This year, a total of 1,066 entries came out to action for Day 1a. Last year, 897 players came out for the first starting day, but the numbers won't directly correlate as there are only three starting days this year versus the four there were in 2011. Still, the numbers are solid and will only increase on Day 1b and 1c. Day 1c is expected to be the largest starting day, which is often the case for the final starting day.
After registration closes on Day 1c, PokerNews will receive the official field size along with all of the prize pool information.
Over in the far corner of the Orange Section here in the Amazon Room, Nikolas Metaxas was all in against Kevin Pollak, with Pollak deep in the tank.
"I know i have to call," said Pollak, having already committed 4,000 to the pot as Metaxas was all in for just under 14,000. However, Pollak didn't call just yet, instead he kept thinking. Eventually he did flick out enough chips to call.
Pollak:
Metaxas:
The flop was a good one for Mataxas, but it gave Pollak outs to the straight. Pollak called for a queen, but the turn and the river weren't what he was looking for.
Pollak was in good spirits as Mataxas apologized for winning the hand. Mataxas then piped up, saying, "And to think, i won this seat for $65."
Leo Wolpert got off to a rough start today, but has rebounded nicely.
Picking up the action on the turn of a board, Wolpert check-called a bet of 2,200 and then checked again when the hit the river. His opponent bet about 5,600, but Wolpert put in a check-raise to 14,200. His opponent quickly folded and Wolpert took down the pot.
We arrived at Allen Bari's table to find the World Series of Poker gold bracelet holder all in against Tommy Wong on a flop. Bari was short-stacked at this point and would need some help to double, holding against Wong's .
The turn didn't help Bari too much and by the time the completed the board on the river, it was all over for Bari late here on Day 1a.
The Tan Section has begun to slowly break. Here are some counts of the remaining players from the section.
While walking around we found Filippo Candio raising from under the gun, making it 800 to see a flop. The hijack and the button called, and action was on the small blind who three-bet to 7,150. Candio then moved all in, a bet that would put any player at his table all in. The hijack and the button folded and it fell upon the small blind to act. Four to five minutes passed, with the small blind contemplating what the best course of action would be.
After what seemed like ages the small blind announced call and flipped over . Candio clearly didn't think his opponent had that good of a hand, but was a good sport about it and flipped over .
The board came , and Candio was forced to send over a chunk of his stack.
It's time for the last 20-minute break of the night. See you back here soon for the final level on Day 1a of the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event.
The final level here on Day 1a of the 2012 World Series of Poker has begun! Stay tuned to see all the late action and find out who secures a spot on Day 2.
flop was a good one for Mataxas, but it gave Pollak outs to the straight. Pollak called for a queen, but the 
turn and the 
river weren't what he was looking for.
hit the river. His opponent bet about 5,600, but Wolpert put in a check-raise to 14,200. His opponent quickly folded and Wolpert took down the pot.
flop. Bari was short-stacked at this point and would need some help to double, holding 
against Wong's 
turn didn't help Bari too much and by the time the 
completed the board on the river, it was all over for Bari late here on Day 1a.
.
, and Candio was forced to send over a chunk of his stack.
