Currently sharing a table are two of Britian's top players, former WPT finalist Harry 'The Owl' Demetriou and 2006 WSOP bracelet winner Willie 'The Dice' Tann.
Incredibly, even without being present, Phil Hellmuth remains the topic of discussion, Harry retelling the set over set hand that forced the Poker Brat down to the felt.
"It's okay if it happens to everyone else, but not if it happens to him," jokes Harry. "He swore at the dealer too and didn't even receive a penalty."
Harry, who lost a bet in which he was forced to wear Martins Poker gear until he next wins a comp, is currently on just over 30,000 in chips.
Thomas Uhlin's fell to Allen Cunningham's when the hit the turn, and Michael Abecassis left us on the very first hand, his unable to improve vs. Mats Gavatin's . Also no longer with us are Robert Cooper and current youngest WSOP bracelet winner record-holder Steve "MrSmokey1" Billirakis.
Roland Israelashvici won the first big pot at the TV table. He raised 2,000 preflop and WSOPE PLO bracelet winner Dario Alioto called from the button. The flop was . Israelashvici fired out 5,000 and Alioto quickly raised to 13,000. After a few minutes of deliberation, Israelashvici called. The turn was the and both players checked. The river was the and both players checked. Israelashvici showed for two pair. Alioto mucked and Israelashvici took down the pot worth over 30,000.
World Heads Up Champion, Jeff 'Jaffacake' Kimber has enjoyed a solid start to today's comp. Although failing to progress in the early hands, he just re-re-raised all-in David Lawrence's 7k steal from the big blind after Jeff had made it 2k from the button.
It was about 25-30k for David to call, but he folded quicker than an English Summer.
The featured TV table got a new player... 19-year old Adam Junglen.
"Uh oh. I object!" joked Daniel Negreanu. "I don't want him here. He's too good. These young kids today are tough players. Plus he's got a lot of chips!"
UK circuit player and, I believe, resident Londoner Vik Kanwar has just doubled up in sweaty palm circumstances. All-in for 18.3k against Justin Bonomo, Vik was mildly comfortable with versus on a flop, but that comfort soon turned to "Arrrrrgh! I'm going to get four flushed and go home crying! Please God, please God, not this time," on the turn.
However, he needn't have feared, because although the King on the river was red, it was a harmless heart, thus allowing Vik to reach for the chips rather than the nearest sick bucket.
Is the early cry around the card rooms, a lot of short stacks pushing and hitting against the bigger stacks. No bust outs to reported yet but surely will be soon.
Today's featured table is going to be a good one... featuring WSOPE bracelet winner Dario Alioto (Italy), Lee "Final Table" Nelson, Howard Lederer, Daniel Negreanu, and Julius Colman (who made the final table of the Aussie Millions).
Seat 1: Gerald Kane 66,675
Seat 2: Howard Lederer 20,450
Seat 3: Lee Nelson 46,450
Seat 4: Sam Norman 29,425
Seat 5: Roland Isrealashvili 53,450
Seat 6: Julius Colman 28,975
Seat 7: Dario Alioto 42,225
Seat 8: Daniel Negreanu 60,900