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

07-04-2008 06:15 UTC-8

Join us at Noon for Day 1b Action

Day 1b of the 2008 World Series of Poker Main Event gets underway at noon from the Amazon Room at the Rio, with overflow tables set up in other rooms if needed. Day 1b is expected to offer a larger field than the Day 1a session, when 1,297 entrants began the day, with 636 still around five levels later. The opening session was led by Mark Garner at 194,900 in chips, providing the mark for today's leaders to shoot for.

Join us here for all the latest updates.

Tags: Mark Garner

Level: 1

Blinds: 50/100

Ante: 0

07-04-2008 11:11 UTC-8

Shuffle Up and Deal!

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Reigning champion Jerry Yang calls out "Shuffle up and deal!" and with that, we are underway.

07-04-2008 11:12 UTC-8

No I.D. for Forrest

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Donnie Peters

Forrest from event #45, surely a recognizable face

Ted Forrest sat down at his table a little while ago and was asked for a photo I.D. from the dealer. He pulled out his Total Rewards cards and gave it to the dealer. The dealer looked at it, but then still requested a photo I.D. of Forrest.

Forrest checked his pockets, but didn't have any identification with a photo on it. He tried giving the dealer another card, but it still didn't work.

After a few moments, the floor was called over and when the floor person looked at the Total Rewards card they chuckled and said "Don't worry, he's okay."

Tags: Ted Forrest

07-04-2008 11:13 UTC-8

Truly a World Series

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On this Fourth of July holiday, we began today with a singing of the national anthem. Afterwards, it was noted that while poker is an especially American endeavor, this year's World Series of Poker has brought together players from a whopping 104 different countries.

07-04-2008 11:17 UTC-8

That was Fast

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Tony Hachem turned a set of aces on the second hand of the day and picked up a 4,000 pot.

07-04-2008 11:18 UTC-8

Return Engagement

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Yesterday Scotty Nguyen played at the televised ESPN final table shortly after winning the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. bracelet. Today another player who went deep in that event is playing for the cameras--Erick Lindgren, who finished third to Scotty in H.O.R.S.E. and earlier in the Series won his first bracelet.

07-04-2008 11:19 UTC-8

First Bust of the Day

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On a board of {9-Diamonds}

, Stephen Ladowsky is all in with {9-Clubs}

to his opponent's {K-?}

. The kings get cracked, and what a way to go.

07-04-2008 11:22 UTC-8

Already Doing Better

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David Grey steals the blinds and antes, and quips: "Well, now I can't say I never had more than my starting stack, which I've been able to say a few times in this tournament."

07-04-2008 11:24 UTC-8

Back For a Repeat Performance

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Hal Lubarsky has returned for a repeat performance at this year's World Series of Poker. For those of you that may be unaware, Lubarsky is legally blind and cashed in last year's Main Event. He finished in 197th for $51,398. He requires assistance in order to read his hole cards and to read the board.

Last year, Lubarsky was able to prove that even without the gift of sight, he can still play this game. It will be interesting to see how deep he can go in this year's Main Event.

Tags: Hal Lubarsky