Mini-Photo Blog: Level 1

Shortly before Day 1 of the WPT Southern Poker Championship begins, Bill Edler rides the escalator into the Convention Center where the tournament is being held. Edler won the first WPT tournament ever held in Biloxi back in 2007.

WPT Announcer Mike Sexton welcomes the players to Biloxi before he gives the famous "Shuffle up and deal" to start play. Kimberly Lansing (left) and the Royal Flush Girls are laughing because the battery died on Sexton’s mic in the middle of his announcement.

The tournament was barely 15 minutes into the first level when Gavin Smith (foreground, left) lost a $100 prop bet to Ben Klier (standing, center). The bet had nothing to do with poker; it was to see who could chug a bottle of water the fastest.