The 2008 World Series of Poker at the Rio All Suites Hotel & Casino is the largest ever in terms of players and the richest ever in terms of prize money.
A total of 58,720 players participated in the 39th annual World Series of Poker, which spanned 55 events and 47 days. The figure is an 8 percent increase over last year's 54,288.
Total combined prize pools reached $180.7 million, an increase of $20.9 million over last year.
The event also broke a record for number of countries/territories represented, with individuals from 118 countries/territories participating, an increase of 31 over last year.
The Main Event, the $10,000 buy-in World Championship of No Limit Texas Hold'em, booked the second-largest field in history, with 6,844 competitors.