The $2,000 No Limit Hold'em event played into the early morning hours to reach the final table of 9 players. Those 9 will return at 3 p.m. PDT Sunday to continue the battle for WSOP gold and $770,540. Marco Johnson leads the pack with over 2.1 million chips.

Official chip counts and seat assignments at the end of Day 2:

Arne Mews shoved. Alan Cutler called. Arne held K6 off. Alan held K8 off. Board was A A 2 8 9 and Arne was toast.

Arne Mews finished in 12^th place, earning $46,386.

On the turn with a board of A 9 7 5, Sergey Rybachenko shoved and Robert Brewer called all-in, showing pocket 7s for the set. Sergey showed A2 off for top pair and deep trouble. River was a 6 and Robert doubled up to 1.1 million. Sergey was left with 600k.

Ryan D’Angelo raised to 65k and Eddie Kinzler shoved from the big blind for 337k. Ryan tanked, then folded. Eddie showed Q3 off, saying he only looked at one card.

Play continued into Level 22: Ante 4k, Blinds 15k/30k. 11 players remain. Two more must go.

Play has slowed as they fight to avoid final-table-bubbledom. With 11 players still in the hunt, the average stack is about 842,500.

Kirill Gerasimov moved in from the small blind and Eddie Kinzler looked him up from the big, holding pocket 4s. Kirill held K7 off. Board came Q 5 2 A K and Kirill paired on the river to double up, leaving Eddie with just 40k.

Eddie then got his chips in against Kirill. Eddie held pocket 9s; Kirill held A7 suited. The board came Q T 6 6 6 and Eddie tripled up to 120k.

Eddie then got his last chips in with action from Kirill and Ryan D'Angelo.  His Q2 suited was at least live against Ryan's K9 suited and Kirill's AJ offsuit.  Then the board came T T 6 5 3 and Kirill took the pot.

Eddie Kinzler finished in 11th place, earning $46,386.

The final ten have moved to a single table to continue play until one more is busted.

Final table action will begin at 3pm Sunday, unless they go much later tonight.  In that case, it will begin 10 hours after play concludes.

Eric Crain shoved for 275k and Dan ‘Wretchy’ Martin called all-in for 129k. Eric held A9 suited; Dan held K8 off. A King hit the turn to double Dan up to 225k. Eric was left with 144k.

Gabe Costner raised to 50k from the small blind and Darren Nelson shoved for 120k from the big. Gabe called, showing AQ off. Darren held Q9 off and was in bad shape. Darren flopped an open-ender, but never got there and was busted.

Darren Nelson finished in 17^th place, earning $25,301.

Eddie Kinsler doubled through Ryan D’Angelo.

Daniel Rome opened for 53k and Dan Martin jacked it up to 260k and all-in. Daniel called, showing AK off. Dan held J9 off. The board came 8 5 2 T 6 and Daniel’s AK-high was good to take the pot.

Dan Martin finished in 16^th place, earning $25,301.

Players took a 20 minute break at the end of the level.

Play resumed with Level 21: Ante 3k, Blinds 12k/24k.

Denys Drobyna shoved and Sergey Rybachenko looked him up with pocket 4s. Denys held KQ off. Board came 9 8 5 9 T and Sergey took the pot.

Denys Drobyna finished in 15^th place, earning $35,843.

Kenneth Shelton moved in and Kirill called all-in showing pocket Jacks. Kenneth held pocket 6s and was in trouble. Board came J 8 5 2 A and Kirill doubled up to 485k, leaving Kenneth with just 65k.

Kenneth then got his chips in against Kirill, who held AT. Kenneth held J5 suited. Board came K 4 4 2 8 and again Kirill took the pot.

Kenneth Shelton finished in 14^th place, earning $35,843.

Daniel Rome opened for 65k and Eric Crain shoved for 175k. Daniel called, showing A3 suited. Eric held pocket 5s. the board came A Q Q 3 K shipping the pot to Daniel.

Eric Crain finished in 13^th place, earning $35,843.

After the break, play continued into Level 20: Ante 3k, Blinds 10k/20k.

Daniel Rome got al-in with pocket Tens and got action from Ryan D’Angelo, who held A4 off. Board came J 7 6 5 K and Daniel doubled up to 300k.

Eric Crain opened for 60k and Marco Johnson jacked it up to 201k. Eric called and the flop was T 5 4 – all clubs. Marco moved in and Eric folded.

