Poker – a cluster of card games that need no introduction because of it’s popularity and its variety. They have the same rules of betting and have hand rankings. It is felt that this betting system distinguishes poker from gambling games.
Likewise Poker games are different – in the way the cards are transacted, in the different ways a hand can be formed, if the high or the old one wins, possible limitations on bets and what numbers of betting rounds are allowed. But many a times in modern forced bets, money is placed into the pot voluntarily by players.
Well that is Poker, but what is the World Poker Series? It is the world’s largest lay down of poker competitions. Held annually in Les Vegas, the winner of the event wins a ‘World Series of Poker’ bracelet and a prize based on the number of entrants. Starting in the year 1968 as an international event sponsored by Tom Moore of San Antonio, Texas and held at the Holiday Hotel and Casino in Reno, this event has excelled beyond heights in the world of poker games.
A whooping number of participants and the growing number each year is a testimony to that. With 512 entrants in the year 2000, the number has roused to 6844 in the year 2008. Likewise the prize money has also increased. In the year 2000 it was $ 1,500,000, but now in 2008 it became $ 9,119,517. With a lot of money coming in the quality of The World Series of Poker has also been revived.
In 2004, Harrah’s Entertainment bought Binion’s horseshoe, and there became a new beginning to the era of World Series of Poker. Although, it was for the last time that poker championship was hosted at the Binions’. MTR Gaming Group took over and declared that the 2005 championship will be organized at a different venue. Rio Hotel was selected which is just nearby the old venue i.e. the Las Vegas Strip. Also a new event called the Tournament of Champions was started by punching in $2 million.
The chief affair always attracts more and more players. A $10,000 affair in the year 1972 itself, the winner not only gets the largest prize of the tournament and a gold bracelet, but also their picture is placed into the gallery of Champions. Also the winner is given the title of ‘World Champion’.
Recently a new event has been introduced and it is believed by many critics that the ultimate World Champion is the one who wins this new format. The new format is given the name HORSE and is a $50,000 affair.
In 2006 -Jeff Madsen, a college student became the youngest champion ever of World Poker Series event. He won #22 event winning the $660,948 prize only at 21 years, one month, and nine days.
With the internet making a mark, the popularity of Poker has seen an unprecedented spike. Maybe with the beginning of online poker or the development of the hole-card camera, but the real poker comes only when it is the World Series of Poker. Now a spectator sport; thanks to the hole-card camera; viewers can follow the action from anywhere. For the reason of the growing esteem of online satellite-qualifier competitions, where the winner enters into a major tournament, the way to reach the World Series of Poker is becoming a reaching factor. So if you have the guts and the brains and above all wants to be a billionaire in a day, then World Series of Poker is the shortest short-cut.
Tags:
Betting,
Casino,
Gambling,
Games,
Online Poker,
Poker,
Winner
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