Second Verse, Same as the First

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!