David Williams Storms Away From Main Event, Igor Kurganov Busts Liv Boeree & Justin Bonomo Proves a Point

It’s the WSOP Main Event! Everyone is excited about the greatest poker tournament on Earth…until they’re out, that is.

We caught up with some relationship friction at the felt, a terrific reaction to a terrible turn-card, and a couple of legends and their takes on Day 1a of the tournament everyone wants to win.

WILLIAMS WALKS AWAY FROM THE MAIN IN PAIN

David Williams once finished as runner-up in the WSOP Main Event, but he won’t be doing so this year. His $10,000 stack of bills was dusted off quicker than you can say ‘good game, sir’ and ‘nice catch’. Or words to that effect.

EMMETT HANDING OUT COOLERS

Randall Emmett didn’t have an altogether easy day at the felt, but was reported to be generous in the extreme. In the cool of the Rio, might a warm mug of cocoa worked better for him, though?

BOEREE BUSTS TO KURGANOV AFTER NIGHTMARE TABLE DRAW

Here’s a nice picture of Igor Kurganov. He’s a lovely man, everyone enjoys seeing him arrive at their table…unless you’re his girlfriend, Liv Boeree, that is….

…and when Kurganov was joined by all-time crusher Dan Smith…

…with a final passing swipe at her partner, Boeree was gone. Kurganov busted himself just a couple of levels later, so they were together on the rail, at least. Probably.

Kitty Kuo had some sympathy, being part of another poker power couple, and explained the simplest solution.

BAKES USING HIS TIME BANK WELL

David ‘Bakes’ Baker took advantage of a little spare time. Who needs poker?

BONOMO THE BOSS

Meanwhile, all-time money list leader and poker legend Justin Bonomo had good news on his progress… and bad news on Day 1c for professionals who thought they might be avoiding regs by skipping Day 1a.

CAMPBELL ON TOP IN PLAYER OF THE YEAR RACE

Finally, Australian Robert Campbell didn’t just win his second WSOP bracelet, he also vaulted to the top of the WSOP Player of the Year standings, which you can see in full here.  Can Dan Zack catch Campbell with a deep run in the Main Event?

Who’ll become the latest player to win a WSOP gold bracelet at the 2019 World Series of Poker? You can watch the WSOP Main Event action unfold on ESPN throughout the tournament and check out additional coverage on PokerGO.