WSOP: Fun Facts you didn’t know!

The 45th World Series of Poker(WSOP) gets off in Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas from May 27th 2014. It is both unique and same to the other editions of the WSOP. While it is the same thrill and excitement that is associated with the biggest poker extravaganza of the year, it is distinct in its big Main Event $10M guarantee. It is bigger with the $1M Big One for One Drop Event and it is bigger with 65 WSOP Bracelets up for grabs this time.Â

To understand the lighter side of the 2014 WSOP, we bring to you some interesting poker facts. Some relate to older times while some are specific to this Summers Poker Fest. Read this compilation to know more about the lighter side of WSOP.Â

1. $10 Million– Yes, you read it right. Event 65, $10,000 buyin NLHE has a $10M guarantee for the winner. Last year’s winner Ryan Reiss was richer by $8,361,570 but this year the final man standing after the Final table of the 2014 WSOP on November nine will take home $10,000,000.
2. In the Money Rule– This year around, players will be disallowed from using electronics on the poker tables when they are in the money. WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel, who is in his tenth year with the franchise, clarified the “In The Money” rule.“It’s never been that [the players] weren’t allowed electronic devices at the tables. When the players are in the money, the rules state that [they] cannot wear headphones or headsets. While players are not in the hand, they still may continue to use their electronic devices and/or smartphones,” Effel explained.
3. Grind centre: An exclusive Grind Room—complete with built-in computers, wifi capabilities, and power banks—will be located inside the Rio Convention Center to accommodate online poker players. Thus, if you get eliminated from action on the live tables then you can come and grind tour sorrow on the online tables.Â
4. WSOP.com– This year WSOP will make online poker a part of the World Series of Poker experience. Last year when www.wsop.com was launched the Summer event was already over. Thus WSOP.com is being integrated with the WSOP this time around. Many main event and side event packages are being offered through WSOP.com and players will be able to play online in the Grind centres.
5. Daily Poker Action and Satellite Activity– Officials anticipate that there will be approximately 100 cash game tables of various stakes going on during peak times at the WSOP, and variants, including Chinese Poker, will be spread alongside Texas Hold’em games. This activity is humongous and is thanks to the tournament happening. All those physical gamers who crash out tend to grind on the cash tables.
6. Big one for One Drop– The Big One for One Drop made its debut in 2012 and made Antonio Esfandiari the richest man in International poker when he won the $1m buyin event and got $18,346,673. The big one for one drop makes a comeback this year. It is expected to be bigger this time with a 56 player cap which if fulfilled will give out a gigantic $20,000,000 to the winner. A very intriguing SNG format of satellites has been introduced for this event this time which will feature a 10-handed, $100,000 buy-in satellite into the Big One tournament.
7. Women in Poker: Barbara Enright made poker history when in 1995 she made it to the final table of the WSOP Main Event. This feat has not been repeated since then and we still await a female WSOP Main Event Champion. Will 2014 be the year? Who can it be? Vanessa Selbst is having a fantastic poker run and certainly the front runner for this task.
8. Maximum Bracelets: Phil Helmuth currently holds the record for most WSOP Bracelets which is an unprecedented 11. He also holds the record for maximum cashes and final tables. He has cashed in 100 times and made 49 final tables at the WSOP which is an unbeatable record.Â