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More Players Expected to Attend: Aaron Lim Keith Gipson Devan Tang Gus Hansen Isaac Haxton Celina Lin Jonathan Duhamel Erik Seidel Igor Kurganov Tobias Reinkemeier Sven Niklas Heinecker Fabian Quoss Tony Gregg Mike "SirWatts" Watson Mike "Timex" McDonald

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With two tables remaining in Event #53 ($1,500 No-Limit Hold'em), there were still two women in the field -- Loni Harwood (left) and Kitty Kuo.

While no women have won bracelets yet this year, there have been six who have appeared at final tables so far -- including Harwood.

Unfortunately for Kuo, she was eliminated in 17th place (earning $23,760) shortly after this photo was taken.

The ESPN Main Stage is ready and waiting for the final 10 players in Event #53 ($1,500 No-Limit Hold'em), the only final table scheduled to take place today.

Doyle Brunson has effectively retired from tournaments, but he still registered to take his seat in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. On Day 2, he found himself seated next to his longtime friend from the cash games, Jennifer Harman.

Why would Doyle choose to play this event above all others? The high-stakes and the mixed-game format appeal to him, and he may also be thinking about the trophy, which was named in honor of his late, great friend, Chip Reese.

Our reporting team has been following Doyle's progress all day, and you can check out that coverage by going to our $50k Players Championship updates. 

Phil Hellmuth skipped the $111,111 One Drop High Roller event, and said he regretted it. But there was no chance he was missing the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, a tournament he called one of the two greatest in all of poker (along with the WSOP Main Event).

Loni Harwood (right) is the first woman to make two final tables at this year's WSOP. (Amanda Musumeci was the only woman who did it last year.)

Unfortunately, Harwood was eventually eliminated in fourth place, earning $210,456. It was the first six-figure score by a woman so far this WSOP.

Bella the dog was in the stands to sweat Loni Harwood. See that dog tag handing down from her collar? That's a WSOP pendant. This dog is no stranger to poker.

Mike Watson (a.k.a. "SirWatts") was hoping to continue Canada's hot streak as he entered the final table with the chip lead while wearing a red Canada t-shirt on Canada Day.

Canadians have been on an incredible hot streak, winning 10 WSOP bracelets so far this summer, which is a record for a country other than the USA.

But even though it was Canada Day, it wasn't Canada's day, and Watson was eliminated in fifth place, earning $153,850.

The sun sets behind Red Rock Canyon around the time of the dinner break in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship.

While the players in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship take their dinner break, the dealers must remain at the tables and watch over the chip stacks.

Phil Hellmuth can be seen sneaking out of the Rio Casino after his elimination from the $50,000 Poker Players Championship that he loves so much. Better luck in the Main Event, Phil.

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Webcast Schedule:
30/08/2013 SUPER HIGH ROLLER DAY 1 Start Time: 14:30 CET End Time: 21:10 CET  31/08/2013 SUPER HIGH ROLLER DAY 2 Start Time: 12:00 CET End Time: Playing down to 8 players
01/09/2013 SUPER HIGH ROLLER DAY 3 FT – CARDS UP WITH 1-HOUR DELAY Start Time: 14:00 CET End Time: Play down to winner
02/09/2013 MAIN EVENT DAY 1B Start Time: From Level 4: 16:00 CET End Time: Approx. 20:10 CET 03/09/2013 MAIN EVENT DAY 2 Start Time: From Level 2: Approx. 13:30 CET End Time: Approx.. 20:10 CET 04/09/2013 MAIN EVENT DAY 3  Start Time: Start of play 12:00 CET End Time: Approx. 00:30 CET 05/09/2013 MAIN EVENT DAY 4  Start Time: Start of play 12:00 CET End Time: 21:00 CET  06/09/2013 MAIN EVENT DAY 5 Start Time: Start of play 12:00 CET End Time: Down to 8 Players 07/09/2013 MAIN EVENT DAY 6 FT – CARDS UP WITH 1-HOUR DELAY Start Time: 14:00 CET End Time: Play down to winner of Main Event


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*Note - Both days will be cards down, no hole cards revealed.

Adderall (Amphetamine Mixed Salts)

If you believe the hype around Adderall it might look like the holy grail for poker players, but more and more studies are debunking its effectiveness as a mind-enhancing drug.

