Satellite tournaments began around 1978 for the World Series of Poker. In earlier years many players could not afford the $10,000 entry fee into the final event. Tournament director Eric Drache was trying to entice players to sign up for the main event in hopes of increasing attendance from the previous year. He noticed that at one of the cash games taking place, all of the players had at least $1,000 in chips in front of them. Deciding to take action, he suggested that each of the players put up $1,000 and play a freeze out with the winner getting the entire $10,000 to pay for an entry in the 'Big One.' They agreed and the first single table satellite was held. The rest is history.

Since that time satellite tournaments have continued to be a way for players to win an entry into a tournament that they may not have been able to afford. In 1983, history was made once again as Tom McEvoy became the first player to win a WSOP event via a satellite entry. Satellite tournaments have evolved from the single table format to multiple table, and mini-tournaments with low entry fees all offering a chance of winning an entry into the tournament of everyone's dreams, a WSOP event.

The owners of the World Series of Poker, Harrah's Entertainment, have announced that they will no longer accept online poker room registrations from their customers, a practice that was primarily responsible for the skyrocketing number of attendees at the WSOP over the past three years. In view of that turn of events, should you throw in the towel on your dreams of playing in the Main Event, something that currently has a $10,000 price tag? Not necessarily, there are plenty of satellite opportunities to be found in live poker rooms throughout the country, including the Midwest. In addition, Harrah's will host two Midwest WSOP circuit events beginning in the end of January. If you have been lucky enough to earn your seat into the finals or wish to brush up on your skills before the main event, don't miss the new WSOP Academy, which is scheduled to take place at Caesar's Indiana the first week in April.

WSOP CIRCUIT EVENTS- SPRING 2007

1) January 29th - February 7th. Harrah's Horseshoe - Council Bluffs, IA. Phone (712)323-2500. One million dollar first prize, plus a WSOP ring, and a $10,000 to the main event in Las Vegas.

2) March 26th - April 5th. Caesar's Indiana, Elizabeth, IN. Phone 1800-660-9744. Call poker room direct for details.

Caesar's Indiana To Host New WSOP Academy

The WSOP Poker Academy is a new poker camp designed to arm you with the skills you will need to win a WSOP Bracelet and immortalize yourself in poker history.

The instructors include some of the world's best poker players, all of which have won WSOP Bracelets and will be there to share their secrets and strategies.

Through seminars, live demonstrations and poker tournaments, the WSOP Academy will elevate your poker game and give you the tools to dominate your poker table - be it your home game or the Main Event! The pro instructors are not only some of the world's best poker players; they are also personable, approachable and accomplished poker instructors. The instructors are also WSOP bracelet winners and possess the necessary knowledge and experience needed to help you improve.

WSOP Spring Satellites

Kewadin Casino, St. Ignace, MI. Phone: 1-800- 539-2346. 2007 WORLD SERIES OF POKER Satellite Tournaments-No Limit Texas Hold 'Em-Mondays at 6 p.m. through April 2, 2007 to qualify.

Jackpot Junction Casino, Morton, MN. Phone: 1-800-946-2274. Jackpot Junction Casino Hotel will send one lucky player to the World Series of Poker in 2007! To participate: A point system will be utilized for upcoming No-Limit Texas Hold'em Tournaments; dates include: January 6 & 21, February 3 & 18, March 3 & 18, April 7 & 22. Chip-In's Island Resort and Casino, Harris, MI. Phone: 1-800-682-6040. WSOP Super Satellites Wednesdays 6:30 pm.

What are you waiting for? Shake off that old cabin fever with some new WSOP action, unglue yourself from your computer screen and set your sights for some fresh spring action in a live poker room.

This year, you may find yourself seated at a WSOP main event, instead of seated in front of your TV watching someone else take home the $12 million in cash. Good luck!