2013 World Series of Poker

The first eight levels of Event #50: $2,500 10-Game Mix (Six Handed) are officially a thing of the past. A total of 372 entrants ponied up the entry fee to play one of the most versatile events on the 2013 World Series of Poker schedule. By the end of the day, it was Howard Smith who sat on the biggest stack in the room with 61,625. Smith leads the 162 players who will return for the second day of play.

Playing short-handed mixed games in a ten-game rotation is no easy feat. It requires not only supreme focus and skill in each variant, but also the ability to adapt quickly as the games change and new players arrive at one's table. That being said, this event has quickly become one of the higher prestige events at the WSOP, despite its low price tag compared to some of the larger buy-ins. Last year, this event was won by none other than Vanessa Selbst who not only won her second bracelet, but in doing so also became the first woman to win a bracelet in an open event since she first accomplished the task in 2008. Selbst returned to the felt today to try her chances at repeating victory, but unfortunately the two-time bracelet winner fell fairly early in the day.

Selbst was not the only notable name to fall as many well-known players found nothing but felt in front of them before the final level reached its conclusion. Among those to hit the rail during Day 1 play were Phil Ivey, Eric Crain, Bryn Kenney, Chad Brown, Barry Greenstein, Michael Mizrachi, Chris Tryba, Adrienne "Talonchick" Rowsome, Greg Mueller, Jonathan Duhamel, Jesse Sylvia, and Ali Eslami. Jason Mercier, who busted Event #47: $111,111 One Drop High Rollers No-Limit Hold'em earlier in the day, hopped in this event soon after his elimination. Mercier was among those to fall, however, when he saw his tournament come to an end thanks to a 2-7 No-Limit Single Draw hand gone awry.

While those players faltered on this first day, others thrived and were able to build stacks that they will bring into Day 2. A small sample size of those returning for the second day include Bruno Fitoussi (57,525), Christopher George (53,450), Scott Fischman (38,575), Dario Alioto (37,550), Konstantin Puchkov (33,800), Shawn Buchanan (29,150), Greg Raymer (28,300), Freddy Deeb (25,850), Joe Cassidy (17,650), Ashton Griffin (11,950), and David Bach (11,200).

Play will resume in the Amazon room at 2:00 p.m. PDT. Be sure to join us once again as we draw nearer to crowning the 50th champion of the 2013 WSOP!

Tournament staff has announced three more hands before bagging and tagging for the end of the night.

Pot-Limit Omaha

We arrived to find Freddy Deeb and an opponent heads up on a flop. Deeb's opponent checked and Deeb fired out a bet of 3,000. Deeb's opponent check-raised a pot sized bet and Deeb called all in.

Deeb:
Opponent:

Deeb's opponent was ahead after flopping bottom two and having draw outs to make a straight as well, but the turn and the river brought the and the , ensuring that Deeb would seize the lead and double up. Deeb was all in for what sounded like 14,875 and is now sitting right around 33,000.

Limit Hold'em

Marcel Luske opened with a raise from the cutoff and the player in the big blind called. The two took a heart-filled flop that read and action was checked to Luske. He continued out with a bet and his opponent called. The turn was the and it was checked to Luske again. He fired another bet only to have his opponent come over the top with a raise. Luske called.

The river was the , bringing a fourth heart and straight card to the board. Luske's opponent led out and Luske quickly flashed before folding.

"I had that beat," said Luske's opponent.

"I know," replied Luske.

Despite this minor hit, Luske is still sitting well off with around 32,000 in chips.

Stud 8

Scott Clements	/ /
George Danzer	/ /
Opponent	/ /

We picked up with the action at the end of fourth street to see George Danzer fire out a bet that Scott Clements and a third unknown opponent called. On fifth street it was Danzer once again who put on the aggression with a bet. Again, he received two calls.

On sixth street Danzer went to bet out but the dealer informed him that Clements would act first as he made a pair of queens. Clements checked it over to the unknown opponent who followed suit. Danzer laughed and checked behind, which prompted a laugh from Clements.

Clements fired out on seventh and the unknown opponent called. Danzer folded his cards and Clements revealed for queens full of sevens. His opponent mucked and Clements was able to scoop the pot. He currently has around 18,000.