Everyone has heard of the World Series of Poker and the huge prize payout for the Main Event, but little do most realize that it is one of many events during the dog days of summer in Vegas where pros have long been playing WSOP tournaments yearly that include Razz, Omaha, Omaha 8b, Stud, Stud 8b, PL Omaha, Pl Omaha 8b, Pl Hold’em and the skill testing HORSE besides the $10,000 main event.

This is the reason why you hear about poker pros that have multiple WSOP bracelets, even though they have never won the main event. Phil Ivey and Allen Cunningham come to mind with several bracelets each. It is a much more daunting task to win the Main Event bracelets, than it is to win the $1,500 Omaha HL PL with 367 competitors! That is why all pros covet the Main Event bracelet most.

For us amateur players in the online world we have a similar outlet now, thanks to the clever marketing minds at Full Tilt Poker. It is called the FTOPS, or Full Tilt Online Poker Series. It sort of works in the same way in that players who participate in several FTOPS events have a chance to collect FTOPS points for placing in any of the events. The points leader is awarded prize money as well at the end of the FTOPS series.

There are a variety of events available including a John Juanda hosted 6 seated NL event that has a guaranteed prize pool of over $350,000. Mike Matusow will be boasting his tournament skills at an Omaha HiLo tournament with a $200+16 entry fee. While the main event, where most Full Tilt Pros will be participating is a $500+35 entry fee and sports a minimum prize pool of $1,500.000. Chris Ferguson is the host of this tournament, and last season’s FTOPS winner took home more than $225,000! Not bad for online poker! I am sure this season’s FTOPS will top $250,000 for first place while just making the final table will pocket a player about $20,000.

Other pros you will run into at the FTOPS are Erick Lindgren, Jennifer Harmon, Gus Hansen, Phil Gordon ♥ttp://www.pokerbookreport.♣om/p♥ilgor♦on.♥tm, Andy Bloch and Allen Cunningham. Watch out for Cunningham, he is one of the best tournament players around and made the final table of last summer’s WSOP record breaking payout.

Hey it is not the WSOP, but FTOPS gives you the next closest thing without the travel and 114 degrees in the shade thing.

By: Marty Smith

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