The Legends of Poker doesn’t show up on any schedule or calendar as the first event of anything, but in the minds of many poker players it marks the new season of live tournament poker. With the World Series of Poker wrapping up (for all but nine) in mid July and the Bellagio Cup finishing up just a few days later, the tournament circuit regulars have had a month off between live majors.

The Bicycle Casino will again play host to the first major event after the WSOP, and along with the regulars, there are always a few new faces that pop up at the Bike every year coming off a successful World Series. The Los Angeles area also has plenty of players within driving distance that love to hit the local tournaments.

Last years Legends of Poker came down to a heads up battle between two live poker heavyweights, with Dan Harrington defeating David Pham in heads up play to take the title and the $1.6 million first prize. Joe Sebok came up just short of making the TV final table with another 7th place finish. Brian Powell and Peter Nordberg Feldman finished 11th and 13th respectively while Peter #1Pen Neff, Barry Greenstein, Justin Looshle Pechie, and Anna Wroblewski also made the money. With 485 entrants in the 2007 Legends of Poker the top 45 made the money.

Until registration closes on day 1B there is no way to know how many players will enter this years World Poker Tour event at the Bike, but somewhere in the 500 range is what many expect. Season 7 of the World Poker Tour kicked off with the Bellagio Cup last month, with Mike SirWatts Watson taking the title that Kevin BeL0WaB0Ve Saul had held for the last year. Will another PocketFiver emerge to take the title at the second WPT event of the season? Follow the action on PocketFivesLive.com to see what unfolds.

A few players to keep an eye on at the Legends of Poker:

Joe Sebok – finished 7th last year and seems to always do well at local tournaments like the Bike.

Scott SCTrojans Freeman – Always a threat in any poker tournament.

Alvin alsmooth Zeidenfeld – Another local that seems to do well in his backyard.

If you are playing in the Legends of Poker Main Event you can Register Here for coverage on PocketFivesLive.

Best of luck to everyone playing in the tournament. See you at the Bike!