World Series of Poker (WSOP)
Pre-Registration Has Begun for 2007

The WSOP main event buy-in remains at $10,000. Buy-in for other bracelet tournaments ranges from $1,000 to $50,000.

Payment for any of the 55 WSOP events can be made using cash, credit-card cash advances, cashier's check, or wire transfers. Rio casino chips are also accepted for payment, including a newly-created $10,000 'WSOP' casino chip. Payments can be mailed or bank-transferred to the Rio, as well as presented in person.

There are several significant clarifications and changes to the WSOP rules.

Rule #5 concerning third-party registrations states: "Third-party registrations for players are not permitted unless submitted by Official WSOP Sponsors; Official WSOP promotions or product licensee, or civic, charitable, business, casino and other land-based entities officially licensed to conduct satellite tournaments for the 2007 WSOP. No third-party registrations will be accepted from online gaming sites conducting business with U.S. residents."

Harrah's also made WSOP player apparel policy more liberal.

Jeffery Pollack, the World Series of Poker commissioner relayed, "In recognition of the endorsement agreements that provide income to many poker players, we've liberalized our policy to allow tournament entrants to wear apparel with multiple logos and patches. There are some reasonable restrictions on what is permissible, but this is definitely a far more liberal, accommodating and player-friendly policy."

Rule #34 says, "Tournament participants may wear apparel with multiple logos, patches or promotional language. However, no individual logo, patch or block of promotional language is to be larger than 12 square inches." This effectively eliminates the jersey-style advertising that was omnipresent on the Amazon Room floor last year.

For example, there is a ban on any beer or liquor advertising except for official sponsor Milwaukee's Best Light or other Miller Brewing products. There is a general ban on any apparel referencing drugs, tobacco, firearms, bodily functions, pornography, or other forms of gambling such as the lottery. There is also a ban on any type of 'commentary' clothing which could be considered injurious to other parties.

Notice that there are two key prohibitions relating to online gambling sites:

"(i) Advertise a dot.com gaming site that conducts business with U.S. residents." [Note-all such advertising is prohibited]
"(k) In addition, all logos, patches, and promotional language for any dot.net website must contain a clear and visible 'dot.net' suffix at least the same size as the site name."

Harrah's reserves the final verdict on any interpretation of their rules or to pass judgment if no rule already applies to a situation, at "its sole and absolute discretion."

Such rules might at first sound onerous, but Harrah's is trying to insure a smooth running event that stays within mainstream corporate boundaries for the many thousands of poker players it anticipates will participate in the WSOP.

Read Related Articles: