Online The Net
WSOP or Bust
By J. Phillip Vogel

Online ways to win a seat—and more—in the main event of the 2008 World Series of Poker

Although the first World Series of Poker was officially held in 1970, the event traces its roots back over 20 years prior to 1949 when Nicholas “Nick the Greek” Dandolos first approached gaming pioneer Benny Binion with an unusual request: He wanted to challenge poker’s best player in a high-stakes marathon.

The result was a very public, very intense battle between Dandolos and the legendary Johnny Moss that lasted for an unprecedented five months. Breaking for only enough time to sleep, the two combatants played just about every form of poker imaginable until the title—and an estimated $2 million in winnings—was claimed by Moss. Upon losing the fateful final hand, the defeated Greek reportedly rose from his seat, gave a slight bow in deference to the champion, and promptly went upstairs to bed.

Because of the popularity of the match, with throngs of onlookers stopping by daily to watch the competition, it’s hardly surprising that Benny Binion found inspiration in the scene, a seed of an idea being planted that would someday grow to become poker’s premier event. And in 1970, the first anointed World Series of Poker was held at Binion’s Horseshoe.

It was during the 1980s that the popularity of the WSOP began to soar beyond the usual poker circles, thanks to a combination of growing poker mania, and low cost satellites. In 1982, the WSOP seated only 52 players, but within five years that figure jumped to include over 2,000 entries into the various events. With the advent of online poker rooms in the 90s, coupled with televised events inspiring more players to join the fray, poker and the WSOP have continued to set new records every year.

Winning your way to the WSOP
At $10,000 a seat, entering the main event of the WSOP may be a dream for all but the most affluent amateurs and professional poker players. But if you’re good enough—not to mention just a little bit lucky—that dream may become a reality thanks to online poker rooms. From now until the main event, a who’s who of online poker rooms are offering all would-be champions a shot at testing their skills and flexing their poker muscles in the world’s most famous poker arena. Here’s a breakdown of some of the best WSOP qualifier events available online.

Full Tilt Poker
Full Tilt Poker offers a host of free and cash options for players hoping to make their dream WSOP appearance a reality.

Race to the Main Event Full Tilt Poker’s “Race to the Main Event” promotion offers players the chance to win one of 50 completely free seats at the main event of the WSOP. These daily freeroll tournaments run through Sunday, June 22nd. To enter, look for one of the “Main Event Race – Round 1 SNG” running around the clock. Winners of round one qualify to play in a round two freeroll, which run four times daily. Players that finish in first or second place advance to the Main Event Race Finals held each Sunday at 16:30 ET (21:30 GMT). First, second and third place finishers in the finals receive a WSOP Main Event entry worth $10,000.

150 Seat Main Event Guarantee Sometimes, you don’t have to finish first in order to be a winner. In Full Tilt Poker's “150 Seat Main Event Guarantee,” it doesn’t matter if you finish first, 100th, or even 150th, you’re still going to the Big Dance. The 150 Seat Main Event Guarantee will take place at 18:00 EDT (23:00 GMT) on Sunday, June 15th. Players may buy-in directly for $500+$35 or look for satellites starting from as little as $2+$.25.

$1K Thursday Main Event Guarantee Held every Thursday through June 19th, this tournament will award one $12,000 main event prize package for every 12 players. Players may buy in to this weekly tournament directly for $1,000+$60 or satellite their way in for as little as $2+$.25 or 50 Full Tilt points.

$200 Tuesday Main Event Guarantee Play each Tuesday until June 17th for a chance to claim one of at least two guaranteed prize packages per week. Players may buy-in for $200+$16 or opt for satellites at $2+$.25 or 50 Full Tilt points.

$300 Wednesday Main Event Guarantee Shake off the mid-week blues by playing for two guaranteed WSOP Main Event prize packages per week. Every Wednesday through June 18th, at least two players will leave the table a $12K Main Event prize package winner. Buy-in for $300+$22 or satellite into the field with $2+$.25 or 50 Full Tilt points.

$500 Sunday Main Event Guarantee Every Sunday through June 22nd, players can enter to win one of two guaranteed $12K main event prize packages. Buy-in directly for $500+$35, or enter a preferred satellite starting at just $2+$.25 or 50 Full Tilt points.

$10 Million Main Event Mania Just in case you need a little extra incentive to make your way to the WSOP, Full Tilt Poker is running a special “$10 Million Main Event Mania” promotion that will make being the world champion even sweeter. Win the main event after winning your tournament entry at Full Tilt Poker and they'll pay you $10 million in addition to your first-place prize money!

UltimateBet.com
Online poker’s version of Desert Storm, Ultimatebet.com is trying to bolster its ranks at the WSOP by offering satellites and membership in their exclusive “UB ARMY,” a brotherhood of the best online poker players. Qualify for a World Series of Poker seat through UltimateBet.com and you'll automatically join a troop of Texas Hold'em soldiers in Sin City's hot desert trenches for the ultimate experience of camaraderie. Each WSOP prize package consists of:

• $10,000 Main Event buy-in

• $2,000 for travel

• Membership in the UB ARMY

How it Works: Qualify in UltimateBet satellites online for as little as $1. Then play in the online qualifying main event every Saturday at 8 p.m. EDT. You can also play online to win your entry into a land-based Vegas qualifier, swap your UltimatePoints for a WSOP qualifier, or swap your UltimatePoints for a WSOP entry. Ultimate Icons and Ultimate Legends can receive access to the UB ARMY at WSOP. If you're an Ultimate Legend or Ultimate Icon you will receive instructions on how to access the UB ARMY barracks, events, and other benefits at the WSOP.

PokerStars
PokerStars prides itself on giving their players a World Series of Poker experience they will never forget, and this year’s prize package for the 2008 Main Event is no exception. Players who qualify receive a prize package worth $12,500 that includes the $10,000 Main Event buy-in plus an additional $2,500 for expenses. There are several options for winning a WSOP prize package. Thee include:

Direct buy in to cash qualifiers. Players can win a seat at the main event by entering one of PokerStars.com’s cash satellites. There are several qualifiers running each day, with a wide range of buy-ins, starting from just $2.

Frequent Player Points. Existing members can use Frequent Player Points in select qualifiers. Qualifiers start from as little as 40 FPP credits.

Steps. Battle your way to the Main Event via the “Steps” Sit & Go Satellites. Players compete at various buy-ins and advance level-by-level to win a prize package.

PokerStars.com is also giving each player the opportunity to be a part of what they term the “PokerStars Experience.” This includes:

Free hotel Accommodation at the Palms for 8 nights from July 2-9, or a cash alternative of $1,000. The qualifiers who chose to wear PokerStars gear, who are still playing in the main event on July 10th, will have their accommodation extended until July 15th.

Hotel Suite Upgrades for Supernova and Supernova Elite VIP members.

Shuttle Bus Service each day to the Rio.

Cash Bonuses of up to $50,000 for qualifiers that make a TV table.

If you’re really good (and really lucky) you may just walk away with more than some prize money. Poker Stars is offering additional bonuses of up to $1,000,000 for players who make the final table. Not a bad way to experience the WSOP!

J. Phillip Vogel in an online gaming expert and author of Internet Gambling: How to Win Big Online. Available in bookstores nationwide and online at Amazon.com.

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