2008 WSOP Schedule Announced...

Talking Poker · #1 12-11-07, 11:01 PM

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Contact: Gary Thompson
Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc.
(702) 407-6529

Harrah’s Entertainment Announces 2008 Schedule For 39th World Series Of Poker® Presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light
Second Annual “Ante Up for Africa” Tournament Also Set

LAS VEGAS – December 11, 2007 – Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET) said today the 2008 World Series of Poker Presented by Milwaukee’s Best Light and televised exclusively on ESPN will – for the first time ever – begin and end with $10,000 buy-in World Championship events and feature a total of eight $10,000 championships.

In addition, the 55-event schedule for 2008 includes a total of eight $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournaments, which traditionally draw the largest fields except for the Main Event. The WSOP has also added a second start day for the first of the $1,500 no-limit competitions to accommodate the expected number of entrants.

“This is our most exciting schedule yet,” said Jeffrey Pollack, commissioner of the WSOP. “Both amateur and professional poker players will have new opportunities to compete for a WSOP bracelet and can choose from the widest variety of games and buy-ins ever offered in one poker tournament and certainly at the WSOP.

“We’re holding steady at 55 events this year,” said Pollack. “But, we’ve mixed it up a bit to keep it interesting for our players and fans.”

The 2008 WSOP starts May 30 with the $10,000 buy-in World Championship of Pot-Limit Hold’Em and ends July 16 with the Final Table of the $10,000 buy-in World Championship of No Limit Texas Hold ‘Em – best known as the WSOP Main Event.

The six other $10,000 buy-in events – all World Championship competitions – include: Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’Em; Seven-Card Stud; Limit Hold’Em; Omaha Hi-Low Split Eight or Better; Pot-Limit Omaha; and a new Mixed Event. The Mixed Event will feature eight variations of poker: Limit and No-Limit Hold’Em; Omaha Hi-Low and Pot-Limit Omaha; Seven Card Stud; Razz; Seven Card Hi-Low Split; and 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball.

The second event of the 2008 WSOP is a $1,500 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament with two starting days – May 31 and June 1.

Pre-registration for the 2008 WSOP can be made beginning in February on-site at the Main Cage of the Rio® All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas or at .

In addition to the largest cash prizes in poker, winners of each of the 55 events will receive an exclusive World Series of Poker gold bracelet crafted by the luxury Swiss watchmaker CORUM. Last year, 54,288 entrants who ranged in age from 21 (bracelet winner Steve Billirakis) to 94 (Main Event contestant Jack Ury) competed for the poker world’s largest total prize pool of nearly $160 million.

The 2008 WSOP will be staged inside the Rio Convention Center from May 30 through July 16. WSOP officials plan a “soft opening” of the tournament room on May 28 and 29 for players to register early and play in satellite tournaments and cash games.

“The poker tent is gone,” said Pollack. “We heard folks loud and clear last year, and there will be no tents used for tournament play at the 2008 WSOP.”

On July 2, and in conjunction with the WSOP, Oscar nominee Don Cheadle and poker professional Annie Duke will host the second annual Ante Up For Africa charity tournament at the Rio.

Last year’s AUFA event featured dozens of Hollywood celebrities and poker professionals and raised more than $700,000 for charity. Ante Up For Africa is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by Cheadle, Duke and Norman Epstein and is dedicated to raising money and awareness for Africans in need.

July 3 is the first of four start days for the 2008 Main Event. Last year, a total of 6,358 entrants competed for a Main Event prize pool of $59.8 million. Players may choose their Main Event start dates as long as seats are available on the selected dates.

More information about the World Series of Poker is available at the Web site .

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada, nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The Company's properties operate primarily under the Harrah's, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah's also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. For more information, please visit .

