Mason Hinkle, who enjoyed a deep run in this event last year, eventually finishing in 14th place, opened to 500 from middle position after a player limped from early position. He received calls from a player in late position, the button, and the original limper.
Action checked to Hinkle following the A♦7♠J♠ flop and he continued for 1,300. That bet was met by three quick folds, sending a pot Hinkle's direction early in the day.
A player in middle position opened to 600 and Olga Iermolcheva called from the big blind.
On the flop A♠2♠3♦, the opener continued for 800 and Iermolcheva check-raised to 2,500. Her opponent called. On the turn J♥, she bet 4,000 and got another call.
On the river 8♠, she fired 6,400 and her opponent called, then mucked when Iermolcheva revealed 4♥5♥ for the straight on the flop.
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EPT Senior Dealer Said Bats is off to a good start with 35,000 chips in front of him.
On a three-way pot on a board of 9♠J♥J♦2♦, Bats took the lead with a 1,100 bet in early position and only the cutoff called. On the river 4♦, Bats fired 1,200 and his opponent folded.
With 3,565 entrants already early in Day 1, the event is on pace to shatter last year's field of 4,786. Many notable faces have punched the clock, including 2007 WSOP Main Event Champion Jerry Yang, Tiffany Michelle, both the US and UK Skullmen, Paul Grande, who finished 24th yesterday in the $800 Deep Stack event.
Jeffrey Camp, dressed as Santa Claus has already busted, so someone will be getting coal in their stocking.
Runner up of the $500 Employee Event, James Urbanic, was also seen in the field. As well as LoriAnn Persinger, who won over $100,000 from a free entry to the WPT Main that happened in December of last year, finishing in 30th place out of nearly 3,000 runners.
With a small delay, cards are in the air for Event #46: $500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em in Paris Ballroom with more than 3,330 players already registered.