The 2008 World Series of Poker is already past the midway point as another 15 events have concluded. And the world’s biggest poker stage has seen many championships play out with star-studded lineups taking aim at winning coveted gold bracelets.

So far, there have been quite a few “amateur” and no name players sneaking these gold bracelets away from the pros. But that’s what makes the game of poker so great; the little guys can triumph over the players with the big sponsorships and huge bankrolls at any time. Some of the past 15 events are further proof of that fact.

Event #16: The final table of this Omaha Hi-Lo Split-8 or Better tournament featured several seasoned pros that waded through the 551 entrants towards the final table. They were all looking to get their hands on the biggest piece of the $1,002,820 prize pool. But neither Ralph Perry nor Ted Forrest was able to take down Andrew Brown as he grabbed $226,483 for the win.

Event #17: This No Limit Shootout saw the field capped at 1,000 players in order to keep the tournament to three rounds since only one player moved on from each 10 person table. Diehard Yankees fan Jason Young was the only player to win all three of the tables he played at and was rewarded with $335,565 and a gold bracelet for doing so.

Event #18: The select No Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball w/ReBuys tournament featured the lowest field of the WSOP with 85 people but not the lowest prize pool in $1,735,020 (due to the $5,000 buy-ins and ReBuys). Mike “The Mouth” Matusow was victorious here although Barry Greenstein, Tom Dwan, and Erick Lindgren gave him tough competition towards the end.

Event #19: There was talk about whether or not a female would be able to win an open event in this year’s WSOP. Well Vanessa Selbst answered that question with a victory in this Pot Limit Omaha contest. In addition to being the first woman to win an open event in the 08’ WSOP, she also received $227,965.

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Event #20: At a final table full of little known players, Daniel Negreanu definitely stood out in more ways than one. The star player easily dealt with his competition in this Limit Hold’em tourney and added WSOP bracelet #4 to his collection.

Event #21: Getting back to a more expensive and popular tournament, this No Limit Hold’em event with $5,000 buy-ins boasted a prize pool of $3,435,700. Scott Seiver took the largest portion of it at $755,891 while Dave Seidman didn’t do too bad either in getting $482,372 after being beaten in heads-up play.

Event #22: The growing popularity of H.O.R.S.E led 414 players to this event and their $3,000 buy-ins helped comprise the $1,142,640 prize pool. Jennifer Harman, Hoyt Corkins, and Steve Zolotow were all seeking another bracelet here at the last table but it was Jens Voertmann coming up with his first one here.

Event #23: Blair Hinkle looked like he was a final table veteran in this No Limit Hold’em event as he absolutely dominated the competition. Instead, it was only his first ever final table and just his second WSOP cash when he banked $507,563 for the win.

Event #24: This Pot Limit Hold’em/Omaha game saw Allen Cunningham shooting for his sixth WSOP bracelet at the final table. But it was not to be as Max Pescatori, who was sporting an Italian flag beanie, grabbed his second one.

Event #25: This tournament was for the aggressive player as it was the World Championship of Heads-Up No Limit Hold'em. Vanessa Selbst was going for her second bracelet of this WSOP when she busted out in third. So it was Kenny Tran and Alec Torelli who went to the wire with Tran getting the better end of things. He took home $539,056 for the victory.

Event #26: The always crazy Seven Card Razz game brought quite a few star players to the felt and Barry Greenstein happened to be one of them. He also happened to be the top winner in this under-funded prize pool of $622,440. His share of it was $157,643.

Event #27: Lots of players were able to make this No Limit affair as 2,706 people paid the $1,500 buy-in. With so many people in the field, quite a few amateur players were found at the last table. Vitaly Lunkin proved to be the most skilled of them all as he won $628,417 of the $3,685,500 prize pool.

Event #28: Plenty of players took advantage of the ReBuys in this Pot-Limit Omaha tournament and, despite only 152 people entering, the prize pool reached $3,085,930. Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, and Johnny Chan all sought more WSOP gold but Philip Galfond’s ReBuys did him good as he claimed $817,781 for first place.

Event #29: John “The Razor” Phan has provided tournament play with plenty of character for years. Unfortunately, his personality hasn’t won him a WSOP bracelet. That is until this No Limit Hold’em event when he took the gold bracelet and $434,789 for the victory.

Event #30: The World Championship of Limit Hold’em drew 218 participants for a total prize pool of $2,049,200. The finale came down to Rob Hollink and Jerrod Ankenman with Hollink coming out the world champ of Limit Hold’em. He also came out $496,931 richer after the win.