The WSOP Main Event got off to an exciting start with some unexpected celebrity appearances and surprise knockouts.
This year 6,598 people have entered the World Series of Poker Main Event, slightly down on last year's 6,865. The largest Main Event ever was in 2006 when a massive 8,773 players entered and it was eventually won by Jamie Gold who claimed $12 million in prize money.
Whoever manages to come out on top this year will take home $8,527,982 and the top 666 players will win at least $19,227.
After announcing that he wouldn't be taking part in this year's Main Event, two time winner Doyle Brunson, was present at the tables on Day 1C of the event. He ended the day still in with 81,400 chips. Later in the week the survivors from Days 1A and 1B will play each other with Day 1C survivors playing the day after. The two fields will combine on Thursday (Day 3).
The first day of the event was packed with famous players that kept fans at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino buzzing with excitement. Former Australian cricket star Shane Warne was taking part and his girlfriend, Elizabeth Hurley, came to watch. Hurley obviously brought Warne luck as he managed to survive the day. Also present were former winners Johnny Chan, Joe Cada, Jonathan Duhamel and Chris Moneymaker. Chan and Cada survived the day with chip stacks of 82,300 and 117,375 respectively. Unfortunately for Duhamel and Moneymaker they weren't so lucky.
Another regular celebrity participant is Jason Alexander. He came sporting a hairpiece and 70s-era moustache that he is wearing for a film currently being filmed. Clearly the extra hair brought him luck as he survived the day. Finally, Phil Ivey also returned, he took last year off after the Full Tilt indictments and ended the day with 11,525 chips.
As always it looks as though this year’s Main Event will be as thrilling as ever.
