Joe Awada Eliminated

On a flop of A 8 7, Joe Awada pushed all in and got called by seat 8.  Awada showed 9 9, but was in trouble against A K.  The turn was the 5, giving Awada straight and flush outs, but the river was the 10 and he angrily slammed the table with his water bottle as he was eliminated.  More angry with himself than his opponent, Awada then graciously said goodbye to the table before exiting. 

Tobey Maguire Survives

With $4,000 in the pot and a flop of A 7 6.  The cutoff bet out $3,000 and Maguire took a second before reraising all in for an additional $5,200.  It appears as though Maguire caught his opponent bluffing because the cutoff folded instantly, giving Maguire some more breathing room. 

Zeidman Coolered

After seeing a cheap flop from the big blind, PokerStars qualifier Cory Zeidman bet $1,000 with a K 6 4 7 board and his opponent raised to $3,000.  Zeidman called and the 9 on the river Zeidman checked and his opponent bet $3,000.   Zeidman called and his opponent revealed the 6 6 for a set of sixes and Zeidman flipped up his K 6 for a big-blind special two pair on the flop. 

Ly Doubles

Minh Ly got in a raising war with Dane Lomas with a board of Q 9 2 6, eventually getting it all-in.  Ly held the A Q for top pair and the nut flush draw, but Lomas held the 10 6 for a made flush.  The river brought the 8 and Ly doubled up with the rivered nuts.

Black Busts

Andrew Black raised to $4,200 from the button and his opponent called from the cutoff. The flop brought the J 10 6 and both players checked. The 8 fell on the turn and the player in the cutoff checked.  Black bet $8,000 and his opponent called.  The 3 fell on the river and once again the player in  the cutoff checked.  Black bet $15,000 and his opponent quickly called with 7 7.   Black mucked his hand, clearly frustrated.  A few hands later he moved in on a flop of 4-3-3 holding 5-4, only to run into the A-A of an opponent.  After the turn and river bricked off Black was sent to the rail.

Victor Ramdin and Mike Sexton Eliminated

Victor Ramdin and Mike Sexton were eliminated this past hour. Sexton moved his short stack all-in with A 4 and got called by Joe Awada's A J.   The board came down 7 5 3 A 7 and Awada's jack kicker was good enough to send Sexton to the rail. 

Up and Down For Zeidman

PokerStars qualifier and stud specialist Cory Zeidman has had a hard time getting some momentum going today.  In one hand he raised to $3,200 preflop and got a call from the player to his left.  The flop brought the A 9 2 and Zeidman again bet $3,000 and his opponent called. The K on the turn prompted both players to check, and they did the same after a blank fell on the river.  Zeidman flipped up A-J only to see his opponent reveal A-Q.  A few hands later Zeidman recouped his losses when he bet $3,500 after the board came J 4 2 5.  The player in the cut off called and the river brought the K. Zeidman bet $3,500 and after a moment his opponent called.  Zeidman revealed the 5 2 and his low two pair was good.

Tobey Maguire Wins With Queen High
On a Jack high board Tobey Maguire showed down Q-8 offsuit and somehow took down the substantial pot.  He only had a few thousand behind so that pot has kept him off life support for the time being. 

Tough Day

One man exiting the Amazon room was more visibly upset than others today.  After taking a bad beat in a huge pot, this gentleman left the Rio in tears, sobbing hysterically as his friend led him out.

Notable Chip Counts

Barry Greenstein	96,000
Andy Black	46,000
Joe Awada	41,000
Huck Seed	35,000
Victor Ramdin	27,000
Joe Tehan	19,000
Dustin Woolf	18,000

Black Takes A Hit

With a board of Q 9 5 6 Andrew Black bet $6,500 and Brian Seri, a PokerStars qualifier, moved in for $37,000.   Black went into the tank for a few minutes, cut out a call, and thought some more. Trying to piece the puzzle together, Black started listing his opponents range.  "Could have the ace flush draw. Could have the same kind of hand."  Eventually Black decided to call, and Seri looked unsure as he revealed the A Q. Black held the Q 10, putting him in trouble with his worse kicker.  The river brought the A, giving the pot to Seri and taking a huge chunk out of Black's stack.

