The Main Event of the World Series of Poker is underway at the Rio. The starting field of 6,352 players is 7.5 percent below last year’s 6,865 and the smallest field since 2005. Still, the $10,000-per-player entry fee generated a prize pool of $60 million, and the first prize this year will be $8.4 million.
The top 648 finishers will be "in the money," winning a minimum of $19,106. Play continues through Monday, when the final nine players will be determined.
Then there will be a break until the final table reconvenes Nov. 4. Overall, this year’s WSOP drew 79,471 entries, which is a record, and the second-largest total tournament prize pool in history of $197,041,468.
» How old? Offshore sports books are offering a wager on the age of the eventual WSOP Main Event champion, with the odds of 3-2 in favor of a player 27 years or older winning versus one younger than 27.
» Late-night subs: Capriotti’s sandwich shop on Paradise Road across from the Hard Rock now operates 24/7. Capriotti’s makes excellent Delaware-style cheesesteaks, a turkey-and-dressing sandwich called the Bobby, and several other good hot and cold subs.
» Smile: New surveillance cameras are being put in place on the Strip to help ensure the safety of tourists. The 37 cameras, being positioned atop traffic-light poles, will rotate and change angles to provide extensive coverage of the areas around Las Vegas Boulevard.
» Pet theater: Gregory Popovich’s Comedy Pet Theater has returned to the V Theater inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood. The show features a cast of trained rescue animals, including house cats, dogs, parrots, geese and even performing mice. It’s one of the best family shows in town, with tickets starting at $46.
Question: Are the wildfires in the mountains visible from Las Vegas?
Answer: The fires aren’t, but the billowing smoke is very prominent. The smoke has been creating a haze over the city that’s resulted in air-quality alerts and eerie-looking skies, especially at sunset.
For more information about Las Vegas shows, buffets, coupons and good deals, go to www.LasVegasAdvisor.com.
