Level 1 in the Books!

Chants of “Ivey! Ivey! Ivey!” still echo in the minds of poker players and fans alike. Last year’s magical run by Phil Ivey captured the eyes and ears of everyone associated with the poker industry, and his quest at a repeat performance started here on Day 1d of the 2010 Main Event.

Ivey has been splashing around early on, and is in the black with 45,700 chips.

There are a few players off to a quick including Brent Baldrey (65,000), Steve "MrSmokey1" Billirakis (57,000) and David Benyamine (48,200). Sure it is early in the tournament, but fast starts aren’t always bad omens. Just ask 2009 Main Event Champion and 2009 Day 1c chip leader Joe Cada.

Speaking of former champs.

Doyle Brunson, Robert Varkonyi, Joe Hachem and Chris Ferguson are in the field today. No former champion has made the final table since “Action” Dan Harrington did so in 2004, and there hasn’t been a repeat winner since Johnny Chan went back-to-back in 1987 and 1988.

The Grand Dame of Poker has graced us with her presence today. Wendeen Eolis, the first woman to ever cash in the Main Event, is sitting in the Red Section of the Amazon Room. There are plenty of other lovely ladies in the field today including Vanessa Rousso, Shannon Elizabeth and Kara Scott.

Level 1 is in the books, and we’re now on a brief, 20-minute break. Maybe Emmitt Smith can take the time to work on his “Shuffle up and deal.”