We've got two levels in the books, but the second-ever $1 million buy-in Big One for One Drop event is already creating some memorable moments. This highly anticipated event has a large rail of observers, 42 enthusiastic entrants, and an eight-figure payday for someone come Tuesday. As this event progresses, we'll give you some interesting factoids and finds from the floor of this elite event:1. There is only one Main Event Champion in this field, Greg Merson, who is looking for his third career gold bracelet. We also have our first female in this event, Vanessa Selbst.2. The $25,000 satellite last night put two different players into the $1 million buy-in event. Connor Drinan and Erick Lindgren each won their way into this tournament for 2.5% the price. Meanwhile, JC Tran took third place and pocketed a tidy sum of $250,000.3. The third place finisher in this event last year, David Einhorn, is the only elimination so far. He actually got knocked out by the second place finisher from 2012, Sam Trickett. It wasn’t a total instance of déjà vu though. Back in 2012, it was eventual winner Antonio Esfandiari who knocked him out.4. There is at least one bracelet winner at each of the tables, but there are 13 total bracelet winners in the field. The most bracelet-heavy table in the bunch? Table 353, which features four bracelet winners with a combined 20 bracelets. The line-up includes Phil Ivey (10 bracelets), Daniel Negreanu (6 bracelets), Phil Galfond (2 bracelets), and Erick Lindgren (2 bracelets).5. Of the nine people who cashed in the 2012 event, there are five looking for a return to the spotlight. We’ve already mentioned Einhorn and Trickett. The others back in action are reigning champ Esfandiari, Guy Laliberte, and Brian Rast.
6. The event began with six eight-handed table and seven empty seats. After one level of play, they gained a player, actor Gabe Kaplan, but with the loss of David Einhorn, we headed into the first break of the day the same way—six tables with seven empty seats.7. The difference between new blood and repeat players in this year’s field amounts to just seven players. We’ve got 24 players who did not participate in this event when it first ran in 2012, compared to 18 players who are repeat visitors from the first-ever Big One for One Drop event.8. With the current field size, we would be paying out the top eight finishers in this event, which is the same number that will make the official final table. However, registration is open through the start of Level 7 at around 10:15pm, so both the field and the number of places paid have time to grow.9. The plan today is to play nine one-hour levels. We started an hour later than planned since the draw took longer than expected, so the players should be bagging up for the night at around 1:30am.10. By our count, there are 12 amateurs who signed up for this event, compared to 30 pros. The amateurs in the field are Talal Shakerschi, Tom Hall, Ronald Lo, Cary Katz, Brandon Steven, John Morgan, Paul Newey, Rick Salomon, Guy Laliberte, Bill Klein, the late-arriving Gabe Kaplan, and David Einhorn, who has already been eliminated. Last One Drop, the final table featured three amateurs, one semi-retired pro, and four pro players.
You can also follow along with the live updates of this event on WSOP.com