July 7th, 2005 marks the first day of the main event in the 2005 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Today, 5600 people (5661 to be exact) put up $10,000 just to get outdrawn on the river. Some will go all in with pocket 4s and A K Q on the board only to draw a set on the river. Others will call all-in bet with A Q and A K Q on the board only to be outdrawn to a set on the river. Which ever person you are, congratulations on making it to Vegas and have $10,000 to throw away.

So how do they fit 6600 people (along with dealers, tables, and officials) into a poker room? They don’t. The Rio (this years host casino) is splitting the 6600 into three days of 2200 people. On the forth day, the field is merged to approx. 3300 people and then they play until one wo/man is left with all the chips. All the chips and one long story of lucky draws, sweaty calls, and panic-stricken all-in bet/bluffs. Amazing poker stories that s/he will tel to their dozen or so new, close friends.

As for me, I will be playing the new Halo 2 maps and dreaming of winning the MegaMillions jackpot worth $88 million.