WATCHING the WSOP main event

[dozer]

My wife and I will be in Vegas for the close of the main event of the WSOP this year (July 17). Anyone know what the process is to sit in the stands and watch the event? Can you just show up?

Thx in advance

[Cactus Jack]

There will probably be more watching than participating, this year. Just show up.

[*TT*]

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There will probably be more watching than participating, this year. Just show up.

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To clarify nobody knows how many people will show up to play this year due to the lack of on-line qualifiers. The Rio is prepared to accommodate more than the same number of people as the prior year, therefore this will be a huge variable in 2007.

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[bav]

Just show up. People are welcome to wander around and watch.

When the main event is going on in its early stages, there are 200 tables going. Last year when I wandered through the only BIG crowd was around a table with like 3 superstars at the same table, otherwise it was just mildly crowded (though it got REALLY crowded at various times of day, I heard). For a while they ordered the gawkers out, and ultimately came up with a plan where they asked the visitors to get out about 15 minutes before a break. The players were finding they couldn't get through the crowd and in/out of the restrooms in the time given for the break. And obviously the crowd ran for the restrooms during the breaks, too, so the restroom lines were huge until they made the change.

Once it gets down to two or three tables, the crowds trying to watch those few tables are pretty thick and you'll have to be pretty patient to get a good view. And obviously when they're on the final table it's tough to get a seat in the bleachers.

[KurtSF]

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To clarify nobody knows how many people will show up to play this year due to the lack of on-line qualifiers.

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Stars and FTP are running qualifiers as we speak.

Or so I heard.

[VK_Rick]

So does this mean that if I'm playing in an event, that friends/family will be able to wander around the room and stand near my table to watch the action, other than in periods before the break when they kick people out? And, does this apply only to the ME, or to the preliminary events as well?

[Dynasty]

Your friends and family can walk and watch from outside the rail.

[rageotones]

[ QUOTE ]
So does this mean that if I'm playing in an event, that friends/family will be able to wander around the room and stand near my table to watch the action, other than in periods before the break when they kick people out? And, does this apply only to the ME, or to the preliminary events as well?

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prelim events also...

last year i was wandering around during a 6-max even, and i ended up standing next to a table w/victor ramdin, huck seed, and raymer...in that order. probably a tough day for the guy acting before ramdin.

[pig4bill]

It got crowded during the ME. The would only allow a certain number of people in, per the Fire Marshall, they said. The rest lined up outside the room like at a night club. When someone came out, they let the next person in line in. Maye after a break, where they kick everyone out, the line gets to go in as well.

I only went in to play, so I don't know the details. A lot of people stood around outside for a long time though.

[bav]

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So does this mean that if I'm playing in an event, that friends/family will be able to wander around the room and stand near my table to watch the action

[/ QUOTE ]
Maybe. One problem is that the room is HUGE and they have aisles set up and want the spectators to stay within the aisles and out of the spaces between the tables. You can't just go wandering from table to table. So if you happen to have a table near the aisles, they can have a good view of you. If you are optimally far from the aisles, they won't be able to see much at all.

It's less crowded during the smaller events. Particularly the non-televised smaller events.