All players lined up, the pros and the amateurs along with dozens of celebrities this past Friday as the chips were passed around the cards dealt for the start of the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.

By mid afternoon there were over 8,500 registered entrants for the largest poker game in the world, which helped bring the top cash money prize to a staggering 11.7 million dollars.

There were also many alternates waiting for their chance as well as new players signing up until early Monday, all the while the grand prize could grow even larger in that time.

All in all, the very last 12 players in the 37th annual no limit Texas Hold Em tournament will all walk away with at least a 1 million dollar cash prize apiece. The final table for the tournament in scheduled to be played on August 10.

Poker has been played for the last 33 days leading up to the main even at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Earlier rounds of the tournament have seen University of Cal at Santa Barbara student, Jeff Madsen become a millionaire at the tables and the pro Phil Hellmuth win his 10 WSOP bracelet, tying the poker great Doyle Brunson and the infamous Johnny Chan.

The poker tournament here this year at the Rio Hotel and Casino is in the air and anybody has a chance to win this years tournament. Stay tuned to ESPN for live coverage of this years tournament and stay tuned here for all your coverage of gambling news from around the globe.