Just in time for some holiday dreaming — and planning! — the World Series of Poker lineup for 2010 was announced Thursday in Las Vegas.

A quick look at the full schedule reveals that players with relatively modest bankrolls will have their best opportunity ever to experience poker’s biggest show.

One of the key additions to next year’s WSOP — which starts in just five months — is a sixpack of $1,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em tournaments. No WSOP bracelet event has ever cost less than that.

Moreover, five of those six tournaments will be on weekends, allowing potentially even greater participation than the $1,000 Stimulus Special held in 2009 which drew more than 6,000 players — the largest turnout in history for a non-main event WSOP competition.

The expansion to six of the $1,000 events virtually assures that the 2010 WSOP will set attendance records again, breaking last year’s record of nearly 61,000 total entries. The total number of event remains at 57 next year.

There are plenty of other reasons to start thinking about a trip to the WSOP — triple starting stacks, a new food court, a 20 percent increase in the number of tables, and more.

Now that I think about it: For a poker player, what could make a better Christmas gift than a seat in a WSOP event in 2010!

Here’s a news release sent Thursday by Nolan Dalla, WSOP media director, which gives the particulars:
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Fans of Poker After Dark on NBC shouldn’t have any problem finding a favorite to root for on the Season 5 finale, which begins tonight/early Tuesday morning. The two-week-long cash game episodes will feature, from left: Patrik Antonius, Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan and Phil Hellmuth. That’s hostess Leeann Tweeden brightening up the photo in the center. (Photo by PAD)

Poker After Dark wraps up Season 5 on NBC over the next two weeks, starting tonight, with a televised cash game featuring six of poker’s most popular players. (OK, Phil Hellmuth is playing, so let’s just call him one of the game’s most-talked-about players, and move on.)

It should be fun to watch a lineup of Patrik Antonius, Daniel Negreanu, Gus Hansen, Phil Ivey, Tom Dwan and Hellmuth go at each other with starting buy-ins of at least $100,000 (max buy-in is $250,000).

NBC will air five late night/early morning episodes each week (check local schedules for times), then wrap up both weeks with a “director’s cut” episode late Saturday night.

The players will redraw for seats after the first five episodes. Here, from Poker After Dark, are bios of the six pros:
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Jacob Zalewski, who suffers from Cerebral Palsy, came up with the idea for a charity poker tournament to help victims of the disease. The second annual “All In For CP” event is set for Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas — and you’re invited!

TOURNAMENT BRINGS TOGETHER PROS, PLAYMATES, CELEBS & AMATEURS

“We hope to see a future where Cerebral Palsy is a thing of the past. We know are getting one step closer to that vision everyday.”

With that guiding premise, Cerebral Palsy victim Jacob Zalewski of Houston initiated the “All In For CP” no-limit Texas hold’em tournament a year ago. Now it’s time for the second annual tourney, and you’re invited to join the fun!

The event is set for Saturday, Dec. 12, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. That’s one day before the start of the Doyle Brunson Five Diamond World Poker Classic, so you can expect many top pros to be on hand to help the CP cause.

You’ll also see Playboy Playmates (!) and personalities from television and film coming together to benefit the One Step Closer Foundation, which is 501(c)3 certified. Jennifer Tilly will host the event.

If you’re going to be in Vegas that day, this will be one of the highlight events to consider. The tourney starts at 2 p.m. at the Hard Rock with a $550 buy-in and $200 re-buys. For tickets and information, call 281-740-8604 or go to www.allinforcp.com.

After the event, the Poker Players Alliance, headlining sponsor for the tournament, will host a party for participants.
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