If the first weeks of the World Series of Poker is anything to go by, attendance in this year’s tournament is UP, despite doomsayers crying the end of the US poker industry after Black Friday. According to statistics released by WSOP 2011 operators, attendance has increased in most events compared to numbers in 2010.
All in all, six out of the nine repeat events in this year’s WSOP, have experienced year on year growth. An increase was seen in the $500 casino employee’s event (17.9%), the $1,500 six handed no limit hold ‘em event (14.4%), the $1,500 deuce to seven lowball event (10% growth) and the $1,500 Omaha eight or better event, which saw a 13.1% growth compared to last year.
Organizers of the WSOP 2011 tournament expected a drop in numbers, especially in events with high entry fees, such as the $25,000 head up no limit hold ‘em championship. The theory was that since many online poker players still had their money tied up in sites such as Full Tilt Poker, Poker Stars and Absolute Poker following Black Friday, they wouldn’t be able to afford these types of buy in fees. Surprisingly, however, the number of players who entered the $25,000 event, more than likely exceeded the expectations.
A decline in numbers was felt in the $1,500 seven card stud event (12.5%), the $10,000 pot limit (7.1%) and the $1,000 no limit hold ‘em event (3.8%).
By the end of week one, gold bracelets were won by six players from the United States and two from the United Kingdom, although if the birth place of the players was taken into account, it would be broken down as follows: Four from the US, two from the UK, one from Ukraine and one from Israel.
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