Heads Up in the Shadow of Another Event

While Event #33 ($2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha) plays out in the foreground, Justin "BoostedJ" Smith, Phil Ivey, and Victor Ramdin play their round two matches of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em) in the background. All three are still alive and in the money in Event #33, though their chip stacks are being blinded off while they play the heads-up event.

Defending Heads-Up Champion Leo Wolpert

Defending champion Leo Wolpert plays a round two match in Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Wolpert defeated John Duthie in the finals of last year's event to win his first WSOP bracelet. Unfortunately, Wolpert would not be repeating, as he lost this match against Martin Kabrhel (who can be seen in the reflection of Wolpert's sunglasses).

Vivek Rajkumar and Erik Seidel in the $10K Heads-Up

Vivek Rajkumar (left) and Erik Seidel play separate side-by-side matches in round two of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Rajkumar won a prestigious heads-up title at the Commerce Casino in 2009, while Seidel lost one of the most famous heads-up matches against Johnny Chan to end the 1988 WSOP Main Event. Seidel would lose this match as well, while Rajkumar would win his to advance to the next round.

Gabe Kaplan vs. Dustin Woolf

Gabe Kaplan plays against Dustin "Neverwin" Woolf in round two of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Kaplan is best known for his role in the 1970s sit-com "Welcome Back, Kotter," but in recent years has been more and more active in the poker world as both a player and commentator. Kaplan has seven WSOP final tables under his belt, but is still looking for his first WSOP bracelet.

Annette Obrestad vs. Brock Parker

Annette Obrestad faces off against 2009 double-bracelet-winner Brock Parker in round two of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Phil Gordon (center, top) plays a separate match at the same table. Obrestad would eventually lose her match, as Parker advanced to round three.

Durrrr and Elky in the $10K Heads-Up

Tom "Durrrr" Dwan (left) and Bertrand "Elky" Grospellier play separate side-by-side matches in round two of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em).

Phil Ivey's Seat Card and Starting Chips

While Phil Ivey and Victor Ramdin continue playing in Event #33 ($2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha), their starting chips are waiting for them in round two of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Each player begins this round with 60,000 in chips.

Victor Ramdin and Phil Ivey Play Two Events

Victor Ramdin (right) and Phil Ivey (background, top left) both survived their first round matches in Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). They are scheduled to face off in the second round, but as you can see, they are both busy playing Day 2 of Event #33 ($2,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em/Omaha), where they have already reached the money. The tournament staff is making arrangements to set up their heads-up match nearby.

Brian Rast vs. Scott Seiver

Brian Rast (center) faces off against Scott Seiver (right) in the first round of Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Seiver has been on an extended hot streak lately, winning more than $1 million in live tournaments in the past six months. But Seiver couldn't overcome Rast, who went on to win this match to advance to the second round. Rast is hoping to win his first WSOP bracelet.

Brandon Adams vs. Carlos Mortensen

Brandon Adams (left) and Carlos Mortensen face off in a first-round match in Event #35 ($10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em). Earlier in the Series, Adams came one spot away from winning his first WSOP bracelet, while 2001 WSOP Main Event Champion Mortensen is looking for the third of his career. Mortensen would eventually win this match to advance to the second round.