The complete schedule of 2008 World Series of Poker events follows:

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(Not sure how well this will cut and paste, but here goes)

Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, NV

Date Day Time Event # 2008 Buy-In
May 28, 2008 Wednesday 9 AM Registration Opens, Live Action & Satellites Begin
May 29, 2008 Thursday Registration, Live Action & Satellites
May 30, 2008 Friday 12 noon 1 World Championship Pot-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $10,000
May 31, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 2A No-Limit Hold’em (4 day event) Day 1A $1,500
June 1, 2008 Sunday 12 noon 2B No-Limit Hold’em Day 1B
June 2, 2008 Monday 12 noon 3 Pot-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $1,500
June 2, 2008 Monday 5 PM 4 Mixed Hold'em (Limit/No-Limit) (3 Day event) $5,000
June 3, 2008 Tuesday 12 noon 5 No-Limit Hold’em w/Re-Buys (3 day event) $1,000
June 3, 2008 Tuesday 5 PM 6 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) $1,500
June 4, 2008 Wednesday 12 noon 7 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $2,000
World Championship Mixed Event (3 day event)
June 4, 2008 Wednesday 5 PM 8 Limit Holdem, Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Seven Card Razz , Seven Card Stud, $10,000
Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, No-Limit Holdem, Pot-Limit Omaha, 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball
June 5, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 9 No-Limit Hold’em / Six Handed (3 day event) $1,500
June 5, 2008 Thursday 5 PM 10 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better (3 day event) $2,500
June 6, 2008 Friday 12 noon 11 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout (3 day event) $5,000
June 6, 2008 Friday 5 PM 12 Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 7, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 13 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $2,500
June 7, 2008 Saturday 5 PM 14 World Championship Seven Card Stud (3 day event) $10,000
June 8, 2008 Sunday 12 noon 15 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em World Championship (3 day event) $1,000
June 8, 2008 Sunday 5 PM 16 Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) $2,000
June 9, 2008 Monday 12 noon 17 No-Limit Hold'em Shootout (3 day event) $1,500
June 9, 2008 Monday 5 PM 18 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball w/Re-Buys (3 day event) $5,000
June 10, 2008 Tuesday 12 noon 19 Pot-Limit Omaha (3 day event) $1,500
June 10, 2008 Tuesday 5 PM 20 Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $2,000
June 11, 2008 Wednesday 12 noon 21 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $5,000
H.O.R.S.E. (3 day event)
June 11, 2008 Wednesday 5 PM 22 Limit Holdem, Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Seven Card Razz, $3,000
Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better
June 12, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 23 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $2,000
June 12, 2008 Thursday 5 PM 24 Pot-Limit Holdem/Omaha (3 day event) $2,500
June 13, 2008 Friday 12 noon 25 World Championship Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em (256 player max) (3 day event) $10,000
June 13, 2008 Friday 5 PM 26 Seven Card Razz (3 day event) $1,500
June 14, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 27 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 14, 2008 Saturday 5PM 28 Pot-Limit Omaha W/Rebuys (3 day event) $5,000
June 15, 2008 Sunday 12 noon 29 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $3,000
June 15, 2008 Sunday 5 PM 30 World Championship Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $10,000
June 16, 2008 Monday 12 noon 31 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed (3 day event) $2,500
June 17, 2008 Tuesday 12 noon 32 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 17, 2008 Tuesday 5 PM 33 World Championship Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) $5,000
June 18, 2008 Wednesday 12 noon 34 Pot-Limit Omaha W/Re-Buys (3 day event) $1,500
June 18, 2008 Wednesday 5 PM 35 Seven Card Stud (3 day event) $1,500
June 19, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 36 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 19, 2008 Thursday 5 PM 37 World Championship Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) $10,000
June 20, 2008 Friday 12 noon 38 Pot-Limit Hold'em (3 day event) $2,000
June 21, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 39 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
World Championship H.O.R.S.E. (5 day event)
June 22, 2008 Sunday 12 noon 40 Limit Holdem, Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Seven Card Razz, $50,000
Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better
June 22, 2008 Sunday 5 PM 41 Mixed Hold'em (limit/no-limit) (3 Day event) $1,500
June 23, 2008 Monday 12 noon 42 Seniors No-Limit Hold’em World Championship (3 day event) $1,000
June 24, 2008 Tuesday 12 noon 43 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-low Split-8 or Better (3 day event) $1,500
June 25, 2008 Wednesday 12 noon 44 No-Limit Hold’em w/Re-Buys (3 day event) $1,000
June 25, 2008 Wednesday 5 PM 45 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit) (3 day event) $2,500
June 26, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 46 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed (3 day event) $5,000
June 26, 2008 Thursday 5 PM 47 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low-8 or Better (3 day event) $1,500
June 27, 2008 Friday 12 noon 48 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $2,000
June 28, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 49 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 29, 2008 Sunday 12 noon 50 World Championship Pot Limit Omaha (3 day event) $10,000
H.O.R.S.E. (3 day event)
June 29, 2008 Sunday 5 PM 51 Limit Holdem, Omaha Hi-Low Split-8 or Better, Seven Card Razz, $1,500
Seven Card Stud, Seven Card Stud Hi-Low Split-8 or Better
June 30, 2008 Monday 12 noon 52 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
July 1, 2008 Tuesday 12 noon 53 Limit Hold’em Shootout (2 day event) $1,500
July 2, 2008 Wednesday 10 AM Media Event
July 2, 2008 Wednesday Satellite Day
July 2, 2008 Wednesday 2 PM Ante Up For Africa Charity Event (1 day event) $5,000
July 3, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 54A World Championship No-Limit Texas Hold'em Day 1A 2,500 Players $10,000
July 4, 2008 Friday 12 noon 54B Day 1B 2,500 Players
July 5, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 54C Day 1C 2,500 Players
July 6, 2008 Sunday 12 noon 54D Day 1D 2,500 Players
July 7, 2008 Monday OFF
July 7, 2008 Monday 12 noon 55 Casino Employees No-Limit Hold'em (2 day event) $500
July 8, 2008 Tuesday 12 noon Day 2A
July 9, 2008 Wednesday 12 noon Day 2B
July 10, 2008 Thursday 12 noon Day 3
July 11, 2008 Friday 12 noon Day 4
July 12, 2008 Saturday 12 noon Day 5
July 13, 2008 Sunday 12 noon Day 6
July 14, 2008 Monday 12 noon Day 7
July 15, 2008 Tuesday OFF
July 16, 2008 Wednesday 12 noon Final Table

