The chips are bagged and tagged after the opening day of the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event, with 1116 players taking their seats for the first of four day one flights.

It took most of the day for a clear chip leader to emerge. Officials took the decision to play just four two-hour levels but despite players starting with 30,000 in chips, eliminations steadily increased throughout the evening leaving 821 with their WSOP dreams in place.

The celebs – Nelly, Orel Hershiser, Jeff Fenech, Brad Garrett, Jennifer Tilly and Gabe Kaplan – were out in force, as were scores of top pros. The list of entrants featured past world champions Johnny Chan, Berry Johnston and Jerry Yang, plus more than enough pros to keep the hundreds of online qualifiers on their toes. The top 10 chip counts were:

1 Eric Cloutier (Canada) 150,750
2 Redmond Lee (London, UK) 134,275
3 Jean Docquier (Paris, France) 122,755
4 Marcucci Gianluca (Claviere, Italy) 118,000
5 Peter Buermann (117,400)
6 Ebrahim Mourshaki (Irvine, CA) 116,025
7 Balazs Botond (Budapest, Hungary) 113,000
8 Alexander Grishchuk (Moscow, Russia) 111,875
9 Jimmie Guinther (Hudson, NH) 110,425
10 Arthur Rhea (Indianapolis, IN) 109,275

Other players well positioned include former Seinfeld star Jason Alexander, Lex Veldhuis, Eli Elezra, Tom Schneider, Jimmy Fricke and John Hennigan.



Jason Alexander charged up the chip count late in the evening to be among the day 1A leaders

Mark Vos, Stewart Scott and Dean Nyberg were among a handful of Aussies who won’t be back for day 2A. Tony G was among the chip leaders early and showed his prediction of a big run in the Main Event wasn’t far fetched. Such is his table image, a player open-mucked pocket kings on a flop of Q-2-8 to give Tony G a top-up before day’s end.

Perhaps inspired by Australia’s upcoming Ashes tour of England, it was Shane Warne who was the standout among the Aussies on day 1A to finish with almost 90,000. Warne plans to fly to England tomorrow before returning to contest day 2A. ANZPT Sydney champ Paren "Puzz" Arzoomanian led the way for the Australians. Other Aussies who'll progress were:

Paren Arzoomanian (Sydney) 98,825
Shane Warne (Melbourne) 87,625
Steve Leonard (Melbourne) 73,175
Kristian Lunardi (Melbourne) 56,100
Luke McIntyre (Sydney) 54,950
Jamie Pickering (Gold Coast) 53,650
Tony G (Melbourne) 42,325
Alex Brkovic (Melbourne) 38,600
Mel Judah 31,325
Trevor Lawson 27,525
Manny Stavropoulos (Melbourne) 21,525
Peter Dykes (Sydney) 19,275
Scott Smith (Sydney) 14,575
James Wearne (Perth) 9125

The list of players to be sent to the rail included Steve Billirakis, David Grey, Allen Cunningham, Andy Bloch, Isaac Haxton, Orel Hershiser, 2007 WSOP Main Event champ Jerry Yang, Gabe Kaplan, Perry Friedman, Zac Fellows, Wooka Kim, Freddy Deeb, Nelly, Masa Kagawa and 2008 WSOP dual bracelet winner John Phan.

We’ll be back from noon tomorrow for day 1B of the 2009 WSOP Main Event, with Grant Levy and Steve Topakas leading the list of Aussies set to take their seats.

Posted by Sean Callander, 11pm, 3/7/09

About this stage of the day we start to get distracted – very easily distracted. So we started to discuss the merits of the only thing that truly matters tomorrow (July 4, or Independence Day here in the US): the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog-Eating Contest, held at on the corner of Surf and Stillwell avenues in Coney Island, New York.

Held each year since 1916, according to archives, this year's contest is expected to be yet another crackerjack with the highly anticipated match-up of elite eaters Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi.

Sanctioned by Major League Eating (MLE), the world governing body of all stomach-centric sport, this is the Melbourne Cup of speed eating with a fierce rivalry to match.

Last year, Joey Chestnut of San Jose, California beat iconic competitive eater Takeru Kobayashi of Japan in a five-dog overtime after both ate 59 Nathan's Famous hot dogs and buns in the 10-minute regulation match. Chestnut finished his plate in 50 seconds, seven seconds before Kobayashi.



The ultimate sporting arena – hot dogs at 20 paces for Joey Chestnut and Takero Kobayashi!

