The Main Event of the 57th World Series of Poker is in progress, drawing 9,208 players who put up $10,000 for the entry fee or won their way in through qualifying tournaments. That’s a slight 5.4% drop off from last year and the second consecutive yearly decline. However, it still ranks as the fou rth largest Main Event field of all time, reinforcing the fact that poker continues to be a powerful draw. It also suggests that fears that the change in the tax laws for gamblers would depress participation were at least somewhat exaggerated. The prize pool is more than $85 million, with $10 million going to first place. All nine final-­table players will win $1 million or more and the top 1,382 finishers will be in the money for at least a $15,000 prize. The new Poker World Champion will be crowned during final-table play that will begin Aug. 3. ...read more read less