An influx of foreign poker players has helped the World Series of Poker increase its attendance figures yet again, even as general casino visitation and gambling numbers are on the decline in Las Vegas.
Tournament spokesman Seth Palansky said that the series attracted more foreign players this ear than ever before, boosting attendance figures despite a weak U. S. economy.
The 55 day event saw a record number of players, while gambling revenues in Clark County, which covers the Las Vegas Strip casinos, was down 3.7% in the last financial year.
Registrations for the event were up 8% on last year, and the total prize pool was up 13%. The top prize, which will be awarded to the winner of the no-limit Texas Holdem Main Event – to be decided on Nov. 11th, will be $9.2 million.
A total of 6,844 participants took part in the main event, with the players coming from 72 different countries, as well as all 50 U.S. States. Palansky said “It is clear that a lot of the growth is coming from outside the U.S. Six continents, 118 different locations, countries, territories, [...] Really, any more people playing poker is going to benefit the world series of poker.”
Some of the professional poker players, when questioned about the growth in poker popularity, attributed it to the social aspects of the game. Isabelle Mercier, also known as 'No Mercy', said that “Poker calls to human qualities – it's not something like more Asian, Westerner, or whatever – it's just human qualities like psychology, reading your opponent, manipulation, bluffing. This appeals to everybody, I think.”
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