The $10,000 buy-in World Series of Poker NLHE main event kicked off over the weekend in the Amazon Room at the Rio, with the tables packed with players from all over the world – many of them top professionals.
Starting the ball rolling, tournament director Jack Eiffel welcomed competitors, saying:
“I wish all of you the best luck in your journey. The next 10-days will be stressful but I am sure you will keep it together, play your best game, be respectful, follow the rules, and I promise you one of you will walk away with a bracelet – it always happens.”
The Shuffle Up and Deal call this year was made by World Series of Poker Player of the Year Mike Gorodinsky, standing under a giant poster of himself and flanked by Eiffel, Executive Director – World Series of Poker and Senior Vice President Caesars Interactive, Ty Stewart and Global Poker Index exec Eric Danis.
UPDATE:
764 players took part in Day 1A of the main event, and by the time the chips were bagged just 567 remained with California player Gary Sewell holding the most chips at 312,500, chased by Alvaro Lopez (306,200) and Scott Neuman (226,000).
Among those still in the running at the end of the first day were Matthew Ashton, Dan Shak, Peter Eichhardt, Adam Friedman, Michael Gathy, Gaelle Baumann, Shannon Shorr, Andy Black, David Sands, Hoyt Corkins, Max Altergott and Barry Shulman.
The starting field for the first of the three starting days was larger than that last year, when 741 started.
Last year the main event attracted a total field of 6,420.