Tournament Info

The 600 remaining players went on a twenty minute break after coloring up the green $25 chips.  This is the first color up of the main event, and after last years additional chip fiasco Harrah's is taking measures to ensure accuracy in the process.  Unfortunately that involves two floor people. per table, per color up making the process mind numbingly long.  It will be interesting to see how much time is lost before the break actually begins.

New Chip Leader
John Dutchak is all in against two opponents he has covered.  He shows A A, one shows K K and the other Q Q.  The flop comes Q 5 4 and the worst hand takes the lead.  The turn is the 2 giving Dutchak more outs.  The river is the A, giving Dutchak top set and the pot.  He takes the chip lead at $195,000.

Notable Chip Counts

Andy Black	70,000
Barry Greenstein	68,000
Joe Tehan	50,000
Joe Awada	41,000
Huck Seed	40,000
Dustin Woolf	18,000
David Ulliott	2,600

Victor Ramdin Makes a Great Laydown, But Regrets It

Team PokerStars representative Victor Ramdin raised to $2,000 from late position.  A woman in seat 5 reraised to $8,000.  The button then decided to reraise to $24,000.  It was folded back around to Ramdin who went into the tank for several minutes before the clock was called on him.  He decided to fold and the woman in seat 5 pushed all in.  She had the button covered and he called all in with A A.  She turned over A K.  The board came Queen high and the button raked the pot.  Ramdin then wandered the room regretting his fold of pocket Queens.  Meanwhile, Mark Vos quenched his thirst with a bottle of water, a Red Bull and a Corona simultaneously.

Huge Overbets Common

Huge over bets preflop have been common today.  A player moved all-in for $35,000 into an unraised pot with approximately $1,000 in it.  Julian Gardner raised to $2,200 and an opponent raised all-in for more than $25,000 more. With only $3,200 in the pot, Gardner decided to fold his A Q.  This style of play is undoubtedly frustrating to the pros, who would prefer to play after the flop.

Royal Flush

Joe Gotlieb hit a royal flush during the level holding the K Q.  The board came A J 10 Q K, putting broadway and a four card flush on board. 

The Bear
Team Pokerstars guru and all around savage Barry Greenstein raises to $2,000 from the cutoff and is called by the big blind who then checks in the dark.  The flop comes A99, and Greenstein bets out $2,700 and is called.  The turn brings the 8, the big blind checks and Greenstein bets $5,000.  Again the big blind calls and the river brings the 5, again the big blind checks then calls Greenstein's $7,000 bet.  The Bear turns over AJ and drags the pot when the big blind shows A7.

Madsen Makes Sweet Call
Jeff Madsen raises to $2,000 from late position and is called by seat two from the big blind.  The flop comes 10104, the big blind checks and Madsen bets $2,000.  The big blind check raises to $6,000 and Madsen makes the call.  The turn brings the 6, the big blind bets $8,000 and again Madsen makes the call.  The river is the Q and the big blind fires a $12,000 bullet.  Madsen thinks then makes the call.  The big blind tosses his hand into the muck, Madsen tables A4 and drags the pot.  He looks pretty miserable in his jester suit, but thats all the more entertainment for everyone else. 

Eliminations

Mickey Appleman, Tony Ma and David Grey were all eliminated this past level.  Grey was short stacked and moved in with K-J and ran into A-A.

Notable Chip Counts

Andy Black	68,000
Barry Greenstein	68,000
Joe Awada	59,000
Huck Seed	42,000
Mike Sexton	39,000
Victor Ramdin	39,000
Joe Tehan	24,750
Dustin Woolf	11,500
David Ulliott	2,600

Break
The players are on a 20 minute break. 

