11,029. Each of the nine final tablists will earn at least $22,077.

The lucky man or woman who manages to outlast all the rest will receive an $11,000 WSOP Main Event package, a stunning gold and diamond championship ring, and an oversized check for $183,974. Not too shabby for three days of work!

02-02-2009 14:35 UTC-5

Kathy Liebert Chips Up

[user42991]

The board on the turn was {J-Hearts}

and a player in seat one bet 500 into a 700 pot. Liebert then raised to 1,500 and received a call.

The river fell the {5-Spades}

and action was checked to Liebert. She then bet out 2,500 and was called. Liebert showed {K-Spades}

for trip kings.

After the pot, Liebert moved up to 29,000 in chips.

Tags: Kathy Liebert

02-02-2009 14:21 UTC-5

Gavin Smith Bleeding Chips

[user42991]

The pot was 350 as Gavin Smith and two other players saw a flop of {10-Clubs}

. Action was checked to Smith, who bet out 450. James Hoots and another player sitting in the one seat made the call.

The turn fell the {K-Hearts}

, and action was again checked to Smith. Smith bet out 1,100 and Hoots raised to 3,000. Both Smith and the one seat made the call.

The river fell the {6-Diamonds}

and action was checked to Hoots. Hoots bet out 3,000 and the one seat folded. Smith tanked for a while and started mumbling to himself about Hoots having two pair. Finally, Smith made the call.

Hoots showed {J-Clubs}

for a straight, and Smith disgustingly threw his cards into the muck.

After the hand, Smith moved down to 14,000 in chips. Hoots is now one of the chip leaders with 35,000 in chips.

Tags: Gavin Smith James Hoots

02-02-2009 14:20 UTC-5

A Reasonable Turnout

[user66118]

The numbers are in, mark it down.

One hundred and fifty-four players have won or bought their way into today's Championship Event, representing the second consecutive decline in participation. Still, the room is lively, and there's a growing contingent of railbirds sweating the action.

The prize pool and payouts are being calculated right now, and we should have the full list shortly.

02-02-2009 14:15 UTC-5

Table Talk

[user66118]

Over on Table 4, there is a friendly roast going on at the expense of Allen Kessler, who is minding his own business across the room. The roastmaster is Kathy Liebert, as she and table mate Sabyl Landrum share stories.

"Allen told me I play like a nit, can you believe that?" pondered Liebert.

"He did?!"

"Yeah, he called me a nit. He said I play too tight. Can you belive that??"

At the adjacent table, Gavin Smith stood up from his chair, prompting Kathy to rope him into the conversation.

"Gavin, who's more of a nit, me or Allen Kessler?"

Without missing a beat, Gavin gave her a blank stare and asked, "Kathy, why do you keep playing this game?" She began to work up a comeback, but Gavin interrupted her again. "Why do you keep playing this game?"

With that, he sat back down in his seat, leaving the table chatter to the ladies behind him.

Level: 2

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

02-02-2009 14:00 UTC-5

Gangerland

[user42991]

Another notable name in the field today is Douglas Ganger. Ganger finished 2nd in the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E event at the World Series of Poker in 2008 and has a cash in a preliminary event in this circuit series.

Tags: Douglas Ganger

02-02-2009 13:56 UTC-5

Junglen Takes One Shot, Then Surrenders

[user66118]

Adam Junglen, with his new red hair, has been starting things off actively over on Table 6. We picked up the action with him again involved in pot, this time heads up against a gentleman in a cowboy hat across the table.

The flop shows {A-Diamonds}

, and there are already 550 chips in the middle of the table. Action is on the cowboy, and he opens with a bet of 300. Junglen pauses to consider for a moment before putting out a raise to 850. "How much is it? I call it," came the response from the other end of the table.

The turn card comes the {Q-Spades}

, and this time, both men deliberately check.

Fifth street is the {7-Clubs}

. The cowboy musters his gumption and fires out a single 1,000 chip. That's enough for Junglen as he surrenders his hand, having been bumped down to 18,075.

Tags: Adam Junglen

02-02-2009 13:41 UTC-5

Deadly Ladies

[user42991]

Table four has the dubious honor of having both Kathy Liebert and Sabyl Landrum at the table. Landrum is in seat three and Liebert in seat six. It's likely to be a long day for the guys.

Tags: Kathy Liebert Sabyl Landrum

02-02-2009 13:34 UTC-5

Moneymaker Wanting to Make More

[user42991]

Flying almost under the radar at table 12, seat nine is 2003 WSOP Main Event Champion, Chris Moneymaker. Moneymaker has been playing in several of the preliminary events leading up to this Main Event. He finished runner-up in Event #10, and is now trying to take down this circuit event title.

Tags: Chris Moneymaker