Day 1d Makes 2011 the Third-Largest WSOP Main Event Ever with 6,865 Entrants!
The big question on everyone’s mind at the start of the 2011 World Series of Poker was, “How many entries will there be in the Main Event?” After seven long weeks, that question has finally been answered. Day 1d of the 2011 WSOP drew 2,802 players to bring the total over the past four days to 6,865, making this the third-largest Main Event in WSOP history. The subsequent $64,531,000 prize pool no doubt astounded the skeptics who originally believed the Main would attract less than 5,000 players.
The top 693 players are slated to be paid, with a min-cash earning $19,359; however, there is no doubt that everyone in the field have their eyes set on the life-changing first-place prize of $8,711,956. About 65-70% of today’s 2,802-player field survived to Day 2, with Mory Little appearing to be the Day 1d chip leader with 179,450 (though his position as chip leader is not official until the numbers are released early Monday morning).
Hot on the Little's heels are Ben Mintz (176,875), Roj Vohra (167,450), Anthony Miller (166,000), Dax Mellon (161,325), and Antony Lellouche (155,200).
Here is a look at the final-table payouts for the 2011 WSOP; as well as a list of the different Day 1 chip leaders:
Final Table Payouts
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $8,711,956 |
| 2nd | $5,430,928 |
| 3rd | $4,019,635 |
| 4th | $3,011,661 |
| 5th | $2,268,909 |
| 6th | $1,720,396 |
| 7th | $1,313,851 |
| 8th | $1,009,910 |
| 9th | $782,115 |
Top Day 1 Chip Counts
| Day | Player | Hometown | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1a | Fred Berger | Las Vegas, NV | 209,000 |
| 1b | Ben Lamb | Tulsa, OK | 188,925 |
| 1c | Kevin Song | Diamond Bar, CA | 163,325 |
| 1d | Mory Little | Charlotte, NC | 179,450 |
While everyone was excited about the incredible turnout, there was still a poker game to be played. Being the largest of the four starting days, Day 1d seemed to inspire the most action. Pros and amateurs alike packed the Pavilion and Amazon Rooms, but it didn’t take long for the field to start culling itself.
Some notable eliminations throughout Day 1d included Prahlad Friedman, Tom “durrrr” Dwan, Steve Zolotow, James Mackey, John Juanda, William Reynolds, Frank Kassela, Tom Marchese, Melanie Weisner, Bertrand “ElkY” Grospellier, Jennifer Tilly, Angel Guillen, Ivan Demidov, Alexander Kravcheko, Owais Ahmed, Antonio Esfandiari, David Williams, and Nelly (as in the rap superstar).
Likewise, 2010 November Niners Jason Senti and John Dolan won’t be making return trips to the final table as they became the second and third players from last year’s final nine to hit the rail (Michael Mizrachi was eliminated on Day 1b). While a laundry list of pros fell to the wayside, a no-less impressive list will be returning for Day 2b on Tuesday. They include former World Champions Huck Seed (42,600), Jamie Gold (82,000), Berry Johnston (28,850), Robert Varkonyi (59,525), and Joe Hachem (45,700); Europeans Noah Boeken (78,675) and Lars Bonding (94,000); the always-beautiful Amanda Musumeci (134,800); veterans Lyle Berman (127,575) and Freddy Deeb; the Unabomber Phil Laak (45,700); Poker Hall of Famer Mike Sexton (49,600); and former Main Event runner-up competitors Steve Dannenmann and Darvin Moon.
Tomorrow, the remaining 2,031 players from Day 1a and Day 1c will combine to form Day 2a and begin play at 12:00 PM PT sharp. You can view the chip counts and table draw in a PDF file here.
Day 2b will see the remaining players from Day 1b and Day 1d combine on Tuesday, the draw of which will be posted just as soon as it becomes available. Be sure to join us on both days as the PokerNews Live Reporting Team brings you all the action and eliminations as we play our way towards a champion!