Las Vegas Braces For Visitors As World Series Of Poker Nears
The World Series of Poker is the biggest poker event in the world held annually in Las Vegas, and the 2013 version is set to begin this week in Sin City. Nevada officials are preparing for what is expected to be an influx of tens of thousands of players.
Each year, the best amateur and professional poker players in the world converge on Las Vegas to take their shot at becoming a millionaire. Some players will accomplish that goal by winning one major event, while others will try to grind out a million bucks or more in various tournaments throughout the series.
As has been the case for several years, the World Series of Poker will begin in 2013 with a Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em tournament. Dealers and casino employees from all over the world will use the skills they have developed through working in the casino and try to cash in. The cost of the event is $500, with no re-buys.
The first officials No-Limit event will begin on Thursday. The tournament has a $1,000 entry fee, and players who bust out on the first day will be permitted to re-buy in on the second day. The entire tournament is scheduled to be a three-day event.
On Saturday, June 1st, players will take their first chance at winning a $1 million top prize. Event #6 is a no-limit tournament with a guaranteed first place prize of $1 million.
The majority of the 62 tournaments in this year's WSOP have buy-ins ranging from $500 to $2,000. There are also several $10,000 events scheduled at the Rio in Las Vegas, where the WSOP is held annually.
For some players, the trip will be all business, but for others, fun and sun will be the theme.
"I came out from Wisconsin," said Terry Shafer. "I am going to play in a couple of events, but my main goal was to create a relaxing vacation for me and my family, and still having some time to play some poker. It is going to be fun."
The event all the players and fans will be waiting for is the main event, which begins on Saturday, July 6th. The main event will feature some of the top players in the world, mixed with dreaming amateurs.
The $10,000 buy-in event has three starting days, and two day twos. The event will then slim down to all players competing on the same days, until a final table is reached. At that point, play will be halted, and resumed several months later with the November Nine vying to become the main event champion.