Editing World Series of Poker (section)

===2005 expansion – WSOP Circuit===
{{Main|World Series of Poker Circuit}}
Starting in 2005, the WSOP began the [[World Series of Poker Circuit]], a satellite series held at Harrah's-owned properties in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carlton |first=Jimmy |date=2018-02-01 |title=World Series of Poker Circuit founding father helps Potawatomi host tour event |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/world-series-of-poker-circuit-potawatomi |access-date=2023-01-10 |website=OnMilwaukee}}</ref> In addition to the $10,000 buy-in tournament at each site, qualifying players became eligible for a revamped [[World Series of Poker Tournament of Champions|Tournament of Champions]]. The 2005 TOC, made up of the top twenty qualifying players at each circuit event, along with the final table from the 2005 Main Event, and the winners of nine or more bracelets (Johnny Chan, Doyle Brunson, and Phil Hellmuth) would participate in the revamped TOC at [[Caesars Palace]]. [[Mike Matusow]] won the first prize of $1 million (US), and all the players at the final table were guaranteed a minimum of $25,000 for the eighth and ninth-place finishers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalla |first=Nolan |date=November 9, 2005 |title=Mike Matusow wins 2005 Tournament of Champions |url=https://www.wsop.com/news/2005/Nov/542/Mike-Matusow-wins-2005-Tournament-of-Champions.html |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=World Series of Poker}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=World Series of Poker - WSOP Tournament of Champions 2005, Tournament of Champions - No Limit Hold'em: Hendon Mob Poker Database |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=14994 |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>

During a break in the final table of the 2005 Main Event on July 16, Harrah's announced that eleven properties — including the recently added Bally's and Caesar's properties — would host 2005–06 WSOP Circuit events that started on August 11 in [[Tunica Resorts, Mississippi|Tunica]], [[Mississippi]].  One event that was scheduled for [[Biloxi, Mississippi|Biloxi]], Mississippi, was canceled after the [[Grand Casino Biloxi]], which was scheduled to host the event, suffered major damage from [[Hurricane Katrina]]. The Rio also hosted the [[2006 World Series of Poker]], which began on June 25 with satellite events and formally began the day after with the annual Casino Employee event, won in 2006 by [[Chris Gros]]. 2006 featured the Tournament of Champions on June 25 and 26, won by [[Mike Sexton]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dalla |first=Nolan |date=June 28, 2006 |title=A Most Deserving Victory! Mike Sexton Wins Third-Annual Tournament of Champions |url=https://www.wsop.com/news/2006/Jun/575/A-Most-Deserving-Victory--Mike-Sexton-Wins-Third-Annual-Tournament-of-Champions.html |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=World Series of Poker}}</ref> Various events led up to the Main Event, which was held from July 28 until August 10. The first prize of $12 million was awarded to [[Jamie Gold]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=37th World Series of Poker - WSOP 2006, No Limit Texas Hold'em - World Championship Event: Hendon Mob Poker Database |url=https://pokerdb.thehendonmob.com/event.php?a=r&n=15849 |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=[[The Hendon Mob Poker Database]] |language=en}}</ref>