The first open event of the 2009 World Series of Poker presented by Jack Link's Beef Jerky, got underway yesterday with 201 entrants- including many of the game's best players, paying $40,000 each for a chance at a top prize worth nearly $2 million dollars.  This unusually large 40K buy-in event is a new feature at the Series and was created to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the WSOP.

All the players who entered this unique event began with a hefty 120,000 in tournament chips, yet still more than half the field had lost all their chips by the end of Day 1.  Some of the well known pros who will not be seeing Day 2 include Daniel Negreanu, Howard Lederer, Tom "durrrr" Dwan, John Juanda and the reigning WSOP Main Event champion Peter Eastgate.

Pros who fared much better during Day 1 and are now well on their way to earning a chunk of the $7,718,400 total prize pool include Chris Moneymaker, Michael DeMichele, Brian Townsend, Phil "OMGClayAiken" Galfond and PokerRoad's own Justin Bonomo who currently sits in third place with 738,000 in chips- about 75,000 less than chip leader Bruno Fitoussi.

For more information from Event 2, the 40th Annual No-Limit Hold 'em, visit www.worldseriesofpoker.com for live updates and chip counts provided by PokerNews.

Story by Mark Anderson

Day 1 Sweet Tweets*

I wasn't going to play the 40k but I just couldn't stay away. I'm even with 120k in chips
-Jennifer Harman

Played a few small pots so far. Have 122k. Mostly young European players at my table who I don't know. I'm in big trouble 
-Howard Lederer

Mind you. I didn't actually see Mike Matusow. But I heard him across the room.
-Annie Duke

Got a massage hour 1 and lost about 30k
-Daniel Negreanu

This event is a who's who of poker. Elky Ted Forrest Mike Matusow Andy Bloch Phil Laak Barry Greenstein Phil Ivey John Juanda Vanessa Rousso
-Annie Duke

Made dinner break. I'm short on chips. Mike just got moved to my table so I have to put my head set on.
-Jennifer Harman

Iam out! Ivey so lucky vs me, but i will have my turn vs him for sure!!
-Phil Hellmuth

*A random sampling of Event #2 Twitter posts, courtesy of the PokerRoad Nation.