Watch Charles Barkley and Jean-Robert Bellande play HORSE on RawVegas.tv

The 2011 WSOP is shaping up to be like the inaugural season of The Killing on AMC. It came out the gate strong, with an interesting/big-name Event #2 ($25,000 NLH Heads-Up), the Phil Ivey dramabomb, Full Tilt’s embarrassing response, and the $1M buy-in event announcement. Then, like The Killing‘s middle episodes, shit started to drag a bit. Seems like both are picking up steam at the right time, as more intriguing storylines are coming into play.

Here’s the latest…

:: Event #24 ($5,000 NLHE Shootout) – Sean Getzwiller is looking to become the first multiple-bracelet winner this year. He joins online super-stars Adam Junglen, Tom Marchese, Dan Smith, and live grinder Todd Terry for the shootout final table. First will earn $436,568. Get the full final table list here.

:: Event $25 ($1,500 Seven-Card Stud Hi/Low) – With 23 remaining, Cory Ziedman is chip leader, stacked at 217,500. In fourth overall is Norman Chad, yep, that Norman Chad, with 179,000. Last year’s WSOP POY Frank Kassela is still alive with 123,500. So are PPA Director John Pappas (67,000) and Mike Sexton (54,000). Also remaining are three women, Cyndy Violette, a woman (94,500), Karina Jett, a woman (42,000), and Kristy Gazes, a woman (40,000). First place pays out $200,459. Get full chip counts here.

:: Event #26 ($2,500 Six-Handed NLHE) – A total of 1,378 entered with 189 surviving Day 1 play. Tyler Cornell ended play as big stack with 172,600. He’s followed by newly announced Team RISE Poker pro Jean-Robert Bellande (above, in one of our favorite vids from the past few years) with 144,700. Continuing his unexpected return from oblivion, Tuan Le Memorial namesake Tuan Le is fourth overall with 137,000. Get full chip counts here.

:: Event #27 ($10,000 Limit Hold’em) - The final event of the day brought in 152, with 111 surviving play. First place is a solid $378,642. Daniel Negreanu, playing what he regards as his best game, ended Day 1 as big stack with 118,800. He’s followed by Josh Arieh with 107,000. Also among the big stacks in Team RISE Poker pro Maria Ho with 75,700. Get full chip counts here.

Tagged as: 2011 WSOP, Jean-Robert Bellande, Poker News, Sean Getzwiller

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