General Information:
For events 2 & 54, you may request your first day of play based on seating availability.

For vendor information please call 702-777-2310

Single Table Satellites, Mega Satellites and Live Action begin on May 28, 2008

Mega Satellite Schedule:
$330 Mega Satellites Monday - Thursday at 3 PM.
$550 Mega Satellites Friday - Sunday at 3 PM.
$1060 Mega Satellites Daily at 9 PM.

Mega Satellite Days July 2 - 5:
$330 Mega Satellites at 6 PM.
$550 Buy-In Mega Satellites at 10 AM and 4 PM.
$1060 Buy-In Mega Satellites at 1 PM and 9 PM.

Turbo Mega Satellite July 6:
$1060 Turbo Mega Satellite at 8AM

$50k H.O.R.S.E. Mega Satellite Days May 31, June 1, 16, 20, and 21 :
$2250 Mega Satellites at 5 PM.

Nightly Tournaments From May 29 - July 15:
$340 Buy-In No-Limit Hold'em tournaments nightly at 7 PM.

For Tournament Info: Visit our web site at or call us at 1-877-FOR-WSOP (1-877-367-9767)

For Room Reservation Info: 1-877-746-8342

The Following Take-Out Percentages Will Be Withheld From the Buy-In for House Fees and Dealer/Staff Tokes

Buy-In Take-Out
$500.00 10%
$1,000.00 9%
$1,500.00 9%
$2,000.00 9%
$2,500.00 8%
$3,000.00 8%
$5,000.00 6%
$10,000.00 6%
$50,000.00 4%

All winners will be required to provide a valid picture ID.

Tax forms will be completed for those with winnings in excess of $5,000 net of event buy-in.

Players without a Tax Identification Number and Foreign Players from Non-Tax Treaty Countries are subject to up to 30% tax withholding.

Harrah's reserves the right to cancel, change or modify the Tournament or any Tournament Event ,
in part or in whole, without notice.

New Guy · #2 12-12-07, 02:22 AM

Cant wait !!!!!!!

MAYHEM45 · #3 12-12-07, 08:36 AM

Good, that tent can blow me.

