The 12 noon start seems to be a little much for many of our players today, and as the cards make their way up into the air, there are a good few tables that are starting this tournament five- or six-handed.
Among those who managed to prise themselves away from their respective beds in good time are Sorel Mizzi, Andreas Hoivold, Mike Matusow (although it must be said he seems uncharacteristically subdued at this hour) and, resplendent in a very glittery t-shirt and a top hat, young Brit Josh Tyler.
It seems traditional for many big names to eschew Day 1A and fly in just in time to jump into the second flight of a big tournament. Certainly there are more players scheduled to take part in today's no doubt frenetic action, and there are also more currently empty seats. As they fill with latecomers, we'll add their names to the chip counts...
Here and playing are more Americans than yesterday, and there are a few more sponsors' logos dotted on lapels. Plus some of the most recognizable British names have landed in my area - an interesting neigbouring combo of Roberto Romanello and Shaun Deeb may well provide some US/UK action and banter.
Also spotted: Sid Harris, Steinar Prestnes, Ken Corkery, Adam Junglen, Sven Stiel. More to come as they wake up and drift in.
Like the red carpet at a blockbuster film premiere, the stars continue to roll up: John Tabatabai, Jeff Lisandro, er... tournament director Steve Frezer. But it gets better! Not only have we been graced by the presence of poker legend Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott, resplendent in his swanky jeans and glittery shirt, but also the Mad Monk himself Andy Black.
As the enigmatic Irishman took his seat, I couldn't help but notice how dapper he was looking, perfectly clean shaven and donning a slick suit jacket. "That's two thing's you'll never see, don't tell anyone," he said. Oops.
Vegas comes to London
Like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, I woke abruptly to my alarm and the realisation that it starts all over again as the second, and final batch of players in this opening £1,500 no limit hold'em freezeout set their sights on gold. Unlike the aforementioned thespian, however, we won't be driving off any cliffs or throwing toasters into baths as today is sure to deliver up more action and entertainment than a Die Hard Boxset.
And some of that drama could derive from the following hands: Erica Schoenberg, Chaz Chattha, Michael Craig, Issac Haxton, Allen Cunningham, Scott Montgomery and Chris Bruce just a handful of the familiar faces that have emerged today... and that's just within my designated segment!
Welcome back to the Casino at the Empire in Leicester Square for our continued coverage of the kick-off event at the 2008 World Series of Poker Europe!
Yesterday's Day 1a action was fast and furious as the field shrunk to 42 players from 191 in just eight levels of play. As a result, Tournament Director Jack Effel opted to cut today short as well, so the Day 1b field will play eight levels of poker starting this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. local time (8:00 a.m. EST).
We do hope you'll join us for another round of Day 1 carnage as today's group battles it out to determine who will join Daniel Negreanu and 41 others on Sunday for Day 2.
We're live from Leicester Square in just a few moments!
