This year's Tunica, Mississippi, stop of the World Series of Poker Circuit series, attracted 96 players to their $5,150 buy-in main event, and by doing so created a total prize pool just shy of the half million dollar mark.

Among the 96 entrants- a substantial drop compared to last year's 154- sat quite a few recognizable faces including PokerRoad Radio's Gavin Smith, and the always popular Allen "Chainsaw" Kessler, neither of whom were able to survive the first day of play.

Joining Gavin and the "Chainsaw" on the rail were 59 others, leaving only 35 left with chips to compete today as the event play's down to the final table.

Some of the more well known players still in contention in Tunica include Paul Wasicka, Dwyte Pilgrim, Carter Phillips and Matt "Allinat420" Stout, who after Day 1 leads the field with 116,300 in tournament chips.  Last year Stout took third in Tunica for $73,590, which means if he wants to best that total this year, he'll need to take either second place for $94,488, or win the whole thing for $139,422.

For more information on the Tunica main event of the World Series of Poker Circuit tour visit www.wsop.com.


Story by Mark Anderson