Controversy Before the Break
One player raised from the 6 seat in middle position to $1,200.  The dealer announced his raise but then for some reason just reached over and mucked his cards.  She began to apologize almost immediately as the player angrily called the floor over.  The tournament director, as she had done all series, ruled that the player's action must stand, but that he would be returned his raise, only having to contribute $400 to the pot.  This ruling did not satisfy him, mainly because he claimed to have had pocket Kings.  He continued to protest for all of his bet, but the ruling stood.  Eventually, he agreed that the ruling was correct, but that it was still a terrible solution to what is basically, human error. 

Each player is responsible for protecting their cards, and once they hit the muck they are dead, regardless of who put them there.  Usually this situation happens to the players in the one or ten seat, as they are located right next to the dealer.  It is unusual for this to happen to players located across the table.  The player who won the pot on a Jack high board declined to comment whether or not the Kings would have been good, so it is unknown if the dealer accidentally saved the gentleman any chips or not. 

Soulier Sends Opponent To The Rail

On a board of Q 6 5 9 Q Fabrice Soulier pushed the last of his chips into the pot.  His opponent instantly began to shake his head in disgust, obviously angered by a club and board pair on the river.  He eventually called with the 87, which was the nut straight on the turn.  Soulier revealed the A 3, for the nut flush, taking down the pot and sending his opponent to the rail. 

Eliminations

Allen Kessler Mike Mizrachi and Steve Paul-Ambrose were eliminated during this past hour.

Not Everybody Loves Raymond
A player in seat three limps and Ray Romano raises to $2,600.  A team Pokerstars member reraiseson the button to $7,000 and seat three makes the call. Romano says. "lets get this over with." and shoves his remaining money into the pot, raising $1,275 more.  Both the button and seat three call and the flop comes J54.  Seat three checks and seat eight bets $16,000.  Seat three (who looks an awful lot like Doctor Dre) tanks then finally mucks.  The button shows AA, and has Romano in trouble with KQ.  The turn is the K giving Romano some life, but the river brings the 8 and he is eliminated.  As he stood up from the table he yelled, "Crazy Horse, Lets Go!"  He then went over to Brad Garrett's table and caroused with him for a while before leaving.

Notable Chip Counts

Andy Black	120,000
Joe Awada	59,000
Huck Seed	55,000
Barry Greenstein	54,000
Victor Ramdin	42,500
Joe Tehan	32,000
Liz Lieu	27,000
Mike Sexton	21,000
Jonathan Little	20,000
Dustin Woolf	19,800
Mickey Appleman	10,000
David Ulliott	2,600

Always a Comedian
Brad Garrett's comedy act at table 8 continues.  In one hand the board showed AQ29, a player in seat six checked and Garrett moved all in.  As the cameras and media gathered, the deaerl instructed Garrett to move a stack into the middle of the table.  Garrett asked, "Just one stack?"  then went to his neighbors chips and gestured as if he was going to move them in.  Everyone had a laugh except seat six, who dejectedly mucked.

Nightmare Situation

Brandon Adams found himself in nightmare situation preflop, getting all of his money in with K K against A A.   The flop of Q 9 6 improved neither player and things where looking even more dire for Adams.  The turn completely flipped the situation when it brought the K giving Adams a dominating lead and leaving his opponent with only a 5% chance of winning the hand.  The J on  the river sealed Adam's victory and doubled him up to just over $50,000.  

Molina Busts

 Eric Molina, who got a lot of attention from camera crews at last years main event, will no grace the small screen for long in this years coverage.  Molina was eliminated this past hour, and against precedent he left quietly and quickly after busting.

Ian Johns Eliminated

A player limped in early position and the cutoff limped behind as well.  Ian Johns raised to $2,000 from the button.  The early position player then asked Johns how much he had behind which was about $11,000.  With this information he decided to just flat call, as did the cutoff.  The flop came J 5 4 and the cutoff bet out $3,000.  Johns raised all in and the cutoff made the call, showing 5 4. Johns reluctantly turned over the A J and needed help.  The turn and river came 2 4, giving the cutoff an unnecessary full house and eliminating Johns. 

