Pros Push it to the Limit
As the field has been whittled down, slowly yes, but steadily throughout the day, the professionals have demonstrated their natural aptitude for the limit format.
Multiple bracelet winners Phil Hellmuth, Eric Froehlich, David "Bakes" Baker, Barry Shulman, Max Pescatori, Tom Schneider, and David Chiu have all survived through nearly eight levels of play.
Defending champion Ronnie Bardah is also still alive as he attempts to win this event in consecutive years, while 2009 Main Event champ Joe Cada has also built a stack with which to make a Day 2 run.
There are also many pros still with chips who are attempting to win their first WSOP bracelet, including Jonathan Little, Jon Turner, Mike Leah, and Ray Henson.
With the limit format demanding extreme patience, an ability to read hands accurately, and a knack for controlling the size of the pot, the fact that so many recognizable pros are still competing for this title is a testament to their skills, and to the subtle beauty of Limit Hold'em.