2011 World Series of Poker Almost Upon Us
It’s that time of year again and the WSOP annual championship almost with us once again. The entire schedule lasts just over five weeks and this year’s competition sees around 70,000 contestants from 115 different countries entering competitions that encompass more poker variants than ever before. There are now fifty eight varieties of poker on show and if you can name them all give yourself a gold star.
As has been the case for some years now, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino will be hosting the
Tables at the Rio
event and the prize pool is a pretty impressive $180,000,000. 380 tables will be available for play and for those just wanting to turn up and have a go, buy ins are available from $115 at the various 24 hour cash games being organised.
Have a look at the schedule highlights here.
It will be interesting to see whether the recent Black Friday online poker room indictments have any impact on attendance. While there is still a fair amount of player cash tied up in the systems of the online casinos involved, there may be some professionals who just do not have the cash to enter some of the bigger buy in events. Organisers say that judging by Vegas room bookings and confirmed entrants, the numbers should be at least the same as last year and may even exceed them.
As a slightly bizarre addendum to this WSOP story, they have announced a sponsorship deal
Mmmmm.......fluffy!
with Dearfoam. If you are unaware of what this company does, and many outside the U.S. might well be, it makes slippers. Main Event finalists will receive complimentary pairs, as will Ladies Championship entrants, dealers and ESPN camera crews. WSOP VP Ty Stewart managed to manufacture one of the most tenuous marketing links ever when he said that…..
“……players can now feel truly comfy as they pursue their dreams of winning the WSOP and going on to live a life of leisure where it will be appropriate to wear Dearfoam slippers 24/7.”
Great stuff Ty.
