07/06/2009

Associated Press

DAY: 4 (Officially known as Day 1D).

BIG NEWS: The World Series of Poker faced hundreds of angry players on Monday after they were turned away from the no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event because of capacity on the tournament's final starting day.

Among the more than 500 players rejected were some big-name professional poker players, including Patrik Antonius, five-time gold bracelet winner Ted Forrest and six-time gold bracelet winner T.J. Cloutier.

Roughly 2,700 players entered the tournament on Monday.

Officials expected to release the total prize pool and top prize later in the day. About 10 percent of roughly 6,400 players will earn money in the tournament.

STUD OF THE DAY: Two-time bracelet winner Josh Arieh, who chipped his way up early in the tournament with pocket aces and pocket kings. Arieh, who took third in the main event in 2004 to win $2.5 million, more than doubled his chip stack with the hands without improving his hand using the community cards.

BUSTED OUT: Last year's fifth place finisher Scott Montgomery; online player Dario Minieri; retired NBA player John Salley

UP NEXT: Players who survived the tournaments first two starting days begin their second session of poker, playing 10 hours and looking toward building enough chips to make a run at cashing in the tournament.

POKER TALK: Showdown: When a hand reaches the river and players compare hands to determine who wins the pot. Victor Ramdin won a showdown with nine high on Monday when he did not make a flush but won the hand anyway, despite a king and jack on the board.

HE SAID WHAT?: "I've been grinding away trying to win my way in... I woke up this morning, came to buy in and they were like 'Sorry.'" — Tyler Meierotto, a 39-year-old jeweler from Kansas City, Mo., who was rejected from playing in the main event because he did not enter in time.