6,494 people entered this year's World Series of Poker Main Event, down 350 from last year’s 6,844. A total of 648 places will get paid from the total prize pool of $61,043,600. The lucky final table members will all win over a million, with the winner getting just over $8.5 million.

• Final table payouts
• 1. $8,546,435
• 2. $5,182,601
• 3. $3,479,485
• 4. $2,502,787
• 5. $1,953,395
• 6. $1,587,133
• 7. $1,404,002
• 8. $1,300,228
• 9. $1,263,602

The Main Event of the World Series of Poker is in full swing and as usual, the stars have come out to shine... or at least play some poker. Many celebs are already gone, including wrestler Torrie Wilson, former NBA player John Salley, actors and pals Ray Romano and Brad Garrett, Marlon Wayans, Shannon Elizabeth, and musician Sully Erna. But don't count the celebs out yet! Many have made it all the way to Day 3 of play, including: Actor Jason Alexander, NBA player Jordan Farmar, and Lou Diamond Phillips (pictured).

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The Main Event of the World Series of Poker is underway, and no one knows how to start things off with a bang like "Poker Brat" Phil Hellmuth. He came dressed as Caesar, carried by "centurions" while sprawled out across a special platform. Meanwhile hordes of scantily-clad "servants" tossed rose petals to pave the way for Phil "Julius Caesar" Hellmuth. When asked, "Why Caesar?" Hellmuth had this to say:

We are just having as much fun as we can have. Caesar was one of the ideas on our list. We actually talked about me being a gladiator or Caesar, and even Uncle Sam was an idea we wanted to do. We just decided on Caesar. You know that Caesar is going to be the main theme at WSOP-Europe. When you do Caesar, you want to do him big and you want to do him right.

In any case, his big entrance propelled him to stay alive through his Day 1, so I guess you can't fault him. We'll see how his luck continues in Day 2.

Read more about Phil Hellmuth | More Photos

I love the fourth of July -- admittedly, mainly because its a chance for a day off filled with barbeque and fireworks... with a significant chance of a little home poker game with friends at the end of the evening. What could be better? And in my opinion, poker is just as American as apple pie or baseball -- it's one of our great national pastimes. Read more about the U.S. and poker with these articles, and have a great fourth!

• President Richard Nixon & Poker
• President Warren Harding & Poker