SPA Doubles
Team Pokerstars member Steve Paul Ambrose (SPA to his friends and fanboys) has doubled up.  He pushed AQ from middle position and was called by 87 from the big blind.  The Board came A22510, doubling him up to $7,000.

Preflop Posturing
Mark Vos raised to $1,350, he was called by a player in seat nine and raised by the big blind to $2,400.  Vos reraised to $20,300 and the big blind  over $50,000 more. Vos thought then folded.  He asked the big blind to show one card, and he tabled the A.

Official Numbers

Just following the dinner break the tournament officials announced the final numbers for the day.  A total of 1,287 players began the day, and there are about 850 remaining.  We will have wait and see how the other "Day Ones" stack up to this one.

Don't Want To Be Embarassed

Dustin Woolf used the attention his chipstack has gotten him.  Woolf, with over $80,000 in chips, has been sought out by the ESPN cameras recently, and he prompted an opponent to fold in their presence.  A player raised from middle position and Woolf defended from the big blind.  The flop was J 8 7, Woolf bet $2,100, and his opponent began to think.  Woolf then said "You know this is gonna be on ESPN," grinning.  His opponent folded and he raked in the pot.

Redrawn

In our Pro Blogs section Barry Greenstein has talked about the passivity of his table up to this point.  Recently his table was upgraded when Brandon Adams was moved there.  Greenstein needled him as he sat, "We asked for the worst player from your table, are you sure you want to own up to that?"  Adams simply smiled and took his seat.

Jacob  and Wahlroos Filled Out

Alex Jacob was knocked out when he made a full house with pocket fives only to run into his opponent's King's full.  Jacob and his no longer magic hair have been eliminated from the Main Event.  Thomas Wahlroos also ran into a full house to end his day.  Wahlroos raised to $3,000 and the player in seat 7 called.  The flop was 9 8 3, Seat 7 checked, Wahlroos moved all in, and Seat 7 called.  Wahlroos held Q Q, but his opponent had outflopped him with 9 9.  The turn was the 8 and the river the K, and Wahroos hit the rail.

Ma Outdrawn

Tony Ma, representative of www.PokerStars.com, raised to $1,600 from the button, the big blind moves all in for $1,150 more and Ma calls.  Ma holds A J against the big blind's A 4.  The flop Q 7 5 kept Ma in the lead, but the turn and river were the K and the 8, giving the big blind a runner-runner flush.

Big Shoes

Nolan Dalla just announced over the microphone that the first player to break $100,000 in chips (he actually has $120,000)  is Tinton Oliver.  A few players let out a few boos, but they should cheer up.  Its a kiss of death to be chip leader early in the Main Event.  Just ask Barry Greenstein about having that distinction in 2003, or better yet does anyone remember Dimitri Nobles?

The players have returned to the Amazon Room to begin Level 5 Action.

The players have just gone on dinner break and will return at 9 p.m. to the start of Level 5 where the blinds will increase to $300-$600 with a $75 ante.