In 2007, the world watched in awe as Chestnut won this classic Independence Day battle, beating six-time champion Kobayashi by eating 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, and bringing the Mustard Yellow Belt back to American soil for the first time this century.

How does it work? Well the dogs are grilled and cooled slightly so no one gets burned. That’s good news, no need for a lawsuit. Condiments are optional. Drinks are permitted; most competitors choose water to wash the dogs down. Competitors are allowed to dunk the dogs and buns in their beverages to make them easier to swallow.

When time is up, any hot dog that's still in the mouth counts, provided it goes down and stays down. A "reversal" – that's what they call it when you throw up – means immediate disqualification. The winner is obvious, the one who eats, and keeps down, the most hot dogs and buns.

The highly rated Chestnut is favoured to take the honours again this year to successfully three-peat. However, Kobayashi is looking to potentially bow out of the sport he’s loved for years on a high. Marred by a jaw injury that has kept him below his best form, he says he feels good and is ready to give it one more shot.

According to www.nathansfamous.com, here’s how the main contenders are shaping up:

• Joey Chestnut’s career consists of the 2005-2008 seasons, in which he won the asparagus title four times, set an astonishing new world record of 66 hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, five times beat Kobayashi, four times won the Chinook Winds rib-eating championship, dominated nearly every chicken wing competition he attempted, and most recently did the unthinkable by eating 103 Krystal hamburgers in only eight minutes. Joey Chestnut is truly an American hero and a national treasure!

• Takeru Kobayashi is one of the most recognisable sports icons of the 21st century. Certainly a legend in the world of competitive eating, he is the one man that every up and coming gurgitator wants to beat. Unfortunately after suffering from a serious jaw injury, the great Kobayashi lost to Pat Bertoletti and Joey Chestnut in the Spike TV MLE Chowdown and was unable to defend his title in the Krystal Square Off World Hamburger Eating Championship.

• Pat Bertoletti brings the passion of youth, and a strong jaw, to every contest he enters. But he is always respectful of the elder eaters, quietly watching them to learn their secrets and the way of this world. With victory over both Joey Chestnut and Takeru Kobayashi in the chicken wing discipline on Spike TV, Pat Bertoletti has cemented his name in the competitive eating history books. Pat is a sweet specialist and holds nearly every pie record on the books. However, don't count him out of the more savory categories.

• Tim Eater X Janus is a man of mystery. Eater X, whose inner torment is concealed by a mask, has distinguished himself in the eating community, performing well in pie, chicken nuggets, hot dogs, cannoli, brats, and corned beef and cabbage. He recently shattered the tamale record, taking down 71 in 12 minutes. This 2004 Rookie of the Year is also the tiramisu-eating champion of the world and clearly represents the future of competitive eating in style, composure and ability.

Posted by Stephen Doig, 8.30pm, 3/7/09

The first piece of the puzzle has fallen into place for the 2009 WSOP Main Event, with the day 1A field confirmed at 1116 players. That is 181 players fewer than last year’s opening day but not too concerning with three more day one flights to come.

Although players have only been at it for marginally more than four hours, the rate of eliminations has increased since the dinner break.

One such departure was Aussie Mark Vos. It was a frustrating day for the Full Tilt Pro, who had his aces cracked by a set of jacks earlier in the day before walking queens into the A-K of Peter Hedlund, only to watch an ace land on the turn. He was 80th in the Main Event last year, but it’s all over in 2009 for the young Aussie.



The 2009 WSOP is over for Mark Vos

In contrast, David Saab, who was the highest placed Australian in last year’s Main Event, has been revitalised after his evening feed and has charged to 65,000 in chips. Gutted to have come so close after finishing 43rd in 2008, Saab is charged for a serious run again this year.

Tony G has continued his solid opening day to be on 53,500, while Aleks Banana Thief Brkovic (41,000), Jamie Pickering (40,000), Mel Judah (33,000), Kristian Lunardi (32,000) and Shane Warne (20,500) are well placed to progress to day 2A.

Reigning Aussie Millions champ Stewart Scott has struggled to get much going in his first serious title at the WSOP, but has established a good foundation with a stack of 26,800 as we head into the final level of the day. He’s sharing a table with Gabe Kaplan of Welcome Back Kotter fame. Does anyone under the age of 30 even remember Welcome Back Kotter?

