Three-Time Ring Winner David Nicholson Leads Main Event Field After Day 1 A
Second of Two Starting Sessions Set to Begin SaturdayA highly-successful and well-attended debut World Series of Poker visit to Harrah's Cherokee moved into “Championship Weekend” tonight, as the Main Event has began and completed its opening day.
Several familiar names are atop the leader board. The biggest stack at the moment, belonging to three-time gold ring winner and Main Event Champion at Bossier City (2011), David Nicholson.
Also near the top in third place is Kyle Cartwright, a five-time gold ring winner. Cartwright just missed out a few nights ago on what would have been a record-tying sixth WSOP Circuit victory when he came in second in the Pot-Limit Omaha event here in North Carolina. Cartwright is making a serious run now in the Main Event and will be another dangerous force come Day Two.
Greg “Fossilman” Raymer needs no introduction to poker players and fans. The 2004 World Champion lives her in the Tarheel State, residing near Raleigh. Raymer entered his first event on his home turf and currently stands in 14th place.
Other notables remaining in the field include Alan Neubauer, who won his first gold ring here earlier this week. Two-time gold ring winner Tripp Kirk also made the cut.
Day One kicked off at noon on Friday and played slightly more than 12 hours. Action ended at past midnight. About 80 percent of the field was eliminated. Those players and others coming into Harrah's Cherokee will have a shot to join the fortunate 83 survivors as Day 1 B is set to be played on Saturday. Action starts at noon.
Registration will remain open until about 8 pm (Saturday night). This means poker players throughout the region can still came to the Smokey Mountains and have a shot to win a gold ring and some serious prize money.
Harrah's Cherokee has added a special bonus to this tournament. Not only does the winner receive a seat into the WSOP National Championship, to be played in New Orleans next month. The champ also wins a seat into the WSOP Main Event in Las Vegas, coming up in July. This special gift was donated by the casino as a way of thanking players for so much support for this memorable debut.
Harrah's Cherokee also announced recently that the WOSP Circuit will definitely return to North Carolina again next season. So, it looks like a proud poker tradition is starting here in one of the hottest areas of the country for poker.
The first chapter of that tradition and history has yet to be written. It remains to be seen who will be wearing the gold ring come Monday, when the final table is played and shown, both here at WSOP.com and on ESPN3 as part of a live simulcast.
Check back here at WSOP.com for more announcements and updates about the Main Event and upcoming final table broadcast.
Once again, cards go back in the air Saturday at noon for Day 1 B. All survivors will combine into one field on Sunday. You can follow along with the live updates on WSOP.com.