Poker's Biggest Moments of 2010: Changes, Wins, and Near Misses

The WSOP Circuit faced serious problems with declining participant numbers, unsecured TV contracts, and top players finding other tournaments more appealing. To address these issues, the WSOP Circuit introduced several changes, including Regional Championships with $10,000 buy-ins and TV broadcasts to attract more players. The main tournaments' buy-ins were reduced from $5,000 to $1,500, and the season concluded with a $1 million freeroll inviting the top 100 players based on points earned throughout the season.

In July 2010, Matt Savage was appointed as the executive director of the WPT. To enhance player interactions and online engagement, Kimberly Lansing returned for video inclusions during the WPT. Toni Dunst became a co-host of the WPT TV broadcasts, and six 'Royal Flush Girls' were introduced to win over players and viewers.

Jose 'Nacho' Barbero made history by winning two consecutive tournaments at the LAPT series in 2010. Annie Duke, Vanessa Selbst, and Liv Boeree were among the women who made significant impacts in the poker world in 2010. Annie Duke won the NBC Championship in March, Vanessa Selbst won the main tournament at NAPT Mohegan Sun in April, and Liv Boeree won the main tournament at EPT San Remo the same month. Annie Obrestad won the heads-up tournament at EPT London in September, and Vanessa Selbst won the main tournament at EPT London in November, earning $1,823,430. Young Shin Im won the main tournament at APPT Cebu in November, with her fiancé Kim Gap Young finishing in third place.