With thanks to www.worldseriesofpoker.com, the overall chip count reads Dragan Galic on 120,000, Jeremy Ausmus 85,000, Eli Elezra 84,300, Keven Stammen 84,000 and Radek Stockner 83,000.

Posted by Sean Callander, 8pm, 3/7/09

Almost 12 months after announcing the introduction of its new national representative poker squad, the Australian Poker League’s elusive TeamAPL has arrived for its maiden voyage to Las Vegas and the biggest poker tournament on the globe, the World Series of Poker.

Each member of TeamAPL has secured their place in the League’s first-ever international touring side having proven their worth at major tournament events across Australia. They'll be a force to be reckoned with when they take to the felt against the best of the best in the WSOP Main Event on day 1D (July 6).

The guys (and girl) have been checking out their digs at the Monte Carlo Hotel and Casino, and have popped over to the Rio to check out Poker Palooza (the annual gaming expo) and the Full Tilt players’ lounge, to which they have unlimited access thanks to venerable host.

Tonight, it’s off to meet with Team Full Tilt Poker duo Erik Seidel and Chris Ferguson for dinner at Capo’s Italian Steakhouse. We’ll be following Team APL closely as they chase their dreams of WSOP glory in just three days. GL guys, soak up the experience!

TeamAPL consists of:

1    Paul Georges – 1st 2008 Tournament of Champions
2    Jay Hook – 2nd 2008 Tournament of Champions
3    Geoff Menz 3rd – 2008 Tournament of Champions
4    Charlie Elias 4th – 2008 Tournament of Champions
5    Jonathan Wertheim – August 2008 NSW Pro Open Champion
6    Leno Icaca – September 2008 NSW Pro Open Champion
7    Terry Adams – October 2008 NSW Pro Open Champion
8    Parry Hin Fung Lee – November 2008 NSW Pro Open Champion
9    Emma Grace – Tweed Heads WSOP Satellite 1 Champion
10    Pande Nikolovski – December 2008 NSW Pro Open Champion
11    Trevor Allan – January 2009 NSW Pro Open Champion
12    Nat Armstrong – February 2009 NSW Pro Open Champion
13    Danny Taylor – 1st 2009 Wild Turkey Poker Classic
14    Majed Haddad – 2nd 2009 Wild Turkey Poker Classic
15    Ken Pattugalan – 3rd 2009 Wild Turkey Poker Classic
16    Dean Hopkins – March 2009 NSW Pro Open Champion
17    Dave Fox – Tweed Heads WSOP Satellite 2 Champion
18    Alain Velmonte – April 2009 NSW Pro Open Champion
19    Regan Lake – WA WSOP Satellite Champion
20    Shane Brown – May 2009 NSW Pro Open Champion
21    Ross Parsonson – June 2009 NSW Pro Open Champion
22    Steve Tolios – Sydney Outer West Deepstack Champion
23    Michael Soumelidis – APL/Saints Two-day Challenge Champion
24    Craig Ivey – APL Full Tilt Player of the Year (Team Captain)

Posted by Sean Callander, 6.30pm, 3/7/09

In recognition of our recent visit to Hugh Hefner's Sky Villa at the Palms, we thought it appropriate that Only in America continues with the bunny theme ...



Yeh, we're obessed with them as well

An Oregon woman obsessed with bunnies has been ordered back behind bars after police found her in a hotel room with more than a dozen rabbits.

Washington County Circuit Judge Gayle Nachtigal ruled Thursday that 47-year-old Miriam Sakewitz violated her probation by having the rabbits. The judge sentenced the woman to 90 days in the county jail.

Police arrested Sakewitz June 16 after she called a maintenance worker to her room in the Portland suburb of Tigard to fix a broken television set. The worker saw and smelled the rabbits, some of them hopping free.

The woman's legal problems began in 2006, when Hillsboro police found more than 150 rabbits in her home and dozens more bunny bodies in freezers. She was arrested on accusations of animal neglect. After pleading no contest, she was placed on five years probation, with one condition being that she stay away from rabbits.

Tigard Police spokesman Jim Wolf said Washington County animal control officers removed eight adult rabbits, five young ones and a dead one from the hotel room in the latest incident.

Washington County probation officer Bob Severe said Sakewitz had undergone a court-ordered mental evaluation but that no treatment was recommended.

So you’ve come halfway around the world to play the WSOP Main Event, you have a starting stack of 30,000 and the blinds are 50/100? Take it easy; exercise some patience; pick your marks? Nah, stuff it, let’s get those chips into the middle!

