On a rare day off at the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP), the annual Media Charity Event took place on Thursday afternoon using the Dream Team Poker format.

While many were resting up to continue the fight in the Main Event, which resumes this afternoon, the media took their traditional day to demonstrate their skills (or lack thereof) on the same tables they have covered for the last seven weeks. A total of 165 players came together in three-man squads, making for a 55 team battleground. At stake was a contribution to charity from not only the victorious player, but also the winning team in the points-based competition.

There was plenty of fun to be had, but there was also a competitive gene that drove many to strive for their best. After the points were added up, Team Lacey Jones, led by the namesake professional poker player, captured the Dream Team Poker title over the Chonch Chowders and Team Mutt. Tao of Poker came in with a fourth place finish in the 55 team field, with ESPN.com rounding out the Top Five.

As expected, many of the top teams had individual players who made the final table and earned a contribution for their favorite charity. Julio Rodriguez (Chonch Chowders, tenth place), Lana Maier (Team Lacey Jones, fourth place) and Pauly McGuire (Tao of Poker, third place) all drove deep in the media event, but it eventually came down to Marc Rizzo from “Overfed & Underwashed” and Amanda Rosenfeld from “Luckbox Inc.” In the end, it was Rizzo who captured the individual title.

For the first time in this year’s Main Event, the entire field will be seated inside the Amazon Room for Day 3 on Friday. After the carnage of Day 2B, where over half of the field was eliminated from contention, only 2,044 lucky souls come together to battle it out for the riches of the largest poker tournament in the world. Overall, 648 people will walk off with at least the minimum payout of $21,365 and the next World Champion will take the prestigious Main Event Bracelet and $8,546,435.

Leading the 2,044 player field is Amir Lehavot, who will start the day with 610,500 in chips. Day One leader Troy Weber is solidly in the Top 10 with 453,200, with notable professional player Mikael Thuritz of Sweden holding down sixth place with 395,400.

2009 double bracelet winner Phil Ivey currently is sitting in the Top 20 and is the top American professional in the field. Defending champion Peter Eastgate, who willed his way through a difficult Day Two and still has a chance to defend his title, will join other former Main Event Champions Phil Hellmuth, Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, and Chris “Jesus” Ferguson in their pursuit of a second World Championship.

Action begins in the Amazon Room at the Rio this afternoon and there will not be another break until the final table is determined on July 15th. After that, the remaining players will once again enter into the delayed final table scenario and become the second version of poker’s “November Nine,” set to play the final table out from November 7th to 10th.

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