2007 World Series of Poker

The 2007 World Series of Poker (WSOP) began on June 1, 2007. The $10,000 (US) no-limit Texas hold 'em Main Event began on July 6 and was completed on the morning of July 18. All events were held at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada by Harrah's Entertainment, which has run the annual event since its purchase from the Binion family in 2004.

For the first time players began each event with double the amount of chips as the buy-in. This means that players in the Main Event started with 20,000 chips. The blind structure has also been increased and some blind levels removed but slowed to allow for more play.

In addition to the $50,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, which was first played at the 2006 World Series of Poker, this year there were two additional H.O.R.S.E. events with lower buyins ($2,500 and $5,000).

Tom Schneider, who won two events and made one other final table, won the Player of the Year Award. Michael Binger and Chad Brown led all other players with eight money finishes.

The annual celebrity event was changed this year, as it became a pro and celeb event called "Ante Up for Africa", hosted by actor Don Cheadle and poker pro Annie Duke. The final two players, Dan Shak and Brandon Moran, agreed to share first place and donate all prize money to charities in Darfur.

The "last woman standing" of the 2007 Main Event was Maria Ho who finished in 38th place.

Also this year, KEM Plastic Playing Cards were once again used for the events, rather than Copag brand plastic playing cards, which were used during the 2005 and 2006 WSOP.

Event Schedule

Performance of past World Champions

Celebrities in the 2007 Main Event

*Out in Day 1: Kirk Acevedo, Hank Azaria, José Canseco, Steve Davis, Shannon Elizabeth, Janet Jones, Norm Macdonald, A.J. McLean, Nelly, Ray Romano, Teddy Sheringham, Maxime Talbot, Antonio Tarver, Jennifer Tilly
*Out in Day 2: Jason Alexander, Rene Angelil, Tomas Brolin, Brad Garrett, Rick Salomon, Rick Tocchet, Montel Williams
*Out in Day 3: Todd Phillips (380th place, $34,644)
*Out in Day 4: Sam Simon (329th place, $39,445), Tobey Maguire (292nd place, $39,445), Sully Erna (237th place, $45,422)

World Series of Poker Europe

Under the leadership of WSOP commissioner, Jeffrey Pollack, the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) is the first expansion of the World Series of Poker. In September 2007, the first WSOP championship events outside of Las Vegas took place in London. It was the first time that WSOP bracelets were awarded outside of Las Vegas. [http://www.igamingbusiness.com/article-detail.php?articleID=12961 Harrah's Set to Launch World Series of Poker Europe] Feb 27, 2007. Gaming Business Accessed 7/25/07] Three tournaments were held, with the main event being a £10,000 buy-in no-limit hold 'em tournament. The main event was won by Norwegian online prodigy Annette Obrestad, who won on the day before her 19th birthday and became the youngest person ever to win a WSOP bracelet.

ee also

*2007 World Series of Poker results

References

* [http://www.worldseriesofpoker.com/tourney/tourneyDetails.asp?groupID=309 Official 2007 World Series of Poker results and schedule]