The 2006 World Series of Poker (WSOP) ran from June 25th, 2006 to August 10, 2006. The extravaganza featured numerous satellite events with regular play beginning on June 26 with the yearly Casino Employee event, followed by the Tournament of Champions taking place on June 28th and 29th.

The WSOP 2006 comprised some 40 events and featured a host of poker games including 7-Card Stud, Omaha and Razz. Seniors' and Ladies' tournaments were also held, with all leading up to the main $10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold'em event beginning on July 28th and running all the way through to the last table on August 10th.

All the events at the WSOP 2006 took place at Las Vegas' Rio All Suite Hotel & Casino. This also marked the first time that the WSOP 2006 was hosted by a casino other than the former Binion's Horseshoe (today known as ‘Binion's') hosted the main event's final table.

Soon after it purchased the annual happening from the Binion family back in 2004, Harrah's Entertainment arranged the tournament so that six days were reserved for the main event's initial two rounds of play. Millions of dollars were at stake and, in the end, 12 new millionaires had emerged from the WSOP 2006.

The WSOP 2006 also featured what is known as a HORSE tournament. H.O.R.S.E. is a limit poker game, including Texas Hold'em. The WSOP 2006 H.O.R.S.E. tournament featured a record-breaking US$50,000 buy-in. The event was won by David (Chip) Reese. The 50,000 dollar buy-in also ranked as the highest ever for a single World Series of Poker event.

The WSOP 2006 winner was Jeff Madsen. He won 2 events and made 2 additional final tables and finishing in third place both times. Madsen was crowned the 2006 WSOP Player of the Year (P.O.T.Y.), just beating Phil Hellmuth. Hellmuth also managed to make it to four final tables.

WSOP 2006 Main Event
The WSOP 2006 Main Event was the largest tournament held at the World Series. However, because there were an expected 8773 poker players competing, four separate starting days were scheduled. Afterwards, the winners from these groups competed over the course of two days and then ultimately into one final group.

On August 10, Jamie Gold was named the WSOP 2006 World Champion. The final table at the WSOP's Main Event was broadcast live via Pay-Per-View television.