World Series Of Poker Accused Of Neglecting Amateur Players

Only sponsored poker players can afford the big tournaments at the WSOP, claims Paul Jackson.

A veteran of the UK poker scene has claimed that the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is losing its appeal for the average player.

Paul Jackson told Poker Player magazine that the world's largest and richest poker festival is in danger of becoming "too big for its own good", as many amateur card sharps struggle to afford the buy-ins.

He claimed that due to the expense, many of the bigger events at the WSOP are now off-limits for players without large bankrolls or sponsorship deals with major poker sites.

"There's a huge danger of it becoming a jolly club for the sponsored players and that's really not what the WSOP is meant to be about," Jackson told the publication.

"It just doesn't seem fair that a lot of good players wouldn't have a crack at being the world champion simply because of the buy-in."

A total of 6,494 players entered this year's $10,000 (£6,072) main event at the WSOP, with the final nine players due to contest the $8.5 million first prize when the action resumes in November.