Las Vegas Weekly

July 6, 2010 · 10:59 AM

WSOP sets record attendance; prize money again over $100 million

By Robin Leach

2009 World Series of Poker champion Joe Cada at the 2010 WSOP at The Rio on May 29, 2010.

Photo: Brian Jones/Las Vegas News Bureau

The first heat of the World Series of Poker’s Main Event got underway yesterday, and it will take four days to get the players in order for the actual start of the largest poker event of the year. At noon Thursday, reigning WSOP champion Joe Cada will shuffle up and deal to make it official. The final number of competitors and the total prize purse will be known that night.

This year’s 41st annual WSOP has already set a new overall attendance record with 63,706 entrants through the first 55 events of the poker extravaganza. For the sixth consecutive year, the prize pool to date has exceeded $100 million mark. Last year’s then-record number of entries was 60,875. It’s the seventh consecutive year that the number of entries has increased -- and this year despite a slowing world economy and competition from the FIFA World Cup.

“We’re thrilled that poker enthusiasts from every corner of the globe have reinforced the WSOP’s standing as one of the most popular competitive events anywhere,” said Ty Stewart, WSOP vice president. “ This year’s turnout continues to show the players’ passion for poker’s biggest stage.” Harrah’s took over ownership of the WSOP in 2004, and attendance has increased each year.

The smallest-attended event to date was a $10,000 deuce-to-seven, no-limit matchup that attracted 101 players. The largest event, the third of the series, was a $1,000 no limit hold ’em match that attracted 4,345 players. The largest prize pool to date was $5,568,000, with the largest first-place prize coming from that at $1,559,046. Total prize money to date before the Main Event was $113,948,265 compared to last year’s $107,260,976.

The oldest winner was 78-year-old Harold Angle, who beat out 3,142 Seniors Tournament players. The youngest winner was 21-year-old Steven Kelly in a $1,500 no-limit hold ’em shootout.

Vegas DeLuxe will have photo coverage of Joe’s shuffle Thursday, and we’ll follow with the prize purse and total player count on Twitter as it becomes available that night.

Robin Leach has been a journalist for more than 50 years and has spent the past decade giving readers the inside scoop on Las Vegas, the world’s premier platinum playground.

Follow Robin Leach on Twitter at Twitter.com/Robin_Leach.

Follow Vegas DeLuxe on Twitter at Twitter.com/vegasdeluxe.

Follow VDLX Editor Don Chareunsy on Twitter at Twitter.com/VDLXEditorDon.

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