Canada's Yann Dion has a reputation of being a "go big or go home" type of player, and he in the opening minutes he's living up to it.
In a recent pot, there was around 1,500 in the middle and a flop of when Dion checked from middle position and the button bet a single yellow T1,000 chip. Dion made the call and then both players checked the turn. When the completed the board on the river, Dion led out for 1,150 and it did the trick as the button released his hand.
A couple of minutes later, we were walking by Dion again after he had raised an opponent's flop bet of 700 up to 2,400. Once again the pressure worked as his opponent folded.
The second starting day of the 2014 World Series of Poker Main Event is now officially underway! Tournament director Jack Effel welcomed the huge crowd that showed up for Day 1b and walked everyone through the rules in play here during the WSOP Main Event.
In total five two-hour levels will be played with a 20-minute break after the completing of each level. After the third level there will be a 90-minute dinner break.
WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart took over the mic from Effel and introduced none other than Emmy award winner Ray Romano. This year Romano plays in his eighth Main Event coming off of his best run last year, when he busted out on Day 3.
"This year is special for me because I brought my son who just turned 21," Romano said. "Like a good father I brought him to Vegas," he continued as the crowd laughed.
"I've got a last longer bet with him, so if anyone knocks him out I'll buy you a drink," Romano said before he spoke the most famous words in poker.
Day 1b is now officially underway, so stay tuned for lots of poker action!
Good afternoon, and welcome back to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino for the 2014 World Series of Poker!
Today marks Day 1b of the Main Event, which boasts a $10 million guaranteed first-place prize this year. Day 1a kicked off on Saturday with a lackluster flight of 771 players, and the end-of-day leader was Martin Jacobson. The Swede bagged up 200,100 chips after a very successful 5th and final level of the evening, and will be joined on Day 2a by former Main Event champions Ryan Riess (2013), Greg Merson (2012), Chris Moneymaker (2003), Johnny Chan (1987, 1988), and Tom McEvoy (1983).
We expect to see to see more former champions and even more players today during the second flight. In 2013 the increase from Day 1a to Day 1b was 206%, and with a smaller first flight this year (172 players fewer), that increase may be even larger.
Here are some key stats from 2013:
Last year the Main Event saw 6,352 players from 83 nations compete in the Main Event, which created a prize pool of $59,714,169. The tournament was eventually won by Ryan Riess of East Lansing, Michigan, who earned $8,361,570 for his victory. Here are some other interesting facts from last year's Main Event:
Average Age in 2013: 38.1
Oldest Player in 2013: William Wachter - Carmel, New York (Age 92)
Youngest Player in 2013: Rayan Chamas - Dollard, Quebec, Canada (21 years, 8 days)
Male Participation in 2013: 6,054 (95.3%)
Female Participation in 2013: 298 (4.7%)
The number that we will all have our eyes on this year is of course 6,352 - can the total of entrants be topped now that the WSOP offers real-money online poker in two states?
Day 1b action is set to kick off at high noon, and the players will grind it out for five two-hour levels with a 90-minute dinner break after Level 3. As always, be sure to keep your browser pointed to PokerNews.com for unmatched live reporting of this event, all the way until the November Nine!