2008 World Series of Poker

39th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event
Day: 1a
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Event Info

2008 World Series of Poker

Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Entries
6,844
Players Left
9
Next Payout
Place 9
$900,670
Level Info
Level
33
Blinds
120,000 / 240,000
Ante
30,000
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John Gale Takes an Early Hit

[user40108]
[user40108]
With a raise from middle position and a call from late position, John Gale called from the cutoff seat. The player on the button reraised to 800 and all three players made the call.

The four players saw a flop of {9-Diamonds} {8-Spades} {5-Diamonds} and action checked to the button. He bet 1,100 and the initial raiser, along with Gale, made the call. The turn fell the {9-Spades} and the middle position player checked. Gale led out for 1,600 and the button and the middle position player came along.

When the river came the {2-Spades}, it was checked to Gale and he fired 2,700. The button called and the middle position player passed. Gale showed {10-Spades} {7-Spades} but the player on the button rolled over {A-Spades} {Q-Spades}. Gale slipped to about 15,000 chips on the hand.

The Pokerati Out in Force

[user25067]
[user25067]
Famous faces we've spotted so far include Mark Vos, Jason Lester, Maureen Feduniak, Matt Glantz, Ben Roberts, David "Devilfish" Ulliott, Lyle Berman, Jeff "Yellowsub" Williams, Andrew Wiggins, and Tom "durrrr" Dwan.

Red-Section Notables

donpeters
donpeters
Actor Mekhi Phifer from an earlier $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event
Actor Mekhi Phifer from an earlier $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em event
Over in the Red section of the Amazon Room are Jimmy Fricke, Gavin Smith, Mekhi Phifer, Alec "Traheho" Torelli, Nick Schulman, Steve Sung, Chad Brown, and Mike Sowers.

Isn't This the Main Event?

[user42991]
[user42991]
Main Event Crowd
Main Event Crowd
In year's past, the first day of the Main Event has an almost carnival type atmosphere. Other than a few colorful costumes, today's crowd is much more subdued than your typical Main Event crowd. For the most part, the only thing you can hear is the clattering of chips.

It seems that we may have a group of serious poker players in here today.

Lingering After-Effects

[user75032]
[user75032]
Josh Arieh during Event #50 - $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha
Josh Arieh during Event #50 - $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha
Josh Arieh is here today, fresh off of his 12th place finish in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha World Championship a few days ago. He ran into some bad luck post-dinner on Day 2 of that event after amassing a huge chip lead earlier in the day. Basically he was not able to win a single significant pot from the end of the dinner break until he busted.

It seems that run is continuing. He recently bet 825 on a flop of {K-Hearts} {5-Clubs} {4-Hearts} against one opponent, who check-raised him to 2,025. He called the raise, called a bet of 2,500 on the {2-Hearts} turn, and called a third bet of 8,000 on the {A-Diamonds} river. His opponent showed him the nuts -- {A-Hearts} {J-Hearts}.

Just like that, Arieh is down to 7,500 chips from his starting stack of 20,000.

Berman Weathers a Blow

[user25067]
[user25067]
Lyle Berman
Lyle Berman
The UTG player opened for 300, Lyle Berman called, and a middle position player reraised to 900. The action was folded around to the UTG player, who mucked and Berman made the call. The flop was {A-Hearts} {K-Diamonds} {10-Clubs}. Berman checked, the MP player bet 2,350 and Berman called. The turn was the {J-Diamonds}. Berman checked, the MP player bet 7,500 and Berman gave it up.

After that early hit, Berman is down to 15,000.

Tags: Lyle Berman

So Who's Here?

[user37786]
[user37786]
Among the well-known players in the Green section of the Amazon Room is 1986 World Champion Berry Johnston. Also playing today are Shannon Shorr, Chau Giang, Eric Froehlich, Kevin Saul, Noah Boeken, Aaron Been, Young Phan, and Bill Gazes.

That Was Quick

[user40108]
[user40108]
Less than 20 minutes into the first level and we've already had an elimination. The name of the busted player is currently unknown, despite tournament director Jack Effel's best attempts to track him or her down.

He or she didn't leave without a story however. The player in question got their money in good holding {A-?} {A-?} against the {J-?} {J-?} of Rocco Lazazzaro on a flop of {6-?} {6-?} {2-?}. It was looking good through the turn, but Lazazzao spiked a {J-?} on the river for the win.

The busted player quickly vacated the tournament area and while Lazazzaro stacked his chips, which now total approximately 42,000.

*We originally reported that the chips went in before the flop on this hand, but that information was from a player at the table and has since been deemed inaccurate. The table consensus is that the all-in play occurred post-flop.

A Constant Camera Presence

[user38368]
[user38368]
Over on Blue 36, there's been a boom mike hanging over the table the entire time. There's one celebrity there who, we're sure, is used to that kind of attention - it's Jason Alexander of Seinfeld fame.
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