WSOP Reaches $1 Billion Mark in Prize Money Awarded

Official 2009 tournament figures will be released later today but as of right now the running count has officially crossed the $1 billion mark in prize money awarded at the WSOP. The World Series of Poker has been running since 1970 and in its forty year time frame the top poker series has given away the large amount of prize money.

The total figures for this year’s WSOP will be figured after the Main Event registration has closed but as of right now figures confirm the billion dollar mark. Jeffrey Pollack the World Series of Poker President and Commissioner commented: “It’s nice to reach this milestone during the 40th annual WSOP. What’s remarkable is that nearly two-thirds of this amount has been awarded in just the last four years. Poker is alive and well and here to stay.”

Yesterday registration sold out for the $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Championship and around 500 players had to be turned away as the tournament was over filled. This year the WSOP has exceeded $155 million in total WSOP prize pool money, and this is the fourth year running the WSOP has done so.