Today marks Day 1 of Event #15: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. It's the first H.O.R.S.E. tournament of this year's World Series of Poker, and, as with all of the mixed games, should attract some of poker's best and brightest.
Last year, it took four days of grueling mixed-game play to determine a winner in this event, as 889 players showed out for the chance to showcase their versatility and prowess. In the end, Ylon Schwartz, best known for his fourth-place finish in the 2008 main event, took down the bracelet and $267,081 after defeating David Chiu heads up when his pair of queens held up in Stud Eight or Better. Well-known pros Allen Cunningham, David Williams and Cliff Josephy made deep runs, and we expect to see some big names do the same again this year.
Players will begin with 4,500 in tournament chips, and games will be changing every eight hands. Ten levels are scheduled to be played here in the Brasilia Room. Action begins here shortly at 12 p.m. local time. Well-known players such as Scott Fischman, John Racener, Cyndy Violette and Jonathan Little are already taking to Twitter to let the world know they'll be playing in this event, so be sure to tune in here to see how they do.
Cards are in the air for Event #15: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. While we wait for the action to commence, why not check out Kristy Arnett with all the highlights from around the Rio to get you started on another day of action here at the 2013 World Series of Poker.
The tournament director has announced that there are roughly 1,000 players registered for this tournament. Here are some of the names that we've taken note of early on.
We found Marco Traniello betting the turn and river on a board. Unfortunately for him, his opponent called him on both streets and showed . Traniello mucked.
David "ODB" Baker raised from an early position and was called by a player in middle position and the small blind.
The flop came . The small blind checked, Baker bet and only the middle position player called. Both players then checked through the and . Baker rolled over for jacks and tens, and his opponent mucked.
Baker, who took down the eight game event last year, is certainly a player we'll be keeping an eye on as the tournament progresses.
The button and small blind limped, and Sam Grizzle bumped it up from the big blind. Both opponents called.
The small blind checked the flop, and Grizzle kept the lead. Both players again came along. The turn was the , and Grizzle again fired when checked to. This time, both players folded.
Grizzle showed for a flopped two pair. He also tossed the three across the table, revealing a a sharp indent in the card.