World Championship of Poker Begins at Rio in Las Vegas

World Championship of Poker Begins at Rio in Las VegasThe 43rd running of poker’s ultimate championship returns to the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino today, July 7, with thousands of players expected to enter the $10,000 buy-in event in hopes of claiming poker’s ultimate prize.

Officially, Event #61, the last and final event of the 43rd Annual World Series of Poker, has three starting flights: Saturday, July 7, Sunday, July 8 and Monday, July 9, all beginning at 12 noon, with playing running until 12:45 a.m. nightly.

The prize pool is expected to be more than $60 million with the winner walking away with a prize near $9 million.   Amateurs, poker pros, celebrities and poker enthusiasts from more than 85 different countries are expected to take to the felt. Last year, 6,865 players participated, and the winner, Germany’s Pius Heinz collected $8.7 million.

The World Series of Poker is the gaming industry’s premier event, each year drawing tens of thousands of poker enthusiasts from around the globe to Las Vegas to compete for millions in prize money and the game’s most coveted trophy – a World Series of Poker Champion’s Bracelet.

WHERE: Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Convention Center – Amazon Ballroom

WHEN:

  • Saturday, July 7 at 12 noon – Flight “A” – Special Shuffle Up & Deal 92-year-old participant Ellen Deeb
  • Sunday, July 8 at 12 noon – Flight “B” – Special Shuffle Up & Deal – UFC Fighter Georges St. Pierre
  • Monday, July 9 at 12 noon – Flight “C” – Special Shuffle Up & Deal – Senator Dean Heller R-NV

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