WSOP hits homestretch with more satellites

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- (PRESS RELEASE) -- The 42nd annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) Presented by Jack Links Beef Jerky at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino continues full steam ahead, with just 12 WSOP gold bracelet events remaining until the Main Event World Championship begins on Thursday, July 7.

Through 45 WSOP gold bracelet events, attendance and prize pool figures are still trending on pace to become all-time records. Thus far, 53,018 entrants have participated, awarding prize money to the tune of $93,745,185. If the pace continues, this will be the largest WSOP in its 42-year history.

The 2011 WSOP will be remembered as the most-participated poker festival ever, as live action, daily deepstack tournaments and satellite offerings have all seen record-setting attendance as well.

Satellites for the Main Event have been a staple of the world's biggest poker event for decades. But this year, given record participation in bracelet events and the shuttering of online U.S. poker rooms, the WSOP will have the most comprehensive series of qualifying tournaments in its history.

From July 4th through July 10th, players seeking to participate in the world's richest sporting event will have non-stop opportunities to qualify on the cheap.

On July 4th, the WSOP will not begin any new tournaments, and instead dedicate more than 200 tables to satellite action. Players can participate in a $330 Mega Satellite at 4pm or a $550 Mega Satellite at 8pm. All Mega Satellites will allow re-entry for the first time. Single table satellites will be spread as well throughout the day and evenings.

On July 6th, the only new tournaments on the schedule will be satellites, with hundreds of tables available for play. $550 Mega Satellites will kick-off at 10am and 4pm with a $1060 Mega Satellite at 1pm and a $2080 Mega at 8pm.

The action does not slow down July 7-9th while some players begin their Main Event flights. The same Mega Satellite schedule will be available as on July 6th, with $550 Megas at 10am and 4pm, $1060 at 1pm and $2080 at 8pm. Single table satellites will be available as well and on July 10th, there will be a special "last-chance" turbo satellite for $1060 at 8am.

"With our expanded offering, we expect we'll see more players than ever fulfill their dream of playing in poker's world championship via a satellite entry at the Rio,” said WSOP Tournament Director Jack Effel."