All the craziness we’ve come to expect on the opening day of the WSOP Main Event has been there in spades. It started barely five minutes into the tournament when Jonas Klausen made a better full-house than his opponent to claim the first scalp of the day, and hasn’t stopped.

It was roller coaster start for 2007 champ Jerry Yang, who ran a set of kings into a set of aces to leave his tournament life in peril.

Just after the first break, Yang’s money went in on a board of 6-7-10-4 and was in great shape with pockets 10s against pocket kings. Bang, down comes the remaining 10 to send Yang back above his start stack of 30,000.

And here’s one for the grandkids: Radek Stockner found himself in a raising war on an ominous board that read Jd-Jh-8s-7s-Js. His opponent could barely hide his grin as he flipped As-Jc only for Stockner to reveal 9s-10s for the rivered straight flush.

But we can top that one: with a loaded board of 5s-7h-Ah-10h-Jh, Patrik Danzer rightly through his 8h-9h was good for the straight flush – until Chris Jeppsson showed Kh-Qh for a turned flush that became a royal on the river. Both survived, although Danzer looks a little pale.

It’s been a solid start for the Australians playing today, with Tony G on 52,500 (after being as high as 65,000), Mel Judah (45,000), Kristian Lunardi (44,300) and Aleks Brkovic (42,600) have started strongly, Jamie Pickering is up to 40,000, Manny Stavropoulos, Shane Warne and Scott Smith are all around their start bank of 30,000, Stewart Scott is on 28,000, Jay Kinkade is back to 24,000 (he fell to just 8000) while the stack of Mark Vos is barely 7500 after a tough second level.

According to www.worldseriesofpoker.com, the current chip leader is Bryan Colin on 77,000 ahead of Jonas Klausen (72,000), Ludovic Lacay (69,000), Radek Stockner (67,500) and Jeff Williams (66,000). Players to have already hit the rail include French celebrity Patrick Bueno, Nick Frangos, Pieter De Korver, Masa Kagawa, Mike Sowers, Davidi Kitai and John Phan.

Having played just four hours, the field is off on a 90-minute break and when they return, blinds will be at level three (150/300).

Posted by Sean Callander, 4.50pm, 3/7/09

Let the madness begin – the cards are in the air for the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event. No Wayne Newton-style fanfare to kick off the carnival today; instead it was WSOP commissioner Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP tournament director Jack Effel and the Jack Link’s Sasquatch who delivered the order to “shuffle up and deal”.



Now this is what we call a corporate mascot

There are enough celebs playing today to stock a B-grade reality show, including Brad Garrett, Nelly, Jason Alexander and former MLB pitcher Orel Hershiser.

On the more credible side of things, pros playing today include Eli Elezra, Allen Cunningham and Lex Veldhuis (all on the feature table); Billy Baxter, Andy Black, Mike Sexton, Roland de Wolfe, Katja Thater, John Duthie, Vitaly Lunkin, Sorel Mizzi, Jon Pearljammer Turner, Japanese duo Wooka Kim and Masa Kagawa, Jennifer Tilly and dual 2009 bracelet winner Greg Mueller.

Others playing today include Jason Mercier, Raymond Rahme, Dewey Tomko, Jeff Williams, Phil Laak (no disguise this year), Jason “Tiny” Potter Peter Rho, Zac Fellows, Sandra Naujoks, Nikolay Evdakov, Nick Frangos, Sammy Farha, Gavin Smith, Isaac Haxton, Shawn Keller, John Phan and 2007 WSOP Main Event winner Jerry Yang.

The Aussie contingent is headlined by Tony G, 2009 Aussie Millions champion Stewart Scott, Shane Warne (wearing a “Guaranteed” cap, oh dear), Jeff Fenech, Scott “Punty” Smith, Jamie Pickering, Kristian Lunardi, Aleks Banana Thief Brkovic and Manny Stavropoulos.



Guaranteed? Where have we heard that before?

Still some confusion as to whether we are playing four or five levels today – again, it looks as if the field for day 1A will be well under half of the fields that will flood the Rio on days 1C and 1D.

Structure for today’s play

Level 1: 50/100
Level 2: 100/200
Level 3: 150/300
Level 4: 150/300 (ante 25)
Level 5: 200/400 (ante 50)

• Remember, you can keep up to date with the latest happening from the 2009 World Series of Poker by following twitter.com/bluffaussie.

Posted by Sean Callander, 1.15pm, 3/7/09