WSOP break allows players to plan return

The nearly fourth-month break between qualifying and Saturday's final table in the World Series of Poker's Main Event allowed players to plan their return trips to Las Vegas.

The action starts Saturday at the Rio as nine poker players seek the game's ultimate title in the $10,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em world championship with the winner taking home more than $8.5 million.

The break allowed players to line up sponsors and make arrangements for family, friends, and other supporters to come to Las Vegas to watch as the play unfolds.

Steve Begleiter, a Wall Street investment banker currently sitting in third place with 29.9 million in tournament chips, said his 100 or so supporters are going to make an extended weekend venture in Las Vegas.

"We're going to be really good for your economy," Begleiter said. "I think we have about three or four foursomes at Shadow Creek and we're going to have some fun."

But Begleiter, 47, is focused on winning. "I'm trying to keep my stress level as low as possible," he said.

"But I'll be energized when I walk into the arena and see all my supporters."

Contact reporter Howard Stutz at hstutz @reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3871.