The Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic at the Bellagio is under way. The $15k buyin World Poker Tour tournament starts players with 60k in chips and the blind levels begin at only 50 / 100. As usual the schedule at the Bellagio includes five levels of ninety minutes each for every day of play down to the final table.

With the deep stacks and low blinds most players are taking their time trickling in and most of the pots have been small, with one notable exception. Antonio Esfandiari eliminated a player and doubled up in under half and hour of play when his aces held up against pocket queens on a flop of 8-7-7. The exact action is unknown but word is that Antonio somehow moved all in on the flop and was instantly called by the player with queens.

The new policy of letting players register for 8 levels (over halfway through day 2) is still in effect. Over 200 players have already paid and are in the action and the field will continue to grow over the next 2 days.

• December 15, 2009 -- Day 1 Down
• December 14, 2009 -- Inching Up, Winding Down
• December 14, 2009 -- Sets
• December 14, 2009 -- Doyle Brunson Five Diamond 2009 Day 1 Gallery