2Tone · #4 12-12-07, 11:55 AM

I usually go down for the first weekend of the ME, but this year that Friday is the 4th of July, a family day for me. Also, no mention of an Expo this year.

I'll definitely go down at some point, but not sure when.

Talking Poker · #5 12-12-07, 12:55 PM

I'm not sure when I'll go out this year, but I'm sure I'll go at some point. Heading out for the Event #2 maddness is tempting, but I think I may skip it and wait until late June. There is a chunk of tourneys in the middle of the schedule that interest me the most... namely:

June 19, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 36 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 21, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 39 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500
June 22, 2008 Sunday 5 PM 41 Mixed Hold'em (limit/no-limit) (3 Day event) $1,500
June 25, 2008 Wednesday 5 PM 45 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball (Limit) (3 day event) $2,500
June 26, 2008 Thursday 12 noon 46 No-Limit Hold'em / Six Handed (3 day event) $5,000
June 27, 2008 Friday 12 noon 48 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $2,000
June 28, 2008 Saturday 12 noon 49 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500

This is also surrounding the $50k HORSE 5 day Event that starts on 6/22 - that's always fun to watch.

I won't play in all of those of course, but those are the ones I would be interested in playing in around those dates. I'd likely play in 2 of the NL Events and the Triple Draw Event. Or, maybe I'd try to get some backing and play in more, including the 5k 6 max event.

We certainly have lots of time to sort out the details, but right now, targeting that part of the schedule (when the HORSE is going on) is looking better to me than the beginning of the WSOP and way better than the time around the Main Event.

New Guy · #6 12-12-07, 01:30 PM

TP I'll be going up probably 3 times again this year .I like your idea on surrounding the HORSE event but do you remember how juicy the live games we're at the begining of the tourny!!! Do you think they will stay as good? When I went up the second time last year it didnt seem as good, but mabey that was just my donk ass!! Let me know what you think! Oh and Mayhem those tents did blow big!! When will you be heading down.Mabey you guys should blow thru la and we will do alittle damage around here then rent a car and head up to vegas and win a few mill. Mabey even rent a house or something!!

Invigilator · #7 12-12-07, 03:15 PM

Oceanwaves and I are going down to coincide with this...

June 30, 2008 Monday 12 noon 52 No-Limit Hold’em (3 day event) $1,500.

The intent is to play this, but we are talking about how that would work-out.

Either way, it looks like we will be there.

Invigilator · #8 12-17-07, 06:45 PM

The Condo is confirmed. It is behind the Flamingo, so we are less than 1.5 miles from the Rio.

mmmmmmmmm, this is getting tasty!

stormswa · #9 12-18-07, 03:55 AM

I will be down for this week here, I will be playing in bolded event. I have the time share already taken care of.

question for Mark: If I remember corectly you said you pre-registered last year right? how did you do this? do they allow you to preregister when it gets closer to the time?

Invigilator · #10 12-18-07, 07:00 AM

If I recall, pre-registration was a fiasco for those who attempted it and they had to stand in line anyway. I know I am going to look into it, but I'll likely register when I get there.

Talking Poker · #11 12-18-07, 12:28 PM

Online. Yes.

Yes. I'm hoping they learned from their mistakes and it won't be as bad this year. Of course, I seem to say that every year about the WSOP and they manage to screw up something new year after year.

Invig - What will your travel dates be? You said you'll be playing on the 30th, but when will you be in Vegas?

I'm still completely undecided and probably will remain so for a long time, but I'd love to hit that Triple Draw event. I'd also like to meet up with you and OW, if possible. Avoiding SWA would be a nice bonus as well, so maybe I'll shift my trip back a couple of days from what I first suggested, arriving on the 24th or so...

drewjax · #12 12-18-07, 12:43 PM

Is he gonna be there taking over the poker world, just like the last couple years??

100:1 he wont be there

stormswa · #13 12-18-07, 02:21 PM

seeing as my vacation is already taken, time share is already scheduled, my wifes time off is taken and my mother and fathers time off is already taken can I take this bet?

oh yea and trust me Mark meeting you is on the bottom of my list of things I want to do while im there.

drewjax · #14 12-18-07, 03:35 PM

Sorry, SWA..............I just couldnt help myself!!

