2013 World Series Of Poker Starts


Thursday May 30,2013 : 2013 WORLD SERIES OF POKER EPIC NOW IN MOTION
 
44th edition of world pokers most prestigious and big money tournament kicks off in Las Vegas
 
Wednesday saw the launch in Las Vegas of world pokers most prestigious and big-money spectacular – the 44th World Series of Poker tournament at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, running until July 15.
 
Past tradition was followed with the first event being a $500 buy-in Casino Employees event, and this was followed by an 8-handed $5,000 buy-in NLHE competition.
 
As in previous years, the main event will play down to a final table of nine, which will then adjourn until 4-5 November 2013.
 
The big money starts early this year, with the new $1,500 buy-in NLHE Millionaire Maker competition that carries a guaranteed first prize of a million dollars scheduled to begin this weekend.
 
According to the WSOP website, this poker spectacular continues to grow in total prize money terms:
 
2003 7,572 $21,789,060
2004 14,054 $45,973,770
2005 32,341 $106,055,907
2006 48,366 $159,616,588
2007 54,288 $159,796,918
2008 58,720 $180,774,427
2009 60,875 $174,013,215
2010 72,966 $187,109,850
2011 75,672 $192,008,868
2012 74,766 $222,045,377
 
Among the many celebrities and big name players seen at the Rio Wednesday was 18-time Olympics gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps, who has exhibited a penchant and talent for the game over the last two years.
 
The 27-year-old was spotted taking a seat at the $5,000 buy-in NLHE event, along with pros like Antonio Esfandiari. It is Phelps' first WSOP.