The WSOP Circuit
It is no shock to anyone who has been paying attention to professional poker that, over the course of the past ten years or so, the World Series of Poker has undergone a metamorphosis.
What has always been a very popular event among serious followers of gambling has mushroomed into an international phenomenon that draws the attention of millions every year. Furthermore, the WSOP is responsible for introducing new champions who instantly become superstars. These folks, many of whom led ordinary lives prior to their victories at the WSOP, soon find themselves inking multimillion-dollar endorsement deals and becoming recognized all over the planet.
What is the natural result of such a boom in popularity? Obviously, the World Series of Poker needed to find some way to expand. After all, the tournament itself only runs for about six weeks each summer and is confined to one location in Las Vegas. Given the interest in professional poker, that does not seem like enough time or space to meet the demand.
Therefore, in the year of 2005, the organizers of the WSOP made a very bold and intelligent move. They began a new tournament circuit that takes places in various locations around the nation. Harrah's Entertainment owns the Rio in Las Vegas, which is the new permanent home of the WSOP. Therefore, it only makes sense that all of these events take place at casinos owned by Harrah's in different parts on the United States.
Each of the circuit tournaments is operated in a manner similar to the World Series of Poker's main event. There is a $10,000 buy-in. Qualified players, after proving themselves at various circuit events, can enter into a Tournament of Champions. This is made up of the top twenty players from each circuit event, along with the final table winners from the 2005 main event at the WSOP. Furthermore, individuals who have won nine or more WSOP bracelets are automatically entered into the circuit events. As you might imagine, this is a very short list populated exclusively by genuine living poker legends.
Shocking just about every reputable analyst (including this one) the 2005 Tournament of Champions winner was none other than Mike "The Mouth" Matusow. This highly talkative and trouble-prone player walked away with $1 million and earned himself a huge dose of respect from many spectators of the WSOP circuit. For poker fans, this circuit is like a blessing from heaven, because the action just keeps on coming.
