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The Beginning of the World Series of Poker Main Event

Thousands of WSOP hopefuls packed the Amazon Room at the Rio Casino and Hotel for the first of 4 Day 1's of the WSOP Main Event on July 3rd, 2009. Full Tilt Poker's Gavin Smith stated that the WSOP Main Event is the biggest poker tournament of the year and it is one event that they all look forward to. The event is expected to attract more than 6,000 poker player in search of a $1 million 1st place prize money and a chance at poker greatness.

Last year, Danish poker pro Peter Eastgate defeated a total of 6,843 participants to take home a total of $9,152,416 1st place cash prize. In 2007, Jerry Yang popped out from nowhere and defeated a total of 6,357 players, taking home a total of $8.25 million before disappearing from the poker circuit once more. Yang is back for the 2009 WSOP and stated that he is more than ready to reclaim his place in the circuit.

Neither Jerry Yang and Peter Eastgate's winnings hold a candle to the $12 million 2006 WSOP Main Event champion Jamie Gold won for defeating a field of more than 8,7000 participants. But the former WSOP Main Event champions will have their work made for them if they want to make another good run. Since 2003, only poker pro Greg Raymer had been able to duplicate his winning success a year later, finishing in 25th place in the 2005 Main Event, after winning the 2004 Main Event.

The participants that showed up for Day 1 are Jason Mercier, rapper Nelly, former L.A. Dodger Orel Hershiser and Hollywood Actors Brad Garrett and Jason Alexander. The 2009 Main Event will have a playing field divided into four rounds on Day 1 and two rounds on Day 2, with the qualifiers coming together for the 1st on Day 3.

07/23/2009, Thursday
Sherry Barlow

The Beginning of the World Series of Poker Main Event

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