This year marks a monumental one in the history of the game of poker. The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has officially shattered the all-time attendance record for its Main Event, making the 2023 edition the richest tournament in live poker history.
The record falls 17 years after Jamie Gold defeated a crowd of 8,773 entrants in 2006 to take home the prestigious WSOP bracelet. Later that year the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act changed the poker landscape with many pundits speculating the 2006 record could never be broken.
With over 10,000 entrants, all eyes are on the 2023 Main Event Final Table to see who will cement themselves as the undisputed World Champion of Poker, beating out the most players in a Main Event field, ever.
The WSOP has been actively promoting its event over the past few years, which has now resulted in a new high table record. When registration closed Sunday, the WSOP Main Event had clocked a massive 10,043 entries.
The turnout also guarantees that someone in the field wins a “Main Event Seat for Life” or a complimentary entry to the Main Event for the next 30 years. That drawing, amongst all registrants in the 2023 Main Event, took place shortly after registration officially closed at 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, July 8.
Ty Stewart, World Series of Poker Senior Vice President and Executive Director
Ty Stewart, WSOP Senior Vice President, and Executive Director, said: “This is a colossal day not only in the history of the WSOP but for poker itself. It’s particularly special to make history in our first year at the new Horseshoe Las Vegas.”
“I think today is a huge testament to the passion of the entire poker community who rallies around this event every year. We’re hoping this record is short-lived and we’ll be ready for another monster turnout next summer,” he added.
Entry to the Main Event comes at around $10,000 for a seat and a chance to win the massive $12.1 million guaranteed prize pool. As expected, the prize pool is now much higher due to interest in the biggest table tournament poker has to offer.
“Week after week we saw record fields, so it’s only fitting that we break the biggest record of all,” concluded Stewart. “10,000 players is historic for the industry and this year’s champion will be remembered as the one to conquer the richest event in poker history, well at least until 2024.”
This year represents the second one the WSOP is held at the Strip’s Horseshoe Las Vegas, formerly known as Bally’s, after relocating from its home of the past 17 years at the Rio.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2023/07/11/67846-wsop-sets-alltime-highest-record-with-10000-entrants-for-its-main-event
