The 39th World Series of Poker main event opened yesterday with nearly 1,300 players competing to become the Texas Hold’em world champion. After 53 preliminary events and 52 different bracelet winners the cards are now in play at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The play continues every day until July 14 but the final table will not be held until later the year, on 9 & 10 November. Between July 14 and November 9, ESPN will air tapes of the action up to the final table and then will cover the action live.

The final number of entrants for WSOP 2008 has not yet been determined but with last year’s champion winning US$8.2 million there is plenty to play for. ESPN has dictated the change in format of this year’s WSOP, a change that has not pleased everyone. The four month wait between the nine places at the final table being decided and the actual play-off has been described as ‘the world’s longest coffee break’.

As TOW Poker News comments, “The original point of the contest was to be the last man standing after a battle of endurance and mental strength. Now, with the players experiencing such a huge gap, they will be able to receive coaching or watch tapes of their opponents. No one will return to the game playing in the same style they were using in July.” (E-07.04.08)

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