LAS VEGAS (AP) — Hundreds of poker players have begun a trek toward card-playing fame as the World Series of Poker main event begins in Las Vegas.
The $10,000 buy-in, no-limit Texas Hold ’em tournament began Thursday with the first of four starting days, expected to attract thousands of players to combine for millions in prize money for the winner.
Poker icon Doyle Brunson wished players good luck as he gave the famous order: “Shuffle up and deal.”
The tournament comes at the end of a series on pace to set new highs in registrations and prize money. But even as poker’s most prestigious tournament begins, it’s unclear whether the main event will grow given legal turmoil affecting websites that awarded entry fees in past years.
Players planned to play 10 hours on Thursday.
