World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit

On October 25, 2004 Harrah's announced the creation of the World Series of Poker Tournament Circuit that marked the beginning of the 36th annual World Series of Poker season. And with it began their efforts to evolve the World Series of Poker from a month long frenzied rush into a year long sport. The Tournament Circuit is a set of poker tournament stops at different casinos that will host all-comer events for players seeking high-level top quality poker action. It also allows players based on their performance at the tournament circuit events and the World Series of Poker, to qualify them for entry into the Tournament of Champions event. The Tournament of Champions is a freeroll event meaning that no player who will participate has to put up any of his or her own funds to play. Harrah's determines the number of players from each of the tournament circuit events who will qualify.

With the popularity of poker on the rise, Harrah's sought to capitalize on this movement by having 5 legs of the circuit that would be open to anyone who wanted to play regardless of skill level. In 2005 events were held in Atlantic City, NJ during January, San Diego, CA in February, Las Vegas, NV in March, Lake Tahoe, NV in April and New Orleans, LA in May. Each of the events were taped and will be aired on ESPN. All champions who won their events received a WSOP championship gold ring and a sizable amount of cash, which easily reached the six-figure level in the Main Events. The buy-ins for the tournaments ranged from a few hundred dollars to $10,000 per person for participation in the Championship Main Event held at each circuit leg. The game for each of the Main Events was Texas No-Limit Hold'Em poker.

The response from the poker playing public was well received drawing noted professionals like Erick Lindgren, Mimi Tran, Chris Ferguson, Chad Brown, Dewey Tomko, Robert Williamson III, Andy Bloch, J.C. Tran, Jennifer Harman Traniello, Tony Ma, Phil Ivey, John Cernuto, David Pham, Joe Awada, Antonio Esfandiari and others to the tables. It also brought out many superior regional poker players who are well known and respected in their areas of the country.

Since the acquisition of the World Series of Poker name and brand in 2004, Harrah's has been on a mission to expand the name into their properties and new areas of which the tournament circuit is one, so you can trust that this will be around for a number of years. Now the amount of "rake" the company earns from event prize pools is 6%, and this money is used to pay dealers and other expenses. Given the magnitude of tournament operations, that can't leave that much for profit. So why do they do it? A company spokesperson stated that the international exposure, newspaper and media coverage they are receiving on these events is priceless to them. It is helping to lay the groundwork for the corporation to expand greater than what they already are. So you can count on Harrah's to continue the effort to make the World Series of Poker bigger and better than it presently is.

Tom Howze is a webmaster for 9 sites that relate to 2005 World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour events, updates and information.

---

2 Great Methods To Free Online Poker

What's one of the most common dreams for a an... Read More

What To Do With Your Winnings So You Dont Go Broke

It's been proven time and time again that the majority... Read More

Gambling Addiction Basics

The coming age has brought with it numerous new pathological... Read More

Bingo Basics

Bingo is one of the most simple and general game... Read More

A Trip To Vegas

A trip that will always be remembered is the one... Read More

The Secrets of Laying the Four and Ten

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secrets of laying... Read More

Online Bingo - Internet Craze

Traditional Bingo has been a popular pastime for many years... Read More

Gaming Winners

Before you plan a trip to Las Vegas or Atlantic... Read More

A Receipe to Success

FreeAdGuru Steven says it is all about pre selling. Do... Read More

No Deposit Online Casino Bonus is for Lucky and Wise Only - The Myth of Free Money

No deposit bonuses are very popular, especially among "not-so-wealthy" online... Read More

Martingale Betting System - Are You SURE?

Very common and popular system among newbies who like roulette,... Read More

Buying A Thoroughbred: Is It For You?

Buying a thoroughbred can transform a man. Horseracing is the... Read More

Why Play Texas Hold em?

Ah, yes-the Texas hold 'em explosion. Seven years ago, when... Read More

Evaluating Starting Hands In No-Limit Holdem Tournaments

There are three main factors that influence how you should... Read More

Online Casino Bonuses Explained

Types Of Online Casino BonusesIf you've ever considered playing at... Read More

Three Card Poker Betting

A player must be aware of how to place bets... Read More

Video Poker - Best Strategy

The table below gives a basic drawing strategy for a... Read More

Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealers Signature

Roulette System: Confession of the Roulette Dealer on Dealer's signatureThis... Read More

Online Craps

Are you interested in playing craps online? Are you tired... Read More

MGM Mirage to build a city on Las Vegas Strip

Plans include a 4,000-room hotel and casino, three 400-room boutique... Read More

My Official Cheapskate Guide to Las Vegas

TRAVEL- The following is my penny pinchers guide to Las... Read More

The Truth Behind The Limits: What Minimum and Maximum Bets Are About

Have you ever thought about the reason behind the existence... Read More

College Football Betting - Trends and Rivalry Games

In college they have trends and in the pros they... Read More

Online Gambling

Online gambling is hot. In fact there are websites popping... Read More

Gambling Myths: What You Absolutely Need to Know

Gambling is considered a game of luck and chance. As... Read More

The Adventure for Poker Gold

From the drama TILT made by ESPN to the deal... Read More

Poker

Americans play Poker in many places such as in casino... Read More

The Secrets of the Fives and Nines

Pssst...! Wanna know a secret?How about the secret of the... Read More

Poker Aces ? how to play them

Poker Aces refers to two aces dealt pre-flop. It is... Read More

Casinos Popping Up Leads To Negative Impact on Economy

Casinos and other forms of gambling are popping up in... Read More

Soccer Livebetting

Live betting is one of the main sources of income... Read More

Why Gamble on Sports?

Its really not that big of a stretch of the... Read More

To Bet Or Not To Bet? Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Happy, Healthy Gambler?

I placed my first bet when I was at university.... Read More