2008 World Series of Poker dates announced

2007 WSOP Main Event champion Jerry Yang

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. has announced that the 2008 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will be staged at the Rio Casino in Las Vegas from May 30 through July 17, 2008.

"The team is still hard at work on the schedule of events for next year, but we've received so many requests for the dates that we decided to announce them now," said Jeffrey Pollack, WSOP Commissioner.

According to Geno Iafrate, vice president and assistant general manager of the Rio, the doors to the WSOP tournament room will open early, on May 26.

Two special events will be played before the regular events of the 2008 WSOP get underway.

"This 'soft opening' will give players a chance to register early and avoid the lines we had last year during opening weekend - our busiest time," said Geno Iafrate.