by Dan Michalski, Jan 22, 2008 | 5:09 pm

Well shoot … I was hoping we could spend our day watching Tom Schneider take down the $7,500 main event at the WSOP-circuit in Tunica. But while checking my facts, finding some links, and watching the Bluff-mag video coverage at worldseriesofpoker.com … I discovered that Tom has been eliminated — 8th place … paying $39k. Congrats, Tom! Seriously, we know you’re bummed … but remember, you did almost as well as people expected of you!

Here’s the hand that knocked him out, from PokerListings:

Tom Schneider is out eighth after a stellar play by Ryan Young checking a straight twice. The action was a battle of the blinds as Young limped from the small blind and Schneider checked his option.

The flop came [cards]10s 4h 9c[/cards] and both players checked. The [cards]Jd[/cards] hit on the turn and Young checked, as did Schneider. It turned out the river was a great card for Young as the [cards]9d[/cards] fell and he checked again. Schneider made it $40k and Young came over the top, putting Tom all-in for his tournament life. He made the call felting [cards]Kd 9s[/cards] for the rivered trips, but was done in by Young’s slyly played [cards]Qs 8c[/cards] for the turned straight.

Schneider cashes $38,928.

Ouch, while typing, I just saw Tom’s elimination. That had to hurt.

You can watch the rest of the semi-live action on internet video here, as six-and-a-half players are still competing for the $428k first prize (on a 1-hour delay).

Or click below to see the semi-ironic post I was working on before Tom got eliminated:

As you may or may not know, Tom Schneider is at another final table — the $5,000 WSOP-Circuit main event in Tunica. He’s TK in chips, and the most accomplished of all the players remaining. (TK started, making for a prize ranging from TK to TK.) Pokerati is extremely confident that our high-stakes homeboy and occasional blogger will finish in at least seventh place. Maybe 6th. First, of course, is theoretically possible, as it is for everyone at the table.

Not a bad way to start 2008.

And not only will you be able to follow the action via PokerListings, but also Bluff will be broadcasting video of this final table on an hour delay. Click here to watch. Cards in the air at noon central.