Poker world series boasts US$62m prize pool

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HIGH ROLLING: Astronomical winnings are up for grabs at the World Series of Poker.

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Organisers say the 2012 World Series of Poker attracted almost 6600 entries for the marquee Main Event tournament in Las Vegas.

That means the winner of the US$10,000 buy-in No-Limit Hold'em World Championship will take home about US$8.5 million.

Tournament officials said the youngest player to enter was Cody Teska of New Carlisle, Indiana. He turned 21 on Sunday.

The oldest was 92-year-old Ellen Deeb of Troy, New York. But she was eliminated on Sunday.

The 6598 entries at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino is the fifth-largest starting field in tournament history.

The Main Event prize pool is more than US$62 million. The top 666 finishers will collect prizemoney.

Play goes to July 16, when a final nine players will emerge. They'll resume play on October 28.

- AP