Thursday, May 15, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

HIGH STAKES: Poker Faces

Card players use satellite games in hopes of qualifying for Binion's famed championship

Photos by Clint Karlsen. Tools of a poker player's trade -- chips and money -- are stacked on a table at Binion's Horseshoe. An estimated $2 million pot awaits this year's World Series of Poker champion. Bennett Curland plays in a World Series of Poker satellite game at Binion's. Curland also is a professional Santa Claus. Bill Walander concentrates on a poker game at Binion's. A dealer gestures toward a poker player during a satellite game of the World Series of Poker.

The championship round of Binion's World Series of Poker kicks off Monday and the winner is expected to take a first prize of $2 million or more.

But getting a slot in the final round is the prize many poker players seek. Some gain entry by winning satellite games, such as the ones pictured here, played last Thursday.

The series, in its 33rd year, was first played in 1970 and has since attracted top poker players from around the world. This year, 35 competitions are expected to be played and millions of dollars will be won. Over the past decade, the prize money has increased, from $7,769,000 to $19,599,230 in 2002.

This year's action started April 15 and is expected to culminate May 23 with the crowning of the world champion.