While all eyes are focused on the action ON the tables, we took a quick spin through the Orange Section to see what was UNDER the tables. In addition to all of the Everest Poker seat cushions and various backpacks and handbags, we spotted a plate of grapes, someone's headphones, a safari hat with a phone in it, a copy of PokerNews Australasia and Pacific magazine, a banana peel (careful!), a roughly 50/50 distribution of cans of Red Bull and cups of coffee, and a copy of Foreign Influence, a "formulaic thriller" (according to one reviewer) by Brad Thor. We suppose the action at the tables isn't thrilling enough.
Facing an under-the-gun raise and a few callers, Greg Raymer moved all in from the big blind for 2,600 total. The player to his left then reshoved, successfully isolating Fossilman (though not before the other callers tried their best to earn a few seconds of tv time with their impressive tank-folding skills.) "I don't know why there was so much thinking," Raymer said, turning to his opponent. "You have to have aces." And he was correct.
Raymer:
Opponent:
"If that were the eight of spades, eight of diamonds, I'd be a lock to win," Raymer said. "But it's not, so I'm only 25 percent."
The board came , so unfortunately for Raymer, this was the other 75 percent. When he finished signed over his trademark fossil card cover,the ESPN cameras followed Raymer out, framing a shot with his Main Event champion banner hanging behind him. Now that Raymer is gone, the Red Section's featured table is devoid of recognizable players, and the rail has gone from three-deep to entirely empty in two minutes. We'll see who they bring to fill Raymer's spot.
With the board reading , Chino Rheem checked to his opponent. The player fired 5,000 and Rheem went into the tank. "I don't like folding trips," he said before making the call.
His opponent then tabled the having flopped the nut flush and Rheem mucked.
"You can thank the cameras for that one," said Rheem.
With 4,700 in the pot and the board reading on the river, the UTG player bet 2,000 and Rene Angelil raised to 7,000, only to have his opponent come back over the top for 12,000. Angelil made the call.
Angelil turned over for the rivered nut boat while his opponent showed . Some were scratching their heads as to why Angelil elected simply to call in that spot rather than reraise with what was essentially the nuts, but nevertheless he's up to 41,000.
Catching the action on a flop of play checked to 2003 WSOP Champion Chris Moneymaker who fired 1,100. He found himself one caller to the turn where both players checked.
The river landed the and again it was checked to Moneymaker who fired 1,400. His opponent made the call and Moneymaker revealed for top pair which was enough to take it down. Moneymaker has chipped up to 34,000 in the early goings.
It's always a good idea to keep an eye on the Team PokerStars family, and they're out in force today. Check out our PokerStars crowd so far; we've still got a few more trickling in after a late sleep:
USA
Chris Moneymaker
Greg Raymer
Victor Ramdin
Switzerland
Anton Allemann
Germany
Michael Keiner
Johannes Strassman
Sandra Naujoks
France
Thomas Bichon
Netherlands
Fatima de Melo
Thierry van den Berg
Brazil
Andre Akkari
We also have Randy Lew and Grayson Physioc from Team Online, and Friend of PokerStars Pierre Neuville is in the house as well.
Another late arrival today, we found Chad Batista entering the pot with a raise to 275 from early position only to be three-bet to 875 from a player in middle position.
With the action back on Batista, he made the call and checked dark as the dealer produced a flop and his opponent checked behind also.
The turn landed the and Batista checked only to be faced with a bet of 1,000.
Batista opted to play the highly effective check-raise card making it 2,500 to go to prompt a rather hasty fold from his opponent to see him climb up to 29,200 in chips.
It's a great start for Lacey Jones. She raised a flop of from 1,300 to 3,000 and was called by a middle position player. That player checked and called 7,000 more on the turn and 10,000 on the river. At showdown, Jones tabled for a full house, sixes full of fives. Her opponent flashed before mucking.
![[user75032]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
, so unfortunately for Raymer, this was the other 75 percent. When he finished signed over his trademark fossil card cover,the ESPN cameras followed Raymer out, framing a shot with his Main Event champion banner hanging behind him. Now that Raymer is gone, the Red Section's featured table is devoid of recognizable players, and the rail has gone from three-deep to entirely empty in two minutes. We'll see who they bring to fill Raymer's spot.
, Chino Rheem checked to his opponent. The player fired 5,000 and Rheem went into the tank. "I don't like folding trips," he said before making the call.
having flopped the nut flush and Rheem mucked.
on the river, the UTG player bet 2,000 and Rene Angelil raised to 7,000, only to have his opponent come back over the top for 12,000. Angelil made the call.
for the rivered nut boat while his opponent showed 
. Some were scratching their heads as to why Angelil elected simply to call in that spot rather than reraise with what was essentially the nuts, but nevertheless he's up to 41,000.
turn where both players checked.
and again it was checked to Moneymaker who fired 1,400. His opponent made the call and Moneymaker revealed 
and Batista checked only to be faced with a bet of 1,000.
turn and 10,000 on the 
river. At showdown, Jones tabled 