Rebound: WSOP Main Event Grows Again

Because of the effect anti-online gambling legislation had on internet poker rooms, last year marked only the third time, and the first time since 1992, that the number of entrants at the World Series of Poker’s Main Event decreased from the previous year.  While things are not back to 2006 levels, when nearly 9,000 players competed for $12 million, the tournament has rebounded slightly from the dip in 2007.  This year, 6,844 players crowded the tables at the Rio for the first four flights of Day 1, up almost 500 from last year. 

Because of this increase, the prize pool has also risen, creating a first place haul of $9,119,517, the second largest payout in poker history.  Not quite everyone at the final table will go home millionaires – the ninth place finisher will “only” win $900,670. 

The Main Event will run through July 14 and will pause when the final table of nine players is reached.  Those players will return on November 9 to play down to two.  Those two will compete heads-up for the money and the bracelet on November 10. 

2008 World Series of Poker World Championship No-Limit Texas Hold'em Payout Schedule 

1: $9,119,338

2: $5,790,024

3: $4,503,352

4: $3,763,516

5: $3,088,013

6: $2,412,510

7: $1,769,177

8: $1,286,672

9: $900,670

10 – 12: $591,869

13 – 15: $463,202

16 – 18: $334,535

19 – 27: $257,334

28 – 36: $193,001

37 – 45: $154,401

46 – 54: $135,101

55 – 63: $115,800

64 – 72: $96,500

73 – 81: $77,200

82 – 90: $64,334

91 – 99: $51,467

100 – 162: $41,817

163 – 225: $38,600

226 – 288: $35,383

289 – 351: $32,107

352 – 414: $28,950

415 – 477: $27,020

478 – 540: $25,090

541 – 603: $23,160

604 – 666: $21,230