8,773 in Main Event; 12 Millionares To Be Made; Top Prize US$12 Million

[shipitfish]

Probably old news to some, but Card Player announced last night (at 23:25 PDT) the final entry numbers for the main event of the WSoP 2006:

After 3 day ones have concluded, and day 1D still going on for the next 4 in a half hours, the final number of participants in this years main event has just been announced. This year 8,773 people entered the main event. This number makes it the biggest Main Event in World Series of Poker history. This is almost 3,000 more than the number of participants last year.

Meanwhile, the winner is going to get over US$12 million, and at least 12 people will be millionaires:

A tournament director just announced [at 12:10 PDT today] that first prize in the Main Event this year will exceed $12 million. The director also announced that there will be 12 instant millionaires at the end of the tournament.

The WSoP has truly become the great convention of poker. I don't even think there is a question anymore. I frankly think it's great that the buy-in remains something one can win from a small super-satellite or a medium-cost satellite. It's a special thing. I am determined to play the big one next year.