It begins with more than a thousand people, a ton of food, and an open bar. While many would believe that anything that begins that well can only go downhill, the fun and poker insanity is just beginning.

Tonight, the 2006 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure kicked off with a massive cocktail party on the Royal Deck of the Atlantis Resort and Casino. The crowd was full of familar faces and big names. So far today I've run into Joe Hachem, Greg Raymer, Chris Moneymaker, Tom McEvoy, Isabelle Mercier, Wil Wheaton, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, and Barry Greenstein. What's more, I've been able to catch up with many friends from the poker circuit and poker blogging community. Chris Fargis of Twenty-One Outs Twice and Matt Maroon said hi this afternoon. I've also run into poker blogging guru and good buddy DoubleAs.

Now the party is over, the poker room is opening up, and the action is getting hot. I need to get back to the poker room, but I thought I'd offer a few pictures from the welcome party tonight.

Joe Hachem, preparing to speak to the crowd


Seth "FishLips" Eisner from Mercer Island Washington and his wife Melissa. Eisner is the former COO of Expedia.com and is now playing on PokerStars and at the Caribbean Adventure. He's also writing a blog about his new journey into the world of poker.


Curzdog and DoubleAs relaxing before the big event starts


Young guns Brandon Schaefer, Carl "colson10" Olson, and Michael "anakinso" Goodman


PokerStars World Cup of Poker champions, Team Costa Rica


CardPlayer Magazine forum moderator Jay "whojedi" Newnum, Greg "Fossilman" Raymer, and Matt Matros


EPT Baden Classic champion Patrik Antonius