TEXAS HOLD 'EM AT A GLANCE

In no-limit Texas Hold 'em, the game played at the main event of the World Series of Poker, two cards are dealt down to each player, followed by a round of bets. Each player must either fold, match or bet more than the big blind — the mandatory bet put in by the player two spots to the left of the rotating dealer button. That includes the player in the small blind, which is half the big blind, one spot to the left of the button.

Once all players who have not folded put in the same amount of chips, three community cards called the flop are dealt face up. There is another round of bets, checks or raises. Next comes fourth street, or the turn card, followed by more betting. Finally, fifth street, or the river card, is turned up, and there is a final round of betting.

The player with the best five cards out of seven takes the pot.

The blinds go up and so do the antes — small mandatory bets for every player — as play goes on, raising the stakes and the pressure.

WORLD SERIES OF POKER

A glance at the World Series of Poker main event, which begins its final table on Saturday:

What: The 40th annual World Series of Poker main event, featuring no-limit Texas Hold 'em with a $10,000 buy-in. The main event is the final and most prestigious tournament of the series, one of 57 tournaments that began May 26 and awarded gold bracelets to its winners.

Where: Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas.

Who: Thousands of players, including defending champion Peter Eastgate.

Prize Money: First prize is $8.55 million from a total prize pool of $61 million. The top 10 percent of the field of 6,494 players won money, starting with $21,365 for 648th place.

Format: The field was split into four sections, each starting on a different day from July 3-6. Play each day ran about 10 hours, excluding breaks, though tournament officials adjusted play based on the number of entrants and the speed of the game. The fields remaining from the first two starting days were combined July 7, while those from the second two starting days played July 8. Those who survived July 7 and July 8 joined in one room July 10, playing each day until nine players remained.

Final table: Nine players begin Saturday and play until two players are left. A winner is determined after heads-up play begins Monday night.

Updates: Can be found at www.worldseriesofpoker.com