WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic Day 1

The World Poker Tour Foxwoods Poker Classic kicked off at noon and at the start of the day and the tournament there are 338 players registered.  But as it becomes time to play a lot of the seats were still empty, maybe they were all trying to be fashionably late? 

So a large contingent of tables had to start out five handed but by the end of the first level everyone had finally arrived and there 346 players now present and accounted for in their seats.

Because of the 346 players the first place winner would almost be a millionaire, the first place prize is $967,300 dollars.  The first place winner will get more then the title and cash though, there will also be a seat worth $25,000 to the World Poker Tour Championship awarded as well.

There weren't any stacked tables emerging as play started and this will give the poker pro's a chance to get to know their opponents so they won't have any surprises later on hopefully.  The players started out the tournament today with 30,000 in chips so there will also be a lot of post flop poker bets throughout the day.

At the end of day 1 and more then half the players are still sitting, a total of 218 players will return for another five levels of poker play tomorrow. One of the players that got eliminated is David "The Dragon" Pham who was the first professional player to get knocked out of the tournament with only 20 minutes left in the first level.

During the last half hour of the day the 2007 Foxwoods Poker Classic Champion, Raj Patel chipped up and took the lead.  He held 194,000 as time expired and ended the day with 192,050 in chips.  Behind him is Paul Snead with 182,775 in chips, followed by Brock Parker in third with 180,475 in chips.