[Content Disclosure: WSOP Overbooking]
The number of entrants in the main event at the 2009 World Series of Poker has fallen from 6,844 in 2008 to 6,494 this year. Now you are going to hear a lot of noise about that number. Because the final "Day One" today cut off entrants at 2,809. Yes, there were players standing in the registration line when that happened. And after several hours of debate the WSOP Commissioner had to say "No Mas!" No Day 1E, no late start for today's late regs. No solution but we are very sorry and, once again, we will look at this issue for next year.
SHREEEEEEEEEEEECH!!!!!
Just imagine that as the sound of a very sharp, very hard nails being dragged across a blackboard. A needle being ripped across a vinyl record. A crystal glass smashing on a stone tile floor, as we discovered that somewhere between 200 and 1,000 players were shut out of Day 1D of the main event. We will never know how many players would have or could have registered for the '09 main event because well my own analysis will wait a few days until I can talk with all of my sources. But I will say now, the players knew Day 1D would be tight. Every one with any sense has got to understand the limitations of tables and dealers.
No matter, in my opinion the record books should read:
2009 World Series of Poker main event registrations: 6,494 *
*right up there with Roger Maris' 61st and all the steroid records; this year's number is forever tainted
