WSOP

World Series of Poker (WSOP)
by K. Swope of Predictem.com

The World Series of Poker aka: WSOP is the world’s largest poker competition hosted each year by the Rio hotel and casino in beautiful Las Vegas, NV, offering an eclectic number of tournaments normally scheduled over a 30-40 day time span. Last year’s World Series saw 55 tournaments with over 10,000 players. Not only are some of the most popular names and faces of the poker universe available to be seen, but also some of the largest cash prizes and player fields ever assembled in one place. The drive behind such a creation is none other than the coveted championship bracelets awarded to the winners of each scheduled event and being herald as a champion among champions. As it currently stands poker pro Phil Hellmuth holds the most bracelets at eleven while Hall of Famers Doyle Brunson and Johnny Chan each have ten. The WSOP is also the home of the No-Limit Hold’em World Champion tournament with a $10,000 buy-in which runs at the conclusion of the WSOP and is titled the “Main Event” which is considered the most prestigious of all the games played as the winner is crowned that year’s “world champion” of poker.

The World Series itself has seen many changes over its 41 year history as several types of poker games were added or removed due to the popularity of that given game over the course of time. The WSOP now attempts to cover every facet of poker available to appease even the most meticulous of players from around the globe. Despite what facial reconstruction this event undergoes the no-limit Hold’em event at the WSOP’s end is still the fastest growing live tournament in the world jumping from 839 players in 2003 to 8,773 players in the 2006 tournament. As the desire to play at the World Series expands it is becoming overly apparent that more online poker sites, as well as, other big name companies like television host “ESPN” and official beer sponsor “Milwaukee’s Best” have begun to offer free contests giving away tournament seats, hotel accommodations and round trip airfare to the main event for avid fans in response to poker’s rapid growth in fame.

Seats to any event can be purchased at the beginning of each year as the Rio prepares for the annual contests. Extended information about past winners, prize pools, and future schedules can be found at the WSOP’s official website www.worldseriesofpoker.com. There is much to be seen and done during the WSOP. Small tournaments are held before and after the “bracelet” events are played. This is to entertain the guests that arrived early or the less fortunate who weren't able to play deep into other events. Also, it offers a great chance to rub elbows with some of the professional players that by chance busted out early or did not play in certain games. Some less televised pros often admit that the smaller “sit-n-go’s” can prove to be more lucrative than the bigger tournaments as it is common to see weaker players enter these games after losing in the bracelet events.

Increasing each year with the WSOP are the satellite tournaments held throughout the Series giving players a chance to win seats in the larger events at a fraction of the cost.

By visiting the link to the Rio’s website found at worldseriesofpoker.com you can find much information about making travel arrangements, hotel reservations and helpful tips on how to have the best experience possible while attending the WSOP. It is advisable to gather as much information as possible if planning your first trip to Las Vegas as this time of year is one of the busiest. However, despite all the commotion and tourists, the annual World Series of Poker opens a network of camaraderie and passion that can be shared with poker fanatics and hobbyists alike.

Related:
2008 World Series of Poker Final Table Recap (Part I of III)
A Historical Perspective of the WSOP

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