2008 WSOP Update: Day 1A of the WSOP Main Event Underway

Poker pro Shawn Rice, somewhere in the photo above, is among the pros who have already busted on Day 1A of the 2008 WSOP Main Event.

Day 1A of the 2008 WSOP Main Event kicked off today at noon, and the big story brewing is that the number of runners is looking to be down from last year's 6,358. And Harrah's ain't talking about it, refusing to share with media or anyone how many are in the field today (rumor is around 1400). They've even gone as far as blocking the number generally visible on the tournament clocks located throughout the Amazon Room. All we can see now is that 907 players remain at the dinner break.

The early chipleader is "friends and family" player Christopher Kero with 118,700 in chips. Big names at the top include David Rheem, Kido Pham, Glum Girl, Dustin Dirksen and ever-present Blair Hinkle.

Pros sent home early include Davidson Matthew, Gavin Smith, Chad Brown, OMGClayAiken, Katja Thater, a woman, Taylor Caby, Lyle Berman, Dan Harrington, Freddy Deeb, James Mackey, a ginger, Vanessa Selbst, a woman, Durrrr, Devilfish, a chav, David Benyamine and 2007 final table-ist Raymond Rham.

Keep track of chip counts here.