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Written by Marcus | Friday, July 17th, 2009
Phil Ivey and Gus Hansen were a hot request at this year’s World Series of Poker Main Event at the Rio as many of their keen fans gathered up to watch them play.
Amongst the fan crowds, there were also wives of current tournament players who were getting autographs from the pros. In fact, poker pros such as Gus Hansen were immediately tracked down and followed by the two-dozen fans who then went through a photo and signing session. The excited fans could not wait to get close to their favourite pro.
Statistics show that an approximate 4,000 fans have been attending the events on Friday and Saturday on average for the full 12 hours sessions. With admission being free and a 21 plus age requisite, the fans were not few as the game of Poker is growing in popularity by the day. Over the past five years with ESPN televising the series, more and more crowds have been coming to Vegas to see the real action. Pros like Ivey and Hansen are now hot celebrities on the escalating market and enjoying the popularity and the interest from their fans. Players like Hansen who has been playing for the past 15 years and has just been eliminated from this year’s event, are not used to this sudden surge in popularity but are more than accommodating to their fans and requests. And just like the celebrities, they also have to be patient and in a good mood for any fan who approaches them, even if overwhelming at times.
Danish native, Hansen commented on this, “This is great for poker. It’s great to get out here and meet your fans. Nowadays, this is part of poker.” “No matter if you have a good day or a bad one (of gambling), you have to put on a smile for the fans”.
The WSOP, is a consecutive stretch of tournaments starting in late May and ending with the Main Event. All together it will draw an estimated 100,000 fans with some of them holding in there when their star is eliminated from the game. So many people on the Strip and in Vegas are stopping to check out the action in the casinos.
The ballroom at the Rio is set up with 150 poker tables that are roped off areas to keep the crowd masses at a close distance. It is not always easy to focus and not be distracted by the cheering crowd all trying to see more of the action. Flash photography or video recorders are not allowed and most are abiding with these rules. WSOP Communications Director Seth Palansky commented, “At the end of the day, the player is our customer and we would control the crowd to ensure the game is enjoyable”.
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Written by Marcus · Filed Under news · |
