Author: Matt Pelc | Article Posted at: April 30, 09 - 12:24 pm

World Series of Poker Expands Scope

Just in time to break up the dog days of summer, the World Series of Poker has announced their biggest schedule of events yet.

The World Series of Poker will last nearly two months and begin in just about a month, May 26th. Featuring the most ever events, 57, the Series will last until its final day of July 15th.

The expanded scope of the World Series of Poker comes as the popularity of the event reached unequalled heights in 2008. The expansion will also allow poker players from apprentice and novice to expert and World Series champion.

A record 58,720 poker players entered the competition last year, representing 124 countries from across the globe, also a record. All those players helped balloon the pot to its biggest ever as well: $180,774,427.

The new events include a $40,000 no-limit hold ‘em and two more $10,000 World Championship-type buy-ins, up from eight. Also, nearly 40 events will have buy-ins of $2500 or less.

An event truly “ripped from the headlines,” entitled the “Stimulus Special” will offer buy-ins of $1000 during the event’s first weekend.

With all the new events, some old ones had to be removed, including the popular rebuy events. Also gone this year are four $5000 events in order to allow for more higher stakes events and two smaller events which split the pot, $2500.

The penultimate event which happened last year remains. The main events nine best will be brought back for the final playoff in November. Last season’s event created a large turnout and fan interest as well as national television coverage in primetime on ESPN.

Two major charity events will once again take place at the WSOP. The Ante Up for Africa stakes which raises $5000 will be back for a third year on July 2nd and another event to raise awareness for cancer will be staged on June 7th. That even will be ladies only.

So get out to Vegas to watch or participate or settle into your nice air conditioned home with a cool beverage and watch the fun. ESPN coverage will begin on July 28th.

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