Day 5 Play Underway

From the feedback we're getting, it seems like Phil Ivey is (to the surprise of no one) the overwhelming favorite to win the 2005 WSOP.  Not only do most people expect him to win, but most people want him to win too (like the guy standing behind him in the photo with the Phil Ivey shirt and button).  Ivey is the big stack at his table, and definitely knows how to bully other rounders to control play.

Raymer is back up over a million after starting today under by about 250k, and Mike Matusow is on a tear with around $2.5 million. Tim Phan has once again knocked out a player and looks to have at or close to 3 million now.  Seven  players have already been eliminated since play began.

One of those is Rod Pardey, Jr., out in 52nd ($173,880)  So much for our prediction of a final table for him.  After taking huge hits early in Day 4, he came in short today and finally went out when his pocket Tens got whipped by trip Queens.