Notables Filtering In

We just walked past Table 13 to find Andrew Spears, a 25-year-old law school graduate from Buffalo who is having a great year on the tournament circuit. In August, Spears won the Summer Slam Series Main Event here at Seneca Niagara for $23,700. Less than two months later, Spears won his first World Series of Poker Circuit ring in Cincinnati along with a $10,801 top prize.

Another WSOP Circuit ring winner, Travell Thomas, just sat down at Table 2. Thomas has more than $325,000 in live tournament cashes under his belt and is always one of the more active — and talkative — players at the table.

We'll be keeping an eye on both players as the day progresses.