Celebs Star as WSOP Main Event Breaks Records

Some 2,809 players took place the WSOP Main Event - which began Monday - and while that was only the third-highest attendance of all time, there was a near-record field of Hollywood stars, athletes and other celebrities among them.

Who was there?

One of the biggest names to front up on day 1 was hip-hop star Nelly, who was seen alongside New York Times blogger Nate Silver, and poker regulars Shannon Elizabeth of American Pie fame and her fellow actress Jennifer Tilly. Nelly was knocked out, but Elizabeth survived to fight another day.

Also seen at Rio Casino in Las Vegas was Paul Pierce, star of the Boston Celtics. Although he might be staring at an NBA lockout this season, at least Pierce can sit safe in the knowledge that he made it to the next stage of the Main Event.

Who else might appear?

Poker's largest annual event is a big draw-card, and in the past has drawn such big names as Jason Alexander, Ray Romano and Hank Azaria of The Simpsons, along with sporting legends such as former Cowboys running back Emmit Smith, Aussie cricket and 888 legend Shane Warne, and ex-Aussie boxing champ Jeff Fenech.

With plenty more big names in both the worlds of poker and elsewhere, there is a lot to look forward to with the rest of the World Series of Poker.