Taking flight

Jon Rasool, from Toronto, has a bit of an issue. Out of 200 other players he could've ended up next to today, he found Greg Raymer on his left.

I sidled up (something I'm becoming increasingly good at)and got down on a knee next to Jon. I raised my eyebrows, nodded toward Raymer, and asked the obvious question.

"So, whatta you think of that?"

Jon smiled, "It's going to be interesting." As I started to tell him how obvious that was, he smiled again and said, "I hope to take him out."

That's my boy.

Today the first flight of 201 players took a while to check in. They'll play through five levels today starting with 10,000 in tournament chips, ending tonight with $150/$300 blinds and a $50 ante. The levels, for now, are lasting 75 minutes.

We're just beginning Level 2, and only a few people have busted out.


Carlos checks in

Kathy checks in

The 'Yah-Man' World Series Omaha winner checks in

As you might expect, it's a careful room full of players. Ahead of them lies several more days of play if they play well and catch lucky.

As such, only big hands are getting shown down and the players are sitting back and waiting for cards.

While the above-mentioned tablemate of Greg Raymer may have shifted in a seat a little bit when he sat down, he could feel fortunate not to be seated at the three power tables (tables with two or more pros) in the room.

Currently Table 15 holds Carlos Mortensen and Chris Moneymaker. Table 6 is home to Tom McEvoy and David Williams. And Table 14, my-oh-my, is three-strong, with Isabelle Mercier, Steve Zolotow, and Mike McClain.


Hoyt Corkins

Tom McEvoy

John Juanda

David Williams

I'm trying to keep an eye on more than 20 tables at once for some good stories, but the reserved naturre of the players right now is making that tough. I suspect as the day wears on, we'll see more stories coming out of the tables.


What it looks like to be sitting across from a World Champion who has an affinity for funny glasses

Here in just a few minutes (seriously), I'll have the results from last night's Super-Sat. Stay tuned.