We're creating a TV show

Returning to the Convention Center of the Rio All Suites Hotel this morning it was clear that the sector Series of Poker is coming to an in depth. The Pavilion Room is deserted, the Brasilia isn't long for the sector and the merchants within the hallways are packing up their wares.

This is the good poker paradox. At the surface it looks like the things are fizzling out, yet that is the time that it's growing ever more thrilling.

Of the 6,737 players who started this tournament every week ago, only 251 remain. They're now guaranteed a minimum of $42,285 apiece, but there won't be a single one in all them who hasn't double-checked the entire payout schedule and allowed their eyes to linger for some time on the top. It's $8 million for the champion, and will not all of them know that.

The identity of the winner won't be known until November, so it is a good distance still to move. Today the plan is to play for 5 or six levels (to be determined by the speed of eliminations), before further attrition on Sunday after which a race to the general table on Monday. Absolutely every pot means something now, and with the entire television stage now in operation--two side tables beside the central feature table, ringed by bleachers--the pressure will reach its peak.

When we left you last night, the invitation was to select your individual adventure because the tournament plays into its deep stages. A FEW the plot-lines have twisted out of form and one or two others have now had their pages torn out entirely.

Jason Somerville may not be winning the 2016 WSOOP Main Event. He was knocked out late last night, in 320th place. But both Jennifer Shahade and Marc-Andre Ladouceur continue to fly the PokerStars flag, returning with 976,000 and 1.245 million, respectively. Both are a little bit less than average, but should want to remember the departed Somerville's "Run It Up" mantra.

Two former WSOP Main Event champions are still on this one. Although Ryan Riess departed, Greg Raymer (992,000) and Johnny Chan (968,000) continue the search for one more world title.

There's still an entire clutch of online bosses still proving they are able to play with real cards and chips. Shaun Deeb, James Obst, Tom Middleton, Griffin Benger, Ami Barer, Tony Gregg, Chris Klodnicki etc are involved still.

James Obst

Tom Middleton

Of our behind-the-scenes heroes, only Kenny Hallaert remains. Victor Saumont was one of the vital last players to be eliminated before the klaxon sounded yesterday, ending his movie-worthy spin-up. However the new schedule for the Belgian Poker Championship will still need to wait while Hallaert shepherds his 1.684 million stack.

This may yet become the year we crown our first female champion normally Event, and the players left all have great form. Melanie Weisner was a top-level grinder for several years; Maria Ho have been the last woman standing twice before mostly Event, and Gaelle Baumann came 10th on this event many years ago. That is the closest any woman has come to the November Nine because the concept was introduced.

Melanie Weisner

There is, of course, another potential storyline--the person who has proved essentially the most durable through the years. Shall we be about to find a brand new poker star, a person or woman who has flown under the radar until this point but is ready to emerge within the most dramatic fashion possible.

Only time--specifically the following three days--will tell.

$1 million Spin & Gos running now! Click here to get a PokerStars account. WSOP photos by PokerPhotoArchive.com.

Read More... [Source: PokerStarsBlog.com :: World Series of Poker]