Adderall is an amphetamine formulation commonly used to treat attention deficit hyper-activity disorder but it's widely believed to increase concentration and mental agility in people who do not suffer from ADHD.

Adderall

 

There's no doubt that Adderall will make you feel like you're performing at a higher level, but how it effects you may depend on how well you're already performing.

In a study by Martha J. Farah at the University of Pennsylvania results pointed to Adderall boosting convergent thought (answering a question that has one correct answer) in subjects who were previously performing at a sub-average level, but negatively affecting subjects who were already performing above average.

In poker terms this could mean that Adderall will help a losing player play better, but might impair an already gifted pro.

Farah's study also described that while improvements in mental performance were difficult to prove across the board, one thing was clear: The subjects all thought they were performing at a much higher level.

So while Adderall will keep you awake and focused longer it's unclear whether it will actually make you play better.

Adderall users can become dependent on the drug and with potential side-effects like loss of appetite, depression and paranoia it doesn't look like a good candidate to to improve your poker performance.

Dexedrine is another popular ADHD drug that contains dextroamphetamine. It is also used to increase cognitive performance like Adderall.

Ritalin (Methylphenidate)

Just like Adderall, Ritalin is used to treat ADHD but has gained wide popularity as a mental-performance enhancer.

Ritalin

 

In patients suffering from attention-deficit disorders it works to raise concentration to a normal level, but for healthy recreational users Ritalin is reputed to induce a state of hyper-focus for long periods of time.

And being able to stay awake and on-task longer certainly lends itself to playing poker.

It's also the most commonly-prescribed medication of its kind which means it is available and affordable.

While not habit-forming when used the way it's prescribed, recreational use and abuse of Ritalin can be addictive.

Cocaine

Stu Ungar is a prime example of how dangerous cocaine can be.

 

Behind alcohol and marijuana, cocaine is likely the third most common drug in the poker world. Whether it's partying on tour or staying up while playing online, a surprising number of poker players use cocaine.

Similar to Adderall, cocaine is thought to keep you awake, alert and ready to play for long periods of time which makes it an obvious fit for poker players.

Less appealing are the risk of dependency, negative side-effects and high cost of a cocaine habit.

Just look at Stu Ungar.

He said in his biography that he started using cocaine on the advice of his poker-playing friends who relied on it to keep them energized for marathon poker sessions.

While Ungar certainly succeeded at the poker table his drug use turned into an addiction that eventually killed him.

So while moderate cocaine use might keep you awake in the short term, the long term effects and risks make it a poor choice for improving your poker game.

Provigil (Modafinil)

Modafinil is used mainly in the treatment of narcolepsy and shift-work sleep disorder but it has gained wide acclaim as a way to turbocharge focus and performance.

Provigil

 

The subject of a CBS exposé last year, Provigil has been touted by everyone from computer programmers to high-powered business executives and it's also used by poker players.

In a 2012 article in the New Yorker poker pro Paul Phillips was quoted saying Adderall, and later Provigil, helped him win millions of dollars playing poker.

“Poker is about sitting in one place, watching your opponents for a long time, and making better observations about them than they make about you,” Phillips told the New Yorker. “With Provigil I could process all the information about what was going on at the table and do something about it.”

The vast majority of people who use Provigil experience no side effects but the biggest risk could be what we don't know about the drug. No studies have been done on the long-term effects of modanifil.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers

 

Although not as trendy or written-about as study drugs, beta blockers are used to combat anxiety and have been popular among performers since they were discovered in the 1960s.

Beta blockers moderate the fight-or-flight response to stress that causes things like pounding heart, increased respiration and sweating which could come in handy at the poker table.

Poker players could use beta blockers to help keep a rock-solid poker face or just to control their anxiety in order to concentrate and play better.

The list of potential side effects is very long and includes everything from nausea and diarrhea to erectile dysfunction so a more holistic approach to managing your anxiety is advisable.

Alpha Brain (Balanced Nootropic)

Alpha Brain is a supplement that doesn't fall into the same category as the rest of the “drugs” on this list, but certainly contains enough powerful ingredients to change the way your brain works.

Alpha Brain

 

It's also endorsed by poker pros Matt Vengrin and Sorel Mizzi, which makes it particularly relevant to this discussion.

Alpha Brain's marketing says the supplement will help keep you calm, focused and mentally driven.

