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.

Recent Articles

History Playbook

On This Day In Sports History

On June 15, 2011, Boston shut out Vancouver 4-0 in Game 7 at Rogers Arena to capture their first Stanley Cup since 1972. The Presidents' Trophy-winning Canucks held 2-0 and 3-2 series leads before the Bruins rallied. Following Vancouver's devastating defeat, fans rioted downtown, causing widespread damage, injuries, and arrests.

On This Day In Sports History

On June 14, 1949, Phillies star Eddie Waitkus survived being shot in Chicago by an obsessed 19-year-old fan. Despite a collapsed lung and missing the season, he returned in 1950 to play 154 games, leading Philadelphia to the NL pennant.