2013 WSOP Main Event Starts Today
Saturday July 6, 2013 : FIRST FLIGHT IN WORLD SERIES OF POKER STARTS TODAY
Thousands of entries expected over the next three kick-off days
The key event in the annual World Series of Poker currently unfolding in Las Vegas – the Main Event – starts today (Saturday) as the first of three starting days which are expected to attract thousands of aspiring champions with the necessary $10,000 buy-in cash.
It's ‘the' prestigious event that attracts almost all the serious professionals as well as a good smattering of amateurs who have either bought in or won a seat in satellite tournaments
Initial entries are staggered over three days – July 5, 7 and 8 – this year, playing down to Day 2 heats on July 9 and 10 before the fields come together on Day 3 and play to a final table of nine survivors, a process that will take the action through to July 15.
At that point the action pauses for several months, with the final tablers returning to the felt in October or November to play down to the winner, and all final table players assured of at least a million dollar pay-day, and the winner several millions – last year Greg Merson took home $8.5 million after besting a total entry field of 6,598, but when Jamie Gold took the crown his reward was over $12 million.
WSOP commentators will be monitoring the entry rate today; the first day of registrations is typically lower than succeeding days and gives an indication of what the final take-up is likely to be. This year it is expected to easily exceed a thousand hopefuls.
Players with the talent and focus to make it through the first days will have their endurance as well as skills tested through tough, uncompromising action that continues for many hours each day, often running into the early hours of the following morning as players fight, first to stay in the tournament and then to cash by surviving to the last 10 percent.
Spectators at the rail will be cheering their heroes on, especially in the latter stages as the composition of the final table approaches, bringing excitement and sometimes drama to the proceedings.
