Following last year's massive drop in attendance, the 2008 World Series of Poker has witnessed a surge once again, continuing the trend that was in force prior to passage of an online poker prohibition in October 2006.
The top prize at the main event of the World Series of Poker will be $9.12 million this year, and 666 players will get some piece of a $64.3 million prize pool, tournament officials said Sunday.
More than one-third of the tournament's entrants entered the no-limit Texas hold 'em tournament Sunday, the last day players were able to register. The 2,461 players pushed the total field to 6,844 players.
Despite the increase over last year, these numbers are far fewer than the 2006 record of 8,773 players. That year, Jamie Gold won $12 million. Each year prior to 2006, the increase in attendance had been dramatic.
The World Series of Poker Commissioner, Jeffrey Pollack, attempted to offer some rationale that does not reflect the reality prior to passage of the Unlawful Internet Gaming Enforcement Act.
"It's inevitable when you play on the global stage that we're on ... that you're going to be subject to different fluctuations at different times," Pollack said. "The fact that we broke all of the records we set last year is terrific, but there may be years where we're up, years where we're down. Bottom line is that we're here for the long term, and we're not going anywhere, and I don't know many poker properties that can say that."
Ace King courtesy of our friends at www.Gambling911.com. America's Top Gaming News Site.
Tony George
Saturday 3-Pack. Big 12, Big 10 and SEC Winners
Saturday NCAA 3-Pack with a Big 12 Headliner, OU and Texas Tech, plus 2 others this weekend. A shocker Underdog cover and a BLOWOUT round out this power packed card Limited plays this week as I zero in on the Books for a surgical strike and 3-0 Sweep. Big 12, Big 10 and SEC action!! Less than $10 a Play, DO NOT MISS IT!
Weekend Super Pass - NCAA / NFL
HUGE DISCOUNT. All 7 PLAYS THIS WEEKEND, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY IN FOOTBALL. AFC Game of the Month on Sunday, OU / Texas Tech on Saturday, my weekend to shine and bounce back Big. Save money - Win Big!
Sunday Top Play AFC GOM Card, 4 Plays in All!
Sunday NFL 4 Pack with AFC GAME OF THE MONTH TOP PLAY BOOK KILLER! Have No doubts after another split last week, I will HAMMER the Books this Sunday with a bounce back card of epic proportions! 3 Side Plays, and a MONSTER Teaser on this card. Late Sunday Game on this card between Chargers and Colts. HAVE ABSOLUTLEY NO DOUBTS!
Click here to view all of Tony George's premium picks.
Social Bookmarking
