LAS VEGAS (AP) – A three-day poker-playing marathon begins in Las Vegas as nine men battle for the annual World Series of Poker title and chance at $7.6 million.
They last matched wits in July for the series’ Main Event and return Sunday at 5 p.m. PT to the Rio All-Suites casino-hotel with their remaining chips for the final matchup after outlasting several thousand players, with each paying $10,000 for the chance to win the no limit Texas Hold ’em event.
Two of the “November Nine” nearly missed their own chance.
Neil Blumenfield of San Francisco was laid off from his tech job in the two weeks before the Main Event start and he weighed saving his $10,000 entry or playing. Israeli player Svi Stern entered a few Series events but flew home before the Main Event, changed his mind and flew back in time to give it a try. Now both are already $1 million richer and hoping for more.
The World Series of Poker tradition got its start in 1970 with casino owner Benny Binion as an invitation-only event so casual the ultimate winner was chosen by the other, usually older, guys at the table. The sport’s popularity caught fire in 2003 when Chris Moneymaker, an accountant at the time, won it all, giving hope to amateur poker players. Caesars Entertainment Corp. bought the tournament in 2004.