Day 1C: Former Champs Look Good for Day 2, but Raymer and Ivey Are Gone
1,743 was the number for Sunday's starters on a pro-heavy day. Former winners of the Main Event were heavily represented, with only Greg Raymer stumbling along the way. It was one of the biggest names in poker whose exit sent a jolt through the Amazon Room.Day 1D on Monday was added to prevent Main Event players from playing in the auxiliary tent used throughout the WSOP. With so many players starting today, Harrah's was forced to open tables to squeeze everyone in.
The room was filled with former WSOP Main Event Champions, including Brad Daugherty, Chris Ferguson, Chris Moneymaker, Greg Raymer, and Robert Varkonyi.
Moneymaker was at the ESPN feature table, his father behind him in the stands adding moral support. It is doubtful that Moneymaker made great television. There were no explosions, few one-liners, no taunting table talk. No, he was just there to play poker, playing the hand he was dealt. He tread water through most of the day, sitting on 19k at the dinner break. He made a strong rush as Sunday turned do Monday, up to 60k and comfortably into Day 2B.
Brad Daugherty sat incognito at his table, just a small MP3 player around his neck like a coach's whistle. "Ladies and gentlemen, the 1991 Main Event winner, Mr. Brad Daugherty," said Nolan Dalla. Daugherty looked to his left then his right, then finally stood up. He'd been outed and would now have to adjust to more knowledgeable players.
When David Veinot found out Greg Raymer was sitting one to his right, he quickly called his friends to give them the big news. It was Raymer who should have been worried about Veinot.
"I flopped a set, and he had an open-ended straight draw that didn't connect," said Veinot. He sat on 38k early on Sunday as Raymer joined a list of exits that included Mike Matusow, Katja Thater, John Gale, Tim Phan, Chau Giang, Rafe Furst, Amir Vahidi, Kristy Gazes, Clonie Gowen, TJ Cloutier, Vanessa Rousso, David Sklansky, Shannon Shorr, and Joe Cassidy.
It was the exit of Phil Ivey that brought a sweeping wind of dismay through the room. Ivey is on the short list of the very best players in the world, and a victory by him in the Main Event is something most poker players wish for. Except for Luong Nguyen of Las Vegas, formerly at Georgia Tech.
Ivey had been among the chipleaders early but bled chips in a few key hands. Nguyen then flopped two pair to Ivey's flush draw, and either flush draws come through or they don't. This one didn't, and Ivey was out an hour
after being among the chipleaders.
Other top pros will have to pick up the torch for Ivey and their fallen comrades. Danny Alaei moved up to 190k in chips and should be well positioned for a strong Day 2. Darrell Dicken and JC Tran joined him above 100k, while Taylor "Green Plastic" Caby, Chris Ferguson, Todd Brunson, Lee Watkinson, and Allen Cunningham were sitting on plenty of chips as play ended.
Top chipcounts from Day 1C:
Jeff Norman (above) 281,300 Overall Main Event chipleaderThomas Barnard 248,900
Carl Olson 226,100
Michael Ium 193,800
Juan Fernandez 188,100
Daniel Alaei 187,700
Philip Hilm 177,700
Christoffer Baar 177,700
Chuck Kelley 164,800
Richard Weisman 157,600
Frank Schram 156,200
Darrell Dicken 155,400
Rodney Knight 154,100
Kit Manoel 150,500
James Scott Sigerson 146,100
Mitch Garshofsky 144,900
Jeff Rodriguez 143,800
Ronald Philpott 140,000
Steven Wilk 138,300
Twan Nguyen 136,800
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