Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Las Vegas, NV--The Main Event is under way, and even the staff at the WSOP was blown away by the turn out. Day 1-D attracted 2,809 entries. This means the official final count is 6,494 players who have entered the 2009 Main Event. Based on this figure, the 2009 WSOP Main Event now ranks as the third-largest live poker tournament in history. Only the 2006 and 2008 championships drew larger numbers.

The combined field size of the Main Event is/was so large that four starting days have become necessary in recent years--1-A (July 3rd), 1-B (July 4th), 1-C (July 5th), and 1-D (July 6th). Four starting days have been in effect since 2006.

Despite registration being open 24 hours a day/7 days a week during the entire 39-day duration of the WSOP (to date), several players seeking to play in the Main Event were shut out. Day 1-D was technically a "sell-out" due to every available seat and table being used in the tournament. A total of 308 tables were put into use, which is the most of any tournament at this year’s WSOP.

The "sell out" was due to an overwhelming late rush arriving at registration, on the final day. While the first three starting days had plenty of extra seats available for all players, unfortunately many players waited until it was too late to sign up. The unprecedented situation reduced the field size of the Main Event by at least a few hundred players (estimates vary).

Most observers noted that the Main Event total number of entries very likely would have surpassed last year's figure, were it not for the unmanageable imbalance in late registrations. This issue will most certainly be discussed following this year's tournament as the WSOP attempts to accommodate as many players as possible, while encouraging and emphasizing the importance of early registration--particularly into widely-popular events such as the Main Event championship which are in serious danger of reaching full capacity.

Former world champions who played on Day 1-D included--Bobby Baldwin (1978) and Robert Varkonyi (2002). Both Baldwin and Varkonyi will return for Day Two. Notable celebrities who played on Day 1-D included Jordan Farmar (Los Angles Lakers basketball player), Torrie Wilson (female wrestler), Marlon Wayans (actor and comedian), John Salley (former NBA basketball star), Lou Diamond Phillips (actor and singer), Joseph Kahn (music video director), Ray Romano (actor), Sully Erna (musician), and Shannon Elizabeth (actor).  Farmar, Wayans, Phillips, and Elizabeth survived.

Reigning world champioin, Peter Eastgate, played on this day. He survived Day 1-D and currently has an average-size stack. Ivan Demodov, who finished as the runner up in last year's WSOP Main Event, played on this day but was eliminated.

Players competed for five complete levels. Play ended at 12:45 am. Day 1-D will also be comprised of five levels. The survivors will play four levels on Day 2, which will then synch the time clocks of both fields for the start of Day 3.

Players started the tournament with 30,000 in chips. This is the first year players were given triple the number of starting chips. By contrast, the WSOP Main Event from 1971 through 2005 gave players 10,000 in starting chips. Years 2006-2008 gave players double the customary starting stack (20,000).

Day 1-D ended with 1,816 players. This means 65 percent of starters survived the first day. Players who survived Day 1-D will return to continue their quest for the 2009 world poker championship on July 8th, at 12 noon. They will merge with the survivors of Day 1-C (which was played yesterday).

Hal Lubarsky survived Day 1-D with a healthy stack size. Lubarsky is legally blind. He became the first such person ever to cash in the Main Event when he finished in-the-money two years ago.

-WSOP-