World Series getting serious

LAS VEGAS –The day of finishing in the money arrived at the World Series of Poker.

With the field slashed to 569 players, almost all of those left playing Monday will end up taking home at least $12,500. Of the 5,619 entrants who began play, most walked away empty handed – only 560 make money.

Still in the running before play began Monday was patent lawyer Greg “Fossilman” Raymer, the 2004 champ, who was sitting comfortably in ninth place with a strong stack of chips.

The chip leader was Rod Pardey Jr. of Las Vegas, and lurking among the remaining players were some top-notch pros, such as Phil Ivey, Mike Matusow, John Juanda, Paul Darden, Layne Flack, Howard Lederer and Sam Farha, who finished second to Chris Moneymaker in 2003.