Bodog Beat

A view of the madness that makes up the record-setting field for Event 2 of the 2008 WSOP. (Bodog Beat Image)

We don't have the official numbers yet, and we won't until registration closes tomorrow for Day 2 of the $1,500 No Limit Holdem event here at the 2008 WSOP, but the official rumor is that today's field will top the 3,500 mark and will combine with tomorrow's to become the largest non-WSOP Main Event event in history. And trust us it looks and sounds like that in here.

Players are spread out between the Amazon Room, the tables up by Buzio's restaurant closer to the casino and the satellite room across the hall from the main tournament area, and the spectators are clogging all of the major arteries everywhere. It's a madhouse in here and the cricket-like sounds of shuffling chips are enough to give us 'Nam-style flashbacks to last year. The good thing is that the media areas are decidedly warmer this time around, meaning we spent quite a bit of money on cool hoodies that we don't need. C'est la vie.

Out in this monster field today are some familiar faces, including Ted Forrest, Freddy Deeb, Team Bodog pro Jean-Robert Bellande, Erik Seidel, Kido Pham, "Miami" John Cernuto, David Sklansky, Greg Raymer, Men "The Master" Nguyen, Vanessa Rousso, T.J. Cloutier, Tim Phan, and our current chip leader Phil Ivey. As is the norm with these events, the field is shrinking rapidly and the players are currently on a break as the tables are consolidated. They'll pick back up in just a few minutes.

Day 2 of the $10k Pot Limit Holdem event also just got underway and Eli Elezra is leading the pack with 70 players remaining. He is trailed by Nenad Medic, Patrik Antonius and, a little further down, Phil Laak.

Stay tuned to the Beat for more live updates from the Rio and the 2008 WSOP.