Bodog Beat

Poker pro Phil Ivey is still lurking just outside the spotlight after Day 3 of the WPT LA Poker Classic. (Bodog Beat Image)

Day 3 of the 2008 WPT LA Poker Classic saw the starting field of 136 players narrow down to only 58. Along the way we lost a lot of notable players and just barely burst the money bubble after five ecstatic blind levels of poker madness.

One name that hovered around the top spot the entire day was poker pro Phil Ivey. Kind of like a runner or a driver will draft the leader on the race course, Ivey seemed content to lurk just outside of the top spot, letting others take the heat of the spotlight.

When he did take over the lead from Andrew "Good2cu" Robl about halfway through the day, it seemed almost accidental and he had relinquished the lead again to Kyle Burnside by the end of the day.

Another notable player who has joined Ivey near the top of the leaderboard is pokerlebrity Jennifer Tilly, who outlasted both boyfriend Phil Laak and fellow posse member Antonio "Mr. WPT" Esfandiari, who busted out just three short of the money. A final table or win in this event could go along way toward cementing her as more of a poker player than a celebrity, something she seems to be actively seeking.

With the top 63 players cashing here, all those who remain will get at least their money back, but obviously most are looking to become the next WPT poker-made millionaire. Among those players are David Singer, Theo Tran, Svetlana Gromenkova, Alan Goehring, Nam Le, Toto Leonidas and Aaron Been.

Hanging on with short stacks near the bottom are Phil Hellmuth, Eric Hershler and Bob Stupak.

Play resumes at 12.30 p.m. PST, so stay tuned to the Beat for more live updates from the 2008 WPT LA Poker Classic.WPT Online Poker Qualifiers