Event #2: $40,000 No Limit Hold'Em

[KingBorgo]

The largest No Limit Hold'em in the WSOP began today, a massive $40,000 buyin. This, of course, drew the biggest names in poker: Hellmuth, Brunson, Ivey, Nguyen, Matusow, and nearly 200 more, creating a $7.7 million prizepool, with nearly 2 million going to the winner of the event. This tournament, outside maybe the 50k HORSE event, has drawn what may be referred to as the strongest field to play in a WSOP tournament, with huge names being found at each and every table.

Many of these great pros, including Durrr, Daniel Negreanu, last year's Main Event winner Peter Eastgate, Johnny Chan, and Chris Ferguson, have already made their way to the rail. Phil Hellmuth is close to out, claiming that "the worst player at the table" (according to Hellmuth), Alan Sans, called him down with K9 to a 4 5 6 K Q board. Hellmuth is sitting with roughly 37,000 chips, one of the short stacks of the tournament as of this writing.

Currently, Lex 'RaSZi' Veldhuis is leading the field, the only player with half of a million in chips. Online pro Justin Bonomo is hot on his heals, with Antonio Esfandiari, Ted Forrest, and Chris Moneymaker all within sight.

Expect this three day event to have many more updates over the duration, with many more great players still well in position to make a move down the stretch.

[KingBorgo]

The end of day 1 has seen the field narrowed to 89 from the original 201 entrants. Of these 89, only 27 will make the cash, making over $70,000! Current chip leader is Bruno Fitoussi, with 812,500 in chips, with 2003 Main Event winner Chris Moneymaker right behind him with 805,000 chips. Justin Bonomo still has them well within his sights, sitting 738,000, with previous chip leader Lex 'RaSZi' Veldhuis sitting a bit farther back in fourth.

As happens in a tournament, more players have been sent to the rail, including Scotty Nguyen, Bill Edler, Phil Laak, Phil Hellmuth, and Joe Hachem, along with numerous other great players.

With a field of players as good as this one is, be sure to stick around for updates as the tournament progresses. There are many players more than capable of making a move through day 2 of this 4 day event. Cards go back in the air at 2pm PST today.

[Fonzi]

Cards are back in the air for Event #2 Day 2. We'll keep you all posted.

[lkport]

Doyle Brunson and Chris Moorman a couple of the notables already out on day 2

[lkport]

At break 75 players left. 27 get paid. A couple more names eliminated are Josh Arieh and David 'Devilfish' Ulliott.

Chip leaders are Lex 'RaSZi' Veldhuis, Brian 'tsarrast' Rast, Brian Townsend. all with over 1 million chips

[lkport]

Huck Seed and Phil Ivey both out. My informal count says 53 left

[Dunbar]

Would be great to see a Dutch guy at the final table. After dutchies taking down the EPT San Remo and the EPT Monte Carlo it would really help in the skill vs luck discussion :)

[lkport]

At the end of day 2 there remained 23 players. Everyone is in the money (27 paid), but how much money is what is left to be decided.

Justin Bonomo leads the field, Ted Forrest is close behind. 3rd is David Baker, and Greg Raymer sits 4th

[lkport]

Ten players remain

Alec Torelli 5,375,000
Lex Veldhuis 4,030,000
Vitaly Lunkin 3,500,000
Isaac Haxton 3,145,000
Greg Raymer 2,995,000
Justin Bonomo 2,045,000
Dani Stern 1,275,000
Ted Forrest 815,000
Noah Schwartz 550,000
Tony G 445,000

[lkport]

Tony G was eliminated in 10th place setting up tomorrow's made-for-tv final table. Couldn't happen to a less nicer guy IMO.