World Series of Poker Through The Years

World Series Of Poker prize money is really something to be marvelled at. Such tournaments attract audiences from around the world. Although not a sport but a game, this televised poker tournament certainly competes with the very best annual events, and has its fair share of drama for sure.

Televised coverage of this event actually goes back to 1970. It is held in Las Vegas at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino, and it is extremely popular amongst its followers. Since its inception, it has been covered every year by the major sports network ESPN. Who would have thought at that very first tournament how much in total prize money would have been paid out as it went through the years & into the 21st century?

Starting each year at the end of May, this series of poker tournaments attracts anyone over 21 who fancy flexing their poker skills. In fact competitors from as many as 124 countries accounted for 58,720 entrants in 2008 who competed for an extraordinary $180 million plus, with 55 victors walking away with a championship gold bracelet, along with a share of this enormous pot, definitely motivation for them to keep their nerve when it mattered!

As you would imagine, some pretty staggering records have been set when it comes to World Series Of Poker prize money. The climax to the annual WSOP concludes over a 2 week period starting at the beginning of July with a $10,000 "buy in" for those involved. Back in 2006 Jamie Gold went in the history books as the biggest ever tournament price winner. His scoop was a massive 12 million dollars. As they used to say at the beginning of the old TV show "Now That's Incredible"!