This may be a large field (666 entrants and counting here on Day 1B), but there are still some tough tables with top players. But it seems that the toughest seat in the room belongs to Jason Koon.

He has four-time WSOP bracelet winner and WPT winner Daniel Alaei on his immediate left, and the #1 ranked poker player in the world Jason Mercier two to his left. It doesn’t get much tougher than that.

Update: As Christian Harder correctly points out on Twitter, there is still a poor soul who has to contend with not only Alaei and Mercier on their left, but also Koon.

@BJNemeth don’t mean to nitpick but wouldn’t the toughest seat in the room be the guy to @JasonKoon right? You know what I mean?

— Christian Harder (@realcharder30) August 23, 2013

Playing OFC with @BrokeLivingJRB and Cassidy pic.twitter.com/1xKHGjH9kr

— Phil Ivey (@philivey) August 23, 2013

When Phil Ivey sent the above tweet, there was much speculation about where he was headed and whether it was to South Florida.

Well, Phil Ivey has arrived at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open and he has taken a seat in the tournament. We will try to catch some hands from him since he is sure to be active at his table.

Busted second bullet with AQ to KJ on AQT8 with flush draw. Firing third time tomorrow.

— Tony Dunst (@Bond_18) August 23, 2013

Finally got my trophy case setup in my new place, hoping to add some hardware this weekend pic.twitter.com/rbvAbFLkuO

— Jason Mercier (@JasonMercier) August 23, 2013

Level 7 comes to an end, and Level 8 begins with increased blinds of 250-500 and a 75 ante. Play continues without a break.

The tournament clock shows 651 entrants in the Day 1B field, though registration remains open until the end of the dinner break. (Dinner will be from 6:30-8:00 pm.) Action is scheduled to continue tonight until about 12:15 am.

Playing at hard rock just lost with QQ vs 10J flop KQ9 joke after I 3 bet it PRE. Lets go @TeamMizrachi

— Robert Mizrachi (@PokerRob24) August 23, 2013

Blinds: 200/400
Ante: 50

The player on the button opens to 900 and the player in the small blind calls. David “Doc” Sands, in the big blind, three-bets to 3,600. Both opponents call to see a flop where the player in the small blind checks to Sands, who bets 4,500. The player on the button raises to about 9,300, resulting in a fold from the player in the small blind. Sands takes about 45 seconds before he re-raises for effectively 26,000 or so.

His opponent goes deep into the tank for about three minutes before calling all in with . Sands trails with , but spikes the on the turn to take the lead. However, the river falls to give his opponent a full house to win the pot.

David Sands – 10,000 (25 bb)

The players return from their second break to begin Level 7, with increased blinds of 200-400 and a 50 ante.

The tournament clock shows 636 entrants today for Day 1B, which surpasses yesterday’s field of 634 — creating a two-day total of 1,270 entrants. Today’s number continues to climb as registration remains open until the end of the 90-minute dinner break (about 8:00 pm).

TONIGHT’S ACTIVITIES

9:00-11:00 pm:  Free Screening of “Bet Raise Fold”

There will be a free screening of the critically-acclaimed documentary “Bet Raise Fold: The Story of Online Poker” tonight in the pool area here at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The film starts at 9:00 pm, and there will be a Q&A afterward with Tony Dunst (one of three players profiled in the film) and Executive Consultant Marc Brody. There will be poolside cocktails and movie snacks, so if you aren’t playing in the tournament tonight (whether you’re a player or just a fan), be sure to check it out!

12:30 am-close:  Nelly Hosts the Passion Nightclub

The rapper Nelly will be hosting tonight at the Passion Nightclub out in the Hard Rock Live area, starting at approximately 12:30 am. Pick up a VIP wristband from the tournament staff at the main desk to receive complimentary entry to a special VIP area for players. The Nelly party starts at about 12:30 am, but it won’t stop until the nightclub closes!