The 2011 WSOP events are in full swing at the Rio, although the main event doesn't start until July 7. Until then, it's a lot of smaller tournaments - there are 58 in all! - that keep poker-addicted fans busy. Everything from Omaha Hi-Lo to H.O.R.S.E. Yep, if you like poker, there are plenty of ways to get your game on.
The event has grown and changed so much in the 40+ years of its existence. In its first years, the WSOP was basically a couple of fold-up tables and a few dudes with names like Amarillo Slim and Puggy Pearson. The event was hosted by Benny Binion at his Horseshoe downtown. Like any good idea, the event grew and grew. Now, the WSOP is broadcast on ESPN and has over 70,000 entrants. Poker players still get nicknames, too, like The Poker Brat, The Mouth, and Unabomber.
Most of the top pros get their $10,000 entry fee paid for by sponsors. Although this year has been every interesting since three main poker sites (FullTilt, PokerStars and AbsolutePoker) that sponsor players were shut down on April 15 by the FBI on charges of fraud and laundering. Phil Ivey, one of the best poker players in the world, refused to play because he claims his sponsor, FullTilt, won't pay players their money due. FullTilt denies any wrong-doing and fired back that Ivey's intentions are self-serving. Ahh yes... I come for the poker but I stay for the drama.
Although I don't really play poker, I'm happy that it continues to thrive. Anything that keeps Vegas on its feet is a good thing. One of these days I'll sit down and really start learning about the game. I'm told the best way to learn is to play for free online at a site that has not been seized by the FBI. Well, I already sit in front of a computer a lot these days, so more of that right now that does not sound very appealing to me. But I'll get into it one of these days. To me, poker is lot like paintball or marriage. It's much more fun to play than to be a spectator, and you're probably going to get your butt kicked the first few times.
Viva,
Mike
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