World Series of Poker Sets Attendance Record

The World Series of Poker drew 123,865 players for the 50-day tournament event setting an attendance record for the sixth straight year. Prize pools for the events totaled more than $266 million.

The World Series of Poker set an attendance record for the sixth straight year as 123,865 players turned out for the 50-day tournament event.

The prize pool of the 78-tournament series at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino was the largest in its 49-year history, amounting to more than $266 million in prize money—an increase of more than $35 million compared to last year, according to the Associated Press.

A record 18,105 participants got a cut of the prize pool with 28 earning at least $1 million. The series’ Main Event saw 7,874 entries, making it the second largest in the series’ history. Indianapolis resident John Cynn won the main event taking home $8.8 million.

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On May 25, 1935, Ohio State sophomore Jesse Owens delivered arguably the greatest 45 minutes in sports history at the Big Ten track meet in Ann Arbor. Owens broke three world records and tied a fourth, setting new marks in the long jump (26′81/4"), the 220-yard dash (20.3 seconds), and the 220-yard low hurdles (22.6 seconds), while equaling the 100-yard dash world record (9.4 seconds). Despite his individual brilliance, Michigan narrowly edged out Ohio State for the team title, 48 to 43.5.

On This Day In Sports History

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