Fashionably Late

"Ladies and gentleman... Will the Thrill and Dwyte Pilgrim are in the building!"

So came the entirely superfluous announcement over the public address system moments ago. It wasn't really necessary, as everyone could already hear two of poker's more outgoing personalities having announced their presence.

Will Failla and Pilgrim have bought into Day 1a right at the start of the last level. Late registrants have the option of posting their blinds and playing right away, or waiting for the big blind to come around. At Failla's table he was under the gun, so he chose to wait a hand before getting started. Meanwhile Pilgrim was in late position at his table and he decided to go ahead and take a hand.

After greeting everyone, Pilgrim was quickly informed of what he owed — 600 for the big blind, and 75 for the ante.

"75?!" said Pilgrim in mock astonishment. "First level?!" The table laughed in response.

The action on him, Pilgrim immediately put in a raise, and when it folded back to the big blind Pilgrim had a wide grin. "Three-bet me!" he said, and his opponent soon obliged with a reraise to 4,000. Pilgrim shrugged and with a chuckle folded.

We expect both to be active early here during the one 40-minute level they have to play on Day 1a.