Who wants to be a millionaire? The World Series of Poker kicks off in Las Vegas

What’s one of the easiest ways to become a millionaire? Play in the World Series of Poker. The huge poker tournament kicks off on Wednesday, May 27, at noon and stretches through July 14 at the Rio.

Don’t worry about getting in the tournament from day one. It starts with an event for casino employees.

Mark Friday, May 29, and Saturday, May 30, on the calendar for the $565 buy-in, no-limit hold’em tournament dubbed Colossus, a first for the event. The winner is guaranteed $5 million in prize money. This event features four starting times with two each day at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Organizers say this could be the largest live poker tournament ever held.

Over the course of the 68-event tournament, every variety of poker recognized is played. Last year, more than 82,000 entered to vie for $227 million in prize money.

Anyone can win in any of the event, making the tournament a draw for amateurs and pros alike. Last year, players came from 110 countries.

This year features 11 new tournaments with players spread out in three massive rooms at 480 different tables.

For those who think they have a shot at being a millionaire, play in the Millionaire Maker no-limit hold’em tournament June 5-6 with $1 million prize for the winner. Last year, nearly 8,000 contenders competed.

The Monster Stack on June 12-13 was called the breakout event of 2014 with 7,862 players. Every player at the final table earned a six-figure payday with the winner taking home $1,327,083.

But the big prize comes with the Main Event, the tournament that starts on Sunday, July 5, that comes with an estimated $8 million prize and a gold bracelet for the winner. Last year, about 7,000 players competed in the 10-day tournament with a $10,000 buy-in. That tournament stops once nine players are at the table, and they return in November to compete in one final three-day tournament to determine the winner.

New this year, players who place between 694 and 1,000 in the Main Event will leave with $15,000.

This marks the 11th year the World Series of Poker has taken place at the Rio.

Info: World Series of Poker