Will the Main Event 2019 be the biggest in history?

It seems possible that this year the record of 8,773 participants will indeed be surpassed by the WSOP Main Event 2006.

At Twitter, the poker community is already convinced that we are on our way to becoming the biggest Main Event in the history of the World Series of Poker.

The largest WSOP Main Event to date was held in 2006 when Jamie Gold prevailed against a field of 8,773 players. That was quite some time ago, but the second-largest Main Event came only last year when John Cynn had the nose in front with a total of 7,874 players.

Late Reg and good economic situation

Day 1A of the WSOP Main Event 2019 attracted 1,335 attendees (925 last year) to the tables and Day 1B closed yesterday with 1,915 (2,378 last year). In total, there are currently 3,250 players in the race for the World Cup. Day 1C is scheduled for today and has always been the most popular day. Alone 4,571 further players came together in the last year.

The numbers of the WSOP 2019 looked good in the past events except for a few exceptions like the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. Also, the economic situation is positive, which always influences the largest poker tournament series in the world. Add to this the fact that the players who grew up with the poker boom are now older and more able to take a shot at the most legendary poker tournament ever once a year.

What speaks most for a new record with the Main Event speaks however that one can enter for the first time since the existence also still late on day 2A/B/C into the tournament, with a healthy stack of 75 Big Blinds. Most observers assume that this will be the decisive factor for the number of participants.

Late registration is always a good idea for professional players, but the WSOP Main Event can be the exception, as day 1 is known to be the softest day at the biggest tournament of the year. So the big question is: How many hobby players who couldn’t plan on two weeks will be lured to the tables by the prospect of a late start on day 2C?

All in all, 5,523 more players on Day 1C, Day 2A, Day 2B and Day 2C would have to compete at the Main Event for the 2006 record to be history. Actually, this seems to be possible.