The $1,600 buy-in main event of the World Series of Poker Circuit Horseshoe Southern Indiana began yesterday, with 289 registered entrants sitting down to play. 

Thanks to that starting number- 234 players larger than last year’s- organizers were able to announce a total prize pool of more than $415,000 and a first prize of $98,878.  That first prize is also larger than last year’s, but surprisingly not by that much, as last year’s champ, Gabriel Cook, took home $92,430 and a gold Circuit ring for his early November '09 victory.

Notable players who came to Elizabeth, Indiana to compete yesterday included T.J. Cloutier, Lee Childs and recent World Poker Tour Borgata champion Dwyte Pilgrim, though all three were also eliminated by the end of Day One’s play.

Players more fortunate, that were still in the hunt by the end of the day included Ari Engel, Drazen Ilich and Shiva Dudani, who won a preliminary event here just last week to move to the top of the WSOP Circuit’s new National Leader Board, when his first place points were added to those he earned for his runner-up finish in the WSOP Circuit Horseshoe Council Bluffs main event in August.

For more information on the WSOP Circuit visit www.wsop.com, or for live updates including current chip counts from today's play head to PokerNews.com.