160 players descended on Harrah’s New Orleans in search of a World Series of Poker Circuit Championship ring, including Kido Pham, Brandon Cantu, Sabyl Cohen and Josh Arieh. Defending champion Louie Esposito took to the felt and survived Day 1, as did multiple WSOP bracelet winner, Josh Arieh, who came through the first day with a massive chip lead over the rest of the field.
2006 WSOP bracelet winner Brandon Cantu took the chip lead early but finished Day 1 with a very short stack. Kido Pham made an unfortunately short day of it in New Orleans. Pham arrived after the tournament had already started, and then got all his money in good with K-K against Payne Farrell in the early afternoon. Farrell called with 6-6, and flopped quads on a board of 8-6-6. Pham did not catch miracle cards on the turn and river, and was eliminated. Also sent to the rail on day 1 were Sabyl Cohen, Eddie Carrado and WSOP Europe runner-up John Tabatabai.
Josh Arieh picked up the chip lead in the afternoon and rode it all the way to the end of Day 1. On a board of 
Arieh called an all in by an opponent who happily tabled 
for the turned flush, but Arieh’s 
made a flopped full house and sent his opponent packing. His big hands kept coming all night, and as the play wound down at the end of Day 1, he busted another pair of opponents in a big pot with small cards.
On a flop of 
one opponent leads out with an all in bet. Arieh calls and one opponent folds. The third player calls off his last few chips, and the players reveal their hands.
Arieh – 
Opponent 1 – 
Opponent 2 – 
The turn and river are blanks, and Arieh added to his big stack. Joining Arieh near the top of the leader board at the end of Day 1 were Louie Esposito, who took down the event in 2006 and Andy Philachak, who finished up Day 1 in second place to Arieh. Can the young man from Atlanta claim a WSOP Circuit ring and the $247,680 first place prize? Join us here at PokerWorks for the answer!