St. Louisan Dennis Phillips, who finished third in the World Series of Poker's main event in 2008 and 45th last year, was knocked out Friday in the second round of this year's event in Las Vegas.

He began the day with 9,500 chips and moved up to 57,000 before a bad run left him with about 14,000. He bet them all while holding an ace-jack offsuit and Carmel Pugliese called with a pair of sevens.

Pugliese then improved his hand when another seven came on the flop and Phillips never caught up. Other pros ousted were Mike Sexton, Ted Forrest, Carlos Mortensen, Berry Johnston, Tom McEvoy, Dutch Boyd and Marcel Luske.

About 30 percent of the 7,319 players who entered the tournament were eliminated on their first day of play.

A set of 2,412 players started a second day of play Friday in the $10,000 buy-in tournament as they chased the an $8.94 million top prize. Another 2,734 players play their second session Saturday.

Play continues through July 17, when the field will be whittled to the final nine who will vie for the title in November.