The red carpet has been rolled out and the green felt has been played down to the wire as the first 56 events in the 2010 World Series of Poker have played out in a fashion that has once again illustrated why this tournament series is the premier one in the world.

Now that the first 56 bracelets are gone, it is time to crown a new world champion in 2010. Reigning champion Joe Cada will be back to defend his crown in the tournament that began on July 5th and he will be representing Team Poker Stars along with many other former champions including but not limited to Chris Moneymaker (2003), Greg Raymer (2004) and Joe Hachem (2005).

Everyone will also be watching poker hotshot Phil Ivey to see if he can get back to the Main Event final table yet again, a feat he has managed multiple times this decade. Fresh off winning his 8th WSOP bracelet, Ivey will be looking to beat his 7th place finish last year and add his 9th WSOP bracelet and first Main Event title to the trophy case.

In order to make this year’s tournament even more special than it already is, many online poker sites including Full Tilt Poker are offering cash prizes of up to $10 million to their satellite winners if those winners are able to parlay those satellite victories into success in the Main Event. Considering people like Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer made the modern online poker age with their success in the big one after winning satellite tournaments, this move is one that might not seem as farfetched as many people make it out to be.

Whatever happens, there will certainly be a lot of media surrounding this event which will play down to its final table by July 17th. Those nine remaining people will play off in November to decide who will become the World Series of Poker champion in 2010. It might be Joe Cada, another previous champion or someone entirely new. You just never know with the Main Event.