Hey, Hey, Hey - It's Day 1a! | 2009 WPT Merit Cyprus Classic

From the banks of the Mediterranean, welcome to the 2009 WPT Merit Cyprus Classic. This $10,300 No-Limit Texas Hold'em championship is taking place at the Merit Crystal Cove Hotel and Casino on the northern coast of Cyprus. The halumi has been plentiful, and the early September weather here has been bright sunshine with temperatures hovering just above 30 Celsius (about 88 Fahrenheit). That has allowed all of the assembled poker players to take advantage of the beautiful beach facilities attached to this all-inclusive resort property.

Of course, the real reason for the assemblage is the poker that will take place here over the course of the next week. This is a World Poker Tour event, with two Day 1 flights and five full days of poker after that before we determine a champion.

There was an extended party last night with lots of booze flowing. It should be interesting to see which of the notable players have made the trek to the eastern edges of the Mediterranean Sea for this event turn up today and which sleep off their hangovers and wait until tomorrow to play.

Play is scheduled to start just after noon local time, in about thirty minutes. We're already hard at work in preparation to bring you highlights of all of the action. Stick around!

Tags: WPT Merit Cyprus Classic