This year 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP) runs from 2nd June to 15th July... This truly unique event will run for six weeks. The WSOP is actually a series of poker tournaments that involve different variations of the game. Mainly, tournaments are daily, usually called "bracelets". The winner of each such tournament receives a special bracelet and a serious cash prize. Also receive cash prizes and 10% top players from the total number of participants in this tournament.
The six weeks will close with the 10,000$ buy-in No-Limit Texas Hold'em tournament, which is considered to be the main event of the WSOP. It is this tournament that is characterized for many with the World Series of Poker. The winner is considered the World Champion of Poker.
The first week passed, during which the first five bracelets were played.
#1 Tournament: No Limit Texas Hold'em for Casino Employees
Date: 2nd June
Contribution: 500$
Number of participants: 662
General fund with contributions: 331,000$
Total prize fund: 297,900$
Paid seats: top 63
This tournament is strictly open to casino employees from all over the world. The winner was Andy Nguyen from Las Vegas, Nevada. Andy earned 83.390$ for his first place.
Tournament #2: No Limit Texas Hold'em
Date: 5th June
Contribution: 1,500$
Number of participants: 2,305
General fund with contributions: 3,457,500$
Total prize fund: 3,180,900$
Paid seats: top 200
Due to the fact that the first tournament was only for casino workers, the influx of participants was quite large. This tournament can be said to be indicative, before the very last and main tournament of the poker series. Allen Cunningham won 725,405$ for first place.
Tournament #3: Pot Limit Texas Hold'em
Date: 5th June
Contribution: 1,500$
Number of participants: 1,071
General fund with contributions: 1,606,500$
Total prize fund: 1,477,980$
Paid seats: top 100
Thom Werthmann took first place with 369.535$.
Tournament #4: Limited Texas Hold'em
Date: 7th June
Contribution: 1,500$
Number of participants: 1,049
General fund with contributions: 1,573,500$
Total prize fund: 1,477,620$
Paid seats: top 100
Eric Froehlich takes first place with 361.910$.
Tournament #5: Omaha Hi / Lo
Date: 8th June
Contribution: 1,500$
Number of participants: 699
General fund with contributions: 1,048,500$
Total prize fund: 964,620$
Paid seats: top 63
This year, the winner was Pat Poels, who won 270,100$. Interestingly, Pat left a well-paying job about a year ago to become a professional gamer. And now he is the champion of this game, who, in addition to his title and money, receives his first bracelet.