Noah Schwartz hit the rail in an unfortunate way here on Day 1B at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open. He held A-10, and the hand was looking good to win a big pot on a board that held a ten ad three bricks, but his opponent held K-9 and spiked a king on the river to take the hand and eliminate Schwartz, who might be back for Day 1C at 7 p.m.

At the start of each tournament day the staff here at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open has announced to the players that a new rule is in effect that was established at the recent Poker Tournament Directors Association summit. The new rule stipulates that a player’s hand will be dead for a hand if they are not in their seat for the FIRST card dealt to the table.

Four players paid a price of admission costing 1,100 preflop and the first three cards were dealt . All four players checked through, and they did the same after the fell on the turn. The fell on the river and Noah Schwartz bet 5,500 on the big blind. The two players to his immediate left folded and the button pondered a call but decided to fold. Schwartz was up to 68,000 after the hand and has one of the largest stacks of the notables in the field.

The tournament field is about to reach the halfway point for the day in terms of players remaining. There are 324 left from the 622 that entered on Day 1B here at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open.

There was 7,000 in the pot and the flop read when the button bet 2,200 and Hans Winzeler called UTG+1. The cutoff folded and the turn was dealt . Both players checked and the river delivered the . Winzeler led out for 6,300 and the button tanked. He eventually called, but mucked his cards when Winzeler revealed .  Hans was up to 55,000 after the hand.

Here is a look at the players who joined the field late but before the close of registration for Day 1B.

Adam Levy
Michael Beasley
Fred Goldberg
Hans Winzeler
Stu Patterson
Zo Karim
Donny Mizrachi

The Players Lounge will be open each day until midnight at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open adjacent to the ballroom. The room features televisions, Nintendo Wii, a pool table, couches and free beverages.

Cards are back in the air for Level 5 after the first break of the day and that means registration has closed. The turnout for Day 1B clocks in at 622 players, which takes the event total up to 1,257. With three more starting flights left to add players to the field, this could be one of the largest live tournaments of the year.

There are currently 480 players remaining from the 622 that entered the tournament today.