Unless you have been under a rock for more than a year now, you know that poker has taken the world by storm. The simple fact that online gambling has a new best in show - poker, has spilled over into all walks of life. The
ever-increasing schedule of poker tournaments filling the timeslots on TV is one fine testament that poker is hot. This weekend's record-breaking turnout for the Legends of Poker at the Bicycle Casino is the latest affirmation.
An incredible
839 players came to the table on Saturaday, generating a $4,195,000 cash pool. Now, the poker event stands as the biggest ever on the WPT circuit. The remaining 14 events to be filmed for Season IV on the Travel Channel will also be a big success. Even online gambling sportsbooks are posting odds on these events. In 2004, the WPT awarded nearly $70 million to poker players on the Tour.
First place for this year's Legends event will net $1,125,000 for the winner. In 2004, Doyle Brunson captured the win. That event drew some 667 players and a $3,335,000 cash pool. This weekend's record turn-out produced a 20 percent increasein the field.
At this time chip leaders are
Gabe Kaplan, Jerry Buss and Barry Greenstein. The tournament continues today (Monday 29th) at 4:15 p.m.
Next up on the WPT circiut is the Borgata Poker Open at the Borgata Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. It starts on September 19th and runs through the 22nd.
The WPT helped create the poker craze when it first aired on the Travel Channel in March 2003.
