The initial weeks of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) faced substantial criticism, particularly due to the decrease in attendance. This was most evident in the Colossus event, which couldn’t attract more than 20,000 entries. [toc]
Though the demise of the poker behemoths was reported prematurely, this year’s WSOP Main Event attracted 7,221 players. This marks the largest participating group since 2010 and it ranks as the third-largest in the history of WSOP.
The Main Event is the crowning glory of a summer that has already broken the attendance record with 116,604 entries, and there’s still one bracelet event remaining. Throughout the summer, WSOP has amassed over $227 million in prize pools. With one postlim event left, it’s anticipated to also break the overall record for money awarded.
Main Event will pay over 1,000 places
The payout structure for The Main Event rewards the top 15 percent of participants. Given the high participation rate, this implies that an unprecedented 1,084 players will receive money during the tournament. The lowest payout stands at $15,000. The champion will receive a whopping $8.15 million. Furthermore, each player that makes it to the final table is guaranteed to become a millionaire.
For the first time since 2008, the final table of the Main Event will also be played in July. The WSOP has discontinued the November Nine concept. Now, after a two-day pause, the final table will transpire over a span of three days and will be almost live on ESPN.
The action will culminate in a final table on Monday, July 17. This final table will then continue to play from July 20-22.
Flatter payouts were the shot in the arm WSOP needed
In 2013, it appeared as though the WSOP’s Main Event would have fewer than 6,000 participants for the first time since 2005. The Main Event that year ended up attracting 6,352 players. There were speculations that the attendance might fall below the critical threshold in 2014.
In 2014, to commemorate a decade at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, the WSOP decided to offer a guaranteed $10 million prize for the first place. This initiative reversed a four-year trend of falling attendance. Nonetheless, the Main Event attendance remained essentially unchanged in 2014 and 2015.
In 2016, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) revised its payout structure, seemingly providing a much-needed boost for the largest annual poker event. Subsequently, the number of attendees rose to 6,737. The revised payout structure was implemented again this year. Furthermore, for the first time since 2011, ESPN provided live coverage of the event, which may have contributed to the increase in participants, pushing the total past 7,000.
WSOP.com added another reason to come to Vegas this summer
The rise in attendance can’t be attributed to a single clear reason. However, one factor worth considering is the expansion of online poker offerings on WSOP.com. Although the site hosted events in previous years, the number of online events this year increased notably.
Three online bracelet tournaments took place, with two generating seven-figure prize pools. Additionally, an entire online poker series called the Summer Grind Tour was held, showcasing online tournaments and satellites for every bracelet event.
The number of online players is significantly less compared to those who attended the WSOP this summer. Nonetheless, the increase in online participation, which includes 24/7 satellite events, could be contributing to the expansion of the live event.
Image provided by WSOP / Drew Amato
