Yep, it’s started. The 2006 World Series of Poker, which promises to be the biggest and best ever is underway at Harrah’s Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada USA.

The tournament officially began on Sunday June 25, with satellite action, while Monday saw a Casino employee $500 buy-in Texas Hold’Em tournament. However today sees the the first ‘open’ action, with a three day $1,500 No Limit Hold’Em competition.

So from now until August 10, the Rio will see the best poker action there is on the planet each year.

With 45 events due to be contested, it really is the ultimate poker competition.

Everyone of any note will be there, with the superstars of the game battling it out against internet qualifiers, celebrities and players from all over the world, all battling for one of those elusive and highly prized WSOP bracelets.

Without a doubt the blue ribband event is the Main or World Championship Event, due to begin on July 28.

Anywhere from between 8,000 to 10,000 players are due to stump up the $10,000 buy-in and play in the best poker tournament there is over 13 days of intense competition.

The odds of a previous winner, or even last year’s winner Australian Joe Hachem repeating the feat are astronomical, the likely winner will proabably be someone we’ve never heard of – but that’s the beauty of it, and everyone is desperate to know who will scoop an estimated $10 million for fiist place.

Other events of note are the £50,000 H.O.R.S.E event which will feature a small field of the best players in the world, the Tournament of Champions and the Ladies Event.

PokerPlayer’s Editor Dave Woods will be attending as will our roster of freelance writers and they’ll be sending back all the news, results and gossip from the tournament.

We will also be bringing you an exciting WSOP fantasy game, so stay tuned for that.

So, it’s begun. Quietly at first, but by the time we get to the Main Event’s final table of nine players on August 10, the whole world will be watching.