The famous Doyle Brunson failed in his epic attempt to win an 11th WSOP bracelet in the $10,000 pot limit Omaha event, coming sixth to a warm ovation from those crowded about the feature table. Robert Mitzrachi won, with Jennifer Harman’s husband Marco Traniello not far behind.

(In the meantime a rumour that I believe to be true was sweeping the Rio, namely that the only 11-bracelet winner, Phil Hellmuth, will be inducted in the Hall of Fame this week. If so it will be well deserved.)

With the place a bit quieter because some players were at home in advance of the July 4 holiday in the US, and with others resting before the main event, the majority of Team Ladbrokes had their first taste of the 2007 WSOP in the less- than-popular shootout Limit format (in which every table plays down to a winner who then advances to the next round).

Many were sceptical about their chances of success but by mid-evening there were smiles in the lounge with already five of the team in the money and battling on. They were: "Tottovicz", "mitchhh", "hotboy33", "yobenike" and "_Theah_".

With around 720 starters, players were guaranteed $6,600 each for winning their table. mitchhh's performance was all the more astounding given that he was heads-up and down 29,000 - 1,000 in chips before turning the game around and winning his table with pocket 10s!

The 100 players in their red and black gear made a big impact on the room; there seemed to one at every table. There is no doubt that because it's one of the only sites able to uninhibitedly promote itself in the Rio, Team Ladbrokes are making a real impact.

One other item of interest: the re-buy tournament produced its usual madness with Justin Bonomo out in front with $19,000 worth of re-buys in the first two hours. He will have to come 27th or better to win the money back!

Gossip from Team Ladbrokes

Players at one table in the main event are in for a real shock – because there will be no less than 13 spectators on the rail cheering on one of their opponents.

Bob Parker, a 31 year old from Oxford, known on the Ladbrokes site as "Beakyp", was so excited to qualify on Ladbrokes for the main event that he told all his friends and they all became so enthused that 13 of them have come over to support him!

Bob began playing six years back when he heard Steve Davis talk about it on television. He plays in the Ladbrokes $1-$2 cash games and in multi-table tournaments, often the 7pm one with $9,000 guaranteed.

How dos he feel about playing in the World Series? “It’s a bit daunting but also incredibly exciting. The biggest live event I’ve played was 100 people and I went in there yesterday and there were thousands playing – and I saw Doyle Brunson and other famous players and realised I am going to playing in an event with them. Awesome.”

As for his fan club, Bob is just hoping that don’t make too much fuss when he makes the final, table at the main event !

Let’s hope 13 is not an unlucky number for Bob!

Des’s Diary

Went to the Ladbrokes lounge for breakfast and tried to psyche Steve Davis out by offering to teach him to play pool, but he doesn’t psyche easily.

I wonder if I was wise to bet him $100 I would out-last him on Friday?!

Chatted to "Mad" Marty Wilson (who isn’t mad at all) about what he’s planning in the way of fun in the lounge; he’s already got an in-house tournament going. “Most of these guys are incredibly nervous,” he says, “so this is partly about easing the tension.”

Alan Smurfit wandered in. Like Doyle Brunson, Alan is an inspiration to the older poker player. He’s Irish and lives in Marbella, worked in business for 30 years and retired at 60 a wealthy man. He was soon bored and began playing poker and loved it, so he used a bit of his hard-earned cash to fund himself round the EPT and then further afield. Applying his business decision-making skills to the game, he began winning, including some fairly major events.

And at this World Series he has actually won a gold bracelet. How about that!

Talked to Roy the Boy who was still disappointed at being knocked out 12th in the pot limit Omaha event; I reminded him he left the best of world poker in his wake including seven world champions but he didn’t care. It is actually encouraging that he is not complacent and in hungry mood. Come on the main event…!

I also spoke to Ian Woodley who came second in the Irish Open last year and has been scoring consistently in serious events. He told me that in 1999 he won a million pounds by winning a television quiz. Wow! He was a market trader who took up poker about six years back.

Filled in a couple of hours in a cash game at the Rio and only won one hand – fortunately it was a straight, and earned enough to keep my loss to about 80 dollars.

Watched my friend Michael Craig knocked out of the S.H.O.E. event and then Tony Holden (of Big Deal fame) decided to have a night of nostalgia at Binion’s. We couldn’t believe it – they had moved all the photographs of former winners from the wall. This is what poker players go to Binions to see! We eventually found them on a sort of temporary notice board. It just wasn’t the same. Binions had walked in hob-nailed boots over years of tradition. It took Tony and I three bottles of wine to get over the shock!

BY THE TIME THIS APPEARS ON SITE THE MAIN EVENT (and the Wilson-Davis challenge match) WILL BE ONLY 36 HOURS AWAY!

Des Wilson