You know when it comes to the World Series Of Poker (WSOP) everyone’s question around me at this time of year always seems to be the same. And I love talking about it.
“So will it beat last years?” they ask me, I always do and I always will say “Yes”. Now bare in mind that when these same people refer to the WSOP they refer to the Main Event.
And theirs nothing wrong with that, as after all that’s why it’s called the Main Event.
But I still think the answer for this years routine questioning is an unequivocal “Yes”, I really do believe that and here’s why:
First up the Prize-Pool
In 2012 going by the official numbers reported by the World Series of Poker it proved to be the largest in the history of the greatest tournament series:
- $222 Million Dollars were awarded in prize money with
- $62 Million for the Main Event winners and
- $42 Million for the winners of the One Drop Tournament.
The Main Event Numbers
So let’s get down to it and look at those numbers, you see in 2012 we saw a total of 6,598 entrants in the 2012 World Series of poker Main Event which proved to be the fifth most ever for the WSOP. Over a ten year period the numbers pan out to look like this:
- 2003 WSOP — 839 entrants
- 2004 WSOP — 2,576 entrants
- 2005 WSOP — 5,619 entrants
- 2006 WSOP — 8,773 entrants
- 2007 WSOP — 6,358 entrants
- 2008 WSOP — 6,844 entrants
- 2009 WSOP — 6,494 entrants
- 2010 WSOP — 7,319 entrants
- 2011 WSOP — 6,865 entrants
- 2012 WSOP – 6,598 entrants
I was always taught that everything around us can be represented and understood through numbers. So let’s quickly graph those numbers and we’ll see that patterns emerge.
Money Makin’
First up the jump from 03′ – 04′ attributed and even called the “Moneymaker Effect” in our world. We growth increase at what could easily be described as pretty much close to ‘exponential growth’ as is possible. Along comes a ruling in 2006 and bam! Well you know that bit of this story and if not Google is your friend. And after that we get to what I’d call a rocky plateau.
You Spin Me Right Round Baby…
Now the skeptic could say 2010 was the peak then but I’m not one of those guys. Yep we could go around in circles here and that’s half the fun of these talks I know. Look again and for 07 you’ll see an increase, decrease, increase, decrease pattern and then of course 2012 goes and messes up my theory there of course. That still doesn’t convince me though, I see 2012 as a minor hiccup and one that’s still higher than the previous lows of 09 and 07.
Success Breeds Success
Then take into consideration the recent success of the World Series of Poker Europe followed up by their latest addition the World Series Of Poker Asia Pacific and I think we’re seeing the game becoming more global than ever. With over 100 nationalities playing last years events the World Series Of Poker is starting to truly deserve more so than ever to have and embrace the world World within it’s title.
So Go On Ask Me Again
So yeah ask me again about if this years WSOP will break last years numbers I’ll always say “Yep!” as really where’s the fun in saying “No it’s going to suck….” which trust me it never ever ever does.
Okay Okay I Want In, Get Me To Vegas!
Cool. Well lucky for you there’s still time. On PartyPoker we’ve got a ton of routes so you can make that once in a life time trip, so make sure you check out the full qualification routes to the WSOP and Las Vegas today! Let us know how you get on by Liking us on Facebook and Following us on Twitter.
