There are not many sports where an amateur has the opportunity to mingle among the biggest stars in the industry. At the WSOP, they're all in the same place at the same time. Audience members, players and media eat at the same restaurants, use the same bathrooms and take their cigarette breaks in the same hallway.

For example, just as I sat down to write this I was approached by Allen Kessler, runner-up of event #21 (Omaha High-Low Split held on June 21st), who inquired about PokerListings.com. He wanted to know where on our site he could find pictures from event #21. Then, I look up and there is Johnny Chan watching the ongoing final table from right beside my laptop. And, I just had dinner at the table next to Chris Ferguson's!

At any other sporting event, the players have VIP Lounges where only persons holdidng VIP passes can enter; They eat their food and take their breaks apart from their fans. Here at the Rio Convention Center, home of the 2005 WSOP, young rookies are free to walk among their biggest idols, and can ask them for a chat or an autograph as easy as that.

When you enter a WSOP event you might end up at the same table as Doyle Brunson, Phil Hellmuth, Phil Ivey or Howard Lederer at any time. Indeed, its not like just anyone can play a basketball game with Michael Jordan at any time...

Not only does it feel cool to play with and meet your poker idols, but you can also learn so much by playing with them and observing them. This means that if you don't want to or can't afford to play a WSOP event you still have a chance to learn something new and see some great players.

Poker is certainly a game for everyone, a universal sport that appeals to people from all over, no matter how much money they've got, how old they are (provided they are over 21), or for how long they've been playing. You don't even have to have a big bankroll to play a WSOP event, thanks to all the satellites here at the Rio (starting from $125) or online in almost any poker room.

For a small amount of money you can be here playing poker with the best in the world and maybe, just maybe, you could win your first WSOP gold bracelet.