When we reached his table, Mike "SirWatts"Watson was heads up with an opponent, and the board had already been completed: . Watson was in the small blind, and led out for just under 3,000. His opponent tanked for well over a minute, and called.
Watson tabled for tens full of jacks, and his opponent flashed the before mucking.
Michael Benvenuti opened to 125 from under the gun, and the action folded to Phil Ivey, who three-bet to 300 from the small blind. Benvenuti called, and the flop fell . Ivey tossed out a single, purple T500 chip, and Benvenuti called.
Both players knuckled after the turned, and the completed the board.
Ivey led again - this time for 1,300 - and Benvenuti released.
Welcome to Day 1 of Event 36, $3,000 No Limit Hold'em Shootout, of the World Series of Poker. The event has a 2,000 player cap assigned to it, but there are still plenty of seats available. Registration will be open through the first two levels.
This is a new event on the WSOP schedule. It's shootout format which means the task is simple; just win your table. There won't be table breaks and one round of play is scheduled for today.
Some of the game's best players and sit and go specialists are expected to play today. At the start of play 70 tables have been sold seven-handed. Players will begin with 9,000 chips to start.
Cards will hit the air promptly at noon today in the Brasilia Room. Follow all the WSOP action live on PokerNews.com.