2008 WSOP

2008 WSOP Forecast, Day Thirty Five: Shuffle Up and Deal!

  Today is the day! One of many "the days" to come, actually. It is the 35th day of the 39th annual World Series of Poker, and the start of the most highly anticipated poker event of the year - the 2008 WSOP Main Event, the $10,000 World Championship No Limit Holdem tournament that every poker player in the world dreams of winning, at least once.

  The event has been on a steady rise in attendance and popularity since its inception in 1970 when only a handful played. In 2003 Chris Moneymaker won $2.5 million thanks to a $40 satellite that got him a seat in the event; since that moment the poker boom skyrocketed, and attendance and payouts went up along with it - until last year.

  Admittedly the attendance was still staggering when Jerry Yang won, but it was down from the year before when Jamie Gold pocketed $12 million (on paper, at least.)

  What is going to happen this year? So far the projections are around a $10 million payout for first place - somewhere between the 2006 and 2007 payouts - but it will be days before we know for sure.

  So, how to make predictions? Very carefully. We can, and will, predict that - based on the few attendance and prize pool records broken this year so far in specific events, and the generally excited - if a bit cautious - attitude towards poker in general and the WSOP in particular - that the attendance records will be like the projected first place prize - higher than last year, but lower than the year before.

  Shuffle up and deal!
Post this article on:

Comment on This Article

2008 WSOP Forecast, Day Thirty Four: Ante Up for Africa Charity Event
Day 34 of the 39th annual World Series of Poker is upon us, and while it isn't a bracelet... read more>

2008 WSOP Event 45 Winner Scotty Nguyen
It takes a special type of person to pay a $50,000 buy in in order to test their poker... read more>

2008 WSOP Event 47 Winner Ryan Hughes
Ryan Hughes is the first person in WSOP history to have a Stud hi/lo bracelet for each... read more>

BEST POKER ROOM OFFERS

Lucky Ace
Download »
Full review »

	100% up to $400 bonus
	Pokerbility for new players
	Exclusive freeroll entry

Titan Poker
Download »
Full review »

	$1,000 exclusive freeroll
	150% up to $500 sign up bonus
	Progressive jackpots

RedKings
Download »
Full review »

	Sign up bonus of up to $1,000
	$100 freeroll for new depositors
	Refer a friend and get $50

Party Poker
Download »
Full review »

	Special 30% up to $150 bonus
	$1K freeroll for new players
	$100 Rookie daily freerolls

POKER NEWS

08/29/2008
State of Nevada Poker Championships

08/29/2008
Czech Association of Poker Clubs Asks for Sport Label

08/29/2008
World Championship of Online Poker Puts Up Millions

08/28/2008
Drudge Report Mentions Poker

08/28/2008
Republican Party Backs Off Online Poker Attacks

08/28/2008
Italians Love Their Online Poker

08/27/2008
Poker Charity Event for Paralyzed Vets

More news