WSOP Event 1 now down to 70 players

06/01/2008

The marching band sounds of "Viva Las Vegas" and Doyle Brunson's "Shuffle and Deal" call for Event 1 in the 39th World Series of Poker (see previous InfoPowa report) have faded into history as the initially 352 player field for the $10 000 buy-in World Championship Pot-Limit Hold'em tournament has been whittled down to 70 players on Day 2.

Tantalisingly close to the money bubble set at the first 36 placings, the event has seen big names go down like skittles, including Greg Raymer, Tom McEvoy, Doyle Brunson, Kristy Gates, John Juanda, Dario Minieri, Bill Edler, Alex Kravchenko, Joe Sebok and Brandon Shaeffer. There are still 54 other events in which the pros can participate, but for these, and many other players, Event 1 is over.

Going into Day 2 the strong players looked to be Eli Elezva as chip leader, with Anthony Licastro and Patrik Antonius also doing well.