World Series of Poker opens with little fanfare

The 46th World Series of Poker got underway Wednesday at the Rio Convention Center without the pomp and circumstance of past years.

As vendors continued to set up booths in the hallway and more than 100 players waited in line to register for a future event, WSOP tournament director Jack Effel delivered a brief introductory speech before 2014 WSOP dealer of the year Andy Tillman gave the “Shuffle up and deal!” command to start the proceedings.

Last year’s opening including $1 bills being shot out of air cannons, but there was nothing of the sort this time. Unless you count the 70s rock played over the public-address system.

The WSOP officially began its seven-week run with the $565 buy-in Casino Employees No-limit Texas Hold ’em tournament that drew 688 entrants. The four-day $5,000 buy-in No-limit Hold ’em event began later Wednesday afternoon and had 270 entrants.

The $565 buy-in “Colossus” No-Limit Hold ’em tournament with a $5 million guaranteed prize pool begins Friday, and tournament officials expect it to be the largest live poker tournament ever. The 2006 Main Event, with 8,773 players, is the largest field in WSOP history to date.

Last year’s World Series of Poker drew a record 82,360 entries from more than 100 countries and awarded a record $227 million in prize money for 65 events.