Record Number Of Players This Weekend At World Series Of Poker
The World Series of Poker experienced tough attendance numbers over the past few years, succumbing to the economic recession that crippled thousands of businesses across the US. In 2012, the effects of the recession appear to be well behind the most popular poker gathering in the world.
In the years before the economic recession, the WSOP was on its way to setting annual records when it comes to attendance. The popularity of the sport had never been greater, and the momentum was being built through an online poker industry that was becoming one of the top industries in the world.
The economic recession started the downturn in attendance, and last year when Full Tilt Poker, Absolute Poker, and PokerStars were indicted by the US Department of Justice, the attendance numbers continued to drop. This year, the tide has turned, as this weekend is expected to be a record-setter in terms of player entries.
On Friday and Saturday alone, nearly 9,000 players were involved in tournaments that were ongoing. The Sunday figure has not yet been released, but if the weekend trend continues a new record should be set for amount of players in a three day period. The numbers, according to some poker fans, may have a lot to do with the economy.
"The economy has started to improve, and people have been able to exhale and breath again," said Phillip Trondle, a poker player who was in Las Vegas for the week with his family from Oregon. "People have a few extra bucks, and the chance to win big money in this many tournaments in a small period of time just makes the WSOP a logical destination for a summer vacation."
The big names are also back in attendance this year. After boycotting the WSOP last year after the online poker company indictments, Phil Ivey has returned, and he has done so in grand fashion, cashing in several tournaments in 2012. Ivey has been joined by dozens of pro players who have tried their skills in the variety of tournaments the WSOP has to offer.
This year, a new $1 million event has been created, and it has been the buzz of the entire WSOP. The tournament was only open to 36 invited players, and fans have gathered in the hopes of seeing one of the top poker showdowns of the past decade. The $1 million buy-in event begins on July 1st, and is scheduled to conclude on July 4th.
June 17, 2012
Posted By Tom Jones
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
Submit News!