The next to last $1.5k NLHE event just kicked off here at the Rio with players spread throughout the Amazon room, Brazilia room, Tropical room, Buzio’s Restaurant, and the Rio poker room. Last year’s version of this event drew a crowd of 3,151 players but because of space issues the tournament clock reads 2,700 and we’ve learned that the event has been deemed “sold out.” Before the event began the halls around the Amazon room were filled with nervous energy and seemed almost impossible to navigate because of the sheer number of people wandering around.

It seems that some players wanted to wait and come in a little bit late to avoid the crowd but as a result have found that registration is closed and they won’t be able to play in today’s event. We’re not sure how many P5 players this will effect but we have learned that Jeremy “chipsteela” Menard and Doug “resilient” Smith got here a bit too late and won’t be part of the fun today. Doug did tell us he registered for the HORSE event that kicks off tomorrow though so we’ll see him then!

Davidi “legrouzin” Kitai will be coming into the final table of the $5k NLHE six-handed event as the short stack with around 300k while the chip leader Richard Lyndaker holds over 2.3 million. The final table will be start at 2 pm today at the ESPN featured table arena.

• June 30, 2008 -- Clements Holding Steady in 10k PLO
• June 28, 2008 -- Eight Isn’t Enough
• July 8, 2008 -- Jeff Hakim Reigns Supreme
• June 30, 2008 -- VanDuyn Not Friendly to Friends

The $5K Short Handed No Limit Hold Em event may be down to only 8 players, but they are still two players shy of the final table.  As we last reported, play had slowed significantly with 14 players remaining, but during the last level or two action picked up and we saw the field nearly cut in half.

First to hit the rail was Jason Gray (pictured at left), who was eliminated in 14th place when his 55 failed to hold against another player’s AQ.  Gray managed to fade both the flop and turn when the board came KT47, but the J on the river brought the other player a straight and Jason was sent home with $31,781.

Shortly after Gray left the Brasilia Room, Alex Jacob was eliminated in 11th place when he got it all-in with pocket nines against his opponent’s pocket tens on a board of 776.  Steven “CornellFiji” Ware was battling a short stack much of the last level and eventually moved all-in from the small blind with J5 and the player in the big blind called with A5.  The board ran out A877Q and Ware was eliminated in 9th place, earning $63,941.

Play will continue on into the early morning until they lose two more players.  Recent bracelet winner Davidi “legrouzin” Kitai remains in the field.  He currently sits with 390K–good enough for 7th in chips out of the eight remaining players.

• June 27, 2008 -- Stud Players in the Money
• June 28, 2008 -- Sold Out!
• June 27, 2008 -- Sweating the Bubble
• June 27, 2008 -- Short-Handed Event Calls It a Night