I'll put u down for .05 to win $5.

Talking Poker · #15 12-18-07, 05:01 PM

Hey, here's an idea: How about if you leave this forum forever (again) and go start your own forum (LOL), since I don't really think there is anyone left here who likes you any more.

By "likes you," I of course mean "tolerates you," since I'm pretty sure "liking" has been off the table for a LONG time.

Meh, it's the holidays and suddenly I feel myself feeling sorry for you again. I take it all back (but I'll still post it, since I was thinking it).

Sorry, Brian. GL to you in Vegas.

Invigilator · #16 12-18-07, 05:51 PM

We will arrive early in the afternoon on the 29th and will stay untill the 3rd of July. If I make to day three of event 52, that will be the entire tournament. If I get knocked out earlier I want to play some day tournaments at different casinos, collect some souvenirs and see the Rita Rudner, if her show is still on at the MGM.

OW and I would love to meet up with you if we could. Hell, just play event 52.

stormswa · #17 12-19-07, 02:12 AM

its funny how all I do is post a "hey I will be playing in this event" post and you seem to turn it around to a FUCK you Brian go away post.....interesting to say the least.

why on the earth would you feel sorry for me, got good job, got GREAT family and im able to play poker on a regular basis.....seems to me I have a perfect life besides my son passing I could not ask for a more perfect life. I dont hate you Mark, life is way too short for people to hate eachother, Gavin taught me that. But if me posting here upsets you that much please let me know and I will totally stop posting (for real this time) becuase I dont want to make anyone upset if I can control it and this is something I can.

let me know, happy holidays sir.

Brian.

Gordogg · #18 12-19-07, 05:36 AM

Was amusing, now ridiculous. Ban this fool already. (for real this time)

Talking Poker · #19 12-19-07, 03:26 PM

And as annoying (and unamusing) as he is, he hasn't done anything ban-worthy. Scammers and spammers and people who litter the forum with nonsense (see Brian's last banning, circa 350some days ago) get banned. Stupid and annoying people don't.

Maybe I should revisit that policy sometime, but for now, that's how it works. I try to stay completely objective.

murkosk · #20 12-20-07, 04:45 AM

This would be so good, if I could participate, but there is no way I can get US visa.

Talking Poker · #21 12-20-07, 11:23 AM

You don't even play in the league with us that you said you'd play in with us - No passport (or pants) required!

Invigilator · #22 12-20-07, 04:22 PM

Flight booked baby!

melioris · #23 12-20-07, 09:43 PM

in triple draw, does the deal go down? Is it single deck 6-max reshuffle, from a shoot? I get this game except for how to deal it.

Talking Poker · #24 12-22-07, 11:03 AM

I don't think I understnd the question. You deal 5 cards to each player. People draw and redraw up to 3 times.

With a full table of 8 players, that's 40 cards dealt, leaving only 12 for draws, so I guess you are wondering what happens if you run out of cards? I'm honestly not sure (never played it live), but generally people aren't drawing a lot of cards on multiple betting rounds. Most pots tend to be HU or 3 ways, with people drawing 1 or 2 cards, max. If you're drawing more than that, you should be folding.

stormswa · #25 12-23-07, 02:49 PM

What happens when there are not enough cards to complete the draw?

Sometimes, there are not enough cards to complete a drawing round. When this happens, the muck has to be reshuffled and the draw is completed after the reshuffle. The cards that are included in the reshuffle are the mucked cards from all previous drawing rounds and the mucked cards of any player who has gotten all of his replacement cards on the current drawing round.

Going back to our previous example, let's say that Player 1 discards 3 cards, Player 2 discards 2 cards and Player 3 discards 1 card. The dealer then deals Player 1 three cards and Player 2 one card. At this point there are no more cards left in the deck. The mucked cards from any previous betting rounds are now shuffled with the discards from Player 1 only. Player 2's discards are not included in the reshuffle since all of his discards were not replaced. This means that it is impossible for a player to ever get his own discards back on a given round of betting.