The main event for poker players everywhere, and the highlight of the entire year, is the world series of poker. This event is held annually in Las Vegas, at the famous Rio Hotel and Casino; now in collaboration with Harrah’s Entertainment, and covered exclusively by ESPN. A marathon of poker games with attendees numbering in the thousands, the world series of poker event is highly anticipated for its coveted platinum bracelets, awarded to the winners of over 50 of the events. In the poker world, these bracelets are what olive crowns are to Olympic athletes.

The famous international poker event attracts professional poker players, champions from all over the world, online applicants, and even celebrities and sports stars. Over the years, the number of events, now about 58, and the prize money awarded to the winners of many of the main events has drastically increased. In the year 2008, the prize money was a solid and whooping twelve million dollars! All the favorite poker games are included, like, Omaha, shoe, and horse, but the clear favorite is Texas Hold’em.

The world poker series also includes a player of the year award, presented to the player that manages to accumulate the most number of points during the entire event. A poker hall of fame also exists at the world poker series. To date, 42 people have been awarded the honor of being selected for the poker hall of fame since 1979, when the idea first originated. Candidates must be consistent and formidable, and only respected poker players that have played for high stakes, and against recognized, and skilled contemporaries, get considered for the hall of fame. Surprisingly, non-poker players may also be considered for the hall of fame, provided they make lasting and exceptional contributions to the world of poker.

Since 2007, another world poker series has been established outside of Las Vegas – the world series of poker Europe, also complete with bracelets. Several spin offs from the original world poker series have also originated, including a world poker series academy, world series of poker video games, DVD releases, and even world poker series online events.

Each year, more and more hype surrounds this absolutely sensational poker event, bringing in greater number of players, rake money, and media coverage. For some, it is an opportunity to observe and learn, while others show off their incredible poker skills, and win prize money, bracelets, and honor for themselves, their sponsors, and respective countries. For others still, it is a time to take a leap of faith, and discover how they fare at the legendary world poker series.

It cannot be denied that the popularity of poker spreads further and wider every year, on an enormous and worldwide scale. It won’t be too much longer before we see world poker events in every single continent. In the meantime, hopeful poker players are already working hard on their game, in preparation for the world poker series 2012, scheduled to be held at the end of October, after the conclusion of the 2012 U.S. presidential elections.

One of the most popular and easy types of poker games is Marshall Poker. The instructions are simple, and quick, and it can be played anywhere, with a deck of cards and a small group of people.

Marshall Poker is played with five players, and to win, you must construct the highest hand and thus, remain Marshall for five turns consecutively. The five players are assigned positions: Marshall, Deputy, Storekeeper, Town Drunk and Bandit. The Marshall, of course, has the highest rank, and the Bandit has the lowest. To play Marshall Poker, you need a regular 52 card deck, and five pieces of paper. Each one of the five ranks must first be written down on the pieces of paper, and the papers folded shuffled. Each player then chooses a paper, and the ranks are revealed. The Storekeeper is always the dealer. He shuffles the deck of cards, and deals out them as follows. The Marshall gets seven cards, the Deputy six, the Storekeeper himself five, the Town Drunk four, and the Bandit three. After the players receive their cards, the game then begins.

The Marshall gets the first turn, and asks the Bandit to trade up to three cards with him. Since the purpose of the game is to construct the highest hand possible, the Marshall will be trying to do just that. The catch is that he cannot see the Bandit’s cards, and therefore does not what cards he is getting. In return, the Bandit asks for the same number of cards back, but again, he doesn’t know what he is getting in the bargain.

Next, it’s the Deputy’s turn. He makes a trade of up to two cards with the Town Drunk, in the same manner: he may choose any card without being able to see what it is. In return, the Drunk also chooses the same number of cards.

Finally, the Storekeeper takes his turn. The Storekeeper announces the rank and suit of any card that he may wish to trade, and will receive an unknown card in return. He can trade up to three cards in this manner with any of the four players. The Bandit and the Town Drunk get no turn due to their ranks.

Now it is the time for the big reveal, and all players show their cards. The player with the highest hand is the winner, and is appointed as the Marshall for the next round. The remaining players are distributed ranks as well, according to their hands. The next round is now played in the same manner. If a player manages to retain the position of Marshall for five rounds running, he or she is declared the winner. As always with poker, luck and skill is needed in equal parts to win a game of Marshal Poker.

So there you have it. Now you are ready to gather some friends and start a game of Marshall Poker. Don’t forget the cards and some paper, and remember, no cheating!