When the 39th annual World Series of Poker kicked off on May 31^st, all the attention was focused on how many records could the 2008 edition set. So far, the WSOP has proven that no matter how bad the U.S. economy can get, players will always do the impossible to play side by side with some of the best pros on the planet. When registration for the WSOP Main Event formally closed on Sunday evening, the biggest and most relevant poker tournament of the year officially established new records in several fields, including:

• Most total registrants: Over 58,500 players participated in the 55 events programmed for the 2008 WSOP, breaking the previous record of 54,288 players set in 2007.

• Largest total prize pool:  Over $180 million were amassed during the 2008 WSOP, surpassing the previous record of $159,796,918 set last year.

• Most countries/territories represented: Players from 104 different countries/territories have competed in 2008 WSOP events. The previous record number of countries represented at the WSOP was 87, also set in 2007.

• Largest non-Main Event field: 3,929 players at the $1,500 Event #1.

• First Family to win WSOP Bracelets in a single edition: The Hinkle brothers, became the first-ever set of brothers to win bracelets in the same year. Grant achieved his victory on Event #2, winning $831,432; and Blair won Event #23 and a prize of $507,563.

"This has been an incredible season and we're not done yet. So far, players from 56 countries, every state in the U.S. and every Canadian province have cashed at this year's WSOP. When all is said and done, we're going to award more prize money to more players than at any other point in our illustrious 39-year history." said World Series of Poker Commissioner Jeffrey Pollack.

The 2008 World Series of Poker kicked off on May 30^th and runs through July 14^th at the Rio All Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The Main Event, which started on July 3^rd and is the second-largest live poker tournament ever held (6,844 players). The Final Table will be determined on July 14^th, the nine players who advance to the Final Table will return to Las Vegas on November 9^th to play. The main event Heads Up will start on November 10^th and will determine the champion and winner of the most respected and profitable poker tournament on the planet. Each of the final eight competitors will get at least $1 million; and the winner of the Main Event will get $9.1 million and the opportunity to immortalize his/her name in the annals of poker.