World Series of Poker Pauses for Breath

After six days of constant poker in the Amazon and Pavilion Rooms at the Rio the poker world has paused to take a breath before Day 3 commences on Monday. The players have spent Sunday relaxing after no doubt letting their hair down a bit on Saturday after securing their passage to the first consolidated day of the 2010 World Series of Poker Main Event.

The estimate of players through to Day 3 is 2,700 with slightly more surviving Day 2b than survived Day 2a. For the first time this year all the players will be playing on the same day with David Assouline holding a slight chip lead with 387,800. There are some big names closing in though with Cole South one of the notables along with Sammy Farha and Patrik Antonius. Jason Somerville, Carter Phillips and two time champions Johnny Chan are all dangerously positioned as well.

Some of the best poker players in the world have been unable to survive their two days of poker and former November Nine contestant Phil Ivey is one that will not be back to fight another day. Other notable names to depart already include: Ted Forrest, Carlos Mortensen, Berry Johnston, Tom McEvoy, Daniel Alaei, Brock Parker, Dennis Phillips, Greg Mueller, Dutch Boyd and Mike Sexton who all went out on Day 2A.

Whilst on Day 2b another who’s who of the poker world departed: Roy Winston, Ryan D’Angelo, Layne Flack, Chris Ferguson, Marco Traniello, Phil Ivey, and Doyle Brunson all hit the rail to end their 2010 World Series of Poker.

There are several big names near the top of the leaderboard but surely none more dangerous than Johnny Chan. He has played in very few tournaments this series so is well rested and looking very strong with 281,600 which is enough to put him in the top 10 from Day 2a. Other past Main Event champions that are still well placed are Chris Moneymaker Scotty Nguyen and reigning champion Joe Cada.

The field is still incredibly strong with players like the Mizrachi brothers still going strong, Sam Farha in contention, David Williams, Cole South, Barry Shulman, Hoyt Corkins, Vanessa Selbst, David Sands and many others all still with stacks that remain strong enough to make a real move for a November Nine spot.

Going into Day 3 the best poker players from all over the world will be nervous but hopefully well rested after their much needed break this Sunday. Amateurs and pros alike will be feeling the pressure as there are just six more days of play until the November Nine will be decided in the biggest poker tournament in the world.

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