2010 WSOP Main Event sets record as second-largest main event in WSOP history

The 2010 WSOP Main Event Day 1D registration is officially closed, and the final numbers are in. According to the World Series of Poker tournament officials, the 2010 Main Event registered a total of 7,319 entries with the top 747 players sharing the $68,798,600 total net prize pool. In addition, this year's winner will pocket a $8.94 million prize, making it the second-largest main event in World Series of Poker history after the 2006 Main Event, which registered a field of 8,773 players and an $82,512,162 prize pool. That year, Jamie Gold won the tournament and the $12 million first prize.

The massive field was divided into 4 starting days, with 1125 players registering for Day 1-A,1489 players on Day 1-B, 2313 on Day 1-C and 2391 entries on Day 1-D. With all four starting days having now been played, about 5,000 competitors will return to the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino this weekend to play the second level (Day 2-A and 2-B). 2,412 survivors from Day 1a and 1c will gather today to play Day 2-A, while Day 2b will congregate players from Day 1b and 1d. The Main event action will continue until July 17th, when the final table is finally decided.

WSOP officials also announced that main event registration increased 12.7% compared to last year (6494 entries). In addition, the prize pool also increased from $61 million in 2009 to $68.7 million this year. Entries in the World Series of Poker significantly decreased after 2006, when federal lawmakers approved a bill restricting online gambling activities in the U.S. The bill forced many online poker sites to withdrawal from the U.S market and consequently affected the volume of online qualifiers.

"In this era, it feels like a record. I just think that the main event continues to transcend the (poker tournament) category. People are pretty obsessed these days about fame, fortune and celebrity, and that's something that's 100 percent guaranteed at the main event." said Ty Stewart, World Series of Poker vice president.