39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event Day 1a | 2008 World Series of Poker

07-03-2008 12:46 UTC-7

I'm Singing the Blues

[user42991]

A few names spotted in the Blue section are Event #23 champion Blair Hinkle, Event #50 champ Marty Smyth, seven-time bracelet winner Billy Baxter, and New Orleans Circuit Main Event winner Nick Ceci.

Tags: Billy Baxter Blair Hinkle Marty Smyth Nick Ceci

07-03-2008 12:46 UTC-7

Over on Blue 36, there's been a boom mike hanging over the table the entire time. There's one celebrity there who, we're sure, is used to that kind of attention - it's Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame.

07-03-2008 12:47 UTC-7

That Was Quick

[user40108]

Less than 20 minutes into the first level and we've already had an elimination. The name of the busted player is currently unknown, despite tournament director Jack Effel's best attempts to track him or her down.

He or she didn't leave without a story however. The player in question got their money in good holding {A-?}

against the {J-?}

of Rocco Lazazzaro on a flop of {6-?}

. It was looking good through the turn, but Lazazzao spiked a {J-?}

on the river for the win.

The busted player quickly vacated the tournament area and while Lazazzaro stacked his chips, which now total approximately 42,000.

*We originally reported that the chips went in before the flop on this hand, but that information was from a player at the table and has since been deemed inaccurate. The table consensus is that the all-in play occurred post-flop.

07-03-2008 12:47 UTC-7

So Who's Here?

[user37786]

Among the well-known players in the Green section of the Amazon Room is 1986 World Champion Berry Johnston. Also playing today are Shannon Shorr, Chau Giang, Eric Froehlich, Kevin Saul, Noah Boeken, Aaron Been, Young Phan, and Bill Gazes.

07-03-2008 12:48 UTC-7

Berman Weathers a Blow

[user25067]

The UTG player opened for 300, Lyle Berman called, and a middle position player reraised to 900. The action was folded around to the UTG player, who mucked and Berman made the call. The flop was {A-Hearts}

. Berman checked, the MP player bet 2,350 and Berman called. The turn was the {J-Diamonds}

. Berman checked, the MP player bet 7,500 and Berman gave it up.

After that early hit, Berman is down to 15,000.

Tags: Lyle Berman

07-03-2008 12:49 UTC-7

Lingering After-Effects

[user75032]

Josh Arieh during Event #50 - $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha

Josh Arieh is here today, fresh off of his 12th place finish in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha World Championship a few days ago. He ran into some bad luck post-dinner on Day 2 of that event after amassing a huge chip lead earlier in the day. Basically he was not able to win a single significant pot from the end of the dinner break until he busted.

It seems that run is continuing. He recently bet 825 on a flop of {K-Hearts}

against one opponent, who check-raised him to 2,025. He called the raise, called a bet of 2,500 on the {2-Hearts}

turn, and called a third bet of 8,000 on the {A-Diamonds}

river. His opponent showed him the nuts -- {A-Hearts}

.

Just like that, Arieh is down to 7,500 chips from his starting stack of 20,000.

07-03-2008 12:50 UTC-7

Isn't This the Main Event?

[user42991]

In year's past, the first day of the Main Event has an almost carnival type atmosphere. Other than a few colorful costumes, today's crowd is much more subdued than your typical Main Event crowd. For the most part, the only thing you can hear is the clattering of chips.

It seems that we may have a group of serious poker players in here today.

07-03-2008 12:51 UTC-7

Red-Section Notables

donpeters

Actor Mekhi Phifer from an earlier $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event

Over in the Red section of the Amazon Room are Jimmy Fricke, Gavin Smith, Mekhi Phifer, Alec "Traheho" Torelli, Nick Schulman, Steve Sung, Chad Brown, and Mike Sowers.

07-03-2008 12:52 UTC-7

The Pokerati Out in Force

[user25067]

Famous faces we've spotted so far include Mark Vos, Jason Lester, Maureen Feduniak, Matt Glantz, Ben Roberts, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Lyle Berman, Jeff "Yellowsub" Williams, Andrew Wiggins, and Tom "durrrr" Dwan.

07-03-2008 12:56 UTC-7

John Gale Takes an Early Hit

[user40108]

With a raise from middle position and a call from late position, John Gale called from the cutoff seat. The player on the button reraised to 800 and all three players made the call.

The four players saw a flop of {9-Diamonds}

and action checked to the button. He bet 1,100 and the initial raiser, along with Gale, made the call. The turn fell the {9-Spades}

and the middle position player checked. Gale led out for 1,600 and the button and the middle position player came along.

When the river came the {2-Spades}