And stacks are blinded out for the first X period of time to allow late reg (can't late reg shootout and get full stacks) then pulled when reg is closed.

thnx for looking it up...still an increase year over year, making the Seniors event one of the few to show an increase of any amount.

Interesting discussion at one of my tables while playing the Aria Seniors that it IS the geezers that drive many of the events since the older crowd tends to have more time and free money to blow in entry fees...I agreed with part of the premise but not all of it. Once I finally retire, then the time element becomes less of a concern though...flying back and forth multiple times this month took a toll on me.

This is one of the few events I'm not surprised to see an increase in. Every year, a number of people newly become eligible to participate. Sure, a few die as well, but the number of newly minted "seniors" outnumber those who pass away.

The unknown variable would have been how many of those 'newly minted' seniors were structure nits versus those that actually understand the social component of poker.

Doesn't the same rule apply to open events? Every year a new batch of young players turn 21, right?

Yes but that's assuming there are a large number of eager 20 year olds with money to burn waiting for their shot at a WSOP event. I don't think the numbers are there anymore given the drop in popularity of poker. The older folks waiting to qualify for a senior's event have likely been a part of the poker boom times and have more interest in the game.

I haven't been on 2+2 since I returned, still catching up.
Also, I'm not reading other responses before I post, so have mercy :-)

I played the Marathon event as my anchor event at the WSOP this year. Years past this has been the Colossus I & II. I'm a recreational player from Az and have attended WSOP as a tourist for the last 3-4 years, mostly for DDS/STS and the Colossus.

Here's my take on the Marathon: I loved it! The buy-in was a little above my usual price range, but my liferoll could handle it, and I have enough winnings over the years to justify a small investment. I loved the long levels, the 'big stack' format, the gradual (less gradual then I expected, actually) blind/ante increase, etc. While at the table, the 100 min levels went faster then expected. I had studied the structure sheet for weeks prior. I was a little surprised how many late-regged between end of Day 1 and start of Day 2. I'd like to see how many made it to Day 3 doing the late-reg. I think Faraz Jaka late-regged and went deep, not sure how many others did.

The field ran from ubernit to hyperaggressive, with OMCs and Eurotrash youth and everyone in between. Lot's of time to wait for position and hands while I watch the agro kids pass chips back n forth. I wish my results could have been better. I did not make Day 3, though I think I could more often then not, depending on table draw and such.

I will definitely consider playing again, if the stars align properly (like if I don't totally blow the liferoll, family, job, etc)

Now to read what others have said.

The skill rating on the Marathon was 93. That compares to 201 for the main event, 50 for the Monster stack, 27 for a standard $1.5k NL, 19.7 for a standard $1k NL and 9 for the Colossus. A great value was the $333 online event at 37 rating. The upcoming 1k online is rated 38.

Please to explain "skill rating". Thanks.

It is actually called poker patience factor by arnold synder....

http://pokerbug.blogspot.com/2012/08...ce-factor.html

Now here for the Monster stack. Any feedback from 1A of this event? I have played the ME before so I understand that this isn't as deep as it appears. 768 from ~2700 made day 2. Anyone out there?

It's the same structure as regular wsop 1500s, just double starting stack.

Bubble avg BB and FT BB avg would be roughly the same anyway barring anomaly due to large field size or chip distributions

Thanks but NVM.

JJ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 74 on a J-4-4-8 board when all the $$$ went in. Over 500 bigs effective.

Yeah, BBV is three doors down on the left.

It left a small mark (in my shorts). Just sayin'

Next hand, dealer.

Better to mark the front side rather than the backside. Jus sayin

I played the Marathon and enjoyed it, though I busted early in Day 2. As to the field, I thought it was comparable to others I have played (Monster, Seniors, random 1500 and Main event). Had 2 players bust from table in Level 1 on non-cooler hands. I would play again if it fits my schedule.

Noob question: when is the money typically reached in the standard $1500 nlh 3-day events?

Day 2

has anyone done a wire transfer to the Rio from their BOA account? Can it only be done in person? Can't figure out how to do it online.

Or better yet.. what's you're method of bringing cash to the WSOP?

I was thinking of just bringing a cashier's check made out to RIO and get the cash there.. will that work?

It will take some time for them to verify the cashier's check. I thought that was the whole POINT of the cashier's check, but I had to wait for the funds to clear to use them when I brought the cashier's check. You can preregister and send in the cashier's check ahead of time, and that works well. You can also, say, prereg for the Main Event, send in the cashier's check for 10k, then when you get there, unreg and get the 10k in cash/chips.

How long did it take for them to verify your cashiers check?

The bravo poker app is has no choices for the ME except for credit card payment. $300 fee? gfy

It was going to be like two business days, IIRC.

If you have a BOA account, why not just make arrangements to be able to withdraw money at their branch at 4080 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102, which is less than a mile from the Rio. Can't be that hard to get a signature card on file there if you have any sort of relationship with your local branch.