WPT Gulf Coast Poker Championships Day 3

A Pensacola native, John Little, sits a top the leader board with 1.4 million in chips.

A lot of local players are making a splash including the owner of a Biloxi restaurant, Bobby Mahoney. The owner of Mary Mahoney's, had a huge gallery rooting him on until his all in with pocket seven's ran into pocket J's held by Tom Franklin (from Gulfport ended his run at 15th.

"It's my first major tournament, but I won $23,362 which ain't bad for a $500 investment," Mahoney said. "I've had a real good time."

"There is a lot of action going on with the players that are here. I am at $440,000 in chips, which is average stack for the players that are left, so it's going pretty good," Franklin said.

Play will resume Saturday until there are only six players remaining. Then today at 4 p.m. EST play will resume until a winner emerges. The final champion will receive $747,615.