...And less than 10 minutes into the tournament, perhaps not wanting to waste any valuable time that might better be spent in the pool, say, or playing a different tournament, two famous names have already busted out.
In circumstances unknown, Gavin Smith and EPT Copenhagen champion Tim Vance have been sighted putting their only recently shedded coats back on and heading out of the Amazon Room.
cooeee
At the moment, there are fewer famous faces than there are colours of the rainbow, but many big names have a tendency to arrive fashionably late and will surely be gracing us with their presence very shortly.
Those familiar names already seated include Kenna James, Lee Watkinson, Tim Vance, Phil Gordon, and WSOP 2002 winner Robert Varkonyi. Flying the European flag are a handful of Brits including Rob Sherwood, Martin Green and the glorious sight of Liv Boeree.
Yes indeed, our first round of STTs should be a corker, with a sellout field of 1,000 currently donning their ipods and sunglasses and sitting themselves down for round one. Notable folks playing today include Phil Laak, Jennifer Tilly, Andy Bloch, Annie Duke, Erick Lindgren, as well as two gentlemen who've done rather well already so far this Series, 2008 bracelet winners David Singer and Nenad Medic.
Good morning, poker fans, and welcome to Event 17, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout. Although juggling the troubles of the world with just one hour's sleep, Dana and I have downed our All-In energy drink, strutted our stuff to the now customary "Let's Get It Started" introductory theme tune and pitched up tent here at ringside, ready for action and raring to go.
Now, when you hear the word shootout, you may conjure images of Clint Eastwood, guns at dawn and murky saloons, but sadly none of the aforementioned will be appearing today. As with Event 11, today's event involves two round of STTs with the winner, and winner only, advancing through to the next round of play.
As is always the case with these tournaments, one table is destined to take hours longer whilst an impatient motley crew of second rounders await the conclusion, but whether it takes a few minutes or a fortnight (please poker gods, not the latter), we'll be here to bring you all the action... as it happens. Should be fun!
Expect another full Amazon Room on Monday!
The crack of noon on Monday brings the start of Event #17 at the this year's WSOP, $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout. The first two rounds of play are scheduled to be held on Monday, meaning that the day's action here could, conceivably, run well into the morning hours.
Last year 900 players joined the fun and a similar turnout is expected this time around. Donald Baruch claimed the bracelet and $264,107 winner's check in 2007.