The schedule has more similarities than differences with the 2009 schedule, especially when compared to, say, a 2006 schedule (which almost reads like an entirely different tournament event, to be honest). That said, there are some critical differences worth noting.

FOOTPRINT: The WSOP will be taking place at the Rio in 2010, but will be employing even more of that casino’s cavernous convention space. This year the WSOP maintains it’s use of the Amazon Room and additionally employs the Pavilion, the largest ballroom at the Rio. The new space will allow organizers to offer players an increase of tables approaching 20%, according to the WSOP (last year the event hosted 295 tables). Also, the ‘food tent’ from last year will be converted into an indoor food court based in the Miranda Ballroom.

50k HORSE: It’s no longer HORSE – the format is being shifted to a 50k buy in 8-game mix. The winner will still receive the ‘Chip Reese trophy’ and the event will, according to WSOP, be followed heavily by ESPN. If you’re not into playing the five-day event but like the mixed games (or are a HORSE purist), you’ll still have the 1.5k and 3k HORSE tournaments to participate in, as well as a new 10k buy in HORSE event that seeks to fill the void created by the format shift.

NEW BUY INS Harrah’s is catering to players at both ends of the buy in spectrum with new events planned for the 2010 WSOP. For lower buy in players, the Rio will be offering a series of weekday tournaments during the WSOP with a $550 buy in. The tournaments are NOT bracelet events, but will run in the WSOP area. Several 1k buy in events – which are bracelet events – have made their way onto the schedule as well. For players at the top of the buy in chain, Harrah’s has added a 25k buy in 6 max No Limit Holdem event.

Source: http://www.parttimepoker.com/official-2010-world-series-of-poker-schedule-released

His latest venture saw Dusty donate 30 hours of his online poker time to raise money for Transition Projects, an agency that helps homeless people seeking housing. The result was an impressive $21,000 contribution to the charity and enough to keep three homeless people accommodated and taken care of for 6 months.

“I decided to do it shortly after my daughter was born. I felt the more difficult it was to go out and play on the streets, the more a statement it might make,” said Schmidt who spent half his time playing out in the open at at Southwest Washington Street and Park Avenue.

Dusty Schmidt said he felt an empathy towards the charitable institution as he had also faced the possibility of homelessness, after a heart attack five years ago left him with unpaid medical bills, dwindling disability cheques and an increasingly hard to find monthly rent. Schmidt said he had played some poker before, and so decided to extracate himself from his financial problems by throwing his time and efforts into online poker. After 400 hours, he had made $7,000 profit and hasn’t had to look back since.

Commenting on the online pros generous donation, Doreen Binder the executive director of Transition Projects said, “It’s extremely moving to see somebody who’s come to an understanding or a realization that there are people in need. He is donating money with the faith that this will change somebody’s life.”

Source: http://www.onlinepoker.net/poker-news/general-poker-news/poker-pros-21000-donation-brings-xmas-cheer-homeless/3786

Before the Reverend was able to enter the tournament, he had to ask permission from the pastor at his church. When he divulged his reasons, he was granted permission and encouraged by his congregation. Not surprisingly, Reverend Trapp was the only priest to enter the tournament but when he qualified for the event he showed his opponents that God was on his side.

Reverend Trapp did not view the experience as gambling. The tournament was free to enter and made it easier to look at it as an opportunity to make money for the church. On top of the main reason he entered the tournament, Reverend Trapp used his time to show people that priests can have fun and encourage other people to do so as well. He stressed gambling and drinking alcohol in moderation but also stated that the church did not frown upon these activities.

He may not have won the jackpot but Reverend Trapp did a lot to bridge the gap between people and religion.

Source: http://www.onlinecasino.org/news/america-priest-enters-poker-tournament-to-win-money-for-church-rebuild-3125.php