The World Series of Poker: The Ultimate Poker Road Trip  

For any serious poker player, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the championship to end all championships. This annual poker extravaganza brings together the best players from around the globe for a weeks-long tournament series consisting of dozens of different event variations. While the $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event is the marquee tournament that gets the biggest hype and prize pool, the WSOP features events at buy-in levels for players of all bankrolls.

What really sets the WSOP apart is the sheer scale and spectacle of the event. The Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas transforms into a poker player's paradise each summer, with the convention center devoted entirely to a massive poker room filled with hundreds upon hundreds of tables. The energy is electric, with players hailing from all corners of the world to take their shot at poker glory and life-changing money.

While the bright lights of Vegas provide a fitting backdrop, part of the WSOP's allure is the seasoned road warriors who travel the circuit year-round to poker's biggest tournaments. The WSOP tour consists of stops at major casinos across the United States and increasingly around the world. Players grind their way through preliminary circuit events to accrue points in the hopes of earning a coveted WSOP Circuit ring and qualifying for a freeroll into the season-ending Global Casino Championship.

For most players, the tours and travels of the professional poker road are a long way from the glitz of the Vegas championship. Bouncing between low-key casino poker rooms and playing long, grinding tournaments and cash games requires incredible dedication, stamina and self-motivation. While the prospect of turning a modest tournament buy-in into a six or seven figure score is a powerful driving force, the truth is most pros are battling to eke out a modest living doing what they love.

Whether you're an amateur dreaming of poker glory or a long-time road grinder, the WSOP remains the Everest of poker achievements. Simply making it to the Main Event in Vegas and getting a shot at the $10 million first prize embodies the quintessential gambler's fantasy. With players sporting outrageous costumes and raucous rails cheering them on, the atmosphere is unmatched in the world of competitive gaming. Lasting more than a week in the Main Event is a feat in itself, pushing players' physical, mental and emotional limits to the brink.

Come join us this summer to follow all the action and amazing stories as they unfold at the World Series of Poker!