World Series of Poker Changes Main Event Payout Structure, Removes $10M Guaranteed Top Prize
The World Series of Poker announced on Tuesday that it has altered the payout structure of its flagship $10,000 Main Event. The world's most prestigious poker tournament will no longer feature a $10 million guarantee top prize, instead guaranteeing 1,000 places in the money receiving at least $15,000.
"The dream of life-changing money is core to the DNA of the WSOP Main Event and we also want to make it easier to experience playing in poker’s Big Show," said WSOP Executive Director Ty Stewart. "Our players understand numbers, and 2015 now presents the best odds ever to leave the Main Event a winner."
Last year's $10 million guaranteed top prize was met with criticism from many in the poker community who argued that the steep payout negatively affected the rest of the payouts. Eventual champion Martin Jacobson collected the $10 million prize in November, while runner-up Felix Stephensen received just over half that amount ($5,145,968). Mark Newhouse, who finished ninth for the second straight year, took home $730,725.
This year, assuming the Main Event draws more entrants, every player at the final would make $1 million. Using the 2014 Main Event entry number of 6,683, the 2015 Main Event payout structure would look like this:
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1st | $8,000,000 |
| 2nd | $4,663,527 |
| 3rd | $3,500,000 |
| 4th | $2,750,000 |
| 5th | $2,000,000 |
| 6th | $1,500,000 |
| 7th | $1,250,000 |
| 8th | $1,100,000 |
| 9th | $1,000,000 |
| 10th-12th | $550,000 |
| 50th | $142,500 |
| 100th | $50,000 |
| 500th | $20,850 |
| 693rd | $16,750 (last year’s last paid place) |
| 694th-1,000th place | $15,000 |
*Please note that the table above is just a sample of certain payouts levels from the WSOP. This is just an example of some of the payout levels.
The 46th Annual WSOP will run from May 27 through July 14, featuring more than 60 gold bracelet events at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino. As always, the series will culminate with the $10,000 Main Event running from Sunday, July 5 until the November Nine is determined on July 14.
The complete schedule for the 2015 WSOP is expected to be announced this week, so stay tuned to PokerNews.com!
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