WSOP Main Event Breaks Record; Starting Field Exceeds 10,000 For First Time Ever

On Sunday, July 9, it was announced that the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event broke the record as the biggest of all time. But that’s not all; since it is also the first to achieve 10,000 applications.

New record:

By the time registration officially closed on Sunday, the 54th edition of the WSOP Main Event had seen a whopping 10,043 applications, breaking the former record of 8,773 set 17 years ago in 2006. Since the cost was US$10,000 for every application, those 10,043 applications represent a total of US$100.4 million paid by players, which adds up to a prize pool of US$93.4 million after the WSOP retains 4.9% for royalties and 2.1% for tournament staff, some US$7 million.

Here is a list of the number of entries by day in this record-breaking event, by flight:

Day 1A – 1,037
Day 1B – 1,115
Day 1C – 3,075
Day 1D – 4,113
Day 2ABC – 196
Day 2D – 507

In this regard, WSOP Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Ty Stewart said: “This is an all-time summer for the WSOP. Week after week we saw record fields, so it’s only fitting that we break the biggest record of all. 10,000 players is historic for the industry and this year’s champion will be remembered as the one to conquer the richest event in poker history, well at least until 2024.”

Huge prize pool:

The aforementioned Main Event boasted a huge prize pool of US$93.4 million. Also, the winner will win a grand reward of US$12.1 million. Additionally, each of the nine players who make it to the final table will be guaranteed a minimum payout of US$900.000, with the top eight winning the kind of rewards that will turn them into instant millionaires.

However, only 15% of the starting field, aka 1,507 players, will cash in. Therefore, those who end up between 1,507th and 1,005th will receive a minimum cash prize of US$15,000.

WSOP tournament history:

The first WSOP tournament was organized at Binion’s Horseshoe in 1970, and owner Benny Binion sent out invitations to seven of the top poker players in the world to compete in many cash games where the winner is determined by vote. Since then, the WSOP has become the biggest and most reputable poker series globally, with the 2023 WSOP including 95 separate bracelet events and the Main Event taking center stage.

What’s more, the WSOP was hosted at the Horseshoe Las Vegas, previously known as Bally’s, for the second year in a row, afer moving from its home of the past 17 years at the Rio.