Marco then opened for 51k and Sunny Chattha raised another 105k. Marco shoved and Sonny called all-in, showing AK off. Marco held QJ suited. The board came A K J Q J giving Sunny Aces-up, but runner-runnering a full boat for Marco.

Sunny Chattha finished in 18^th place, earning $25,301.

Kirill Gerasimov opened for 56k and Kenneth Shelton shoved for 130k. Kirill made the call, showing pocket Tens. Kenneth held QJ offsuit and needed help. The board came J 6 3 A K and Kenneth paired his Jack to double up to ~300k.

Marco Johnson is the chip leader with 1.5 million. No one else is up to 7 figures.

Play resumed with Level 19: Ante 2k, Blinds 8k/16k. 21 players remain.

Ray Foley got his chips in with AK and got action from Sergey Rybachenko. Ray’s AK was leading Sergey’s KQ, but the board came J T 6 9 K giving Sergey the straight and the pot.

Ray Foley finished in 21^st place, earning $20,241.

Daniel Rome got all in for 110k against Sverre Sundbo. Daniel’s AK was dominating Sverre’s K8 suited. The board came A K 7 Q 7 and Daniel doubled up.

Guy Gorelik got all his chips in against Gabe Costner. Guy held A7 and was ahead of Gabe’s A5, but the board came K 5 3 K 4 giving Gabe the pair and the pot.

Guy Gorelik finished in 20^th place, earning $20,241.

Ryan D’Angelo fired the whole way on a board of K 8 5 8 A and Sergey Rybachenko called the whole way. Ryan showed him pocket Kings for the full house and Sergey mucked. Ryan chipped up to 850k.

Arne Mews moved in and got action from Ryan D’Angelo, who held pocket 5s. Arne held JT off and needed help. The board came K 7 8 J T and Arne made two pair to double up to 290k.

Gabe Costner opened utg for 41k. Robert Brewer re-raised to 161k. Jim Downend then shoved for 210k. Gabe got out of the way and Robert called, showing pocket 6s. Jim held AK. The board came 9 4 4 3 J and Robert took the pot.

Jim Downend finished in 19^th place, earning $20,241.

They are down to 18 players, who are now drawing seats and moving to the final two tables.

Feming Chan moved in from the small blind and Adam Katz looked him up from the big. Feming’s AK was racing against Adam’s pocket 9s. The board came 8 7 4 7 J and Feming was busted in 27^th place.

Denys Drobyna was all-in with pocket Aces against Darren Nelson’s pocket Kings. Both flopped a set and Denys doubled up.

Blake Cahail got all-in against Eddie Kinzler, who held pocket 4s. Blake’s J9 needed help, but the board came 5 4 3 9 8 giving Eddie the set and the pot. Blake was done.

Kirill Gerasimov got all in with pocket Kings against Daniel Rome, who held AQ. The board bricked out and Kirill doubled up to ~380k.

Adam Katz ran his pocket Jacks smack into the pocket Kings of Denys Drobyna. The Kings held up and Adam was toast.

Robyn Hood moved in over the top of Alexandre Gomes, who looked her up with pocket 3s. Robyn held pocket 2s and was in bad shape. The board came T 8 5 Q J and Robyn was busted.

Sean McCabe got all-in with AJ offsuit against Sverre Sundbo, who held pocket 9s. Sean lost the race as the board came T 7 6 7 3 and Sean was busted.

Adam Markovits was all in with A4 off against Sunny Chatta’s AJ. The board came K K 4 Q T and Sunny made Broadway to take the pot, busting Adam in 22nd place.

The level ended and players were sent on a 20-minute break.

Ibuki Fukui shoved for 116k and Marco Johnson looked him up. Marco’s pocket Jacks were ahead of Ibuki’s AT off. The best hand held up and Ibuki was busted.

Norris Wong shoved. Alexandre Gomes called. Norris’ AJ was ahead of Alexandre’s 64, but the board produced a 6 giving Alexadre the pot and giving Wong the gong.

Feming Chan raised to 20k and Robyn Hood moved in for 70k. Feming called, showing AJ. Robyn held KQ suited and would need help – which she got on the board of K 4 4 J 4 giving her the better full house and the double-up.

Sergei Veytser ran his A9 off into the pocket Kings of Robert Brewer. Sergei flopped two pair on the A 9 3 flop, but the last two came 8 K giving Robert the set on the river and giving Sergei the boot.

