The players are still filling in the empty pegs at the tables, and so most of the tables are playing short-handed for now. Still, some tough tables are emerging.
Over along the far rail, there is a six-handed table with five players we know well. Jeff Sarwer, Frank Kassela, Eli Elezra, Jon Turner, and Dan Heimillier figure to provide a tough go of it for the sixth man at the table. Adjacent to them is a table with Michael Binger, Jason Mercier, and Vitaly Lunkin that should be entertaining to watch as well. Our friend Elissa Harwood has drawn a chatty table with Chad Brown and Tom Koral.
Everyone looks pretty fresh on sleep, even the guy who closed down the Amazon Room last night. While most of these players were tucked soundly in bed, John Monnette was busy winning his first bracelet in Event #23: Eight-Game Mix. There's no rest for the weary, and Monnette is back here this evening looking for the double-dip.
We're starting the rotation with no-limit hold'em, and the cards have gone flying on Day 1. There are 164 players on the board so far, and we'd expect to see that number grow considerably over the next four hours while registration is open.
[user135779]
"10-Game? What is this, I don't even ...?!"
Just when you thought this game couldn't get crazier, the 2011 World Series of Poker have taken the concept to a whole new level with the introduction of the $2,500 10-Game Mixed Event!
There's no question that mixed games are the true test of any all-round poker player and naturally, we'll see quite a few big names in today's field, but perhaps the biggest challenge in this new tournament (for both players and dealers) will be the Korean lowball variant known as Badugi, which has gained popularity over the years online and is now being spread for the very first time here at the WSOP.
How does it work? Simple! Like in Hold'em or Omaha, a small and big blind is posted before four cards are dealt face down to each player. The game is played as a fixed-limit format with four betting rounds - one after the initial deal, then one after each subsequent draw. Aces always count and the absolute nuts in this game is rainbow. No suited cards, no pairs and certainly no trips, flushes or quads!
Here's the full list of games that are being spread in this event today - fear not, for there are plenty of old favorites!
No Limit Hold'em
Seven-Card Razz
Limit Hold'em
Badugi
Seven-Card Stud
2-7 Draw Lowball (No Limit)
Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better
Pot-Limit Omaha
2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit)
Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better
We're not far off from getting started, so stay with us right here at PokerNews for all the live updates from 5pm PST (GMT -7). Bring it on!
![[user135779]](/img/avatars/avatar.svg){kind=avatar}
rainbow. No suited cards, no pairs and certainly no trips, flushes or quads!