WSOP: Day 1C of the Main EventBig Turnout Quiets Talk of a Poker Recession |
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The story of the day concerning day 1C of the 2008 World Series of Poker main event had little to do with the individual players in attendence, and everything to do with how many of them showed up. After a sluggish first two days that saw only a combined 2,455 pony up the $10,000 buy-in, the skeptics came out to declare the likely decline over last year's 6,358 player field. But the main event rallied strong after the fourth of July, and day 1C attracted a tournament saving 1,928 players, meaning that tomorrow, the predicted highest attended day, will only need 1,975 to match last year's numbers. With over 1,800 already registered, and satellites running around the clock, it looks like the poker recession will have to wait until at least next year.
Each preliminary day has kicked off with a special presentation, and today was no different with country music star Andy Griggs on hand to sing his new song, "It's all about the money." In addition, an announcement was made declaring that anyone who made a final table at this year's Series will receive a commemerative jacket. Binion's used to do the same when the event was held downtown, and Harrah's would like to keep the tradition alive.
Shortly after the cards hit the air, World Poker Tour champion Shawn Buchanan ran into a bit of bad luck. He was crippled for most of his stack after his set of sevens went heads up against a set of jacks. The cooler left him with just a few blinds, and he was eliminated shortly afterwards, just half an hour into play.
Other notables who saw their main event come to a close were Huck Seed, Michael Gracz, Daniel Alaei, Kirk Morrison, Mark Gregorich, J.C. Tran, David Chiu, Justin Bonomo and Gavin Griffin.
Bryan "BadBeatNinja" Devonshire was cruising along with a healthy stack when his tournament ended abruptly. On a flop of 10
8
6, Devonshire found himself all in against Arnaud Mattern. Devonshire showed his 97
for the nut straight and Mattern revealed his nut straight with 97. Mattern's freeroll got there when the turn and river came AA and Devonshire was eliminated as a monster pot of over 155,000 was shipped Mattern's way.
David Singer made a late run up the leaderboard when his pocket tens held against an opponent's pocket nines on a 7-high board. The pot put Singer up over 130,000 and in clear control on his table. Henning Granstad was the first player to crack 180,000 after his pocket kings survived against his opponent's pocket tens for a massive pot.
Other notables to put themselves in great position for Tuesday's restart were David "Bakes" Baker, Nenad Medic, Brad Booth, Evelyn Ng, Jeff Madsen and Mike Matusow, as well as former main-event champions Joe Hachem, Chris Moneymaker, and Brad Daugherty.
At 12:45 a.m. PST, the remaining 1,000 or so players bagged and tagged their chips, clearing the way for the final day 1 flight tommorow at noon. Join us then as Card Player brings you all your live updates, photos, chip counts and pro analysis interviews live from the Rio.
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