Some of you Phil Ivey fans might want to take a seat as we tell you the very sad news that has just come out of the Amazon Room. That's right folks, you guessed it, Ivey has busted very early into the day.
We weren't there to catch the action, but Ivey's former table was more than happy to oblige with a bit of a story. Apparently Ivey got his stack all-in preflop holding and had to come up against an opponent's . No jack came for Ivey and it was all over.
There is very little doubt that he will re-enter tomorrow, so we'll bring you more Ivey action then.
While perusing the tournament floor, we found Team PokerStars Online pro Mickey Petersen sitting on a stack of about 5,200.
Petersen found some success at the 2011 WSOP with three cashes, most notably finishing 15th in a $1,500 No Limit Hold'em event. His greatest success to date, however, came in February, when Petersen took down the 2012 PokerStars.com EPT Copenhagen Main Event, earning himself a first place prize of $444,595. As we see that Petersen is sitting above starting stack at the end of the first level, we'll keep you posted on his status throughout the tournament as he seeks to add a WSOP title to his shining EPT success.
Here are a few more players we have recognized in this gigantic field that seemingly grows larger every moment. We are sure you recognize most of these names, but if you don't, why not let us fill you in.
Steve O'Dwyer is arguably the man of the moment. Just over a week ago, PokerNews brought you the story that O'Dwyer was eying the top of the Global Poker Index . O'Dwyer is a Vegas local and has more than $2.5 million in tournament winnings to his name and he'll be looking to add to that here at the WSOP.
John Eames is a name readers may recognize from just a few days ago as his great start to the summer has already seen him post a final table finish. Eames finished in 8th place in Event 5: $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em, picking up $18,529 in the process. From England, Eames has just under $1.5 million in tournament winnings on his record.
In the past Dan Kelly may have been better known by the name "djk123" but that has changed over the past few years has he has been making a name for himself on the live felt. Some of Kelly's recent results that have added to his more than $2 million in tournament earnings include two final tables at the 2012 Aussie Millions and a 3rd place for $521,770 in the recent WPT L.A. Poker Classic Main Event. He is certainly one player everyone will be watching this summer.
Vitaly Lunkin is the oldest of this little group of players, but that just means he is arguably the most experienced. Lunkin's record includes a WSOP bracelt in 2008 and over $4 million in tournament winnings. Lunkin was at the final table of the $1,500 No-Limit holdem Shootout event last year and will be looking to post another final table this year.
We arrived at Jon "PearlJammer" Turner's table with a board showing and Turner involved in the hand against one opponent. It was on Turner to act and he flicked out a bet of 300. His opponent made the call and the completed the board on the river.
This time Turner would bet 1,000 and his opponent would again call. It was at this point that Turner tabled . Suffice it to say, the quads were good enough to send his opponent's cards into the muck as Turner took down the handy little pot.
A man who perhaps needs no introduction is Team PokerStars Pro Jason Mercier. He is playing in the Amazon Room today and will be looking to make a deep run here and add to his more than $7.5 million in tournament winnings.
For those keeping score, Mercier has already had quite a deep finish at this WSOP, finishing in 181st place in Event 2: $1,500 No-Limit Holdem just a few days ago.
Josh_Cahlik
John Juanda Taking Home His 5th Bracelet at the 2011 WSOP
On a trip through the Pavilion room, we stumbled upon a casual-looking John Juanda playing games on his iPad. In front of Juanda, however, sat a massive stack for this point in the tournament. Juanda has managed to build his stack from 4,500 to a whopping 18,500 in the first eighty minutes of the tournament.
Juanda is running hot this year, coming into this event with two 2012 WSOP cashes already under his belt. Juanda made it deep in Event 2: $1,500 No Limit Hold'em , coming in a modest 25th place. Right after, JJ managed another deep cash, finishing 18th in Event 5: $1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em.
At last year's WSOP, Juanda managed to capture his 5th bracelet while at the same time denying Phil Hellmuth of his 12th. Juanda defeated Hellmuth heads up during the $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship.
With a massive stack this early, coupled with how hot Juanda seems to be running at this WSOP, it is clear that he will be a strong contender to take home a bracelet this year.
The tournament clocks do not yet show how many players have taken their seats today, but the word around the floor is that the number has surpassed 1,500. We will keep you updated as we get more information.
![[user162117]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
and Turner involved in the hand against one opponent. It was on Turner to act and he flicked out a bet of 300. His opponent made the call and the 
completed the board on the river.
. Suffice it to say, the quads were good enough to send his opponent's cards into the muck as Turner took down the handy little pot.
