Phil Ivey shows off his 5th Gold WSOP championship bracelet moments after winning event #27 of the 2005 WSOP.

The Tuesday night WSOP television series brings the main event from Harvey's Lake Tahoe Resort in Lake Tahoe, Nevada that was played on May 8, 2005. The $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em event attracted 173 amateur and professional poker players vying for a piece of the $1,643,500 prize pool. After the elimination days ended and the dust cleared we were down to the final six players making the TV table. Some familiar faces will be present around the table. Poker Superstar Phil Ivey shows why he is one of the most feared players on the circuit. The geeky and quiet James Van Alstyne, one of the best players in the world, makes an appearance and so does rising star Jeffrey Lisandro. They are joined by Jonathan Shecter, Tommy Reed and Salim Batshon in their quest for the championship, the money and the coveted WSOPC gold ring. First place pays $542,360, second is $299,360, third gets $164,350, fourth receives $131,480, fifth walks away with $98,610 and sixth is paid $82,175.

David Pham was the TV bubble boy, finishing seventh and earning $65,740. George Saca was eighth taking $49,305 while Joe Awada went out in ninth for $32,870.

The show is scheduled for 10:00 pm Eastern Time, check your local listing for air time. The order of finish, hometown and money won chart is in the continue reading below.

The Bellagio's Five-Star World Poker Classic got under way here in Las Vegas today. The field of 469 entrants paid $1,500 + $70 for a shot at the prize pool of $682,395. The winner will also receive a $25,000 seat in the WPT Championship event. Walking throught the room I recognized a number of the professionals in town to play in the tournament. Marcel Luske, Europe's number one player, was enjoying himself, as usual, with a nice stack of chips. Those playing at the table with the Flying Dutchman are always treated to some of his vocal styling along with his impeccable attire and trademark upside down sunglasses. Included in the mix was Gabriel Thaler coming off a main event final table appearance at the recent WSOP Circuit tournament at the Rio.

The field had been narrowed to 137 players just after five o'clock this afternoon. The play will continue until the final table nine are decided or 3:00 am is reached. Whoever is left will return at 4:00 pm tomorrow, Wednesday, April 06, to resume play and go until a winner is crowned.

The following prize payouts for event #1 follows:

1. $222,570
2. $118,240
3. $62,405
4. $36,105
5. $26,275
6. $18,395
7. $13,140
8. $10,510
9. $9,195
10. $7,885
11-15 $6,570
16-20 $5,255
21-30 $3,940
31-40 $3,285
41-50 $2,630

The Bellagio has chosen this time to close its poker room for a complete remodel and expansion so space is somewhat convoluted. The poker room cash games have moved into the casino space normally reserved for the tournament tables so the tournament is partly there and the rest in the Fontana room. Wednesday's event is a $2,000 + $80 Buy-In No-Limit Hold'em contest. Play will begin at noon with another anticipated large field of players.

After another late start we head south along the Pacific Coast Highway stopping for breakfast in Manhattan Beach, again using the lines of people as a guide. This was a 50's style diner with American waitresses and Mexican cooks. Blueberry pancakes and coffee for me today. I am already making a mental note of these places as I hope to return to cover the Commerce later in the month. Maybe Max Pescatori will stay by the Ocean and chauffeur me around in his Mini Cooper. Inland LA is very disappointing. After breakfast we make a small detour to see another Brit import, the Queen Mary at Long Beach. The main Blvd heading towards the Aquarium has been made to look quite acceptable. Parking is overpriced at $22; although we later find a room in a downtown San Diego hotel that prompts us to leave a day early. Its now whale watching season, something that I would like to experience. My friend is paranoid of the sea after what happened in Asia. Four Queen’s best overall player, AD Thoms, lives in Phuket. I hope he is ok. My Friend opts for the Aquarium, I will whale watch next time. I don't seem to be getting my way at all. I should have been born a girl!

After the Aquarium it is almost dusk so we only drive a short way down the coast to Newport Beach. Finding a room was easy. My friend decides to go back to sleep, so I walk around and find a Second Spin CD store and a Borders. Later, we head towards the Balboa Pier. A little square nearby looked to be the place for restaurants and bars. We headed for the noisiest bar. The noise was coming from some USC Irvine girls playing pool. Nothing cheap around here. Everyone seemed friendly and pleasant, something I am not used to living in Vegas (or England for that matter).

I used my free morning in the hotel gym before having the continental breakfast .We stayed at the Ramada, btw, I do not train well alone. I am a bit of a monkey, but did enough to feel my legs and blow some Vegas dust out of my lungs. A lady I met gave me a brochure for a great looking place called the Beach Cottages on Mission Blvd. My friend wanted to either go to the football game or Tijuana. The former was sold out so he did the latter whilst I waited at the Border. Been there done that.

As we drove the 805 I spotted Del Mar. The last time I was there I saw Echo & the Bunnymen play after the racing, a great night.

After our organic breakfast at the Urth we drove north a couple of blocks to Hollywood and Highland; where the handprints are in the paving stones. We saw thousands of people wearing Michigan sweaters. Maybe Michael Moore had redistributed his wealth and allowed everyone in Flint to move to Hollywood. In reality, Michigan was in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Amazing how many people had given up their New Years to attend a college ball game. This would not be the case if UNLV had been playing. The reason the people were all gathered here was a rally complete with band, cheerleaders, coach and players.

We took I-15 all the way to LA. I like the journey to be part of the vacation so I would have preferred a detour into Death Valley. However, my friend is a noon riser so with only 4 hours of daylight left after breakfast, we took the direct route into LA. It was dark and raining when we arrived in Santa Monica but I was excited, a rare thing. We find a room just by the Pier and I decide to head south to Main St. in search of food. This is so much better than Vegas. Numerous coffee shops both independent and Starbucks. Guys having their nails manicured. We see an Indian restaurant, always popular with us Brits, and two Irish pubs. The Indian was deserted so I decide on one of the Irish, Finn McCools. Great choice. The bar staff as well as the teak bar imported from deepest Ireland. Our friendly server, skinny Sharon, told us she was from a little village outside of another little village. The Irish have a way with words.

Its happy hour, the jukebox plays "This is a Low" by Blur. I try the curried dumplings for $3. The dumplings fill you up, the curry set my mouth on fire. The taste was sweet, yet spicy. I hope this place is still here next time I visit. The ban on indoor smoking really helps me enjoy the whole experience more.

Third St SM used to have four used CD stores on it and at least two just off it. All are gone replaced by chain stores such as Barnes & Noble; and ironically, an Apple store selling i-pods. Also gone are the stores selling freshly squeezed wheat grass and fresh fruit smoothies. "This is a Low" plays over in my head. My i-pod is still on the shelf.

Back to the room for a game of heads-up poker. The next morning I head out into the rain for my photo shoot of the Cavalia tent or "Cirque on the Beach" as I rename it. I am satisfied with my first shot so head off in search of breakfast. I guide us to Melrose Ave. A place called "Urth Cafe" is attracting all the people like ants returning home. Always a good sign. Ask $40 a day Rachel Ray. I have my preferred breakfast of a latte and muffin. Score 2 out of 2 for great food finds.

Next time I will write about how we stumbled across the Michigan pre-Rose Bowl get together.

May I wish you all a belated Happy New Year. Already, Otis is in the Bahamas working for PokerStars. I think many other bloggers will be rewarded for their unpaid efforts in the coming year.