Customer reviews are extremely mixed but the list of ingredients is impressive, and the pill does have big-name proponents like Joe Rogan who said on his podcast that everyone should try it.

From Alpha Brain:

Alpha Brain contains Alpha GPC which is a source of choline; a precursor to acetylcholine, which is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for increasing mental acuity and brain function, Vinpocetine, a nootropic derived from periwinkles and an ingredient that has been the focus of many researches and is also known for its neuroprotective properties, another nootropic called Bacopa that helps improve motor learning, memory functions, and reduces anxiety, and Rainforest superb herb or AC-11, a compound derived from cat’s claw which is native to the Amazon rainforest that has been proven to help the body repair DNA damage.

Many bad reviews have to do with the supplement's large price tag.

Alcohol

Alcohol is far and away the most commonly used drug in the poker world.

From the free drinks given to players in Las Vegas casinos to the six-pack of beer you pick up on your way to the weekly home game, booze factors into poker more often than any other drug.

Unsurprisingly, alcohol is ubiquitous in poker.

 

And if you think alcohol only exists in the realm of the amateur, just watch Scotty Nguyen's infamous 2008 WSOP performance.

But if you can practice moderation better than Scotty, a couple drinks might actually help you deal with high-stress poker situations.

In fact, TJ Cloutier once described 1985 World Champion Bill Smith as the greatest player in the world when slightly drunk, but the worst in the world when he had too much.

And as you may have learned yourself, alcohol is particularly destructive when it comes to memory. Individuals under the influence are able to recall existing memories but have a hard time holding on to events that happened while drunk.

That means if you're regularly a six-pack deep at the poker table it's going to be tough to make good reads based on past experience.

And since it impairs you both mentally and physically it's just plain wrong to think alcohol will make you a better poker player.

But that doesn't mean alcohol can't help you win more money. Just keep an eye out for the player ordering a long line of Jaggerbombs and play more pots with him.

Marijuana

If there was ever a drug tailor-made for long sessions in front of a computer tucked away in your parents' basement it's marijuana.

Right behind alcohol, marijuana is the second most common drug in the poker world.

For many young players weed and poker go hand in hand.

 

Smoking pot has been on the rise among teenagers and since so many of them are jumping into poker, it's no wonder that weed is pervasive in the poker world.

Just visit a parking lot or hotel hallway at the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas and you'll be reminded how many people play poker high.

Effects of marijuana include:

Just like alcohol, marijuana impairs your judgment, decision-making, learning and memory so it's hard to believe it would make you a better poker player.

Marijuana users often argue that weed helps them concentrate, an obvious benefit for poker players, but studies have shown that in the case of chronic use focus is ultimately negatively affected.

In other cases marijuana may reduce an individual's anxiety allowing him to play poker more effectively online or live.

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Poker Legends

Doyle Brunson has tried to skip the WSOP for years and this year he even went to the trouble of announcing he'd be taking a pass. But in the end Texas Dolly couldn't stay away.

The Godfather of Poker played the $50k Player Championship and was seated next to Phil Ivey. He also played the Main Event and went deep into the money before getting busted from the feature table.

2013 also saw big wins from living legends Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu.

Pretty Girls

The female form is beautiful and as photographers we do our best to capture beauty wherever we see it.

We also like a challenge and live tournaments are usually 95% men.

Sports Stars and Celebrities

We like to play paparazzi whenever we can and major live poker tournaments are a great place to snap pics of famous celebrities and sports stars.

During 2013 we had a chance to shoot a ton of big names. Here are the biggest.

Chip Stacks and poker action

We're suckers for chip porn. Whether it's huge stacks, dramatic action or artsy close-ups our photographers are always focusing on the tiny discs around which the game of poker revolves.

Here are our faves from 2013 snapped from locations all over the globe.

Exotic Locations

Poker has taken us all over the world and we're always grateful for the chance to get out of the casino and enjoy the local sights and sounds.

Whether it's Melbourne, Malta, Nassau or Paris we've usually got our cameras in hand when we're out on the town.

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1. Gary Paterson Accidentally Folds Fours Full

The first fold on our list comes from Gary Paterson and is more in the "Huh?" category,

Mostly it shows just how important it is to remember your cards right - which must be the case here. Otherwise he just folds a full house on the turn for no reason.

Any time someone says "I'll limp," though, you might expect something a little unorthodox.

