Bodog Beat

Bodog online poker player Alan "BodogAri" Engel is one of the leaders after Day 1 of the WSOP Circuit event at Caesars Palace. (Bodog Beat Image)

Well, once again a major poker tournament dismissed the majority of its well-known poker pros early on in competition. What started out as a stacked field of 334 players at the WSOP Circuit event at Caesars Palace has been whittled down to just 54 and has lost a considerable amount of star power along the way.

Waving "adios" yesterday were Gavin Smith, Erick Lindgren, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Michael Mizrachi, Chris "Jesus" Ferguson, the early-on chip leader Chad "lilholdem954″ Batista, Erik Seidel, David "The Dragon" Pham, Shannon Shorr, WPT Player of the Year Jonathan "FieryJustice" Little and so, so many more. Oh, what could have been.

Fortunately, there are still some noted poker players coming back later today, including some Bodog black and red in the form of Bodog online poker players Alan "BodogAri" Engel and Justin "ZeeJustin" Bonomo, both in the top 15. Joining them will be Mark "newhizzle" Newhouse, Nenad Medic, Bill Edler, Allen Cunningham and Alex Kravchenko.

The first-place prize has been announced and will fall just shy of the half-million mark at $499,162. The top 36 will receive a little something for their trouble and that money bubble will most likely burst in the first half of play today, which resumes in just a few hours. So, stay tune to the Beat for more updates from Ceasars Palace and the WSOP Circuit event.

Charles Simmons writes poker news for the Bodog Beat.