8,773 players entered this years main event at the WSOP, creating a new record-breaking prize pool. 877 players will get a share of that money, the lowest pay-out being more than $14,000. Number 12 will be the first instant millionaire, and the first prize - hold on to your hat - is $12,000,000!

After last years record I thought Harrahs Entertainment would raise the entry fee. This year I HOPE they will, this event is physically getting way too big for its own good. I think $20,000 or even $25,000 will be a healthier number.

After day 2A ended, my buddy and "1% horse" lars is still alive and kicking in the upper half of the field. Both Annie Duke and my "Hitman" Cory Butler are still in, as well as James Crowshaw with whom I played on day 1 when he was the over-all chip leader. A real wiseguy. At least he is no longer the chip leader, now Yuriy Kochinskyi is sitting on $443,000 an enormous amount of chips at this stage.

Day 2B takes off in a couple of hours. I will be playing the 2 p.m. tournament at Bellagio with a $1,000 entry. They have these tourneys twice a day, and here are literally hundres of players in them, Vegas is truly fantastic!