2. Roberto Romanello Folds Jacks Full on the River

You might remember this phenomenal laydown from the 2008 Main Event, and it still astounds us to this day.

Mike Matusow, of course, freaks out when Roberto Romanello shows he folded his full house - and is right! Although looking back Geller made such a clear show of strength Romanello could be pretty sure he was beat. Still ...

3. Phil Hellmuth Puts on Absurd Show, Makes Absurd Fold

Take a normal player, put him on a televised poker show, give him 15 big blinds and queens (with a raise before him) and 99% of the time he'll (quite correctly) move in.

Now exchange "normal player" with "Phil Hellmuth," who somehow thinks he has the gift of second sight, and it becomes a whole different ball game (and an absurd show):

4. Mikhail Smirnov Folds Quads in Big One

Fool or genius?

 

So far in poker history the Big One for One Drop at the World Series of Poker in 2012 is without equal. At least until the second edition happens this summer.

With a $1,111,111 buy-in it was the richest poker tournament of all time and Russian businessman Mikhail Smirnov, who joined poker's elite at the tables, essentially made the most "remarkable" fold in poker history.

What happened? Unfortunately there's no video evidence but as it was recounted Smirnov had 8♦ 8♥, raised and got one caller in businesman John Morgan.

Flop: J♠ 8♣ 7♠. Smirnov continued with his set and got a call. Turn: 8♠. Again Smirnov bets, again a call.

River: K♠. One last time Smirnov bets and Morgan shoves. What did Smirnov do with quads and the second-best possible hand on this board with only T♠ 9♠ that could beat him?

He open-folds his quads, of course. Accordingly players at the table, including Tom Dwan and Phil Galfond, fell off their chairs.

5. Doyle Folds Better Flush to Jamie Gold

The winner of the best-attended WSOP main event of all time, Jamie Gold was, for some time afterward, the enfant terrible of the poker scene.

He played everywhere, irritated fans and players alike, was far too aggressive and sank a good portion of his profit back into the poker economy trying to recreate his table-bully WSOP antics.

Then, on an episode of High Stakes Poker, Doyle Brunson came along and turned a bigger flush on him. Poker fans held their breath and expected Brunson to give Gold a good lesson.

Unfortunately, that's not quite what happened - although we give Doyle credit for the almost-read:

6. Sandra Naujoks Mucks Rivered Straight

Not a fold in the "technical" sense, but a head-scratcher just the same. Sandra Naujoks rivers a straight, misses a value bet and mucks her hand against Tony G's trips.

"Too early in the day," is her explanation:

7. Loose Cannon Folds Aces (and Kings) Pre-Flop

The PokerStars Big Game was a well-known poker TV show before Black Friday that offered up a shot for an amateur "Loose Cannon" to play a cash game with some big-name pros.

A very real $100,000 was given to the lucky player and he or she was allowed to keep any profit made over 150 hands.

In this now-infamous episode Loose Cannon David Fishman built up a stack of $230,000 and, with $130k on the line (three times his annual income), he decided that was enough.

Consequently he folded everything that came his way - including kings, then aces. Aces! Before the flop!

While this may seem "technically" wrong, we can't argue with his risk aversion. Especially given that Phil Laak happened to flop quads on one of the hands (not that that makes it right, but still). The fold with the aces:

Note: This is all in good fun. We like your tattoos, really. Also if any of these photos are yours and you'd like us to take them down, please let us know.

Pretty much the gold standard for questionable tattoos of all varieties. We wish him the best of luck at the MSOP though.

It's not the letters you get in the alphabet, it's how you put them together too.

Would have had a royal if it wasn't for that suitless 10 in the deck.

Just a guy with a baby flush, a short stack and some wonky, trapezoid dice against the world.

Is there a hotter set of hole cards in the deck than the 4♠ 9♠? Yes. Yes there is.

Hotter than the 4♠ 9♠, but not by much really.

Lesson here is clearly watch out for tiny skeleton hands stealing your bumpy, flaming aces.

It's nice to see a completed royal, finally. Shame it only scooped $650 though.

Pay the man his $164. (Does anybody get paid off with a royal anymore?)

Seems like the right place to find a deck with a "17 of black diamonds" in it, we guess.

You smell that? I think it's that guy's weak Ace.

The great thing about the joker-completed Broadway straight is there are only 300 or so combinations that beat you.

The king is dead, long live the king.

This one's actually pretty awesome.