World Series of Poker marquee tourney to pay $8.5M

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Organizers say the 2012 World Series of Poker attracted almost 6,600 entries for the marquee Main Event tournament in Las Vegas.

That means the winner of the $10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em World Championship will take home about $8.5 million.

Tournament officials said Tuesday the youngest player to enter was Cody Teska of New Carlisle, Ind. He turned 21 on Sunday.

The oldest was 92-year-old Ellen Deeb of Troy, N.Y. But she was eliminated on Sunday.

The 6,598 entries at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is the fifth-largest starting field in tournament history.

The Main Event prize pool is more than $62 million. The top 666 finishers will collect prize money.

Play goes to July 16, when a final nine players will emerge. They’ll resume play Oct. 28.