Now Everybody Really Loves Robert
Everybody Loves Raymond star, Brad Garrett was in rare form tonight and Table no. 8 was the place to be during Level 4. Garrett got involved in a big hand with the player in seat no.1 and it went like this… On a flop of 10 8 2, Garrett led out with $1,200 and the player in seat no. 1 raised to $3,000. Garrett made the call and the turn brought the A. Seat no. 1 bet another $3,000 and Garrett was put to an apparently tough decision. Seat no. 1 offered Garrett an easy way out by telling him that if he were to fold his cards that seat no. 1 would show him his hand. A light bulb went on over Garrett’s head and he said, “Ok, I’ll see one more card then.” Garrett makes the call just as his on-set little brother, Ray Romano walks over and the crowd of media starts to gather. Garrett exposes the 8 and the 7 for the flush draw before the river and Romano says, “Why did you show your hand, you just cost yourself a bet.” Garrett replies, “Why are you even over here?” Romano says, “Cause you’re my ride home.”, and everyone gets a good laugh. The river brings the K and Garrett hits his flush draw and goes on a rampage followed by a barrage of kisses for the dealer and “a round of rubs” for everyone at the table. Garrett celebrates by buying everyone at his table a ten minute massage. He jokes with Romano saying, “You have a show, go back to your table and move all-in.” Romano replies, “Now you know why I ended the show.” Everyone gets a great laugh from the poker playing comedy duo while table no. 8 enjoys their free massage compliments of Brad Garrett.    

And Now For Some Real Poker News…
Two-time Main event winners Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan have both been eliminated this past round and will have to wait until next to go for their third Main Event title. Johnny Chan was eliminated when his opponent in seat no. 3 raised to $1,200 before the flop and Chan smooth called behind him followed by the player in the big blind. The flop came 10 6 3, and seat no. 3 bet out $1,200. Johnny Chan re-raises all-in for another $600 and the big blind raises $3,000 more, getting seat no.3 to fold his hand. Chan shows A K while the big blind turns over K 10. The turn and river bring the 7 and the 10, not enough help for Chan as he is eliminated right before the dinner break on day 1.

Online poker phenom, Lex Veldhuis was also eliminated right before the dinner break. Veldhuis raised to $1,200 and the player in seat no. 8 made the call. The flop came 10 9 5 and seat no. 8 bet $4,000. Veldhuis re-raises to $10,500 and seat no. 8 makes the call. The turn brought the J and seat no. 8 moved all-in (had Vedhuis covered). Veldhuis calls all-in with K 7 and seat no. 8 turned over Q 10. The river brought 5, no help to Lex Veldhuis as he is eliminated at the halfway point of Day 1. As he gathers his things and walks away from the table he comments, “I’ll gamble with that flop…if I win I’m up over $55,000. F**k it, I’ll just go play the cash games now.”

Dave Colclough was also eliminated this level. On flop of A-J-8, Colclough gets all of his money in the pot with A-J against his opponent’s A-10. The turn and river bring a 9 and a 7, giving his opponent a backdoor straight and sending Colclough to the rail just before dinner.

Elsewhere on the European front Andy Black had taken a hit and his stack had dropped to about $39,000 when he got heads up in a pot with the board reading Jd3d8c6s9s and scooped it when his Q-Q trumped his opponent’s A-J. He’s back up to about $55,000.

Roy ‘The Boy’ Brindley is gone. He re-raised all-in as the shortstack with 2-2 and got called by A-K which hit.

Thomas Wahlroos is grinding away with half his original stack. He took down a small pot with a raise when CardPlayer.com was passing, smiled while shrugging his shoulders and said, ‘I’m just fishing for chips.’

Michael Greco has $27,000 in chips, Irish Open winner Marty Smyth has $13,200, Dave ‘Devilfish’ Ulliott has $8,400, Per Hildebrand has $20,100, Julian Gardiner has $71,000, Mickey Wernick has $26,000, John Magill has $45,000, Joe Beevers has $45,000 and Sigi Stockinger has around $40,000.

While many of the pros seemed to fall early this year, others were just off to an early start. www.PokerStars.com ambassador, Victor Ramdin was having a tough time getting any action at his table, and for the last few hours he could take almost any pot with an uncontested raise. Almost any pot except for this one…On a board of 8 4 3 A 10, Ramdin fires $5,000 at the pot and gets looked-up by the player in seat no. 1. Ramdin shows 4 4 and takes down a massive pot with a set of fours which could explain the reason he has been getting so much respect today.

Players will return at 9 p.m., so be sure to check back with CardPlayer.com to see all of the action as it unfolds.