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There are six tournaments going on at present here at the Rio. Both the $1,000 and $1,500 NL’s are playing down to the final table. The $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo is down to 12 and playing to the final table. The $5,000 NL Holdem Shootout is still going strong. The 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball event kicked off at 5 p.m. Finally, the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship is playing its final table.

I ran across someone I know yesterday while taking photos of one of the events. I won’t share his name due to the fact that I doubt he would like it to be revealed. Anyway, he is currently working for another known pro this summer in the capacity of a personal assistant, or as he called it “I’m a gopher.”

I know him from some events that we played together in the Los Angeles area. He is actually a fairly well known player by older pros and has a decent track record. However, poker is a fickle mistress and those that were geniuses 20 years ago are the “old has beens” of today.

A Vegas Legend

I told the above story because of someone that is playing in the 2-7 Lowball event here at the WSOP. His name is Archie Karas. Some of you may recognize the name while others of you probably have no clue whom he is.

Karas is the epitome of the old school gambler. He came to Vegas in 1992 and turned it into $40 Million by 1995. He then proceeded to lose it all by the end of that year. Karas is quite an accomplished poker player, but his weakness was shooting dice. Karas has had marginal success at the WSOP but not significant scores as of yet. Below is a photo of one of the greatest gamblers in Vegas history.

Tom Schnieder apparently took a new job as a clown when not playing at the WSOP. If not, then explain to me why he is wearing these pants.

Circus Circus Must Have Had an Opening

I spotted a Ho when walking the 2-7 event. Maria Ho that is.

It's time once again to hop aboard the HO TRAIN!

The final table of the $50,000 Poker Player’s Championship is down to five players. David Oppenheim just doubled up through Michael Mizrachi. Remember, this final table is all NL Holdem and not 8-Game. Therefore, fortunes will swing on a single hand. David Oppenheim has a huge chip lead going into the dinner break. Both Mizrachi brothers have under 1.5 Million and are technically short stacks now.

David Oppenheim Doubles Up

Unlike certain other sites, I will not be staying here until 3 a.m. to wait out a winner. Instead, I will be back tomorrow where I will catch the bracelet event and hopefully other happenings here at the WSOP. Melissa is coming in tomorrow, so heaven help us. Keep tuned to pokerjunkie.com as we continue to bring you coverage of the 2010 World Series of Poker.