The World Series of Poker is so popular because most of the participants are just like you and me. I am not saying that I know of anyone with the skills of a consistent contender for the World Series of Poker like Chris “Jesus” Ferguson. I am saying though that many of the participants in the event have just spent their entire life playing poker.
The newest craze out there is the advent of online poker and how many folks can now qualify for the World Series of Poker by winning or placing very highly in these online poker tournaments.
Some of the most successful players like Scotty Nguyen and Jacobo Fernandez expect to do well in this year’s World Series of Poker.
I have to say that these online tournaments like the one that eventual World Series of Poker winner Chris MoneyMaker used to qualify for are good stepping stones. I am use to watching the Texas HoldEm tournaments won on the river banks of the Mississippi. I am sure that the old time poker players feel that this is how poker should be played.
Poker in their view should be something you work up the ladder on and cut your teeth winning these small time tournaments in the bars and pool halls all across America. The old timers tend to believe that using online poker tournaments is a cheap way to qualify for the World Series of Poker.
Of course the World Series of Poker often has some celebrities participate in it for fun and end up donating any winnings from the event to charity. Comedians like Ray Romano or Jason Alexander from Seinfield and KFC spokesperson fame have participated in the World Series of Poker before. The event sponsors enjoy having celebs participate because it can draw attention to the event.
Whether they qualify for the World Series of Poker through online tournaments, there is no cheap way of getting a place. It’s just different. I think many talented people would get the opportunity to participate in the online poker tournaments which otherwise they would not.