Day 1B - WSOP Main Event Re-cap

Day 2 of Day 1 began with Texas Dolly throwing out the first deck; followed by Commissioner Pollack announcing "Shuffle up and deal". With that 2,182 players began the second heat of the 2006 WSOP Main Event. Combined with Day1 players of 2, 138, the estimated tournament toal now edges toward 9,000.

Early estimates had pegged the entries at 8,000 which would have meant a $10million payday for the last person standing on or about August 12th. With 9,000 entries that number is climbing closer to $11.5 million and the bracelet.

If the winner makes the statement that the money doesn't matter, "I only want the bracelet"; then this humble blogger will be more than happy to relieve him/her/undetermined gender person of the burdens that the money brings...

Registration for the Main Event runs through Monday, July 31st, at which time the prize pool will be announced.

Here are the highlights of Day 1B:

• First hand of the day brought the first elimination as well with Pocket Aces vs. Pocket Kings. Kings did not crack the Aces.
• In keeping with his own tradition (after all, "it's all about Phil"), Hellmuth who was seated at the ESPN featured table showed up 2 hours late. Three hours later, Hellmuth was gone when his A-Q did not improve against Pokets 7s. And because he was at the featured table, it's all on tape for eternity. I'm sure be bowed out with grace...
• Joe "The Cub" Sebok followed up his Day 1A appearance as Batman's Robin, costumed in a bear suit, complete with a diaper. During Circuit play, he lost a bet to Gavin Smith and it was time to pay off the bet. Wonder what Day 1C will bring. You might recall that Gavin Smith made another huge bet at the A.C. Circuit with another player that could have cost Gavin $100K for 10 years or $70K for the other participant. (Neither won so all "bets were off".) Like Ted Forrest and Robert Williamson, III, evidently Smith will bet on anything.
  
• Noteworthy players for Day 1B in addition to "The Poker Brat" included Phil Ivey, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, Gavin Smith, Med Judah, Everybody Loves Raymond's Brad Garrett - who had roasted Doyle Brunson earlier in the week and continued his poking fun at the table*, Shannon Elizabeth - making her second consectutive appearance, Paul Darden, Mike Caro, David Williams, John Juanda, Annie Duke, Greg Mueller, Howard Lederer, "Miami" John Cernuto, Doyle's daughter Pamela Brunson (is there a Brunson who doesn't play poker?), Humberto Brenes (I wonder how he likes that "all-in" button?), Allen Cunningham, and Card Player CEO, Barry Schulman.
  
• Among the eliminated pros and celebrities were Brunson, Gavin Smith, Mel Judah, Brad Garrett - who ironically was eliminated by Doyle's grandson (payback is a b***h), Shannon Elizabeth, Dewey Tomko, Phil Hellmuth, Ron Jeremy (porno star?), Tiffany Williamson - had another clock called on her this year; but this time she made the wrong decision, Barry Schulamn, Joe Sebok, Howard Lederer, Todd Brunson, Randy Jensen (was it during the 12 minutes?) and Paul Darden.
  
• Play was called at 3:12am with about 860 players advancing to Day 2A where they will combine with Day 1A in the next elimination round.
• Chip leaders for Day 1B: Eric Stonstegard - $83K; Theo Tran - $82,950; Al Barbieri - $82K; Allen Cunningham - $81K; Nicholas Montuori - $80K.
  
• Chip count of other notables: David Williams - $50K; Humberto Brenes - $30K; Annie Duke - $26K; 2004 Omaha H/L bracelet winner Ted Lawson - $24K; Mike Caro - $23K; 2004 Main Event Final Table's Al Krux - $22,700; Bill Gazes - $20K; Phil Ivey - $16K (any news on his perennial "fan club"?); John Juanda - $11,500; Pamela Brunson - $10, 450.

My thanks to cardplayer.com , the WSOP official Magazine for live updates,for its coverage and my source for this report.

*A smoke alarm went off during play and Brad Garrett shouted "Dolly, turn off your oxygen" getting a laugh in Rio's Amazon room.