WSOP Main Event Begins Thursday

The early tournaments in the 2008 World Series of Poker are now coming to an end as the big one prepares to start. The 2008 WSOP main event begins on Thursday with one major change. The final table will not be played until more than three months later. Instead of continuing play once the final table is set as normal, ESPN has convinced the WSOP to delay the final table until November 9th.

They are hoping that will increase the interest in the main event. The final table will be determined on July 14th and then over the next three and half months ESPN will show the other WSOP tournaments and earlier play from the main event.

ESPN will then air the final table just a couple of days after it is completed on November 11th. Many people are unhappy with the decision to delay the final table but television rules the day and ESPN got their way.

So far in this year’s World Series of Poker there has been well over $100 million in prize money available with the professional players taking a large portion of it. The biggest winner so far was Scotty Nguyen who took home the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship as he defeated a field of 148 players to win the title.

The main event is what everyone looks to in the World Series of Poker. Last year Jerry Yang won the title and took home more than $8 million dollars. Last year the field actually shrunk for the first time as 6,358 players were entered. It will be interesting to see the number of players in this year’s field.

The Main Event is still No-Limit Texas Holdem and attracts players of all skill levels. Most of the top pros will take their shot along with a number of semi-pros, amateurs and celebrities. The tournament dates back to 1971 when there were only 6 entrants.

The record number of entrants was in 2006 as 8,773 people tried to win the title.