Borgata WPT Classic Prize Pool Over $5,500,000

ATLANTIC CITY -- Virtually every major name in poker ascended upon the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa for the start of $10,000 World Poker Tour Main Event. Five hundred and seventy players filled the
  beautiful 85-table poker room with dreams of winning the first place prize money of $1,603,410.

The first day of competition featured the best poker players in the world. Atlantic City's own, Phil Ivey drew some of the largest crowds throughout the day. Daniel Negreanu, also had a large group of fans surrounding his table. Negreanu, who spent the previous night at the WPT Televised Final Table, chartered a jet from Tunica, Mississippi, to Atlantic City to make sure he arrived in time at Borgata. Negreanu was having a good time playing in the new 85-table poker room, "I love this poker room (Borgata). I am not just saying it because I'm here; this is the best poker room!"

Jamie Gold, the winner of the 2006 WSOP is one of the chip leaders and the early surprises of the tournament. Other major pros in the event include David Williams, Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, Mark Newhouse, Erick Lingren, Barry Greenstein, Gavin Smith, Chad Brown, and Vanessa Rousso.

The play resumed this morning and the tournament will last until January 30, 2007. The large field will be dramatically diminished by the end of the day. The Grinder, the defending Borgata Winter Open champ fell during the first day. Other notable pros to make an early exit from the event include, Mike "The Mouth" Matusow, David "The Dragonfly" Singer, and Gavin Smith.