The 2008 World Series of Poker* season kicks off this Friday at the Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

55 events are scheduled to begin at noon Friday starting with a $10,000 World Championship Pot-Limit Hold’em. The Main Event is July 3-14, resuming on November 9 with the WSOP final table. Thousands are expected to appear to watch their favorite poker pros. The event is free for spectators.

Last year, Jerry Yang, a 39-year-old social worker from Temecula with six kids, a hefty mortgage and a wife who worked at night to make ends meet won the $10,000 World Championship No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em, a.k.a. the Main Event.

Now a millionaire, expect to see Yang at this year’s World Series defending his 2007 WSOP winner title.

It is believed that more than 30,000 people will play and more than 100,000 people will show up at the Rio All-Suites Hotel-Casino just to watch.

“You can’t buy your way onto an NBA court, but you can buy your way into the World Series of Poker and walk away as a world champion,” says Commissioner of the WSOP Jeffrey Pollack.

Anyone can play in the World Series events, which have entry fees from $1,000 to $50,000. Others can qualify by entering World Series of Poker tournaments online.

Yang was fortunate to win his Main Event entry in a WSOP satellite tournament at the Pechanga Casino in California. It cost $225; then in two weeks of July, he outlasted 6,358 players to win $8.25 million.

Even though Yang is facing long odds in his quest for a repeat WSOP victory, he is excited to return. As a model ambassador for the World Series Yang gave 10% of his prize to charity.

Event scheduling and tournament details available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com

“* World Series of Poker and WSOP are trademarks of Harrah’s License Company, LLC (”Harrah’s”). Harrah’s does not sponsor or endorse, and is not associated or affiliated with Bodog or its products, services, promotions or tournaments.”

Picture Source: Pokerlistings.com

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