Poker's Reality Check: The World Series and the Impact of Online Poker Ban

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is one of the most anticipated events in the poker calendar. The author, who has been commenting on the WSOP for ESPN for a decade, shares his insights on the current state of the game. This year, the WSOP will conclude with two significant events: the main tournament and the Big One for One Drop tournament.

The main tournament will see thousands of professional and amateur players competing for the chance to become multimillionaires, with each entry costing $10,000. The Big One for One Drop tournament, organized by Cirque du Soleil creator Guy Laliberté, features a staggering buy-in of $1,000,000. Out of this, $111,111 will be donated to charity, specifically for providing clean drinking water to countries in need.

However, behind the glamorous facade of these tournaments, the poker community faces a harsh reality. The online poker ban in the USA, known as "Black Friday," was implemented on April 15, 2011. This ban has had both positive and negative effects on the poker community. While it has limited personal freedoms, it has also saved money for many players who were consistently losing. The author encourages poker players to be more civil and mindful of each other, reminding them that poker is just a game and not a scientific endeavor.