It’s down to three tables and 24 players. This is where it gets really serious. Obviously everyone has their eye on the $8,250,000 for first, but they will be keenly aware that each player that is knocked out from here on in will make them a whole chunk of extra cash.

The payout structure is as follows:

1. $8,250,000
2. $4,840, 981
3. $3,048,025
4. $1,852,721
5. $1,255,069
6. $956,243
7. $705,229
8. $585,699
9. $525,934
12-10. $476,926
15-13. $429,114
18-16. $381,302
27-19. $333,490

Daniel Alaei was eliminated in 25th spot leaving Scotty Nguyen, Lee Watkinson, Bill Edler and Kenny Tran as the most recognisable faces left playing.

William Spadea is currently leading with over 12m in chips but with an average of 5.2m the bracelet is still very much up for grabs.

Day 5 has ended and we are left with 36 brave warriors fighting for poker immortality and the World Championship bracelet.

6,358 players began the 2007 WSOP Main Event over a week ago and amidst the drama many of the top pros have fallen, but rest assured, come Wednesday morning, one the remaining 36 will be the biggest name in poker.

Play will resume today and wont stop until the final table of 9 has been decided.

So who’s left baby? Well, Scotty Nguyen is still hanging in there in a quest to become only the 5th multiple Main Event winner. The other multiple champions are Johnny Moss (3), Doyle Brunson(2), Stu Ungar(3) and Johhny Chan(2).

The top 3
1. David Tran 10.03m in chips
2. Philip Hilm 10m
3. Ray Hensen 8.5m

Selected chip counts
Hevad ‘Rain’ Khan 6.9m
Bill Edler 6m
Kenny Tran 5.04m
Lee Watkinson 3.55m
Daniel Alaei 2m
Scotty Nguyen 1.75m

Blinds are at 30k/60k with a 10k ante. The average stack is 3.5m

Undoubtedly the biggest name left in the tournament is 1998 World Champion Scotty Nguyen.

The Vietnamese superstar (who likes to call everybody ‘baby’) has one of the best records in tournament history with over $7 million in winnings. He has already cashed in 5 events at this World Series, making two final tables, and is the holder of 4 WSOP bracelets (the World Championship in ‘98 and three Omaha titles).

He is currently in the top 10 in chips with less than 60 players left.

Day 5 has seen a number of big casualties, none more so than the Great Dane himself, Gus Hansen. Hansen finished in 61st taking home $154,194. It could have been so much different had he won a coin toss with AK but it was not to be and shortly after being crippled by JJ in that hand he limped out of the tournament.

It was still a tremendous performance from the man who won the Aussie Millions in January and it is good to see one of the top names in poker back on song.

Other big names to exit today…

Julian Gardener, Huck Seed, Willie Tann, Humberto Brenes, Dario Minieri and Chad Brown.