The $3,000 Seven-Card Stud World Hi-Lo Championship enticed what seems like half the Big Game to drive past the Bellagio and pay a visit to the Rio instead. Included among the 236 entrants are Ted Forrest, Chip Reese, and Phil Ivey as well as a bunch of old guys I don’t recognize. Despite my ignorance, I have a feeling some of the best seven-card stud hi-lo players in the world are inside the Amazon Room this evening, and, sadly, I don’t even know who they are.

Making its first appearance at the World Series in 1976 in a tournament won by “Doc” Green, stud hi-lo has been a fixture at the WSOP ever since (with the small exception of 1985 and 1986 when it wasn’t played). Amongst the big names who have won bracelets in this event are Doyle Brunson (1976), Chip Reese (1979), Johnny Moss (1981), Mike Sexton (1989), Men “The Master” Nguyen (1995), “Miami” John Cernuto (1996), Phil Ivey (2002), and John Juanda (2003).

As I walked around the room I observed the last name on the list, John Juanda, make a particularly astute play. Heads-up against one other player and showing strong low potential, Juanda checked to his opponent on fourth street, enticing him to stay in. His opponent fell for the trap and stayed all the way to the showdown where Juanda showed him a pot-scooping wheel.

This two-day event will finish up tomorrow night.