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Andrew Feldman

  (4:05 PM)

Hellloooo from the Rio! Lots of players surrounding me and filling the Amazon room so send in your questions and we'll get started in a moment.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:05 PM)

Also, check out the poker edge podcasts, live blog and column we have up on the poker site for full coverage: http://espn.go.com/poker

kevin (baltimore)

any 200 players you want to pick from or the field, 3-1 odds, which side you taking

Andrew Feldman

  (4:06 PM)

I like that question, I think I'll take the field though...I couldn't pick a winner right now if I tried....

Dane (Minneapolis)

Do you think what happened here in Minnesota recently involving online poker (state tried to ban it, and failed) is a good sign for finally just getting online poker legal and ending this stupidity?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:08 PM)

I don't know how it wouldn't be a great sign. Players mobilized, people spoke up and the right thing was done. Every small battle for poker legality is a big one to the industry so well done to all that stepped up to make things right.

Brian (MD)

Where can you get replays of the final tables that have been shown on ESPN360 and Bluffmag.com?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:12 PM)

The site keeps an archive of these events, well at least ESPN360.com does. I'll ask the Bluff guys and see if they are planning on a replay.

DJ (Ann Arbor, MI)

How soon will we know the size of the Main Event field?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:16 PM)

The field will be finalized on Monday afternoon after the second level. Rumors have it that we could be looking at a surprisingly big number

Greg (boston)

So AJ, want to stake me in the main event and turn your backing luck around

Andrew Feldman

  (4:22 PM)

Ummm, ok.

Johnny (Chicago)

do U know what day mr gordon plans to play

Andrew Feldman

  (4:23 PM)

I think he's on Day 1D. Tomorrow is the world famous BBQ at his house and a good amount of players are going to be there instead of the Rio. He did finish sixth last night, but unfortunately, it was a charity event. As Rafe said last night, it would figure that the only WSOP event Phil would win would be one that isn't awarded a bracelet.

Drew (Buffalo)

Great dedication shown by you, chatting on a day in which many are not. Thanks for helping those of us who have to work today get through this long, terrible day.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:25 PM)

Thanks Drew. That's why I'm here. There's 41 minutes left until the next break and very few eliminations so far.

Reggie (LA)

Are you gonna quit the chat too just like SportsNation TV?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:26 PM)

Haha! They quit! That's amazing. I'm going to have to have a chat with that group lol.

Joshua (Bailey,NC)

who is the favorite going into this years main event???

Andrew Feldman

  (4:26 PM)

If I were Norman Chad, I'd say Phil Ivey. But I'm not, so I'll say Phil Hellmuth.

Juan Pablo (Toronto)

Are there any changes on how the November 9 will be promoted by the WSOP this year as opposed to last year (which was very little in my opinion)

Andrew Feldman

  (4:27 PM)

I believe there will be a dedicated amount of promoion this year that will far exceed that of last year. One thing that Harrah's does well is learn from their "mistakes" and they'll take the lesson of the lack of promo last year and work on a plan to make this yera better. I don't know any specifics as of yet, but yes, they've got the wheels in motion.

Drew (Buffalo)

Norman Chad put on quite the entertaining chat. Great job on that. Anything worth noting thus far into the tournament?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:35 PM)

No. Four levels instead of five surprised everyone here. I don't get it. Nolan Dalla just told me that it's to ensure the field doesn't get too small for today since there are fewer entries today than the other couple days.

Greg (boston)

so who's actually playing today name wise?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:36 PM)

Here's who I've seen today: Andy Bloch, Perry Friedman, Greg Mueller, Eli Elezra, Allen Cunningham, Phil Laak, Mel Judah, Jerry Yang...and a ton more...they're just scattered throughout the room.

Andy (Arlington, Texas)

Could you run down how yesterdays Ante Up For Africa went?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:38 PM)

Sure. Lots of players -- 138 which was nearly double last year's field. Was it because it was televised? Maybe, but I think a lot more celebs showed up this year. Matt Damon spent a good amount of time at the feature table while Nelly occupied the second feature. Blinds rose very quickly in the event leading it to be a shove fest towards the end. Aleksander Bolotin was the winner and donated half to charity...like the rest of the money winners did. It was a great event and Charles Barkley denied my interview request saying he's done too many and its time to drink. Sarah Silverman denied me as well telling me she had to look at a demon on her phone. No, I'm not kidding.

Greg (boston)

Did you make sure Charles had a driver...I'm just saying

Andrew Feldman

  (4:41 PM)

He was hanging out with Ben Affleck and his group as well. I'm sure there was a limo going somewhere.

Andrew Feldman

  (4:42 PM)

Raymond Rahme sighting! Everyone be excited!

Andrew Feldman

  (4:43 PM)

Also, Phil Laak is with a new poker site...interesting...unabomberpoker.net?

Sarah Silverman (Vegas)

So yea, this guy kept following me around all night asking if he can interview me...... i asked who he worked for and he said ESPN, but i didn't believe him. Thank God Charles Barkley was there to scare him off

Shawn (Cleveland)

What can you tell me about rakebacks? are they a no brainer for anyone or just players at the higher levels?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:52 PM)

The issue with rakebacks is that some players aren't eligible depending on the affiliate they signed up with, but yes, if you can get rakeback, there's no reason in the world you'd not want to take it. It's free money!

Johnny (Chicago)

any of the "Tilt Boys" palying today?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:53 PM)

Perry Friedman is right in front of me while his parents stand behind me watching his play from the media booth. Other than him, I haven't seen anyone else...

Eric (miami)

my ball and chain wont let me play poker even though at the hard rock here ive won a whole lot it just wastes a lot of time in her mind but for next year im going to play a bunch of events.. when i sign up do i have to give me real name so i dont get caught by the old gf?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:54 PM)

If you don't give your real name, you don't get paid at the end. I would highly recommend playing until your real name. GL next year!

Drew (Buffalo)

Sarah Silverman is kinda nerdy, but would probably be fun to go out with.

Shawn (Cleveland)

So, theoretically, could you close an account, and start a new one on the same site using the rakeback affiliate?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:55 PM)

Yes, but if you're caught with that second acct, they might ban your IP. I'd email customer service with these questions and tell them your situation. Maybe they'll help you out.

Matt (Pasco, WA)

Do you think "The Mouth" can make another strong run two years in a row?

Andrew Feldman

  (4:56 PM)

No reason to believe why not. He knows how to play against these amateur fields better than almost anyone I know. He avoids the landmines and always picks great spots. I'd love to see him make the N9 just to hear what crazy things he'd say. On a side note, I just met the author of his book which I found really interesting. Go read it if you can...

Andrew Feldman

  (4:56 PM)

I gotta run, time to get a pro for an interview. Check out all our content on ESPN.com, listen to the podcasts, watch the videos, etc! Of course, twitter too @ESPN_Poker. I'll be back Monday! See you then!