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2013 WORLD SERIES OF POKER EPIC NOW IN MOTION
2013-05-31

Wednesday saw the launch in Las Vegas of world pokers most prestigious and big-money spectacular - the 44th World Series of Poker tournament at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, running until July 15.

Past tradition was followed with the first event being a $500 buy-in Casino Employees event, and this was followed by an 8-handed $5,000 buy-in NLHE competition.

As in previous years, the main event will play down to a final table of nine, which will then adjourn until 4-5 November 2013.

The big money starts early this year, with the new $1,500 buy-in NLHE Millionaire Maker competition that carries a guaranteed first prize of a million dollars scheduled to begin this weekend.

According to the WSOP website, this poker spectacular continues to grow in total prize money terms:

2003 7,572 $21,789,060
2004 14,054 $45,973,770
2005 32,341 $106,055,907
2006 48,366 $159,616,588
2007 54,288 $159,796,918
2008 58,720 $180,774,427
2009 60,875 $174,013,215
2010 72,966 $187,109,850
2011 75,672 $192,008,868
2012 74,766 $222,045,377

Among the many celebrities and big name players seen at the Rio Wednesday was 18-time Olympics gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps, who has exhibited a penchant and talent for the game over the last two years.

The 27-year-old was spotted taking a seat at the $5,000 buy-in NLHE event, along with pros like Antonio Esfandiari. It is Phelps' first WSOP.