World Series of Poker Africa
The World Series of Poker Africa (WSOPA) is the second expansion effort of World Series of Poker-branded poker tournaments outside the United States. Since 1970, participants had to travel to Las Vegas if they wanted to compete in the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Although the WSOP started holding circuit events in 2005 in other states, the main tournaments, which awarded bracelets to the winners, were exclusively held in Las Vegas. In 2007, the inaugural World Series of Poker Europe marked the first time that a WSOP bracelet was awarded outside Las Vegas. In 2010, the WSOP expanded overseas once again, only this time to Gauteng, South Africa. While the WSOPE awarded bracelets, the WSOPA was considered a circuit event with the winners receiving Championship Rings instead of bracelets. The WSOPA did not occur in 2011, but the series of tournaments resumed in 2012.
Bigger Deal: A Year Inside the Poker Boom
The main thrust of the book is the changes that poker has undergone since the game became immensely popular following the 2003 World Series of Poker and the advent of Internet casinos and cardrooms. When Holden played in the 1988 World Series of Poker, there were only 167 starters competing for a first prize of $270,000. At the 2006 World Series, where this book climaxes, there were almost nine thousand players and a first prize of $12 million, the richest in any sport.