The World Series of Poker has shown impressive growth since 2003 when Internet poker player Chris Moneymaker took the main event bracelet and the money. The organisers have released interesting historical statistics on the recent development of the world's largest poker event:
WSOP Main Event Prizepools, 2003-2007
2003 WSOP Main Event
Players: 839
Prizepool: $7 802 700
Players Paid: 63 (7.50 percent of the field)
Minimum Prize: $15 000
Number of Millionaires: 2
First Prize: Chris Moneymaker: $2.5 million
2004 WSOP Main Event
Players: 2 576
Prizepool: $24 224 400
Players Paid: 226 (8.77 percent of the field)
Minimum Prize: $10 000
Number of Millionaires: 5
First Prize: Greg Raymer: $5 million
2005 WSOP Main Event
Players: 5 619
Prizepool: $52 818 610
Players Paid: 560 (9.97 percent of the field)
Minimum Prize: $12 500
Number of Millionaires: 9
First Prize: Joe Hachem: $7.5 million
2006 WSOP Main Event
Players: 8 773
Prizepool: $82 512 162
Players Paid: 876 (9.99 percent of the field)
Minimum Prize: $10 616
Number of Millionaires: 12
First Prize: Jamie Gold: $12 million
2007 WSOP Main Event
Players: 6 358
Prizepool: $59 784 954
Players Paid: 621 (9.77 percent of the field)
Minimum Prize: $20 320
Number of Millionaires: 5
First Prize: $8 250 000