November Nine to Face Off Tomorrow
It’s November, and we all know that means the onslaught of holiday decorations, thoughts about turkey dinners, and of course, the November Nine.
For those who have been counting down the days, the wait for the Final Table of the WSOP Main Event is now a short one, as the players are set to gaze at one another over the felt tomorrow, Monday, November 4.
Things will get underway at 5:30 p.m. Nevada time on Monday, and the Main Event will be held at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in the Penn and Teller Theater.
2013 a record-breaking year for the WSOP
While the World Series of Poker has long been one of the most renown live poker tournaments to take place each year – dating back to 1970 – 2013 has been a banner year for the event. More players than ever entered this year’s tournament, with WSOP officials reporting that 70,471 participated in the 62 events that ran in 2013.
Last year’s Main Event winner, Maryland native Greg Merson, took home $8.531 million in addition to the much-coveted gold bracelet, a piece of jewelry that is this year promised to be “the most bling-tastic WSOP gold bracelet ever awarded.” First place prize money will add up to a not-too-shabby $8,359,531.
The WSOP, which has been owned by Caesars since 2004, says that in 2013 it has dispensed $197 million in overall prize money.
Event to be televised “near-live”
Those wishing to tune in to what WSOP.com is calling “near-live” coverage can do so on ESPN on Monday, November 4 and Tuesday, November 5. The only slightly delayed television coverage is available in the United States; in foreign markets Main Event programming is set to run at a somewhat longer delay.
Tickets to the live event are free to anyone who is in Las Vegas and is willing to line up outside the Penn and Teller Theater. While the official web site for the WSOP doesn’t give an exact time, those desiring tickets to the live event are advised to show up in the morning and that tickets are on a “first come, first serve” basis, with friends and family of the nine players receiving priority seating.
For those looking to get acquainted – or re-acquainted – with this year’s nine, the Washington Post has brief profiles of all nine players to make it to the table this November. And if you are truly counting down the minutes until the first hand is dealt, WSOP.com does have a countdown clock ticking away the seconds.
Anyone who wants a few fun facts or would just like to brush up on World Series of Poker trivia can find a fact sheet here.