Erik Cajelais shoved with KT and Robert Brewer called with pocket Jacks. The board came Q 6 3 Q A and Erik was busted. Robert is up to half-a-million chips, good for the chip lead.

Eric Crain opened for 30k and Jim Downend shoved for 87k. Eric called, as did Andrew Li. On the A 7 5 flop, Eric fired 43k and Andrew called all-in. Eric held A2 for top pair to beat Andrew’s pocket Tens. Jim held AQ and the lead on Eric. Last two came 4 A to bust Andrew. Eric took the side pot and Jim took the main pot.

Kirill Gerasimov got all in with two callers. When the dust settled, the board read 7 6 2 3 9 and Kirill showed AK and it was good to triple him up. Jim Downend held AJ, good for the side pot.

Kenneth Shelton was all-in with KJ offsuit against Eric Crain, who held AK off. The board came K 9 7 T J and Kenneth doubled up.

Play continued into Level 18: Ante 1k, Blinds 6k/12k.

Lou Esposito moved in and got looked up by Ryan D’Angelo. Lou held pocket Tens and was ahead of Ryan’s K9, but the board came K 6 2 8 8 and Lou was busted. Ryan chipped up to 504k.

With 27 players remaining, they are redrawing seats and moving to the final 3 tables.

More departures: Denis Limon, Jeppe Mikkelsen, and Vijayan Nagarajan.

Sergey Rybachenko is the chip leader with 740k.

We're down to five tables in the Brasillia Room.

As has been the norm today, the last hour was filled with a lot of action.

Ryan D'Angelo was able to take one down when he made an amazing river call with a low pair, low kicker. It wasn't much but it was enough to beat his opponent who was betting into D'Angelo with King high.

Another player on the move is Gabe Costner. Costner moved all-in over the top of Lou Esposito's opening raise and Esposito ultimately folded. This brought Costner's stack to about 300,000.

Recent eliminations include:
Justin Alexander
Tristan Wade
Fu Wong
Dan Swingos
Paul Testud
Oliver Busquet

Big stack Eric Crain took a hit in the last hour of play. Crain pushed the action all the way to the river when his opponent pushed his last chips to the middle. Crain gave it considerable thought before throwing his cards to the much. His opponent (Michel Leibgorin) showed pockets eights for a turned boat. With this hand Crain stumbled to just under 400,000.

A short time later, Crain was able to get some chips back when his post-flop bluff worked. Facing a flop of Q-J-6 Crain reraised Leibgorin all-in. Leigborn went into the tank finally announcing a fold and showing his KK face-up. Crain decided to also show and flashed the J10 for a nice pot taken down via the bluff.

Recent eliminations include:

Steven McGuire
Kevin Iacofano
Jimmy Fedorkevich
Antonio Casale
Vincent Dulac
Tristan Wade
Fu Wong

Play resumed fifteen minutes after the top of the hour.

While snappping some stock photos of the chip leaders, I happened to snap a photo right as two opposing players turned over their cards post-flop. The gentleman with his hand over his mouth just saw that his Ladies had been outflopped by the pocket nines of his opponent who had spiked a nine on the flop. The turn offered the player with Queens no help, but his hand came down along with his jaw when a Queen hit the river sending his opponent to the rail. Unfortunately I didn't realize the timing of the photo, and therefore the picture I had taken and so did not note the players'  names. If I'm able to gather more information, I'll post the details ASAP.

Notable busts in the last hour:

Brad Kodesh
Dave Callaghan
Andrew Shimer
Sam White
Mark Dickstein

Kirill Gerasimov has been on a bit of a roller coaster ride the last hour or so. After having his large stack dented. He later was able to get some chips right back in a hand that saw him quadruple up when his flush was the best hand of his three other opponents.

Players went on dinner break for the better part of the last hour.

Eric Crain continues as our chip leader with roughly 485,000.

Below are the bustouts pre-dinner break:

Johnny Neckar
David Hicks
Justin Rosenal
Howard Schultz
Joey Lovelady
Javier Martinez

You know during a sporting event when the announcer mentions some stat like "Player X has yet to miss a shot" and then inevitably Player X misses the next shot? Well.... it seems obvious the last post regarding Erica Schoenberg must have  had the same effect. Shortly after posting the Erica was still alive, I returned to the Brasillia room to see her seat next to Ryan D'Angelo occupied with a gentleman.

