Like a Broken Record, Another Record Broken

Today is Day 3 of Event #2 and Day 2 of Event #3. Sounds a little confusing, but get used to it as the sheer size of events at this year’s WSOP is forcing many into three-day tournaments. Yesterday, the $1,500 pot-limit hold’em event got started at noon, with a--everyone say it with me now--“record-setting” field of 1,071 entries, almost tripling last year’s 363. Sooner or later we may just stop saying record-setting and run with the assumption, and in fact, the real news here would be if an event didn’t set a record.

The field for event #3 was just as impressive as the day before with every single pro that was knocked out early yesterday ponying up the $1,500 once again for a chance at some early WSOP winnings and perhaps a bracelet. Not many improved upon their performance however, with only Layne Flack, Jennifer Harman, Al Krux and Hoyt Corkins still at a table when day one finally came to an end at 3:14am. Thirty-six players are now left competing for the $369,535 first place prize with second receiving a measly $185,855.

As for event #2, we’re down to a final table in day 3. Here’s how things will look when they deal the first cards at 2pm:

Allen Cunningham --- seat 4 - $728,000
Scott Fischman ------ seat 2 - $707,000
Charlie Huff --------- seat 3 - $509,000
Can Kim Hua -------- seat 7 - $440,000
An Tran ------------ seat 9 - $337,000
Devilfish Ulliott ------ seat 3 - $270,000
Richard Boutwell ----- seat 1 - $204,000
Liz Lieu ------------ seat 5 - $177,000
Randy Edmunson ---- seat 6 - $89,000

While Cunningham and Fischman have a $200,000 cushion over the field this still is anyone’s tournament. An Tran has proven his big tournament mettle taking 2nd in last year’s $5,000 limit-hold’em WSOP event (that was the one with Ellix Powers ruling the table with his unruly antics), and Tran was also runner-up earlier this year at Jack Binion’s World Poker Open. The Wicked Chops Poker gang is still behind Devilfish, who’s story in Aces and King is one of the best of the bunch (as well as his “momma’s boy” comment). Cunningham’s a tough player though, showing his skills in the WSOP circuit events in Vegas and AC this year by placing 9th and 15th, respectively, and if it does come down to him and Fischman, we’ll certainly be rooting against the Crew.

Here's what they're playing for, in addition to early bragging rights and a nice WSOP ring game bankroll:

1st Place - $725,405
2nd Place - $352,125
3rd Place - $232,205
4th Place - $200,395
5th Place - $168,590
6th Place - $136,780
7th Place - $104,970
8th Place - $73,160
9th Place - $54,075

We'll keep you posted on how the day ends. Until then, stay up-to-the-minute with the live reports at Cardplayer.