Tables are breaking at a rapid pace, and that means the money bubble is looming.
Many players have chipped up, but leading the pack is Don McDonald. He has been stacking chips since the tournament started, but is now the first to cross the six-figure mark.
Action folded to the player on the button and he decided to move all in for 10,900.
Bill Sims was in the big blind and went into the tank for about two minutes before deciding to call.
Sims tables while his opponent showed for a coin flip.
The flop came and Sims extended his lead with top set. The turn was the and the button began to stand up from his chair, although he picked up some outs to chop the hand on the river. The river was the and Sims scored the knockout.
There was around 11,000 in the pot and the board read and action was checked around to Victor Kim in middle position. Kim bet 3,500 and got a call from the big blind and from a player in early position.
The turn was the and once again action was checked to Kim. This time he bet 5,600 and received a call from the big blind. The river brought the and action was checked to Kim for the third time. Kim bet 9,200 and his opponent called. Kim tabled for a jack-high flush, good enough to take down a monster pot and put himself in the chip lead.
With over 12,000 in the pot and the board reading , Mike Kelly was all-in for 21,700 and his opponent called. Kelly tabled and his opponent showed , putting Kelly in a favorable position to double up. The landed on the river sending the pot Kelly's way and he now has one of the larger stacks in the room.
The numbers are in! Event #1: $565 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em attracted a total of 651 entries, making up a prizepool of $325,500 paying out 98 spots.
First place will receive $68,817 along with the coveted gold World Series of Poker bracelet. A min-cash for 98th place is worth $834.
Results will be available under the Payouts tab as soon as players reach the money. In the meantime, here is a look at the official payouts:
Players have completed eight levels of play and are headed onto a 20-minute break now. There are currently 207 players remaining and Romain Lotti leads them all as he closes in on the 50,000 chip mark.