Players fill tables during the first day of the main event on Friday at the hold ‘em tournament at the World Series of Poker at the Rio.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.
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The World Series of Poker Main Event suffered an ominous start last year when hundreds of poker players were turned away from registering on the final starting day.
According to World Series of Poker officials, a number of precautions are in place to make sure no similar problems arise when this year's $10,000 buy-in Main Event gets under way next Monday.
"We have a lot more seating this year," World Series of Poker spokesman Seth Palansky said. "I don't think we're going to have any issues based on capacity."
The World Series went over capacity and had to set up additional tables away from the regular playing area on Day 1D of last year's Main Event to accommodate 2,809 players. This year, the tournament's footprint is expanded and up to 3,800 players could comfortably compete on one day.
But the World Series will limit the number to less than that because the four starting days — next Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday — must combine into two second days of play.
"We will just try to balance the days," Palansky said. "The more balanced we can be on day ones, the more balanced we can be on day twos."
Registration still is open for all four starting days at the Rio. Palansky said there were "lots of seats" available, but there's no exact number because it all depends on keeping the starting days even.
If one of the starting days begins to attract overwhelming numbers in the next few days, the World Series will close its registration and limit players to choosing between the other three.
"We know Day 1D will still be the most popular," Palansky said. "That's still what's selling the most in pre-registration."
Last year's tournament attracted 6,494 entrants and a prize pool of $61 million. It was a slight decrease from the 6,844 players in the 2008 Main Event, but that most likely was only because of the people shut out on Day 1D.
The 2010 Main Event should come nowhere near the record 8,773 participants in 2006, but easily could eclipse numbers from both the last two years.
"There's no way of knowing in the poker world," Palansky said. "We're way up in pre-registrations for the event this year, but we're sure it's in part because of what happened last year."
Carnival lasts all year at the Rio. With a float occasionally passing overhead and dropping beads while feathered dancers fire up the gamblers below, the Rio tries to keep its 120,000-square foot casino jumping with excitement. Special Brazilian mixed-drinks are also served throughout the casino. The hotel suites tend to be larger than similar priced rooms on the Strip and many offer excellent views with floor to ceiling windows.
The Rio offers some quality shows like "Penn & Teller" and "Chippendales." Many come to the Rio for the nightlife at the VooDoo Lounge, located on the 51st floor, or McFadden's Irish Pub on the casino level.
Others come for a bit relaxation at the Rio Spa or pool area and still others come to shop at the hotel's 60,000 square feet of shops. In each of these endeavors, the Rio attempts to make the experience a bit more fun and spontaneous.
The Rio also offers guests a variety of dining choices from all-American food at the All-American Bar & Grille to Gaylord India Restaurant for something a little spicier and even Carnival World Buffet for the indecisive.
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