World Series of Poker tournament director Jack Effel welcomes the participants for Event #1 of the 2012 WSOP. The series is officially under way.

Maria Ho, Vanessa Rousso and Danielle Anderson indulge in a shot of alcohol during the Ladies Event. Erica Lindgren (far right), already possessing a big stack, politely declined to partake.

Just weeks before enrolling in U.S. Army flight school, former poker pro Brandon Schaefer wins the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout. Schaefer was in Las Vegas for the Electric Daisy Carnival and this was the only WSOP event that fit into his schedule.

Four days were allotted to crown a champion in the $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Mixed-Max event, but when four days had nearly come and gone, Aubin Cazals and Joseph Cheong waited around to find out when their heads-up match would play out. They decided to play the following day at noon, and Cazals eventually defeated Cheong to win his first bracelet.

Friends of Vanessa Selbst support her as she tries for her second WSOP bracelet.

Selbst went on to win the $2,500 10-Game Mix Six-Handed event, becoming the first woman to win an open event since she won the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2008.

Andy Bloch gets a hug from Jen Creason after defeating Barry Greenstein to win the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Event. It was Bloch’s first career bracelet win.

A huge rail gathers to watch Phil Ivey face off against Andy Frankenberger for the $10,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em title. Ivey made five final tables during the 2012 WSOP but came up short each time.

After watching Ivey lose heads up to Frankenberger for a bracelet, spectators hustled to the Pavilion to watch Phil Hellmuth try for gold in the $2,500 Seven Card Razz event.

Hellmuth went on to win his 12th bracelet. He added No. 13 at the World Series of Poker Europe Main Event later in the year.

That same week, Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth shared a laugh during the $5,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split 8-or-Better event.

Matt Matros wins the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout Six-Handed event, claiming his third bracelet in as many years.

Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi realizes he’s won the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. It marked the second time he’d won it in three years.

Joey Weissman celebrates his first WSOP bracelet win with Revis, his service dog.

The 48-player field for the $1 million buy-in Big One for One Drop tournament. The event was the first of its kind and raised a total of $10 million for charity, including $5.3 million for the One Drop Foundation.

Doyle Brunson watches from the rail during the inaugural Big One for One Drop.

The feature TV table on Day 1 of the Big One for One Drop

Antonio Esfandiari and One Drop founder Guy Laliberte clowning around at the Big One for One Drop final table. Esfandiari eliminated Laliberte in fifth place.

Esfandiari lifted up by friends and family after he defeated Sam Trickett heads up to win the Big One for One Drop.

Esfandiari and his $18.3 million prize.

Ellen Deeb, the grandmother of poker pro Shaun Deeb, kicks off the 2012 WSOP Main Event festivities by announcing the customary “shuffle up and deal.” At 92, Deeb was the oldest participant in the tournament for the second straight year.

Gaelle Baumann is all in on the final table bubble of the Main Event. She lost the hand and finished in 10th place, denying her of becoming the first woman to reach the final table since Barbara Enright did so in 1995. Elisabeth Hille, also trying for history in 2012, finished 11th in the Main Event.

The 2012 WSOP October Nine

Some of the spectators watching the Main Event final table at the Penn & Teller Theater

Jesse Sylvia and his friends (including coach Vanessa Selbst) react after he doubles up to survive at the WSOP Main Event final table.

Greg Merson gets emotional after winning the World Series of Poker Main Event. Merson’s victory also awarded him enough points to be named the 2012 WSOP Player of the Year.

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