WSOP Eve
2008-05-30 02:59:57
By: Gene Bromberg
The 2008 World Series of Poker kicks off tomorrow (well, today) with the $10,000 World Championship of Pot-Limit Hold'em. I wandered by the Rio to take a look at the place before the big event and already you can see some of the subtle (and not so subtle) improvements that have been made from last year.
Actually one improvement you see even before you enter the Rio--a covered walkway leading from the sidewalk to the entrance. Last year they had the red carpet out and a series of fans and misters to keep things somewhat cool, but that desert sun beat down on you without mercy. This year you get a bit of a respite even before you go inside.
Once inside there's more signage, more plasma TVs, and more kiosks and stalls offering food and drink. Pizza Hut has a spot, as does Krispy Kreme. There's a sushi and noodle bar inside one of the smaller conference rooms and the WSOP store is open for business.
Once inside the Amazon Room things pretty much the same, though I didn't get a good look at the final table arena as there were signs saying ESPN ONLY blocking the entrance. There's a new elevated platform that will serve as a "press box" for the media, which makes me a very happy boy. And there's also more room in between the tables, making it easier for everyone to move around the room without squeezing by.
So here we go, time to kick off the 2008 World Series of Poker. Poker players around the world will vie for 55 bracelets, millions of dollars and a chance at poker immortality. Once again the room is ringed with posters showing every winner of the WSOP Main Event, and these posters served as a reminder that we won't know who's name will be added to that roster until November 11th, when the delayed final table reaches its conclusion. But before the World Series concludes someone who plays at these tables will become poker's next great superstar. We just have to wait to find out who will be the next player to take his or her place among the game's greats.
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