Wrap It Up
There were a staggering 578 players in the field today, spread across three rooms on the second floor of the casino. Annette Obrestad, Casey Kastle, Chad Brown, Greg Raymer and Dario Alioto were some of the biggest names who were in the field at the start of play, but will not be returning on Monday for Day 2.
By the end of the night there were several players competing for the title of Top Dog. Our survey of the room at day's end didn't find any player with more chips than Asa Smith's 80,000 -- although several were close. We'll have the official counts tomorrow morning after the chip bags are all logged by the tournament organizers, but until then we'll go out on a limb and call Smith the overnight chip leader.
Tomorrow, we get to rewind the clock and re-live the joy of Day 1a when the other half of the field slings the chips around for the first time. Day 1b is scheduled to start at 2pm local time. Expect the field to be close to the maximum of 610 players.
Until then, you can find us at the bar.