There is a $150 no-limit hold’em side tournament running in the far corner of the room that is having some fun. John Gordon and Jim Calderaro are both at the final table and having some fun while they play. The Coronas and Patron shots are flowing and in a recent hand Calderaro had his pocket sevens topped by the pocket eights of Gordon, with a little slow roll thrown in by Gordon all in good fun.

A board had a straight flush dealt out and two opponents flipped over their cards for what looked like it would be a chop. The first player turned over pocket queens, but his opponent held for a higher straight flush and he won the hand to eliminate his opponent.

Got it in with AJdd on Ax10d4d vs AQ and lost for 50k each, did not win. Have 2k left at 200/400

— Matthew Elsarelli (@The_RealMVP) August 10, 2013

A few players that snuck in during the late stages of play before registration closed today include Lily Kiletto, Tony Ruberto, Michael Beasley, Nancy Birnbaum, and Michael Rocco.

Chino Rheem is the first notable of the day to be eliminated from the tournament. He will likely return for the Day 1E starting flight that begins at 7 p.m. tonight.

55k at first break, come back to 150/309 @dude904

— Matthew Elsarelli (@The_RealMVP) August 10, 2013

The flop read when Chino Rheem bet 200 from the small blind and the button raised to 1,000. Chino then reraised to 2,200 and the button called. The fell on the turn and Chino checked. The button bet 4,000 and Chino check-raised to 10,000. The button called and then both players checked the on the river. The button flipped over and Chino mucked his cards. Chino was down to 8,550 after the hand.

As the field return for play in Level 5 with blinds at 150-300 with a 25 ante the unofficial field size for the day stands at 798 players. That would take the total number of entries all the way up to 2,606 entries.

While the field size continues to climb toward 700 players the familiar faces in the room are spaced far and few between. Chino Rheem, Steve Buckner, Marsha Wolak, Cord Garcia and poker media member Matt Waldron have been spotted around the room. Many of the notables that have been spotted in the other Day 1 flights have already advanced to Day 2, but a few more will probably sneak into the Day 1D field before registration closes.

At the end of two levels the field size is already up to 597 players. This should be the largest starting flight for Day 1 of this event.