Break it Down

Well, the 2010 WSOPE is officially two levels old. Just about 270 players have turned up for Event #1, a veritable who's-who of professional poker as one gazes around the room. Even better, registration is still open until the end of this break, about 15 more minutes.

All eyes were on Tom Dwan and Phil Ivey to start the day, partially because of their -- shall we say, significant bracelet bets. And partly just because they're two of the most captivating personalities in the poker world. Things are all roses for Mr. Ivey right now, shooting out of the gate to double his stack within the first couple orbits. Our last count had him sitting comfortably at about 16,000 with the pesky Martin Kabrhel having already been sent off. Other names near the top of the counts include Andrew Lichtenberger, Joe Serock, and 2010 WSOP-bracelet-winning Brits Praz Bansi and James "Flushy" Dempsey.

Dwan, on the other hand, will have to sweat this one out from the rail. "Durrrr" was eliminated near the start of the second level, relegated to the online nosebleeds for the next two days.

Those who've managed to outlast Dwan are headed out of the room for their first break of the day, and T.D. Jack Effel says that he intends to have seats for all of the alternates by the time they return. Speaking of returning, we'll be back in twenty minutes for another two levels of poker, but it's leg-stretchin' time for now.

Don't wander too far!