The first place prize jackpot stands at $7.5 million for the winner of the World Series of Poker. It started on Thursday at the Rio, for a nine-day tournament, with three preliminary rounds. At the moment, the tournament is in the first round.
Each sponsor or player pays $10,000 buy-in, the World Championship no-limit Texas hold'em event. This even is expected to be the largest jackpot in the 36 year history, of the World Championship. Over 6,000 signed up for the tournament itself.
The tournament, over the next three days is expected to bring 2,000 players for each session. By Tuesday, 200- 400 players should remain. The first day will be at the Rio, and the final two days, next Thursday and Friday will be held at Binion's.
20,000 participants are expected to take part in the 36th Annual World Series of Poker tournament. There have been 41 events preliminary events with overall prizes of $50 million. Last year, 14,054 players, including a record 2,567 in the world championship event, played in the tournament.2005’s jackpot is expected to reach over $100 million.
Poker, has become very popular this last year with Internet play, and televised events. This is the only explanation for the attendance rate this year. Poker has just reached high popularity proportions.
Players are filling the pot, with the money they bring into the World Series of Poker. Everyone will be a winner here; even the ninth place finisher will be expected to win $1 million. Back in 1991, World Poker Champion, Brad Daugherty, won the big prize of $1 million. Needless to say things have expanded and have grown.
Some of the all time poker champs are expected to play in the tournament, such as Greg Raymer, and 2003 winner Chris Moneymaker. Two-time world champions, Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, won a preliminary event four days apart. Both earned their record 10th gold bracelets. The gold bracelet is poker’s gold metal. The win of the bracelet will come along with prize money earned. Todd Brunson, son of Doyle Brunson won his first World Series championship, in the earlier rounds, making him and his father, the first father-son gold bracelet winners.
Actress Jennifer Tilly won the ladies championship, in the preliminary rounds of no-limit hold'em, and the $158,335 first prize. Some other celebrity players meant to play in the world championship event are James Woods, Brad Garrett and Shannon Elizabeth. |
