Main Event Day 1D Recap

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WSOP crowd

A small part of the 2,461 WSOP poker players at the Rio on Day 1D

The fourth and final flight of Day 1 for the 2008 WSOP Main Event kicked off on Sunday. It was the busiest flight of the opening round with 2,461 runners partaking in the hectic festivities.

The Buzz: After lots of negative speculation, the final numbers were released. 6.844 total runners bought into the 2008 WSOP Main Event. $9.1 million would go to the winner and the top 666 players would get paid prize money.

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Heather Wells

Heather Wells, Bodog poker player

Quote of the Day: "We're here as friends of poker. Two years ago under a Republican controlled Congress, they took your right to play poker on the internet away. With your help, we're going to change that wrong law," said Congressman Robert Wexler (D-FL) as he spoke to the crowd before Day 1D started.

Sight of the Day: The entire Amazon Room was filled along with the Tropical Room (former used for satellites), the Brasilia Room, the poker room, and even the hallway in front of Buzio's restaurant held tables.

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WSOP crowd

Heidi Northcott, poker player

Celebrities: Two UFC fighters Chuck Lidell and Forrest Griffin were in the mix along with Sam SImon (The Simpsons), Jen Tilly, golfer Paul Azinger, and former baseball players David Wells and Jose Canseco,

Day 1d Eliminations: Phil Ivey, DonkeyBomber, Jesus, Mario Ho, Jen Tilly, Grant Levy, Chainsaw Kessler, Vinny Vinh, Eskimo, Andy Bloch, Patrick Bruel, Phil Tom, Jose Canseco, Noel Furlong, Paul Wolfe, Scott Lazar, David Williams, Joe Pelton, Forrest Griffin, George Danzer, Chuck Liddell, Sam Simon, Annie Duke, John Murphy, Shaniac, CK Hua, Eugene Todd, Fabrice Soulier, Cyndy Violette, Layne Flack, Melissa Hayden, and Ray Davis.

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Phil Hellmuth