1.00pm: Cards in the air
The TD has directed the dealers to begin proceedings so we're off! Let's see how this interesting day pans out...

Day 1B of the UKIPT5 Super Series

Welcome back to The Hippodrome Casino for Day 1B - and later 1C - of the UKIPT5 Super Series London. Yesterday we saw Day 1A play out with drama and alacrity - the impressively large 88-strong field being whittled down to just 27 survivors in 12 swift, action levels.

Click here to read how the day played out.

Today's contingent of players will find themselves immersed in the same environmental conditions as yesterday's group:

- 25,000 in chips;

- 30 minute levels (with a welcome 15 minute break following each batch of 4)*

* Note that on Day 2 the level lengths will be extended to 40 minutes and the final will be comprised of 50 minute levels - the structure extending as the stakes rise, which should be an attractive proposition for the players.

As we said before, there are two day's worth of poker being packed into today's schedule with Day 1B beginning at 1.00pm and Day 1C will follow hot on its heels at 7.30pm.

This close density of punchy poker should ensure we have plenty of exciting tales to bring you as the day progresses so keep those eyeballs fixated on the blog - we wouldn't want you to miss out!

We're moments away from the start so good luck one and all.

PokerStars Blog reporting team at PokerStars UKIPT5 Super Series: Rod Stirzaker. Photos courtesy of Mickey May.