Erica was able to get her chips to the middle in a classic coin-flip situation of Big Slick (Schoenberg) vs. QQ of her opponent. Erica has taken home $$5,903 for her 94th place finish.

Other notable bustouts in the last hour include:

Paul Evans (2007 runner-up in Event #3 NL Hold'em)
Jacobo Fernandez
Robert Hatcher
Richard Blanchar
Jason Morgan

John Bird has been on a tear since the day has begun. Having started the day with around 16,000 in chips he has now built his stack up to over 100,000.

The H.O.R.S.E. event is also taking place today over in the Amazon Room. Having just walked through there, I snapped this photo of all the railbirds. Usually it is easy to see from the rail to the tables, but when you're down to the final eighteen (at last check) and players like Doyle Brunson, Scotty Nguyen, Phil Ivey, Barry Greenstein, and Daniel Negreanu still alive, it is a sure bet the railbirds will be stacked deep. Best I was able to count it looked as though there were six deep during this picture.

Plenty of bustouts in the last hour. Players who have been recently felted include:

Gary Bogdanski
Ly Le
Jonathan Wein
Remy Biechel
Lonnie Martin
Ching Choy
Gerald Watterson

Saturdays here at the Rio can be a little crazy; similar to the freeways in L.A. during rush hour. The Day 2 players in Event 48 must fight the break-time traffic of the Event 49 Day 1 NL players. Upon arrival today, it was difficult for anyone to navigate through the convention area hallways due to the high volume of traffic. One must watch out for the people stopped chatting in the middle of the walkways, the 'little rascals' zipping here and there with little regard for those of us on foot, and of course the Rio staffers who are just doing their jobs trying to cross from hallway entrance to hallway entrance.

It can make for some long-slow walks between the different venue areas as one spends a lot of time dodging, weaving, and zig-zagging to avoid others. Of course, having witnessed the Senior's a few days back lazily meandering through the halls, I can report today's traffic moves a lot more efficiently.

One of the few ladies still left in the field has just busted from the event. Sarah Bilney was busted when her 10s couldn't stand up to the AJ of an opponent.

Still in the field and looking good (pun intended) is Poker Pages' own blogger Erica Schoenberg. If you get a spare moment, check out Erica's blog by clicking here.

Players were sent on a twenty-minute break right before the top of the hour. Players were working their way back to their seats, and cards should be back in the air shortly.

The last hour has seen some fast and furious action with many tables breaking. Included amongst the recent bustouts are:

David 'The Dragon' Pham
2007 event-winner Blair Rodman

Defending champ, Blair Rodman has broken a string of non-cashes for 2007 defending champs in the event they won their bracelet in. Rodman, is the first champ from 2007 to cash in the event he won the previous year. Congrats Mr. Rodman.

Another small bit of history has taken place in the last hour. With his cash in this event Nikolay Evdakov has set a record for the most cashes in one single World Series of Poker with nine.

Overheard between to players after an all-in showdown:

Player 1 (just busted) "That was a terrible move. Don't you know that when I have 30K invested in the pot, and 15K behind, that I can not fold?"

Player 2 (just doubled up) "Good game, have a nice afternoon."

It's always entertaining to listen to the busted player tell his winning opponent how bad he played as the winning opponent stacks the busted player's chips.

Cards are back in the air here on Day 2 of Event 48. Of the 2,317 players to start this $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, 198 returned to play Day 2. Eric Crain ended Day 1 as the chip leader with other notables like: Lou Esposito, Kirill Gerasimov, David Pham, and Chau Giang still in the hunt.

Recent bustouts include:
Bryan 'Devo' Devonshire
Gagik Khodjoian
Neil Channing was busted by Kirill Gerasimov.

Erica Schoenberg has been busy early. Her pockets 8s held up against her opponents pocket 3s and she now sits at 35,000+ chips.

The day began with 2,317 hopefuls, but only 198 players will be back for Day 2.  All are in the money, and once the short stacks get out of the way, the battle for the final table will begin.  Eric Crain starts as chip leader with 253,500, but Sean McCabe, Marco Johnson, and Erik Cajelais are close behind. Adam Levy, David "The Dragon" Pham, and Erica Schoenberg will be looking for action as well. The party starts at 2 p.m. PDT.

Official chip counts and seat assignments for the start of Day 2: