So far more than $49.4 million has been given away this Summer

The first 27 events of the World Series of Poker are either completed or will be by the end of tomorrow, and the number of players who have come to Vegas to try for a bracelet, as well as the amount of money that has been generated in prize pools, have been astounding.

Poker Room

In less than three weeks, the tournaments of the WSOP have generated a total prize pool of more than $49.4 million from 26,564 buy-ins. The main event, which starts next Friday, is expected to have between 8,000 and 10,000 players, and the main event is only the biggest of the 18 tournaments left until the WSOP closes its 2006 chapter.

Poker Affiliate Program

Online gamblers slam House vote

Local online poker players were unfazed by a House vote forbidding the use of credit cards to settle online bets in an effort to halt the mushrooming interest in Internet gambling. Many said legislation could not stop the $12 billion online gambling industry, citing poker's growing popularity both online and on television.

"I don't like it," said Fremont resident, who plays online poker at three different Web sites. "They've got gambling legal in Indian casinos, Reno and Las Vegas, so people should be able to online." Critics argued that regulating the industry and collecting taxes on it would be more effective than outlawing it. They say policing the Internet is impossible.

Hellmuth denied tenth WSOP Bracelet

Phil Hellmuth's second legitimate chance to capture his record-tying tenth WSOP bracelet ended in continued frustration Monday as the poker superstar again watched a first time WSOP champion take home the hardware.

Poker Affiliate Marketing

Hellmuth was the final table's main attraction, but after an early series of bad hands, Hellmuth busted in sixth place. His play in WSOP Event 24 was good enough for his fourth cash in the 2006 WSOP and another $48,576 in prize money. Hellmuth now had 53 cashes in the WSOP all-time, adding to the record he set earlier in the series.

Poker Room online