While more than 1300 players is a bunch by anyone's reckoning, if the next three days of Day One aren't better, the 2007 World Series of Poker Main Event will have a dubious distinction – it will be the first year in decades where the participation has dropped rather than increased.
With seating available for up to 3,000 players each day, the staff at the 2007 WSOP had planned for an even bigger field than last year's 8,773. If things hold on at this pace, not only will the field not exceed last year's number of entrants, it won't even break 6,000! And it won't hurt my feelings, since I've got $20 on the field not breaking the 6,000 mark.
WSOP Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack said that the there's no direct evidence that US gambling legislation made an impact in the size of the field, regardless of the fact that Harrah's refused to allow poker websites to pre-register players for WSOP events they won entry to online, a huge change from past year's policies.
"This year's WSOP is the best ever," Pollack said. "Poker is alive and well based on the great success we've had for the entire 2007 Series. Whether we have three, six, or nine thousand player in the Main Event, everyone who plays will have a wonderful and thrilling experience."
Matt Jansen's experience might have been thrilling. but it was less wonderful than most, as he went out after only four minutes of play when his pocket ACeS were cracked by a flopped flush.