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Get Ready for the 40th Annual World Series of Poker

25 February 2009

As major league baseball players prepare to report to spring training, so will poker players begin preparation for the 40th annual World Series of Poker, which will be held from May 26 through July 15 at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

There will be 57 coveted gold bracelets awarded to tournament winners over the course of the 50-day marathon poker extravaganza, the most high-profile event of its kind in the world given the extensive television coverage it receives on ESPN and the surge in popularity for the game in recent years.

The showcase competition will once again be the $10,000 buy-in World Championship No-Limit Hold'em Main Event which begins play on July 3. The final table of nine players will be announced on July 15, but they won't get a chance to duel for the millions of dollars in prize money for nearly four months.

Last year's successful delayed final table experiment proved to be a rousing success that more than doubled ratings on ESPN year over year, so the format will be repeated this time around with the heralded "November Nine" reassembling Nov. 7 – 10 before a live audience with special primetime coverage.

Last year's World Series of Poker generated a record number of 58,720 entries from 124 countries. The total prize pool for the events was a staggering $180,774,427.

"Whether you play poker around the kitchen table or consider yourself a professional, you will find a comfortable seat at the 2009 World Series of Poker," said Jeffrey Pollack, the organization's commissioner. "This year's schedule offers more variety than ever before."

Among the highlights will be a Seniors Only No-Limit Hold'em World Championship on June 22 for players 50 years of age and older.

Also, the Ladies Only No-Limit Hold'em World Championship on June 7 featuring a $1,000 buy-in and helping to raise awareness for the Nevada Cancer Institute, the official community relations partner of the World Series of Poker.

Another highlight will be the 3rd annual Ante Up for Africa $5,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em celebrity and charity tournament on July 2, an opportunity for average players to find themselves seated at the same table with any one of many high profile sports and entertainment world celebrities who enjoy poker.

Players with thick bankrolls will have plenty of opportunities, including the 3rd annual $50,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. Tournament with an enhanced gold bracelet and the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy awarded to the winner.

There'll also be a one-time only commemorative gold bracelet event, a $40,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament to help celebrate the landmark 40th annual competition on May 28.

Average players who can't afford the big money events will have their opportunity to compete for riches in a "stimulus special" $1,000 buy-in No Limit Hold'em tournament to be held opening weekend, May 30 – 31. It is expected to draw the largest-ever live tournament field outside of the Main Event and offer a prize pool approaching $5-million.

Pre-registration for the 2009 World Series of Poker will begin late this month on-site at the Main Cage of the Rio in Las Vegas or online through www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

John G. Brokopp

John G. Brokopp's gaming column appears in Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, Illinois), The Times (Northwest Indiana), The Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), The Courier News (Elgin, Illinois), The Gazette (Southwest Suburban Chicago) and Senior Wire (Denver, CO). He's also a regular contributor to The Colorado Gambler, Midwest Gaming & Travel, Casino Player and Strictly Slots. John possesses 28 years of experience as a professional handicapper, publicist, freelance writer, and casino gaming correspondent. He is also the author of two very popular books, The Insider’s Guide to Internet Gambling and Thrifty Gambling.

Books by John G. Brokopp:

> More Books By John G. Brokopp

John G. Brokopp
John G. Brokopp's gaming column appears in Chicago Sun Times (Chicago, Illinois), The Times (Northwest Indiana), The Quad City Times (Davenport, Iowa), The Courier News (Elgin, Illinois), The Gazette (Southwest Suburban Chicago) and Senior Wire (Denver, CO). He's also a regular contributor to The Colorado Gambler, Midwest Gaming & Travel, Casino Player and Strictly Slots. John possesses 28 years of experience as a professional handicapper, publicist, freelance writer, and casino gaming correspondent. He is also the author of two very popular books, The Insider’s Guide to Internet Gambling and Thrifty Gambling.

Books by John G. Brokopp:

> More Books By John G. Brokopp