The magic of the World Series of Poker is that it brings together such an eclectic range of people, from all across the globe. Some might live in heavily populated cities in which crowded places such as today's Amazon Room are the norm, whilst others will hail from locations in the countryside where their nearest neighbor is over a mile away.
One player on Frank Kassela's table slots firmly into the last category, and seems almost overawed by the occasion. Just moments ago, he revealed it would take just three tables to equal the population of his hometown. Now, I'm no mathematician, but I reckon their are 30 inhabitants where he lives.
Sorel Mizzi, who was down to just 5,000 not too long ago, was all in preflop for 10,450 with against the of Seat 4.
The flop was kind to Mizzi when it came . Seat 4 was looking for a ten to send Mizzi to the rail but didn't get it when the came on the turn and on the river.
Much like the hit TV show, there is a gentleman wandering around the Red Section of the Amazon Room completely lost. A floorperson asked him whether or not he was in Red, Orange or Blue Section and the man simply shrugged.
We hope that the man can find his way, because lighting American currency on fire is a federal crime.
In the last level of play, we said 'hello' to unofficial chip leader Khamsy Nuanmanee (125,000) and 'goodbye' to future NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. We saw quad aces, fixed a light, caught a glimpse of the Real World and ordered Snuggies.
Only at the Main Event of the World Series of Poker.
Don't worry, they're still playing poker, and there are plenty of marquee pros who are pulling their weight including the mathematical master Bill Chen (77,000), the new kid on the block Jason Mercier (70,000), the silent but deadly Allen Cunningham (66,800) and the friendly yet dangerous Humberto Brenes (53,000).
There is a lumberjack in the field trying to shoot the moon again. 2010 Main Event runner-up Darvin Moon is seated at the main feature table. Moon was railing a friend yesterday when a fan asked him if he was the player they had seen on TV. Humble as always, Moon described himself not as a player, but rather just another spectator.
A former champion who is not in attendance is Peter Eastgate. In an unprecedented turn of events, Eastgate announced this week that he is taking a sabbatical from the game of poker altogether. We are unsure of how long this will be, but we do know he will not be repeating as champion this year.
Another no show is Gus Hansen. The Great Dane, who seemingly always goes deep, chose not to play in this year’s Main Event.
Registration for the tournament officially closes at the end of this 20-minute break and after the Harrah’s staff crunches the numbers, we will be able to relay the prizepool information.
A player in early position opened for 525, and Sorel Mizzi shoved all in from late position for his last 5,075. It folded back to the raiser who made the call.
Mizzi showed and his opponent . The board came , meaning Mizzi ended with a straight. He's at 11,000 now.
On a board, Lyle Bernam led for 2,500. His opponent called. The river was the , and with his opponent checking, Bernam once again fired out a bet, this time 4,000.
For the second consecutive street, his opponent made the call, but tapped the felt when shown . The wounded solider revealed . Bernam up to 35,500.
With the pot at approximately 10,000 in chips, the board read between Dave "Doc" Sands and one other player. Sands fired a bet of 5,775 and his opponent tank-called, claiming to not believe that Sands had it.
Sands did indeed have it, tabling the for a full house and his opponent mucked. Sands moved to 36,000 in chips.
![[user4144]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
against the 
of Seat 4.
. Seat 4 was looking for a ten to send Mizzi to the rail but didn't get it when the 
came on the turn and 
on the river.
with about 8,000 in the pot.
, besting his opponent's 
.
and his opponent 
. The board came 
, meaning Mizzi ended with a straight. He's at 11,000 now.
, and with his opponent checking, Bernam once again fired out a bet, this time 4,000.
between Dave "Doc" Sands and one other player. Sands fired a bet of 5,775 and his opponent tank-called, claiming to not believe that Sands had it.