World Series Of Poker Spreading Across The Country

Ever since Benny Binion started the World Series of Poker 35 years ago, it's been a Las Vegas institution, always held at the Horseshoe Casino downtown. But News 3 has learned that's changing this year. The poker tournament is spreading out across the country, and across the calendar. Harrah's owns the event now, and they are taking it on the road to cash in on the poker craze sweeping America .

"How do you take this icon, the biggest gaming tournament in the world and get people exposure to it, not replacing it, but giving people who may never get to Las Vegas a taste of what the World Series of Poker is all about?" They'll do that by taking the World Series of Poker to other Harrah's properties. The company operates 28 casinos all over the country.

A circuit of World Series tournaments will start in December and lead up to the month long event here in Las Vegas . A deal with ESPN means more television exposure. "It's a combination of reality TV and sporting events. By having the circuits run one a month, people will follow the players and begin to know them and root for their favorite."

The pros will be able to chase the game from city to city, and rookies can buy in any time. Each tournament will have the final 10 thousand dollar buy in game that made the World Series famous. Will all that exposure start to dilute the brand and take something away from the event that has always been a Las Vegas tradition? Harrah's executives are betting it will have the opposite effect. "The more you're exposed to it, the more poker fans and poker players that are going to be the next generation of World Series of Poker participants."

Players will earn points by winning in the circuit events, and the top players will be invited to the Tournament of Champions at the Rio here in Las Vegas in September. The bottom line is its all poker, all the time. Harrah's is betting that America 's fascination with the card game will pay off for them. You'll also start seeing World Series of Poker hats and T-shirts at Macy's soon, and they're working with Oakley to design an official WSOP sunglasses.