Prestige Depends On Prize Money, Says Poker Expert

Poker events grow in prestige as prize money increases, poker journalist says.

Major tournaments gain kudos among professional poker players by offering bigger prize pools, according to Alan Bowden.

The editor of InsidePoker Magazine said that, where international poker events are concerned, "the prestige comes with the prize money in reality".

Mr Bowden cited the World Series of Poker (WSOP) as an example, as it is the largest poker competition in the world in terms of following and also offers the biggest payout to winners.

"Poker is all about the prize money when it comes down to it," he remarked.

Commenting on the European Poker Tour, a comparative newcomer on the poker scene, Mr Bowden said that it has "worked really hard to establish itself" in recent years.

Nine players will compete for a prize pool totalling more than $32 million (£20 million) when the final table of the WSOP main event gets underway in Las Vegas on November 9th.

The 'November Nine' have been waiting since July for their chance to play for the first prize in poker's most prestigious tournament.