The World Series of Poker (WSOP) set numerous attendance records in 2010, so even amidst the trials and tribulations poker players have endured during the UIGEA enforcement, it isn’t surprising to see the WSOP Main Event attract so many players this summer. With 2,314 players participating on Day 1c, the 2010 Main Event will officially go down as the second largest poker tournament in history. The total was up from 1,696 entrants on Day 1c last year, an increase of 36%. And with Day 1d registration still open and a max capacity of around 3,800 in the Rio this year, the total could eclipse 8,000 entrants. The 2006 Main Event had 8,773 players.
Mathiu Sauriol ended the Day 1c as the chip leader, bagging up 168,900 chips at the end of four and a half levels. Sauriol will enter Day 2a third overall in chips, trailing Day 1a chip leaders Corwin Cole (228,000) and Dwyen Ringbauer (191,125). Close on Sauriol’s heels was two-time Main Event champion Johnny Chan, who doubled up early in the day to finish with the second highest total of the 1,489 players that advanced. Others ending the day healthy in chips were Lauren Kling, Hoyt Corkins, David Williams, Billy Kopp, Isaac Baron, Lex Veldhuis, Robert Mizrachi, Jennifer “Jennicide” Leigh, David Pham, Cole South, and Patrik Antonius. Here’s a look at the top 10 chip counts from Day 1c:
1. Mathiu Sauriol — 168,900
2 .Johnny Chan — 163,700
3. Andrew Liporace — 155,250
4. Joe Monro — 153,350
5. Lauren Kling — 149,650
6. Barny Boatman — 144,050
7. Steven Goosen — 142,925
8. Michael Reed — 142,125
9. Sean Prendiville — 140,500
10. Benjamin Blair — 137,200
UB.com’s Phil Hellmuth made yet another grand entrance to the Main Event, this time arriving dressed as a UFC Fighter. UFC announcer Bruce Buffer announced Hellmuth as he entered the Amazon Room with UFC fighter Wanderlei Silva at his side. However, unlike the past two years, Hellmuth’s Main Event ended well short of a deep run, as he was eliminated late on Day 1c. Upon the announcement of his exit, the Amazon Room and Rio Pavilion exploded in applause. Shortly after, Tournament Director Jack Effel announced that 2007 WSOP Event winner Jerry Yang had been eliminated and both rooms remained silent.
Others hitting the rail early on Day 1c were Huck Seed, Dario Minieri, Steven Begleiter, Men Nguyen, Jeff Madsen, Chad Brown, Chau Giang, and Tom Dwan, who had ESPN cameras following him around all day as he moved from table to table in the Pavilion and Amazon Room. Dwan, playing his last tournament to collect a bracelet and win or lose millions of dollars in prop bets, was being watched closely all day by his peers, but ultimately hit the rail during the final level of the day.
Day 1d will get underway at noon on Thursday. Among those expected to take to the felts include Vanessa Rousso, Daniel Alaei, Phil Ivey, John Juanda, Michael Binger, Shannon Elizabeth, Dan “djk123” Kelly, and Player of the Year leader Frank Kassela. Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for continuous updates from the 2010 WSOP Main Event!.
