WSOP 2011 - No sign of Black Friday gloom as turnout high in first two weeks

RIO CASINO, LAS VEGAS - With two weeks of events already in the books at this year's World Series of Poker it is a good time to see how much Black Friday has affected attendance in the first 21 events of the 58 event series.

While some tournaments are new and the bigger tournaments ($10k+ buy in) have generally seen a small decline in numbers, the vast majority of the other events (ranging from $1k to $5k buy ins) have seen an increase in entrants. The new $25k Heads Up No Limit Hold'em Championship attracted 128 entrant, generating a record $3.04m prizepool for a WSOP heads up event.

As well as good turnouts for the WSOP tournaments, the Rio Casino reports that cash game action is up 12 per cent on last year

With some U.S players unable to access large sums of money they have tied up online with sites like Full Tilt Poker and Ultimate Bet (who have failed to pay back a cent to their players) it was believed that this year's WSOP would suffer in terms of numbers. Thankfully it appears the opposite may be true, with players seemingly seeking more live action as they continue to pursue a professional poker career in the USA.

Attendance has risen in a total of 13 events, there have been three new events and only five events have seen a decline in turnout.

It remains to be seen how the turnout figures will be for the remainder of the series but early indications are positive. The turnout for the Main Event will obviously garner most headlines no matter if it is up or down.

WSOP 2011 Attendance Figures (2010 figures in brackets)

Event #1 - $500 Casino Employees NLH - 850 (721)

Event #2 - $25,000 NLH Heads Up Chamionship - 128 NEW EVENT

Event #3 - $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo - 925 (818)

Event #4 - $5,000 No Limit Hold'em - 865 (792)

Event #5 - $1,500 Seven Card Stud - 357 (408) DOWN

Event #6 - $1,500 Limit Hold'em - 675 (625)

Event #7 - $10,000 Pot Limit Hold'em Championship - 249 (265) DOWN

Event #8 - $1,000 No Limit Hold'em - 4,345 (4,178)

Event #9 - $1,500 2-7 Draw Lowball (No-Limit) - 275 (250)

Event #10 - $1,500 NLH 6-Handed - 1,920 (1,663)

Event #11 - $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship - 202 (212) DOWN

Event #12 - $1,500 Triple Chance NLH - 1,340 NEW EVENT

Event #13 - $1,500 NLH Shootout - 1,440 (1,397)

Event #14 - $3,000 Limit Holdem - 337 NEW EVENT

Event #15 - $1,500 Pot Limit Hold'em - 765 (650)

Event #16 - $10,000 2-7 Draw Lowball Championship - 126 (101)

Event #17 - $1,500 HORSE - 963 (828)

Event #18 - $1,500 No Limit Hold'em - 3,157 (2,341)

Event #19 - $2,500 Six Handed Limit Hold'em - 354 (384) DOWN

Event #20 - $1,000 No Limit Hold'em - 3,175 (3,042)

Event #21 - $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship - 126 (150) DOWN