That's a Wrap For Today

Kara Scott interviews fourth place finisher Russell Thomas as Jake Balsiger, Jesse Sylvia, and Greg Merson bag up their chips for the night. Those three will be back in action on Tuesday at 6pm PT to play down to a new World Champion.

And Then There Were Three

Russell Thomas watches as the dealer runs out a board that brings no help to the actuary and recreational poker player. Thomas took a stand with A-9, but ran into Jake Balsiger's A-K and exited in fourth place, bringing this first day of action to a close.

Awesome Ausmus Bids Adieu

He started the day last in the chip counts, but Jeremy Ausmus proved to be a real contender for the title tonight. The Las Vegas-based poker pro rallied up the counts before eventually finishing in fifth place, earning $2,155,313. Ausmus, who was quite humble in his post-bustout interview, took the time to wish his fellow competitors luck before leaving the stage.

Colorful Characters

Thomas' rail isn't the only one with signs aplenty. Jesse Sylvia's crew has plenty of signs of their own, several of which seem to be alluding to inside jokes between Sylvia and his friends.

Russell Gets Some Advice From Matt Damon

There are dozens of signs peppered throughout the audience here at the Penn and Teller Theater, including some comical yet enthusiastic posters rooting on Russell Thomas.

The Agony of Defeat

Andras Koroknai winces as he watches the board run out on what would be his final hand of the 2012 WSOP Main Event. Koroknai five-bet all-in holding K-Q, Greg Merson called with A-K, and Koroknai was eliminated in sixth place in the biggest pot of the tournament so far.

Esposito Exits

Michael Esposito had a tough time getting anything going today. When he finally picked up a hand, ace-jack, he ran into a bigger hand, Greg Merson's ace-king. To make matters worse, Esposito's home in Long Island is in the center of Hurricane Sandy.

River Rat

More than once this tournament, Jesse Sylvia has found himself one card away from losing a big pot. More than once, Sylvia has hit that card to either stay alive or eliminate an opponent. He and his rail celebrate after Sylvia hit a lucky river to eliminate Rob Salaburu in eighth place.

Wait For It

Rob Salaburu awaits his fate as he is all-in holding pocket sevens to Jesse Sylvia's Q5. Salaburu got it in ahead, but he was the one at risk of elimination.

Thank Heaven

Jake Balsiger is relieved to see his pocket kings hold up after an all-in confrontation against Rob Salaburu and his pocket queens. The hand gives Balsiger a big boost to his stack. Even with the double up though, Balsiger is still in the middle of the packing at fourth in the chip counts.