Randy Ashe was just now explaining to his table how he'd been going over a commonly imagined scenario with friends prior to the start of play today — facing the prospect of going all in at the very start of the WSOP Main Event.
That situation just occurred for Ashe following a series of reraises with Gaston Ruzo of Argentina, sitting across from Ashe at Table 416. When the betting concluded, both players tabled their hands — for Ruzo, and for Ashe.
The board ran out a friendly , meaning neither player will have to leave us early.
So said WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel when making his preliminary announcements prior to the start of play. Players have been waiting all year, and now many of those who've registered for today's Day 1b are in their seats and being dealt their first hands of the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Today UFC fighter and current Welterweight Champion George St-Pierre handled the task of instructing dealers to get things started. "GSP" was the MMA fighter of the year in 2008 and 2009, and he's playing in today's event.
"I wish all you the best of luck. It's my first major tournament… I'll try not to tap out too fast," said St-Pierre.
"Without any further waiting, shuffle up and deal… and have fun!"
Welcome to Day 1b of the 2012 World Series of Poker Main Event! The cumulative event of events kicked off yesterday with 1,066 players all with the hopes and dreams of taking down poker’s greatest prize, a World Series Main Event bracelet. This event transcends the poker world, making celebrities out of the last person standing. This is what it all comes down to, winning the Main Event.
The Main Event kicked off with a bang yesterday seeing a handful of notable pros playing in the field. Faraz Jaka, Eric Baldwin, Brock Parker, Pius Heinz, and Isaac Haxton all finished the day above their initial starting stack, but it was William John who set the score to beat; bagging 266,700 chips at the end of the night. Those chips had to come from somewhere though, and day 1a had its fair share of losers as well. Matt Glantz, Joe Hachem, Greg Mueller, Eric Froehlich, and Phil Hellmuth all had early exits,
“How many people are going to play the Main Event this year?” is a common question heard throughout the WSOP. Today should be a telltale sign of what direction that’s heading with plenty of people still set to duke it out on the felt. Today is day 1b, the second of the three starting days for the Main Event this year. A significant amount of players are expected to take their seats today. Stay tuned to PokerNews for all your updates on who’s playing, who’s winning, and who has to wait till next year.
Everyone is getting in their respective places, ready for the day’s festivities to begin. Dealers are positioned at their tables, the floor staff is primed and ready to make sure everything goes smoothly, and the halls are packed with players ready for their chance at fame and glory. Play is set to start at 12:00 PM, so stay tuned.
For now, Sarah Grant has all the highlights that came out of yesterday:
for Ruzo, and 
for Ashe.
, meaning neither player will have to leave us early.
