We've reached the second level of the day, having already lost 104 players during that first hour of play. Among those failing to survive the first hour of play were Matt Keikoan (199th), Scott Sitron (219th), David Emmons (240th), Joshua Tieman (241st), Barry Hutter (247th), Pascal LeFrancois (260th), Erik Seidel (261st), Martin Finger (263rd), Adam Kornuth (269th), and Victor Ramdin (270th).
Another player just busted, this time from Table 433 — around the 80th so far during the first 40 minutes of play today — and he'd nearly left the table without waiting for tourney staff to escort him to the cashier. But Amnon Filippi called out to the gentleman to wait, and eventually he was guided to where he was supposed to go.
"Amnon is the man," said Chris, the tourney director, acknowledging Filippi's assistance. "He's gonna be buying a black suit here soon."
Amnon flashed a brief grin, although returned to a serious look as he focused on the hand being dealt. Filippi has slipped some here in the early going, stack-wise, now sitting with less than what he started the day. But he's still the man at his table with the most chips with about 75,000, followed by Joe Cada sitting two to his left with about 66,000.
Chip leader Tony Welds opened for 2,600 from the hijack seat, then Phillip Weast pushed all in over the top for about 27,000 total from the cutoff. It folded back to Welds who hesitated just a moment before making the call.
Weast tabled , but Welds had , and after the board came , Weast joined the throng of players heading to the cashier while Welds increased his lead over the remaining field.
The cacaphony of calls from dealers noting bustouts has been nonstop here in the first 15 minutes of play as the short stacks are busting at a fast clip. Nearly 50 have fallen already, and we expect the field to continue to shrink quickly.
We missed the hand, however, the noticed an empty seat with no chips where Erik Seidel was sitting. The eight-time bracelet winner, who started the day with just 13,600 in chips, has been eliminated.
and both players checked.
fell on the turn and Little's opponent checked again - prompting a 4,000 bet from Little. His opponent folded and Little scooped the pot.
board sealed the deal.
board kept Thomas in front and he doubled through Hinkle.
, but Welds had 
, and after the board came 
, Weast joined the throng of players heading to the cashier while Welds increased his lead over the remaining field.
