For a modest buy-in you can breathe the same air as the big-name pros at the WSOP This year, the World Series of Poker became a truly everyman experience. While there was a 2,000 drop in numbers for the Big One, the early events were bursting at the seams. If last year was the main event gold rush, this year the massed ranks descended on Sin City a month early to stack out the $1,500 no-limit events to the rafters.

Thanks to Bodog.com, I was lined up to play in two of the $1,500 tournaments, to experience first hand what it was like to take a shot at the big time.