WSOP 2011 Main Event Day 1 (A-D)

Although the first days of the main event are a wonderful and exciting affair for the thousands of players who cram into the Rio to play them, it's nothing that can't be handled in a single blog post, so here's a recap of the four day 1's:

Day 1 A

Players: 897
Remaining at end of day: 560
Biggest stack: Fred Berger - 210k
Notable eliminations: Doyle Brunson, Greg Raymer
Other notables: Matt Affleck (made deep runs last two years, cried, poor guy)

Day 1 B

Players: 985
Remaining at end of day: 600
Biggest stack: Ben Lamb (who else, hope he binks and takes POY) - 190k
Notable eliminations: Michael Mizrachi, Noah Schwartz
Other notables: None? Boring day...

Day 1 C

Players: 2,181 (!!)
Remaining at end of day: around 1,300
Biggest stack: Kevin Song - 163k (interesting that the biggest field has the smallest chip leader)
Notable eliminations: Ms. Ellen Deeb (91 year old grandmother of Shaun Deeb)
Other notables: Helmuth finishes on 12k

Day 1 C

Players: 2,802
Remaining at end of day: around 1,800
Biggest stack: Maynard Little - 180k
Notable eliminations: Tom Dwan, Antonio Esfandiari, David Williams
Other notables: Jamie 'best bluffer in the world' Gold (82k) Darvin Moon (48k)

WSOP 2011 Main Event Totals

Field: 6,865
First prize: $8,700,000
Total prize pool: $64,531,000
Places paid: 693
Min cash: $20k

We have our final numbers as the player tally reaches a line busting 6,865. Many people's predictions for the first post Black Friday WSOP Main Event were in the mid 5k's, so congratulations if you took the over. I thought they'd struggle to make it to 6k with the absence of the usual online qualifiers, but if would appear, for this year at least, that the WSOP will go on regardless.

There are other factors of course - that 'one final shot at a big score before I have to go get a job' outlook many have spoken of, the 'I have my $100k PokerStars bankroll sitting in my current account' crew and the 'Online whatdidyousay?' crowd.

That wraps up the day ones in a quick and easy format. Around 4,500 players remain and Day 2a starts today with around 2,000 players back at the felt to try to last another day with something resembling a stack.

Next update after the completion of Day 2b.

Links from day 1:

Wicked Chops Girls of the Main Event

Tao of Poker - Nice stats and general awesomeness, found this after my roundup above

Pokerati - DonkeyBomber's 2011 WSOP Wrap-Up

Pokernews - Live reporting

Bluff Magazine - Ongoing coverage

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