The final World Series of Poker Circuit stop of 2010 began on December 4 and players flooded the first preliminary gold ring event held at the Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The $350 no-limit hold’em event that kicked things off attracted 1,250 players and broke the record for the largest tournament ever held at the casino (the previous mark was 1,181 players). “We’re really excited for having set this record,” said Harrah’s Resort AC poker director, John Arthur. “We got it right this year with the structures and everything else we have put into place for the Circuit and hope to continue having great numbers through the rest of the series.”
The top prize from the $363,750 prize pool went to 24-year-old network engineer Christopher Rivers, who was awarded $64,565 in prize money and a gold ring.
The tournament series will run between now and December 11 and there are 11 gold ring events on the schedule. The crown jewel of the tournament series is the $10,000 WSOP Circuit Eastern Regional Championship that will run from Dec. 19-22. Card Player will feature live coverage from that event later this month.
Other highlights during the tournament series include the $1,650 no-limit hold’em main event that runs from Dec. 12-14. This tournament will also have a gold ring up for grabs and the winner will secure a seat in the WSOP Circuit National Championship next May.
Players can qualify in a $330 satellite for the main event, and it begins at 1 p.m. EDT on Saturday, Dec. 11. Daily $10,000 Regional Championship satellites begin on Sunday, Dec. 12, and they will run daily through Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will also be $1,100 satellites offered for the Regional Championship on Saturday, Dec. 18 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Be sure to tune in on Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. EDT for live coverage from the $10,000 Regional Championship.
Here is a look at the schedule of ring events for the tournament series:
Saturday, Dec. 4: Event No. 1 ($350 no-limit hold’em)
Sunday, Dec. 5: Event No. 2 ($570 no-limit hold’em)
Tuesday, Dec. 7: Event No. 3 ($350 no-limit hold’em)
Thursday, Dec. 9: Event No. 4 ($1,100 no-limit hold’em)
Friday, Dec. 10: Event No. 5 ($350 Omaha eight-or-better)
Sunday, Dec. 12: Event No. 6 ($1,650 no-limit hold’em main event)
Tuesday, Dec.14: Event No. 7 ($350 no-limit hold’em)
Thursday, Dec. 16: Event No. 8 ($570 no-limit hold’em)
Friday, Dec. 17: Event No. 9 ($350 seven-card stud)
Sunday, Dec. 19: Event No. 10 ($10,000 no-limit hold’em Regional Championship)
Tuesday, Dec. 21: Event No. 11 ($350 no-limit hold’em)
