LAS VEGAS -- Hundreds of thousands of people are heading to Las Vegas, hoping to be crowned the best poker player in the world at the World Series of Poker.
This year, more events were added, making Las Vegas' take bigger and better.
The red carpet has been rolled out for those players who are coming from all over the world to the Rio Hotel and Casino. The director of the World Series of Poker says more than 2,000 people are taking part in the first official day of play.
Yesterday, it was the dealers who tried their luck. Today, it's a $1,500 buy in no limit hold 'em tournament. And those 2,000 players have to stay somewhere when they aren't at the tables.
The Rio has been sold out. But its not just the hotels, there are other businesses, like restaurants and vendors, that depend on all the traffic brought in by the World Series of Poker.
"This is a great place to make money. I've only been here one day and maybe two hours so far and I've probably seen at least 2,000 people walk by," said Julie Ames with Blue Shark Optics.
Officials say throughout the 61 event tournament, hundreds of millions of dollars will change hands and flow through the Las Vegas economy.
Every year this event is growing. They have added 91 tables this year, which brings the total number to nearly 500 table all playing at once.
