WSOP 2007 sets new record

Everybody waited for Event #3 to get a first impression how the WSOP will run this year. And the number was impressive: 2.998 participants in the first NL Hold'em event of this years WSOP. Up 7% and the biggest WSOP Event (except for the main events) so far.

Many people (including me) thought that the UIGEA could hurt the WSOP. Especially the decision of PokerStars and FullTilt to pay their satellite winners in cash could probably mean that some people decide to take the money and refrain from playing. So far there are no numbers about the ratio of online players and those who paid from their own bankroll, but this doesn't matter anyway. The only thing that matters is that the WSOP is back!

I was quite conservative with my predictions for the main event for the whole year (2,500 - 6,000). I still think it will be hard to get more players than 2006 but I now go with a prediction of 6,000+

As Nolan Dalla just recently said: "Anyone who thinks the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) will kill the WSOP is in for a big surprise."