PRESS RELEASE
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2003
THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER
BINION'S HORSESHOE -- DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
Binion's Horseshoe Shatters Previous All-Time Record,
as 839 Players Enter the World Series of Poker Main Event
Anyone doubting the explosion of poker's popularity would be advised to consider the numbers released today by Binion's Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas. The World Series of Poker demolished the all-time record for the total number of entries, as a staggering 839 poker players entered the final event of the world's most prestigious poker tournament.
Last year, a previous-record 631 players entered the grand finale -- the $10,000 buy-in world championship. This year, a sonic boom was heard throughout the poker world and the gaming industry, as 208 more players entered the championship over last year. This figure represents a 32 percent increase between 2002 and 2003, which amounts to the largest annual increase in history -- both in terms of numbers and prize money.
The 2003 World Series of Poker will distribute a whopping $7,802,700 in prize money in the main event alone. Sixty-three players will be paid in the main event, in amounts ranging from $15,000 (for finishing 55rd through 63rd) up to $2.5 million for first-place. The total prize pool for the entire 36-event tournament this year will exceed $20 million -- more than double the amount of prize money awarded at The Masters (golf) or the U.S. Open (tennis).
Players in this year's tournament have made a pilgrimage to Binion's Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas from 44 different states and 27 foreign countries -- representing the most diverse group of poker players ever assembled. Many of the aspiring champions paid the $10,000 entry fee in cash. Many others won mini-tournaments (called "satellites") at cardrooms and casinos spread throughout the United States and overseas -- including (for the first time ever) online poker rooms. Some players even qualified for to play in the world championship for as little as $50, as they won satellites held here daily at the Horseshoe. The World Series of Poker has truly become a international spectacle that enyone can enter and play.
Through today, media credentials have been issued to over 250 individuals -- including representatives from ESPN, CBS, ABC, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The (London) Observer, and many other big and small media outlets. As many as 100 additional media outlets are expected to arrive this week, making the World Series of Poker the largest gamblng event in the world -- by far.
ESPN television is covering the world's biggest poker tournament all the way from start to finish. ESPN, "the leader in sports television," will be broadcasting a 7-part series on the World Series of Poker which will run every Tuesday night (9 pm EST) starting on July 8th. This promises to be the most dynamic poker series ever televised. Furthermore, Binion's Horseshoe offers a Internet live broadcast of the final table -- with multiple cameras and commentary. Viewers can sign up at: www.binions.com
At the end of Day One, Barry Greenstein from Los Angeles, CA is the chip-leader with $94,775. The five-day world championship of poker will continue on Tuesday. The tournament concludes on Friday, May 23rd with the start final table of the World Series of Poker.
For additional information, please contact Nolan Dalla, Media Director at: 702-382-1600
MONDAY, MAY 19, 2003
THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER
BINION'S HORSESHOE -- DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS
Binion's Horseshoe Shatters Previous All-Time Record,
as 839 Players Enter the World Series of Poker Main Event
Anyone doubting the explosion of poker's popularity would be advised to consider the numbers released today by Binion's Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas. The World Series of Poker demolished the all-time record for the total number of entries, as a staggering 839 poker players entered the final event of the world's most prestigious poker tournament.
Last year, a previous-record 631 players entered the grand finale -- the $10,000 buy-in world championship. This year, a sonic boom was heard throughout the poker world and the gaming industry, as 208 more players entered the championship over last year. This figure represents a 32 percent increase between 2002 and 2003, which amounts to the largest annual increase in history -- both in terms of numbers and prize money.
The 2003 World Series of Poker will distribute a whopping $7,802,700 in prize money in the main event alone. Sixty-three players will be paid in the main event, in amounts ranging from $15,000 (for finishing 55rd through 63rd) up to $2.5 million for first-place. The total prize pool for the entire 36-event tournament this year will exceed $20 million -- more than double the amount of prize money awarded at The Masters (golf) or the U.S. Open (tennis).
Players in this year's tournament have made a pilgrimage to Binion's Horseshoe in Downtown Las Vegas from 44 different states and 27 foreign countries -- representing the most diverse group of poker players ever assembled. Many of the aspiring champions paid the $10,000 entry fee in cash. Many others won mini-tournaments (called "satellites") at cardrooms and casinos spread throughout the United States and overseas -- including (for the first time ever) online poker rooms. Some players even qualified for to play in the world championship for as little as $50, as they won satellites held here daily at the Horseshoe. The World Series of Poker has truly become a international spectacle that enyone can enter and play.
Through today, media credentials have been issued to over 250 individuals -- including representatives from ESPN, CBS, ABC, The New York Times, The Washington Times, The (London) Observer, and many other big and small media outlets. As many as 100 additional media outlets are expected to arrive this week, making the World Series of Poker the largest gamblng event in the world -- by far.
ESPN television is covering the world's biggest poker tournament all the way from start to finish. ESPN, "the leader in sports television," will be broadcasting a 7-part series on the World Series of Poker which will run every Tuesday night (9 pm EST) starting on July 8th. This promises to be the most dynamic poker series ever televised. Furthermore, Binion's Horseshoe offers a Internet live broadcast of the final table -- with multiple cameras and commentary. Viewers can sign up at: www.binions.com
At the end of Day One, Barry Greenstein from Los Angeles, CA is the chip-leader with $94,775. The five-day world championship of poker will continue on Tuesday. The tournament concludes on Friday, May 23rd with the start final table of the World Series of Poker.
For additional information, please contact Nolan Dalla, Media Director at: 702-382-1600
