The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is a world-renowned series of poker tournaments held annually in Las Vegas and, since 2005, sponsored by Harrah's Entertainment. It dates its origins to 1970, when Benny Binion invited six of the best-known poker players to the Horseshoe Casino for a single tournament, with a set start and stop time, and a winner determined by secret ballot.
The winner of each event receives a World Series of Poker bracelet and a monetary prize based on the number of entrants and buy-in amounts. Over the years the tournament has grown, both in the number of events and the number of participants. Each year the WSOP culminates with the $10,000 no-limit hold'em "Main Event", which since 2004 has attracted entrants numbering in the thousands. The victor receives a multi-million dollar prize and a bracelet, which has become the most coveted award a poker player can win. The winner of the World Series of Poker Main Event is considered to be the World Champion of Poker.
Starting in 2011, the WSOP consists of 58 events, with most major poker variants featured, though in recent years over half of the events have been variants of Texas hold 'em. Events traditionally take place during one day or over several consecutive days during the series in June and July. However, starting in 2008, the Main Event final table has been delayed until November.
The 2010 World Series of Poker was held at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. It started on May 27 and ran through July 17, with the final table of the Main Event returning in November. Jonathan Duhamel became the first Canadian to win the main event, taking home US$8.94 million.[6] The 2011 WSOP will again take place at the Rio. It will start on May 31 and run through July 19, with the final table of the Main Event returning again in November. From Wikipedia
The 2010-11 World Series of Poker Circuit concluded May 30, with Sam Barnhart being crowned the National Champion. Barnhart defeated the invite-only field of 97 players to win $300,000 and a WSOP bracelet in the first-ever WSOP Circuit National Championship tournament. The field was determined throughout the WSOP Circuit season and included Circuit main event champions, casino champions, players who reached the final table at the four Regional Championships and 37 at-large bids. Barnhart earned his seat by taking down the WSOPC main event in Tunica in February.
"This is a wonderful feeling," he said after his victory. "It's one of the best feelings I have ever had in my life. To come here and win this is every poker player's dream come true."
The two victories have provided Barnhart with nearly $500,000 in prize money, enough to persuade the researcher to take some time away from his job and take a deeper look at the poker tournament circuit.
"I decided I wanted to see what it would be like to spend an entire year playing poker," said the 50-year-old Barnhart. "Winning in Tunica and finishing [fifth in another major tournament a few months ago] gave me enough revenue and bankroll to try and make it playing poker. I have a good résumé, so I can always falls back on the research I have done. I know some poker players come into this completely empty-handed, but I want to be backed up both with money and a career if this does not work out."
The event featured many of the game's brightest stars, but not one player in this event had previously won a WSOP bracelet. Many people might debate the idea that Barnhart is the first true WSOP bracelet winner of the year, as this was a closed event and that his victory didn't come during the 58-tournament series that begins May 31. For those who criticize the validity of the bracelet, just remember that 49,453 players competed for this one bracelet, which would mean that Barnhart beat out more players to win this bracelet than anyone else in WSOP history.
By including a $1 million freeroll for the top players on the WSOPC, the National Championship offered players an additional incentive to participate this season. Along those lines, the WSOP Circuit was incredibly successful and perhaps had the best season the WSOPC has seen.
The final 10 players made the money, with Doug Carli the unfortunate freeroll bubble boy. Choctaw champion Huy Nguyen was eliminated in 10th and missed the nine-handed televised final table that will be broadcast on Versus later this year.
Below are the complete results of the 2011 WSOP Circuit National Championship:
National Championship
Buy-in: Freeroll
Entries: 97 (three players who had earned bids did not attend)
Prize pool: $1,000,000
Players in the money: 10
1 . Samuel Barnhart ($300,000)
2. James Anderson ($200,000)
3. Joshua Evans ($135,000)
4. La Sengphet ($100,000)
5. Jonathon Poche ($75,000)
6. Charles Moore ($55,000)
7. Drazen Ilich ($42,500)
8. Adam Hui ($35,000)
9. Matt Lawrence ($30,000)
10. Huy Nguyen ($27,500)
From Andrew Feldman
