Poker Pros Get Ready to Rumble at Bellagios WPC

The final table of the WPC $2,500 no-limit-hold'em event begins at 3 p.m. today. Expect some fireworks as Nam Le comes in short-stacked with $78,500 in chips, compared to chip leader Gevork Kasabyan with $313,500, who headed the pack throughout most of day 1.

This is Nam Le's chance to close the gap between him and Mizrachi for the Player of the Year award. And don't think Mizrachi doesn't feel the pressure. Late in day 1, Mizrachi paid a little visit to the ongoing Bellagio event and kept his eye on Le. The two are bosom buddies, and openly wish each other the best, but there's a lot at stake here. If Mizrachi wins the 2006 POY award, it's said that AbsolutePoker will throw in another $100,000 in cold hard cash. If Le keeps the pressure on, Mizrachi will have to roll up his sleeves and tackle another preliminary event to maintain some distance.

Theo Jorgensen comes in with around a third less chips than leader Kasabyan, but Steve Wong is right on Jorgensen's heels and Wong is known for stirring things up at a table.

Dapo Fadeyi is finally getting the respect he deserves, going deep in several WPT events this year, and also making a couple of circuit final tables. Fadeyi has finally reached the feature felt, and this guy is all about pacing himself. But he'll have to avoid some landmines, as he's positioned between the short-stacked and unpredictable John Esposito in seat No. 3, and Jorgensen, a man with a mountain of chips, in seat No. 5.

Mark Abousharkh, David Tran, and Alan Cutler are in the double digits and evenly scattered between the chip leaders. There'll be very little mercy given these players and their positions among the titans.

Going deep in yesterday's event were Ali Zayed, Arnold Spee, Quinn Do, and Chris McCormack. They were among the 18 spots cashing in.

The winner of this tournament will take home $215,255, with second getting around half that amount. Today's champ will also receive the gold bracelet and a seat into the $25,000 World Poker Tour Championship on April of 2007.

CardPlayer.com will be at the Bellagio at 3 p.m. to cover the final table of the event, bringing you lots of photos and live updates.

CardPlayer.com will also be bringing you more brief coverage of event No. 4, the $3,000 event that started at noon.

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