WSOP EVENT #1 DAY 1 RECAP

photos by flipchip • lasvegasvegas.com

Shuffle Up and Deal!
Doyle Brunson opens the 2008 WSOP
The 2008 World Series of Poker kicked off Friday at the Rio Casino with Event #1 $10,000 Por-Limit Hold’em. The opening event attracted 352 entrants and the top 36 would get paid.The pro-heavy event included poker’s superstars such as Phil Ivey, Jen Harman, Howard Lederer, Patrik Antonius, Doyle Brunson, Erik Seidel, Max Pescatori, Allen Cunningham, Daniel Negreanu, Vince Van Patten, Barry Greenstien, Isabelle Mercier, Vanessa Rousso, Kathy Liebert, and TJ Cloutier.

More after the jump….

The Buzz

Everyone was buzzing about the start of the WSOP since it’s still the most prestigious poker tournament series in the world. I mean, this is what every poker junkie in the world has been waiting for… a shot at winning a bracelet and achieving fame and fortune in Sin City.

The Backstory

This is the fourth year that the Rio has hosted the WSOP. They made some new changes such as reconfiguring the Amazon Ballroom with a media perch and moved the satellite areas to a separate area across the hall. The Poker Tent is no longer in action and has been replaced with the Poker Kitchen. The Rio also opened up registration much earlier than previous years to help alleviate the congestion of the hordes of players buying into the massive $1,500 donkament in Event #2.

Sight of the Day

The UNLV marching band burst into the Amazon Ballroom and played “Viva Las Vegas” for the start of the WSOP.

Quote of the Day

“Shuffle up and deal!” was said by none other than the legendary Doyle Brunson.

Hand of the Day

One of the craziest hands of the day involved a royal flush. German pro Jan von Halle was involved in a pot with Kathy Liebert. He checked the absolute nuts on the river… a royal flush! I suspected that he misread his hand. Some of his tablemates were not amused and called the floor over. Von Halle was given a warning about possible collusion.

Celebrity Players

Shannon Elizabeth, Jen Tilly, and former major league baseball player Orel Hershiser were among the 352 players in Event #1. Former WSOP champions Chris “Jesus” Ferguson, Doyle Brunson, Greg Raymer, Tom McEvoy, Berry Johnston and Chris Moneymaker were also in the field.